Storiesonline.net ------- Oil of Roses by Fillmore Copyright© 2005 by Fillmore ------- Description: Broken in spirit, Harry Grimes is saved by a young woman who turns out to need some saving herself. Together, they and their friends combine strengths and divide weaknesses, building a most unusual modern tribe and exploring the meaning of friendship, love, and sexuality in a "freak-friendly" community. Codes: MF FF MM cons rom bi het D/S span lght group BF OF oral anal mastrb slow ------- ------- Many thanks to author 'englander1961' for her help, editorial services, encouragement and a title much better than my original, which has elevated her to the status of House Goddess of Sexy Story Titles. Effusive thanks to Holly, the beloved and erotic Sister Decadence for her encouragement, editorial review and kind words. Thanks to author 'KY ridgerunner' for the stories that planted the idea in my head months ago. ------- Cast Dramatis Personae / Cast of Characters This section is provided purely as a reference aide for those reading the story. Skimming it beforehand might spoil some surprises. A Adam Zielinski — old friend, and first lover, of Helen McReady Adelaide Corken — private nurse Adolph Hilscher — butcher Akins, Dr. Joseph — doctor working in the Philouma Family medical facility Alan — sub, House Risotti, aka "One" Albert — Family man, one of Nick Philouma's bodyguards Albert Farlans — limo driver Albert Thacker — Master, House Thacker Albertino Carsidona — master of barbeque Al Donetti — guard at Campisi's Alejandro Pessino — son of Emiliano & Anna Almora Philouma — one of Nick Philouma's uncles Alvin Jones — one of Harry & Carol's attackers Anastasia Twinnings — clerk at FAO Schwarz in Houston Andre — playmate, bodyguard and employee, House Cornelius Andrea — receptionist for Carmine Landau's tailor shop Andrea Winchester — owner, The Tree of Knowledge Andrew — sub, House St. Paul Angela Row — waitress at Dominique's and sub looking for a home Angie Grimes nee Bolan — Harry's ex-wife Anna Pessino — long-time friend and employee of the Grimes family Anna Sapperstein — one of Benjamin's deceased sisters Annie — sub, Karghold Newton Antoinette — Fetish Goddess and owner of "Antoinette's" "Arthur" — Harry (Arthurian) B "Baby" — Carol's nickname when dealing with Angie "Baby Girl" — Carol's nickname when being a good girl Barbie — sub, Karghold Newton Benjamin Sapperstein, Dr. — Margo's ex-husband Bevy — co-worker of Eddie, artist for "Dinosaur Ho" webcomic "Big Vic" — widely used nickname for Victor Philouma "Billy Boner" — cabin boy, Billy (pirates) Billy Calhoun — sub, House Chorale, Billy Boner the Cabin Boy (pirates) "Bitch" — Margo under Mistress Kelly/The Queen Bizoumet — pre-op transsexual entertainer at Chateau de Chantilly "Blondie" — Nicki (pirates) Bob Mallon — sub, husband of Dorothy Mallon Bobbie Sue Ellen — Bevy's newborn niece "Boots" — nickname for Albertino Carsidona Boris — sub, House Sandalwood Boris Pedachenko — nephew of Dmitri and Natalya Pedachenko Brandy Jahnell — switch, House Anwyn C Callie Bak, Dr. — wife of Harry's college professor Dr. Hoong Bak Cal McOrn — homosexual male Calvin — layout artist at G&P Camille Santiago — sub, House Chorale, former sub of Stan Carter, brother of Ramon Santiago Candice — Stefan Franklin's sub before Lourdes Candy Dryson — sub, House Chorale Cao, Mr. & Mrs.— owners, Lotus Hunan "Captain, The" — Harry (pirates) "Captain Cao Li" — Li Kuan (pirates) "Captain Cuntlapper" — Karen (pirates) "Captain Longcock" — David Wilcox (pirates) "Captain Thrust" — Harry (pirates) "Captain Vagina" — Veronika (pirates) Carl Costanza — Family man, EMT Carla Donetti nee Russo — wife of Al Donetti Carmine Landau — tailor Carmine Vicenzio — Nick Philouma's consigliore-to-be, 'Judas' to Philip Philouma "Carol Casetti" — Carol's nom de guerre at Campisi's Carol Riley/Carol Antonia Grimes — sub, pet and beloved wife, House Chorale, "First Mate Twat" (pirates) Casey — sub, Karghold Newton Cat/Catrina — sub, House Sandalwood, (female) Cathy Breeden — high school/college friend of Harry and Eddie, ex-girlfriend of Harry's Charlie Mays — Master, House Crimson-Glove Chatsiree — niece of Mrs. Phailin Sukhawari and waitress at Bangkok Inn Chris Corken — one of Adelaide Corken's husbands Cindy Green — high school/college friend of Harry and Eddie Clarice — employee at "Antoinette's" Claudette Baxley — Mistress Claudette of House Evensong, Lady Claudette du Villiers in pirate play Cliff Jeffreys — football player who tried to rape Margo in high school Clyde — Perry's cousin Clyde — sub, House Sandalwood "Crewman Bum" — Kelly (pirates) "Crewman Jizzie" — Jackie (pirates) "Crewman Luscious" — Lisa (pirates) "Crewman Slut" — Sheila (pirates) D Dan — G & P employee Danny — assistant to Susan Raymond Darlene — hooker who put Benjamin Sapperstein in touch with Alvin Jones and Tom Priest David Ivey — well-known bong engineer David Wilcox — Master, House St. Paul, "Captain Longcock" (pirates) Debbie Mullins — former pediatric nurse working at Family 'hospital' Denise — sub, Karghold Newton Deputy Wallace — cop that stops Eddie on his run to Houston for the huge stuffed polar bear Detective Martin — police detective in charge of the investigation of the death of Benjamin Sapperstein Diana — high school/college friend of Harry and Eddie Dickie — Family man Dick Laney — Master, House Odessa Dmitri Pedachenko — head of the Russian mob Dominique Duvalier / Dommi / — owner, Dominique's and Mistress, House Duvalier Don — bellman at the Omni Dorothy Mallon — Domme, House O'Shaunessy Dragonaria — Mistress, House Sandalwood Dr. Albrecht — 'back alley' doctor who removed Yuri Turov's vocal cords Dr. Bennett — 'back alley' doctor "Duchess Tatiana Turov" — Tattie (pirates) E Earl Culberson — father of Kelly, husband of Margaret/"Kissie" Edward John Janak/Eddie/Eddy — unwilling Dom and chief enforcer, House Chorale Elena Pessino — daughter of Emiliano and Anna, mother to Ramon, still a baby Elenore Landau — tailor, granddaughter of Carmine Landau Emil — doorman/security, Carmine Landau's Emiliano Pessino — husband of Anna Pessino Emily — night manager, Housekeeping, Omni Hotel Emi-X — DJ who spins at Vortex Void Eric Downing — brother of Galena's closest friend, Regina Downing, bottom to Simon Ethan Hannigan — son of Kevin & Ronnie Hannigan Evan — senior Master, House Evensong F "Fat Phillie" — nickname for Philip Philouma "First Mate Kinky" — Katie (pirates) "First Mate Precious" — Patricia (pirates) "First Mate Twat" — Carol (pirates) "Four" — sub, House Risotti, real name: Karla Francine — friend of Andrea Winchester, sub of House Crimson-Glove Frank Wells — high school/college friend of Harry and Eddie Frannie Zemetski — college acquaintance of Karen's "Freaky" — nickname for Frank Wells Frederick — sub, House Sandalwood G Galena Maria Pessino — daughter of Emiliano and Anna; switch, House Chorale Gianetta Bruno — wife of Nick Philouma Gregory — Master, House O'Shaunessy "Guinevere" — Margo (Arthurian) H Hal Stallings, Dr. — therapist for the Grimes family, husband of Tori, 'father' of Sam and Jessie Hans - playmate, bodyguard and employee, House Cornelius Harry Grimes — switch and beloved husband, House Chorale; co-owner, G & P Advertising, full name "Harold Ellsworth Grimes", "The Captain/Captain Thrust" (pirates) Hector — attendant, Rays of Sunshine Home Helen McReady — physical therapist, Sisters of Mercy Hospital Helga — "the Office Fuhrer", office manager for and patient of Dr. Hal Stallings Hermano — sub, House Sandalwood Himura — sumo wrestler and sometime lover of Mr. Antiquity Hoong Bak, Dr. — college professor of Harry's, husband of Dr. Callie Bak I Israel Infantina Ferrara/"Izzy" — Family man, one of Nick Philouma's bodyguards Ivan — sub, Karghold Newton J J. Noble Daggett — Grimes family lawyer Jackie Wagner — sub, House Chorale, "Crewman Jizzie" (pirates) Jacqui — employee, Suburban Submissives Janelle — nurse at Rays of Sunshine Home Janet — co-worker of Eddie's Janie Quitta — star reporter, Channel 6 News Jeannie Sampson — high school/college friend of Harry and Eddie Jennifer — sub, House Risotti, aka "Three" Jeremy — sub, House Risotti, aka "Two" Jerome Hackler — artist, friend of Elenore Landau Jessica Ann Reynolds — ex-lover of Kelly's, ex-housemate of the Grimes Jessie — Stallings 'daughter' Jimmy — Jessica's ex-boyfriend Jimmy Claude Duvalier — owner, Jimmy Claude's "Jimmy" — Harry's nickname when torturing Rick Cox Joan — sub, House Sandalwood Jodreaux — sub, House Sandalwood, housekeeper Joey — Family man Joey Pasone — murdered lover of Victor Philouma's wife John Hurley — 13 year old son of Marcus and Marcie Hurley John Janak — Eddie's father Jorge Pessino — son of Emiliano and Anna Judith — sub, House Sandalwood Julian — sub, Karghold Newton Julie Elliott — friend of Margo's; housemate of Tattie Turov, hired to help with adopted children K Karen Elizabeth Pinard — sorta Domme and enforcer, House Chorale; co-owner, G & P Advertising, "Captain Cuntlapper" (pirates) Karggark — Master, Karggark Karghold, Owen Jeffreys Kargonk — Dom, Karggark Karghold Karla — sub, House Risotti, aka "Four" Katie — sub, House St. Paul, "First Mate Kinky" (pirates) "Kay" — Kelly's nickname when dealing with Angie Kelly Ann Culberson — switch and beloved wife, House Chorale, "The Queen", "Third Mate Bum" (pirates) Ken — sub, Karghold Newton Kevin Hannigan — owner "Hannigan's Reptile Farm", husband of Ronnie, father of Ethan "Kim" — nom de guerre, Zhang Wan-Yin Kimmy Zhang — daughter of Zhang Wan-Yin "Kissie" — nickname for Margaret Culberson Kristen Gilhooley — one of Karen's college girlfriends, "of the Kansas City Gilhooleys" L Lady Kay — Kelly (Arthurian) Laurie Hurley — Mistress, House Hurley, sister of Marcus, sister-in-law of Marcie Lee Grantham — Master, House Penbrook Lenny — Family man, possibly an alias Li Kuan — sub, pain slut, House Cornelius, "Captain Cao Li" (pirates) Lisa Tischler — sub, House Chorale, "Crewman Luscious" (pirates) Lise Sapperstein — one of Benjamin's deceased sisters "Little Cunt" — Carol's nickname when being a bad girl Liz — employee at "Antoinette's" "Liz" — Patricia's nickname for Karen Louis — sub, House Sandalwood Lourdes — sub, House Franklin Lowell Hurley — 8 year old son of Marcus and Marcie Hurley M "Madam/Madam Grimes" — title for Margo Madame Minerva Cornelius — owner of Madame Cornelius', fine fetish furniture and gear, Madam of House Cornelius Maggie Sampson — high school friend of Harry and Eddie; daughter of Jeannie Sampson Mai — Kristen Gilhooley's college roomate Marcie Hurley — slave, House Hurley, wife of Marcus, sister-in-law of Laurie, mother of John, Stephanie and Lowell Marcus Gordon — husband of State Supreme Court Judge Sheryl Gordon Marcus Hurley — Master, House Hurley, husband of Marcie, brother of Laurie, father of John, Stephanie and Lowell Margaret Culberson — Kelly's mother Margie Delgado — high school/college friend of Harry and Eddie; ex-girlfriend of Eddie's Margo Wohler/Margo Wohler-Sapperstein/Margo Grimes — Domme, switch only in private, beloved wife, House Chorale, "Second Mate Mounds" (pirates) Maria Tunasia — 'companion' to Nick Philouma's mother Marilu Pessino — daughter of Emiliano and Anna, sister of Galena Marsh — Kathleen Marsh, Mistress, House Sandalwood Marshall — sub, House Sandalwood Martin Saunders — Manager of Hotel Operations, Omni Hotel Mary Lou Tyndall (deceased) — wife of Neville Tyndall "Master/Master Grimes" — title for Harry Mattie Daggett — daughter of and legal secretary for J. Noble Daggett "Merlin" — Carol (Arthurian) Mike — News Division Editor, Channel 6 News Mike Lowry, Dr. — physician at Sisters of Mercy Hospital Mina — Mistress, House Shiloh "Mistress Carol" — title for Carol "Mistress Nicki" — title for Nicki Monique — prostitute used to get Nick's people close to Benjamin Sapperstein Morgan — Master, House Blackpool Morgana — friend of Andrea Winchester, sub of House Crimson-Glove Mr. Antiquity — owner, Mr. Antiquity's, maker of high-end and custom fetish wear Mrs. Reynolds — Jessica's mother Mrs. Sattler — deceased neighbor of Harry's who's house Karen and Patricia ended up buying "My Queen/Mistress Kelly" — title for Kelly N Nancy — Eddie's cousin Nancy Velacourt — Mistress, House Velacourt Natalya Pedachenko — wife of Dmitri Pedachenko Neal Deacon — Karen's sole male lover, when they were both fifteen Neela Steiger — sorority sister, Psi Lambda Mu Nelda Sapperstein — mother of Benjamin Sapperstein Neville Tyndall — Tony's old barber, husband of Mary Lou (deceased) Niccolo Anthony Philouma — Don of the Philouma Family Nicole Henderson nee Grimes/Nicki — switch, House Chorale; sister of Harry Grimes, "Blondie" (pirates) Nurse Fletcher/"Nurse Ratched" — nurse at Sisters of Mercy Hospital O "One" — sub, House Risotti, real name: Alan Ophelia Vanderhagen — great-niece of Minerva Cornelius Owen Jeffreys — brother of Clifton Jeffreys, aka Karggark P Pansy — owner, Chateau de Chantilly Papa Stripper — Jamaican pleasure slave, works at Dominique's Patricia Ellen Keller — switch, House Chorale; Karen's beloved partner, "First Mate Precious" (pirates) Patrick Henderson — Nicki's ex-husband Patty — high school/college friend of Harry and Eddie Paula Philouma — daughter of Victor Philouma (also see "On A Road Going..." series) "Paulie" — Eddie's nickname when torturing Rick Cox Paul Sands — former owner/Master of Carol Paul Winchester — husband of Andrea Winchester Pedro Pessino — son of Emiliano & Anna Perry — co-worker of Eddie; writer of "Dinosaur Ho" webcomic Phailin Sukhawari, Mrs. — manager, Bangkok Inn Philip Philouma — eldest son of Victor Philouma "Prick" — Harry under Mistress Kelly/The Queen "Princess" — Kelly's sub name "Puppy" — pet/plaything of Li Kuan, House Cornelius Q Quan — co-worker of Jessica's at Lotus Hunan; Jessica's lover R Rachel Janak — sister of Eddie Ramon Santiago — sub, Stan Carter, brother of Camille Santiago Randy Treibor — Nick Philouma's partner/lover Ravensclaw — Mistress, House Sandalwood Ray — nickname of Ramon Santiago Ray — Eddie's cousin Rebecca — cosmetologist and body-waxer Renee — Philouma family cook Rhonda — G & P receptionist Rick Cox — former owner/Master of Carol Ricky — sub, House Duvalier Rob De Luca — Family man, EMT "Robert Evans" — Harry's nom de guerre when rescuing Tamara Robert Niven, Dr. — associate of the Philouma family, psychiatrist w/Sisters of Mercy Hospital Rochelle Lowry — wife of Dr. Mike Lowry Ronnie Hannigan — wife of Kevin, mother of Ethan Rosa Pessino — daughter of Emiliano and Anna, sister of Galena Roscoe — Janelle's husband Rose — sub, House Sandalwood Rose Lowenstein — director and star, Psychosexual Circus, daughter of Susan Lowenstein Rosetta Philouma/Rosie — daughter of Victor Philouma Rowena Edwards — Mistress, House Edwards Ruben — bartender, The Pearl Ruby — sub, Karghold Newton Russell — Master, House Ra S Sam — Stallings' "son" Sammy — sub, House Sandalwood "Sappho" — Harry's nickname for Karen "Second Mate Mounds" — Margo (pirates) "Second Mate Randy" — Andrew (pirates) Sergei — assistant tailor, Carmine's Shanika — coat-check girl at Dominique's Shannon — bartender, The Pearl Sharon — sub, Karghold Newton Sheila Scott — sub, House Chorale, "Crewman Slut" (pirates) Sheryl Gordon — State Supreme Court Judge Silvia Pessino — daughter of Emiliano and Anna, sister of Galena Simon — top to Eric Downing's bottom "Sir" — title for Harry Skipper — sub, Karghold Newton "Slut" — Carol under Mistress Kelly/The Queen Speranza Campisi — wife of Vittorio Campisi Spyderchylde — Dayna Spyderchylde, Mistress, House Sandalwood Stan Carter — Master of Ramon Santiago, former Master of Camille Santiago Stefan Franklin — Master, House Franklin Stella — Nick Philouma's secretary Stephanie Hurley — 11 year old daughter of Marcus and Marcie Hurley Sunny — sub, House Ra Susan Lowenstein, Dr. — alternative counselor Susan Raymond — assassin; associate of Niccolo Philouma Svetlana Ilyana Turov — adopted daughter of Tattie Turov T "Tamara Oleander" — sub name of Tamara Osowski Tamara Theresa Osowski — sub, House Chorale; beloved spouse-to-be of Eddie Tanya Svoboda — high school/college friend of Harry and Eddie Tatiana Turov/Tattie — associate, House Chorale; famous jewelry designer, "Duchess Tatiana Turov" (pirates) Teddy — reporter, Channel 6 News Terry — employee, Dominique's Terry Engels — sub, under protection of House Chorale Thad Newton — Lord of Karghold Newton "Third Mate Bum" — Kelly (pirates) "Three" — sub, House Risotti, real name: Jennifer Timmy Zhang — son of Zhang Wan-Yin Tom Corken - one of Adelaide Corken's husbands Tom Priest - one of Harry & Carol's attackers Tommie — bellman, Omni Hotel Tommy Sampson — high school/college friend of Harry and Eddie; son of Jeannie Sampson Tony Juliana — former owner/Master of Carol; Family man, music lover Tori Stallings — wife of Dr. Hal Stallings "Trish"/"Tricia" — Karen's nicknames for Patricia "Two" — sub, House Risotti, real name: Jeremy U Usagi — submissive, pleasure girl, House Chorale V Vanessa — nurse at Rays of Sunshine Vashti Janos Turov — adopted son of Tattie Turov Veronika — Mistress, House Risotti, "Captain Vagina" (pirates) Victor Philouma — longtime Don of the Philouma Family Vida Newton — Lady Newton of Karghold Newton Vincent Philouma — sociopathic uncle of Nick Philouma Violetta Campisi — daughter of Vittorio and Speranza Campisi Vittorio Campisi — Family man and owner of the Campisi's Gentlemen's Club W Wade Ellenson — sub, Karghold Newton Wei Shi Li — "Beautiful Protector", name given to the 7' stuffed polar bear Rachel gave Kimmy & Timmy Wendell/"Wendy" — Jessica's transvestite lover "Whore" — Nicki under Mistress Kelly/The Queen Wilma Zeising - former pediatric nurse working at Family 'hospital' Wolfling — Mistress, House Sandalwood X Y Yancey McAvoy — "Kargonk", Owen Jeffries' right hand man Yuri Ivanovitch Turov — adopted son of Tattie Turov Z Zhang Wan-Yin — sub, House Chorale; "Kim"; mother of Kimmy and Timmy FAMILY Harry Grimes / "Arthur" / "The Captain" / "Jimmy" / Master / Master Grimes / "Prick" / "Robert Evans" / Sir / - Angie Grimes nee Bolan (ex-wife) Carol Riley / Carol Antonia Grimes / "Merlin" / "First Mate Twat" / "Baby Girl" / "Little Cunt" / "Baby" / Mistress Carol / "Carol Cassetti" / "Slut" / - David Laney (former Master) - Tony Juliana (former Master) - Paul Sands (former Master) - Rick Cox (former Master) Margo Wohler / Margo Wohler-Sapperstein / Margo Grimes / "Guinevere" / "Second Mate Mounds" / Madam / Madam Grimes / "Bitch" / - Dr. Benjamin Sapperstein (ex-husband) Kelly Ann Culberson / "Lady Kay" / "Crewman Bum" / "Kay" / The Queen / Mistress Kelly / "Princess" / - Earl Culberson (father) - Margaret "Kissie" Culberson (mother) Nicole Henderson nee Grimes / Nicki / "Blondie" / Mistress Nicki / "Whore" / - Patrick Henderson (ex-husband) Karen Elizabeth Pinard / Liz / "Sappho" / Patricia Ellen Keller / Trish / Tricia / Edward John Janak / Eddie / Eddy / "Paulie" / - Rachel (sister) - John (father) - Nancy (cousin) - Ray (cousin) - Zhang Wan-Yin / "Kim" / (housemate) - Kimmy Zhang (daughter) - Timmy Zhang (son) - Wei Shi Li ("Beautiful Protector") 7' stuffed polar bear Tamara Theresa Osowski / "Tamara Oleander" / - Philip Philouma (former Master) Tatiana Turov / Tattie / - Julie Elliott (housemate/co-parent) - Svetlana Ilyana Turov (adopted daughter) - Vashti Janos Turov (adopted son) - Yuri Ivanovitch Turov (adopted son) THE MOB/THE PHILOUMA FAMILY & ASSOCIATES Victor Philouma / Big Vic / (Don of Philouma Family) - Isabella Philouma (wife) - Maria Tunasia (companion) - Joey Pasone (lover) - Philip "Fat Phillie" Philouma (son) - Niccolo Anthony Philouma (son, new Don of Philouma Family) - Randy Treibor (partner) - Gianetta Bruno (wife of Niccolo) - Susan Raymond (assassin/associate) - Danny (assistant) - Albert (bodyguard) - Israel Infantina Ferrara (bodyguard) - Paula Philouma (daughter) - Rosetta "Rosie" Philouma (daughter) - Almora Philouma (brother) - Vincent Philouma (brother) - Renee (Philouma family cook) Al Donetti (Family man) - Carla Donetti nee Russo (wife) Carl (Family man) Carmine Vicenzio ('Judas' to Philip Philouma, consigliore-to-be for Nick Philouma) Debbie Mullins (nurse, Family 'hospital') Dickie (Family man) Joey (Family man) Lenny (Family man) Rob (Family man) Stella (Nick's secretary) Tony Juliana (Family man) Vittorio Campisi (Family man; owner, Campisi's Gentlemen's Club) - Speranza Campisi (wife) - Violetta Campisi (daughter) Wilma Zeising (nurse, Family 'hospital') Dr. Joseph Akins (doctor, Family 'hospital') THE PESSINO FAMILY Anna Pessino (long-time Grimes family friend and employee) - Emiliano (husband) - Alejandro (son) - Pedro (son) - Jorge (son) - Silvia (daughter) - Rosa (daughter) - Marilu (daughter) -Galena Maria Pessino (daughter) - Elena (daughter) - Ramon, (son to Elena, grand son to Anna & Emiliano) HIGH SCHOOL / COLLEGE FRIENDS Cathy Breeden (Harry's ex-girlfriend) Cindy Green Diana Frank Wells / "Freaky" / - Jane Wells (sister) Frannie Zemetski Kristen Gilhooley (Karen's ex-lover) (roommate of Mai) Jeannie Sampson (Harry's ex-lover) - Tommy (son) - Maggie (daughter) Mai (Kristen Gilhooley's college roommate) Margie Delgado (Eddie's ex-girlfriend) Neal Deacon (Karen's sole male partner) Neela Steiger Patty Tanya Svoboda THE RUSSIANS Dmitri Pedachenko (head of Russian Mob) - Natalya Pedachenko (wife) - Boris Pedachenko (nephew) VILLAINOUS TYPES Alvin Jones (one of Harry & Carol's attackers) Angie Grimes nee Bolan (Harry's ex-wife) Cliff Jeffreys (Margo's would-be rapist) Darlene (prostitute who put Benjamin in touch with Alvin & Tom) Dr. Albrecht ('back alley' doctor who removed Yuri's vocal cords) Dr. Benjamin Sapperstein (Margo's ex-husband) - Nelda Sapperstein (mother) - Anna Sapperstein (sister) - Lise Sapperstein (sister) Owen Jeffreys (Cliff's brother, aka Karggark) Rick Cox (Carol's former Master) Tom Priest (one of Harry & Carol's attackers) LOCATIONS AND THE PEOPLE ASSOCIATED WITH THEM Antoinette's Antoinette (owner) Clarice (employee) Liz (employee) Armitage House (mental health facility) Bangkok Inn Mrs. Phailin Sukhawari (manager) Chatsiree (Mrs. Sukhawari's niece and waitress) Campisi's Gentlemen's Club Al Donetti (Family man) - Carla Donetti nee Russo (wife) Vittorio Campisi (Family man; owner, Campisi's Gentlemen's Club) - Speranza Campisi (wife) - Violetta Campisi (daughter) Carmine Landau — Tailor Carmine Landau (owner) - Elenore Landau (tailor, granddaughter) - Jerome Hackler (friend/lover) Andrea (receptionist) Sergei (assistant tailor) Emil (doorman/security) Chains of Desire (oldest serious S&M club in town) Channel 6 News Mike (News Division Editor) Teddy (reporter) Janie Quitta (star reporter, prima donna) Chateau de Chantilly Pansy (owner) Bizoumet (pre-op m-t-f transsexual, entertainer) Chez Bubba's Crockett Heights (upscale part of town where Harry & Angie's house was) DeWitt & Associates Angie Grimes nee Bolan Dominique's Dominique Duvalier (owner / Domme of House Duvalier) - Ricky (sub) Angela Row (waitress, sub) Papa Stripper (sub) Shanika (coat check) Terry (waiter) FAO Schwarz (Houston) - Ms. Anastasia Twinnings (sales associate) G & P Advertising Harry Grimes (co-owner) Karen Elizabeth Pinard (co-owner) Rhonda (receptionist) Dan (employee) Dorothy Mallon (video department) Thad Newton (accounting) Calvin (layout artist) Hannigan's Reptile Farm Kevin Hannigan — owner/operator - Ronnie (wife) - Ethan (son) Ironworks BBQ Jimmy Claude's Jimmy Claude Duvalier (owner) Korea House Lotus Hunan Mr. & Mrs. Cao (owners) Jessica Ann Reynolds (delivery driver) - Jimmy (Jess' ex) - Wendell ("Wendy") - Mrs. Reynolds (mother) Quan (delivery driver) Kelly Ann Culberson (delivery driver) Madame Cornelius' Madame Minerva Cornelius (owner, pain Domme) Li Kuan (employee, submissive) - Puppy (pet) Hans (employee, playmate, bodyguard) Andre (employee, playmate, bodyguard) Ophelia Vanderhagen (niece of Minerva, former head of "Madame Cornelius" West Coast operation) McGonnigle's Mickey & Miguel's Muldoon's Mr. Antiquity's Mr. Antiquity (owner) -Himura (sumo wrestler, sometimes lover of Mr. Antiquity) The Omni Emily (Night Manager of Housekeeping) Don (bellman) Tommie (bellman) Martin Saunders (Director of Hotel Operations) Mrs. Reynolds (Bar Manager) Jessica Ann Reynolds (waitress, daughter of Mrs. Reynolds) The Pearl Shannon (bartender) Ruben (bartender) Persian Gulf Surf Club Edgar Rubens (co-owner) Psychosexual Circus Rose Lowenstein (director, star) Rays of Sunshine Home Rachel Janak (patient) Janelle (nurse) - Roscoe (husband) Hector (attendant) Vanessa (nurse) River Glen (area of town where Karghold Karggark is located) Rosario's Security Services International, Inc. Edward John Janak Perry -Clyde (cousin) Bevy - Bobbie Sue Ellen (newborn niece) Janet Sisters of Mercy Hospital Dr. Mike Lowry (physician) - Rochelle Lowry (wife) Nurse Fletcher / "Nurse Ratched" / (nurse) Helen McReady (physical therapist) Dr. Robert Niven (Philouma family associate) Soapy Hollow Suburban Submissives Jacqui St. John Lee's Home for Wayward Blues (John Lee's) The Tree Of Knowledge Andrea Winchester (owner) - Francine (friend) - Morgana (friend) - Paul Winchester (husband) Whips & Clips RANDOM FOLKS Adam Zielinski (friend of Helen McReady, her first lover) Adelaide Corken (private nurse) - Tom Corken (husband) - Chris Corken (husband) Adolph Hilscher (butcher) Albert Farlans (limo driver) Albertino Carsidona / "Boots" / (master of barbecue) David Ivey (bong engineer) Deputy Wallace (cop who stops Eddie on his run to Houston for the stuffed bear) Detective Martin (police detective) Dr. Bennett ('back alley' doctor) Emi-X (DJ) Hal Stallings, Dr. (psychologist) - Tori (wife) - Sam ('son') - Jessie ('daughter') - Helga ("the Office Fuhrer", patient and office manager) Hoong Bak, Dr. (college professor) - Callie Bak, Dr. (wife, college professor) J. Noble Daggett (lawyer) - Mattie Daggett (daughter, legal secretary) Monique (prostitute) Mrs. Sattler (neighbor) Neville Tyndall (barber of Tony Juliana) - Mary Lou Tyndall (deceased) (wife) Rebecca (cosmetologist/body waxer) Sheryl Gordon (State Supreme Court Judge) - Marcus Gordon (husband) Stan Carter (Master) - Ramon "Ray" Santiago (sub) (brother of Camille Santiago) Susan Lowenstein, Dr. (alternative counselor) THE HOUSES House Anwyn (enemy) - Brandy Jahnell (switch) House Blackpool (enemy) Morgan (Master) House Chorale Margo Grimes (Madam) Harry Grimes (Master) - Kelly Ann Culberson (switch) - Nicole Henderson nee Grimes (switch) - Galena Maria Pessino (switch) - Carol Antonia Grimes (sub) - Billy Calhoun (sub) - Jackie Wagner (sub) - "Kim" (Zhang Wan-Yin) (sub) - Lisa Tischler (sub) - Sheila Scott (sub) - Camille Santiago (sub) - Candy Dryson (sub) - Usagi (sub) - Terry Engels (protected sub) - Edward John Janak (Dom) - Tamara Theresa Osowski (sub) - Karen Elizabeth Pinard (Domme) - Patricia Ellen Keller (switch) House Cornelius (ally) Minerva Cornelius (Madame) - Andre (playmate) - Hans (playmate) - Li Kuan (sub) - Puppy (sub) - Ophelia Vanderhagen (barely willing submissive) House Crimson-Glove Charlie Mays (Master) - Francine (sub) - Morgana (sub) House Duvalier (ally) Dominique Duvalier (Mistress) - Ricky (sub) House Edwards (enemy) Rowena Edwards (Mistress) House Evensong (ally) Claudette Baxley (Mistress) Evan (Master) Daniel (Master) Venus (Mistress) - Rebecca (sub) - Alice (sub) - Gary (sub) - Wayne (sub) House Franklin (ally) Stefan Franklin (Master) - Lourdes (sub) - Candice (Stefan's former sub before Lourdes) House Fruehauf Wilma Fruehauf - Mistress House Hurley (ally) Marcus Hurley (Master) - Marcia Hurley (sub) (wife) - John (son) - Stephanie (daughter) - Lowell (son) Laurie Hurley (Mistress) (sister of Marcus) House Odessa (enemy) Dick Laney (Master) House O'Shaunessy Gregory O'Shaunessy (Master) Dorothy Mallon (Mistress) - Bob Mallon (sub) House Penbrook Lee Grantham (Master) House Ra (ally) Russell (Master) - Sunny (sub) House Risotti (ally) Veronika (Mistress) - "One" (sub) (Alan) - "Two" (sub) (Jeremy) - "Three" (sub) (Jennifer) - "Four" (sub) (Karla) House Sandalwood (ally) Dragonaria (Mistress) Marsh (Mistress) (first name — Kathleen) Ravensclaw (Mistress) Spyderchylde (Mistress) (first name — Dayna) Wolfling (Mistress) - Boris (sub) - Cat/Catrina (female sub) - Clyde (sub) - Hermano (sub) - Jodreaux (sub) (housekeeper) - Sammy (sub) - Joan (female sub) - Frederick (sub) - Judith (female sub) - Rose (sub) - Louis (sub) House Shiloh (enemy) Mina (Mistress) House St. Paul (ally) David Wilcox (Master) - Andrew (sub) - Katie (sub) House Thacker Albert (Master) House Velacourt Nancy Velacourt (Mistress) House Wexler Karghold Karggark (enemy) Karggark (Master) Owen Jeffreys - Kargonk (Dom) Yancey McAvoy Karghold Newton (ally) Thad Newton (Lord) Vida Newton (Lady) - Son - Daughter, 'Tess' short for 'Tesla' - Daughter, 'Roberta' named for Robert Kennedy/ - Ken (sub) - Barbie (sub) - Skipper (sub) - Wade (sub) - Marshall (sub) - Denise (sub) - Julian (sub) - Ivan (sub) - Ruby (sub) - Casey (sub) - Annie (sub) - Sharon (sub) PIRATE SHIPS AND THEIR CREWS Big Bottom Captain Longcock First Mate Kinky Second Mate Randy Cunt of Doom Captain Vagina / Captain Jeremy Crewman One Crewman Two Crewman Three Crewman Four Drinker of Blood Captain Cao Li Free Booty Captain Thrust First Mate Twat Second Mate Mounds Third Mate Bum Crewman Luscious Crewman Jizzie Crewman Slut Cabin Boy Billy Boner - Blondie (shoreside associate) Sappho Captain Cuntlapper First Mate Precious ------- Chapter 1 Harry Grimes had stopped in at the bar because he'd remembered it as it used to be. Many years before, he'd stopped there regularly on his way home from work, moving past the bar and its stools deep into the coolness of its dark interior where he would rest his eyes from the glare of the Texas sun while a shot and beer eased the stress from his forehead. Thirty minutes of rest in the soothing cavern-like depths and he would be ready to face the freeway again. "Shannon, you're a lifesaver" he'd tell the bartender, and away he'd go, half his journey home completed, fortified for the rest of his evening commute. But then he'd gotten married, and his drinking every night had bothered her, and he'd have done anything for her, so he'd stopped, and for three years it had been fine and glorious and wonderful and they'd fucked like wildebeests-on-ecstasy and that was it and it was forever and nothing could ever change it and one day he came home early and her car was in the driveway and what was she doing home from work and who's car was that next to hers and "what the fuck do you think you're doing with my wife" and "why didn't you tell me you felt this way, we could have gone to counseling" and "I'm sorry you think it's too late for that" and so they were separated and when Harry wasn't lying to himself he was pretty sure the only reason she held out the hope of reconciliation was to let him down a little easier. All in all, after six months of separation, it seemed a pretty good reason to start having a drink on the way home from work every night. So he'd pulled in at the Pearl, tucked in-between a head shop and an adult newsstand, parked the car and headed in, expecting Shannon to be tending bar with his usual bemused smile on his face, the d√©cor to still be just one step up from 'Texas Beer Joint Casual', the radio to be playing classic rock, but not too loud. He didn't notice the head shop had become 'Fist of Love Tattoos'. He didn't notice that the adult newsstand was now a club called 'Vortex Void'. He was too busy seeing things the way they used to be and squinting from the glare of the sun, even behind his sunglasses, to notice little changes like that. The inside of the Pearl hadn't changed much; the d√©cor had moved up some, it was right around what he would have called, in his youth, 'Punk Club Normal'. The music was a little more contemporary and the bartender was a bit more extreme; lots of tats, lots of piercings. He was friendly enough, said his name was Ruben and he was quick with the drink order. And after one shot and beer, Harry couldn't think of a reason he shouldn't have another. And Ruben helpfully brought him a menu from the small kitchen, and so it was a basket of fried mushrooms and cheese sticks and another round. Harry still couldn't think of any reason to go home, so another round was in order. When the music from the club next door started to pound through the walls, the radio was turned off. Harry barely noticed. When the bar started to fill up with people, all of them younger than him, sitting in small groups and talking, Harry barely noticed. He sat there drinking and thinking and thinking about drinking and searching for a reason to go home and his booth in the back of the Pearl really started to feel like home and that friendly Ruben brought by another basket of fried mushrooms that he wasn't sure he'd ordered but they sure were good and somewhere in there this curvaceous little girl in a black dress and interesting makeup, like a ghost or something, had showed up at his booth and had talked him into changing his drinking rhythm. Two big glasses of water, then a shot and a beer, then two more big glasses of water, and he was pretty sure he'd been talking to her about Angie and their marriage and since she was listening he'd bought her a round, or maybe two, and definitely something to eat, but mostly she was drinking water and she was a real good listener and he might have cried some, he wasn't sure and then he didn't remember anything at all for awhile. ------- He was riding down the freeway with his head out the window, not feeling sick, but the wind moving across his face felt good to him. He wondered who was driving. ------- And he was moving up the walkway to his house and he wanted to list to the left but he couldn't because there was this little obstacle in his way. ------- He was sitting on the end of his bed with his underwear and one sock on. The little girl from the bar was making him take a lot of aspirin, one at a time, chased by big gulps of water. ------- He came half awake in the middle of the night, his bladder urgently calling him to the bathroom. He felt alright, but upon sliding out of bed he found that his body and his mind disagreed on just how alright he was. And she was there, a small figure in a white t-shirt way too large for her, helping him into the bathroom. She lifted the lid and set him down on the seat. "I stand up to pee" he said through a fog of confusion. "Not tonight Harry. Tonight you sit down to pee. And while you're sitting down to pee, you take more aspirin and drink more water." So he did and she helped him back to bed and he slipped back into sleep, wondering where the little elfin creature went when she wasn't helping him. ------- He surfaced through the layers of sleep again at someone tugging on his arm. "Harry, I found your business card in your wallet, who do I need to talk to at your office? Who's your boss?" Her questions confused him and answering them seemed to be the best way to make them, and the confusion, stop. "Karen Pinard. Talk to Karen Pinard." As he lay there, floating on the surface of sleep, he heard her talking to someone. She had dropped the tone of her voice ever so slightly, sounding more mature. "Yes, Ms. Pinard please? Thank you. Ms. Pinard, this is Carol Riley, I'm an old friend of Harry Grimes. My husband and I met him for supper last night and he took sick, some sort of stomach ailment. We got him home and I've stopped by to check on him on my way to work this morning. I'm afraid he won't be in today. Yes ma'am, he made sure to have me call you, it was the first thing on his mind. Yes, I may well be taking time off this afternoon and taking him to the doctor if he isn't better by then. Why yes, of course, I'll pass that on to him. Thank you so much Ms. Pinard. Good bye." She hung up the phone and leaned down next to his head, kissing him on the cheek. "Harry honey, it's ok, go back to sleep, your boss says you're all caught up, so they can afford to be without you for a couple of days, you just get to feeling better." Harry drifted away again. ------- He came partially awake with a start, hearing the shower running. "Oh, it's just Carol" he thought to himself and went back to sleep, not thinking it odd that he was comfortable with a woman he'd only just met, and didn't really know at all, being loose in his house. ------- He came to once again to a sensation he hadn't had since childhood. Someone was bathing him. He lay there with his eyes closed as the warm wet washcloth traveled across his face to his neck, a brief pause as it was re-moistened, then around his neck, and on the back of his neck. He marveled at a feeling of paralyzation as he lay there, seemingly unable to move as she washed his chest and arms, stopping as she approached his groin to move down to his feet, there to begin cleaning her way up his legs. He realized that it wasn't that he couldn't move, it was that he didn't want to move, had no real reason to move. For the moment, he felt drained of the pain of his problems with Angie, purified of the poisons that had been building up to toxic levels in his mind as he kept his feelings about the separation inside. He felt as if some infection had been washed away from him and although the thought of his and Angie's probable impending divorce still saddened him, it was a sadness of acceptance. As if she could read his mind, Carol said softly "So, I get the feeling you haven't talked to anyone about what's going on with you and your wife, have you?" "No" he murmured, afraid to speak too loudly and break the mood. "You sure said a lot last night Harry. When I sat down I could tell you were hurting, but I had no idea you were that bad off. She really did a number on you, didn't she?" "I guess she did. I don't think she meant to though" Harry said, somewhat defensively. "No, no I'm sure she didn't" Carol responded, "roll over. But she did nonetheless. There, that'll let me get started on your back." The silence, a comfortable one, returned as she gently washed his back and then the backs of his legs. "Stay right like you are" she said, "I need to get some more warm water." And so Harry lay there, feeling as if he was in some state of emotional shell-shock, detached from himself and where he was, slightly amused to find that he was only just then realizing he was naked. Carol returned and began to tenderly wash his ass, starting with the cheeks and then holding the cheeks apart with one hand as she slowly and carefully ran the washcloth in-between them with the other. Harry lay with his eyes closed, wondering at his willingness to let this stranger clean him, trusting her as if he'd known her for years. "So Carol, I gather I've told you a lot about me" he said quietly, "why don't you return the favor?" "Fair enough" she replied, "but it'll have to wait until I get back with more water and a fresh washcloth. Roll over again." Harry did so and Carol returned to begin cleaning his balls, slowly and, it seemed to Harry, lovingly. "Well Harry, I don't have what you'd call a normal story, I suppose. I'm property. I'm a pet, a slave, a submissive, a sex toy." Harry's eyes popped open and he stared down the length of his body towards Carol. The bedroom drapes were drawn, but enough ambient light crept in around the edges so that Harry could see her clearly. No smile on her face, no sign she was joking. He examined her for the first time that he could remember. Dark brown hair, short in the front and on the sides, ran midway down her back in the rear. She had a darkish tan complexion, vaguely Hispanic, with an oval face, full lips, brown eyes, smile lines around her mouth. She looked maybe 18. From what he could see through the t-shirt's tenting effect, medium-sized breasts and if the thighs coming out from the t-shirt's bottom were any gauge, she'd have a devastating ass. He vaguely remembered from the night before that she had seemed a bit plump, not a problem for him, and very shapely, but he wasn't at all sure how much he trusted any memories from then. She was watching him closely, as if to gauge his reaction to her statement. He closed his eyes, forced his mind to calm, his body to relax. "That's an interesting line of work, so to speak. How'd a nice girl like you..." "End up like this?" she said. Harry could hear the smile in her voice. "Well, I've known I was submissive since I started having sex, back in junior high. I was in college, working towards my theater major when I realized just how deeply my submissive streak ran, just how much I wanted to be owned, be controlled. It's not that I can't take care of myself, or even that I don't want to. It just really fulfills me, body and soul, not to. To hand that responsibility over to some one else, to pledge my life and my service to them; Harry, I can't explain it to anyone who doesn't feel the same way, or at least I haven't been able to so far, but for me, it completes me. It makes me happy. Well, most of the time at least." Harry realized that while he'd been listening to her talk, she'd begun cleaning his dick and between the conversation and her cleaning, it was standing at attention. She continued to clean it, smoothly running the warm washcloth up and down the shaft, almost, in fact, moving from cleaning him to stroking him towards climax. "So who" Harry semi-choked out, "owns you now?" "A real shit-head named Rick Cox and I probably need to be getting back to the apartment here before too much longer. He's going to be pissed as it is, but he's the one who kicked me out last night. He doesn't like me around when he discusses business so I got dressed up and went to Vortex Void. It was dead, so I ended up in the Pearl and there you were, in a lot of pain." Carol put the cloth down "Lift up your legs Harry. There, that's it." She slid in-between his legs, sitting cross-legged on the bed, his knees propped across hers. "Just relax Harry. Let me take care of this for you." Harry opened his eyes to see her opening an old bottle of massage oil that had been left in the bedside table since he and Angie were together. She sniffed the open bottle mouth. "Roses... nice." And then she began to pour a thin stream of the oil on to his erect cock, watching it trickle down the sides, disappearing into the mat of his pubic hair. "You have a very pretty cock, Harry. Nice size, nice shape, good bend to it, no funky knobs or knots or warts or running sores." "Are you always this romantic" Harry asked, laughing. "No Harry, this isn't romantic, this is a hand job." And with that she began to massage his nut sack with one hand, while slowly stroking the shaft with her other. Between her legs, Harry could make out a trimmed, but un-shaved, bush, and a hint of wetness glistening between the lips of her pussy. "Would you mind taking the shirt off" Harry asked, his mind slowly fogging over with the sensations from his crotch. "No Harry, I don't think so." "Carol, take the shirt off, now." She looked at him, startled, her hands ceasing their efforts. She grasped the bottom of the t-shirt with her oily hands and slowly began to lift it over her head like a curtain rising on a Broadway show. But what Harry saw revealed was no show and he never would have paid money to see anything like it. Bruises, a lot of very bad bruises, black and purple and green and yellow, coating her torso and abdomen, large bruises and small, in some places blurring together until he could hardly differentiate between them as they seemed to blend into one large massive bruise. She returned to stroking his dick, with both hands now, her eyes downcast, refusing to meet his. "So," he asked, "that Rick's handiwork?" "Yes." "Is it the same on your back?" "Worse." "Would you like to stay here? Not go back to him?" She looked up from her efforts, her eyes shining with hope. "Because you're welcome to if you want to." And the hope in her eyes died. "That's just not the way it works Harry." As her left hand continued to swirl up and down his prick, her thumb running firm circles around the nerve junction on the underside near the tip, he felt her right hand move under his ball-sack and towards his ass. He felt himself building towards an explosion as he looked at her, beautiful in spite of the bruises, stroking his cock; her shoulders slumped with the weight of her situation. She felt him beginning to tense and eased off. "Not so quick Harry, I want this to be special. You know, normally, I'd be sucking you off, and I'd be swallowing it all like a kitten with a bowl of milk, but you've been under way too much stress, and you drank way too much last night. If you came in my mouth, and I'd want you to come in my mouth, I'd swallow it no matter what and I don't feel up to the bitter taste you're going to have. Sorry." She smiled at him. "Now, let's just let things cool down a little, then we'll build back up to a climax again." Harry felt his orgasm back away and as he lay there watching her, he could see that she was studying the reactions of his dick very intently. When his cock gave a tiny shudder, she smiled to herself in satisfaction and slowly began to stroke again. As he relaxed into her rhythm again he asked, "So, you come into the Pearl, and there I am, in a lot of pain. Why'd you sit down? Why not leave me alone?" "I couldn't, Harry. Not the way you were screaming. Oh, not verbally, not audibly. But in every other way; your posture, your facial expression, the number of empties on the table, the look in your eyes, the way you were murmuring to yourself. You were like an animal, trapped in a cage, going mad and biting itself constantly, just gnawing at its own limbs. I had to see if there was anything human left to save. And if there was, was there anything I could do to help. Now, enough talking, it's time to let me make you feel good." Harry closed his eyes, felt the quickening pace of her firm, smooth strokes, felt the fingers circling his asshole, felt the soft, smooth plump skin of her thighs beneath his legs. He opened his eyes once more and, ignoring the bruises, gazed at her tits, finding them to indeed be medium sized, full and beautiful, her nipples erect, and the skin crinkled all around them. He closed his eyes again. His mind started to turn on the issue of her, and her future, and he shut it down, calming himself, relaxing into the experience as he felt his balls tremble as they released another load into the system, to make its way up and out. He opened his eyes, watching her as she watched his cock, varying her rhythm and studying the effect upon him. It seemed that her hand was barely touching his prick, that it was swinging free and that in that swinging she was reading some message as to where his orgasm was, then guiding her hand to barely brush his dick in a few certain places, just enough to bring the orgasm on a little further. The air of the bedroom smelled of sex, and of her, for looking between her legs he now had no doubt of her excitement, and of him, and sweat, sweat with too much alcohol in it on his part, and over all of that the smell of roses, a smell he had associated with Angie for so long, but now he was sensing new associations being forged, and roses would forever be associated with this odd young girl who would stop to help a stranger in need. He didn't know if he loved her, he didn't know if he truly needed her, but he knew that he wanted her. And with that thought, his orgasm passed the point of no return. Carol saw the orgasm beginning. She wrapped her hand firmly around his cock from the top side, careful not to block the tube his sperm was beginning to erupt out of, pinching the nerve cluster on the bottom lightly between two fingernails. She put the index and middle finger of her right hand together and, extending them, shoved their slippery rigidness up Harry's ass, forcefully, all the way to the knuckles and began thrusting, firmly but smoothly, in and out. The unexpectedness of her penetration caused Harry's sphincter to tighten down, but it also unleashed yet another torrent of cum from his already over-excited balls. Harry gasped and cried out as his hips began to spasm and buck and he watched himself shoot a full three, three and a half feet into the air, a fountain of sperm that was raining back down everywhere, all over Carol and him and the bed. Harry breathed heavily, every breath out a moan. His dick continued to spasm and Carol continued to hold on, rhythmically pinching the nerve knot in time with thrusting in and out of his ass. "There there, honey, that's it. Good job baby. That was a hell of an orgasm. You did good." Harry slowly brought his breathing under some degree of control, although his vision was swimming and he would've had to have laid there and burned to death if the room had been on fire due to the state his legs were in. "What are you talking about" he panted. "All I did was lay there. You did all the work. And speaking of it purely as a physical experience that was the most awe-inspiring orgasm of my life." "Harry, all I did was to manipulate your body. You had to leave your troubles with Angie behind, let go of all your pain and anger, relax and put your total and absolute trust in a woman you'd never met before yesterday. You were laying there, open and vulnerable. It was beautiful. You were beautiful. You are beautiful. But now I need to hit the shower. I'm hoping you don't mind if I fix us a bit of breakfast after I clean up? I haven't eaten since last night and neither have you." "Uh, sure, no problem." "Fine, you just lie there and relax, enjoy the afterglow. I won't be but a minute in the shower, and then I'll head for the kitchen." Harry lay there as she showered, forcing himself to think, forcing himself to examine the situation as rationally and logically as he was capable of. Sure it was spoiling the 'afterglow', but he was running out of time. He thought about what he wanted. ------- Carol bustled about the kitchen, finding it not too unreasonably organized for a man living alone. A lot of things she considered essential were stored high in the cabinets which required her to get the stepstool from the pantry, but other than that, Harry seemed to have his kitchen pretty well in hand. She heard the shower turn off upstairs and a few moments later caught a glimpse of Harry, wrapped in a towel, heading for the garage out of the corner of her eye. She was beating the eggs for an omelet when she heard him come in behind her. "Harry, what do you like in your omelets?" "Don't worry about that for a minute, Carol." She turned to look at him. He stood at the center console of the kitchen, looking at a strap of leather that he held in his hands. "You know, Carol, there were so many, many things that Angie requested I give up. I never really thought about it until today, but there were so many. I lost contact with the majority of my friends, I gave up most of my hobbies, I stopped doing a lot of the little things that brought me moments of joy in my life, like stopping at the Pearl on the way home from work every night for a drink." Carol moved across the kitchen, putting her arms around him and hugging him hard. "I know you probably disagree, Harry, but I don't think much of Angie as a person. She really comes across, from your side, granted, as a complete and total raving cunt and I'd gleefully kick her ass if I ever met her. You deserve better." "Carol, she even made me give up my dog. I'd had Chipper for 6 years; all of a sudden I had to ship him off to live with my folks. The bitch wouldn't even let me have a pet." He quickly stepped away from her, putting the leather strap around her neck and snapping it closed. "But I'm going to have a pet now and there's not a goddamned thing she can do about it, is there?" Carol looked up at him, hope reborn in her eyes. "No sir, there isn't." "And there isn't anything Rick can do about it, is there?" "Oh God sir, I hope not." "There isn't, Carol, trust me on that. One day this week a friend of mine and I are going to go get your stuff from Rick's place, and then you'll be free from him forever. Now, can I trust you to go get me the length of chain from the garage?" "Yes sir." "Fine, then go get me the chain." Tears running down her smiling face, she went and retrieved the chain from the garage, skipping on her way back into the kitchen. Harry took the chain and hooked the end into eyelet on the dog collar. "Tonight we'll go get you your own collar, but this will do for now." The length of chain pooled on the floor as he undid the towel from his waist. "Is there a name my pet prefers to be called?" Harry asked. "Baby Girl, normally" Carol responded in a whisper, "or Little Cunt, if I'm being put in my place, sir." "Alright Little Cunt, on your knees." She knelt on the floor and Harry wrapped the chain in his left hand while entwining the fingers of his right hand in the hair on the side of her head. She opened her mouth and moved forward to wrap her lips around his cock but he pulled her head back sharply by her hair. "Little Cunt, did I tell you to move?" "No sir." "Then I guess you'd better not move. Now then, who's mouth is that that I'm about to fuck?" "It's your mouth to do with as you will." Harry stepped forward, his semi-erect cock sliding into her mouth, meeting no resistance as it went partway to the entrance of her throat, beginning to stiffen in the warm, wet and welcoming hole. "Now you may begin." Carol began to suck his dick with a will, her saliva coating it in an instant and oozing down onto his balls. Her arms instinctively went up to grasp the back of his legs, pulling herself closer to him, pressing her body against his, a new pet begging the approval of her owner with every fiber of her being. He tightened his grip on the side of her head and took control of the motion, pulling away and driving back in, fucking her mouth like he would any other orifice, making sure to pull far enough away at a slow enough pace to give her a chance to breath through her nose, then ramming his cock down her again to feel the muscles of her throat working on it, his dick feeling like a small animal being consumed by a python. In a corner of Harry's brain, where rational thought still occasionally occurred, it frightened him somewhat, how easily their rhythms moved to match one another, how little of the awkwardness of new lovers there was between them. He felt in her a series of vibrations, coming in waves, but it felt like humming in her mouth and that was in danger of pushing him over the edge far too quickly. He pushed her away and the meaning of the vibrations became clear. Through the tears in her eyes and the smile on her face, "thank you sir, thank you sir, thank you sir, thank you sir". He considered trying to stop her, but thought better of the idea. Instead he lifted her gently up and over his shoulder and took her to the bedroom, where he placed her down on the bed. Grabbing a clean shirt from his laundry basket, he ripped a sleeve off of it and used the sleeve to tie her hands before her. Still the tears flowed down her face and the litany of "thank you sir" continued. He knelt at the foot of the bed and gazed at her pussy, wet and open before him. "My my, what a pretty little cunt my Little Cunt has" he murmured, scarcely loud enough for her to hear. He moved his face in towards her, the odor of her, delicate and fresh in his nostrils. He licked her lips, and between them, and around them, gathering the dew of her desire in his mouth, tasting what was his, savoring it like the first sip of a fine brandy, before he moved up to her clit. Clearing away the folds of skin from around it, he gently sucked it into his mouth, to in-between his teeth, and then gently licked and even more gently bit, it as it grew more erect with excitement. As she began to thrash he began to move his head in concert with her thrashings, never losing his fragile grip on her, varying the rhythm of his stimulation until she and her excitement were cresting like a wave about every three minutes. He kept the wave from breaking, knowing somehow just when to back off, feeling when to quicken his pace, increase the force. As he continued, he heard her voice become more and more tearful. He paused. "What is it, Baby Girl?" "You know sir, you know" she gasped. "I may know, but I'm asking you to tell me." "Let me come, sir, please let me come" she sobbed. And with that he fastened his mouth once again on her and rode her wave until it broke and the tension flowed out of her with a flood of her juices. Her legs collapsed to the bed and the "thank you sir" litany became almost unrecognizable. Harry shifted her body up on the bed, lifted her legs and slid his cock into her. He was surprised, with the life she had led, that her pussy was as tight as it was, as it fit him snugly and felt like it was meant for him and him alone. "Does my Baby Girl exercise regularly to keep good muscle tone in her pussy?" he asked, whispering into her ear as moved on top of her, her bound hands behind his neck. "Yes sir, she does. Does she please you sir?" "Oh Baby Girl, you please me more than you know." As he gently thrust in and out of her, careful not to rest his weight on her bruised midsection, he continued. "Now then, I want you to know that I will never, ever, beat you as Rick has. You will never have bruises like that again. On the other hand, I adore leaving love bites. I've always enjoyed leaving my mark." "Sir, you may mark me how you wish, and I will be pleased to wear whatever marks you give me." He fastened his mouth on the side of the neck, his strokes shortening as he sucked and bit, feeling her respond with a faster pulsing in her cunt, running his tongue across the skin of his slave's neck. His mind still was running as fast as it could, trying to catch up to the new reality of his life. He'd never considered this kind of relationship before. He'd never imagined that there was a side of his personality that would revel in the owning of another human being the way he reveled in it now. He was now responsible for Carol; he was in charge of her life. He knew, inside, the seriousness of her devotion to her master, the depth of it. He knew, without asking, that the only reason she was leaving Rick was that he had proven himself unworthy of her devotion and obedience. Someday he would ask her how she had gotten involved with him in the first place. "I was hungry sir." "What, Baby Girl?" "I imagine you've been wondering how I ended up with a shit-head like Rick" she gasped out. "My old owner had to move to another city, couldn't afford to take me with him. He offered to set me up with some money to tide me over, but I knew he was tight on cash, so I refused. I couldn't find work that paid for more than a place to stay, and I was hungry. So when Rick came along, I didn't listen to that little voice inside, or, better said, I listened, and ignored it." "Baby Girl, if things, for whatever reason, ever, don't work out for us, I'll make sure you're taken care of until you can find yourself a new owner. I give you my word." The spasms in her cunt became stronger and more erratic and then he found himself riding her as she came, her climax almost bringing him to orgasm in the process. He quickly shifted his thoughts to his last dentist appointment. As she relaxed in the aftershocks of her orgasm, he pulled out and lay beside her. "Baby Girl, do you do anal?" "Sir, oh yes I do anal!" "Little Cunt, don't lie to me. Don't ever lie to me when I ask you a question. I may still go ahead and do something you don't enjoy, or in some other way do as I will in spite of your desires, but don't ever lie to me." "No sir, I would never lie to you. I love being taken in the ass. Not only because of the physical sensations, which I adore, but the psychological aspects. I never, ever, feel so submissive, so controlled, so much a vessel of pleasure as when I'm being ass-fucked. Now, I do generally prefer the chance for a good enema before hand, to clean me out, but I'm feeling relatively empty right now." "That's my Baby Girl, full of romantic pillow talk" He leaned in and kissed her gently, their tongues dancing in and out of each others mouths. He leaned back. "Why don't we wait until we've gotten you an enema rig and you're feeling fresh and clean?" "Yes sir. But sir, I can't help but notice that you haven't come again. May I please take care of that for you sir?" Harry climbed back on top of her, spreading her legs as he went. "Sir" Carol said, gazing up into his eyes with adoration, "if you wish me to bear your child I will, of course, but I just thought I should tell you that I am not on birth control." As Harry began to slide in and out, her talented pussy doing it's best to milk him dry in the shortest possible time, he smiled down at her. "Baby Girl, not to worry. Someday I might take you up on that offer, but for now, guess what else Angie had me give up?" Her legs shot up around his waist, her ankles locking together behind his back and she began to meet his every thrust with her own. He felt his nuts bouncing against her ass but in spite of her softness, they still felt like handballs hitting a wall. He didn't care. There was a contract being written, witnessed and signed between the two of them, a very primal contract of obligations and duties, rights and privileges, responsibilities and liberties. He could sense, as if in the air between them, a great mass of promises, unspoken, but that were being made nonetheless. He bent his head down to her right tit, fastening upon it with desperation, his arms drawing her as close in as he could without pressing against her bruises. As he suckled upon her breast, he felt her rhythms quicken, the spasming of her cunt go to the staccato of orgasm and beyond. She threw her weight to the side, surprising him, rolling him onto his back, her hands still behind his neck. He curled his body up so as not to lose his hold on her breast. She slammed her torso onto his with every up stroke, rocking the two of them back and forth like a child's hobby horse. As her bruised and battered body hit his, he stared up at her, concern gleaming in his eyes. "Sir... Harry," she panted, "don't worry, I'm beyond pain now." Her orgasm continued and she rode it out with her hips alone, her tit mashed into has ever-hungry mouth, her abdomen rising and falling as she fucked him as if her life depended on it. They both felt his orgasm coming. "Sir, would I be punished if I marked you as well?" she cried, in-between shudders. "Probably, but do it anyway" he growled. Her tiny mouth latched on to his neck and as her teeth and tongue began to work, he felt his orgasm rip loose like a fist punching through a wall. Her crotch pulled away slightly so as not to bear down and block the flow of sperm that was already spilling out of him. His eyes, and hers, although neither knew it at the time, rolled back in their heads and their mouths clinched, teeth breaking skin and each other's blood flowing into their mouths. As their orgasms continued they swallowed compulsively and in a re-enactment of a ritual older than the written word, she gave herself to him and he accepted. The great mass of promises was made without words, without thinking, and the contract signing completed. She sank down upon him, collapsing. Harry realized both of them were sobbing and he curled up around her, holding her tenderly and protectively in his arms. "Shush, Baby Girl, it's alright, it's ok, it's alright for both of us now. Shush, relax, you're safe now, you're mine now." She snuggled in, closer than he could imagine, fitting into the hollows and bends of his body as if she was a part of a jigsaw puzzle. As she did so, he felt like he was afloat in a cloud of peace, a feeling he'd not had in a long time. As he listened to her sobs slowly become the steady breaths of sleep, and felt himself on his way to joining her, he put all his worries about the new life he'd begun aside. There'd be more than enough time to think about those later. His last sight as he drifted away was the peaceful sleeping face of his Baby Girl. For now, it was good just to be. ------- Chapter 2 Harry Grimes woke up feeling better than he had in over 6 months and if he thought about it, longer than that. The events of the previous evening and morning filled his mind with wonder; it was if he had somehow stumbled into a dream and then awakened to find reality better than what he had dreamed. He lay on the bed, eyes closed, wondering where Carol was. He listened to his house, trying to locate her by sound. There was nothing from the bathrooms, no shower running, no sounds from the kitchen, no hint of television or music and no padding of feet anywhere that he could hear. Momentarily, a feeling of worry gripped him. Had she left? Had she been lying to him? No. He'd stake everything he was on it. She hadn't left, she hadn't lied. So then, where the hell was she? It was then he noticed the soft susurration of breathing, coming from below, next to the bed. He rolled over to look. There on the floor, curled up in a nest of blankets, was Carol, asleep, her arms entwined in the chain attached to her collar as if she had tried to bind herself. He reached down and gently shook her shoulder. "Baby Girl, time to wake up." She rolled on to her back, slowly raising her arms over her head, the chain's loops gliding along her flesh like silver streams. He marveled at the sight, how anyone so bruised could be so beautiful, how anyone could make thin dog chain look so sensual, how anyone so wonderful could entrust their life to him. Her eyes opened and focused on his face, hanging over the side of the bed above her, and she smiled a beatific smile, the smile of an angel proclaiming the Grace of God. "Good morning sir. Shall I make breakfast now or may I serve you in some other way?" "Yes Baby Girl, you can tell me what you were doing sleeping on the floor." A look of worry clouded her face, robbing it of its light. "Sir, I... this is where I sleep... this is where I've been told to sleep." "When did I tell you to sleep there?" She moved effortlessly, gracefully, up from the floor and onto her knees, head down, arms crossed before her. "Sir, you have never instructed me as to where or how I am to sleep." "Little Cunt, what am I to do with you?" Harry asked as he sat up and leaned back against the headboard. She looked up at him, the glint of mischievousness in her eye. "Well sir, I think my bottom should be soundly spanked by you with your bare hands, or a paddle, until it glows red. Then it would be the absolute in torture for you to cover it in kisses." Harry smiled, in spite of his momentary irritation with her. "And what then?" "Well sir, if past experience is any guide, after that, I will be begging for you to fuck me in the ass... but whatever you do, you mustn't do that! You should do whatever else in the world you want to me, sir, but never ever fuck me in the ass when I'm begging for it!" Her elfin smile lit her face. "Because whatever you do to B'rer Rabbit, you don't ever want to throw him in that briar patch." He grinned. "Alright, that sounds like fun, and may well happen... but what if I was seriously displeased?" "Sir, I enjoy being bound, being restrained, to a point, but I don't enjoy being left in frustration. Tying me down and exciting me, and then leaving me there, unfulfilled... well, that's a very good way to punish me and is especially productive if small vibrating toys are left running in my cunt and ass on 'low'. I'll be a quivering, crying and begging wreck in about 15 minutes." "Good to know," Harry responded, "now then B'rer Rabbit, I think you better climb up here and lay across my lap." Harry's pet hopped up off the floor and leapt across him, planting her pussy directly atop his prick. The nearness of her had his cock immediately stiffening. "Count the strokes as they fall, little one," he said. His hand came down sharply and slapped her butt, causing it to jiggle delightfully. As her hips writhed she moaned "Ummm, that's one, sir." The spanking continued and Harry watched amazed her excitement increased. The spanking part did little for him personally, as he had a long list of things he'd rather be doing that involved her body, but she was definitely enjoying it. His cock could feel the warmth and wetness in her crotch, so close it was as she arched and flexed, grinding her hips down onto his. His musings were halted as he heard "Oh... that's... ten... sir" and he brought his sore hand down to his side. Her hands, which had remained outstretched before her during her spanking now caressed her ass, pulled the cheeks apart, stroked Harry's chest and legs. "Shift off of my lap, Baby Girl" he said and she crawled off his lap and lay lengthwise on the bed, facing the foot. He fell on to the bed on his elbows, his hands reaching out to encircle her reddened ass cheeks. His mouth filled with saliva as he lowered his head to the left cheek and began to lick and suck at it. Her hips began to twitch and gyrate. He covered the cheek several times, savoring the feel of her skin beneath his mouth, before moving on to the right side and beginning all over. Her ass was all that he'd imagined, soft and ripe, plump and round, smooth and silky. His mind fogged with delightful sensation as he moved to the crease of her bottom,.licking around her asshole, his hands gently kneading both saliva-soaked mounds. Her voice brought him back to awareness as her hands slid under his and pulled her own ass cheeks apart. "Sir, I beg you, either fuck me in my ass or prepare to punish me again. Please sir, I'll do anything you want, just please fuck me or tongue me or find something, sir, find anything and fill my ass." Her body hunched backwards in the bed, her ass rising in the air, her hands pulling at her whipped cheeks, scrabbling at them, trying to open her bottom as far as she could. Thin trickles of fluid dripped from between her cunt lips. Harry ran his hand along her slit, gathering the lubricant and slathering it on his prick, repeating the process until he was satisfied that it was slick enough. He placed his hands on her thighs, holding her still as he put the tip of his dick to her puckered sphincter. For just a second as he made contact he felt a tightness, but when she sensed him, she relaxed. He felt the change in tension and taking it as a final welcoming, pushed his prick inside her. A shudder ran down the length of her body as his penetration proceeded. She raised herself on her arms. "Oh yes sir, that's it. All the way in sir, push all the way in, please" she babbled. She ground against him, pushing back, until his balls were partially shrouded in her pubic hair, her ass cheeks spread to near-splitting as her hole met the base of Harry's cock. "Oh God sir, that's so good. Thank you sir, thank you Harry. Oh I love you sir, oh God I love you." Slowly but surely Harry began to move her ass back and forth on his dick, carrying the weight of her hips with his arms as he leaned back slightly to plant himself firmly into the mattress. Through the dividing wall between her ass and her cunt, he felt her spasms as her excitement mounted. In and out his cock slid, the fleshy sheath of her ass sucking at as if it were her mouth he was fucking. The muscles of her ass pulsed up and down his shaft and he stared down in amazement. He was burying his dick in the ass of a beautiful woman, a woman who'd given herself to him, body and soul, to do with as he wanted. There was so much he wanted to do with her. "Baby Girl, I own the most beautiful pet, with the most beautiful ass, that I have ever seen." "Oh... God... thank... you... sir." As the pace intensified, Harry saw the strain start to show in Carol's arms, so he slowed to a halt and carefully shifted into a sitting position, his back against the brass footboard. Carol leaned back towards him and her thighs began to take her up and down. Harry caressed her body as she rode him and before very long the feel of her under his hands, the steady vice-like grip of her rectal muscles and the motion of her brought him to the edge of orgasm. He put his hands on top of her thighs and, arching his hips, slammed into her, matching her rhythm. His cock pulsed in and out of her as her muscles tried to keep it in by tightening on the outstroke and relaxed to let it all back in on the in-stroke. One of her hands flew up to stroke her left breast, the other went to her crotch and no one, least of all them, would ever be able to tell whose orgasm began first, but there was no doubt that they finished together. Harry heard a deep moaning, almost a grunting. It took him a moment to realize that the moans were his as he tried to drive his body through hers while his dick convulsed through its orgasm. The moment seemed timeless as his hips bucked uncontrollably. Soft, whimpering, breathy cries came from between her perfect lips as she shuddered and shook. As their climaxes wound down and Harry's hands relaxed somewhat, Carol's tired thighs refused to lower her with his down stroke, so his rapidly deflating cock slipped out and then Carol fell face first to the bed. Harry began to sit up, concern struggling through his post-orgasmic bliss, but before it could even get really started, Carol had rolled onto her side, spun around so that her head was next to Harry's leg. Her arms wrapped around it and she began to kiss it, murmuring "I'm yours; thank you; I'm all yours". Slowly she crawled up his body, kissing and murmuring, until she was curled up next to him. Her head sank to rest on his chest. She fell silent for a time and they lay together, bathed in their love and the sweat of their passion. After awhile she spoke. "Sir?" "Yes, Baby Girl?" "If it's not too impertinent to ask, are you going to fuck me like that regularly or am I going to have to walk through the house breaking shit?" "You're not going to have to walk through the house breaking shit." He glanced over at the clock by the bed. It was 6:15 in the evening, almost exactly twenty-four hours after he'd walked into the Pearl. ------- After a shower for the two of them which only failed to become another mad session of fucking because of their mutual need for food, Harry realized that the only clothes Carol had available were the t-shirt she kept rolled up in her bag to sleep in, and the black dress she had worn the night before. "That puts another stop on the expedition this evening" he said. "Excuse me sir?" she replied. "We're taking you clothes shopping. We're going to supper, we're stopping by the drug store for whatever else you may want, we're hitting the grocery store so the house will be stocked with things you want, and I assume you know a place where we can find you appropriate slave gear and other accoutrements?" The small naked woman launched herself at Harry, wrapping her arms around his neck, her legs around his waist and whispered in his ear "I am yours". He kissed her and, disentangling himself, said "I know you are, that's why we have so many stops to make". She slipped the dress on over her naked body. It clung to her like a second skin and Harry felt his cock stirring in his pants. "You were wearing that last night and I didn't make a pass at you? I must have been very bad off." "Harry, last night you barely noticed I was female at all." She put old dog collar back on her neck and began to spool the chain around her waist. "Baby Girl, take that off, you don't have to wear that in public." She gazed up at him, walked over, took his face in her hands and pulled him down to her. Their lips met and the kiss was an incineration that had each of them reaching to take off their clothes before Harry pulled back. She looked at him somewhat shamefacedly. "Sorry sir, I didn't mean that to get out of hand." She looked him straight in the eyes again. "Harry, you have great instincts as a pet owner, but there are times when you still don't get it." "I'll take it off if you want me to, but it's not a trial or a tribulation or a shame or anything else negative for me to wear this in public. I'm proud of it. I'm proud of you, I'm proud you chose me. If I had my way, I'd never go anywhere without my collar and chain and I know that it's not socially acceptable for you to be holding the end of my leash whenever we're out but again, if I had my way you would be and if there is anywhere that I really shouldn't go wearing them, then I really don't think I need to go there in the first place." "In fact Harry, as far as your pet is concerned, I don't need to go anywhere that would frown at me sitting or kneeling at your feet, or cuddled on your lap or next to you, should you so desire, whenever you're seated. I don't want to go anywhere that my serving you, in any way you desire, would be looked at askance. I realize that most places we'll go would have a problem with me dropping to my knees and sucking you off, or lifting my dress and letting you take me as you would, but on the other hand, I know quite a few places where no one would bat an eye." That definitely got the attention of Harry's cock. He reached down, shifted his growing erection to one side. "You'll have a chance to show me those places someday," he said "but for now, let's go get something to eat before we pass out." ------- To Harry's delight Carol opted for Thai food when asked her preferences. He hadn't had Thai food since he'd gotten involved with Angie as she didn't care for it and since the separation he hadn't been much in the mood to eat anything. Two plates of excellent Peanut Chicken at the Bangkok Inn later, they sat back and smiled. "So Baby Girl, time for you to answer some questions for me." "As you wish, sir. Such as?" "What do you like sexually? What aren't you comfortable with? What won't you do?" She gazed levelly at him, spun sideways on the booth seat and crossed her legs tailor fashion, incidentally giving him a beautiful view of her uncovered cunt. "Harry, you ask some good questions and some very silly ones. Let me get the silly ones out of the way first." "There is nothing I will not do. There are no limits. Granted, there are things I pray you never ask me to do, that you are never in a position to need me to do, there are many things I trust you will never ask me to do, but that doesn't mean I wouldn't do them if you told me to." "I don't like scat play. I find nothing about shit erotic; that's why I prefer to be cleaned out prior to anal fun. As you well know, however, that won't get in the way when I need a good ass fucking." "I don't care for any form of water sports. Again, to me, waste products are waste products and while I can deal with humiliation I much prefer pampering." Harry reached down between her legs and began to gently stroke her pussy, running his fingers through her soft pubic hair. She smiled. "I don't like being shared with other men. I've been passed around to friends by every owner I've ever had, save one, and I don't like it. I'm yours, Harry. I don't want any other man ever having me. But as I am yours, I do whom I'm told to do." "Conversely, I love being shared with women. I am an enthusiastic bisexual. I lean much closer to the hetero side than the homo, but I do love women. I've never had a female owner and I'd never want to serve only a woman, but if you want to see me in heaven, Harry, let's find you a woman good enough for you, who loves you the way you should be loved and, of course I'd hope, doesn't have a problem with me; I'd be in paradise, serving the two of you. Bliss for me would be facedown in her snatch while you fucked me in the ass. Talk about a happy Baby Girl..." Harry had begun slipping a finger in and out of her wetness, still stroking her pubic hair. Their waiter came to the table, began to ask about something and stopped, staring, dumbfounded at what was taking place in the dark corner booth. Harry reached into his pocket, fished out a twenty, tossed it on the table, turned to the waiter and putting a finger over his mouth, said "Shhhhhhh". The waiter grabbed the twenty, smiled, nodded and left. "I've lived in a multi-pet harem before and I'm not fond of it. There tends to be a lot of infighting and catty conduct and I'm just as bad about it as anyone. I want to be the most favored, just like everyone else, and I don't like who I become when I feel I have to fight for the position. But fight for it I will." She reached down, dipped a finger into her dripping crotch and brought it to her lips. She looked at Harry with a question in her eyes. He nodded and she delicately licked the moisture off her finger. Harry's pulse rate raced as his cock hardened. She dipped the finger back into herself and offered it to Harry. "Would you like a taste, sir?" Harry leaned forward, took the proffered finger into his mouth and swirled his tongue around it. Her taste filled his mouth and he savored each second of its lingering. He released her finger and leaned back. "Continue." "I enjoy bondage up to a point and there are types of pain I adore, but many more I don't like at all; from the tenderness I see in you, I probably don't have to worry about that. As you may have figured out, I enjoy being paddled and spanked. My whole ass is an erogenous zone and there's damn little you can do to it that won't turn me on. I enjoy being a bad girl, often because bad girls get punished." "I've never been branded and quite frankly, I hope I never am. I would willingly be tattooed at my owner's request but branding frightens me. I've been pierced multiple times in multiple ways. It does nothing for me and I've let the holes grow closed as soon as I could after the relationships ended." Her mood softened. "There is no fantasy I won't help you indulge and fulfill, no role I will not play, for however long it takes to make that dream come true for you. I can, and have, even played the dominant mistress of a relationship with no trouble at all as I knew it was merely a role during playtime." She leaned forward, her tongue caressing Harry's ear. "I'm an actress Harry," she whispered, "I'm your actress. Who do you want me to be? Nothing's out of bounds, nothing's too perverted, nothing's too silly, no judgments, no morality, just your heart's desire." Her hand reached down, caressing his throbbing cock through his pants. She moved to whisper in his other ear. "Do you want, like Oedipus, to ravish your mother, shooting your seed into the womb that birthed you? Or would you have that ice queen who ignored you in high school on her knees before you, begging you to take her? Would you prefer to examine every inch of me, Doctor, as I'm sure I need to be probed thoroughly? Or shall I arrest you, take you to your cell and give you a cavity search as you lay helpless, handcuffed to the bars? Is it time for me to get my 'A' from teacher by sucking him off? Or do you want to force your teacher to the desktop to fuck her like she deserves? Are you tired of your sister walking around the house with next to nothing on, is it time to teach her a lesson? Do you want to know what it's like to pay a whore for her time and be fucked by a professional? Shall we play 'minister and the choir girl', Harry? Do you want to indulge in a little pretend-rape, safe and sound, all in good fun? Will you torture me, mein Herr, for the information about the Resistance? Hell Harry, if you want to wake up Snow White with true love's first fuck, I know where we can find some out-of-work midgets to play the dwarves." Harry's mind was engulfed in a whirlwind, a tornado of possibilities and dreams half-formed, given birth by the girl nibbling on his ear. "Harry, I'm a fuck-beast. I've made it my business to learn how to please my owner, in whatever way he commands. Command me." Harry felt the pre-cum oozing from the tip of his dick. The restaurant swam before his eyes. His voice quivered as he tried to achieve coherence. "For now, Baby Girl, sit back and continue." She did so, and her voice too was somewhat shaky when she went on. "I don't do drugs, other than smoke and alcohol. I've been made to do others before and I didn't enjoy them. Give me a couple of pipe bowls of ganja and a few highball glasses of a good bourbon though, and I'll guarantee you an evening of fucking that will leave you weak and exhausted on the floor, cuddled in my loving arms." Harry smiled. "Strong claims, Baby Girl. Someday you'll have to put your money where your mouth is, so to speak." "Why wait sir? You can have a sample now, although it won't have anywhere near the full effect." She slid out off of the seat and onto the floor, flowed in-between his legs and started to undo his pants. Harry began to object, a knee-jerk reaction from all the years of thinking in terms of 'things you did not do'. He realized he had been taken beyond some of those limitations by the girl between his knees. He felt sure she was going to take him further beyond them in the future. So, she was going to blow him in a restaurant. At worst, they'd get arrested for public lewdness or some such nonsense. In all probability, the waiter would keep his end of the bargain and no one else would ever know. Carol released his straining cock from its confinement. "As I said earlier sir," she murmured,"you have a lovely cock." Taking it in her mouth she draped her arms over Harry's thighs. With a barely audible slurp, she drew the full length of it down her throat, her muscles working it up and down its length. Her saliva swirled around it in a gentle flood, her tongue dancing along its surface. Looking down Harry could see that her dress had ridden up on her thighs as she squatted down. To anyone who approached, Carol's bare ass might be seen in the dim light, bobbing back and forth beneath the table. He leaned his head onto the bench back and closed his eyes most of the way. He was so lost in the intoxication of her that whatever happened would be what happened. He would deal with it as it came. She began humming as she moved her head, forwards and back, bringing her lips to the base, his cock as far down her throat as would go, before gently pulling back to run her tongue along the bottom all the way to the tip yet again. The humming stimulated him to an almost painful intensity. He tensed but then forced himself to relax, trusting in his girl to take care of him properly. As he let the sensations flow over him, the tune she hummed, already hauntingly familiar, became clear. She was humming Schubert's "Ave Maria". He was getting blown to 'Ave Maria'. His eyes opened. Standing there, next to the table, was the manager of the restaurant, a handsome middle-aged Oriental woman. Her eyes and facial expression eloquently communicated her desire to sit and watch. Harry nodded. When he was this far off the map, there seemed no good reason to turn back. The woman sat, folded her hands upon her lap and watched, a smile upon her face. Harry let his eyes slip nearly shut again, sinking into the experience. As "Ave Maria" ended, Carol released his cock from her mouth. "I love you sir" she said. Then she went back to work on his dick with a vengeance. But extra effort wasn't really required. Her declaration of love had taken him too far to stop. Her mouth flew up and down his shaft, gently teasing his prick as his balls spasmed convulsively. She felt the flood beginning and without clamping down, sucked as hard as she could. As his hips rocked, locked in erotic seizure, she braced herself with her arms against the back of the booth bench, letting his motions move him back and forth in her mouth. His semen roared out and she fought to swallow quickly enough to keep excess from spewing out the sides of her mouth. When at last the torrent has slowed to a trickle, she laid her head against his thigh and carefully, gently, milked the rest of his cum from him with her tongue. Harry opened his eyes and gazed adoringly at the little miracle that sat with her head resting on his thigh. "I love you too, Baby Girl. And you're right; I will end up half dead, cuddled in your arms." "Told you" she said impishly. The sound of the manager subtly clearing her throat brought her back to Harry's attention. He turned to look at her. "Sir," she said, "love is a rare thing, much rarer than it should be. Although I would deny I said this were I questioned by the health inspectors, the two of you honor my establishment. You are a very lucky man, sir. And you, young lady, are as lucky as he, I suspect." She stood to leave. "You are welcome here anytime. Should you require more privacy than this, ask for the Vimanmek Palace room. It is almost always available. I shall send over a bottle of our Black Krachai wine, courtesy of the house. Not only is it quite delicious, but its healthful regenerative effects may help to revive you after your... discourse." ------- Several glasses of superb fruit wine later they were much refreshed and the conversation continued. "Harry, I don't mean to pry, but what kind of budget are you looking at for slave gear? It determines where I recommend we go. I mean, there's some very nice stuff at a place on Rio Grande and we could probably get a good starter set of collars, cuffs, restraints, straps and chains for a real reasonable price. I don't want you to spend money you don't have." Harry smiled to himself. She didn't know. She hadn't snooped through his house, checked him out. Not that he thought she would, but still there was always suspicion. "Baby Girl, delight of my life, there are things I need to tell you. What did it say on the business card you found with my office number on it?" "Uh, 'G & P Advertising, Harry Grimes'. There was some other stuff but I didn't bother to look, I was in a hurry to call, I didn't want you to get in any trouble." "Baby Girl, that's 'Grimes & Pinard Advertising'. It's my and Karen's company. Angie's living in the house in Crockett Heights she and I bought after we'd been married and living at my parent's old house for awhile. I never had the heart to sell the folks' old place, and I'm really glad I didn't since I need it now. After the divorce, even in a community property state, with what I've got stashed away I could take a year or two off if I wanted to and we'd be ok, unless Karen and I went completely insane after I got back and ran the company into the ground." Carol sat, staring at him, eyes wide and mouth open. A look of fear crossed her face. "Sir, I didn't know, I swear, I didn't know. I'm not some money-grubbing whore looking for some rich guy to take for all he's worth, I'm..." Harry quieted her with a kiss that he held in place until her mouth stopped moving in speech and relaxed into the kiss. Then he held it awhile longer. He broke from the kiss, sat back and smiled at her "Shush, Baby Girl, I know you're not. You're a dear, sweet wonderful girl who saw a man eating his own soul and waded in to save him. Everything that's happened since has been kismet. So, we're talking the best slave gear there is. Indulge yourself." "You're sure, Harry? I mean, really sure?" "Little Cunt, I will spank you on this table, bare ass to the world and then butt fuck you with a chicken bone. Don't question me like that again," he said, grinning. "Yes sir. May I borrow your cell phone then? We need to make some appointments." ------- They made it to the mall with about an hour to spare. That hour was spent in a whirl of clothing stores as well as a quick, but very promising, smash-and-grab through Victoria's Secret. While Carol was trying on outfits, Harry pulled out his cell phone and dialed a number from memory that he hadn't thought of in years. "Hello, Margo? Yeah, it's me. Listen, I need a favor, and I know I haven't talked to you in years and you're probably pissed at me and I know you're busy and I know you don't exactly do this kind of thing anymore but I trust you to do a good and thorough job, you're the best doctor I know. If I have to, I'll call in that big fucking favor that I don't think you owe me. You do this for me, you decide if the debt's paid." "I've gotten involved with a girl... yes, I'm very glad to hear it too. Yes, I know your opinion of Angie... well, she's coming out of a really bad relationship, physical abuse, lots of bruising and I'm not sure what all else. I need you to run a complete physical on her, hopefully tomorrow afternoon, a full workup, X-rays, the whole nine... ok, I'll stop telling you how to do your job. You'll do it? 3:30, your office on Medical Boulevard? Margo, I never felt you owed us anything for what happened at the field house. I'm going to owe you big time for this." ------- Dr. Margo Wohler-Sapperstein hung up the phone. She though back to high school, their senior year, when a rather dim running back for their team decided to try his hand at rape behind the field house on a bright and sunny day in October. She thought about two of the most unlikely heroes imaginable, a pair of stoners who might have remembered her name on a good day, as they didn't mix much with the brainy clique. Harry Grimes, peaceful and laid-back even when he wasn't high, and Eddy Janak, who, according to rumor, was kept high by his friends so he didn't kill someone. They'd been cutting through the athletics area on their way back from somewhere that definitely wasn't class when they literally stumbled across Cliff Jeffreys about to take her virginity in the vilest way possible. She had screamed at them incoherently. Years later she could laugh about it because, as they told her in the aftermath, what she said in "Stoner" clearly translated as "beat this fucker till he can't walk". And they did. And he couldn't. If it had been just them warning Cliff to let it end there or else they'd report what he had tried, it wouldn't have worked because no one would've believed them. But Margo Wohler, top of her class, preacher's daughter, well, her the authorities would've believed. So Cliff had been beaten by 'unknown assailants' and they'd taken her home, wrapped in Eddy's huge denim jacket and stayed with her until her mother got there. There hadn't been a lot of talking; there hadn't been a lot to say. It wasn't until years later, at the 10 year reunion, that she found out they'd visited Cliff several times over the following months, impressing on him his vulnerability to potential accident, should anything ever happen to her. Yeah, the oddest pair of knights errant imaginable. And no matter what Harry said, she owed him and Eddy more than she could ever repay. ------- He pulled out the cell and for the second time that night dialed a number from memory that he hadn't called in years. "Eddy? Yeah, it's Harry. Yeah, I know I've been off the radar. Bad marriages and working too much will do that to you. Yeah, I know you know about bad marriages, what are you up to now? Six? Nine! Nine goddamn divorces? Jesus Eddy, did anyone ever tell you that you could fuck a woman without having to marry her? Anyway, I need a favor. I've gotten involved with a girl... no, she's nothing like Angie... yeah, I know that's good... listen, I've gotten involved with her and she's just coming out of a bad relationship. The guy beat her, real bad, I'm taking her in to see Margo tomorrow to see just how bad, but anyway, I need to go get her stuff from this guy, I'm looking for some back-up and while I'm there, I was thinking we might inflict a little justice. What? No man, I haven't smoked dope in years. So, you up for it? Coolness. I appreciate it. I'm thinking sometime Friday, I'll get in touch with you once I know when's the best time to catch him sleeping. Sure, you take care too buddy. Later." ------- At a small restored three-story Victorian home in a very respectable part of town they sat out on the front balcony, which was mostly screened by live oak trees, watching a model, naked but for the restraints and collars she was demonstrating, illustrate their choices in the moonlight. She had the help of the owner, an elderly woman who reminded Harry of an English teacher he'd had in high school, although he could never have imagined Mrs. Hendrix showing her class just how easy it was to suspend your slave from her fine hand-made whipping posts. A tall and angular Oriental woman, naked, with teeth filed to points and a body pierced through in multiple places with long, double-ended spikes came and knelt beside Harry. She eyed Carol with obvious lust. "Is there anything you require? For the discerning palate we have opium and absinthe as well as, I am ashamed to say, various beers and sodas. We also have bottled waters. I shall make tea at your request; please, tell me what you desire." "Uh, nothing, thank you." "Shall I take your girl away and... amuse her... for a time?" "No, thank you. But if I do require anything, I shall send her in to retrieve it from you." "Very good, sir. I shall eagerly await her arrival." She stood and glided back into the darkness of the house. The owner, Madam Cornelius, looked at the two of them and chuckled. "You must excuse Li Kuan, Mr. Grimes. I indulge her and I spoil her. She is insatiable and enjoys playing with young girls. If they show interest, she can even instruct them in more... extreme... pleasures." Harry felt Carol shudder against his leg. "Quite alright, Madam Cornelius, I understand about indulging one's pets." He leaned down to Carol, sitting at his feet, whispered in her ear. "Baby Girl, I am feeling very inexperienced and woefully ignorant." "Relax sir, you're doing fine." After another hour of Carol subtly indicating to him what she wanted, and him throwing in a few things that caught his eye as well, their host sat down across from them after dismissing the model. "Mr. Grimes, I don't recall seeing you in our circles before." She leaned over, loaded a hookah that sat on a side table and lit it, taking a deep hit from one of the tips. The smell of marijuana hung heavy in the still air. "No Madam Cornelius, I'm very new to this circle. I don't really even think I knew there was such a circle until recently and I'm not sure how much of a fixture I'll be. I'm mostly a quiet, stay-at-home type." She offered him a hose from the hookah. He was about to refuse when he felt a slight tugging on his pants from Carol. He took the hose and drew a great mouthful of smoke. Leaning down, entwining his fingers in her hair, he pulled Carol's head back with a jerk. Pressing his lips against hers, he blew the mouthful of smoke down her throat. She inhaled sharply and her arm, wrapped around his leg, began to writhe as her hand caressed his leg, moving up towards his crotch. "Now, Little Cunt" he softly growled, smiling, "do not bother us again or I shall send you in to play with Li Kuan." Madam Cornelius looked on with approval. "Nevertheless Mr. Grimes, you seem to have a good grasp of what is required. Shall we visit together awhile or do you need to conclude our business immediately?" "Madam Cornelius, I have no pressing engagements. If I am not keeping you from any of your own, I would welcome the chance to visit." "Excellent, Mr. Grimes. Li Kuan! Put on a pot of water! Do you have any preference in teas sir?" "I am inexperienced, Madam Cornelius; I place my palate in your hands." "Li Kuan! Prepare a pot of Pu-erh Tuocha with rose petals. And Li Kuan, if you overheat the water again I shall rip something from your flesh!" ------- As they relaxed, sipping at their tea and smoking from the water pipe, Madame Cornelius continued. "Mr. Grimes, it seems to me that you are not precisely a Dom, are you?" "No," Harry replied, "I just sort of fell into ownership of this sweet young thing." "Do you foresee yourself desiring a dominant and submissive relationship with your play-toy?" "No, Madame Cornelius, I don't think so. She is mine, but not as something to abuse or humiliate, rather as a pet to be cherished and loved. Of course, pets, just like small children, who disobey or misbehave are punished, but this is different, I think, than a master and slave relationship, or a dominant and submissive one." She motioned with her finger and Li Kuan stepped out of the shadows to stand beside her chair. Madam Cornelius reached up, lazily, with one hand and grasped a spike that was piercing the flesh of Li's abdomen. Slowly she began to twist it. "You are quite right, Mr. Grimes, and it shows wisdom that, as inexperienced as you are, you recognize that." As she continued to twist the spike blood began to well up around the edges. Li Kuan's smile became a grin, sharpened teeth glinting in the moonlight. Lines of moisture crept down her face from the corner each eye. "The sexual spectrum is very wide, Mr. Grimes. There are countless mixes of various kinks, fetishes and deviances. Take the three of us, for example. You wish to love and cherish your little toy. I would, were she willing of course, have her tortured and humiliated for days while I reveled in my power over here. Li Kuan would like to ravish her and mark her; scar her physically as well as, in all likelihood, emotionally." Carol turned her face away, whimpering. Harry leaned forward and gathered her up into her lap. She burrowed her face into his chest, suckling at his nipple through his shirt, so he unbuttoned it partway and opened it. She latched onto his chest and an undercurrent of sucking sounds flowed across the balcony. "I suspect, Mr. Grimes, that until recently you were very much in the 'normal' area of the sexual spectrum. Am I correct?" "Yes you are, Madame Cornelius. Not only normal, I'm afraid, but in retrospect, probably boring as well." "Well Mr. Grimes, it may be many things out here past the boundaries of 'normal', but boring generally isn't one of them." Carol turned her head and peeked at her. She released the spike and it slowly began to pivot back to its original orientation as the skin settled. Li Kuan's excitement was evident. She looked at Carol and licked her lips. Carol jerked her head back and began whimpering shrilly into his chest. "Mr. Grimes, I'm afraid Li Kuan and I have upset your plaything. She seeks to comfort herself and bargain with you for her safety. I'm certain there is something you can use to pacify her." "If you are sure, Madam Cornelius..." "Dear sir, trust me, unless you are one of nature's freaks, you will have nothing in those pants this balcony has not seen countless times before. And after all, we are here for the indulging of desires; yours, hers, mine, Li Kuan's. Please, feel free." "Go ahead then Baby Girl." Carol dropped out of his lap and clawed at his pants in a panicked attempt to open them. "Little Cunt! Calm down. You're mine. I'm not going to share you with Madame Cornelius or Li Kuan. Relax... take your time." Carol knelt on the balcony before him and forcefully suppressed her panic. Her owner had assured her she was safe. There was nothing to fear. When she could hold her face steady and look him in the eye without worrying that she'd embarrass him again, she did so. "Thank you sir, I apologize for my panic." And then she calmly unbuttoned and unzipped his pants, took his cock out and began to suck on it as a small child might suck a pacifier. Harry leaned back, taking in the scene. Was it some rule of his new life that he'd been unaware of, that now he was going to regularly have his cock sucked in front of relative strangers? "You're safe from me it's true, little one. And you're safe from Li Kuan," Madame Cornelius said. "You belong to a very charming gentleman who will protect you and keep you." "But enough talk, let us relax and enjoy what delights we may take from this life." She called Li Kuan back to her and began again to twist upon her spikes. The wine and the dope were taking their toll on him. He felt himself turned on by the whole situation. There he sat, watching Li Kuan's ass quiver as Madame Cornelius twirled away on two spikes at once while his girl found comfort by blowing him out in front of God and everybody. He reached over and picked up a hose, taking a massive hit. He exhaled eventually, then sucked in another and drug Carol's head up from his crotch. Into her mouth he blew the smoke, holding the kiss as she breathed through her nose, tasting himself in her mouth as his tongue explored. Standing, he kicked off his shoes and stepped out of his pants, picked Carol up and carried her to the rear of the balcony. Bracing her back against the wall, holding her up with his arms under her thighs, he slipped his dick into her and began to drive back and forth at a slow and steady rhythm. He didn't understand a lot, but he understood all he needed to. He understood what he was doing right then, at that moment. He was making love to the woman he adored. Everything else was incidental. Carol chewed on his shoulder like a beggar on a crust of bread. He looked past the top of her head to see Li Kuan kneeling in front of Madam Cornelius, her hand under the Madam's skirts, working furiously, her sharpened teeth biting and drawing blood on her bottom lip as her mistress twisted her nipple spikes, blood oozing down Li's chest. "Baby Girl," he whispered, "sometimes I feel you're the only real thing in a crazy dream. You're the only one that's real enough to touch. Loving you is the only real thing I can do." He felt her tears begin to drip onto his shoulder and the pace of her hips surged faster. He matched her, the creaking of the wall behind her back punctuating their love. Her breathy whisper caressed his ear. "Sir, you just hold on to that thought, no matter how weird it gets and you'll do just fine." The night had drained him and it wasn't long before he felt his orgasm building. "Baby Girl, I'm sorry, I can't hold out much longer. I'm going to come." A sharp pain ripped into his shoulder as she bit down on him. "Harry, you shouldn't be apologizing to me, you should be using me for your pleasure." "Little Cunt, I am using you for my pleasure," he growled back. "I chose to apologize to you because it pleases me to pamper and spoil you. Your outburst as well as the pain in my shoulder has earned you ten swats in the morning and there will not be any 'happy-ass-fuck-fuck' time afterwards" "Oh yes sir," she muttered happily as her orgasm began to overtake her. Harry reflected that perhaps there were some things in the universe he just wasn't meant to understand as he let his own need drag him under. ------- After Li Kuan had brought out washbasins of warm water, washcloths and towels and matters of cleanliness were attended to, as well as another pot of tea brewed and drunk, Madam Cornelius looked over the two of them. "My dear Mr. Grimes, you appear to be done in. Is there anything else that you require this evening? Shall I have one of the boys drive you home? I'm not altogether sure I'd feel safe with either of you driving tonight." "Madame Cornelius," Harry replied, "as amply demonstrated tonight, many times, your hospitality, kindness and gentility know no bounds. A chauffeured ride home would be most appreciated. I question our ability to get ourselves home as well. I can think of nothing else that I require tonight, but I am sure that, if you permit it, we shall call on you again, both for business and the pleasure of your company." "Permit it, my dear man? I'll insist upon it! To business then. Everything you have chosen is in stock, or will be within the week. Later, if you so choose, when you have discovered whatever additional needs you may have, please be aware that we have suppliers who do custom work for any design desired. We will always welcome your business. The in-stock items can be delivered tomorrow at any time convenient to you and I can confidently schedule delivery on the out-of-stock items next Tuesday; acceptable?" "I find that very acceptable. Is delivery tomorrow around noon good for you and your people and would it be possible to take the smaller in-stock items home with us tonight?" "Noon is perfect and certainly, I will have Li Kuan put as much of your order together as is feasible. Li Kuan! I know you are hiding just inside the door, drooling over Mr. Grimes' toy! Put together his order! Release Andre and Hans to load it in his car, have Hans drive them home with Andre following in the Bentley to bring him back once he has delivered them." Harry reached down, took Carol by the chain and led her up to her feet. "Baby Girl, go decide what collar and which cuffs you want to wear right now and bring them to me. Tell Li Kuan we're very tired so there's no time to play." ------- Less than an hour later the two of them were standing under the shower, letting the little shower massager beat away the night's tensions. Leaving the shower only out of fear that they would fall asleep standing up, Carol dried them. "Am I sleeping with you this evening sir?" she asked. "Yes, dear one, until you hear differently from me, you will always be sleeping with me." She curled up in a ball near the center of the bed, the fur-lined collar, black with silver accents and d-ring, on her neck. As he gazed at her lovingly he watched her breathing smoothly calm towards the rhythm of sleep. He set the alarm and crawled into bed, protectively encircling her with his body and arms. His cock stirred slightly as it nestled between the cheeks of her ass but he was far too tired and far too eager to join his girl in slumber for any such desires to reach fruition. Peace settled over him and together they journeyed into dreams. ------- Chapter 3 His S-80 was careening down the wet road on the edge of 'out-of-control'. In the darkness outside the windows trees and boulders and bridge supports and buildings nestled themselves up snugly to the very side of the highway, flashing past almost too fast for recognition. His eyes went to the speedometer and he watched the needle climb past '120'. He'd been here before, many times over the past months and when it had begun the terror had overwhelmed him. But as time had gone by and the emptiness inside had grown more pronounced, had grown more inescapable, there'd been nothing left there to birth any terror. He'd grown very comfortable with the speed and the slick road, the sudden death so close to him. Comfortable enough to enjoy slaloming the car back and forth, testing his luck, seeing just how close he could come. After all, what was the worst that could happen? What more did he have to lose? But now, now something had changed and the terror was back. It roared up out of his depths and washed over him like a great wave, choking him, blinding him. He felt the car veering to the right and he knew he had seconds to correct his course or he'd never see her again and the emptiness would return and his love would be ashes in his mouth and where the light from her eyes used to warm him there'd be nothing but cold desolation and the pain and fear within him found a voice and that voice clawed its way up his throat, raping his vocal cords as it tore through and it was the sound a soul made when banished from the sight of God and his hands grabbed the wheel and tried to turn the car away from the danger but the wheel wouldn't turn as he felt his nails shatter and the tips of his fingers shred as the bone underneath pushed through from the force of his grip and there was nothing he could do and he'd never even be able to tell her 'goodbye' or how much he loved her- "HARRY!" -and she'd think he'd left because he didn't love her, she'd think he'd left because he never loved her and the front corner of the car hit something and time slowed so every second of his damnation could be enjoyed and the police report would say he'd run his car into 'whatever' and they'd all 'know' it was suicide and he could only cringe away from the thought of what that would do to her and now the passenger-side dash arrived like a herald announcing the nearness of the engine to come and- "HARRY GODDAMNIT!" -he felt his shoulders dislocate as he used all he was to turn the fucking wheel and the car was shaking back and forth in a rhythm new to the cataclysm and he wasn't going to fucking die here but he knew that was bullshit because he really was and there was nothing he could do to stop it as the dash continued its inexorable drive towards him, pinning his right hand to the wheel as it bent and began its voyage to mate with his chest and the measured shaking continued, back and forth and he'd never see her beautiful smile again and that was Hell, no matter what you'd been taught in any fucking Sunday School, that was Hell and he was going there- As a sharp stinging pain inflamed the side of his face and his eyes shot open. Her face, as beautiful as the dawn and full of concern, floated before him. His terror propelled his mouth into overdrive. "Baby Girl it wasn't suicide and don't you ever think I don't love you because I do and I didn't mean to leave you I tried so hard so goddamn hard but there was nothing I could do and when they tell you it was suicide it wasn't because there's no reason for me to want to leave you ever and if I never saw your smile again I'd be in Hell and I'm so sorry I won't be here to take care of you-" "HARRY," she shouted, "you were having a dream baby, you were having a nightmare, its ok, you're not going anywhere, you're safe, you're right here and I'm not going to let anything happen to you." His chest gave birth to deep wracking sobs as he continued to mouth his dream's overflow. Carol drew him to her, placed his head between her breasts and stroked his hair, rocking him gently. "Harry, baby, you're fine, it's ok, you're not leaving me. You're not going anywhere, baby, you're staying right here." As he slowly calmed, she reached to the bedside table and retrieved great wads of tissue, helped him to wipe his face and blow his nose. There, safe in the arms of his girl, he told her of the dream, and the history of the dream, and how tonight had been different. When he was through, when he had wound down, she gently led his mouth to her breast. "Harry, baby, there you go, there sweetie, that's good, yes, I like that... that's good, suck your Baby Girl's tit." "Now Harry, you just keep sucking and let me talk for a bit." Her voice was soft and calm, implacable. "If I ever meet Angie, I'm going to put her in the hospital. If you don't want me to, you're going to have to give me express and clear orders to the contrary because otherwise, I'm gonna kick that cunt to the curb and curb stomp her till it stops feeling good to me. And that, my dear sweet Harry, could take a long time." "Now, roll over on your back and let me please you, help to wash that horrible dream out of your mind and fill it with happier thoughts, ok?" Continuing to nurse at her breast like a man possessed, Harry slowly and carefully rolled over, scooting backwards on the bed into a sitting position. She reached down and behind her to find his cock, fully erect, straining to meet her hand. Throwing a leg over him, she guided him in. His dick penetrated her wet heat effortlessly as she lowered herself onto him, her eyes locked on his face. As her hips began their dance, tears flowed down her cheeks as she reflected that if every bad experience of her life had been necessary to bring her to this room, this time, this man, then they were worth it. They were all worth it. She'd found her place in the world. It would be wise for those who might hurt Harry to reflect that pets will fiercely defend their Masters. Harry's mind, still unsettled from the nightmare, found solace in the act of sucking his Baby Girl's tit. It was if he was nursing at the breast of tranquility, calm running down his throat in a never-ending stream. Oh, his dick might be anything but at peace at the moment, and his body might be yearning to join it in its rigor, in its vigor, but his mind and his soul, those were finding that quiet center of nirvana. He knew without thinking that Carol was meant to be a part of his life. It was not a rational thought, it was an acknowledgement of what was; true, irrefutable and carved into the granite of his being. Together they found their pace and moved as one, gently surging in unison, an act of love that was not a race to an orgasmic finish line, but rather a laying-on-of-hands, a holy healing of two people that life had had its rough way with. "Harry," she gasped, "I want you not to think, don't think of anything at all. Don't even think about what I'm saying, just let it flow into you and then flow out of you. Everything you sense, however you sense it, is not to be thought about, it's to be felt. I'm not speaking words, I'm making pretty sounds. What you see with your eyes is not a woman riding her love, it is shapes and colors and pretty designs, floating before you solely to delight your senses. All your nerves, all your senses tie into your cock, Harry. They all feed into your beautiful cock. They don't feed information to the brain; they feed sensation to your dick." Harry's mind, relaxed, tranquil and safe, found it easy to follow her instructions. He identified, quantified, qualified nothing; he merely experienced it and all the experienced sensations were good and they all began to trickle through his body like the beginnings of mountain streams and the streams grew and all the streams led to his cock, buried deep within the source of his peace and as he let go of the rational, she left words behind and began to sing to him, pleasant notes without meaning, it was as if a circuit was completed and it ran from his extremities to his cock and from there to her cunt and then out to her extremities and back across to his. Their bodies were fused and jolted as if from a great surge of electricity and they sang together as the seconds stretched to infinity. ------- As Anna Pessino approached Harry Grimes' house, she reflected again on the will of God and how it somehow seemed to demand that bad things happen to good people. She had kept house for Mr. Harry's parents and for Mr. Harry and his wife Ms. Angie when they were together, and she had never liked that Ms. Angie, or trusted her, but now she was working for Ms. Angie five days a week, and was sneaking over to clean house for Mr. Harry on one of her two days off and praying Ms. Angie never found out or she'd lose her position with her. Bad things happening to good people. Ms. Angie happening to Mr. Harry. Ms. Angie happening to Anna. Maybe it wasn't so much that God had bad things happening to good people, maybe it was that God had Ms. Angie happening to good people. She had spent the months following Mr. Harry and Ms. Angie's separation watching Mr. Harry's house reflect his slow sinking into a pit she was afraid he'd never be lifted out of. She had hurt him bad, that Ms. Angie, and it seemed that the living breathing man was dying, being replaced by a ghost that could live in the house from week to week and scarcely leave a trace. She never saw him, just a check on the table every week and a note that always said the same thing, 'thank you Anna'. She never stayed late enough to see him, as she had her own family to tend to, but she thought that perhaps tonight, she would stay late, talk to him, try to talk some sense into him, try to talk some life into him, tell him what that Ms. Angie was doing in that house they used to share in Crockett Heights. Maybe if he got angry, he'd come alive again. ------- Harry had released Carol's breast from his mouth and she had collapsed onto him. He held her head to his chest and she nibbled and bit her way back and forth across him, lost in the taste of him. Harry's head was thrown back, his mouth wide open as he lost himself in the perfumes that wafted about the room, most strongly the smell of her and her desire. They throbbed together as one, their incoherent moans filling the room and blending into a song of desire and longing and satisfaction and completion. They danced at the edge of their climaxes as if, in their mindlessness, they somehow knew that past that point they would become two again. ------- As Anna's car rounded the corner, she saw that Mr. Harry's car was in the driveway. Perhaps he was sick, or was finally taking some time off to deal with what Ms. Angie had done to him. Whatever the reason, it would give her a chance to talk to him. She could run to the grocery for him if he needed anything. She pulled into the drive and parked, got out and went to the front door, letting herself in. Her mouth opened, about to announce her presence, when she heard sounds she knew well. She looked around the living room as she quietly crept through. It was a disaster area. Boxes and bags and clothes were everywhere, chains and leather straps and metal things she couldn't identify. Her heart sang. These were the signs of life! Life was messy and no ghost moved through this house now. This, with the sounds she was hearing? There was life in this house! Mr. Harry was back from the dead! ------- The two lovers felt the strain building in each of them. The inevitable could only be delayed so long before it would no longer be denied. The avalanche began deep inside Carol and as it slowly cascaded down, its joyous answering echoes were heard inside of Harry. ------- Anna eased to the edge of the bedroom door and slowly moved her head around the door frame. The young woman on top of Mr. Harry was beautiful, a full-bodied, wide-hipped girl who looked like she might well have come from the same village as Anna. She heard the song of their moans and their cries and heard the love that echoed throughout it. The dimness of the room gave a cast to Harry's complexion and looking at the two of them, Anna was reminded of herself when she was younger riding her husband, Emiliano. Oh, the love they had made! She had been surprised the walls had not crumbled around them sometimes. The young girl rose up on her arms and gently eased her body upright. She arched her back and continued backwards, catching herself on her arms yet again, her head hanging down above Mr. Harry's knees. Anna watched, a smile on her face as this young girl brought life back to Mr. Harry in a way Anna had not considered. Well, perhaps if she was 30 years younger... and not married to Emiliano... or maybe even if she was. But she wasn't 30 years younger and she thanked God and the Virgin Mary and all the saints that this girl had come into his life. Then she noticed the girl's face, upside down, eyes open, staring at Anna and smiling. The girl winked at her. Anna jerked her head back and began to ease back towards the door. ------- As Carol leaned back, Harry could stand it no longer. He erupted inside her and it felt for all the world as if the brain he had turned off was flowing out of him with his orgasm. The inside of his skull was a great mass of wires, all short-circuiting at once. Carol rode out his orgasm, her arched position keeping her clitoris away from contact as he bucked and started like a man possessed. She ached to come herself, had had to force herself to back away from coming and was still so close that she could taste it but felt something holding her, restraining her, as if she was awaiting some signal. A part of her mind thought with pleasure on the look of approval she had seen on the face of the woman she assumed was Harry's housekeeper. She hoped her arrival did not prompt Harry to fire the woman. She never meant to be the cause of anyone losing their job, but if Harry wanted her to keep house for him she would. She would do anything for him. Harry's convulsions calmed to twitches and his eyes opened to see his love stretched out in front of him, her breasts riding high in the air, her generously fleshy hips snugly sealed to his. As his mind slowly began to come back online, he ran his hands up those thighs, then up to her waist, pulling her back over and down to him. "Baby Girl, why haven't you come yet?" And with his question came her answer. "Because sir, I feel that I have abused you and your privileges. Many owners consider it their prerogative to give and withhold permission to orgasm from their property. I do not wish to abuse you." "Fair enough. Then listen; unless I explicitly state differently, you are to orgasm whenever and however while we are making love. I will not withhold that from my Baby Girl without a reason." Carol brought herself forward, grasping him with both hands by the sides of his head and pulling him up to kiss her as she ground her crotch into his, her clitoris caressed by his pubic hair. Their lips locked and even with the post-orgasmic tenderness of his prick, he began to move under her once again as she fiercely pounded herself onto him. Harry broke from the kiss and whispered "Come for me" into her ear. Carol's body seemed to contract, as if she was shrinking away from everything and then she began to shake violently, a high-pitched moan voiced with every breath. Harry held her as her orgasms rolled on and on, kissing her face and neck, and bathing in her glow. Just when he would think she was done, she would arch herself down on him again and her orgasms would thunder on. Harry could think of no place in the world he'd rather be. As she finally began to tremble down to a stop, she crawled up his body to place her head near his ear. He listened, smiling, expecting a lover's endearments. "Harry, what's your housekeeper's name?" Harry's face had the look of a bull hit between the eyes with a two-by-four. "Anna. Anna Pessino, why?" "She come to clean on Thursdays?" "Yes." "What day is it?" "Holy shit, it's Thursday!" "Yeah, you'd better get ready to formally introduce us. We've already met somewhat more informally." ------- Anna let herself back out, praying that the girl didn't tell Mr. Harry that Anna had been spying on them. She paced outside for a time, worrying if she was giving them enough time to finish. Finally the Texas heat drove her back to the door. As she opened it, she yelled into the house. "Hello, Mr. Harry! It's Anna Pessino!" From the bedroom she heard "Be with you in a minute Anna" and then, well, it sounded like someone was getting a spanking. She thought she heard Mr. Harry say "I told you this was coming". A few moments later, out of the short hallway that led to the master bedroom came Mr. Harry in a bathrobe, hand-in-hand with the young girl she'd seen earlier, wearing a large t-shirt. She was rubbing her bottom. "Hello Anna, it's been so long since I've seen you. How are you? How's Emiliano? How're the kids?" He hugged her and her heart sang as she felt the life coursing through him and knew this was one that Ms. Angie had not destroyed. "I am good and they are all fine, Mr. Harry, although Emiliano, he doesn't get around too well anymore. And who is this lovely young lady?" "Ah, Anna Pessino meet Carol Riley. I believe the two of you met more casually just a bit ago, and you do need to get to know each other. Anna, Carol is now the lady of the house-" Carol leapt up, throwing her arms around his neck. Her t-shirt caught on the belt of his robe so she hung there, her bare ass covered in reddened handprints before Anna, as she whispered in Harry's ear. "Oh God sir, I love you so much." Harry gently disentangled her and lowered her to the floor. "As I was saying, Carol is now the lady of the house and therefore I want the two of you to get to know each other. Carol, Anna has kept house for my family for the last, let's see, eighteen years I think." Carol took Anna's hand in both of hers. "Anna, from what I've seen, you do a superb job and I think that the best thing for me to do will be to stay out of your way, unless you want my help." "Ms. Carol, help I don't need, this house is no trouble at all. But company, company would be nice sometimes." Carol's face lit up. "Harry, don't you worry, Anna and I will get along just fine." Harry took Anna's other hand in both of his. "Anna, the last six months have been hard on me and I want you to know that I've appreciated your efforts to brighten up the house with the fresh flowers and fruit. I was too messed up to appreciate them, but don't ever doubt that I appreciate the effort you went to. I know you know that my parents loved you and appreciated you. I feel the same. I hope I can show you how much." "It was nothing Mr. Harry. You are a good man. Much better than that Ms. Angie deserves- " "Anna, do me a favor, please don't mention that person again." "Of course Mr. Harry, of course." "Now if you'll excuse us, we'll get out of your way. We have an appointment this afternoon that we need to get ready for." "Of course sir, you and Ms. Carol go ahead and get cleaned up and out of here." ------- It took longer to get out of the house than they had planned as the rest of the in-stock items from Madame Cornelius showed up promptly at noon and they checked them in and signed off on the shipment. After a very late breakfast at a nearby bistro, Harry and Carol headed for the doctor's office. "Baby Girl, I hate to bring up bad subjects and worse memories, but I need you to tell me all you can about Rick Cox." "Harry, I've been thinking about that. There's really nothing at Rick's that I can't live without. I have you. There's nothing else I need. I don't want you to go to Rick's." "Baby Girl, you're about half a heartbeat from a name change to 'Little Cunt'. Eddy and I are going to Rick's; we're getting your stuff. That's settled. Now, what can you tell me?" "Yes sir. Rick is a small-time middle-man and drug dealer who likes to pretend he's big league. He thinks sticking metal through every part of his body he can makes him hard-core. His shipments generally arrive on Wednesday night and usually it's all been moved out or sold by late Thursday night, early Friday morning. He keeps a gun in his bedside table, but he's just as likely to be sleeping on the couch in the living room as in the bedroom, especially after a long night. He's a pretty deep sleeper. He is convinced he's a much meaner son-of-a-bitch than he is. The apartment complex is pretty dead during the day, most of the people who live there keep night hours, so a lot of noise will attract the wrong kind of attention and while I doubt they'd help Rick, no one much likes him, some of them might conceivably try to take you and Eddy for whatever you're carrying. It's apartment #257, Terra Nuevo Apartments, right off of San Jacinto." "Charming neighborhood. Alright Baby Girl, the doctor I'm taking you to, Margo Wohler, well, she's an old friend. I trust her with you, the most precious thing I possess, so you shouldn't be nervous. You'll be fine. Do you want me in with you while she examines you?" "No sir. I imagine she's going to ask me how I got some of these injuries. I don't think you need to hear that until after you've come back from Rick's." "As you wish, Baby Girl, but when I'm back, I am going to want to hear everything." "Yes sir, you will. After you're through at Rick's you have only to ask." They pulled into the parking lot and made their way upstairs to Margo's office. The receptionist smiled at them. "You must be Mr. Grimes. Dr. Wohler-Sapperstein had me clear the rest of the afternoon for the two of you. Go right on through, first door on the right." When she saw them come through the door, Margo stood and made her way around the desk. She hugged Harry and it seemed to Carol that perhaps her hug was a little hungry and a little long and that both of their hugs were a little loaded with desire. "Harry, you haven't changed a bit, still as handsome as ever." Harry looked at Margo. She had changed. Tall, with long limbs and a longish face, she had always reminded him somewhat of a newborn colt when they were in school together. Not that she was horse-faced by any means, Margo was a very pretty girl, and had grown into a lovely woman. With maturity her figure had filled out although in a longish fashion. Lots of voluptuous padding was there, it was just stretched out a bit. She had been beautiful and exotic when Harry had seen her last. Now it seemed a weight was bearing down upon her, a sadness, and it was taking its toll upon her. As her soul slumped under the strain, so did all the rest of her. "Margo, you look great. I see marriage agrees with you." From the wince that barely flickered across her features Harry knew he'd found at least part of the problem. "Yeah Harry, it does. Two years now, Dr. Benjamin Sapperstein, cardiologist. He's a good man Harry, we're happy." And if that's true Margo, Harry thought to himself, I'll eat my own head. "I'm sorry Margo, Carol, I'm being rude. Margo Wohler-Sapperstein, Carol Riley. Margo, Carol means more to me than words can express. I - I - I know that a complete physical takes a lot of time Margo, so why don't I get out of the way, let you get started. I'll be outside in the reception area." Harry went out and exited into the hall, dialing the cell as he did so. "Eddy, yeah, Harry here. You still in the same place? Yeah? Ok, I'll be there around eleven tomorrow morning, we'll take your truck, and I'm thinking we'll be in and out in about an hour, hour and a half. I need you to pick up some supplies for us, untraceable. Yeah, I'm thinking it might get a little messy. Here's what I need..." ------- When Margo called him back into her office, Carol leapt up to hug him. She seemed chastened, frightened. "Harry, while overall she's in amazingly good health, you got to another one just in time. It'll be awhile before all the lab work gets in, but from the physical exam and the x-rays, this Rick character was slowly beating his way up to doing life-threatening damage to Carol. It's blind luck or the grace of God that he hasn't seriously injured her because he's come within a hair of it more than several times. There's evidence hidden in her body of torturous, systematic abuse." "Harry, if she isn't screaming gibberish at you, I am." Carol sat, looking confused, but Harry just nodded sadly. "She did Margo. And we're going to." Tears started to leak from Margo's eyes. She put her arms around Harry's neck and kissed him fiercely on the cheek. "You're a goddamn good man, Harry Grimes, and don't you ever forget it; Eddy too." She stepped away, wiping the tears away. "Stupid Texas allergy season." Harry smiled. "You gonna give Eddy a hug and a kiss like that if you see him?" "You're goddamned right I will, Harry." "I'll tell him. Have him come by and collect." "Go right ahead. I owe him that." "I will. Margo, I cannot thank you enough, and we'll be waiting to hear from you on the test results. I assume the receptionist will tell me how much I owe you?" "Harry, there is no charge. And there won't be any argument. It's settled. Carol, it was a joy meeting you. Thank you for all you're doing for Harry. He deserves someone like you and I believe you deserve him. Be good to him." Carol took Margo's hand. "Dr. Wohler," she said, blatantly leaving off Margo's husband's name, "I will be good to him. And if you won't take money, will you please come for supper one evening, whenever it's convenient for you? Please? It's really the least I can do to thank you, and I'd insist on it if I thought I could get away with it." "Carol, I'd love to but finding a night when Benjamin and I are both free is so difficult-" "Dr. Wohler," Carol interjected, "I didn't invite you and your husband. I invited you." Margo looked startled, taken aback by the breach of etiquette, but slowly she smiled. "You're right, you did Carol, I'm sorry for assuming you meant the two of us. Let me see what I can do, I have Harry's number." They left the office. After they had gotten into the car, Harry turned to Carol. "Little Cunt, what the fuck was up with you slighting Dr. Sapperstein. She's married to him for heaven's sake. You were very rude." "Sir, do you truly want an answer to that?" "I wouldn't have asked otherwise." "Very well sir. How did I put it? 'She's screaming, not verbally, not audibly'. Sir, she's in a lot of pain and you know as well as I do that her marriage is about as unhappy as they come." "Alright, I'm with you so far, but what does a dinner invitation have to do with any of that?" She turned to look at him somewhat quizzically. "Harry, it's silly questions time again, I see. She wants you. I believe that deep down you want her too. I know that I want her. I think she can handle the truth of you and me." "Little Cunt, even if you were right, and I think you're dead wrong about her wanting me, although you may be a little right about my wanting her, she is a very attractive woman, that still doesn't absolve you of your rudeness." "You're right sir, it doesn't. And I stand ready to accept any punishment you see fit to hand out. I will apologize to Dr. Wohler-Sapperstein the next time I see her, sir." ------- As Anna stopped at the table to pick up her check, she noticed it was in an envelope. Opening it, she pulled out first a folded piece of note paper. "Anna, Sometimes it takes time in a hell where you don't feel you have anything to appreciate to remind you how much you truly do have. The first check represents your new weekly pay. The second is another of my crude attempts at thanking you. Thank you again, Harry Grimes" Anna reached in the envelope to pull out the first check. Another fifteen or twenty dollars would be a good addition to the $150 a week he was already paying her. The check was for $300. Anna was in shock. Surely this was the second check, so she pulled out the other check. $1000. It was a check for a thousand dollars! So the three hundred was the first check; he was going to be paying her three hundred a week for one day's work! Sometimes, she reflected, God's will was that good things happened to good people. Or maybe it was God's will that Carol Riley happened to good people. ------- The two of them were quiet through the grocery and drug store runs, Harry lost in thought, Carol following behind him, doing the shopping. As they made their way home, Carol broke the long silence. "Sir, what was the doctor referring to when she said 'you got to another one just in time'? What did she mean about 'screaming gibberish'? Why does she owe you and Eddy?" "Baby Girl, I would answer you if I could, but it's not my story. I won't forbid you to ask Margo but whatever you do, ask her in relative privacy, never in front of anyone but me." "Yes sir. I can guess though that you and Eddy did something for her like you're going to do for me?" "As I said, Baby Girl, I can't say. It's not my tale to tell." ------- After a quiet supper, Harry sat and thought while Carol put away the bulk of the groceries and other purchases, reordering the pantry and the bathroom cabinet and drawers Harry has said were hers... As she worked she sang to herself and it was the sweet sound of her voice that finally broke through Harry's growing gloom. He dreaded the trip to Rick's, not out of fear for his safety, or Eddy's, but of fear for what he might do to Rick. "What was that you were singing Baby Girl?" he asked. "One of the old Irish songs my Grammy taught me," she said. "It's called 'She Moved Through The Fair'. " "It's a lovely song and you sing it beautifully. When you're through putting things away, please come sit with me and sing me the songs your Grammy taught you." "Of course sir." And so they passed the evening, both lost in their own worries about what the next day would bring, to the music of a people born to sorrow. ------- When Harry saw Eddy Janak for the first time in over three years, it was like stepping out of a time machine. Eddy hadn't changed. Still a great hulking bear of a man, still looked like a biker, still lived in a shit heap and still drove a crappy piece of junk held together with the prayers of the surrounding property owners that it wouldn't break down near them. "Eddy, you're working for a security firm and pulling down almost six figures a year. What the hell are you doing living like this?" "Fuck you, Harry;" the giant said good-naturedly, "you know how it is. If I'm married, she finds ways to spend it; if I ain't its beer, bonging and bitches." "Eddy, when they list the world's classiest acts, you aren't gonna be considered." "You're goddamn right. Now, are we gonna go kick this punk's ass or are you gonna bore me to death?" They climbed in Eddy's truck and made their way to the Terra Nuevo Apartments. ------- Back at home, Carol reorganized the closet Harry had given for the eighth time. There was nothing wrong with it, hadn't been anything wrong with it any other time. She trusted Harry and his faith in his abilities and Eddy's, whoever he was. She knew that the odds were exceedingly low that Rick would be anywhere near his gun, or would get any nearer, while they were there. She'd been lucky; she'd been 'blessed', for lack of a better word, a lot in her life. She'd come through some very bad times mostly intact. She'd survived a lot. She'd grown strong. But she'd also been taught that good things rarely lasted and as she power-fidgeted through the house, she prayed that she wasn't about to learn that lesson again. ------- Harry and Eddy pulled up at the apartments. As they got out of the truck and made their way upstairs, Harry said "Concentration Camp Chic, always a good design choice." "Yeah," Eddy responded, "nothing puts you in touch with your oppressed brethren around the world like living as they do. Goddamn, I thought my complex sucked." "No shit," said Harry, "this place looks like Beirut on Spring Break." They came around the upstairs balcony into the central court yard. The pool below them had perhaps 3 feet of brackish water standing in it, as well as a dead cat and discarded household furnishings in various states of decay. "Number 257, here's the place. Get out of my way Harry, let a security professional do his job." In a flash, Eddy had picked the lock, his gloved hands leaving no trace. They slipped inside, pulled their ski masks over their heads and stood for a moment, letting their eyes adjust to the dim light, waiting to see if there was any reaction to their entrance. After a bit they made out Rick, sprawled on a couch in dirty underwear, sleeping like a baby. Harry whispered, "I'm gonna go check the bedroom, collect his gun, you keep an eye on him." Eddy nodded and Harry moved across the trash-littered room and into the bedroom. In the light coming through the thin drapes what he saw nearly broke his heart. There, in the corner at the foot of the bed, that was where this fuck had made her sleep- on a pile of dirty blankets. Near to the blankets a potted red mini-rose had been smashed to the floor. It lay crushed in the remains of its pot and soil. The blankets were covered with the shredded remnants of the books she had told him to retrieve for her. A pitiful pile of clothes, ripped and torn, was nearby. Harry stood and slowed his breathing. These were things, mere objects, not worth killing for. His Baby Girl, the one priceless, holy treasure Rick might have destroyed, was safe and sound at the house. He went to the bedside table and pulled the Glock 9 out of the drawer, checked the clip, made sure the chamber was empty. He put the unloaded gun in one pocket, the clip in another. Hanging off a bed post he saw what he was hoping to find; picking up the ball gag he returned to the living room. ------- Rick Cox awoke from a pleasant dream of the beating he was going to give that little cunt when she came back to a most unpleasant reality as someone strapped her ball gag over his mouth. As he tried to get a grip on what and who, his hands were duct-taped before him and a blindfold put over his eyes. "Hey, Jimmy?" "Yeah, Paulie?" "Are you sure the boss said we had to let him live? I mean, he's a douche-bag and me havin' to breath the same air as him? It's makin' me sick, Jimmy." "Yeah, unless he gets real fuckin' stupid, he lives." A sharp pain erupted in the side of Rick's head. "Hey you! You in there! You gonna get stupid?" He shook his head, wincing at the pain as he did so. "See, he ain't gonna oblige us by gettin' stupid. Alright, what's your name, Rick, yeah, Rick, hey, kinda sounds like 'prick', don't it Paulie? Yeah, Rick, see, what's happened is, Miss Carol has acquired a new owner. Miss Carol's new owner has, how would you put it, Paulie? Family connections? Yeah, 'family connections'." "He is most upset at the way you treated such a sweet little girl as Miss Carol. Look at him, Paulie, looks like he wants to say something. You think we ought to take out the gag, let him talk?" "Nah, Jimmy, he might say something stupid." "Good point, Paulie. As I was saying, her new owner is very displeased and we are here to show his displeasure." Rick's bound arms were drug to the wooden arm of the couch. "Hold on, Jimmy, let me put these under there to muffle the sound." A pile of what felt like towels were put under his bound wrists. "Now Rick, this is gonna hurt a lot, but I'm gonna make it quick. Don't pass out though, you pass out and Paulie gets all weird and shit." Rick tried to shatter his teeth against the ball gag as the hammer slammed down on his right wrist. As the bones shattered and pulped, urine flowed down his leg. "Jimmy, I think he's tryin' to pass out!" "No, no, no, no, nooo, Ricky-boy, don't you go passin' out or it'll get real ugly. You stay with us." Gloved hands slapped his face hard, back and forth, until he could focus again. "Now then, let's get this part finished." As his left wrist suffered the fate of his right, he lost control of his bowels and gave in to the darkness. ------- He returned to consciousness as Paulie's voice murmured into his ear. "Ricky, Ricky-boy, time for you to wake up... there you are! Hey Jimmy, he's back. Now listen, you pass out one more time and I'm gonna smack you in the mouth with a pipe. You pass out again after that, and you're gonna be suckin' my dick with a mouth fulla broken teeth. I feel anything sharp, and I'll be telling the boss you got stupid. Got it? Let's review. You pass out again; I rearrange your dental work. Another time after that, you get to learn a new profession- cocksucker." Rick nodded furiously. "Alright Paulie, I think he gets the message. Now Rick, that was to teach you that big man hands don't need to be beating no little girls. Ever. I trust the lesson has been learned?" Rick looked like he was trying to break his own neck, he was nodding so hard. "Fine, now we're gonna remove this ball gag. You're gonna tell us where all your money is, any dope you got left, because Miss Carol deserves something for what you did to her, and any of her stuff you ain't already destroyed, where that is as well. We're going to collect it, and then we're going to call you an ambulance, go away and leave you alone. If you ever see Miss Carol again, you leave, wherever it is, as fast as you can. You don't even look at her, because if she sees you, and mentions it to her new owner, you will see us again and we'll be the last thing you ever see. Got me?" Rick's head spasmed back and forth. They removed his ball gag. ------- Twenty minutes later, a garbage bag of clothing rags, book scraps, some jewelry, a bundle of cash, a pound bag of dope and a pitiful dying flower sat by the front door. "Paulie?" "What, Jimmy?" "I don't think this is enough. This ain't enough. But yet Rick here says there's nothing else, and I believe him." "Jimmy, what about all them metal things he's got stuck in him? They worth anything?" Rick wore his vocal cords raw screaming behind the ball gag as 'Jimmy' used a pair of vice-grips to rip everything he had been pierced with out of his body, but he didn't pass out. ------- As they drove away, Harry pulled out the cheap cell phone he'd had Eddy get. "You're not actually gonna call 911 for him, are you?" Eddy asked, incredulous. "Yeah I am. I said we would. He's not going to be too interested in helping with any investigation, not after the scare we gave him, the cops won't push it because he's a scumbag, and I don't want his life on my conscience." "Fair enough. Remind me though, never to hurt anyone you love or anyone you're gonna love. I was wondering if you were going to go over the edge in there." "You and I both, Eddy. What were you gonna do if I did?" "Cover your back, you silly sumbitch, whaddaya think I'd do?" They were quiet for a moment. "Harry, you know you didn't have to do the pliers work? Hell, you didn't have to do the hammer work." "Yeah, I know." "I mean, I would've done it for you." "I know. But she isn't your girl. You were there to back me up and for witty repartee, and that was it." "Alright, I just wanted you to know that I would've." "I do. Thanks Eddy. You want the money, the dope, split both, you want all of both, what?" "Dope I got right now, money I'm short of. If it's all right with you, gimme the money, you take the dope. You're real tense; you need to start smokin' again. When you gonna invite me over, let me meet Carol?" "As soon as I'm sure that once you know my address, you're not gonna get drunk and show up there, middle of the night, naked, middle of my lawn, jerking off and singing 'Tra-la-la-boom-de-ay, We Had No School Today'. Soon as I'm sure that'll never happen... again... you'll be welcome. Until then, we meet somewhere else." "You wound me, man. The only reason that happened more than once is... well, it was just so goddamned funny. So that's why your parents moved y'all." "No, that's not why. They wanted to move anyway. But it is why I never told you the new address." They drove over the river, flinging all the equipment they had used, the cell phone and Rick's gun far out into the water. As Eddy scoured the truck for anything else potentially incriminating, Harry called a nursery. He gave them his address, careful not to let Eddy hear. "Alright, what do you have in small, potted red roses? 'Chattooga', 'Camden', 'Ace of Diamonds', 'Trickstar'... do any of those have a strong fragrance? The last two do? Alright, I need, oh, an 'Ace of Diamonds' sent to that address..." And then he called a florist. "... every red rose you have in the shop right now. Yes, that's right I said every red rose you have. I need the card to read 'Baby Girl - we're out, we're coming home - be there soon - Harry'. How soon can you get those delivered? That's not fuckin' soon enough. I'm willing to pay for speed. That's much better. Alright, here's my credit card information..." ------- They stopped at a Walgreen's on the way back to Eddy's place and then Harry went in and visited with his old friend. While he was there, he used what he'd picked up at Walgreen's to do some cleaning. ------- He pulled into the driveway satisfied, but tired to his very bones. Keeping a rein on the emotional storm inside him while they'd been at Rick's had been exhausting and he was feeling the strain. He walked in to a living room full of roses, to be attacked by a small naked woman who climbed his body to plant kisses all over his face. He leaned against the wall and slowly slid down to the floor, depositing both of them there safely. When the kissing storm had passed, she looked into his eyes adoringly. "Have I told you sir, any time recently, that you are the most wonderful owner any pet could wish for?" "Uh, no, but I got that general feeling while you where kissing me and using your whole body to massage me." "I'm sorry sir, may I correct you?" "Yes?" "Sir, that wasn't massage. Tonight, I'll show you massage." "It's a date. But for now, well, Baby Girl, I'm sorry." Harry dragged the garbage bag over. "The bastard had already ripped up all your clothes, your books, killed your rose." He began to pull the detritus out of the sack. "But he did donate this to the cause." The dope was placed in her lap. "Just to say he was sorry." "And he did donate something else. I don't know how you're going to take this, but I felt I needed to do this. You see, I shattered both his wrists, so he won't be hitting anyone for a long time, but it wasn't enough so..." He placed before her a stoppered glass bottle, full of clear fluid, a mass of metal gleaming at the bottom. "Harry, what are those?" Carol asked in a calm voice. "Every piece of metal he had in any piercing. Every stud, spike and ring... I ripped them all out with pliers, got all the Ricky bits off of them over at Eddy's; put them in that 91% alcohol solution. They're yours. Do with them what you will." "Harry Grimes," she said as she sidled up next to him on the floor, "me gonna love you long time for this." The tears started to flow down her face. "Is he alive?" "He was when we left him and I called 911 and gave them the address, so I know help was sent. Further deponent sayeth not." "That's good. I wouldn't have loved you any less if you'd killed him, but I wouldn't have loved you any more either." "As for the rest of it Harry, well, after our shopping a few days ago, I already have more clothes than I had when I lived with him. The books I can replace and you've already replaced the rose. I put it the kitchen window." She got up, picked up the bottle and headed off. "What are you going to do with that?" "Put it next to my rose, silly." "In the kitchen window?" "You said I could do with it as I willed, and I will see it every day, many times a day, and I will be reminded again how much my Owner loves me." "You know, you're a little barbarian." "No sir, I'm your little barbarian." ------- That night, they floated in a cloud of rose scent in the dimly lit bedroom as Carol slowly and lovingly prepared to work on relaxing Harry. "Baby Girl, I can't believe an old stoner like me hasn't got a single pipe or pack of papers anywhere in this house so we can indulge. A whole pound of dope and no way to smoke it." "Oh, oh, oh... I am so scatterbrained sometimes. Sir, I apologize. If you would smoke, hold but a moment." She leapt up from the bed and rushed into the other room. She returned hidden behind a tall but narrow crate she was carrying. She gently lowered it by the side of the bed. "This arrived today with this note." Harry took the note from her hands. "Mr. Grimes, This is a small token of my esteem, to express my appreciation for your visit and your business. Remember, some excesses are meant to be reveled in. Madame Cornelius" Inside the box was a beautiful faux antique hookah. ------- A bowl later, Harry lay on his stomach as Carol worked on his back, kneading a lightly clove-scented oil into his skin. As she worked, she kept an eye on his cock, which she had placed pointed down towards his feet, visible between his legs. As it stirred to life, she rolled him over, sucked it in her mouth and down her throat. She held nothing back, working it like she was starving, milking it while pistoning up and down upon it like a machine. Harry lay there, feeling her bring his orgasm on by force, her wet and glistening cunt next to him on the bed, out of reach of his tongue as he longed to fuck her with his face, shoving it deep into her folds, tongue thrust forward to penetrate her. He didn't want to relax, he wanted to eat her, he wanted to fuck her and taste her at the same time. He wanted to bury himself so deep in her cunt that it would be like returning to the womb and the force of his desire surprised him as it roared over him in a primal wave. This was not a night for him to be passive, to lay back and relax, no, this was a night for him to drink of his lover's delights. He reached for her legs and dragged her on top of him. She latched onto his thighs to keep her head close to his cock as she took him down her throat faster and faster. As he positioned her on top of himself, spreading her plump thighs to either side of his chest, he realized he was still out of range and didn't have enough traction to scrunch himself up in the bed. Moving his hand to her hips he tried to drag her closer but her grip on him tightened as she fought to keep her mouth on his dick. She was sucking his cock like her life depended on, desperate to get him off, relaxed, so she could get back to the massage. Tightening his hold, he pulled her backwards. Her teeth raked his dick as her mouth was torn off of it and it felt good to him. Forcefully he brought her cunt back onto his face, his nose nestling within her, his face firmly framed by her thighs as his tongue flickered out to caress her clit. "But sir," Carol cried, "this was to be just for you, to please you, to relax you!" "Baby Girl," he said from between her legs, "do you really think I'm doing this for you?" He returned to his fun, beginning to drive her orgasm as she had been driving his. As he found their rhythm, he felt her wrap her hands around his shaft and began to pump him at the same pace, bending his cock back to point at her head. Now that the tug-of-pet was ended, his hands were free to run up and down her curvy form, caressing her velvety skin. From her lush and lovely breasts to her sweet cunt to her tantalizing ass, her body was such a feast of delights. Were there a thousand years left to them, he could not grow tired of her. He continued to lash her clitoris with his tongue, fueled by the growing moan that came from her like a siren's warning wail. He felt her orgasm approaching as she spasmed erratically. He shifted slightly and began to fuck her with his tongue, ramming his face into her, his tongue out-thrust to the point of pain A growl rumbled through, up and out of her she began to cum, fiercely, violently, thrashing about atop him. Taking a deep breath, thick with her scent and moistness, he sucked her clit into his mouth, rasping his tongue across it. She ground her pussy back into his face and down, cutting off his air as she tried to use her clit like a dick, fucking him in the mouth. Periodically he lifted her for a breath and then back down. Her juices bathed his face in a flood as the tongue and clitoris duel continued. His hands clutched at her perfect ass and he scraped his fingernails along the cheeks, eliciting another frenzy of orgasm from his most precious one. Finally, even through her spastic pumping, his cock could take no more and he came, spurting all over her arms and face. As his pulsations slowed, she managed to wriggle free of his grasp and spun to face him from the end of the bed. She licked at some of the cum on her arm. "Ick, already cold. Harry, beloved, sir, has anyone ever told you you're a bastard?" "Many people, Baby Girl, but none so beautiful as you." She finished cleaning herself with a towel and began to lick his face clean. As she continued he pulled the sheet over the two of them. He was afraid the massage would have to wait for another day and he thanked God there were so many days yet to come. ------- Chapter 4 Dr. Margo Wohler-Sapperstein. What a joke, Margo thought to herself. All her life she had been driven by the will of her parents, driven to achieve, to excel, to succeed, to exceed. Even now, even after their deaths, she felt their cold hands on her life, steering her future from beyond the grave. They hadn't lived to see her move away from the family practice she loved into cosmetic surgery. But they'd planned it. They hadn't lived to see her marry Benjamin in what could only be charitably called a wedding as it was truly more of a merger of their two medical careers. But they'd planned it. Her brief flirtation with freedom in college, a blown-off semester in which she'd finally lost her virginity, smoked a lot of pot and drank a lot of booze, had earned her a summer stay in an institution where the children of wealthy parents went to 'rest', courtesy of one of her father's deacons. That had put her right back on track. She remembered the rats in the mazes from her psych classes. Well, there she was, except there was no treat and no exit. And as the walls were in her mind, there was no escape at all, not even in sleep. ------- Harry woke up to wondrous smells, cutting through the scent of roses. Coffee... bacon... perhaps toast as well. He curled back over on to his side, just to close his eyes for a moment. He was sure she'd call him when it was ready. ------- "Harry, Harry... wake up, breakfast is here." He opened his eyes, amazed that he'd actually drifted back to sleep. Then again, why should he be surprised? The last few days had been very... taxing. The naked angelic creature with a breakfast tray smiled at him. "Come on sir; let me help you sit up. I've brought you breakfast in bed, although I repeat my assertation of last evening that you are a bastard and now add that you probably don't deserve this." "Of course I don't deserve it, you silly girl," he said as he sat up against the headboard, "no more than I deserve you. Both you and breakfast in bed are gifts that I am blessed to receive." "Harry, you are the sweetest man alive." As the two of them ate breakfast from the tray, they discussed the plans for the day. There were already things that Carol's arrival, and the habits they were forming together, made essential, such as something to soften the impact of their frequent encounters on the hardwood floors. And now that Harry had resolved to live in the house instead of haunt it, there were changes he wanted to make. "Baby Girl, I want a bigger bathtub, one big enough for you and me both, a bigger shower as well." "Oh, break my heart Harry!" She smiled. "But if you're going to enlarge the facilities, go ahead and plan for three. Don't forget, I'm still looking for you a nice woman for me to tongue-fuck." "I'm sure that somewhere in the deviant brain of yours, that made sense. How do you feel about hot tubs?" "How do you feel about me blowing you whenever, wherever you want from now until the end of time? Oh, wait, you've already got that... uh, well... yes, yes I love hot tubs, hot tubs are one of God's greatest gifts to us poor souls down here." "Ok, so, hot tub it is." ------- Margo's brain had run circles around itself most of the night before and after a few fitful hours of sleep, it was back to its old tricks. Her cell phone rang and the ring tones told her it was Benjamin. She let voice mail get it, wondering what creative new lie he'd spin to explain why he wasn't going to be home from the medical convention in Las Vegas for another couple of days? The last excuse had been a special seminar on bypass surgery. In the spirit of the venture, she was placing her bets on an emergency consultation on a famous entertainer. Yeah, he'd be consulting all right. He'd be consulting with his dick on the case of someone famous like Candyie from the Mustang Strip Club. He liked them dumb and blond, with tits as big as the Goodyear blimp and as natural as Cool Whip. No shortage of that type in Vegas. There he'd be, a short, obnoxious Jewish doctor, fucking his way through their joint account. She had grown up very rarely needing to ask for help with anything. She was most often one of the ones people went to for help. But now she desperately needed someone to talk to, someone at least somewhat objective. All the 'friends' she had now wouldn't begin to understand her problem. Why would she want a life other than the one she had? She was making lots of money, had an elite clientele, her husband left her alone, she could fool around the same as him, and did they mention the money? She wanted to talk to Harry, but that felt... wrong. Here he was, beginning of a new relationship, calls and asks her a favor and then just to even the scales she dumps this load of emotional shit on him. It just didn't feel right. Problem was, she didn't see as how she had any other choice. ------- The cell rang and Carol scampered over to grab it. "Hello, Harry Grimes' phone, Carol speaking... Dr. Wohler? Well of course the offer is still open. Don't be silly, it's not going to disappear after a day, it's not going to disappear at all. Uh, how does 8 this evening sound to you? Good. And you have the address, know where we are? Good. Do you have any problem with something done with lamb? Yes, the store had some lovely chops. We'll see you then. Goodbye Dr. Wohler." She closed the phone. "Harry, we're having a guest for dinner this evening" she said with a smirk. ------- Margo took one of her Valium and in an increasingly common act of stupidity, washed it down with a glass of wine, at 9 in the morning. She was a trained physician, she knew better. She just wanted to sleep for a bit before supper. ------- Their day of shopping, once it began, went by in a blur and they arrived home late, leading a delivery truck with their rug purchases. The skies which had spent the day in a leaden gloom as a stalled cool front threatened to move through, darkened and gave birth to sheets of rain not ten minutes after the last of their purchases was inside. ------- Margo awoke, feeling somewhat better. She ran herself through the shower, threw on some comfortable clothes and headed out the door. The rain began before she made it to the highway. ------- "Harry, do you trust me," Carol asked as they shifted the living room around, making the center of the room a large open space, rolling out the carpets then flinging throw rugs and pillows with abandon. "Implicitly." "All right then. Harry, you've seen me read people. It's something I'm pretty good at. If you see me start to put moves on Dr. Wohler tonight, please don't interfere. Unless you don't want me to and if that's the case, you tell me now. I'll stake 10 hours of sobbing sexual frustration that by the end of the night the three of us are going to be in the same bed, happily making love. If I'm wrong and I start moving on her, when I'm rebuffed I'll back off so fast she'll wonder if I really made a move at all. But I'm not going to have to back off, Harry." "Ok Baby Girl, you're on. But if you're wrong, it'll be 5 hours of sobbing sexual frustration because after that, I won't be able to hold out any longer." "As you wish sir, and if I were you, I'd bet on her showing up early and I'd bet on a lot of crying." ------- As Margo drove through the downpour, the second guessing began. What was she doing going this early? The weather was a factor, she wanted to make sure she was there on time, she wanted to pick up wine on the way, surely they wouldn't mind it if she was early and helped with supper. Why was she dumping this on the two of them? Because she didn't have anybody else and that was just too goddamn pathetic to ever say out loud. Because she needed Harry's help again? Well, that was better at least, and true. And if it was too much of an imposition she'd apologize profusely and back on out the door. So she picked up some wine and then before she knew it and before another full round of second guessing had had a chance to go around, she was there. She parked across the street and looked at her watch. 4:30 PM. She was fucking insane! What was she doing here three and a half hours early? This was beyond pathetic. She just needed to go home and take a few more Valium, drink her bottle of wine and get some sleep, everything would look better in the morning. But it wouldn't, because she knew how many Valium she wanted to take out of the bottle and she wasn't going to feel better in the morning, if she had her way she wasn't going to feel anything in the goddamn morning. She should stop that college drama queen bullshit. She wasn't going to kill herself. But she wanted to! But she wasn't going to and she knew it. She was going to go home and be a good little girl and keep on taking it like she always had and be what everyone always expected her to be and she'd make everyone happy. The tears started and she let them come for awhile because she knew she needed to cry but then they'd gone on long enough and it was time to stop and she couldn't and the crying became sobbing and screaming and she beat her hands against the wheel because it just wouldn't stop and she could hear her car horn in time with her hitting the wheel but it didn't matter because the tears just wouldn't stop... ------- Harry and Carol heard the honking through the steady pounding of the rain. They went to the front and stood out on their porch, peering through the sheets of grey water. The outline of a car could faintly be made out across the street. "Baby Girl, better go get some of the candles out of our hall closet. I don't think this rain is going to let up any time soon and that almost guarantees we're going to lose power for some reason. I'm going to go see if someone needs help out there." Harry briefly considered an umbrella or a raincoat, but a sense of urgency told him he really didn't have the time. ------- Margo left off hitting the wheel with her hands and entwined her fingers through her hair. The tears and hoarse, trapped screeching grew louder as she spiraled further into hopelessness. She had to stop, she had to stop this nonsense and quit making a scene and get out of here before anyone came to check on what the problem was because you did not make scenes you just did as you were told did what God wanted you to do did what was right did what was expected of you and if you weren't happy that was too bad because happiness wasn't that important why just look at me, Margo, I've been married to your father for twenty-five years and I've never been happy- Her car door opened and someone began to shake her back and forth. Over her own screaming and crying and the sound of the rain she could hear someone shouting her name. -twenty five years I've lived with that sour-faced woman, Margo, and what I wanted didn't matter because preachers who divorce can kiss any hope of finding or keeping a church goodbye so we've stayed together and haven't spoken to each other much except concerning you Margo, we agree on what's best for you- She felt herself being lifted out of the car, held close to someone's chest, some man, someone she felt safe with and she was getting soaked in the cool rain but still the screaming wouldn't stop. -you're all that's kept us together, Margo, because if I'd had my way I would've left him in an instant and to hell with his career do you know what's it like to be a preacher's wife, to be judged by every bitch in the congregation, half of them wanting to sleep with him, all of them thinking they're paying him enough for you to devote all your time to the church as well, his mistakes and human errors being judged with a forgiving eye because he's "sanctified" since he's the pastor but as the pastor's wife you get no such dispensation- He was carrying her somewhere. He had turned her face towards him so she didn't drown as her throat gave voice to her pain because the rain wasn't showing any signs of stopping and neither was her breakdown. -we endured this, I endured this, for you Margo, for you to succeed, to be someone, to have the life we want for you, I put up with that woman for all these years, never gave in to the temptation to sleep with any other woman, and I had offers, dealt with difficult congregations- She was under cover and had been laid down on the ground. She still felt safe as hands removed her clothes and began wrapping her in towels. Then she was carried inside and laid on something soft in a candlelit room as the lightning crashed and her screams went on. Two pair of arms encircled her. -and we did it for you Margo we did it for you so you could have the life we wanted for you and this is the life we wanted for you, you have the life we wanted for you, you'll keep the life we wanted for you, it's your life now and it's the life we wanted for you and it's the life you should want for you because it's the life we suffered to give you and it's the life that makes everyone else happy and it's the life you have, it's the life you'll keep because you don't make scenes and you don't rock the boat and you- "SHUT UP, CAN'T YOU SEE YOU'RE KILLING ME?" -don't be ridiculous Margo, you're just being dramatic again and there's no call for that kind of behavior, you're making a scene Margo, you're making a scene, just like when that boy attacked you, there's nothing really wrong Margo, nothing really happened, you should stop making a scene- "HE TRIED TO RAPE ME!" -but he didn't succeed, did he, so nothing really happened and there's no reason to make a scene, you need to stop, people will look at you, just forget it, nothing really happened- "SHUT UP! GO AWAY! YOU'RE DEAD!" -but our love for you will stay with you forever- "I DON'T WANT YOUR LOVE! HE TRIED TO RAPE ME! HE DID!" Seventeen years of repressed rage, shame and hatred flowed free as the old wound was finally lanced. Margo's tears continued but they had changed to tears of cleansing as they helped to wash away the evil infection begun by what had been done to her, knowingly or unknowingly, by her parents. Her parents, in a very real sense had succeeded in raping her where Cliff Jeffreys had failed. ------- As Margo started to quiet, a half hour later, the lightning and thunder moved away, but the rain continued on. Harry and Carol stared at each other across Margo's sobbing form, shell-shocked survivors of a woman's long overdue fight with her past. "Baby Girl," Harry said, "I never saw that coming." "Sir," she replied, "I saw something coming, but I couldn't have imagined it was something like that." "Why don't you go run her a bath? Get her relaxed in a nice warm bath and then put her to bed in the guest room." A tiny voice emerged from in-between her quieting cries. "No." Her breathing slowly calmed. "I need to go. You two have been wonderful, but I've been a major bother and I need to get home." As she brought her mind into the here-and-now, she took stock of her surroundings. The breeze coming through the open front door caused the candles to flicker, their dancing light shifting highlights across the room. She sat in a nest of pillows; Harry, wearing a bathrobe, wrapped around her on one side, Carol, wearing nothing but a leather collar, wrapped around her on the other. "Dr. Wohler," Carol said, "you don't need to go anywhere. That's your shame talking and you have nothing to be ashamed of. You were in a lot of pain, more pain than we could have imagined. You reached a moment of crisis and I'm just thanking God you were here so we could help you. No one ever needs to be alone at a time like this and I'm willing to bet you anything that Dr. Sapperstein is not at home. Am I right?" "No, you're right Carol, he's in Las Vegas on a whore hunt." Her eyes snapped open as she realized what she'd just said. "I mean a medical conference. He's in Las Vegas for a medical conference." Carol took Margo's hand and raised it to her mouth. Smoothly and delicately she laid a kiss upon it. "No Dr. Wohler-" "Please call me Margo." "No Margo, you meant he's in Las Vegas on a whore hunt." She released Margo's hand and reached up, turning Margo to face her. "Margo, Harry's your friend; you trust him and love him as a friend. You have no image to maintain, no illusions to weave for him. He's your friend, and he loves you for who you are. I want to be your friend, as far as I'm concerned I am your friend, and you could give me no greater gift than your friendship. You have no illusions or images to keep up for me. I love you for who you are." "Reciprocally Margo, we have no illusions or images to shield us from you. There is no need." "Harry and I aren't a couple in the usual sense. I'm his property, willingly, and I serve him in all ways. I'm his pet, his sex toy, the lady of his house. It is my intent to seduce you tonight, both for my own pleasure as well as to prepare the way for Harry so that he may have you, to prove to Harry that you do want him, and that he does want you." Harry stiffened and began to protest. "Sir, I asked you to trust my instincts." "Yes, but-" "No Harry," said Margo, shocked at the words that were coming out of her mouth, "you should listen to her. I do want you. Let her continue." "Thank you, Margo. Please don't feel pressured, don't feel rushed. This seduction will take some time, and you can stop it, up to a point, by simply saying 'no', getting up and leaving. If you leave, please leave for honest reasons, not out of fear, not out of lies you tell yourself, not out of panic, not because it's 'wrong' for you to be here or because normal people don't do this kind of thing. If you leave, leave because you're not ready, or because you don't feel that way about one or both of us, or leave because you don't want this to happen at all." "Margo, the point will be reached where tonight's seduction will be unstoppable. I'll let you know when that point's approaching, and if you don't want things to continue, you'll be responsible for leaving at that time. Past that point, I will have you and Harry will have you, and you will have us." "Fair enough, Carol... although I suppose there's a pet name for you." "Two actually, 'Baby Girl' when I'm being good," she leaned forward, placing her lips gently on Margo's, licking along them with her tongue, "or 'Little Cunt' when I've been bad." Carol softly nuzzled her mouth into Margo's ear. "But you'll have to have Harry's permission to use them," she whispered. A visible shiver ran down Margo's body. Harry sat, startled and amazed by what was transpiring. It didn't surprise him when his Baby Girl was right, normally, but he had been sure she was far out in left field on this prediction. He felt his cock stirring beneath his robes. He'd never particularly been a fan of the 'two girls, one man' fantasy, although it made for pretty photo spreads; then again, he'd never actually believed it would happen to him either, not even with Baby Girl announcing her clear intentions in that direction. But now... now it was time to sit back and examine his feelings. Margo felt Harry's dick moving across her thigh. A part of her yearned to reach down and stroke it, accelerating the proceedings but she couldn't, not yet, she wasn't ready. She felt fresh and new, like she had that semester in college. There were things to try and explore, possibilities stretching out in front of her that she hadn't been able to imagine mere hours before. Like the young girl at her side. She had never seriously considered a female lover, although she'd fantasized about it on more than one occasion, and during that semester at college, she'd, well, she'd had a crush on a female undergrad teaching assistant, a crush she'd never acted on, but now here it was and what was she going to do? And what happened when she chickened out? If it were just her and Harry, well... well, she'd probably talk herself into leaving no matter how much she wanted him, but it didn't seem that Carol was going to make that all that easy to do. If she left, it would be because she made a clear and conscious decision to, it was because she had decided that it was not the time, not the place, not the people... it wouldn't be in a blind panic or out of fear. Her ruminations were interrupted. "Sir, as it seems I'm holding Margo up at present, could you go retrieve the hookah?" Margo realized she had slumped against Carol and was being held in her arms as her head rested on her shoulder. Carol was stroking her hair while planting gentle kisses on the side of her face. Harry got up and ambled off to the bedroom. "Margo, I apologize for my rudeness when I invited you to supper. Even though I make no secret of my disdain for your husband nor beg pardon for it, what I did was undeniably rude and for that you have my sincerest regrets. You have but to decide a suitable punishment and I'm sure Harry will approve it and either administer it himself or allow you to." "Carol, there's no need to apologize and certainly no need for punishment-" "Margo, my owner has said, and I agree with him, that I was rude. When one is rude, one apologizes. That's how it works in polite societies. Both my pet names are child-like, and when a child misbehaves, a child should be punished. When I misbehave, I am punished, and I like it that way." "I'm afraid I can't think of any suitable punishments, sorry." Carol's hand caressed down Margo's belly to the very beginnings of her soft pubic hair. She whispered throatily into Margo's ear, "Well, you could demand that I lick your pussy for hours and hours and hours... I'd just hate that." She sinuously slid around Margo's body and began to flick her tongue over Margo's nipple. Putting her lips over it she murmured "Or you could make me bathe you all over with my tongue. Oh Margo, that would just suck." Carol grabbed one of the roses Harry had sent her and used the flower to tease the inside of Margo's thighs. She ran her mouth around Margo's neck, kissing and licking. "Or if you really wanted to punish me, really show me who's boss, you could have me use my new strap-on to fuck you for as long as you could stand it, while I fucked your mouth with my tongue." Margo was moist, more than moist and it was all she could do not to attack her little seductress. "Alright, uh... how are you at backrubs?" she stammered. "She's an excellent masseuse" Harry said, returning from the bedroom carrying the hookah. "How would you know, sir," Carol replied, "you didn't let me even get started last night, much less anywhere close to finished." "Baby Girl, you writhing on top of me as I buried my face between your delectable thighs was the best massage I could have had last night, and I know you're a superb masseuse because I've found nothing that involves pleasing me that you don't do exceptionally well." "Sir, I think there's a flaw in your logic somewhere but I shan't go looking for it." Margo wondered at her ease as these two, so obviously in love with each other, discussed their intimacy in front of her. She fantasized about being that at ease with them both, that comfortable, of Harry above her, making love to her while Carol... well, she wasn't' exactly sure where Carol would be or what she would be doing, but she'd be there as well, and she'd be involved and it would be decadently delightful... But the fantasy died an ugly death as her insecurities and the poisons of the past roared up out of the dark places of her mind. "Uh, I think I need to leave, let you two be alone." She got up, clutching at towels, trying to keep herself covered. Carol shot to her feet. "No Margo," she said, gently slipping her arms around Margo's body, her hands caressing Margo's back and gliding down to her ass, "your shame and your fear are talking again. That's not you speaking. Remember that whether you stay or go, no matter what, we're your friends and we love you. You don't need to hide from friends who love you for what you are. You have nothing to fear from friends who love you for what you are. You can do or be anything you want, and we'll still love you for what you are. You don't have to do anything just to please us; we'll still love you just as much for what you are." Margo found herself dropping towels as her hands went around Carol, her fingers becoming entangled in Carol's hair. "Besides, Margo," Carol said, teasing Margo's nipple with the tip of her tongue, "I still owe you a massage." Margo felt herself drop to her knees before Carol and brought Carol's mouth to her own. She kissed Carol, softly, tentatively, delicately, until a hunger arose from inside her and the kiss became a beast of desire and she kissed Carol as though feeding on her. Carol broke the kiss. "Not so fast Margo, you're not ready yet and you know it. Lay down on your stomach." Margo lay down, watching the rain out the open front door. "Harry, I need to go get my supplies. Keep Margo company; let her know you love her." As Carol scurried off, Harry lay down on the floor beside Margo, his front pressed against her side. They gazed into each other's eyes across a bridge of inches. "So, do you feel anything for me Harry?" she asked. He caressed her face with his hand. "Of course I do. We weren't close in high school and when we lost track of each other in college; it didn't feel like any great loss to me. But then when we reconnected after you got out of med school... I don't know Margo, I got to know you, grew to love you as a friend, lost you again when I married that-" "Cum-guzzling dumpster slut?" Margo interjected. Harry laughed. "Well, I was going to say 'skank' but your phrase works as well; when I married her, I lost a lot of my life that was important to me. If I'd realized how important it was, I might not have let her seduce me away from it. You, Eddy, some other good people. As I'm finding out a lot recently, I had no idea how lucky I was and how much she cost me." "That girl of yours is really something Harry." "Yeah she is. The most precious of gifts and I love her so much it makes my soul ache. It freaks me sometimes though that she's so empathic, so good at reading people. She knew you'd be early today and knew you'd be emotionally distraught. She knew you wanted me when I was sure she was delusional. She knew I wanted you before I knew it. And I don't mean 'wanted' you as a normal male wants to bang everything female that walks the face of the earth, I mean 'wanted you', and you specifically. You're a dear friend and I love you very much and I want to make love with you." "You want me, Harry?" Her hand slid down her side to his cock, which was oh so subtly poking her in the thigh. "Why Harry, I think you do want me," she said, smiling mischievously. She brought her hand up and clasped it with her other out in front of her. "Harry, did you bring that pipe out to look at, or to smoke from?" ------- Carol came out of the kitchen carrying a tray fruit and crackers, a bottle of wine under her arm. She'd dumped her supplies next to Margo, unnoticed by either her or Harry as the two old friends talked together. The cool wet breeze flowed more freely through the house as she'd opened the kitchen window and the candles had blown out, but even with the rain there was just enough light to see by. As she came around the corner Harry was loading the pipe. They were going to lose a lot of smoke in the breeze, but they had a lot of smoke to lose. She put the tray down and wine down, dropping to her knees next to Margo. "Sir, I have a large favor to beg of you." "Yes, Baby Girl?" "Sir, Margo will be relaxing and doesn't need to be getting up and down or shifting around all that much, and I'll be working on helping her to relax; well sir, I was wondering if you could handle feeding us and such." "Not a problem Baby Girl, but first you get started on her and let's all relax some." As Carol began to slowly soothe the tensions out of Margo's body, Harry held the hose for her and then for Margo, then took a hit himself, continuing on until the bowl was done. Carol lost herself in that special place where all of her was focused on helping a loved one feel good. She could work tirelessly in that place for hours in a light trance, her whole being in tune with the special spirit within her care. She talked with Margo as she worked, learning the story of Margo's near rape, how Harry and Eddy had stopped it. "Carol," Margo murmured from the floor, "Harry's one of the best men I know. I understand completely why you love him." "And now I understand some of the depth of your love for him," Carol replied. Slightly embarrassed, Harry began popping fruit into their mouths and the next half hour passed with the feeding of their bodies. "Harry," Carol said, "I'm getting a little thirsty, could I have some wine?" "Did you bring wineglasses out?" he asked. "No, I'm afraid we're doing this like college students," Carol replied, "it's chug-it-from-the-bottle time." But there was no easy way for Harry to pour it into Margo's mouth, and Carol's attention was firmly fixed on Margo's body beneath her hands. "You're going to have to baby-bird it, Harry" Carol said. "What?" "You know, the way some mother birds feed their young?" It dawned on him what she meant. Taking a mouthful of wine he leaned over and kissed Carol, pushing the wine into her mouth. The kiss continued after the wine was gone. Then it was Margo's turn. Taking another mouthful of wine, he laid down on the floor next to her head, but there was still no easy angle of approach. "Here Harry, let me help you. Time to roll over Margo; let me work on your front." As Margo lay on her back, gazing up, Harry bent over and tenderly kissed her, dribbling the wine down her throat. The kiss continued and as it became deeper and stronger, a realization came to Harry. He broke the kiss, regretfully. "Carol's right Margo, you're not ready." "What do you mean I'm not ready?" Margo asked, an edge of tears creeping into her voice. "I want you, I want her, you want me, she wants me, she wants you and you want her. What are you two waiting for, a sign from God?" "I don't know Margo, I don't know how to explain it, maybe Carol does... Baby Girl?" "Margo, there are still things that are going to get in the way and make you feel bad about yourself, that are going to have you putting a negative stain on what's going to happen tonight. You don't need that. Raise up your head." As Margo did so, Carol shifted to sitting cross-legged and slid to where she could support Margo's head in her lap. Softly and with infinite tenderness she began to massage Margo's face and head. After some time, as the frustration flowed away from Margo, she spoke. "Margo, what's still blocking you? What do you need to have happen for you to feel completely good about this? Even if it's the thinnest fiction to support the flimsiest justification, we can make it happen." Margo lay there, afraid to speak, afraid to open up the last doors inside. "Margo, please, you're safe, you're with friends-" "I'm with family." The tears rolled down Carol's face. "You're right; you are with family, the kind that wants you to do what you wish with your life. The kind that will love you just the way you are, no matter what. The kind that will always welcome you with open arms. The family you choose, and that chooses you, that's who you're with. Now tell me, baby, what do you need?" "I need... it not to be... my fault. I mean, I know that sounds sick, especially with my past, but I don't want to be like him, I don't want to be out looking for someone to fuck, I need it to not be my fault." Carol leaned down close to Margo's face. "You know we're at that point of no return, don't you? "Yes. I'm not going. I'm not running away." "And who is it that captures you, taking you away to be ravished at their leisure?" Margo's voice dropped to the quietest whisper. "Pirates." ------- After Margo drifted to sleep on the pillows, Carol covered her with a blanket. "Harry, it's time to make the bedroom into Captain Harry's cabin. Now, she's going to resist, and resist pretty seriously, because she's got a lot invested in not coming out of this looking like her prick of a husband. It needs to not be her fault and if she doesn't protest hard enough, it still will be her fault. Think of this as a romantic rape. She'll meet us at least a third of the way, I think, but we're going to have to fight for the other two thirds. Whatever we do, we don't break character. You're the Captain and I'm First Mate... Twat, yeah, First Mate Twat. She wants the fantasy, she wants pirates, she wants rape in the whole fuzzy 'bodice-ripper' definition and we'll give it to her." ------- Benjamin was dead and she was dancing around his grave, naked, and Carol and Harry were there dancing with her and the three of them dancing was the most beautiful thing she'd ever seen, they were like savages, celebrating the death of a hated foe and they collapsed onto his grave and Carol had Harry's cock in her mouth and Harry was reaching for Margo like she'd wanted him to since he'd come in to the office with Carol (NO) since she realized what a shit Benjamin was (NO) since she'd realized the disaster he was heading into by marrying Angie (NO) since they'd reconnected after she got out of med school (NO) since senior year when she dared to believe in knights in shining armor again and he didn't have to say a word because the love was right there in his eyes like it had been when they were laying on the floor talking and now Carol was licking at her pussy and she opened her legs because she loved Carol too and she knew how much Carol and Harry loved each other and now there was no reason she couldn't be there with them because Benjamin was dead and - She woke up as she was hoisted into the air and thrown over a shoulder. "What do you think you're doing?" she squealed. "I hear too much squawking, Twat. Gag her," said Harry. "Aye aye, Cap'n. Now now Miss, ye don't want to be pissin' off the Cap'n this early in the day, ye do and it'll go rough on ye by the time the sun passes over the yardarm." That was Carol's voice, she was sure of it, she thought as a knotted rag was placed in her mouth and tied behind her head. Why couldn't she see anything? Oh, a blindfold. She began to reach up to take it off only to find that her hands were cuffed together in shackles of some kind. But she could still bring them both up and peel off the blindfold... Her hands were jerked down and she heard the clanking of a chain. "Now Miss," Carol said, "don't be tryin' to take off what rightfully belongs on. Ye'll see when we wants ye to see." She tried to kick with her feet only to find them bound together like her wrists. "Steady now, wench," Harry growled, "I've got no desire to have to be beatin' ye for kickin' me somewhere delicate." She heard a door open and then they were... it felt like they were outside! She was naked on Harry's shoulder and they were outside! She began to shout incoherently through the gag and to struggle violently. A sharp pain landed across her ass like lightning. She cried out, tears springing from her eyes as though they were fountains. "Bitch, I said steady. Ye make any more fuss and there'll be a whole lot more like that one waitin' for ye when we get back to the ship." The ship? They walked for quite some way outside, the rain cascading over her naked flesh, before Harry walked up an incline that swayed and bowed underneath him... like a gangplank? And then they were under shelter, no more rain was falling on her and she smelled... spices? Cinnamon, cloves... she smelled apples and lemons and limes... and something else, the air was thick with the smell of pot, it was like it was being used as incense... they weren't at Harry's house, she couldn't smell any roses. Where the fuck had they taken her? As she was shifted from one shoulder to the other, she lashed out with her arms, her elbows connecting the back of her captor's head with a resounding thud. "GOD... s mercy, ye daft bitch! What are ye tryin' to do, get strapped across the end of a cannon? Oh, it's the lash for ye and no escapin' it." She was carried through rooms or hallways or corridors and then dumped unceremoniously back on her feet. After being off them so long, she nearly fell to the floor but a strong arm grabbed her manacles and pulled her back upright. "Twat!" "Yes Cap'n?" "Prepare to hang her up, but first put her in some padded gear; don't want the merchandise damaged anymore than absolutely necessary before sale." "Aye aye, Cap'n" Padded cuffs replaced the metal fetters on her ankles. As the same switch was being made on her wrists, Twat, or maybe it was Carol, whispered in her ear. "Here now Miss, ye got off to a real bad start with the Cap'n and no mistake. But if ye does your time at the post, nice and quiet, give me a chance to put him in a better frame o' mind, well, ye may escape the lash yet. Now I'm gonna take this gag out of your mouth, don't be making me regret my kindness." The gag was slipped out from between her teeth. Her arms were raised above her head and fastened there, her legs fastened in place, open, by the ankles. "Twat!" "Yes Cap'n?" "Why'd ye hang her facing port? It's to starboard ye shoulda been hangin' her, it's time she got the lash!" Margo waited breathlessly, listening to the sound of the surf, crashing nearby, the rain on the roof of the cabin, waiting for Twat to save her once again. "Cap'n, there's time enough for beating the bitch later. Now it's time for some rum and for me to remind ye why ye made me First Mate." Margo could hear a creaking, like someone settling on a bed. "C'mon Cap'n, stick it in Twat's twat, lemme warm it up for ye." She heard wet noises... and low moans... and in her mind she saw Harry standing at the edge of a bed, fucking Carol and it was beautiful, and she wanted to be there so badly, but she wasn't, she was here... wherever here was. She listened to them fucking and it was clear that Twat was doing everything in her power to distract the Captain, but in the end it proved fruitless. He pulled out of her. "Hold on, Twat, there'll be time enough to tumble with ye in a bit, but this bitch needs the lash and she needs it bad! If ye won't hang her to starboard then I'll stripe her to port!" She heard him stride across the cabin and then return. She felt strips of leather running across her breasts and belly, across the fronts of her thighs. She smelled Twat's juices on him. Even though she'd been warned not to, she couldn't help herself. "Captain," she said in a tiny voice, "I'm sorry, I'll behave. Please don't whip me." Tears spilled down her face. "I'll hang here quietly; I won't make any more trouble. Please don't lash me." "No," the Captain said after several moments of silence, "I'm not thinking it's you that'll be whipped after all, wench. Twat! I'm wonderin' why the gag ain't in her mouth where it belongs?" "Captain," Margo began, "I pushed it out with my tongue, Twat had-" The whip slapped across her belly and thighs and the pain was sharp and bright in her mind. "Quiet, bitch! Now then Twat, we was discussing the gag..." "I took it outta her mouth Cap'n, I was afraid she might be havin' trouble breathin'." "You're a lyin' little cunt, Twat, bend over the chair." 'Little cunt'... why did that sound so familiar... oh yes, that was one of Carol's pet names... Carol... Carol and Harry. She heard the sharp, loud whip strokes striking Twat, Twat counting out the strokes, all five of them, and then there were more wet noises, sucking noises. She could hear the Captain groaning in pleasure and it seemed Twat was humming. The smell of sweat and passion was in the air and it was bringing moistness between her legs. She heard the Captain cry out. "Oh my Ba... Bitch, you know how to suck cock!" She heard someone approaching. There was a dragging sound and then lips were kissing hers. She felt Twats breasts warm against her and she wondered what they tasted like. A trickle of warm fluid ran between their lips and as it struck her tongues she recognized it... rum. Rum and something else, semen she thought... the kiss broke and there was the sound of a bottle being drunk from, then the lips returned and more rum flowed from between them. The rum gone the kiss continued, and she responded to it. She wondered why she was responding to these villains who had kidnapped her, why she was so aroused by it all, was it a dream, had she dreamed this, was she dreaming it? If she was dreaming it, the kiss, the small hand at her breast, urges she'd felt to offer herself to the Captain to save Twat a lashing and for other reasons too, the taste of the rum and semen from Twat's mouth, the desire she had to suck the Captain's cock deep down her throat, the urge to bury Twat's head in her crotch and ride her face, the yearning to stay here and never go back... somewhere... somewhere she didn't want to go back to, if she was dreaming all this, then maybe it was the best dream she'd ever had, and maybe she'd better hang onto it. "Twat, quit sampling the wine, it's time to drop her." "Aye aye, sir." She was taken off the post and placed on a pile of pillows. A hand grabbed her hair and pulled her upright. She felt Twat kneel next to her. "You might as well get used to this, wench. The governor's men ain't comin' to save ye. There won't be no bloody heroes swingin' in on a rope. You're in bad company, and the Captain and me means to sample ye for awhile before we sell ye to thems as is even worse than us. Ye can scream if ye want, and all you're gonna do is scare some gulls and make the Captain's head hurt. Ye can fight all ye want, I did when he first took me and it changed nothin' but the number o' times I got the lash." And while she knew that she should be afraid, that she should be worried, all she was feeling was even more aroused, but that shouldn't be happening but she wanted it to... but it wouldn't, it wasn't going to, it wasn't right, it wasn't proper. But it seemed the Captain and Twat had other plans. She felt their mouths fasten to her nipples as one and while they explored her breasts, somewhere in the back of her mind she knew exactly what was happening and she was amazed at the love and care they were taking in fulfilling her fantasy and helping her to feel right about things and she locked that part of her mind away and sank back into the fantasy and she was starting to not care at all about what was right and what was proper and she was no longer at all sure they'd have to have her tied up at all as being taken by pirates was starting to feel pretty good. Their lips were ranging across her face and neck, in her hair and on her back. "Twat, I don't know if we'll be sellin' this one in Tortuga. She might need to be stayin' here in my cabin." "Fine with me, Cap'n, now, lemme get a taste o' that pie." She felt Twat slide down and begin to tease her cunt, as the Captain sat next to Margo, took her face in his hands and began to kiss her hungrily. She began to squirm back and forth, trying to get more of Twat's mouth in contact with her pussy as Twat taunted her and she sucked the Captain's tongue down her throat, inhaling deeply his rum-soaked breath. He tore away from her mouth. "Twat, are ye gonna taste that pie or tease this poor wench into some kinda fit? Quit playin' with your dinner, ye daft bitch!" Twat went to work on Margo's cunt with purpose and the Captain returned to kissing her, one hand caressing a breast, the other caressing her back. They laid her out and flipped her on her side. The Captain took over fondling her cunt with his tongue while Twat kissed her all over her ass. Her desire for release was all she could think of. She felt his erection poking into her leg and that wasn't where she wanted it. She tried to reach for it with her hands. Twat sat up. "I think it's time," she said. And they picked her up from the pillow and threw her on the bed. She felt the bed give as the Captain got up and roughly parted her legs and although she didn't want to stop him at all she tried to rise up on her arms and close her legs. "No," she said, "no I don't want-" but her cries were muffled as Twat hopped on the bed, facing the Captain, and lowered her cunt onto Margo's face. "There ye go darlin'," she said, "ye just be tellin' my juicy-sweet 'no'." Twat leaned forward and pinned her arms down while the Captain stuffed what felt like pillows under her ass. She was crying and she couldn't for the life of her have told whether they were tears of joy or sorrow as she buried her face in Twat's cunt and began to suck on her clit. The Captain threw her legs up over his shoulders and thrust into her and she was ready for him she wanted him and she wanted all of it and she wanted to keep her face buried in Twat's 'juicy-sweet' forever and the Captain drove his cock deep in her and it was funny but it was almost exactly how she'd always dreamed it would be if Harry fucked her and she heard the Captain and Twat kissing but the sound was becoming fainter drowned out by her own moans and it had been so long and she had been so lonely and she loved Harry so much and she loved Carol so much and she didn't know why they loved her but they did and then... there... was... no... more... thinking... ------- When her mind stopped spinning faster than the speed of sound and she could breath and not cry tears of joy and she could speak and not sound like a babbling idiot, she lay back and just soaked in the love, the Captain holding her on one side, First Mate Twat holding her on the other. "Well, wench," the Captain murmured in her ear, "you've got some choices to make. We like ye, so we can be settin ' ye ashore, or we can be tossin' ye naked into the hold with the crew, if such is your pleasure, or we can keep ye tied up in here for the fun of me and First Mate Twat, or ye can join the crew, be Second Mate Mounds, and be in here with us anyways." "Yeah wench," Twat whispered, "what'll it be?" "With the Captain's permission, Second Mate Mounds reporting for duty, Sir," she responded. Loving hands removed her blindfold. She was on Harry's bed, in the house. "How..." "Don't worry about how" Carol said, "that can be dealt with later. What's important is that you're here and you're free. Now, I need to go deal with some clean up. The two of you have something to do that's long overdue." She got up, wearing an enormous smile, and wandered off into the house. "Do you have any idea what she's talking about?" Harry asked, confusion on his face. "Yes I do, Captain. Now shut up and let's let Harry make love to Margo, shall we?" ------- Chapter 5 Carol Riley sat on cushions on the floor of the living room, drinking a glass of wine and watching the rain fall outside. It was 1 A.M., Sunday. Her life had so completely turned around in the space of four and a half days as to be almost unrecognizable to her. If she was still with Rick, what would she be doing right now? Probably blowing him in front of his friends so he could show what a big man he was. There'd be another beating in her immediate future. With Rick there had always been another beating in her immediate future. Instead, she was sitting naked in her living room, her living room in her house, Harry had said so, watching the rain through her wide open front door and listening to her owner make love with the woman she was pretty sure would end up his wife some day, a wife who would love him and cherish him the way he deserved. And love and cherish their faithful pet, Baby Girl, the way she deserved as well. Speaking of loving and cherishing, she was looking forward to some more of that once the two of them had their time alone. What was happening in the master bedroom was the consummation of something begun fifteen years earlier. She didn't belong in there right now. Didn't mean she couldn't listen in and enjoy. Carol giggled to herself. She was ecstatically happy. ------- Harry Grimes woke up from a brief nap. It couldn't have been too long; the candles in the room hadn't visibly burned down at all. He found himself in the middle of a plethora of miracles. He had been well on the road to burning out, becoming a loveless shell of a man. Miracle Number One: Carol Riley had rescued him. Her condition led to- Miracle Number Two: reconnecting with Margo Wohler and her being willing to talk to him after they way he'd dropped her out of his life. And Carol's condition led to- Miracle Number Three: reconnecting with Eddy Janak and him being willing to talk to Harry after the way he'd dropped him out of his life. Miracles One and Two together led to Miracle Number Four: he and Carol were in a position to help Margo when she most needed help. Miracles One and Two together also led to Miracle Number Five: his and Margo's realization of their feelings for each other and their acting upon those feelings. Harry turned his head and looked at Margo, curled up next to him in the bed. There was Miracle Five, right before his eyes. The beauty in the bed next to him, happy, free... she loved him, she loved Carol, and they loved her. Others might argue that these weren't miracles, but Harry didn't give a shit. He knew miracles when he saw them. He carefully got out of bed and headed out in search of something to drink. ------- Margo Wohler stretched as she woke up. Her hands hit the headboard and as the stretch continued her legs hung off the end of the bed to her knees. Harry needed a bigger bed. She sat up on the edge of the bed and gazed around the room. Some of the effects from her fantasy were easy to explain, easy to find. The whipping post, the pile of cushions on the floor, the cat o' nine tails, the bowls with crushed apples, lemons, limes and open heaps of spices, the metal bowl where they'd been burning pot like it was incense... the cd player? She reached over and popped out the disc. 'Nature's Secrets: Soothing Sounds of the Sea'. Those clever little rascals. She sat and thought about her night, and the two lovers that awaited her elsewhere in the house. She wondered why she was feeling so secure, so safe? It was sad to admit, but that wasn't like her. Normally she'd awaken from a first sexual encounter a bundle of insecurities and paranoia, just about as neurotic as you could be without being a sitcom character from New York. It took her time to settle in, to feel like she belonged somewhere, but while this wasn't her place, she felt she belonged here, she felt welcome here. And she felt that this could be her place too, if she wanted it to be. Had Harry proposed to her while they were making love? No, no he hadn't. They'd both had much to say to each other while they loved each other, but there had been no mention of that. So where was that feeling coming from? ------- Harry was cuddling his Baby Girl close to his chest, just relishing the nearness of her, as they watched the rain from the front door of the house. Carol, for her part, was in paradise, cherished and loved, held close by the man who owned her, body and soul. They both looked up as Margo entered the living room. "Cap'n', Twat, why are you sitting in the cabin door watchin' the rain?" "Because we can, Mounds. Ye have some better idea?" "Yes Cap'n, follow me to the aft gang plank." As they did so, the Captain commented to Twat, "Have ye noticed what a fine ass Mounds has on her, First Mate Twat?" "Indeed I have, Cap'n, indeed I have. I'm thinkin' I'll be spendin' some time lickin' that ass." "Ye an' me both, Twat, ye an' me both." Ahead of them, Mounds' cunt gave a twitch as that sounded like a luscious idea to her as well. On her way through the kitchen she snagged a bar of soap and strode out onto the back deck and down the boards lying as a ramp from the deck to the grass. The rain had let up enough that the outlines of the neighbors' houses could be seen, but due to the lateness of the hour there were no lights on. They followed Margo out to the middle of the lawn, away from the trees. "Alright you curvy bitch, what now?" growled the Captain as the rain ran down his face. "Now," Mounds said with a smile, "we take a bath out here in the rain." She began to scrub the Captain's body with the bar of soap and soon she had acquired Twat's enthusiastic help. "You're both daft bitches, says I," growled the Captain, "you'll be leavin' soap in all me naughty bits an' I'll be itchin' like I just got back from shore leave in Port-au-Prince." "Nonsense Cap'n darlin'," said Twat, "we'll just go get us a bucket or two, let 'em fill up, have ye lay down on the deck, use 'em to sluice ye out and do the same for us girly types." The Captain stood and let himself be bathed by two lovely women, Mounds taking the top half and Twat the lower. Given the temperature of the rain, there wasn't much erotic about it, although he and his Second Mate kissed passionately while she washed his hair, but it was still a hedonistic dream as two sets of loving, soapy hands carefully cleaned every inch of his body. There was something earthy... lusty... about standing naked, out in the open, hidden only by the hour and the rain. As Harry stood naked in his back yard in the middle of the night, in the rain, taking a shower with two beautiful women, his mind turned to thoughts of not only of a hot tub, but a pool as well and certainly a high fence. A bigger shower in the master bath had already taken on critical importance. Soon the Captain was clean and work began on Twat's bath. As she and the Captain washed Twat, Mounds said, "Ye see, Cap'n, ye can watch the rain or ye can be out in the rain." "Mounds, you've a goodly head on your shoulders as well as a goodly brace o' cannon on your chest." "Thank ye, Cap'n. What be the name o' our ship, sir, if you don't mind me askin'?" "You're crewin' on the 'Free Booty', Mounds." "It's a good name, Cap'n; it's a good name for her." The Captain, down on one knee, was lovingly soaping Twat's lower parts, paying special attention to her ass, leading to moments of confusion as both parties wondered was he washing or caressing, while Mounds went high and once again made out with the object of her ministrations. For her part, Twat was in heaven as the hands of her crewmates ran over her body repeatedly, each touch an act of love. Carol had never known such happiness. These two people were extraordinary. And they knew how to play! Here they were, all having a grand time playing pirates! Her mind reeled at the possibilities their future playtimes held! Why, they could be anyone, do anything. She had some really kinky fantasies that pretty much required a man and another woman. They were all going to have such fun together. And as they finished washing Twat, they began work on Mounds. The Captain repaid Mounds' earlier favor by carefully washing her top, their tongues dueling in each other's mouths through most of it, while Twat started at the bottom and spent a long time soaping up Mounds legs, possibly distracted by the amount of time she spent kissing and licking the Second Mate's magnificent ass. Margo marveled at the mask she was wearing and its effect upon her. Margo Wohler-soon-by-the-grace-of-God-to-be-ex-Sapperstein would never in a million years stand naked out in the back yard of a home in a residential neighborhood, letting her two lovers wash her body in the rain, making out with one while the other used her sweet tongue to worship Margo's ass. But Second Mate Mounds of the 'Free Booty', why, who knew what she might do? After they were through bathing Mounds, all three of them were cold so they went back inside, got dry and wrapped themselves in blankets. Twat closed the front door, locking it and the back and made Irish coffee to warm them. They and their blankets huddled together in the living room, eating a light meal of fruit and cheese. After they had warmed themselves up and eaten, their minds turned to other matters. "Y'know," said Mounds, "I'm thinkin' that somewhere along the line, Twat owes me a cunt lickin'. Seems to me she started one, earlier in the night, but never finished." Before Mounds had finished her sentence, Twat was lying between her legs, parting the hair with her tongue, gently exposing Mounds' clitoris. She began to tease it and soon Mounds' hips were slowly and sensuously gyrating like a belly dance in slow motion. "Seems to me, Mounds," said the Captain from his nearby cushion, "that ye be owin' her one as well, seein' as how ye were in no shape to finish the one ye began on her." So with some rearrangement the two lovers were on their sides, faces buried between each others legs. The delightful, wet sounds of love filled the air. "Ye know, there's nothin' I've seen anywhere in the world prettier than the two sexiest wenches ever to grace a ship's deck or a port's brothels goin' at each other's cunts with a will," said the Captain, stroking his cock. The Captain saw Twat's hands caressing Mounds' ass, her fingers teasing her asshole and so he went and got some unguent and put it where Twat could see it and reach it. It wasn't long at all before Twat was gently easing her finger in and out of the Second Mate's ass, fucking her in counterpoint to her tongue and Mounds seemed to find it exceedingly pleasurable if her moans were any indication. "Do ye think ye want to be tryin' one of them little mysteries of the Orient we got in Havana on her, Twat?" the Captain asked. He could see Twat's vigorous nodding so he went and one of the small vibrating butt plugs they'd bought, brought it over, lubed it well and handed it to her. He watched, his hand once more on his cock, as Twat slowly and cautiously eased it into Mounds' ass. Once it was fully in, she turned it on 'low'. Margo floated in a sea of sweaty sensuality. Never had her body felt so alive as it had with her two new lovers. She'd never thought much of the idea of any anal play, had been afraid of it actually, had clamped down and gone defensive when any other lover got close, but when Carol first ran her finger down the crack of Margo's ass, she had relaxed, open to the possibilities, unafraid. When Carol's finger had entered her, she'd welcomed it, wished it was longer, if not necessarily wider. And when the little 'mystery of the Orient' had been worked in, well, that might have hurt a little, but once it was in, it was good... and once it was turned on, it was so much better. She'd never eaten pussy before in her life, had fantasized about it in the abstract, had even brought her own wet hand up to her mouth and licked it so she knew her taste, and she had been nervous when she first went down on Carol that she wouldn't know how to do it right, that she'd mess up, but she just did what she knew would feel good to her, and it seemed to be working just fine. And then there was Carol, right there, deliciously between her legs, giving excellent examples of other things to try, techniques to use. She thought of her anxieties and her worries and what if she did something and one of them didn't like it and she destroyed the mood and then everyone would be pissed off and it would all be her fault. The last worry, the last tentativeness, was destroyed as she realized that she couldn't fuck this up, she couldn't do anything wrong. Their love wouldn't let her. With that, her climax broke through and washed her mind away. Carol got up, cleaned up a bit and then came back to lie in Margo's arms. She was in heaven, in love with two beautiful, wonderful people. ------- "Margo, thank you," Carol said, holding Margo in her arms. "Thank you for loving us and thank you for letting us love you." "Carol, no, I should be thanking the two of you, and I will be, for the rest of my life. I was so afraid, so scared. I didn't have anyone to turn to, anyone who'd understand except you and Harry, and if you hadn't..." The tears flowed down her cheeks in streams. "No, shhhh, no beloved, no..." Carol kissed her tears away, finishing with feather-soft kisses on her eyelids. "You were scared but you got here and we love you and you've got no reason to go back to that time because it's past. Let that fear go, baby, you're safe, we're here to protect you and cherish you." The next eternity passed as the two women caressed each other, held and loved and tasted each other in an erotic ballet danced to their heartbeats. Margo wept over Carol's bruises, Carol wept over Margo's loneliness and fear, they wept together for Harry and the still-bleeding wounds on his soul that Angie had left, they wept and laughed in their joy at the future before them all and lost themselves in each other's eyes and hearts. While Harry slept, the two women in his life made love. ------- In the carnal afterglow, Margo and Carol drifted off to sleep themselves. For a time the house was silent, save for the light snores of three very happy lovers. ------- Carol wandered through her parent's house, trying to find someone, anyone. As the search went on and each successive room was scoured and no one found, her panic grew; they had to be here somewhere, someone had to be. Teetering on the brink of tears she finished the last room, the living room, and fell to her knees in despair. As she did so, she saw two figures in the front yard, staring out across the street. There they were, her parents, or someone, and so she ran out of the house, tears of panic turned to tears of joy. As she drew closer she could tell that it was her Mommy and Daddy and that now she would be safe and everything would be ok, but as she ran to them, calling to them, they didn't respond, they didn't turn, they just stood there looking across the desert... hadn't it been a street a moment ago? And they seemed to be getting farther and farther away so she ran faster and it seemed she was slowly getting closer but the sand sucked at her feet and she was getting tired and so, so hot and thirsty, maybe she should go back to the house and wait until it got dark but when she turned, there was no sign of the house and she'd left no tracks in the sand, so she whirled about and there her parents were, right next to her, still facing away from her, and she yelled "Mommy, Daddy, I'm here, look at me! It's Carol!" but the figures never turned, so she ran around in front of them and they were facing away from her again so she ran back and forth and back and forth until she realized there was no front, they were each two turned backs and there was no way she was ever going to make them see her because they didn't have any eyes to see her with so she sank down in the sand and cried because there was no one and she was so lonely and so scared and the blowing sand started to pile up around her and she thought she'd just sit there and die but someone touched her on the shoulder and she looked up and it was Harry and she knew everything was alright, it was Harry and he would love her and take care of her and she'd take care of him and everything would be beautiful from now on and Harry looked at her and said "I'm sorry miss, I thought you were someone else. I was looking for Margo" and her heart died and she felt it, there was just a wooden lump in her chest and her blood didn't move and she sat there like a marionette with all its strings cut and the sand covered her over- She opened her eyes and there was Harry, his face full of love and concern, and he said "Baby Girl, are you alright?" and the tears started. Harry picked her up and carried her across the room and put her in a nest of pillows and wrapped himself around her while she cried, stroking her and caressing her. When the tears finally began to dry up, she told him of her nightmare. "No Baby Girl, don't you ever worry about that. Margo loves you and I love you and you're a part of me. Do you understand that? Nobody, not Margo, no matter how much I love her, nobody, gets me without you. You and I, we're bonded and I know that I cannot conceive of a life without you in it so the only person who can break up this team is you." Carol began to cry once again, tears of joy. "Then Harry my love, it will never happen. I am yours." Harry held her, so in love with the beautiful spirit that had blessed his life. As she settled down again, he kept holding her tightly. "Baby Girl, tell me about your family." "You mean you can't guess, Harry? I'd have thought it was obvious. My parents were very distant, disapproving of anything but achievement, which to them meant athletic or academic success. They'd had to work to get where they were, they were supporting me and my brothers and sisters, as well as both sets of grandparents. I think the strain was just too much for them. I was talking with Margo while you were asleep, it seems she and I have a lot in common, we just reacted to it differently. I always felt I had to earn their love, I had to fight for every hug, their time was precious and it was given out sparingly to whichever of us kids had done the best. After awhile, I dropped out of the competition, started getting their attention in other ways." "Let me guess, Baby Girl, you spent a lot of time getting to know the legal system." "Intimately, Harry. And I'll warn you right now, I've got some really kinky incest fantasies rolling around in my head, all wrapped up in my family life. Not that I'd ever want to sleep with my dad, or any real member of my family, but the reality of our lives casts echoes in our fantasies." "Baby Girl, I was never much into role-playing before you came into my life, but with the success of last night's pirate fantasy for Margo, I'll play any role you want, just name it." "Thank you sir, I love you so much." "But back to the fucked up reality. It only got worse as my grandparents died. If they hadn't lived with us I don't know what I would have done but they were they only unconditional love I had any experience with. I kept getting better and better at making my parents lives a living hell." "They were disgusted when I went to school and majored in Theater, but by that point I was already earning my own money and living on my own. When I dropped out of school and went 'underground', so to speak, I lost contact with them completely. I wouldn't mind getting back in touch with my brothers and sisters, but as far as I'm concerned my parents can go to hell and send me postcards." Harry held his pet close to him and stroked her lovingly. "Perhaps you and I can go visit your siblings some day." Her face lit up. "You mean it, Harry? Oh, I'd love that! I'd love to show you off." Harry brushed his lips across hers. "My Baby Girl, I can refuse you nothing." Carol laughed. "Don't say things like that Harry, I might put you to the test. But enough about me and the fucked-up Riley clan; what about you and your family? I know your parents are gone. Do you have any brothers and sisters?" "One sister, six years younger than me which would make her twenty-seven now, Nicki. The last time I saw Nicki was at the rehearsal dinner for my wedding. She'd flown in for the wedding from Atlanta, had never met Angie before and she and I damn near got into a knock-down drag-out fight when she tried to tell me the truth about Angie. She said a lot of things that it turns out were completely accurate and I said a lot of hateful and hurtful things that were lies or at best half-truths. She stormed out of the rehearsal dinner in tears and we haven't spoken since. I miss her." "Why haven't you called her?" "I can't. I can't bring myself to. Baby Girl, I was so angry, I went out to hurt her badly, I used shit I would never ever have brought up if I wasn't trying to wound her as deeply as I could. I wanted to gut her emotionally and I did. I suppose I ought to call her, just to let her know she was right and let her have her well-deserved gloat. I owe her that. But I just haven't been able to bring myself to do it. Hell, I doubt she'd pick up the phone if she knew it was me." "Well, I know you'll be ready to call her someday, Harry, or she'll call you." Carol snuggled in close to her owner. While her fears from her nightmare had eased, still there was an aching need in here, a need to be loved, a need to be filled. As her hand reached down and caressed Harry's cock, it responded, and she fancied she knew how she could get her needs met. ------- Margo woke up and laid there while she watched Harry and Carol make love. Carol was on her knees, her body supported by a pile of pillows, her arms serving mostly to keep her balanced while Harry took her from behind. In the sole candle's light she saw the sheen of sweat on Carol's thighs, the glint of moisture on Harry's cock as he drew it back, the moistness left on Carol's lips as she licked them. Margo's hands went between her legs as the sight, and the still vibrating plug, excited her. She lay there and played with herself until she saw Carol looking at her. Carol winked and said, "Margo, come here and give me a kiss." As Margo crawled across the floor, feeling like some jungle animal in heat, she asked, "Harry, may I use Carol's pet names?" "Of course," Harry replied, "feel free." She crawled up to Carol, settling in front of the cushions and kissed her, fucking her mouth with her tongue. Carol's body twisted and shook atop the pillows and her arms came up as her hands grasped at the sides of Margo's head. The two of them locked on to each other, a duel of tongues as their desire swelled and soared. Margo broke free from the kiss and got up, making a seat of sorts out of some pillows and sat down, putting her cunt in Carol's face. "There you go, Baby Girl, kiss that," she said, her voice thick with desire. Carol's arms came back up off the floor and wrapped themselves around Margo's legs, pulling her in tightly. Margo spread her knees a bit more to give Carol's darting tongue more room to work. Margo relaxed into the sensations and let her mind float free. Carol was floating in her happy place. The aching urge to be filled that had come over her was being satisfied most satisfactorily and Harry showed no signs of stopping anytime soon, which was fine by her. There was lots of lubricant about should they need some and having her owner make love to her was perfect and right and could go on forever as far as she was concerned. So, Harry was loving her at one end while she was loving Margo at the other. Although they weren't touching or kissing, she knew that Harry and Margo were looking at one another and she imagined she could feel their love for each other running through her body as it connected them. "Harry," Margo said, "you do realize what an absolute-" Margo shivered and moaned as a small orgasm rippled through her, "-gift from heaven this sweet Baby Girl is, don't you?" "She is the pearl without price, Margo, the most precious and wondrous treasure any man or woman could possess," Harry said as he continued to stroke in and out of her warm wetness. "And, greedy swine that I am, at present she is all mine, although I gladly share her with you." "Most kind of you, good sir, most kind indeed." Harry scanned around and saw, just barely within his reach, the two items he was looking for. Snagging them both he withdrew from Carol's throbbing cunt and inserted a vibrator which, as soon as it was snugly in, had her small frame shivering and twitching. Then he opened the lubricant and began to apply it liberally to her sweet brown hole and his cock. "Harry, what are you- aah aah aah- doing to her," Margo asked? "She's going- mmmmmmmmm- crazy over here... I mean, really- ooooooh- crazy." "Well hold on, my love, she's about to get even crazier. I'm about to take her in the ass and that will probably send her way over the edge." "Haaaaaaaarry, I don't th-th-think she can g-get any crazi-zi-zier." He reached down and took a firm grip on the wide hips he loved so well. He could see her rectal muscles, flexing, eager. Carefully he neared his glistening target, made sure his footing was sound and slowly and surely pushed his way into her. "I WAS WR-WRONG! OH... GOD... I... WAS... SO... WRONG!" "Told you, baby. Just relax and let her drive you, she'll take you where you need to go. Even when she's cumming my Baby Girl can keep that much of her head together," he said. Harry slid smoothly in and out of her, the muscles in her ass massaging him, milking him, demanding his long-delayed orgasm. From Margo's cunt he heard Carol singing out her body's joy, her soul's contentment. Margo lay back upon the cushions as one in a seizure, his pet's attentions to her pussy robbing her of everything but her peaking thrills. As he watched, Carol tightened her grip on Margo's thighs as pillows slid out from under Margo's torso and she threatened to slip out of Carol's reach. This time, this configuration of their bodies, this was the fulfillment of one of Carol's fantasies and she wasn't about to let go of it yet. But Harry was rapidly running out of time. His eyes were glazing over as he sank deeper into an erotic fog, losing himself in the sensations his body was bombarded by. The throbbing of the vibrator, the spasms of her cunt, the contractions of her asshole, the slap of her flesh against his, the feel of her hips under his hands, the wet sounds that filled the air, the smells of three peoples' passion, all these combined to pull him under. He lost the fight and felt his balls convulse so fiercely they shook as if they'd been hit. He gave his climax voice and as if it were the cry of an alpha wolf, the rest of the pack answered it, their voices joining his in the singing of their pleasure. ------- When his eyes could focus again he found himself lying on his side, Carol still on her pile of pillows above him, Margo nowhere to be seen. "Margo?" "Hold on Harry, be right there." He heard running water and when she returned she had towels and washcloths and a large pan full of steaming water, rose petals floating on its surface. "Ah," Harry said, "I see you found where Baby Girl hid the roses." "Yes, I went looking for them special, just for the wash water. I knew the two of you hadn't made them disappear, so they were here somewhere." As she went through multiple washcloths, thoroughly cleaning Carol's bottom, she looked down at him. "Harry, have I told you lately that I love you?" "Yes you have, but I won't tire of hearing you say it." "I love you, Harry. I love you too, Baby Girl," she said to the prostrate form before her. "Ummm, love you, Margo," murmured Carol. "I love you too, Margo," said Harry smiling. She finished with Carol and with her cleaning supplies sat down next to Harry. Carol slid off the pillows and curled up next to him. Margo began to clean Harry's cock. "Harry, Baby Girl, it's going to be very hard for me to leave here-" "Then don't," injected Carol. "-shhh, don't make this conversation any harder, Baby Girl. I'm going to have to leave for awhile. I need to dissolve my so-called marriage. Don't worry that that will keep me from visiting, coming back to play with you and love with you. My and Benjamin's pre-nups are so worded that I could be doing the entire Marine Corps on the 50 yard line of the Cotton Bowl and he could be in the process of becoming history's first living Jewish Catholic saint and it wouldn't change the way the divorce will play out at all. I don't have to be all that careful, and God knows he's never had to be." "And after the divorce, I'm going to take some time off, travel some, try to wrap my head around some things, figure out what I want to do with my career. Please don't worry. If you want me to come back, Harry, there's nothing that will keep me away, but I will need some time." "My love," Harry said, "do you doubt that I want you back, that we want you back? Don't you know I'll marry you, we'll marry you, at the drop of a hat, all you have to do is say the word, once both our divorces are final? Do you have any doubt that Carol and I would pledge ourselves to loving you for the rest of our lives without reservation whenever you were willing to pledge yourself to us?" "No Harry, I don't doubt it, not anymore... but you never said it. Some things a woman needs to hear. Then know that I'll be back. I'll come home. Just do me a favor Harry. When 'interesting situations' come your way, and they will, trust her instincts, not yours." "Yeah," Harry grimaced, "she got involved with Rick knowing it was a bad idea. I married the skank and stayed with her for 3 years thinking all was rosy." "Exactly my point, Beloved, she's much better at reading people than you are, especially if she's not starving and I don't think that'll be a problem for the two of you. I won't worry at all if she's here to guide you. I know you'll be safe." ------- Carol and Harry sat together, listening to the rain which threatened to go on forever. Margo had been whispering something to Harry earlier, but as she was grinning evilly, Carol knew she had nothing to worry about, only fun to anticipate. Margo came in from the bedroom. "Twat!" "Yes Cap'n," she replied, surprised at the sudden return to play, "what sir?" "Let Mounds see to you." She turned her head and there was Mounds, bringing a blindfold and a ball gag and the padded cuffs Mounds herself had worn earlier in the evening. An evil, lusty leer covered Mounds' face as she shackled Twat's wrists together, firmly secured the ball gag, and finally kissed Twat's forehead before slipping the blindfold over her eyes. The Captain reached down and threw her over his shoulder and off they went to the Captain's quarters where he flung her on the bed, shackled her feet together, and then ran a restraining rod from her wrists to her ankles. She was pulled towards the far edge of the bed and someone pulled her blindfold up just a bit, so that she had a thin sliver a vision. She saw the Captain come over and get on the bed beside her, on his hands and knees. Mounds had brought in the unguent they used as lubricant and was greasing the Captain's ass up good. Then Twat watched with delight as she worked another of the little mysteries of the Orient into his mostly virgin asshole. When Mounds turned the wheel that made it buzz, Twat would have thought the Captain had been hit by a bolt of lightning in his nut sack. He came up off the bed and his cock, which had been mostly limp when he crawled on, was filling out as she watched. He got up and then Mounds lay down on the bed. The Captain knelt between her legs and feasted on her moistness, making love to the Second Mate with his tongue, burying his face between her voluptuous thighs as he propped her legs on his shoulders and the wet noises filled the room. Twat was in agony, her Captain and the beautiful Second Mate, hot, juicy sex so close she could've tasted it if she could've gotten her tongue past the ball gag and she couldn't do a thing but watch and whimper. Orgasms were coursing through Mounds' body, her tits jiggling right there, so close. Twat tried to twist her body closer but that traitorous bitch put out her hand to the restraining bar and held her where she was! Then Mounds lay across the bed sideways, her head right there before Twat's eyes. The Captain knelt over her face; his feet entwined in her restraints, and fucked the Second Mate's mouth, inches in front of her. Twat's whimpering was a pitiful thing to hear but still there he was, fucking her mouth, balls draped down, the end of the 'mystery' buzzing in his ass. Oh, for her crewmates' treachery they would pay a heavy price! She would keelhaul the both of them! Tie them to anchors and drag them along the bottom from St. Kitts to Cartagena! Sell the two of them out to the French! Or just arrange to do the same thing to each of them at some point, let them see how they liked it! At last her torment was ended. The Captain pulled his erect cock out of Mounds warm mouth. Mounds rolled over and smiled at her, smirking seductively, then got out of bed. Mounds went around behind her and she heard her fiddling about with something, heard some metallic clinking sounds, heard her mutter 'well, I don't need that, already have something in there', more clinking, 'oh, that feels very nice' and then the Captain was taking off the restraining rod. As he did, Mounds unlocked her feet from one another. Someone slipped the blindfold back down securely over her eyes and fastened her wrist cuffs to the head of the bed. She heard movement in the room and someone, it smelled like Mounds, climbed on the bed in front of her, leaving the Captain to be the one climbing in behind her. The Captain worked his way around Twat's hairline and the back of her neck, nibbling and licking. The bitch was squirmy, but it wasn't so bad yet that he had to consider restraining her legs. Down her back he went, and up on her left side, tasting his First Mate, forcing himself to be slow and patient. His cock was straining as it wagged back and forth, not only from the buzzing of the 'mystery of the Orient' but from the woman before him as well. It was going to be a long voyage and while he knew he had plenty of time to use his First Mate to slake his desires, the very sight of her, smell of her, made patience almost impossible. Yet, patient the Captain was as he moved down her body. Second Mate Mounds pitied the Captain, in a way. Not that Twat's aft was without charms, no, it had charms a-plenty, but it was her fore that held the more obvious of her attractions. Mounds sucked a nipple between her teeth and Twat shivered. She could see the First Mate struggling against the restraints and Mounds found herself wishing they had the right equipment to allow her and the Captain full access while restraining the little bitch completely. Aye, then they'd see some twitching. One of her hands went up to Twat's arm pit to gently tease and tickle her while the other did the same on her cunt, providing Twat with a bit of a dilemma. If she wiggled too hard from the arm, she'd lose the delight of the other. Mounds grinned sadistically and went back to work on the tits of her wriggling victim. The Captain watched his beloved Twat's ass jiggling as Mounds did her best to excite her. By the trembling of the First Mate's body, she was succeeding admirably. He took his hand and gently inserted it between her thighs, worming it forward to rest against her warm and wet 'juicy sweet'. Her jerks became refocused as she tried to bring herself down fully in contact with this hand but any progress she made he eased away from. Mounds tired of the tickle game and latched back onto Twat's tit with all the suction of a giant vampire bat. She slipped her hand into her own wetness and brought it up, dripping, and smeared the fluids below Twat's nose. A high keening whimpering broke free of Twat and she jerked against her restraints forcefully, shaking the bed and all in it. Sensing it was time, the Captain grabbed the bottle of unguent and lubricated himself thoroughly. He eased close to Twat and holding one ass cheek high, began to maneuver himself in to penetrate her delicate asshole. As he approached she began to try to jerk down towards him, trying to drive herself onto the cock she knew was coming, trying to spear herself on it. Twat wasn't a thinking creature anymore, nay, perhaps not even human. She was an animal, a sexual animal, caged and taunted, all her being focused on finding satisfaction so she blindly heaved her body against her chains, attempting to impale herself upon her Captain's cock. Not wishing to see his beautiful First Mate damage herself, the Captain took firm grip of her lovely, fleshy hips and eased his cock into her ass, trying to hold her still as he moved into her fully. Then, holding her tightly, he rolled the two of them onto his back, a position where he was properly situated to comfortably fuck her. He said, "Now you, Second Mate Mounds". Mounds grinned, now was the moment of truth. She grabbed a bottle of oily fluid to grease the shaft of Twat's own strap-on cock. After it was slick and wet, she moved forward, lifted Twat's legs high in the air and carefully worked on getting the aim correct, first time out, without letting on to Twat what was about to happen. Not that Twat would've been able to understand it; she seemed to be deep into the 'fuck me' place. When she was satisfied that she was as on target as she could get, she gently drove it home. First Mate Twat's body began to shake like a voudon lady's. Even through the ball gag they could make out her repeating cry of 'fuck me'. "Well Captain," Mounds said, pleased with the effects of her plan so far, "ye were first in, so the first stroke be yours. Take off sir, we'll take turns." The Captain pulled back, her ass sucking him back in like a whirlpool and as he started back in, through the thin wall of Twat's body separating him and Mounds, he felt his Second Mate pulling back for her stroke. Like one body with two cocks they pistoned the keening body of the First Mate between them. They couldn't tell where one of Twat's climaxes ended and another began as they used her relentlessly, slowly increasing their speed. The minutes seemed like hours as Twat's tiny body hung suspended above the bed, her legs only balancing her, impaled on her Captain and speared by the Second Mate, fucked back and forth; floating as if in the sky and the thunder and lightning rolling through her loins was the joy of Zeus himself. Between the buzzing in his butt, the feel of Mounds across the thin barrier of skin and just the sensations of taking Twat in her ass, the Captain was on the edge of losing control. Mounds, buzzing in her behind and a large nubbin attached to the strap-on keeping her cunny excited was in little better shape. Their rhythms started to go out of sync, and soon the both of them were lost to the power of their own orgasms. Mounds fell off to the side to shudder and shake but the Captain kept hold of Twat's ass and kept pumping as he rocked back and forth like a ship in the grip of a storm. When at last he had no more in him, he reached up and unhooked Twat from the headboard, unsnapped the ball gag and tipped off her blindfold. As he collapsed back to the bed to soak in the afterglow the Captain expected Twat to roll off to the other side of him but she didn't, instead pivoting up and continuing to rock on his dick. Her motions brought a measure of life back to his rapidly wilting organ and she rode him for all she was worth. Mounds, seeing the fun, crawled over and lay between the Captain's legs, licking at Twat's cunt as it came down in each pumping. The wetness from Twat was smeared all over Mounds' face. But soon the exhausted First Mate could take no more and rolled off to the side, crawling over to lick clean the face of Mounds. The Captain pulled himself up in the bed and watched, amazed to find there was an occasional flicker of interest running through his overtaxed cock. Then when he thought on it, the sight of his beautiful Twat licking Mounds face clean could get a rise out of the dead. When she was through, Twat sank back on to the bed. "Oh... God... Mounds... you're an evil... cunt... and you've... got to... try that..." Mounds scooted over on the bed and began licking on one of the First Mate's tits. "I don't think my almost virgin ass can take the Captain." A soft snore drifted across the room. "No... you'll be taking... me with the smallest... cock I can fit... on the harness..." "Well then, that's different. After a day of having the mystery in me, I think I could handle that." She looked up at the sleeping form of the Captain. "But methinks he'll be needin' a bit of a break first." ------- Chapter 6 The Captain woke up briefly as he was once again washed. Two pair of hands rinsed his body with warm washcloths and with love. He drifted back to sleep. ------- He came to for a moment as either Twat or Mounds shifted position, curled up next to him on either side. Sleep reclaimed him. ------- He woke up, carefully crawled out of his bunk, not disturbing his sleeping crewmates and went to the head, then caught a shower. As he dried himself, his stomach rumbled so ominously he could hear it over the rain outside. He headed for the galley and proceeded to make sandwiches, salad and a pitcher of iced tea. Piling his provisions on a tray he carried them back to his cabin to awaken his bunkmates and see to their feeding. "By God's Grace, Cap'n, you're a good man," said Twat, rubbing the sleep out of her eyes. "I was dreamin' of food an' with me appetite for sex that means I'm starvin' to death." "Aye," said Mounds, "I seem to remember a dream of floatin' islands of roast beef on a gravy sea. Me thinks I was about to start chewin' a pillow." "No need for ye to be damagin' my beddin'," said the Captain. "So tuck in afore I have to be gaggin' ye anytime ye be near me bedsheets." "Might not be a bad thing, Cap'n," said Twat. "Dependin' on what you'd be gaggin' us with," added Mounds. "I swear ye daft bitches'll be the death o' me yet," he said. "But lookin' at the two of ye, well, there be worse ways to go, if ye take my meanin'." The three happy shipmates ate their picnic on the Captain's bunk as Twat filled the Captain in on her and Mounds' plan to give the Second Mate the same treatment as Twat had had. A shower for the girly types later, it was on. ------- "Now ye won't be getting' the full effect, bein' as ye know it's comin'," said the Captain as he gently worked the 'mystery' back into her ass. "But we'll do our best to be makin' it a memorable experience for ye anyway." Mounds would've answered in a somewhat appreciative manner except for her bound state; stretched the length of the bed and beyond, feet to the braced whipping post, hands to the headboard, blindfold on and ball gag in place. But at least she writhed a bit and it looked like she meant she'd appreciate the effort. Or perhaps that was just her enjoying the 'mystery'. Twat, eager to test a theory she had, brought in a rose and gently scratched the inside of one of Mounds' thighs with a thorn. The bound woman twisted and turned within her restraints, moaning with pleasure. "Cap'n darlin', it seems that Second Mate Mounds likes just a bit of the pain." The Captain leaned close to his Second Mate's head and bit her earlobe, gently. "Moan once if you be likin' a bit o' pain, Mounds, twice if a fair amount, thrice if a goodly amount, four times if ye be likin' rough trade and five if we should keelhaul ye to get ye your jollies." "Mmmmmm." "Ah, so one moan it is... well, that be good to know." Taking the rose from Twat, he slowly and gently dragged it down Mounds' back, watching her twitch. Then he and his luscious First Mate loaded the hookah and proceeded to smoke a bowl, making sure to blow plenty at the face of the restrained Mounds. Twat began to lightly scratch Mounds with her nails, all over her body, taking special care to note what spots got the most reaction while the Captain sucked and licked at her toes. "Ye see Twat," he said, in-between bouts of molesting his Second Mate's feet, "something tells me, almost like a message in a bottle from another life mayhap, that this saucy bitch be havin' very sensitive feet. It's almost like I was rubbin' 'em once, in another time and place, and she had the most amazin' response. Seemed to get her all hot an' bothered." Mounds squirmed and seemed to be agitated. The Captain returned to his task, sucking her toes into his mouth as he ran his tongue around them, rubbing on the soles as he licked and kissed the tops and the ankles, always returning to her toes. The Second Mate seemed to have a fever, she was shaking so. "Alright Twat, time to let her stew a bit." And with that they turned her onto her back. First Mate Twat, facing the head of the bunk, positioned herself on all fours, with her juicy-sweet directly over Mounds' blindfold. Then the Captain pulled the blindfold out of position just a slit so that the helpless victim could see, and slid his cock into Twat directly over her face. They were so close to her that on occasion the bottom of his ball sack brushed the tip of her nose as Mounds' two malicious bunkmates began to fuck just inches above her, the sights and sounds and smells so close and yet so far away. The frantic whimpering began deep in Mounds, down near her cunt, and made its way up, gathering strength the whole way. She lay beneath the lovers, quivering like a leaf in a stiff offshore breeze and making a sound like a starving beast begging for food. The Captain continued to slowly fuck his First Mate, pulling almost all the way out on each back stroke, then back in with a soft squishing noise. Minute after minute after minute it continued, a quarter hour passing, slow and languorous, a hedonistic revel, a half hour approaching, lost in every feeling of the act, savoring each stroke as it's own celebration of their love. "Oh Cap'n sir, don't ye love fuckin' for a captive audience," Twat purred. "Makes the whole thing more sexy like." Mounds, straining against her bonds, desperate to join in the fun, might have described it differently. "Me knows what ye mean, Twat," replied the Captain, "it's all I can do to keep from pullin' out of ye and spillin' me seed all over her tits." "MmmmMMmMMmmmmm!" "Oh Cap'n darlin', don't be doin' that, let me have it all, don't be wastin' it on that poor dear below us." That put the Captain over the edge and from below Mounds could clearly see each contraction, each convulsion of his balls as he came into Twat. The First Mate's own climax was but a second or three behind and then she was grinding her crotch into his, the sexual energy crackling between them like a summer storm at sea, all mere inches above the helpless Second Mates staring eyes. She would get them for this! She would throw them both, naked and bound, into the prison in Port Royal! She would lash them to the sides of the ship and let the dolphins fuck them! She would sell the two of them out to the French! Or she'd make sure the Captain found out what this felt like and then she'd come up with some new and exquisite torture for that traitorous bitch, Twat! The Captain pulled out and dribbled on to Mounds' face. She felt him get off the bunk. Twat bent down and licked up what had dribbled. She put a hand into her crotch and brought it out, covered with both her and the Captain. She wiped a thin patch of it beneath Mounds' nose. "Two for one, me darlin', just thought I'd be payin' ye back with some interest." "MMMMMmmmMMmmmmMMMmmmmM!" "I know, me darlin', hell of a turn-on, ain't it now?" "MMmmMMM! Her blindfold was lowered back into place. Relaxing the tightness of her stretching, the Captain had enough slack to get between her legs and begin to tease her cunny with his tongue. A warmth was building in Mounds which could not be denied. The Second Mate was not a weak woman and already she found herself wondering if it were possible for her to break her bonds. Wouldn't that surprise her two depraved companions? But as she struggled she realized it was not to be. Twat was fastened on to the front of her body like a second skin, straddling her, caressing every inch of her that she touched with any part of her full figure, her mouth nursing at Mounds breast softly, sweetly, like a child recovering from a fright, but combined with the rest of her motion it became the innocence of the child of Satan himself, seducing the mother that bore her. Tears were streaming from Mounds eyes and her hips had lost all semblance of control from the assault of her lovers upon her body. A moaning sob came from beneath the ball gag and it was this sound that signaled to her two tormentors it was time to begin the final step. The Captain kept up his teasing of her sopping cunt as Twat put on her rig. When she was ready, he released the ties on her legs and scooted beneath her, turning her to lie face down upon him. He held his dick down with his hand as she rubbed her hairy warmth all over him, trying to find it so that she could sink herself upon it. When she had calmed and he was no longer in danger of her bending it in half in her frenzy he slid it home and her orgasms began. Twat removed the 'mystery' from the Second Mate's ass and slathered generous amounts of lubrication on her smallest cock. "Hold her Cap'n, it's goin' in." The Captain brought his lower legs up, out and to the sides, over her calves and held her tightly to his chest, whispering in her ear "Alright now, Mounds me love, relax and help this happen". Twat slowly and with great tenderness and care eased the very tip of the strap-on into her lover's ass. The level of Mounds' whimpering grew louder and Twat froze. "Moan once for 'stop and pull it out', twice for 'that feels nice, keep going', me darlin'," he told her. "MMMmmmm... mmmMMmm." "Two moans, clearly two moans, keep goin' Twat!" The tiny First Mate continued the push, gradual, slow, an eighth of an inch at a time, stopping often, watching for signs that her lover was in pain or distress. Finally she was all the way in. "Alright Cap'n my love, first in, first out, take it real slow and easy." As he pulled out, he could see the muscles of Twat's legs tense as she hunched over the ass in front of her. Pushing back in, he saw her easing out and within three strokes they had found their rhythm, working the Second Mate between them like two children licking the same piece of stick candy. For her part, Mounds was insensible, her body now only a vessel for her cunny and her ass, her climaxes rippling through her like a pennant flag snapping on a windy day. Back and forth she rocked between the bodies of her lovers as the minutes passed. As her body grew more tired the cadence of her moans changed and it sounded to the Captain like maybe it was important, so he popped the clasp on her ball gag. "iloveyouiloveyouiloveyouiloveyou" With that the Captain could hold back no longer and his own climax threw his head back into his pillow, mouth open and eyes rolled back as he emptied himself into her. Twat, seeing this, gently withdrew from Mounds' ass and shucked the harness. Scooting to the end of the bunk she positioned herself and then rolled the Second Mate off the Captain, turning her until she was lying face down in Twat's juicy-sweet. Mounds would not have recognized her own name, but she knew what was in front of her and what to do with it. She latched on to it and nursed on it as the First Mate had nursed upon her breast. Soon Twat was screaming out her orgasm as well. The Second Mate rolled over, resting her head on Twat's thigh. "You... were... right... that's... amazing... but... it takes... a lot... of work... to get... there..." "I agree," panted Twat, "not your everyday meal but every so often, it's a damn fine treat." "Yeah... treat." "What next," asked the Captain? "Your turn," his crewmates said in unison. ------- Harry and Margo were making out on the couch when the delivery driver with their Chinese food rang the doorbell. Carol slipped on her t-shirt, grabbed the money and went to get the door. ------- Kelly Culberson delivered Chinese food to help pay for college. She'd seen some strange things, but unlike every piece of bad porn ever written, she'd never had a naked woman, or naked man for that matter, open the door. She'd never been offered sex as a tip, been drug into someone's place and ravished, never been swept off her feet and taken away from the humdrum life of a delivery driver... ok, maybe that last one was a fantasy of hers, not the product of bad porn, but it had still never happened. The door opened. "Lotus Hunan, I'm here with your delivery-" ------- As Carol opened the door she saw before her an attractive black girl, slender build but with moderate-sized breasts, a decent ass, wearing jeans, a blue 'Lotus Hunan' shirt and a Texas A&M baseball cap to keep her long straightened hair out of her face. It was her heart-shaped face with its full cheeks and green eyes that grabbed Carol's attention. ------- The door gets opened by a cute little white girl wearing quite obviously nothing but a t-shirt, there's a water pipe out in plain view and the smell of ganja rolls out the door in a faint but perceivable fog. "-but I don't know if I can let you have this food." She smiled a large, friendly, "I'm-just-fucking-with-you" smile. "See, under Article Four, Sub-Paragraph Twelve of the Delivery Driver's Code, I'm not allowed to leave food with people who might be hungry due to their usage of illicit pharmaceuticals as that could make me an accessory after and before the fact." Carol looked over at Harry, who Kelly couldn't see, with a questioning look. He smiled and shrugged as if to say "go ahead". "Oh please, Ms. Delivery Driver," Carol said, "let me have the food." "I don't know... the DDC says-" Carol dropped to her knees on the rug before Kelly. She put her hands around Kelly's ankle and slowly began to caress up her leg. "Please Ms. Driver-" "Kelly." "Please Ms. Kelly-" "Just Kelly." "Please Kelly; I'll do almost anything if you let me have the food." Carol looked up at her as her hands stroked past her knee and headed upwards, licking her lips. "Almost anything." As she approached Kelly's crotch she felt her tense, so she steered around it and ran her hands up the neutral areas at the sides, then slowly stood, her eyes locked with Kelly's as she kept her body pressed tightly to the surprised young woman's. Her voice dropped to a throaty whisper. "You can't imagine how-" she stared down to Kelly's breasts "-hungry I am, Kelly. You can't be so mean as to make me go hungry, can you?" Kelly's eye flickered, ever so slightly, barely perceptibly, to the open door. Never breaking eye contact, Carol eased over, with Kelly following, and closed the door. Carol stood on her tip toes and sniffed her victim's neck and ears. "Mmmm, Kelly," she whispered, "you smell good." "I smell hot and sweaty, it's a hundred and-" "Shhhh, you smell good to me. You smell good enough to eat." And Carol took the front of Kelly's shirt, brought the spellbound driver down to her level and gently bit her on her bottom lip. She ran her tongue along her jaw line up to her ear and said, "Do you want me to eat you, Kelly?" "I- I want... you to take off... that shirt." With movements like a belly dancer she brought her arms together and seemingly the shirt shrugged itself off, over her head. Kelly stared in amazement. "Anything else, Kelly, or do I get to eat you now?" "Th-the c-c-collar." Carol put her arms around Kelly's neck and guided her to a sitting position on the floor. She straddled her, pressing herself close, and then murmured in her ear. "Sorry Princess, you may be-" she ran her tongue along Kelly's neck "-mmmm, one of the fairest in the land, but that's the 'almost' in 'almost anything'. Think of that collar like Excalibur-" she licked her way down the front of Kelly's shirt, unbuttoning three buttons as she went "-and you're not King Arthur." "Who i-is Arthur?" "Him." Carol motioned with her head towards the couch, previously hidden by the open door. Kelly turned and saw a young white couple, both naked and sitting sprawled, open legged. The guy was handsome enough although nothing to give any movie star or bodybuilder a run for their money and the woman was quite lovely. She was stroking his erect cock and he had his hand in her crotch as they watched, smiling. "What are they doing over there? Who are-" "Shhhh, Kelly, you don't have to worry about a thing," Carol said, returning Kelly's attention to her, "they're just watching. You probably never would have noticed them but you asked who Arthur was and I told you. You don't have a thing to worry about from them, Princess; you need to worry about me." Carol unhooked the front of Kelly's bra and freed her breasts to fall loose. Somehow, while Kelly wasn't watching her shirt had been unbuttoned all the way down, and this little temptress had undone her jeans. "I, uh, I need to get what you, uh, owe and go." In a flash Carol was on her knees, money in her hand, eyes still locked with Kelly's. "Kelly, are you very, very sure-" she licked her lips "-you need to go? I mean, if you have to..." Kelly found herself on her knees in front of Carol, lifting her face up into a kiss. "Well, it is a slow afternoon at the restaurant; take me, I'm yours," she murmured into Carol's open mouth. As the two beauties locked in a kiss and embrace, Margo whispered to Harry, "How the hell does she do that?" Harry responded, "Don't ask me, maybe it's because no one's ever told her she can't do that." "I wish I had that kind of power over anyone." "You do my love, you have it over me." "I do not." "Yes you do, go ahead and try." Margo sat up and faced Harry, capturing his attention with her eyes. "Harry, if I have that kind of power over you-" she licked his lips and leaned back "-then cum for me." The hand she had been stroking his dick with felt the eruption rocketing through him. She turned to look and saw the ropes of semen fountain out, falling back to cover her hand and his crotch. "Told you." Back on the floor, Kelly was oblivious to everything but Carol, who had her stripped down and was kissing her way back and forth from breast to breast, nipple to nipple. "So... do you do this... to all your... delivery... drivers?" Carol stopped, looked up at her. "Oh no, just the ones that look like you do when my eyes are closed." "What do I look like... with your eyes closed?" "You're naked-" "Big surprise there." "Shhhh, you're naked, your hair is natural, long and braided into hundreds of braids that hang down the back of your head, colored with red clay, you're holding a spear half again as tall as you are, you're adorned with beads of amber and bracelets of gold and tattooed all over your body with exquisite and intricate designs and you're the most regal and beautiful African princess in the world. That's what I see when I close my eyes." "You know, I could get in a lot of trouble with you," Kelly said, kissing the palms of Carol's hands. Carol kissed and nibbled her way down the young woman's belly to her crotch. "Trouble?" she murmured as she began to lick Kelly's pussy. "Why, whatever could you mean, Princess?" Kelly laid back and snagged a pillow to put under her head. This had turned into the oddest delivery of her career. She snickered under her breath. Okay, maybe this sort of thing did happen outside of bad porn stories. Carol felt her victim's legs wrap around her head, dark, jet flesh surrounding her. Something about this girl, this woman, she awoke Carol's slumbering urge to take and possess and bend to her will, what Carol had always jokingly thought of as her masculine side. She licked down her damp and puffy slit, kissing out to the sides and tasting the sweat, clamping her lips down upon the succulence of the tender inner thigh in front of her and sucking on it, marking it, feeling Kelly writhe and moan beneath her as she did. If her strap-on was within reach she'd have this beauty bent over a pile of cushions and be fucking Kelly like Harry sometimes fucked Carol, hard and fast and merciless. Kelly was reeling. The effects of the assault this little devil-woman was making on her pussy was like nothing she'd ever felt before. She was in no position to analyze all the factors that might be contributing to it although she felt their audience wasn't hurting at all, but this girl was coming on like a guy. Kelly really wouldn't be surprised if she magically somehow grew a dick and then fucked Kelly till her brain exploded. Carol raised her head and climbed up over Kelly's supine body to squat over her face. Taking Kelly by the hair, she pulled her face into her musky wetness. "Eat me, Princess." Kelly began to lick her, nibbling on occasion, sucking often. This woman tasted good, better than either of the other girls she'd experimented with. She had found her experimentations enough to open her to further exploration, but not enough for her to change her mental orientation from 'heterosexual'. In the space of a half hour, this little lunatic had her as a card-carrying bisexual and a damned eager one. As she sucked on her clit, Carol began to bear down in time with her sucking, fucking her mouth as if she had a dick. Kelly found herself wishing the woman could grow one. Carol lifted off her and lay atop her, licking her juices off Kelly's face. "What's... your... name?" Kelly asked. "Carol, pleased to eat you." "Kelly, pleased to eat you too." Then Carol moved back and began grinding their crotches together. "Princess, would you like to smoke with me," she asked, "or do you have some illusion of getting back to work this afternoon?" "Fuck work, I was only on till five anyway. I'd love to burn some with you." They moved across the room and got comfortable. As Carol was loading the pipe, Kelly dug around underneath her, trying to find what she was sitting on, eventually pulling up a long blue two-headed dildo. "Lookee here what I found! Just what the doctor ordered to keep you and I happy and healthy while we partake of the herb!" She throated one end of the toy, leaving it wet with saliva and slipped it in her without any trouble. "Oops, it's already really wet down there, guess I didn't need to worry about lubrication." She smiled lasciviously. Carol smiled and fired up the pipe. Positioning herself opposite Kelly she bent her end of the toy to her cunt and it slid right in. "Me either," she said. They smoked and Kelly slowly moved the dildo back and forth between them. As she looked over at the couch, Harry and Margo were locked in an embrace, kissing and holding each other. "You want to ask Arthur and Guinevere if they want some smoke... or something else?" she asked Carol, smiling mischievously as she rubbed her clit. "No Princess, leave them be. She's leaving tonight and we don't know when we'll see her again. I'm trying to let them have some time." They smoked and played with themselves in silence for awhile. Kelly finally broke the quiet. "So the three of you?" "Uh huh, the three of us; messy, sappy, romantic love." "And yet you're here with me and we've been doing what we've been doing..." "Don't be silly, Princess, this isn't love, this is lust." "Damn straight, now if that bowl is done, come here and let's relieve some of that lust." On the couch, Harry and Margo held each other, gazing into each other's eyes. "I'm serious, Harry. Trust her instincts implicitly. When I come back if shit's gotten bad, I'm going to know you didn't listen to her." "Margo, relax and don't worry so much. Her track record is perfect, as far as I'm concerned, and I'm going to stop placing bets against her in the opening minutes. I thought she was crazy when she asked about the delivery girl. Show's what I know." "You know, we could go and join them over at the pipe, Harry, I don't think Kelly would mind at all." "Do you want to go over there?" "Honestly, no. But I didn't know if maybe you did." "Margo, if you weren't leaving tonight..." "Yeah, same here, she is a sweet looking girl..." On the floor Carol had Kelly's butt up on some pillows and was sucking on her clit while fucking her with the dildo, stabbing her with it as if it were a knife. Kelly, head on the floor and buried between Carol's thighs, was making all the noise of a very happy woman who was getting happier by the minute. As the two pleasured one another, it seemed not so much an erotic dance as Carol taking Kelly and making Kelly her own. As she shuddered through another orgasm, she moved from on top of Kelly. "Time to switch, Princess." "Right, babe." And they changed positions, now Carol had her face buried in Kelly's pussy while Kelly sucked on her clit and stabbed her with the toy. Carol brought her legs up and around, locking them above Kelly's back. Kelly found her head surrounded by warm and tasty flesh. It was almost enough to distract her from her somewhat militant assault on Carol's cunt but she wouldn't be deterred... the soft plump thighs brushed the side of her head and as she licked Carol her teeth longed to bite them... she felt what she thought was a thumb, playing with her pussy while Carol licked it... the thigh brushing her face... a finger stroking her ass... pussy... thigh... finger... and like a lightning bolt a wet thumb shot up her butt! She whipped her head around and bit Carol's inner thigh. The two of them shuddered and cried together, collapsing onto the floor and laying there as they rode out their orgasms. Then they curled up in each others arms and laughed together. As they lay there, exhausted, Harry and Margo came in with the reheated Chinese food and bottles of water. "Hope you like Kung Pao Chicken or Sesame Chicken, Kelly," Harry said. "We haven't been introduced. I'm-" "Arthur and she's Guinevere. And if those aren't your real names I don't want to know that right now." "Okaaaaaay... so, dig in if you're hungry." "Famished and I'm pleased to meet you." The four of them sat and ate, naked, the smell of sex almost as strong in the air as the smell of pot, talking with each other, getting to know each other... ------- "Alright, I've got to go. Listen, anytime you guys want Chinese food during the day, Monday through Wednesday, or on Friday or Saturday night, you call Lotus Hunan and you ask for me. If I'm out on a run, call my cell, Carol has the number." She kissed the short woman deeply. "And if you want Chinese when I'm not working, call me on the cell and I'll go get you your Chinese," she looked at all of them seductively, "or whatever else you want." With that she sauntered out the door. "Whoa," said Margo, "is it just me, or did her leaving lower the level of heat in here by about fifteen degrees?" "She is hot," agreed Harry. "So how is she, you evil little tart?" "Beyond the valley of the majorly Yummy," Carol answered. "So, you just opened the door and had a good feeling about her?" "No sir, I opened the door and I wanted her. She started kidding me and I was going to have her, short of her saying 'No'. I got a taste of her skin and I'm not sure even 'No' would've stopped me." "But there was a good feeling in there somewhere?" asked Harry. "Please tell me we didn't just watch you and Jill the Ripper fuck in our living room." "Oh, no sir, she's good people. The good feeling just wasn't the first thing that hit me." She smiled. "Although, if it'll make you feel any better, I don't have that kind of reaction to people I don't get good feelings off of or at least, I haven't yet." "Ah, well, that eases my mind." Harry lay down and put his head in Carol's lap. Margo began to stroke his thighs. "So, Baby Girl, what was with going all butch on her?" "Mmmm," Carol said as Harry kissed her thigh, "I wondered that myself. I don't know, but whatever it was, it was powerful and it was in charge. Next time I see her, I better have that strap-on handy because she and I are going to fuck, no question about it." "So you think we'll see Kelly again?" asked Harry from her lap. Two beautiful faces looked at him with expressions of cynical disbelief. "Did he really ask that question?" "Well Carol, Harry always was a slow child." "Margo, I blame it on his drug use." ------- Harry sighed. If there was a time to be tense and a little wary of what was coming, he was rapidly approaching it. While he had found the ceiling beams and mounted the hardware in them, he had been able to ignore what he was preparing for but now the swing was hung and two women were looking at him expectantly. "C'mon Cap'n darlin'," said Twat, "I'll be the one steerin' an' you've heard no complaints about me abilities." "Mmmm, no you haven't," chimed in Mounds, "trust me Cap'n, she'll treat you gentle." It was the buzzing of the 'mystery' in his butt that decided it once and for all. "If we're gonna string me up, let's be about it," he said. He would have felt much better without the gleams of evil glee in the eyes of his crewmates. ------- Even with his hands bound behind his back, the swing was incredibly comfortable and the physical and emotional stresses of the preceding days had caused him to drift into a semi-doze as he hung face-down, supported by its straps. He awoke when someone released his legs and pivoting at the hips, they hit the floor, leaving him almost kneeling. They'd blindfolded him as he napped and as he came awake the ball gag was put in his mouth and buckled behind his head. It was an intriguing feeling, most of his weight supported, unable to see, unable to speak, unable to move his hands, at the mercy of two beautiful, but wicked, women... he found himself trying to feel outside of his body, striving to extend his nerves by force of will alone. The Captain had never really been aware of how much he relied on his eyes before but now with them darkened his world had changed dramatically. His nostrils grasped for every smell, his ears for every sound no matter how faint or insignificant. It was his ears that found them first. In front of him, skin caressing skin, breath, two people breathing, the breaths becoming husky, sounded like kissing, there was a little moan, Mounds he thought, sucking noises, oh, that was Twat, he knew that moan, his First Mate was having her nipples sucked, his cock was hardening, the sounds were edging closer, almost right below his head he heard it, a smooth wet noise, continuing in a rhythm, flesh slapping, his dick was painfully erect as he realized that Twat was fucking his Second Mate, right there below him, yes, he could smell it now, their perfumes, their passions, they were moving around, shifting, what... Oh... OH... Mounds must be on her hands and knees while Twat took her from behind because she had wrapped her lips around his cock... OH... he wanted to thrust into her mouth, he pushed with his feet and the chain behind him clanked as he took up the minimal slack that was in it... he couldn't go any further forward... they were laughing and he didn't care, he was straining against the chain, his wet cock cooling in the air... they were fucking just out of reach... God's mercy, they were cruel... he heard Mounds' excitement rising, rising quickly... and there she went, oh, she sounded so beautiful when she came... "Now eat me, wench", Twat's voice... wet slurping sounds... he was humping the air... Twat was coming, he knew those cries... they were laying there... sounded like they were kissing... "That was luscious, Twat, but I'm hungry"... "Aye, me as well"... they left... he was still humping at nothing... They came back from the galley... fruit... strawberries... apples... pears... rum... the blindfold was lifted, just giving him a thin slit to see through but his eyes clung to it like a drowning man clung to a spar... the two most gorgeous wenches in the world sat on the floor, legs wide open, cunts on display, cutting up fruit, passing the bottle of rum back and forth... and then they started eating... slowly... sensually... sucking each piece into their mouths, juices running down their chins... it was agony... it was torture... licking the juices from each other's faces... Twat and Mounds moved closer... the smells grew stronger... they were just a foot in front of him... surely he could stretch a chain one bleeding foot... Twat started it, vile Twat, depraved Twat... she collected some of her own moistness on two fingers... grabbed a piece of pear with them... offered it to Mounds... the Second Mate took the pear and drew both fingers into her mouth and sucked on them... "Mmmm"... He would get them for this! He would cut them and drag them behind the ship as shark bait! He'd give them as slaves to the Taino tribesmen! He'd sell the two of them out to the French! Or he'd put much thought and planning into a suitable revenge. Something devious, something low, something perverted... It dawned on the Captain that the whimpering that was assailing his ears was his own. Behind the ball gag he was in misery, watching as his two loves exchanged tastes of themselves and fruit... yet it went on... and on... as if his cock's pain was not sufficient, every so often one of them would caress it briefly... and they licked... kissed... sucked... ate... it seemed something was shaking him... "Me thinks he's ready," said Twat. "Me thinks he's damn near unconscious," said Mounds. The First Mate stood up, lowered his blindfold back into position and went around behind him, buckling on her harness. "How long do you think he'll last once you get that in him?" "I'm not sure he'll last until it's all the way in," Twat replied. The Second Mate got into position, ready to wrap her loving lips around his cock. Above her the Captain trembled and behind the blindfold his eyes were glassy marbles. The First Mate oiled up her shaft and then slowly pulled the 'mystery' out of his hole. There was a brief spasm when it was finally out but then he settled back down to his normal quivering. "Ready?" Twat asked. "Ready" Mounds put her lips around his cock, not really touching it. Twat grabbed his hips and brought the tip of her tool to the puckered target. She poured a little more oil on the area and slowly pressed the tip against the hole. The Captain's whimpers raised half an octave but he stopped pulling forward and relaxed in his place. Taking it as a good sign, Twat pressed it in, even more carefully than she had with Mounds, easing it in so slowly that her progress was almost imperceptible until she was halfway in where she paused to rest and relax the tension from her legs and thighs. The Captain's feet were trying to pull him backwards, towards her and deeper penetration so she once again moved it in, more confidently. As for his part, the Captain was lost in sensation. There had been pain, but now the pain was gone and there was the most interesting and delightful feeling of fullness in his bottom. It was like the 'mystery' but better and as it finally was in all the way it was very good and it pulled out and there was something, someone putting their mouth around his OH sucking his dick and it was mostly out and coming back in and the sucking was with the fucking and it was all the same rhythm and he was coming and he kept coming and there wasn't anything left to come but he really didn't get soft because the mouth was so warm and felt so good and his ass and she kept fucking him and he... she... there was some... and... time... and he was getting sort of hard... and he was coming and it wasn't much and it was starting to hurt, his dick was... and she stopped sucking... and she stopped fucking him... And he was crying... because it was over... And he was on the floor and they were holding him and stroking his face... And he still couldn't catch his breath... But that got better... "That... was... incredible... me thinks... I came... blood..." "No darlin', no blood, I woulda tasted it," said Mounds. "Oh you're a pair o' evil bitches and I loves ye more than I can say." ------- After showers for the three of them, they were laying on the bed when Harry's phone rang. Carol hopped up and got it. "Harry Grime's phone, Carol speaking... hello Ms. Pinard, yes, he's right here... I'll put him on... well, it appears I will be... well thank you, Karen, I will... alright, here he is..." Harry took the phone, shaking his head. "Hello Karen, how's everything at the salt mine? Good... well, I was planning on it... yes, she told you a little white lie... severely hung over... yes, yes Karen, as you so delicately put it, we've been boning our brains out... well I'm glad too... I'll pass that along to her... well if you're sure... I'll be in Tuesday for the Scott meeting, Wednesday for the De Freitas meeting... well, we'll have to talk about that when I'm in... I may swing by to introduce you two tomorrow afternoon... alright, take care, Sappho... yes, I know I haven't called you that in months... goodbye." "Carol, Karen says she owes you dinner at whatever restaurant your heart desires." "Why?" "I think it has something to do with me sounding like I'm alive, as opposed to the zombie she's been carrying as a partner the last six months. She's very appreciative." "Hmm, I'll have to think on that." "And what did she ask you about?" "Oh, whether I was going to be answering your phone from now on. If I was, I should call her Karen." ------- The three lovers went to sleep; Harry and Margo curled up around Carol. Sometime in the night, Margo got up, got dressed, wrote her beloveds a note and drove away. ------- Chapter 7 "My Beloved Harry, My Precious Carol, It's 3 AM and I have to go. Please believe me when I say this is the hardest goodbye I've ever skipped out on. If I stayed to say it face-to-face, I'm not sure I could go. Know in your hearts I will see you again. Know in your hearts I will come home to you. My love is with you always, entwined with your souls, Margo" ------- Carol awoke to the smell of coffee. Straightening her collar she walked into the kitchen to find Harry at the table. He stared out the window like a lost soul, one hand limp on the table next to the cup of coffee and bottle of Jack Daniels. The note was held in his other seemingly lifeless hand. She took the note and read it. She stepped in front of him and knelt, putting her head at eye level. "I kept hoping she'd change her mind, that all our talking of her leaving would change her mind," he muttered, still staring at a thousand bleak miles of nothing. "Harry, baby, you knew it wouldn't. If that would've changed her mind, she wouldn't be the woman we love. I tell you what, let's get buzzed and spend all day fucking and cuddling. I know we'll feel better after that." His eyes focused and he looked at her, a smile starting to spread across his face. "Oh babe, that does sound like a hell of a plan and making love with you is the best cure for whatever ails me but we have things to do today. I'll be fine. How're you doing? Are you doing okay?" "No Harry, I'm just waiting my turn to miss her." "What do you mean?" "Well, you got up first, you found the note, you looked like a shattered pane of glass when I came in. I need to be together to see you through that. When I no longer need to be together, then I can miss her." "Could you stand a little 'missing her' time now?" "Yeah Harry," she said, the tears flowing down her cheeks, "if you're okay, I really could." He got down on the floor and held her as she cried, rocking her back and forth. And then they were crying together, rocking each other. To have found someone so dear and precious to them both only for her to be gone again left a massive aching emptiness and knowing that she was coming back didn't help at the moment. The step from there to Harry carrying his precious pet to the bedroom wasn't that far at all. He laid Carol on the bed and got in beside her as she turned on her side to face him. For a time they just lay there, gently touching each other, staring into each other's eyes. Then Harry eased down her body, pushing her to her back and opening her legs. He began to kiss her, her cunt lips, her clit, her inner thighs, licking and worshipping, slowly and lovingly. "Are you thinking of her?" she asked. "No Baby Girl," he replied, "I'm thanking God that you're here, you're mine and that you love me." "Oh sir, you know just how to melt my heart." And he continued to make love to her with his tongue, dreamily and gently, and she came for him, quietly and languorously and often. He took his time as he was in no hurry; away from that bed was a home without one of its family but between the legs of his precious he could for a time forget, at the same time showing the first most important woman in his life his love for her. He was safe with her and the part of him that needed comfort found it in her through a touch or being held in her arms or by lying between her thighs or making love to her. The essence of her, whatever it was, soothed him and healed him. When his mind would flicker to their world without their beloved Margo it would skitter back to the comfort of her and his making love to her continued. After quite some time had passed, she reached down and grabbed his hair and pulled on it. "Come up here sir, that's been most lovely, but now I want to do something for you." He moved up the bed to lie with his head beside hers. She faced him and kissed the end of his nose. "So Harry, how may I please you? What would you have me do? Who would you have me be?" "I want a slightly more romantic version of the first orgasm you ever gave me," he said, smiling. She thought back. "Oh, so you want it to be romantic and a hand job, hmm? Well, trust me, that's well within my abilities. You lay here and I'll be right back." She scurried about, lighting candles, off to the kitchen and back again with a bottle of oil in a pot of hot water and then there she was, getting into position between his legs, sitting tailor fashion, his legs over her hips. "Harry, we're going to have to get you some romantic ballads on CD," she said, and then she began to sing "Unforgettable", her beautiful voice sending chills of pleasure up Harry's spine. As she sang she poured the warm rose-fragranced oil, his first scent-memory of her, spiraling it out, leaving thin trails up and down his thighs and across his belly. She put the bottle back in the pot on the bedside table to keep it warm. She worked the oil into his skin, starting on his legs, easing the tension out of him, her every move an act of love. As she finished the song, Harry was looking at her with adoration and amazement. "Beloved, why would you know old romantic songs?" She smiled. "A previous owner of mine was an older gentleman. He had a taste for them and a very good record collection." "You mean real vinyl records?" "Yes sir, real vinyl records, over five thousand of them, with the sound system to play them as they were meant to be played. I like to sing and they were beautiful so I learned them." "Then I'll shut up and let you sing to your heart's content. They bring back memories of the music my parents used to play all the time." She brushed his cock with her hands. "Why sir, I hope I don't remind you of your parents!" "Not particularly, you silly girl, but the songs remind me of happy times in this house and that's always a good thing." As she returned to her work, "Chances Are" began to spill from her lips. She moved from his thighs to his abdomen and he closed his eyes, enjoying the conflicting currents in his body. As always, her touch excited him and now was no exception, his erection was a constant thing, faintly bobbing as she kneaded his flesh beneath her hands but yet that very effort of hers drained the tension from the area. He wanted to come but he was in no particular hurry and felt quite content to let things happen when they happened. He could spend the rest of his life just being held by her and consider it a life well-lived. Through "Night and Day" she smoothed away his concerns. As she finished "Stardust", she brought out the warm oil and poured it on and around his cock. As she started "Begin the Beguine" her hands were swirling through his pubic hair and up onto his shaft. Harry lay back and closed his eyes. When she'd done this before he'd watched enough to know the physical mechanics of how she performed her magic, but dwelling on that was to rob the act of some of its wonder and to ignore the great mysteries that enshrouded it. How could she know exactly where to lightly touch him for just a fraction of a second to heighten his arousal before he himself realized that was the spot? How could she know the moods and tempers of his cock better than him? Was she really anticipating his reactions or leading them? In the end, Harry just stopped thinking and let her play him like a harp. As her fingers and palms danced on his dick he rushed towards orgasm only to have her change the tempo and the torrent would recede then she would bring it on again and he knew this time there was no stopping it but there was as she danced away from the brink and he felt his hips relax and lower to the bed. Her hands felt so soft and so good and before he knew it there it was, the point of no return and he was almost there and this was it she'd let him come and no, no she wouldn't, there was no climax this time. He lay there in sweetest agony, wondering what it would feel like if he were truly restrained, if she were free to play his entire body and him helpless to prevent it? He stored in his mental 'playtime' folder and gave himself back to her manipulations as she slowly sang the Cranberries' "Dreams" and he prayed to God he never hurt this beautiful soul and when the song was finished she said "I love you Harry" and his hips came up off the bed, and she hadn't even had to really touch him to set it off and oh God he loved her and he wanted her and he needed her and she was his. Harry sank back into the bed, lying there with his eyes closed, feeling his heartbeat bounce his cock as it slowly went limp. "Ick, it's cold already. Harry, semen doesn't hold heat worth a damn." Harry giggled, then chuckled. Opening his eyes he saw her, dribbles of cum in her hair and on her face, which wore a disgusted look. With that the chuckles became gales of laughter and she crawled up from between his legs and rubbed her hair all over him and it was cold and it was icky and so when they were both finished laughing and rolling over the bed with each other they headed for the shower. ------- They got dressed, Carol putting her leash chain on and running it down her front and then around her waist through her belt loops, looping it through again in the front. "So sir, where all are we going today?" "Breakfast, and then by the office so I can introduce you to Karen and get the address of an architect and a home contractor we did some work for, then we need to go see them. By the time we're through with all that it'll be supper time, after that we need to find someone about the work that's going to be done in the back yard." "Excuse me Harry, architect, home contractor?" "Oh, didn't I tell you? We're adding on to and remodeling the master bath. Tub for... several... giant shower, bidet, two toilets, two sinks and vanities, another full closet. Perhaps more." "A-a-and the back yard?" "Well, of course the hot tub, but we also need a much higher and much more impenetrable fence and you need to decide the size and shape of the pool, although I hope you can leave all the trees I have back there. The shade's really nice." One minute he was talking. The next he was on the floor on his back with a woman fucking his mouth with her tongue. What happened in-between he was never quite sure. ------- Karen Pinard took a moment to savor the change she'd heard in Harry's voice as she ate her lunch at her desk. He'd never know how sure she was that he was going to kill himself, either actively or just by losing focus on the road one night and piling into a convenient bridge embankment. She'd started emotionally distancing herself from him so it wouldn't hurt so much when he did. It wasn't that she didn't care or hadn't tried to bring him out of the despair he'd sunk into when that bitch gutted him. She'd tried to reach him, tried to find a spark of the man who'd been her friend since college and her business partner since the two of them had started their agency on a shoestring and a Visa card out of a tiny office in a strip mall nine years before. She couldn't find that spark. It didn't seem that he was dying so much as it seemed he'd already died and just hadn't lain down yet. It had ripped her apart to watch him diminish, day by day, as if he were receding in the distance while still right there with her. She was the one friend Angie hadn't pulled him away from and she raged at her helplessness. And the only reason Angie hadn't tried was that she was a greedy little whore and Karen was half of 'G & P's magic. Well, that and Angie knew that Karen would rip her in half, tie her hands together and use her for a jump-rope. At 5'5", 239 lbs someone might expect Karen Pinard to be overweight. And if it wasn't all muscle, she might've been. Built on a stocky German frame she had realized early on that the Good Fairy was never going to wave a magic wand and make her slim and willowy. If she was going to be a brick, she was going to be a brick with power. She exercised regularly, practiced Tae-Kwon-Do, performed strength training and always ate her Wheaties. With a clever job of tailoring, her suits could hide most of the evidence that she could break pretty much whomever she met. It helped in business if the clients weren't terrified. She really only had one vice. She liked to drink and it was something she had to keep tight reins on. Harry would never know that her concern for him and the drinking she'd done in her own despair had been the tiny straw that finally overloaded her latest romantic road-wreck of a relationship. Not that it would have lasted much longer anyway, but the last six months with Harry had punched the ticket early. No great loss in the long run. It was an affair doomed to failure before it began. Almost all of her relationships were. Patricia was just the latest in the long line of women who'd wanted more of Karen's life than she had to give. Still, Karen would miss her... until the next road-wreck. When Carol had called Thursday morning, Karen's first thought had been that Harry had had an accident, that maybe the final act of the opera was beginning and her character was finally to sing her aria. She was the last companion of the hero whose part it was to mourn his passing while stalking into the forest, seeking the witch that had taken his life, there to end hers with much Wagnerian Sturm und Drang. She was ready to play that role. She owed him that. The dream of 'G & P' had been hers, but the drive to make it real, belief in the dream enough for both of them, hell even the Visa card, those had been Harry's. She wasn't sure how the opera would have ended. She had hoped that she'd emerge out of the woods victorious and lay the witch's head upon Harry's tomb... but there was also the ending, most un-operatic, where she underwent a costume change into an orange jumpsuit and spent the rest of her life in a dungeon. That would've sucked and she was just as glad she'd not had to find out which ending she would have gotten. But since last night, instead of worrying about such things an instant longer, she was worrying about this new woman, this Carol, breaking his heart. ------- As they drove to his office, Harry told her the story. "So there we were, I was a stoner with a modern lit degree, completely un-hirable, and she had a marketing degree. She had a dream of a small advertising agency, just a little one to handle little clients, enough to make a living off of, but not much more. Nobody in the field would hire her, she had no money and she had given up." "We're sitting there, drunk off our ass on cheap tequila one night and I told her I had a little money, about $4500 courtesy of my grandfather's will and a Visa card with almost nothing on it and a decent credit line. We could start our own agency on that. I had to talk her into it like five times because she was so drunk she kept forgetting she'd agreed. So here's this messy drunk lesbian body builder hugging all over me, telling me she'd fuck me if I were a girl, I'm telling her I'd fuck her if I were a girl, we both cry a little because I'm not a girl." "Next morning I've got to come on like a Marine Corp D.I., all while I've got one of the five worst hangovers of my life, to get her out to find office space. I knew if we didn't move immediately, she'd never move at all. The first nine months we were so far under, it was she and I and my puppy all living in an efficiency, eating Mac & Cheese and Ramen Noodles and I still can't look at either. Thank God we were too busy and too broke for a love life because that would have gotten real embarrassing. After nine months, we had a party with a whole bottle of cheap champagne because we could afford a two bedroom and I could stop waking up about four times a week in the very tight grip of a body-builder having an amorous dream. I imagine she got a little tired of my morning wood getting lodged in her ass crack. We were both really fucking tired of Chipper's gas. Evidently, pasta of any kind didn't agree with him." "By the end of the first year, we maybe could have afforded separate apartments... maybe, but we were used to each other and so kept living with each other for another four years. I'd have to watch her spend way too much time with her free weights all over the house while she had to watch me sit on the porch, smoking dope and eating Captain Crunch. Then my parents died, Nicki didn't want the house, I kept it. G & P landed it's first major account, the company was finally, solidly, in the black, we and the staff, all five of them, went out to Persian Gulf Surf Club to celebrate. That's the night I met Angie. I moved into Mom and Dad's place, Karen got a condo. Angie and I starting dating, six months later we were married. G & P's done well ever since, although as I said earlier, she's been carrying Harry the Amazing Zombie for the last six months." "I owe her more than I could ever repay her, Beloved. For so long she was the only friend I had left. I know she'll like you." ------- When they got to the office, half a floor, 6,400 square feet, Harry breezed in to the receptionist. "Afternoon Rhonda, you look lovely today, any clients around?" "Uh, uh, uh-" "Rhonda, if you don't remember how to speak we're going to have to send you to special classes... again. You remember last time, electro-shock, ice baths, strait-jackets... ze injeckzions?" "No Mr. Grimes, no clients." "Thank you Rhonda. Rhonda, meet Carol, the light of my life and song of my heart. She'll be around from now on. Is the radiant Sappho in her office?" "Yes Mr. Grimes." "Thank you, Rhonda." Harry headed down a hallway and began singing loudly as he went forward into a handstand then over onto his feet and forward into another handstand on so on down the hall. "Sunshine... on my shoulders... makes my skiiiin peel. Sunshine... in my eyes... will make me bliiiiiind. Sunshine... on the water... causes boooooat wrecks. Sunshine... almost all the time... fries my miiiiiiind." Out of her office Karen came like a bull rushing a matador. "Harry! If you keep slaughtering that beautiful song I'm going to tie you into a tiny knot and use you for a soccer ball!" "Ah," Harry said, finishing his last rotation and leaping up into the air sideways, "the radiant Sappho descendeth from her bower in fair Lesbos' hills to take unto her muscular bosom her one and only..." Karen reached out and caught him in her arms. "ASSHOLE!" came the yell from many voices, all around them. Carol realized that she was in the middle of a ritual, a joyous celebration of... something... that had not occurred in such a long time. All the employees within hearing were out of their offices or up in their cubicles, watching and smiling and laughing. "All right galley slaves," Harry said, "back to the oars. Don't forget, the company picnic is loosely scheduled for the first weekend we can reasonably expect a high of only about 80 degrees. Once again for your entertainment I will be risking my life to wrestle Karen and this year, I just know I'm going to... lose again." He turned to look at the short woman supporting him effortlessly. "Hi, snookums. Love me? Miss me? Wanna throw me out a window?" Karen looked at him, her eyes filling with moisture. She kissed him on the cheek tenderly. "Yes, yes, not today." "Oh good, it would've spoiled my dinner plans. Karen Pinard, Carol Riley. Carol, go let Karen threaten you while I dig through my Rolodex." Karen let him down to the floor. He threw his arms around her neck and whispered, "It's ok, Sappho, I'm going to be alright. I'm sorry you had to carry me." "It's okay Harry, if I hadn't been so worried I'd of happily carried you for a lot longer than 6 short months." "I love you too, Sappho." He headed into his office. "Come in Carol, let's talk." Carol followed Karen into her office. A wall of art from various ad campaigns, a full bookshelf, a rack with chrome free weights, and a desk covered with paperwork. "Have a seat, Carol." "So Karen, this is when you threaten me if I hurt Harry, right?" "Pretty much." "Then I'll go you one better. If I hurt Harry maliciously, with intent," Carol said, standing up and leaning on Karen's desk, locking eyes with her, "I expect you to take me out where my body will never be found and hurt me as badly as you can for as long as you can keep me alive. I don't much care what you do to my body after I leave it." Staring into her eyes, Karen could see that Carol was serious. "Now Karen, if I hurt him unintentionally, without malice, I'll ask you to get the full story before you hurt me, and let the full story determine how much you hurt me. Notice, I didn't say whether you hurt me, merely how much. Fair enough?" "Fair enough." "Karen, how open-minded are you?" "Reasonably, I'm a liberal Democrat lesbian business owner." "Hmm, interesting mix... you know Harry's friend Margo?" "Yeah, one of the one's Angie had him dump. Why?" "Well, Harry and I aren't so much a couple as we're two-thirds of a trio." Karen sat back and Carol began to fill her in. ------- By the time she finished, Harry had joined them. Karen came around her desk and hugged the two of them. "It's about goddamn time. And the same as far as Margo's concerned. I mean, it's not exactly my cup of tea, but look at my track record and tell me I know anything about relationships." "Patricia gone?" "Yeah Harry, it was bound to happen sooner or later. With this job and my own personal obsessions, I just don't have time for a real person. I wonder, do they make inflatable lesbians?" "Karen, you wanted to talk to me about cutting back my schedule so I could have a life outside of this office. So I wouldn't neglect it like I did with Angie. Well pot, kettle calling, check your damn skin tone." "But Harry, we have so much to do-" "Then let's sit down and figure out how much it will take for us to keep everybody and provide for ourselves comfortably and take on not much more business than that would require, or let's hire some executive level help. Lord knows we have the business to justify it now. If we expand anymore, we'll have to hire someone at that level anyway. Let's just go ahead and do it and have lives." He took Karen by the shoulders and looked deep into her eyes. "Sappho, please believe me, I'm re-discovering how important a life is. Don't wait any longer to do the same. We'll turn the headhunters loose tomorrow, hell, get on the phone and turn them loose this afternoon. Then get the fuck out of here, go find Patricia, ask her to give you another chance and tell her how things are going to be different and make them different. Please, don't wait another day to be happy, not another hour, not another minute." "This her doing?" she asked, nodding towards Carol. "Yep, it is." "Then I not only owe her dinner anywhere she wants, I owe her much more. Okay Harry, I'll call the headhunters." Harry hugged his old friend tightly to him. "Okay, I've got business to tend to and then we need to jet." He went to Carol, "Play along with me, angel" and put an envelope in each sleeve, one in the front of her pants and one in each boot. "Come with me." As they exited Karen's office he began yelling. "OH, THE CARSON COOTIES ACCOUNT! I'VE GOT IT, I'VE GOT THE ANGLE! I KNOW WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO!" Carol heard a woman tell someone on the phone, "I've got to go, the boss is inspired, big office brainstorming meeting and you'll have to call back." "CARSON COOTIES, THE BANE OF OUR EXISTENCE, I'VE GOT IT, THE ACCOUNT FROM HELL, I'VE SEEN IT, OUR WHOLE AD CAMPAIGN." From another cube, Carol heard a man's voice, "No, really, you don't understand, I've got to let you go, right now, the boss is in a very creative space and we've got to strike while the iron is hot. Goodbye." "SINGING COOTIES, DANCING ACROSS THE STAGE, BUSBY BERKLEY MUSICAL NUMBER, SEQUINS, TOP HATS AND TAILS!" From an office, "No, I mean right now. No, I won't put you on hold, it could be hours, you'll have to call back, it's vital that we get in there while he's in this mood. Goodbye." "CARSON'S COOTIES ON YOUR BUTTS CARSON'S COOTIES NOT FOR SLUTS, CARSON'S COOTIES GOOD WITH NUTS, CARSON'S COOTIES IN YOUR GUTS." The whole of the office, Karen included, was laughing, following Harry as he headed to the break room. Once every one was inside and the laughter had died down, he looked at them all. "Alright, I hope all of you got off the phones in time. If you didn't, you know to tell them I was having another fit." "I've been AWOL for awhile and I know that it's been hard to put up with having the emotional black hole in the offices. Thank all of you for that. And because this happy task has traditionally fallen to me, it hasn't been performed since I went into a slump. Therefore I'm pretty sure we're guaranteed an interesting time today." "I'd like you all to meet my lady, Carol, the one responsible for me being the happy man you see today." A chorus of greetings washed over Carol from the smiling employees. "And she has graciously agreed to be my assistant for today's drawing. You know the rules, elect your representative and although it's been a long time since we did one of these, Karen and I would really appreciate it if you chose someone unlucky." The thirty or forty employees talked among themselves and after about ten minutes had elected a thin man with a receding hairline. "Ah, damn, you had to go pick Dan. Dan, how many times have you beaten the system?" "Eight, Mr. Grimes." "How many times has the system beaten you?" "Never, Mr. Grimes." "Damn... well, alright, point to an envelope, same locations as always, arms, legs, body." "That's easy Mr. Grimes, she has it all, so the body." Harry smiled, "You're right, she does have it all" and he pulled the envelope from her front. "Today's semi-whenever, just cause we love each and every one of you hardworking galley slaves, bonus du jour is..." The breakroom was roaring as it seemed everyone was beating a drumroll on whatever they could. He opened the envelope with a flourish, but not so smooth of one that Carol didn't see him slip more money into the envelope. "Oh Dan, you've wounded our bank account again, twelve hundred dollars!" The employees cheered, whooped, hollered, whistled; gathered around Dan and gave him hugs and handshakes. "Oh God, oh, I can't stand it, I'm going to have to get out of here and go moan in peace somewhere, Karen will give you your bonuses but before I go, let's check the other envelopes." One held three hundred, one four fifty, one six hundred, one nine. "My first day back, so to speak, and you thirty-three vultures pick our bones for twelve hundred apiece. Oh, I may be sick." And grinning madly, Harry headed for the door. ------- "Harry, do they ever get the lowest amount?" "Huh?" "I saw your sleight-of-hand." "Oh... well, never the lowest, but sometimes the second lowest, most often the second highest, with Dan always one of the two highest." "Why?" "He's not real socially adept and now he's sort of a good luck charm. It's helped him fit in. Really a nice guy once you get to know him." "How'd they pick him in the first place?" "They didn't. We reserve the right to choose the volunteer when we so choose. We just don't do it very often." "Have I told you lately that I love you?" "With every touch." ------- "Sir, before we decide on a bidet or hot tub, we need to see Antoinette." "Who's Antoinette?" "Well, originally she was the person in the 'underground' to see for anything involving water sports, medical play, catheters, enemas; but then she realized that there was a market in custom bathroom equipment and such, ostensibly for the 'serious fetishist' but in reality, just some fantastic equipment and very reasonably priced for custom work." "Uh huh... is there anything about Antoinette you think you should warn me about?" "Well, she is a bit of an exhibitionist and a bit of a voyeur." "How much is a bit?" "She'll expect us to try out our selections." "You mean sit on the bidet?" "No sir, I mean use it. And she'll probably demonstrate it for us as well." ------- In a semi-abandoned industrial park on the east side of town, they rolled up to Antoinette's. The warehouse looked much like any other, it's only distinguishing characteristic the yellow neon "A" perched on a neon toilet. As the display was only about five feet high and not visible from the street, it would be hard to find unless you knew what you were looking for. They parked behind some trucks that screened their car from view. Entering through a non-descript door they found themselves in a mass of piping, all hissing and gurgling and churning and flushing. "Jesus Christ! What's in all of them?" "I asked her that once. She told me it's really just all for show. It creates the ambiance that some of her more extreme customers enjoy. If you're into bodily functions, I could see how this place could turn you on." They saw a young man in a vinyl set of doctor's scrubs approaching. "Yes," Carol said, "Mr. Grimes and pet, we called ahead." "Right this way, Antoinette is expecting you." He led them through the burbling and pumping industrial nightmare to the showroom, which seemed to be in the heart of the building. Antoinette was a very tall, statuesque, platinum blonde, perhaps 6'3". It was obvious to look at her that she had had extensive cosmetic surgery done to augment... everything. Her cartoonish physique was crammed into a vinyl nurses outfit. She extended her hand. "Mr. Grimes, how lovely to make your acquaintance." Harry used skills honed by years in the ad business to show no reaction to her appearance except pleasure, took her hand and kissed it. "Antoinette, your beauty, your radiance; the pleasure is all mine, I assure you." "Mr. Grimes, how sweet of you to say so. How may I help you today?" "First, a bidet. My pet tells me you have contacts with a craftsman who does custom work of the highest quality." "And she'd be correct. Come this way." She walked a few steps over, sat down on a commode and began to urinate. After a brief time, she shook herself slightly, and then stood up, walked over to what appeared to be a transparent toilet and, grabbing a set of hand rails attached to a low pipe, straddled the seat. She reached down to a control panel and a spray of water began to rinse her crotch. "Mr. Grimes, have you ever used a bidet? Marvelous tool for cleanliness no matter your sex. Refreshing, cleansing, invigorating. I swear to you sir, there are days I could happily spend all my time atop this heaven-sent device. And this, a custom unit loosely modeled on the Daelim Dobidos Electronic, is absolutely the top of the line. Multiple spray heads, all self cleaning. Easily adjustable temperature control, just the thing for disciplining recalcitrant young girls, adjustable spray force, but with a maximum pressure well within safety guidelines, no chance of accidents, heated seat comes standard, warm air drying system, comfortable seating options, including backrests. I know the craftsman personally and believe me, no matter how extreme or unusual your request could possibly be, he could craft just the bidet for you." "Knowing some of her clientele I don't want to think how extreme some of the requests have been," Carol murmured under the gurgling of a nearby pipe. "Now Mr. Grimes, I insist you try it for yourself or I shall be very cross with you. Indeed I might refuse to do business with you altogether." "Heaven forfend, Antoinette." He took a deep breath, took off his loafers and socks, shucked his pants and boxers, took the requisite piss and then mounted the bidet like he was getting on a Harley. "You should try numbers two, three and four, Mr. Grimes." Harry hit '2'. A warm spray of water oscillated around his cock. It felt quite good. Then he hit '3'. Three warmer sprays of water fanned back and forth across his asshole. As he was still a little tender from the day before, he found that delightful. After hitting '4', both the previous were going at once. It felt wonderful... and stimulating... Harry realized he was getting a hard-on in a transparent bowl. He punched '4' again quickly. Antoinette was smiling at him indulgently. "Exactly the effect it's supposed to have Mr. Grimes. Nothing in the world is better than getting clean in preparation for getting messy again immediately thereafter. Now hit 'dry'." He did so and warm air caressed him from front to back. It was decadent, it was hedonistic and he was going to get one. Two was not out of the realm of possibility as it was a two-woman house. "Alright Antoinette," he said as he got up and began to get dressed, "I'm sold. Now on to the hot tubs." "Mr. Grimes, if you're going to be looking at hot tubs, why are you dressing?" He saw her point. They walked even further into the bowels of the building. They approached possibly the most incongruous sight Harry had seen in a long time. In the midst of the warehouse's industrial gastrointestinal ambiance was a hot tub showroom, complete with lattice fencing behind the models covered in plastic flowering plants. "Mr. Grimes, I can tell that you're a man of quality, a man of distinction, a man with impeccable tastes and for such a man as you, I wouldn't offer anything less than our very best." She led them over to a huge hot tub that looked large enough to hold twenty comfortably. "Mr. Grimes, I present to you the most advanced hot tub of all time. Sir, this tub has over 200 individually programmable water jets, computer controlled, voice activated, flow modulated, temperature regulated. All of the jets nozzles are recessed and when they're not in action you hardly know they're there, especially sir, if some other jet is distracting you with its gentle soothing ministrations." "Mr. Grimes, I insist you and your companion try it. I will of course leave you to yourselves, although you won't be able to fully experience the programmability, I will leave you with a list of code words that activate some of our set ups. I tell you Mr. Grimes, I have the hardest time keeping the staff out of that tub. Why, you can have at least eight women in there, all at once, all of them with their vaginas, rectums and both breasts being stimulated by separate water jets as they sit in comfort. It might take awhile to set up, but trust the girls and me, it was worth every second. And because of the variability of the jet flows, you can program it to caress your penis as gently as that sweet young thing, and do so for as long as you wish. I assure you sir, this is not just a hot tub, this is the greatest gift to relaxation ever created." "Antoinette, we will not try it unless you consent to get in with us. What kind of a saleswoman leaves without demonstrating all that the product is capable of?" "A good point indeed, Mr. Grimes." A short time later, the three of them were in the tub. Antoinette had positioned Carol in a sweet spot so she was receiving full stimulation from four jets at once. "Oh God... sir... she's going... to love... this." She had also put Harry where a highly aerated jet of water was gently massaging the underside of his cock. She sat next to him, a little too close for Harry's comfort. But, having become more open-minded and tolerant in the past several days, he put his head back and relaxed. He wondered at the psychology behind a woman making herself into a Barbie doll nightmare. She reminded him of someone, some comic strip character, ah, he remembered, 'Little Annie Fanny' from 'Playboy'. It was really kind of sad. "So Mr. Grimes, what do you think?" A hand grasped his cock and started to sinuously jerk him off. "I think that feels... interesting." He cut his eyes over to Carol quickly. She was watching out of the corner of her eye and shook her head slightly. "Sometimes Mr. Grimes you have to create a personal connection with a client to close a deal, don't you think?" "Indeed, sometimes you do." She got up from her seat and came around in front of him. "So Mr. Grimes, how personal a connection would you like to forge?" "Antoinette, you're a lovely, exotic and almost irresistible woman but I must remain true to my partner-" "Surely you don't mean her," Antoinette said, looking at Carol. "-no, not my pet, my partner. She, alas, could not be with us this evening. But I certainly have no problems with forging as firm a connection with you as you've begun to forge with me." Antoinette returned to where she'd been sitting in the tub, hand still caressing his cock. "Why no, Mr. Grimes, that won't be necessary. You're faithful to your partner? How perfectly enchanting! I hope she realizes what a lucky woman she is." "You flatter me. I know better. I know that the luck is all mine." He sat back as she continued to fondle him. He wondered if even in Madame Cornelius' wide sexual spectrum there was someone who could love what this woman had turned herself into. Not lust after her, he was sure there were fetishists and freaks aplenty who wanted to use her, but would any of them look past her erotic grotesquerie? He hoped so. He got the feeling she was a very lonely person. Between the water jet and Antoinette's skills, he was on the edge of orgasm. He turned to look at her. "I... wouldn't want... to make... a mess." "Don't worry Mr. Grimes, hardly the first, won't be the last." His head sank back and as he relaxed he felt his tension release and his spasms began as a set of lips wrapped themselves around the tip of his cock and he didn't care that Antoinette was stepping over the line because it felt so good and then he was finishing and the warm mouth was sucking out every last drop and letting loose his dick. He opened his eyes to see Carol surface from his lap. She smiled. "No need to make a mess if we could avoid one." He hugged her to him and in a burst of affection hugged Antoinette's arm as well since he was reasonably sure he couldn't get his arms around her chest. "Alright Antoinette, you've helped me spend a lot of money today. Let's go talk about options on the bidet." ------- Later, as they were driving away, Harry was finishing up calls rescheduling their meetings with the architects and contractors. He closed his cell phone. "Are all the small business owners in the 'underground' as odd as the two I've met so far?" "Oh no Harry, some are truly bizarre. We'll go clothes shopping one night and let you meet Mr. Antiquity. He's odd, damned odd. Madame C is normal in comparison and Antoinette is merely eccentric. He's a freak" "And when I asked about things I should be warned about, why didn't you think to mention that she'd turned herself into a parody of a love doll?" "Sir, do you want to take away all my fun?" ------- Chapter 8 Eddy Janak woke up in his recliner, the taste of beer and bile coating his tongue and throat like paste. On the television Jay Leno was making a joke about the President and the debacle in Iraq. Eddy wondered how many laughs Jay would get if an Iraqi suicide bomber blew him straight to hell. Eddy knew he'd laugh his ass off but he was strange that way. Be even funnier if Rumsfeld was with Leno when it happened. He had to be at work at midnight for a special test of Digital Data Packaging, Inc.'s on-site security systems. He figured after he and the boys fucked them in the ass and left them crying like the littlest baboon, he'd have landed another contract worth a quarter mil for the big boys upstairs and they'd lay a bonus on him. And he could go find a woman to fuck him over and take it with her when she left. Whoopee-fucking-doo. ------- Benjamin Sapperstein walked in the front door of his home. He was finally back from Vegas and he was regretting it already. If he hadn't had a consult with a very wealthy patient at the request of her very well-connected personal physician, he'd still be hip deep in pussy. Now it was home to the wounded looks and the cold bed. He was puzzled though. When he'd called to tell her he'd be coming home, she'd answered her phone, seemed happy to hear from him, said she'd missed him. That wasn't like her. That wasn't like her at all. As he made his way past her bedroom, he heard noises, noises like he'd been hearing for the past two weeks from the women he'd fucked. Sounds of passion, sounds of orgasm, sounds he hadn't heard Margo make in almost 2 years. Opening the door a crack, he saw her. His mind cataloged the things wrong with the picture; she was wearing a corset that left her tits bare - Margo wouldn't be caught dead wearing something like that, she was watching a porno film of two women furiously tonguing each other's cunts - Margo would never watch a film like that, there was a dildo sticking out of her ass - Margo wouldn't even let him put a finger near her butt, she was straddling some sort of vibrating machine - Margo didn't even own a vibrator. There was no way that was his wife. But as he walked into the room and circled her, bringing her face into view, he saw that it was her. It was Margo. "H-h-honey, is that you?" "Oh Benjamin, you're home!" She raised herself up off the machine and he turned a little pale when he saw the size of what she'd been riding. As she turned to face him, he was struck by the change in her. She looked like the woman he'd married. She looked better than the woman he'd married. He could say that she looked like a woman he could be faithful to but he'd be joking... but it would be a lot more fun pretending he was faithful to her. "Margo, what's come over you?" "Oh Benjamin, I had the most marvelous time when you were gone. I was taken by a lover, well, actually, I was seduced by two lovers, a beautiful man and the most luscious little sex kitten you'd ever beg to fuck and we had ever so much fun together and he took me from in front while she took me from behind with a strap-on and I loved every wonderfully nasty perverted thing we did together." Benjamin's cock was like iron and he wanted Margo like he hadn't wanted her in a long time. This was a side of his wife he'd never dreamed existed and the smell of her was about to drive him to his knees. She moved like a serpent to him and caressed his face with her hands and then her arms as she clasped him to her bare breasts. "And you know what Benjamin? Do you know what I realized?" "That you really do love me?" "No, not that, you silly piece of shit. I realized that I don't want to be married to you and I won't be married to you for too much longer. I realized that I hate the cosmetic surgery clinic and I've resigned already. I realized that no matter what you did or said there was no way I could ever forgive you for the hell you've put me through, so as my revenge, I decided to let you see what you'll never have." "I'll be fully moved out in the morning. Get out of my room you disgusting little fucktard." Benjamin staggered back. He couldn't believe what was happening. He reached out and grabbed at her shoulder. "You can't do this to me!" He was on his ass, the side of his face on fire, before he knew what had happened. "Yes I can, and yes I have. The papers are on your bedside table. Sign them." The door to her room slamming behind him was the last he would see of Margo Wohler. ------- After a day of meetings, some for G&P, some with Carol, the architect and the contractors for their home remodeling, Harry arrived at the house that night feeling very tired. Provided the contractors could put on an extra crew, the next 8 weeks should see the master bath undergo a major expansion from 'barely adequate' to 'sybaritic hedonistic Xanadu-style luxury palace', the hot tub installed, a new twelve foot fence installed and a pool put in the back, costing them not a single tree. When they collapsed on the floor in the living room, Harry felt his phone going off. "Hello? Speaking... uh huh... yes there will be... oh really? She did? Yes, yes there will be. The house number is 555-2753. Around eleven, yes. Thank you." "Who was that, sir?" "Someone from Ultraking. They're delivering a bed here tomorrow. Seems a certain Margo Wohler feels our bed is too small, so she bought us a new one... same firmness as the one we have, just a little larger." "How much larger?" "Well, our king size is six feet wide by seven feet long. The 'Extreme Ultra King' they're delivering is twelve feet wide by ten feet long." "My God Harry, that's huge!" "Yes it is. No rest for the weary, we need to clear a path for them tonight so they can remove the old one and get the new one in and set up." "But Harry, you're wiped. I'll do it." "No Baby Girl, we'll both do it. Then we'll eat, grab a shower and make an early night of it." "Sounds good to me." ------- Harry was having a most beautiful dream. He was lying in bed and Carol was making love with Kelly. In the dim light of the room he could see the two of them caressing each other, Carol on top of the beautiful black girl, their skin tones of dark brown and light brown complimenting each other, Carol aggressively moving on her, taking her, making Kelly her own with no resistance from Kelly whatsoever. As Carol licked and sucked at Kelly's tits, Kelly arched her back, "Oh Merlin that feels so good. You really are a magician." She pushed Carol's head down towards her cunt. "But beware, the valiant Kay has enchantments of her own." Carol began to lick and nibble between her legs, finally fastening her mouth around Kelly's clit, wrapping her arms around her thighs and the wet sucking noises filled the room and Kelly's soft moans became more rapid as she flexed her hips, humping Carol's face and her moans took form and became "fuckme, fuckme, fuckme". Carol crawled up and Harry saw that she had her harness on, strap-on at the ready, no small shaft for virgin ass play but a realistically sized dildo, and she sank it in Kelly's pussy, into a moist sound of welcome, and Kelly's hands came up to brace her against the headboard of the bed and she pushed back as Carol fucked her hard, her every exhale a cry of "oh Merlin!" and then she was up and changing positions and was on her knees, hands on the headboard and the whole bed was shaking as she rammed herself back onto Carol's cock as Carol slammed forward and her cries were almost cries of pain but still cries of passion as she wanted more. Her beautiful breasts were hanging down, nipples painfully erect and Harry wished it weren't a dream as they looked tasty and he would go suck on them if it weren't a dream but it was. The tempo increased and the rocking of the bed and Kelly's cries came faster and then she fell to the bed and Carol was hammering her and Kelly was waving her hands and Carol slowed and stopped. The scene changed and Carol was riding Kelly's face, braced against the wall as she ground her now harnessless pussy into Kelly's eager mouth. Kelly's hands were caressing all of Carol's generous curves and Carol was shuddering as her orgasm shook her like a rag doll in the teeth of some great and terrible beast. Then Harry was kissing Carol and he could taste Kelly's sweetness on her face. She was curled up next to him and saying something but he wasn't listening because while she was talking to him and kissing him she was sucking his cock like she'd never sucked it before... not better, just different... and he whispered "I love you so much, Beloved, and that feels so nice" and she said "I love you too" and "Thank you, Arthur" at the same time in two different voices and Carol was putting her tit to his mouth and he was biting on it faintly, licking her silken skin and for a moment he dreamed that there were two women in bed with him and that it was Margo there but she wasn't because he couldn't feel her and Carol kept kissing the top of his head and sucking his cock and her tit tasted so good to him and he was going to come any moment and the tension was making his thighs quiver and Carol could tell because she held his head to her breast more tightly and took him all the way down her throat and back up again, lashing the bottom of the head of his cock with her tongue and that was all she wrote he was coming and he could tell she wasn't swallowing and that wasn't like Carol so he just sucked her tit all the harder and she held him all the tighter and when he finally stopped he felt her let his dick plop out of her mouth and there was a wet sound and something hit the floor with a soft fabric-like sounds and Carol was holding him on the left and crawling up next to him on the right. She was kissing him on the side of his head and nuzzling his ear when she kissed him on the mouth, the taste of him on her lips and inside her mouth as they kissed each other and it was strange, she tasted different but he was too happy with the dream to wonder about it much. "Goodnight, beautiful Merlin. My liege Arthur, your servant the Lady Kay bids you rest well." And then Carol was gone and Carol curled up next to him and the dream ended. ------- As the alarm beeped he rolled over and slapped it off. Turning back he saw Carol gazing at him sleepily, a look of satisfaction on her face. "Morning my Precious, I had the most pleasant dream last night." "It wasn't a dream, Harry." "It wasn't? Kelly was here?" She shimmied with pleasure. "She most certainly was. She got off work and stopped by to see if anything was happening. I thought I heard someone at the door and went to check. She was ready to crawl into bed and wake you up to Lady Kay's cunt in your face, but I convinced her that Arthur needed his sleep. She was pouting most enchantingly so we compromised and fucked on the bed. If you woke up enough to join in, fine and good, if you didn't, she'd blow you before she left. You didn't wake up, at least, not all the way." "Sir, are you upset with me for entertaining her? For fucking her here, possibly waking you up? Are you upset with me for not waking you up to play with us?" "Precious angel, you may entertain that delightful morsel of feminine delight any time you wish and if I hadn't been so tired I would have gleefully joined in, so no blame for doing her here. It's your bed as well... she's welcome in it if you bring her to it. No, I'm not upset about you letting me sleep. If I didn't wake up with the two of you making love over there, two feet away, I needed the rest." "On the other hand, I missed out on a chance to make love to you and, Lady Kay was it? What is it with this girl and her Arthurian fixation? Anyway, having missed out on that, I feel the need to make up for part of it. Bathroom for both of us and I'll meet you back here." "Won't you be late for work?" "I'm one of the bosses, remember?" A few minutes later they were back in bed. "So my sweet, other than make love to you, which is already undeniably on the schedule, is there anything I can do to please you this morning?" "Yes," she said, the tears breaking her voice surprising Harry, "hold me, look me in the eyes, tell me you love me, that I'm yours and tell me that Margo's coming back." With that she began to cry silently and Harry gathered her to himself and stroked her hair as he remembered his joy the night before when he briefly thought their love had returned. He wondered how with all the joys that filled his days, with all the blessings that flowed through his life, her absence could leave such a hole, such an aching. It was a rhetorical question as he knew the answer as surely as he knew of the bond he and Carol shared. She was not where she was meant to be and that was the cause of the pain. He took her head in his hands and brought her lips to his mouth, kissed her tenderly. "I love you and I will go on loving you while there is breath in my body. You are mine and you will be mine until the day you decide differently. No power but an act of God will prevent Margo from returning to us and surely God is not that cruel." Carol kissed him fiercely and rolled him over, climbing atop him and lowering herself on to his cock. Although he shouldn't have been, he was surprised at how ready she was for him as he slid into her wetness. She placed her hands upon his shoulders and began to move forwards and back upon him, her muscles playing up and down the length of his shaft as she did. Harry thought again of miracles and of the woman before him, the first and greatest miracle of them all. Her pale cinnamon skin, warm and earthy even un-tanned, invited his hands to caress the curves and slopes of her; he cupped her breasts in his hands, her firm mounds just slightly over-filling them, as his palms glided across her nipples they tightened further, their slightly darker shade calling his eyes as his hands returned to her hips. Briefly a vision of the slender, angular Angie filled his mind and he shivered with hate, not just for the hideous soul within but for the fashionably anorexic frame without as well. He felt his erection deflate even under the seductive ministrations of her talented cunt, and he quickly focused on more pleasant prospects. Neither she nor their beloved Margo were physically ideal but the spirits within transformed them as surely as a muddled mass of colored silicon became the glory of a stained glass window when illuminated by the sun. They both were pretty to start with and were made beautiful by the loving souls inside them. For him to gaze up at her, riding him, her face bathed in joy, was for him to believe that there must be a God as such a divine creature could not spring purely from chance and evolution, but must be inspired by a higher aesthetic. Harry stared into her brown eyes and lost himself. He could not imagine a day without seeing her. He could not imagine a day without loving her. Their eyes on each other she quickened her pace, leaning forward to rub her clit against him. Her eyes widened as the sensations took her over the edge and she prostrated herself on him and clawed at his shoulders, her face flushing as she panted for breath as if in labor. Harry began to thrust his hips, rising into her and his own orgasm came shortly after, tears flowing from his eyes as he lost himself in the power of his body's release and his love for her. As they lay, her atop him, recovering from their exertions, Harry stoked her hair and wondered if he could get away with skipping work that day... no, he had a meeting about the De Freitas account, worth a lot to the firm. "My beloved, I may be one of the bosses, but I've got to get there soon. Let me up so I can hit the shower." ------- When Harry showed up late at the office, freshly showered and undeniably freshly fucked, he had gone from office to office, cubicle to cubicle begging someone to pretend to be him and make his excuses to Karen. It was an old and familiar game and Karen's heart soared to see it. He'd been back for two days and the change was perceptible in every facet of their operation, in every employee they had. Karen had come to terms with the nature of their relationship in the very first year they were in business. She had the smarts and the education, probably 65-70% of every campaign was hers. But he had the spark. Most of the time, there was no idea, no concept for her to work on until he'd brought it to life. She could manage an office, organize a staff, plan a project, manage it, but Harry inspired it, lifted it, fueled it and drove it. He was the front man, the idea man, the jester, the piper and the fool. She hadn't realized how much she missed him, how much the entire company had missed him, until he was back. The De Freitas meeting was at 2, they should be done by 3:30. Then she was going to leave and go home, set up the condo for a romantic dinner for two, have the dinner catered, eat and then make love to Patricia, who had come back to give her a second chance. She wasn't going to blow it this time, no matter what. ------- Eddy rolled over in bed and saw a shape under the sheets next to him. From the taste in his mouth he knew he'd gotten drunk enough to fuck a water buffalo and he was duly thankful he didn't know where the zoo was. Still, he was frightened to pull down the sheet and look. He did so anyway. Well, she was far from being the worst thing he'd ever woken up next to. Still kind of attractive in an old motorcycle mama, rode-hard-and-put-away-wet-far-too-many-times kind of way and she wasn't missing too many teeth. Eddy shook his head. His life sucked. He got up, his eyes shut against even the faint glimmers of light seeping around the cheap curtains. He stumbled into the bathroom and pissed. God, he was thankful he could do that in the dark. Then he noticed the woman had hung her clothes up all over his bathroom, he could feel them all around him. He opened his eyes and realized he wasn't in his apartment; he was in hers and had just peed in her closet. He backed out of the closet and quietly gathered up his things, stopping only to put on his pants before he tried to find the front door. One too many mornings of a bunch of kids he'd never seen before and would never see again staring at his naked body had taught him 'pants first always'. His conscience got the better of him. He was amazed he still had one. He found the bathroom, grabbed some dirty towels from the floor, mopped up what piss he could find in the dark and dumped the towels in her little washer, put in soap and started it running. He sat down at the kitchen table and wrote her a note. "I'm sorry, I have to go. I woke up, thought I was home and took a piss in your closet, thinking it was my bathroom in the dark. I think I cleaned up most of it, but here's some money for any damages. The towels I used to clean are in the washer." He left the note and $200 on the table. He found the door with little trouble and no encounters with rug rats. Sitting on the steps down from the second floor he put on his sunglasses, boots and shirt and checked his wallet. He still had a large portion of the money he'd started the night with; he hadn't blown more than $700, $800 the night before and another $200 before he even got out her door. The day was starting out just goat-humpin' dandy. Then he began the always entertaining game of 'where-the-fuck-did-he-leave-the-truck'. Luckily for him it wasn't too far away and it didn't look like he'd hit anyone or anything the night before. God was still looking out for fools, drunks and the patron saint of both, Eddy Janak. ------- When Harry got home that night, he walked into the bedroom to find Carol sitting in the middle of the largest bed he'd ever seen. "Harry, I'm going to kill her or I'm going to kiss her, I'm not sure which. I saw the invoice. With all the sheets, comforters, pillows and pillow cases, Harry, I'm sitting on a $30,000 bed." Harry let loose with a long low whistle. "That's not all Harry. The bed frame, head and foot boards are custom. The invoice for them didn't have a price." "What do you mean, custom?" "Harry, this is a six poster bed. The posters have multiple points for attaching rings and since the whole thing is steel, bolted or welded together, then polished, Harry, any two of the posts can support up to 1,000 pounds. I figure the frame alone cost her as much as the bed and that's only a guess and may not involve any extra cost for very fast custom work. The deliverymen and I had to go make sure this house was on a concrete slab, we were afraid the floor might not support the bed frame. There are people in town right now who would pay you $75,000 for this bed right now, write you a check and not insist on taking delivery until it cleared and you were satisfied. Harry, I masturbated three times this afternoon just thinking about what can be done with this bed." "She bought enough sheets and pillow cases to last us for quite some time; I've had to rearrange the linen closet considerably. I'm gonna kill her or I'm going to kiss her, I don't know which." "Well, make up your mind soon. Personally, I'd prefer it if you kissed me but I'm funny that way." "MARGO!" the two of them cried as they turned to see her standing in the door. The next few moments were a joyful reunion as all three of them ended up sprawled on the floor. "Damn, I buy us a bed, I show up to help break it in and you tackle me on to the floor? I don't get no respect." "Sir, Margo, I respectfully suggest we reconvene this meeting on Margo's Wonder Bed." "So beloved, I gather you're planning on staying for about a week and a half, two weeks?" "No, just tonight, I'll be gone in the morning again." "Then you'll be leaving with the job you came for unfinished. It'll take at least that long to break in all this bed." Margo laughed. "Good point. How about I came home to help christen it? Is that better?" "Well, it lets you off the hook, so it's not better, but I imagine it suits your purpose," Harry said, smiling to take the sting from his words. "Margo, thank you for the bed, it's glorious," Carol said, wrapped around Margo on the left, "but my God, you spent so much!" "Don't worry, I didn't spend a dime." "Then how-" "Let me tell you a bedtime story... Once upon a time, there was a greedy little prick named Benjamin and he was married to a rampaging bitch named Evelyn. Well, Benjamin wanted something very, very badly and he got it for himself, but the mean old Evelyn couldn't know about it or she'd make him sell it. So he hid it and lied to her about where the money he'd bought it with went. And when they divorced, he kept it hidden because he knew if she ever found out he had it, she'd smell a rat and since he was a rat that would lead her straight to him. He kept it hidden until he met the lovely Princess Margo-" "I like her, she's beeyoootiful," said Carol. "-and became engaged to her and then he gave his treasure to Princess Margo to keep for him and put it in Princess Margo's name so the evil Evelyn would never know it was his. Well, when he was drawing up his pre-nuptials, he couldn't very well mention his special treasure in there because someday his marriage to Princess Margo might end in divorce and the treasure could be exposed in the public record, so he didn't say a word about it, expecting Princess Margo to be stupid and forget all about the treasure he'd hidden with her." "But she didn't, did she?" Carol asked. "No, no she didn't. So when Benjamin was revealed for the slimy little toad he was and Princess Margo decided to go and live with her two most perfect loves in their cabin deep in Enchanted Urbia-" "Yay, Enchanted Urbia!" said Carol. "-she put his Lipstick Red 1996 Lamborghini Diablo Roadster up for sale in the magical auction house of E-bay and put a quick sale price on it of only $100,000, when it was really worth at least $30,000 more and do you know what happened, children?" "What?" Harry and Carol said together. "It sold almost immediately and she used the money to buy her and her loves a new and wonderful bed for their cabin in Enchanted Urbia." Carol leaned up and whispered huskily in Margo's ear, "That was a good bedtime story, Mommy, now come to bed." "Yeah," said Harry from the other side, "bedtime for Mommy and Daddy and Baby Girl." Margo lay back and let herself be undressed by the two people she loved and trusted most in the world. The two of them slid her towards the center of the bed and took turns kissing her as the other undressed themselves. Then they lay down and in mirror fashion sucked her breasts and stroked the insides of her thighs, matching each others movements not exactly, but closely enough to give Margo a most unusual sensation of being loved by something with two mouths and four arms and four hands. She closed her eyes and for the first time since leaving Monday morning she felt safe. She knew that until she was ready to come back to stay she could never let them know how torturous it had been for her away from them. How all the old fears and doubts had come roaring back and she had sat on the floor of her new and empty apartment and rocked herself, keeping herself from calling second by second because if she called she knew her wonderful Knight in Shining Armor and his Beloved Pet would ride to her rescue and bring her back here and she'd give in to her fear and never find the strength to leave again and that would be wonderful but she needed to rescue herself and she needed to erase the big red 'V' off her forehead and stop letting her past make her a victim. She knew that once she could face her demons down, still afraid but in control of her fear, she could come home and tell her loved ones all about her struggle and they would understand and love her and she would know she came here not out of fear but freely, not a victim seeking shelter but a woman seeking home. She prayed that day came soon. For now though she returned her thoughts to the attentions of her lovers and the delightfully sinful and wicked things they were doing to her body, their hands alternating caressing her wet and welcoming slit, their other hands playing in her hair, their mouths nursing at her breasts hungrily, feeding on her love for them, her desire for them, stoking the fires within her even higher. "Daddy... Baby Girl... somebody needs... to fuck Mommy... soon." Harry moved down and parted her legs, hoisting her up in the air to slide a few pillows beneath, and then he entered her. "What Mommy wants, Mommy gets," he said, sliding in and out of her. "Now... little Carol..." she said, coaxing her up, "give Mommy something good to lick on and tell me all that's been going on with you since I left." In a flash Carol was sitting on her face. Margo sank her tongue into Carol's pussy and began to lick as Carol told her about Kelly's late night visit in vivid detail. Harry continued to make love to the other major miracle in his life, holding her feet at his face, licking and sucking on her toes as he settled into a nice steady rhythm. Margo found herself skating on the edge of her orgasm; Harry thrusting in and out of her and kissing her feet, Carol and her delightful taste, hearing of Carol's passionate night with Kelly, it could only take her so far, she just needed a little more to go over the top and then Carol reached back and caressed her breasts and nipples and Margo was coming and Harry increased his speed and as Margo was shuddering towards the end of hers he began coming and he reached forward and pulled Carol back to him and clamped his lips on her neck and she was coming, writhing on Margo's face and it was so good to be home and she wished she never had to leave. ------- The three lovers lay in a pile of arms and legs and bodies and everyone was smiling and everyone was at peace. They shifted until no one was lying on top of anyone else and then cuddled together while Harry and Carol told Margo of the new bathroom and the hot tub and the fence and the pool. "My God," Margo said, soaking in their love, "it sounds like between the backyard, the bathroom and this bed, we'll be living in Decadence Central." "Yeah, won't it be great?" giggled Carol. Harry said, "Bathroom, Bed, Backyard & Bong... sounds like a law firm or a party waiting to happen". "Well my loves, it's been unbelievably sweet to see you again, but I've got to get going," said Margo, getting up from the bed. No one said a word as she dressed. They walked her to the front porch. The three of them hugged and held the hug a long time. Carol said, "Margo, our love goes with you and will be with you no matter what. If you ever need it, just be still for a moment and feel it. It'll be there, I promise you." Harry took her hand. "Love, I worry about you. I have Carol to keep me sane and vice versa, who do you have?" Tears flowed freely down Margo's face. "I have the two of you and your love. Don't worry, if it gets too bad, I'll be back here in a flash." They stood on the porch and watched her drive away. It wasn't any easier than waking up to find her gone but at least they'd gotten to say their farewells. ------- Harry was curled up in his mother's lap, wrapped in a blanket, nursing at her breast, sweet milk flowing down his throat and his tiny body was encircled by her arms and though he could hear the storm raging outside he was warm and safe and dry, as the lightning crashed to the earth and lit up the world and thunder rolled through the heavens he shivered but Mama's arms just held him tighter and he sucked harder and it was alright, the storm couldn't get him in here but then the thunder spoke again and it sounded like words and he listened, trying to make out what it was saying and as he listened the peals of thunder repeated themselves and the message was getting clearer and the thunder started to sound like shouting, the shouting of someone he knew and it was Angie and the thunder said "I'm not through with you yet" and the parts of him, deep inside, that she'd gotten to before she got to again and he gazed up at his Mama's face and it was Angie and the breast he nursed at was leprous and blackened and he saw in the veins standing out on it green poison flowing toward the nipple and the taste was like bile and he tore away from it but it was too late. The dark green flowed to his heart and he saw it inside him, through his skin and it pulsed and throbbed like a thing alive and as it reached his heart and flowed through it his heart turned to stone and crumbled to dust and all of him was turning to stone and he looked out of the prison of his own eyes and there was his beloved Carol beating on his rock hard flesh, trying to reach him but she couldn't break through and she couldn't hear him and so she walked away from him. His eyes flew open. "What did I ever do to Angie to piss her off so badly?" he murmured under his breath. "Nothing," said Carol. He turned his head and saw her looking at him as she sat cross-legged on the bed. "What are you doing, sitting there?" he asked. "Waiting to see if I was going to have to bring you out of that nightmare or if you were going to bring yourself out. Harry my most excellent love; do you believe there are good people in the world?" "Yes, yes I do. I know two of them. I love two of them. I'm in love with two of them." "Thank you, I'd agree about Margo at least." She stuck her tongue out at him and smiled. "Then please believe there are evil people in the world. Did Angie have money, a successful career, when you two met?" "No, she was just starting out at an investment firm, DeWitt & Associates. My and Karen's agency was finally taking off. That's why she and I lived here for awhile before buying in Crockett Heights. There was no way we could've afforded a square foot of Crockett Heights until we'd plowed enough profit back into G & P to enable it to handle the extra business and could start actually seeing the extra money." "So, she came in with very little." Carol paused, apparently lost in thought. "Does she have much more now, as far as her job is concerned?" "Yeah, she was getting promoted pretty quickly, but still she's probably only making a quarter what I am." "So she came in with very little and she's going to leave with half of everything." "Yeah, Texas being a community property state." She paused again. "Were you going to let her have the house?" "Yeah, I've got no use for it." She sat, looking at him, wondering if she really wanted to take it any further. "You see what I'm getting at, sir?" Behind Harry's eyes there was a dawning realization, equations being solved, solutions being reached, that he hadn't wanted to look at before. And with every total tallied, another happy memory from his life with Angie was burned to ash. Behind his eyes was a spreading wasteland, more than three years turning into one giant lie. Carol was already in motion when Harry asked, "Do you think she ever really loved me?" in a cracked and breaking voice and then she was there and she was holding him close to her. "Harry, Harry, I don't know, maybe she did, maybe she didn't, it doesn't matter now, it doesn't matter whether she did or didn't, you're done with her, she's gone, you can file for divorce tomorrow if you want, get her out of your life completely, you've got me and you've got Margo, I know it hurts my love, but you're safe, she's gone." "I think she's coming back, I'm not sure why. I'm afraid she'll come back." "Why are you afraid of her, Harry, she can't hurt you?" "I'm not afraid of what she'd do to me. I'm afraid she might hurt you." "And I'll beat the shit out of her, Harry; I'll pound her into the floor and sop her up with a sponge." "No. Baby Girl, you are not to touch one hair on her head until I give you permission. But I promise you, if she shows up here, at some point you'll get that permission." ------- The following night they went out to do a little specialty shopping. In a section of warehouses by the shallow and odorous river that ran through the heart of the city, they pulled up to the gate of an apparently abandoned warehouse complex surrounded by auto graveyards. In the shadows of the piles of rusting metal they saw a gatehouse. A guard stepped out. "Mr. Grimes and pet to see Mr. Antiquity." "Yes sir, you're expected." The guard went back into his gatehouse and the gate slid open silently. "Mr. Antiquity," Harry sighed. "Why are we here to see him again?" "Harry, he's a freak and an eccentric, but he's also the finest maker of fetish clothing in the Southwest. And, as such artists go, he has quite a few eccentricities, the main one being his name." "What are some of his others?" Harry asked as they cruised into the parking area. "Well, the other one you really shouldn't take notice of is that he speaks with the most outrageously atrocious Texas accent you'll ever hear. I'm not sure where the fuck he's from originally, but it's nowhere near here. He believes in keeping it very, very cold and very, very dry in his home." "His home? I thought we were going to his shop?" "They're one and the same." They were escorted into a warehouse by two gigantic bald men wearing leather aprons and nothing else. Harry leaned down and whispered "Alright, I've been moderately uncomfortable at some of the places we've shopped... here I'm somewhere beyond real uncomfortable." Carol threw her arms around his neck and as she nuzzled his ear she murmured "You're not homophobic, are you Harry?" "Baby Girl," he whispered in return, "it's not that I'm homophobic, it's that I don't want to be chopped up and dumped through a trap door into the city sewage system." "Don't worry, you're safe. You're far more likely to be propositioned than chopped up sir." "Imagine my relief." They went inside out of the sultry Texas night air into the chill of industrial-strength air conditioners, all working overtime. "Excuse the temperature y'all" came a voice from behind a rack of vinyl dresses, "but even a native Texan like me cain't stand this heat." Harry realized Carol had understated how bad his accent was by several orders of magnitude. He sounded as if he had perhaps started out in India and then come to Texas by way of France and Scotland. "Believe me, Mr. Antiquity, I too was born and raised here and I understand completely." Harry was fighting to keep his teeth from chattering. "I don't think I've ever been in a more comfortable environment." "Ah, a pardner after my own heart." Around the rack of dresses came a small and wizened man, dressed in a yellow and brown latex cowboy outfit. Minus the pants, but with the chaps and boots. "Mr. Grimes, y'all're right on time, always good to deal with prompt hombres." He stuck out his hand to shake and as Harry shook hands with him, he reflected that shaking hands with a man while trying hard to look anywhere but his shriveled penis was not something he expected to have to do that day when he'd gotten out of bed. "Mr. Antiquity, it is indeed a pleasure to meet you. I'm here because I shamelessly spoil this little girl and I'd like to turn her loose in your stock, see what she can find." "You go right on ahead and do that, buckaroo. And little missy, remember, if you find something you like, but we don't have it in your size, you come tell Uncle Antiquity and he'll make it up special." Carol leaned up and pecked him on the cheek. "Thank you so much, Uncle." She ran off into the cavernous space, disappearing rapidly behind the racks. ------- Harry wandered through a frigid wonderland of some of the most interesting fashions he'd ever seen, as well as the most interesting displays he'd ever seen. For starters, there was never just one mannequin, there were always three of each sex; the item on a very thin mannequin, an average sized one and a large one. And scenes had been created for the mannequins, and there would be three full scenes, one each for the different sizes. There were bondage scenes and torture scenes and there was wonderful cul-de-sac in one corner that was a fetish ball with over 30 mannequins for each of the three matching displays. Harry was enjoying a display of corsets when he heard Carol calling him from somewhere deep in the store. He felt as though he were in some garden labyrinth, twisting and turning, following the sound of her voice, discovering more displays, once disturbing a pair of severe looking men with blond buzz-cuts locked in a sixty-nine on the floor. Eventually he tracked her down. "My God Carol, is there any organization to this place?" "Yes Harry, but you have to get used to it and it would take a long time to explain. I've found some things you'll just be dying to get me out of. When you're tired of looking around why don't you go wait in Uncle's office, just follow the singing. I'll be over there soon with some sexy little numbers to model for you." Harry followed the sound of Roy Rogers singing to a bizarre sight, even in a place full of them. Towards the middle of the warehouse, surrounded by racks of vinyl, latex and leather clothing was an area of elevated rough wooden flooring on top of which was a living room and kitchen, free-standing, all done in leather, wood, wagon wheels and steer horns. "Mr. Grimes, so glad you could find me. I wouldn't want you to get lost out there in the desert of clothes." "Oh, no danger of that Mr. Antiquity, you had the melodious strains of Roy Rogers acting as a beacon for me." "You like Roy? I am his biggest fan. Would you like some coffee?" Harry thought to himself that he'd like to burn this little shrine to Western living to get warm. "Some coffee would be great, thanks pardner." ------- Two hours later they were pulling out of the main gate. Neither Carol or Harry were much into true fetish garb, but she had managed to talk him into getting measured for a pair of leather pants and she had found herself quite a few dresses that, as she modeled them, almost caused Harry's cock to explode. "Baby Girl, I'm not sure I'll get over that visit any time soon, but you almost got shucked, sucked and fucked right there in front of Mr. Antiquity and the Human Mountains." She giggled with the delightful sound of water burbling over stones. "You should've gone ahead and done me, Harry, they wouldn't have minded; it wouldn't have been the first time it's happened and they would have been far busier checking you out than even looking at me." "Imagine my happiness. Be thinking about what you want to wear, we're going out tomorrow night and you're going to meet Eddy." Carol's squeal of joy could be heard miles away. ------- Chapter 9 "Yeah, sure, it's Friday night, like with my seniority they work me Friday nights, well, except for special projects. Not a problem, Harry, I'll be there. Got some news for you about an old friend of ours, I'll tell you tonight, looking forward to it." Eddy put down the phone and stared at the clock. He had enough time to catch a few more hours of sleep before he needed to be up and moving on some errands. He rolled over on his bed, looked at the empty half of it and went back to sleep. ------- Harry was taking Fridays off so he and Carol had taken Madame Cornelius out for a late breakfast and then returned to her place to look at some furniture options. After picking out some items that were going to make certain situations a lot easier on all concerned, they headed home. "Harry, Kelly said something about stopping by tonight after she got off work and really hoping you were awake but I feel kind of bad since we'll be out and I've got no idea how long it'll be before we get home." "Call her, give her my cell number, tell her to call me when she gets off and we can coordinate a link up. Come to think of it, why haven't we gotten you your own phone?" She was rooting around in her ever-present bag. "For the same reason I'm still carrying around my diaphragm, condoms and spermicide in my bag even though I don't need them anymore, Harry, we've been too busy to worry about it." "Well, we have nothing planned for today until this evening, so let's go tend to that right now." "Sounds good to me. Remind me later, during a more intimate moment, that there's something else I want to discuss with you, something I think needs to be taken care of." "Alright, go ahead, be all mysterious, I shall have to strip you down, tie you to the bed and torture you through orgasm after orgasm for the information!" "Promise, sir?" "Damn, that isn't going to work as I had planned. Alright then, I shall strip you down, tie you to the bed, tease you mercilessly and then leave you unfulfilled until you give me the information!" "Bastard!" "Now we're getting somewhere." ------- When they got back to the house, Carol stretched Harry out on the bed and began to massage him with oil that had a delicate sandalwood scent. "And Harry, after what happened last time, if you get hard, you're on your own." "Baby Girl, if I get hard, you'll be the second person to know it and the first to relieve it." She stuck her tongue out at him. "So, tell me about Eddy." "Mmmm, that feels good... There's really not a lot to say. He and I have been friends since grade school. Growing up he had this reputation as a scary kid, you know, the one everybody stays away from because he's psycho or something, but really he's one of the sweetest, gentlest guys you'd ever want to meet... unless he's pissed off, in which case yeah, he's a pretty scary motherfucker. "Could you work that spot a little more? Oh, yeah, that's it... damn, that alone is worth any favor you want to ask." "I'll remember you said that, sir." "You do that. Anyway, it either takes a lot to piss Eddy off or not much at all, depending how you go about it. You have to hurt him real bad or you can piss him off real easily by hurting someone who doesn't look like they can defend themselves." "So you're not the only one with a 'white knight' complex'." Harry stuck his tongue out at her. "He's always been big and kinda scary and so that, combined with a few unfortunate incidents involving kids he thought were picking on weaklings, built him this 'psycho' reputation. "Oh yeah, damn, I didn't know that was that knotted up. Ummm, oh, you are a good masseuse... So, by the time we get to high school, we're smoking major amounts of pot and the rumor gets started that for him it's not recreational, it's to keep him calm so he doesn't kill someone, you know how rumors are in school. After school, I work for awhile, save money for college, he goes into trade school and becomes a locksmith. He drifted into security work from there, now he and some associates of his test on-site security for various companies. If their security measures fail, and they almost always do as Eddy and his boys are very good at what they do, then the company Eddy works for quite often gets a new contract out of it." "Sir, you've told me a little about who Eddy is, more about what he does. Roll over." "Alright... my take on it is that Eddy needs to be needed. He's been married and divorced nine times and I'm not sure all of us together could count how many disastrous short term relationships and one-night stands he's had. He needs to be needed, he needs to be needed badly, and a lot, but he attracts women who need his money and leave once they have it. Or they marry him and leave once they have more of it, collected over a period of time. I don't know how he keeps trying. I mean, I'm an incurable romantic-" "And I thank God for it," she said. "-but even I would have given up by now. He just keeps getting knocked down and getting up to try again. I wish I knew some way to help him be happy." "Harry, that's simple. We just need to find a woman who needs him, not his money." "That's simple? No, you helping me with this raging erection I have, that's simple-" "And fun!" "-but finding a woman for Eddy, I don't think I'd call that simple." "Well, it's a project for some other time, no matter what. Right now, let's take care of this." Carol slid on top of him and settled down on his cock. "Damn girl, are you ever not wet?" "Harry, I've been rubbing my hands over you for the last half hour. Mmmm... do the math. Oh, sir?" "Yes my love?" "That matter I wanted to raise with you in a more intimate setting?" "Mmmm hmmm?" "I want to legally change my name to Carol Grimes." Harry's eyes flew open and he stared at her. "Not by marrying you," she continued, "that's Margo's part in this household. But I'm yours, I'm always going to be yours and I want my name to reflect that." "Are you sure, my sweet?" "Beloved," she said as she moved up and down on his cock, "I've never been so happy, I've never been so 'home', I've been in love several times before and I've never felt about anyone the way I feel about not only you, but Margo as well, and when I had the idea it felt so right to me that I cried, out of happiness. I want this. I beg you to let me have this." Harry reached up, clutched her to him tightly, crushing her against him, rolled over and was up and over her so smoothly that they didn't miss a stroke. He gazed in wonder at the woman below him. "As you wish it, so shall it be. Monday we'll start the paperwork. Do you know, my most precious treasure, that I worship you?" "Yes sir, you've told me and at the moment, if I might beg another boon, could you worship me just a little faster?" He accelerated his pace and she matched him, wrapping her legs around his waist and driving her hips into him. "I'm sorry sir, I see my asking to take your name has somewhat thrown you." "It's alright, beloved. There are worse reasons to be somewhat distracted. I think I have a favor to ask of you as well, probably Kelly too." "Yes my love?" "At some point much later tonight or tomorrow morning, I want you to bind me securely, put me completely at your mercy, and then do whatever you wish to me." "If that is your wish, sir, I will fulfill it and although I can't speak for Kelly, I'm sure she'll be glad to help." "Thank you. The experience the other night raised my curiosity as to what it would be like to be in that position and I thought later tonight might be a good time to find out." Carol closed her eyes and softly said "Carol Grimes" and her orgasm began to shudder through her body as she flushed beneath him and he watched her face and chest redden. Her beauty sometimes was so intense to him that it stunned him, leaving him almost insensate and he wondered how he had survived before he met her. His focus returned and he realized he'd completely missed her pulling off of him, sliding down between his legs and kissing his cock. He crawled down and lay next to her again. Reaching out his hand to her face he stroked it gently and kissed her. As the kiss went on he held her tightly to him. When the kiss finally broke, she looked at him. "Harry, may I try something?" "Be my guest." She rolled him onto his back, put pillows under his ass and then wet his cock thoroughly with her saliva. She pressed her breast together around his dick and began to move up and down, his cock sliding between them. "Have you ever tit-fucked anyone, Harry?" "Umm, no, but it feels wonderful and you look beautiful doing it." Soon Harry was on the edge of coming and he shifted his hips up and down uncontrollably as she continued to moisten his cock and slip it between her breasts. "Harry, you know that black leather French Maid outfit we got last for me last night?" "Mmmm hmmm." "Guess what I'm wearing tonight with no underwear?" As she finished the question she wrapped her lips around his cock and held on. Sure enough the thought of going out with her dressed like that had put him over and his hips flung him upwards, semen shooting down her throat as she held tight, spilling not a drop. When she had finished milking him dry, she crawled up beside him and kissed him. He tasted himself in her mouth. "Unless you'd like me to wear something else?" He turned her over his knee and gave her five quick, hard whacks with his palm. "Does that answer your question, Little Cunt?" he asked. She smiled as her pussy twitched. ------- Friday night at the St. John Lee's Home for Wayward Blues, or "John Lee's" was a mix of all types but one rule was observed by all, any night of the week. If you were in the back room, you didn't talk except between sets. If you talked at any other time, you were leaving the club. If you didn't leave the club peacefully, you were never coming back at all. That was why for the meeting with Eddy, Harry had planned to stay in the front room. He let Carol out and gave her instructions to see about getting a table in said front room, he'd join her as soon as he'd parked the car. She walked into the club, relishing the stares her outfit drew; the dress, the hose, her black 5 inch heels with locks & keys, the black leather collar with silver accents, the silver chain hanging from the d-ring and coiled around her wrist. She looked hot and she knew it. She scanned the front room, thirty some-odd tables, no vacancies. She walked over to a table for four where a single guy was seated, obviously alone. "Excuse me kind sir, but my friends and I would really, really like this table." He looked at her, lust in his eyes. "What'll you do for me if I let you have the table?" She leaned in and whispered, "I'll pay you $50 and won't tell the bouncer that you grabbed my ass and tried to stick your hand in my cunt. Now move away from the table." She pulled a fifty out of her cleavage and put it on the table. He took it and moved on. From the back room she heard someone laying down a guitar riff that sounded like the torture of a soul in Hell, then someone singing about being left for another man. She saw something happening at the bar and turned her attention there. ------- Eddy had been standing at the bar, minding his own business. That's the way it always started. He was beginning to think he ought to just roar into a bar, screaming bloody murder and looking for a fight. That way, he might avoid trouble. He was nursing a Shiner Bock and listening to this drunk pester a cute blonde sitting at the bar. It was turning into an exercise in how many ways she could say 'no' but, drunks being drunks, he was somehow missing the significance of that word. Then the drunk stepped over the line. "You got no right bein' that snooty, you dressed like that. What right you got to treat me like this?" And her response had a tinge of fear in it. "Listen, will you please just go away?" Eddy found his hand entwined in the sweaty hair at the back of the man's head. "Alright assface," he growled in his ear, "if I was a bouncer here, I'd just eject you, as calmly as possible, from the club and you'd be on your way somewhere else to fuck up someone else's night. But I'm not a bouncer, I'm a really pissed off motherfucker who's had to listen to your drunk ass for far too long. So you either leave right now, not saying another word or I'm going to take you out of here, into the back alley and in the morning when you wake up, you'll be pissin' blood. Do I make myself clear?" The drunk started to say something, then seeing Eddy's face, gained a small measure of wisdom and staggered towards the exit. "Ma'am, I'm sorry he bothered you, if there's anything I can-" "Fuck off." Eddy swallowed the anger and the pain. He stuffed them down into him like he had all his life. He told the little boy standing in the middle of the playground by himself to stop his fucking crying, that he didn't need any friends. "My apologies, ma'am." He had resolved to keep it together, not get shit-faced before the end of his get-together with Harry and Carol tonight. Carol was evidently something very special. He didn't want her to get a bad impression of him. He didn't want to embarrass Harry. "You're a freak, you're a monster, you're a psycho, Eddy, no one worth loving loves you." "Harry loves me." "Harry doesn't really know you. If he did he'd run from you." A shot or two to go with his beer was looking real good. He sure hoped Harry showed up soon. ------- Carol watched the altercation, subtle as it was, between the large, frightening man and the smaller one. The larger man was making her very uncomfortable. She was not getting a good feeling from him. She wished Harry or Eddy was here. She looked away from the bar, down at the table, waited for a waitress and listened to the blues. ------- Harry was rediscovering the joys of finding parking anywhere within of the Strip on a Friday night. Next time he'd call a freaking cab. It might not be cheaper but it would save him tons of frustration. ------- Eddy was focusing on just sipping his beer and not raising his hand to get the bartender's attention when he felt someone come up behind him then move between him and the woman at the bar. "Pardon me, miss, is this man disturbing you?" He turned to see a bouncer, not as big as him, not as built as him, damn sure not as pissed off as him. Please lady, he thought, don't give me an excuse to get arrested tonight. "No," she said, a look of disgust on her face, "I suppose not." "Very well," the bouncer responded and Eddy watched him go, smiling at him coldly. Just a beer, just a beer, just a beer, just a beer. If this kept up he was going to have to either get drunk or got hit his pipe out in the parking lot and either of those courses of action had its risks. ------- Harry finally found parking. If they didn't make a habit out of it, he could even justify the occasional night's rental of a limo. But this driving themselves was not going to work. He began his long hike back to "John Lee's". ------- Carol's Cosmo arrived and she slurped half of it down in her first sip. It was good and it was potent. She wished Harry would get here. She wished he'd given her a better description of Eddy, or some way to recognize him. ------- Eddy couldn't continue to stand at the bar and bathe in the blonde's disdain any longer. He had to find a table somewhere, preferably in the front room so he could see Harry and Carol when they arrived. He looked over the area and the prospects were dismal. He saw one table with just one person sitting at it, a lovely girl in black. He'd go ask her if he could just share her table till his friends arrived. The worst she could say was 'no' and that wasn't going to make his evening any worse than it already was. ------- "Miss, I don't mean to bother you and I apologize, but I'm having a really bad evening and I wondered if I could just sit at your table until my friends arrive? I won't bother you, I promise." Carol looked up from her drink to find herself four feet away from the really large scary man. Eddy saw the fear in her eyes. "Really Miss, I'm harmless. I'd just like to sit down, drink my beer, wait for my friends and not bother you. The bouncers here are as close as the nearest hand wave, you're completely safe." Carol was confused. The feeling she was getting off this man was completely different than the one she'd gotten before. Now it was as if he was a mirror image of his earlier self, the feeling she got off of him was so positive she doubted her empathy for the first time in many years. "Uh, I'm sorry, I wandered off there for a moment, please, sit down." "Thank you. You got no idea how much it means for me to take a load off." "Rough night?" she asked, intrigued in spite of herself. "Oh, hell yeah." "What happened?" He looked at her with a calculating expression. "Well, if you're sure you wanna know, I'm happy to just sit here and shut up." "No, go ahead." So Eddy told Carol about the incident at the bar and the rudeness of the woman and her begrudging admission to the bouncer that he wasn't the problem. "And after that, I really needed to get away from her and sit down. I hope my friends show up soon, I don't wanna take up no more of your time." "Don't worry about it, Eddy." "Hey, how'd you know my name was Eddy?" "Eddy, I'm Carol. Harry went to park the car although I don't know why it's taking him so long." She got up and went over to the big man, throwing her arms around his neck and kissing him on the cheek. "I've wanted to meet you so badly. Thank you for backing Harry up on the trip to Rick's. "And since you're in the mood to tell stories, tell me what happened at Rick's. Not about his wrists and the piercings and such, Harry told me that, but the details..." ------- In Texas cities in the summer the fall of night brings no immediate relief. Mile after mile of asphalt and concrete soak up the heat of 100+ degree days and then can only slowly dissipate the heat into the already steamy atmosphere. During extreme heat waves it was not unheard of for some city locations to still be over 100 at 2 AM. Through this asphalt oven walked Harry, muttering his new mantra. "Next time we take a motherfucking cab, next time we take a motherfucking cab..." He finally reached "John Lee's" and once he was inside, stopped immediately at the bar. "Excuse me, if I promised you my first-born child, could I get a tall glass of ice water, followed by a shot of Jack Daniels with a Shiner Bock back?" The bartender smiled. "I'll pass on the child, but all that and more can be yours for right exchange in coin of the realm." Harry slipped her a folded twenty and ten. "We'll be here for awhile, thanks for taking care of us." Then he pulled out another twenty for the drinks. "Keep the change." He grabbed the water, drained it in a single long drink, relishing the swallows of icy water gushing down his throat. Then he downed the shot, took his beer and went in search of Carol and Eddy. They weren't hard to find. "So here's Harry, pants around his knees, hobbling to the car after pressing his hams on Diana's bedroom window, her parents are coming to the door cause of her screamin' and since Patty's at the wheel and she's a malicious bitch, she starts drivin' off. Harry's runnin', pullin' up his pants, hollerin' for her to stop. He ends up divin' through the passenger window into the front seat of the car while Diana's daddy is in the front yard, yellin' that he's gonna call the police." Carol was head down on the table laughing and Eddy was laughing almost as hard. "I see you two have met," Harry said, smiling. "Have you told her the 'Oh My God! Harry!' story yet?" "No, haven't gotten to that one." Harry took a seat and Carol came to him and climbed in his lap as soon as he was situated. He could feel her bare cunt nestled against his cock through his pants. "Jimmy," she whispered in his ear, "Paulie's told me all about the 'Jimmy & Paulie Show featuring Rick Cox' and I kinda like the idea of bein' a mobster's girl. Maybe we could go to Chicago some weekend, see the sights, visit the old hangouts, dressed to the nines, do it 1920's style." She lifted herself on his shoulders and swung her leg around to straddle his lap. "Maybe you'd like me to polish your heater right here, Jimmy." She licked his lips. He could smell her desire. "Shine it up real pretty." Eddy watched, bemused. He had suspected earlier that Carol wasn't wearing any sort of underwear but her gymnastics maneuver on Harry's lap had confirmed it. She was an interesting girl. He liked her and it was evident that she was very good for Harry. Harry kissed her while he subtly ground his erection into her. She squirmed against him, breaking the kiss to bite his bottom lip gently and suck on it. He pulled back. "Now go sit down, behave yourself and we'll see what we can do about a trip to Chicago some day, you little reprobate." She sat back down on her stool and pouted at him but couldn't hold it for long as she broke out into a smile. "So," Harry said, "I can tell that Eddy's been filling your head with spurious stories of my youth, sullying my image as a paragon of virtue in my formative years." "Harry," Eddy said, "I'm not sure what half those words meant and I knew they were bullshit." "So Eddy, you said you had some news for me about an old friend. What gives?" Eddy looked at Carol, raised an eyebrow. "My dearest, I think Eddy's about to tell me something unpleasant. Do you wish to stay and listen or go torture some poor innocent soul with how incandescently hot you look in that outfit?" "I think I'll stay." "Alright. If you would, proceed Eddy." "Okay, but you was warned. Guess what upstanding member of society refused to let doctors keep him for observation and checked himself out of the hospital early?" "Rick Cox?" "You got it. So I got some friends on the force and I been keeping half an ear out for any news of Mr. Cox, in case 'Jimmy' and 'Paulie' needed to pay him a visit and guess who was found dead in his apartment last night?" "That same Rick Cox?" "Bingo. Preliminary report says the dumb shit let more than a few of those wounds he was left with get infected and kept himself so 'medicated' he didn't realize how sick he was. Fever got too high; he lay there and cooked him and his brain to death. Friend of mine said it stank so bad in there... well, never mind." Harry watched Carol's face carefully. After a moment of working it through, a light went on behind her eyes and she turned to Harry. "Sir, please don't think that it was your fault because it wasn't." He looked at her in wonder. "My God, I love you." And then he stood up and held her tightly. From his chest he heard her. "I love you too, Harry." Their waitress came by and Harry spread the love as he had with the bartender. "We're going to need a round of shots. It's toasting time. Better make that three rounds. Uh, Jack Daniels for me, same all around? Okay, same all around." "Oh Christ, here we go." Eddy leaned down and started speaking to Carol in a low voice, explaining traditions. After the rounds arrived, Harry lifted his first. "To friends present!" Carol and Eddy echoed the phrase and they all did their shot. He picked up his second. "To absent friends," and looked at Carol, "and absent loves!" They echoed the phrase and all did their shot. He picked up the third. "To Rick Cox!" And then he spit disdainfully into the shot. The toast and action was echoed and they all did their shots. "And now," said Carol, "we all switch to water for awhile." They sat and talked together for over an hour, drinking water and cups of bar coffee, which was surprisingly good, listening to the music from the back room. Harry picked up his coffee cup and held in the palm of his hand, studying it. "Alas poor Rick! I knew him, Edward: a fellow of infinite stupidity, of most repugnant sensibility: he hath beaten her upon her back a thousand times; and now, how abhorred in her imagination he is! My gorge rims at it! Here hung those lips that did yell at her in anger? Where be your bravado now? Your threats? Your lies? Your flashes of rage that were wont to set her spirit a-quaking? No rage now, against your own fate?" "A good end for a sorry sack of shit," said Eddy. "Amen to that," agreed Carol. "Harry, not that the blues aren't doing it for me, they are, but can we find a place with booths, dark corner tables, something like that?" "You are an evil creature, a succubus from hell and I love you for it. Any place like that spring to mind, Eddy?" "Yeah, got a friend, Bizoumet, plays piano at a little bar way over on 38th and St. Paul, place called "The Chateau de Chantilly". It definitely fits the description. You let me call her; she'll make sure they have a corner booth cleared out for us by the time we can get there." "Call away." Harry cleared out their tab, apologized to both waitress and bartender that they hadn't stayed longer and ordered more, saying it both with words and currency and then called a cab. ------- "The Chateau de Chantilly" did not in the least attempt to evoke an atmosphere in anyway French. The door to the club was between a dry cleaners and an optometrist's office, a narrow corridor which led back about fifty feet and opened out into the club. Inside it was tables and booths, a long bar with the remnants of a happy hour snack buffet, a small stage with a beautiful piano, a lovely woman, slender and elegant with long straight brown hair falling almost to the floor as she sat on the bench playing a soulful rendition of Johnny Mercer's "Blues In The Night". If there wasn't a non-smoking regulation, there would have been a blue haze in the room and the atmosphere would have been a perfect capturing of "smoky piano bar". The club was almost full, the people either listening or talking very softly among themselves and the very soft murmur of their voices was almost an accompaniment to the music Eddy motioned to a waitress. "Table for Eddy and party, Bizoumet arranged it." She favored him with a dazzling smile. "Yes sir, right this way." As promised, a roomy corner booth, the table draped with a dark tablecloth that with the light they had could have been red or black, perhaps brown. They scooted their way in and sat down. The song finished, over the applause, the pianist spoke into the mike, "Sorry ladies and gentlemen, I know I didn't have a break scheduled for right now, but a dear friend just walked in. I'm going to go say hello for a bit, but then I'll be back." As she approached the table, Carol leaned in and whispered to Harry, "Just to make sure sir, you probably already know, but no matter what, refer to her as a female." Harry was momentarily confused until Bizoumet got closer and he realized that she was either a very pretty man in drag or a trans-sexual. He bent towards Carol. "So," he whispered, "drag queen or sex-change?" "Sex change I think, sir, pre-op." Eddy stood as she approached the table and held out his arms. Harry stood as much as he could in the confines of the booth. Bizoumet threw her arms around Eddy and Eddy hugged her back, tightly. "Eddy, darling, you look simply good enough to eat this evening! And who are these two?" "Bizoumet, this is Harry Grimes, my oldest friend and Carol Riley, his significant other." Harry took her offered hand and kissed it. "Charmed and entranced. You play beautifully but you yourself outshine your playing." "How kind of you for saying so but I'm afraid my looks have never gone far towards negotiating my fee or filling my tip jar." "An oversight on the part of management and blindness in your audience." "I like him, Eddy, you really must bring him around more often." The two friends settled in to catch up as Harry's cell went off. "Hello Kell- hello Lady Kay... yes, we're still out... "The Chateau de Chantilly", 38th and St. Paul, take a cab, I'll cover it... don't worry about it, you're saving for school, I'll cover it... oh, I think we'll be here for awhile... see you soon, bye." He turned to Carol. "She's on her way." Before long Bizoumet was back at the piano and their first round of drinks arrived, shortly to be followed by Kelly. She wore a shimmering burnished bronze basque, laced up the front, short skirt of the same material, black patent leather thigh high boots with a low, two and a half inch heel, laced up the back. She saw them at the table and came over. "Arthur, Merlin," she leaned in and kissed the two of them, "and who is this worthy gentleman?" "Lady Kay, this is Eddy Janak." "Sir Edward, a pleasure to make your acquaintance." She curtsied before him, almost all the way to the floor. Eddy watched her, dumbfounded. Beautiful, sexy and clearly insane. He continued to watch as he kissed her hand and she crawled into the booth between Carol and Harry, unsubtly caressing both their inner thighs. "Mind if I sit here Arthur? Merlin?" "I certainly don't mind if Merlin doesn't," Harry said, "but I need to get up and go speak with Bizoumet, so if you ladies would excuse me?" He walked up and waited out of the way until she finished her number. They conferred together for a few moments and then he returned to the table "Baby Girl?" "Yes sir?" "I want you to go up and stand by Bizoumet where I stood. When she finishes this song, I want you to go to the mike and sing 'Unforgettable', she'll accompany you." "But sir, I've never sang in front of a group of people before." "And you're not doing so now. You're singing for me and Lady Kay and Eddy, if that's not too many people. You just close your eyes and sing like we're the only people here. When you've gotten good and in the swing of things, you can open your eyes if you want to or you can just keep them closed and sing to no one but me if that's what it takes. You have a lovely voice and I want to hear it here tonight. Now give me your cell phone and go wait up there for this song to finish." As Carol made her way up to the little stage, Harry dialed Margo's number. She answered, sleepily, "Hello Harry, is something wrong?" "No love, just something I wanted to share with you. Say hello to Guinevere, Lady Kay. Say hello to Margo, Eddy." He took pictures of the two of them waving and transmitted them to Margo's phone. "Now hold on. This is from Carol and me to you, although she doesn't know I'm sending it to you, it'd make her too nervous." He moved out of the booth and stood at the bar, about twenty feet away from the stage. Bizoumet finished Cole Porter's "I've Got You Under My Skin" and Carol slowly walked up to the microphone. Bizoumet leaned over and whispered "You'll be fine, just relax". Bizoumet started to play and when it came time for Carol to sing her voice came out, clear and beautiful. She sang like there was no one else in the room but she and Harry and she kept her eyes tightly shut to maintain the illusion. Harry kept taking pictures and sending them to Margo. Margo sat cross-legged on her mattress on the floor, tears flowing down her face in rivers, rocking herself back and forth. It was so beautiful it hurt and she got the message of love that Harry was sending for the two of them loud and clear and she thought again just how lucky she was. As Carol finished the audience sat stunned, an occasional bit of sniffing heard from here and there and as she moved towards Harry the applause began and people got up on their feet and Carol got to Harry and he held her in his arms, put the phone to her ear and said "She's here". Margo's teary voice came through the phone, "Carol, Baby Girl? Oh my God that was beautiful; I love the two of you so much, thank you so much for that." Carol turned to Harry. "She heard it?" "Yeah, had her on the line the whole time. I didn't want to tell you because I knew it'd make you more nervous than ever." She grabbed the phone. "Margo, he didn't tell me, I didn't know but I'm so glad you heard it because I mean what it says about you just like I mean it about Harry and he's a bastard for not telling me and I love you and I miss you." She handed it back to Harry. "Margo, we're thinking of you and we love you and we know you'll come home when you're ready. Take care and sleep well, good night our love." Bizoumet came over. "I don't know if you two beautiful lovebirds have noticed, but the people really loved that. Here's the hundred back, Harry, but you've got to get her up there for an encore or twelve." "Carol?" "Okay, but I'm keeping my eyes closed." "Honey I don't care if you cross your legs and stick a mike stand up your ass, just sing," said Bizoumet, laughing. As the two of them went into "Crazy", Harry returned to the table. Kelly hopped up and hugged him, slipping her tongue into his mouth and kissing him fiercely. He let himself sink into the kiss. He felt her hands caressing his ass and so he returned the favor. Eddy sat in the booth stunned. He felt like he'd gotten on a subway train only to find out it was going 500 miles an hour. First there was Carol, then this crazy Lady Kay or Kelly or whatever the hell her name was, then while Carol's blowing him away with her singing, Kelly tells him how Margo fits in the picture now, in love with both Harry and Carol and then this Kelly curls up with him, making out and stroking his johnson. "Now if you'll excuse me, my liege, Sir Edward was feeling particularly interesting a few moments ago." Harry looked at the woman before him, not able in the least to figure her out. "Of course, please, go ahead," he said. "By your leave." He sat back down, listened to Carol finish "Crazy" and after a whispered consultation during the applause, move in to Leonard Cohen's "Dance Me To The End Of Love". Kelly snuggled up next to him. "On second thought, Sir Edward was a little freaked out, so we exchanged cell numbers and he's gone to the bar to ponder for a bit. Methinks he knows not what to make of me." "Kel- Lady Kay, I don't know what to make of you." "Kelly's fine, Harry. The rest is just me enjoying being odd. See, that first night with Carol, that was the strangest experience I'd ever had and I loved every second of it. I loved the freedom, the unpredictability, the risk of it. The whole thing was very liberating. Now I have new friends to play with, to take chances with, but yet to be safe with. And you all are so cute with your mouths hanging open, wondering what the fuck is up with that craaaazy black girl." She smiled then nibbled on his neck. "See Harry, I can meet and fuck all sorts of really pretty people, the university's full of them, go to wild parties, park my mouth in front of glory holes, get so wasted I wouldn't feel an elephant fucking me and become a party favor at a frat house, but none of that, none of it, would have a single ounce of the tons of love I feel when Carol looks at you, or Margo, or you two look at her, or each other. I think that's another part of why I'm here and why I want to be with y'all. I don't know if I want to grow that close to y'all or just bathe in the reflected love, but it's goddamn glorious, Harry, and I like being around it." "Well, I guess that does make sense," he said, nibbling her neck right back. As Carol finished up, Bizoumet had a whispered conversation with her and then took the mike. "Let's hear it for Ms. Carol Grimes!" The applause was loud and long and the ovation was standing. She made her way back to the table, blushing, and curled up next to Harry. "If you ever make me do that again" she whispered in his ear, "I'll... well, I'll do it, just like this time, and then I'll bitch about it. A lot." "Don't worry, I won't ask you to do that again." "I will," said Bizoumet, who had come up to the table. "In fact, I'll ask you to sing here every night I work, which is Wednesday through Saturday. I'm willing to renegotiate a contract with Pansy, the guy who owns this place and after tonight I think he'll go for it. I don't know how much higher he'd go, but I'll certainly split fifty-fifty with you on tips." Carol looked at Harry. "Do you want me to, sir?" "What do you want to do?" "Well, I wouldn't mind coming in and singing every once in awhile, for the fun of it I guess, but I wouldn't want to do it all the time." "Well honey, any time you want to come in and sing when I'm playing, I'll still split fifty-fifty with you. You were awesome." "Thank you, Bizoumet, I was terrified but it was kind of fun." "You're welcome. Here, from what I saw come in, this ought to cover your half." She put three twenties on the table and walked away. "How'd you get her to let me sing?" "I paid her a hundred, which you saw her return, and told her if you embarrassed her, I'd pay her another hundred. I was pretty damn sure I wasn't going to have to make good on that second option." Carol kissed him. "Thank you, Harry. Thank you for believing in me, even when I didn't believe in myself." "My love, it's ok, I've heard you sing beautifully while giving me a superb hand-job. Singing on stage couldn't be that much more difficult." "Harry, I think I'm ready to go home and have you fuck me silly," Carol said. "Sounds good to me, too," added Kelly. Harry called a cab; the three of them made their goodbyes to Eddy and Bizoumet and took the cab back to his car. ------- The three of them hit the house, Harry headed for the shower to remove the traces of his long walk, the girls doing the same to freshen up. Between volunteering to help Harry get clean and washing each other the girls were soon much occupied and Harry was finding the attention and groping and kissing very stimulating as well. The shower looked like it was in danger of lasting until they ran out of hot water. None of them heard the front door open and close. None of them heard the footsteps through the living room and into the bedroom. "Well, I never expected to see this," said Angie, standing in the bathroom door. They all heard that. ------- Chapter 10 Many times in one's life, there come moments when a small touch of God's Grace makes the difference. When a friend embarrasses themselves and almost anything one could say would be wrong and make the situation worse, it's a small touch of that Grace that has the right thing come out of one's mouth and save someone's self-respect. When one has fucked up so badly that there's no way one could be forgiven, it's that Grace that allows those one has offended to find a way to forgive. When someone's whole world is crumbling around them and they're sinking into despair so quickly that there's really only time for one phrase of comfort and hope to reach them, it's that Grace that chooses the right phrase and aims it well. The most pervasive and persuasive argument for the existence of a Deity is this mechanism of tiny moments of Grace, so common that they disappear into the background noise of daily life, so profound that they create ever-spreading ripple effects in the lives of people that continue much farther than one can see at the time of their inception. Such a moment of Grace came to Harry, standing in a shower with two young women, his wife in the doorway. He thought about his and Angie's courtship, noticing things he'd never seen before, symptoms of a condition he'd never wanted to acknowledge existed. He thought over three years of marriage, thought past the happy blinders he'd had on, thought to the truth behind his denial, looked with clear eyes at Angie and finally, completely, saw her for what she was. He'd been played. He'd been played by either a professional or a damned talented amateur and he'd helped her play him. Hell, he'd gone out of his way to make it easy for her. He'd wanted so much to be loved and needed and wanted that he'd have handed her the knife and crawled up on an altar if that's what she'd asked of him. He'd bought the emotional baggage he was carrying and paid full price for it. He was going to be dealing with it for years. So was Carol. So was Margo. So was anyone who loved him. But even if he had paid for it, she'd sold it to him. He was responsible for his part, she was responsible for hers. He was paying for his. It was time for her to pay for hers. All of this, in a second, by a touch of God's Grace. ------- Harry turned away from Angie, towards Carol and Kelly. As he did, he very clearly mouthed the words "Play along". Carol caught the feeling, ran her hand down to his soapy cock and caressed it. "Who's this, Daddy?" Harry smiled to himself. Good girl, clever girl. Kelly edged around him to get a better look. "Harry, is there a reason there a skinny white woman in yo' house?" "Baby, Kay, meet my wife, Angie. Angie, this is Baby and Kay." Angie smiled like a cat contemplating the mouse it has under its claws. "Jesus Harry, how old are these two? You developing a taste for jailbait?" Look scared, Harry. "Uh, how old they are is none of your goddamn business, Angie," he said, nervously. "What the fuck are you doing here?" "So, they are underage. Let me guess, I'm betting 'Baby' can't be more than 16, 'Kay' looks to be 17. Not too far under the line, Harry, but still far enough under to get you 20 years." "W-w-what do you want, Angie. I thought we were done." Angie looked at him, appraising him, looking at the handsome man in the shower, dick still erect due to the stroking it was getting. "I thought we were too. But I may be wrong. We have to talk, Harry. Get rinsed off." She walked out into the bedroom and they heard her go into the living room beyond. "I think she's going to make this easy," he said. "Make what easy?" Carol asked. "I don't know yet. But the two of you keep playing it underage and like you're living here with me. Don't let her intimidate you or order you around. Any time she tries, you look to me first. Follow my lead." They rinsed off and Harry walked out into the living room, drying his hair and wearing his bathrobe. There was a sight he never thought he'd see again. Angie was naked, sprawled on some pillows next to a low table. She had a tiny mirror out and was doing a thin line of coke. Harry looked at her heroin-chic physique and wondered how he'd ever thought her hollows and angles had been attractive, let alone ravishingly beautiful. It was like he was looking at a rough framework that had the potential thatsomeday would have a woman built on it. ------- Back in the bedroom, Carol whispered to Kelly, "Get Eddy on the cell. Tell him Angie's here and there may be trouble later on. Have him get here ASAP and wait outside on the porch. If he hears anybody scream, come busting in." "Okay. Are we gonna have to play with that bitch?" "I'm afraid so." "Alright, I'll start working myself up for it. Are y'all's Friday nights always this exciting?" "Thankfully no or at least, not exciting this way." Carol gathered a few items together, covered them with a blanket and headed for the living room. ------- "Daddy," she said as she entered the living room, "I brought you another blanket in case you get cold. Where do you want it?" "Right here next to me, Baby." She dropped the pile next to where Harry was seated on the floor, a few feet from Angie, and then sat down on some pillows and began to casually play with herself. Kelly came in the room and sat beside her and started playing with her as well. "Get the little sluts out of here, Harry," Angie said, cleaning up the last of the coke from under her nostrils. "I don't think so, Angie. They live here. They keep me warm at night, they do all the things that my wife doesn't do and so I think they'll be staying." She laughed mockingly. "Harry, I don't think you understand; I'm about a breath and a half away from calling the cops, turning you and your little sluts in. You're in no position to tell me 'no' about anything." Harry's left hand was busy under the blanket. "Wrong, Angie. You've walked into my house, caught me naked in the shower with some prime underage pussy yet you're not on the phone to anyone. You're naked in my living room, doing a of line of flake... that doesn't sound to me like someone who's serious about making threats-" he snapped his fingers, pointed at Kelly, pointed at his cock "-that sounds to me like someone interested in negotiations. And you don't give the orders here if you're thinking of negotiating." Kelly was stretched out between his legs. She sucked his cock into her mouth and began to give him head, vigorously. "Slow down, Kay, we're in for a long night." As Kelly obeyed, he snapped again, pointed at Carol then pointed at Angie's cunt. She crawled over, swaying her hips and shoulders, coming up on Angie like a jungle cat strolling down a path. She looked up at Angie and licked her lips seductively. "You were wrong, I'm not sixteen. Ever been finger-fucked and had your titties licked by a fifteen-year-old?" Angie looked at her, somewhat stunned. "N-n-no." "Hold on to your seat, it's going to be a bumpy night, starting with this little bump right here!" And she buried her hand between Angie's thighs, going to work on her with a vengeance while she latched on to her tit and began to nibble and lick it. "So Angie, now that we've cleared the bullshit out of the way, what do you want?" "Well... I'd wanted to see if what that stupid bitch said was the truth." "What 'stupid bitch' are we talking about?" "Oh, Anna, our old cleaning lady. She got a little hot under the collar about something at the house, I took the afternoon off, came home and we got into a screaming match. I won, I fired her. But she said something that intrigued me. She said something about the new woman in your life. I came by to see if it was true." "You just happened to come by at this hour of the night." "No, I've been coming by, checking to see if your car was back all evening. Hmm, this 'Baby' of yours is something and I normally don't care for girls, especially not little half-Mexican half-white-trash sluts like her." Harry felt Kelly's growl. "Easy now," he said, more to Kelly than Angie, "you don't want to be saying nasty things about the girl who's playing with you, do you?" "Oh, I don't think 'Baby's going to do anything to upset your wife, now is she? Not if she's got a brain in her head. "You want to know the biggest reason I cheated on you, Harry?" You're a whore and a slut, Harry thought to himself. "You were boring, Harry. You were as dull as white bread. But now I come here tonight... well Harry, six months may not have changed some things, but you're living with and fucking two underage girls, you're 'negotiating' with me while they play with us, you actually appear to have grown a pair since you're not caving to me like you always used to... Harry, whatever you are, you're not boring anymore. "I'm thinking maybe we should get back together." Harry paused for a moment. In his mind, he was stunned by the gall of the woman. She had to be the most empathically dead person on the planet not to feel the seething hatred that roiled about the room, all of it aimed at her. She just sat there in her unassailable bubble of ignorance and arrogance and thought there was absolutely no reason he wouldn't want to come back to her. "Come here, Harry, fuck me and tell me 'yes'. We can start moving you back into the house tomorrow." He lifted Kelly's head up and kissed her delicately on the mouth. "Thank you, Kay." He reached under the blanket and retrieved the cock ring Carol had brought out. "Strap this on me, won't you, dear?" Kelly fastened the leather strap around the base of Harry's cock and under his balls, cinching it tight. Harry hoped it would help him keep an erection. God knew he didn't want his dick anywhere near Angie. He slipped on a condom. "Harry, since when do you need one of those? We had you fixed." "And I had myself unfixed. I planned for these two to be pregnant in a few years; decided I was tired of feeling like the neutered house pet." "Hmm, that shows questionable judgment, little mongrel babies running around the house." Harry crossed the floor, turned her over onto all fours and positioned himself. "Angie, until you can conceive of a couple of little cum sluts like this walking around, carrying your children, obeying your every command, you have no idea what you're talking about." And he rammed his cock into her, letting his anger portray passion, letting his disgust disguise itself as desire. "Maybe, Harry, maybe you're right. Where'd you pick them up, anyway?" "After you left me, my mood turned a little dark. I ran across Baby at an S&M club. She has a pretty decent fake I.D. At first I got off on hurting her, pretending she was you-" "She doesn't look anything like me!" "-it took a lot of pretending, then I was just getting off on hurting her, then I was just getting off on her. She came home with me awhile back and never left. Kay is a friend of hers. They used to watch each other's backs. She needed some place to stay, same as Baby; she knew the deal and was happy to get it. You ought to see the show they put on when I bring the guys from the office over to fuck them." "Wait, you bring guys home from the office to fuck them and you watch?" "Oh yeah, after I came home and found you and what's-his-ass, that started to become a fantasy of mine. Now with the two of them, I watch probablyseven, eight guys do each of them, just stroking myself the whole time, then I have 'em suck the cum out of each other and I flip a coin or something, see which one of them I'm gonna fuck. Oh, it's great." "So you're really getting off on watching them get fucked by other guys?" Carol crawled around in front of her. "Lady, he splits my slit in half. It gets even kinkier. I can get him off, days later, just tellin' him how it felt, reliving it for him. I start playing with myself, tellin' him all that, before I know it he's sprayin' cum all over me." Kelly came up and put her head between Carol's legs. "Yeah and sometimes, he be doin' me in the ass while I be eatin' Baby and she start tellin' him that shit? I be leakin' cum from my butt for hours." And then she began to loudly lick Carol's cunt. This was it, Harry could feel it. He was sure the digital voice recorder was fully charged; he'd charged it for the De Freitas meeting and hadn't used it. It had over 50 hours of recording time on its current setting. He knew it could pick up anything and everything said in the room. It could handle much larger spaces than this. He knew he'd punched 'record' since he was used to doing so unobtrusively. He didn't know how Carol had thought to bring it out; he would have had to have constructed a reason for him to go back to the bedroom for it otherwise, but thought of it she had. The bait was as set as it could be. Both the girls had improvised their roles to perfection. Now if this skank would just take the fucking bait and start talking. "Well Harry," Angie said, "would you like me to tell you about the men I slept with while we were together?" The pelvic stab of hatred he gave her was interpreted as lust. ------- The descriptions went on and the list grew, minute by minute; a quarter hour, a half hour, three quarters of an hour. Harry had to lube himself twice as the skank's natural lubrication gave out. She came several times but the litany of infidelity went on. She was giving him the story of her rise at DeWitt & Associates. She had fucked and blackmailed her way up and he sincerely doubted she had the training or skills needed for any job she'd held there since her first two promotions in the first year of their marriage. The role he was playing was sickening him and with every stroke into her he felt more unclean. But what she was telling him... it was a second-to-second toss-up whether he was going to throw up on her back or strangle her to death. If the realization of her duplicity and deceit from the very beginning of their relationship had been the death of his marriage, the acts he was performing, the role he was playing... it was necrophilia; he was, for the sake of revenge, or justice, or payback, he was no longer sure, allowing her to fuck the corpse of their marriage. And he was helping her to do it. ------- He motioned for Carol to come to him; he whispered "dog chain" in her ear. She ran off to the bedroom and got it, brought it to him. "Angie, ready to get a little kinky?" he asked. "Of course, anything for you Harry," she purred. He had Kelly shackle her wrists together, had Carol shackle her ankles with a restraining bar between them. "Harry, I always wanted to try a little bondage, but I was thinking of it being the other way around." "I'm sorry Angie, that just wouldn't work for what's going to happen tonight." He slipped the ball gag in place himself. He jammed the applicator of the lubricant tube roughly into her ass, as far as it would go and squeezed half the tube into her. He threw the tube across the room and positioned his cock at her asshole. She began to writhe and twist. Carol and Kelly braced her in place. Harry jammed his cock in her ass all the way to the hilt in one cruel thrust. The scream from behind the ball gag was loud and echoed through the house. He looked down and saw blood mixing with the lube. He took the dog chain and wrapped it around her neck, crossing it in the back and pulled her up to him, savagely tightening the chain, watching her redden. Carol and Kelly helped hold her in place as he pulled back on the chains like reins, driving himself deeper into her, feeling her lungs in her chest heaving for air... ------- He opened his eyes and didn't see what he expected. Angie was still talking about her adulterous sexual conquests. He was clutching at the air as if grasping the chains. The girls, out of Angie's field of vision, looked at him with concern. Tears filled his eyes. He'd thought there was no way she could hurt him anymore but his hatred for her was eating him inside. It was time to be done with this. It was time to end it. He had all he needed. He had more than enough. He pulled out of Angie. "Angie," he said, in a shaky voice. She turned and cuddled up next to him. "God, Harry that was great. I can't wait till you move back in-" "Angie..." "Now, I guess I don't have any problem with the little white girl, but the nigger can't come with you." He never saw the slap that drove her back into the pillows four feet away. "HARRY, WHAT THE FUCK-" "SHUT UP ANGIE!" The anger in his voice frightened her and it dawned on her for the first time that night that perhaps things weren't all that they seemed to be. "Angie, I'm only going to say this once. If you don't listen carefully and believe every word I say, the effects could be disastrous for you. "'Baby' is 24. 'Kay' is 22. You don't have a thing on me except fanciful stories made up to deceive you. "I, on the other hand, have enough information on this recorder" he reached over and brought it out into view "-to lose you your job and possibly have you up on criminal charges of blackmail, should certain of your superiors wish to press charges. Here's where the real deal making begins and ends. "You're going to file for divorce on Monday. You're going to relinquish all rights to any community property and funds acquired during the duration of our marriage. The house in Crockett Heights goes on the market no later than Tuesday. You are going to walk out of this marriage with your material possessions, clothes, jewelry, appliances and nothing more. You will never mention to anyone what has happened here tonight or does happen here tonight. If you do, the recording gets played where it will do the most harm." The front door opened and Eddy walked in. While Kelly wasn't surprised to see him at all, his appearance clearly startled everyone else. "If you do, Angie, I pay you a visit when you least expect it. You won't like it. You won't survive it. Nobody'll ever find your fuckin' corpse. Harry won't have anything to do with it. It'll just be between me and a piece of shit. You know what I do for a living, you know the contacts I got, you know you can't hide." "Now then Angie," Harry said, "do you agree to those terms, or do I go to your office on Monday with this?" "You fucking..." "I didn't ask you your opinion of me, Angie; frankly I don't give a shit. Yes or no, that's all I'm fucking interested in. Yes or no?" "Yes." "Yes what?" "Yes I agree to your terms and will abide by them." "Alright, get your clothes, get dressed, get the fuck out of my sight. I never want to see you again." "NO SIR!" He looked up to see Carol, shaking with rage, tears streaming down her face. "What?" "You promised me, sir. You promised her to me. You promised me permission. You promised meeeee..." she wailed. He looked at her. He saw the other side of her primal passion. He saw primal fury. He had promised her. "You have my permission." "Thank you, sir. You might want to leave. I don't think you want to see this." Harry, horrified by what he had seen inside himself, couldn't find it in his heart to begrudge Carol her vengeance. But he couldn't watch it. He shuffled to the shower as one dead. ------- "Kelly!" "Yes ma'am!" "Go into my bag over there and get me my straight razor. Eddy!" "Yes'm?" "There's a plastic sheet in the storeroom behind the kitchen. Go and get it and put it down here on the floor." "Yes'm." "I'm not going to sit here and put up with this bullshit! You're just trying to scare me. I'm leaving." Carol's fist came jabbing out of nowhere and slammed into her breast bone, knocking her to the ground. Before the shaken Angie could respond, Carol was pinning her down, straddling her, one hand to her throat, the other to her right wrist. "Listen to me, you fucking whore! You haven't figured out the group dynamics of this situation yet, have you? I'm the woman who loves the man you tried to destroy. I'm the woman who's going to be spending years undoing the damage you've done to him. She's" motioning with her head at Kelly "-my dear friend who'll do whatever I ask her to, isn't that right Kay?" "Uh huh." "The big guy, Eddy, is the one who doesn't see any reason why we're even consideringletting you live. He can ditch your body as easily tonight as he can when you get stupid and open your fucking mouth and say things you shouldn't. Isn't that right, Eddy?" "Yeah." "Now, you cum-guzzling dumpster slut, you have a better read on the dynamics, don't you?" She moved Angie to the plastic. "Get dressed. And listen. I don't know about your past, I'm sure somewhere along the line you were fucked over or somehow life dealt with you cruelly. I'm abso-fucking-lutely positive that you have a sob story to tell about mistreatment or how it's not your fault that you're such a piece of filth. "I don't care. "You took the best man I've ever known and used him as toilet paper for three and a half years. You wiped your ass on someone when you should've been hitting your knees and thanking God for every single day of your time together." Her foot lashed out and connected with Angie's shoulder. Angie cried out and fell to the floor, sobbing. "Oh, bitch please... get up. If that's going to knock you down and keep you there, we ought to let Eddy get rid of your body tonight. You're too fucking weak to live. "You used someone who would have lived for you, killed for you, died for you as if he were just another poor sucker for you to take to the cleaners. How many men have you met that would have done that for you? Really, truthfully, or I'll cut you?" She squatted down, close to Angie. "Really, I am interested, how many?" "O-o-other than H-h-Harry... no one." The elbow that broke her nose appeared to come out of nowhere. "Right," Carol said over Angie's injured wail, "no one!" She twirled in place and stood up. "Eddy, I'm sorry, I'm gonna be asking you to do me a big favor tonight." She squatted back down, the straight razor appearing like magic in her hand; open, gleaming, deadly. "I can't let this stupid bitch live. I just can't. I was gonna use this to cut slices out of your arms, one for every month you and Harry were together on one arm, one for every man you cheated on him with on the other, but I can't do that. I can't let you live and look at myself in the morning." "Carol," Eddy said, "I know we just met tonight, but I already know you well enough to know this ain't you, you can't do this and be at peace with yourself. Let me do it." "Eddy, it's nothing but pest control." She leaned down and ran the hollow-ground edge of the razor along Angie's terrified throat. A half-inch cut, very shallow, produced a thin trickle of blood. "Angie, you had the same chances for a happy life that anyone else had. Shame you had to go fuckin' 'em up." The smell of urine and feces flooded the room as Angie lost control of herself. Out of her mouth came a solid stream of pleading as tears flowed down her cheeks in rivers like the blood pouring out of her broken nose. "PeasedodkillmeIdodwanddodieIllgoawayanddoeverydingIdoldHarryIwouldbudpeasedodkillme-" "You're fucking pathetic. Give me a hand Eddy; you pick up that end of the sheet and careful not to spill. Kay, get the front door." After Kelly opened the door Carol and Eddy carried Angie, still on the sheet, out into the yard. "Let's dump her. Go away Angie and don't ever forget what happened tonight and what will happen if you talk about it." They rolled the sobbing woman, bleeding, soaked in her own filth, onto the lawn. "I'm going to go rinse this off in the back yard." "Carol, you're naked." "Okay, you go rinse it off in the back yard." ------- Harry crouched in the shower under the water, as hot as he could stand it. He rocked back and forth, sobbing; sure he'd never feel clean again. He tried to let go of all the hatred he felt for Angie, tried torelease the poison that was eating at him, tried to flush it with his tears but even with all that had happened that night, he couldn't. It tore through him like a rabid beast, ripping and clawing, biting and shredding, looking for an exit that wasn't there. He felt Carol come into the shower, turn the water temperature down, felt her strip off the condom, unfasten the leather cock strap. She knelt in front of him and put a bundle of rolled towels between their faces. "Harry, we both need to scream... you need to let it out, you need to let it all out. Just scream it out into the towels... we don't want the neighbors to call the cops, but this is going to eat both of us until we exorcise it from us. Come on Harry, scream with me." And they put their mouths to the towels and they screamed. They screamed the pain, the anger, their disgust with Angie and with themselves, the fear, the hatred; they screamed until their throats were raw. ------- Kelly was in shock. She had not seen her Friday night ending anything like this. She had wanted a nice night with friends, come back here, fuck two of her favorite people until the dawn, grab some sleep, get up and go to work. Instead she'd ended up on the Sleazy-Bitch's Boat Ride to Hell and had become an actor in a psycho-drama that had her unsure who had been serious about killing whom when. But they were her friends. That settled a multitude of issues. They were her friends and there'd better be a stiff goddamn drink and a stiffer goddamn penis in her immediate future somewhere. That was when she heard Carol and Harry start screaming into the towels. ------- Eddy was laying out the plastic sheet in the back yard after watching Angie drive away. There was a part of him that was praying she'd get stupid someday. Because you're a monster, Eddy. After seeing the wreckage the bitch had left in Harry's life, Eddy had been more than ready to do her tonight. He wasn't sure if Carol had been serious, but he was pretty sure that Harry had been at some point, but had backed away. Because he's not a monster, Eddy. Carol didn't know how right she'd been. It was nothing but pest control. Just taking care of something that should never have survived being born, something that should have been discarded as afterbirth. Just like you, Eddy. Well, the sheet was all laid out, time to clean up. That's when he heard Harry and Carol start screaming into the towels. ------- Kelly arrived at the bathroom door; the door where this had all began just a few hours ago to see her two sometime-lovers engaging in what she could only interpret as primal scream therapy. In a thunder of footsteps, Eddy arrived. "Don't worry Eddy, they're just cleaning out their systems... they'll be alright later. I seem to remember seeing a bottle of Jack Daniels in the kitchen. What say you and I go have a drink and talk about European Colonial policies in Africa in the 1800's?" "I need to go rinse off the plastic sheet out back, besides, I don't know nothin' about European Colonial policies in Africa whenever." "Then we'll drink and talk out back. Besides, sure you do, involves lots of hard thrusts by the white man into the precious valleys and forested clefts of the African lowlands. You'll enjoy it, trust me." ------- Their screaming done, Harry and Carol cried in the shower and would have kept crying longer except the comfort level of grieving in the shower was destroyed when they ran out of hot water. Chilled to the bone they dried themselves and each other quickly and then huddled under the covers on the bed. "Harry, do you want to call Margo? If you need her I know she'll come." "No, Baby Girl, I'd love for her to be here, but I'm not going to call her or have you call her. No real reason to," he croaked, "since all I need tonight is right here in my arms." She snuggled close to him, smiling. "Are you going to be okay, Harry?" "Eventually, when I can stop hating myself for what I did tonight, what I wanted to do tonight." "Harry, if you didn't feel that way you wouldn't be the man I love. You wouldn't be the man Margo loves. You wouldn't be the friend Karen and Eddy love. You wouldn't be the whatever that Kelly whatever's." They both laughed. "What can I do for you, sir?" "Just hold me, beloved. I'm very tired and I still feel too unclean to make love with you. Just hold me for now." "Gladly, Harry, now and forever." ------- Kelly sat cross-legged on the deck, naked in the moonlight, while Eddy washed off the plastic sheet. "Eddy, you think they're going to want to use that sheet again?" "No, I figure they'll throw it away. This is mostly to get rid of the smell so they can open the trashcan without bein' knocked on their asses." "So, tell me a little about yourself, Eddy." "Okay, I'm a dope smokin', beer drinkin', whiskey swillin' asshole who's been divorced 9 times and works as a security consultant for Security Services International, Inc." "Now see, that's what I hate about you men. You mix so many lies with the truth. You're really the noble Sir Edward, Protector of the Innocent and Defender of the Defenseless. You have been known to partake of sacred herbs; you drink no more than is good for you. Your luck with women has been bad but that could change at any moment. "And I know from our encounter, earlier this evening Sir Edward, that you find that dusky jewel Lady Kay to be very attractive." "Look Kelly, I ain't lookin' to get involved with no 22 year old..." "Sir Edward, who said a thing about involvement? This isn't involvement, Sir Edward, this is sex." ------- Carol watched Harry sleep. She thought long and hard about calling Margo anyway, having Harry wake up in bed with the two of them. The more she thought about it, the more right it felt. Friends and lovers were supposed to be there when you needed them and Harry needed her tonight. Hell, Carol needed her tonight. As the rhythm of his breathing deepened, she slipped out of bed and retrieved her cell phone. She punched the number in. "Hello Margo? It's Carol. I'm sorry to bother you again, especially this late... no, I'm fine, just the effects of some scream therapy... yes, you could say something happened... Angie showed up... you'll be right over? Oh good. Margo? Margo?" ------- At last, Margo had a name to put to the unease she'd been feeling for the last several hours. After the lovely song she'd gone back to sleep and felt loved and safe until she woke up again, with a vague sense of something wrong. She'd gotten her baseball bat and crept through her apartment, looking for Benjamin or a burglar but there was no sign of anyone or any attempt at forced entry. She'd sat on her mattress and thought hard about calling Carol or Harry and checking to see if everything was alright but in the end had decided not to as she thought it made her sound weak and pathetic. "Hi, Margo here, I know this sounds lame but I was just wondering if everything was okay over there? I just had a bad feeling, you know?" Pathetic. Now she knew. Before Carol was even through wondering why she had hung up Margo was throwing on a pair of shorts and an old t-shirt, sliding her feet into a pair of sandals, grabbing her keys and purse and on her way out the door. ------- Kelly had loaded the pipe and she and Eddy were having a fine time sharing a bottle of Jack and tokes from the pipe. Eddy had given in to the inevitable and gotten undressed. "Damn Eddy, you a big ol' boy, ain't ya?" Kelly had said upon seeing him naked. "You gonna have to make sure I'm good and wet if you're gonna put that thick bastard in my Jungle Hideaway!" She had kissed him on the cheek and said "Of course, it's well known that Kelly's Jungle Hideaway is located near a waterfall, so I think we'll be ok." As the bowl was finished, Kelly turned to him and said, "So Sir Edward, what now?" "Now the slightly stoned Sir Edward takes the certifiably insane Lady Kay," he picked her up off the floor with just his upper body strength, "plants her firmly in a secret location carefully chosen to keep her outta trouble," he put her on his lap, "and gags her to keep her from giving away their position." He kissed Kelly and soon they were lost to the world as they explored each other's mouths and bodies. ------- Margo argued with herself as she drove. What more did she have left to prove and whom did she have to prove it to? Why was she torturing not only herself but the two people she loved most in the world? Her place was with them. She could have been there tonight. She should have been there tonight. Instead she was rushing over to the house in the middle of the night after it was all over. They needed her tonight and she was sitting at home, wrestling with inner demons that in the end didn't matter one one-millionth as much as either of her loves. ------- Kelly had masterfully sucked Eddy to hardness and then so skillfully put the condom on with her mouth that he'd barely noticed her doing so. Immediately thereafter he'd had so many more things to be concerned with. Kelly had lowered herself onto him effortlessly and begun to slide up and down his cock. He lay back on the pillows and watched her, amazed. Beautiful 22 year olds didn't come on to him, flirt with him, tease him, make out with him, suck his dick, slap a condom on him and then start to fuck him. It didn't happen. But it was damn sure happening now. He pulled her body towards him and fastened his lips around one of her dark brown nipples. It became even more erect in his mouth and he began to lick and suck on it even harder, feeling in the increase of her rhythm that his attentions were appreciated. "My God, you're beautiful." "You... ain't... too... bad... yourself... Sir Edward." Her first orgasm took him by surprise. Her hands became claws and raked down his chest. He felt the climax jar and shake her like a seizure. Her eyes refocused and she leaned forward, thrusting her tongue down his throat and grabbing the sides of his head. He took hold of her sides and began to bodily lift her, up and down, on his cock, her thighs hanging loose. As she came again she bit down on his tongue and sucked on it as it bled feebly into her mouth. Neither of them noticed that Margo had walked in the door. She walked towards them, stripping off her clothes, kicking off her sandals. As Kelly returned to sentience, Margo knelt naked beside her. Margo threw her arms around Eddy and kissed him on both cheeks. Kelly, being Kelly, kissed her on the back of the neck. "Eddy Janak, I've owed you that for fifteen years... doing it naked is my way of thanking you for what you did for Carol." She smiled. "It's good to see you. Lemme say hello to Lady Kay and I'll let you two get back to what you were doing." Margo shifted on her knees, turned to face Kelly. Eddy fought hard to remember that this woman was going to marry his best friend Harry as her ass settled near his face. "Greetings to the lovely Lady Kay" Margo said as she hugged Kelly, licking her neck and then kissing her deeply. When Kelly recovered her breath she said "Greetings Guinevere my Queen, as always I stand ready to serve you in all things." She bent down and sucked one of Margo's nipples into her mouth, swirling her tongue around it. "Not now, beautiful Lady, I must join my Lord and Merlin. Join us on the morrow after you see this worthy knight off. Treat him kindly for he is valorous and true." "I shall treat him very well," she said, raising her eyebrows suggestively, "and I shall see you on the morrow or later this same day." Margo got up and left the two to their fun. She walked softly into the bedroom. There on the bed Harry lay asleep. It seemed he barely breathed it was so slow and deep. He looked exhausted. Carol lay next to him, watching Margo come in. Margo carefully got into bed next to Carol. "So, how bad was it?" "Pretty goddamn bad," Carol croaked and then she told Margo of the night's events. ------- "... and so now he feels unclean, and I know if it were me, I probably would as well... it was really ugly, Margo. I can't believe that anything we did to her tonight was wrong, not after what she's done, not after what she's admitted to doing, but God, the look in Harry's eyes. Even when I got him to bed, he was haunted. I think maybe tonight was a big mistake." "Well, big mistake or not, what's done is done. How do you feel?" "Better. I got my own licks in, but that's a story for another time. Right now, I don't know about you, but I need some sleep." "Me too. Let me shift over to the other side of him, then we'll see what tomorrow brings when it arrives." In mere moments, the two of them joined Harry in sleep. ------- Chapter 11 Harry washed his face, relishing the feel of warm water on his skin. He was so glad it was over now between him and Angie. Oh, he knew that even though the paperwork was filed, the divorce wouldn't be finalized for quite some time, but it was over, nevertheless. It was a relief that it was going so well. In the week since that night, nothing else had. He walked out of the bathroom to see Carol finishing packing her little bag, the one she'd arrived with. She and Margo stood there looking at him sadly. "Ready to go so soon?" he asked. "Yeah Harry, I'm ready to go. Don't bother to call; I doubt there's anything you can say I'd want to hear." Margo and Carol left. He hoped at least one of them would come back but he really doubted it. As Margo's car went out of sight, he whispered "I love you". Kelly and Eddy had changed their phone numbers and he really couldn't blame them. Even Karen wasn't talking to him anymore after she heard what had gone down. He had no problem accepting it, no problem understanding it. What he had done to Angie was vile; no matter what she had done to him or anyone else, he had lowered himself past her level and now it was time to reap what he had sown. Harry went back to the bathroom and drew himself a bath. As he slid into the hot water he saw Carol's last present to him, proof she still cared. He took the straight razor, opened it and drew it down the insides of his arms. He was so glad it was all over now. ------- In his sleep Harry curled into a tight little ball, tucked himself into the fetal position, trying to protect himself from himself. ------- Harry woke up to a soaking wet bed, a thick coppery smell in the air. He turned his head to stare into Carol's glassy, dead eyes, her mouth below them frozen in the rictus of a scream. Someone had cut her open and his beloved had bled out all over the bed. He clambered out of the bed, his breath rapid and shallow. A sound from the living room drew his attention and he crawled towards the door, peering out into the room, trying to see what had caused the disturbance. He saw nothing so, crouching, he moved further out into the room. As he was busy looking around for someone he nudged something on the floor, almost fell over it. Looking down he saw it was Eddy, gutted like Carol. He fell forward, his knees coming to rest in Eddy's abdomen and he continued to fall, catching himself on his hands, his head inches above Kelly's corpse. "Harry..." He turned towards the voice and saw her shadow, dancing along the wall. He got to his feet. "What do you want?" "Time for a little lesson in the realities of hunting, Harry." The large knife tore through his skin like it was paper. He looked down, uncomprehendingly, as his entrails fell out on the floor with a splattering, plopping sound. Then there she was, her emaciated form covered in the blood of his friends, his family. She held the knife proudly, moving it back and forth, watching it glisten redly in the light. He fell to his knees, the strength draining out of him. "Never wound a predator and leave them. You either should've killed me or left me alone. Bet you won't make that mistake again, will you Harry?" "At... least... you... didn't... get..." "Your precious Margo?" She held up Margo's severed head and kissed it tenderly on the lips as the light faded from Harry's eyes. ------- Harry's eyes shot open. For a moment he lay still except for the fingers he was pinching himself with, trying to insure it wasn't another nightmare. When he was sure he was really awake, he looked next to him in bed. Carol to his right. Margo to his left, he wished he could say he was sorry she was there, but he couldn't. He was sorry that Carol had called her, but he definitely was not sorry she was there. He was in fact so glad he almost burst into tears. He carefully got out of bed, crawling off the end, and walked out into the living room. Eddy lay on the floor, asleep, his giant frame an incongruous sight when viewed next to the peaceful, almost child-like expression on his face. Sitting next to him was Kelly, sipping on a glass of water. "Hail Arthur," she whispered, "rough night, my liege." "Yes," he answered sadly, "rough night indeed." He walked past her into the kitchen and out onto the back deck where he came to rest on the steps. Kelly joined him a moment later. "My lord, what brings you forth from Guinevere and Merlin's sweet embraces?" Harry smiled, "My dreams plague me, Lady Kay, and make my sleep a horrid thing, best avoided. Why sleep you not?" "I, my lord, was thinking how best to implore Merlin's aid in finding a woman for the brave Sir Edward. He is a good and true knight" "None finer." "-and I know that he suffers greatly for lack of someone to love him. I am afeared he might take my hours with him tonight as a sign I might want something more of him than a few brief hours pleasure and I do not, although his friendship I would not spurn." "Worry not, Lady Kay, methinks Merlin already doth work on such a project, although perhaps she herself knows it not as yet." "Ah, then I shall rest easy for if Merlin put her mind to it, he is already paired and loved, we just know it not." Harry turned and looked at Kelly and smiled. "You realize you're crazier than a shit-house rat, don't you?" "Oh yeah, Harry, not a doubt in my mind." She leaned in and kissed him on the cheek. "How are you doing, other than the nightmares?" "Real shaky." "C'mon then, follow Auntie Kelly, let's go inside and talk." Harry followed her in, grabbed a large bottle of water from the fridge and then on into the guest bedroom where he waited while she brought in the water pipe and loaded it. They sat and smoked awhile, lying on the bed, side by side. When the bowl was finished, Kelly sat up and had Harry put his head in her lap. "Now Harry, what's got you so freakedfrom what happened earlier tonight?" "Isn't it obvious?" "Harry, you need to say it. Now, go ahead." "How can I live with myself after treating Angie that way? How can they live with me? How can any of you stand to be in the same goddamn room with me?" "Because she deserved every second of it and more... because the first thing that happened after she called me a 'nigger' was you hit the bitch so hard she ended up on her ass four feet away. Because I feel safe with you knowing that you'll never do to me what you did to her because I'll never give you a reason to. Because when it came time to do the dirty work of getting physical with that slut you spared me and sent the woman you love." "Huh?" "You heard me, Harry. You've got to get your head out of Self-Loathing Land and come back here where the rest of us are. Yeah, you got rough with the slut. Number one, she bought that E-Ticket ride; number two, I saw your face... you stopped when you had enough to do the job, when you couldn't take it anymore... you didn't keep going out of some sick perverse need to torture her... you stopped. With what you had on that whore you could have degraded and humiliated her all night long, done a lot more damage to her than Carol did... you didn't. You stopped. Don't be telling me what an evil motherfucker you are. I know better." "What did Carol do?" "Nothing much... slapped her around some, broke her nose, made her believe she was gonna die so she pissed and shit herself." Harry smiled, "That's my girl." Kelly looked at him angrily. "And that's the kind of shit that'll make me crazy for real. She does this shit, you're proud, you do much less nasty shit and you're Charlie Manson's younger brother. What the fuck is up with that?" "Because I let the bitch do it to me... she just stumbled on the wreckage Angie left behind... she didn't help Angie make it." "Alright, I can buy that. But what are you afraid of, Harry? You gave her a dose of her own medicine, treated her better than she deserved, and that's coming from a relatively objective source, she's gone, you're free, the good guys have won, let's give out some medals and fuck!" "I'm afraid that Carol and Margo won't be able to forgive me." "Bullshit Harry! You know as well as I do that you could've killed the bitch and fucked her still warm corpse, then ground her up and fed her to school kids and they would forgive you without a second's hesitation. They love you Harry, just like you love them;so much it's scary. So now we know that's bullshit, what? You believe in God Harry? Well, if you do, it's pretty much certain God would forgive you; he forgives much worse, if you read the press handouts. You were afraid that Eddy and I wouldn't forgive you? I told you earlier how I felt. Eddy? He's still wondering, seriously, why she's still alive. I like Eddy a lot but he does sometimes have a real simplistic view of how to solve personality conflicts. So who, out of tonight's little psycho-drama, is left? "You and Angie. "Do you want Angie's forgiveness, Harry?" "No, I don't want anything from her but what she agreed to tonight." "Alrighty then, now we're getting somewhere. So who's left to forgive you, Harry? Who?" "Me." "Damn straight. You. So why can't you forgive you, Harry? Are you going to tell me you sank to her level? Bullshit! To do that you'd have to marry her for money alone and live three years in the marriage, fucking everything that had two legs and a slit between them. Are you going to tell me you can't forgive yourself for wanting to kill her? 'Wanting's not a sin, Harry, no matter what the Catholic Church says. Hell, I'd have been amazed if you hadn't wanted to kill the unsavory slut. The woman was a head game surrounded by a mind fuck wrapped up with a psycho-bitch-bow on top! Are you going to tell me you failed your self-image of yourself? You didn't live up to your own standards? You failed you? "If that's what it is Harry, then quit torturing yourself for something you'd forgive any one of us for without thinking. You're human. You momentarily didn't live up to your potential. Ruffle your hair, tell yourself to do better next time and let yourself off the hook. No one here thinks any less of you and I know one of us," she smiled at him, "thinks even more highly of you than she did before." She slid down beside him and held him, kissing him gently all over his face. "Harry, I don't mean, in any way, to belittle how you feel. Tonight was rough, harder on you than on any of us, by orders of magnitude. Just don't make it any harder on yourself than it already is." "Kelly, thank you, not just for the talk, but for everything tonight. You were magnificent with Angie and I appreciate it. I'll keep on appreciating it too, but there was something special I wantto do to show my appreciation. It's crude but reasonably effective." She twitched her hips at him. "Why Arthur, how crude are you planning to be?" "Nothing like that... at least not right now. How much more do you need to save for your next term of college?" "I'm a little ahead of my schedule, I need about another thirty-five hundred dollars. Why?" "You don't need that money anymore. Later today I'm writing you a check for five thousand. Like I said, it's crude, but it's a gift to express my gratitude for your help last night. You went so far above and beyond the call... words fail me." "Harry, you can't!" "Yes I can and if I have to I'll get Carol to argue you into accepting, so you know you've lost, just say yes now." She kissed him. "Yes now, go to bed. You have two lovers to wake up between. I think, being newly wealthy, that I'm calling in sick today. I'm going to see Eddy off at some point and then don't be surprised if I come charging in that bedroom and rape you, Harry!" He snuggled his body close to hers, his erection poking her thighs. "Can't rape the willing, dear." ------- Harry carefully got into bed between the women he adored. They stirred a bit but both were deeply enough asleep to remain so through his comings and goings. He lay in bed and thought about what Kelly had told him. She was right and he knew it. He was holding himself to a standard that he would have considered foolish in anyone else. Had anyone else slipped as he had, he would forgive them without thinking twice. Why then was he so hard on himself? He wasn't sure but he would work on easing up a bit. Or at least shoving his issues out of the way until he had the time to deal with them. It was time to get some more sleep. Saturday proper was going to be a busy day. ------- Harry woke up again, scarcely three hours later. No further nightmares had plagued his sleep but he was restless. He got out of bed, softly padded through the living room where Kelly and Eddy slept and went into the kitchen. His answering machine's message light was flashing furiously and he had a good idea who it was. He had calls to make before returning that call. He picked up the phone and dialed Karen's number. "Hello, Karen? Yes, I do know what time it is... no, no I wasn't aware that this was 'cuddle with Patricia' time, hold the phone up to her ear... sorry Patricia, let me take y'all to supper to make up for it? Good, that'll work... Karen? Okay, that's settled, wouldn't want to get in trouble with the lady of the house... Sappho, you still suck at housecleaning? Yeah, I didn't figure you'd gotten any better... I know of an excellent housekeeper, just became available four days a week and really needs the work... yeah, Anna, been working for my family eighteen years... two days a week, Monday and Thursday? Okay, we can shift me to Tuesdays and Fridays... how high you willing to go? She's really good, worth a lot... you'd go five hundred a week for two days? How about seven-fifty? C'mon Sappho, I know you've got the money... you won't go seven-fifty but you'll go six hundred? Perfect, Karen... you realize I've talked you into paying her way more than you should? Okay... don't worry, you negotiated me down to what I'm paying her. Yeah, we're both saints... alright how does seven this evening at Chez Bubba's sound for supper? No I'm not going to take you out someplace horribly pretentious... every time I do, you get bored and start making a scene... alright, see you then... the two of you lick each other in really naughty places for me... love you, Sappho, until tonight." He punched 'Play' on the answering machine. As he suspected, it was a stream of almost incoherent apologies and warnings from Anna about her slip to Angie regarding him and Carol. Nowhere in it did Anna say a word about Angie firing her. It figured, Harry thought. He dialed Anna's number. "Hello, is Anna there? It's Harry Grimes... well hello Galena, how are you? Good, how's school? You're doing much better than I ever did... Gracias... Anna... no... no, you have nothing to apologize for... no you don't... no you don't... alright, even if you do, I forgive you, Carol forgives you... she'll say it in person next time you see her... yes, really... yes Angie showed up here... it was very ugly but it turned out very well for me and very badly for her... well, I'm sure God will forgive you for that... and that... even for that... so, I understand you've got some more free time on your hands... yes, He'll even forgive you for calling her that and I'll remember it to use later... so, how would you like to work here Tuesdays and Fridays, for my partner Ms. Karen on Mondays and Thursdays, six hundred a week from each of us? Yes, six hundred each... I know Angie was only paying you a hundred dollars a day... yes, if it'll make you feel better, bring Galena along to help... well if she wants to that's fine, she can take care of the pool, she can use the pool, soon as its put in... yeah, I'm excited about it too... alright, you've got the new schedule, here's Karen's address and phone number, 8459 Great Hills Trails #188, yes, that's up near Creekwood... 555-4178... alright, Carol will see you and Galena Tuesday... that's right, no more Ms. Angie for either of us, ever. Goodbye Anna." He got up and went into the laundry room and grabbed a pair of shorts. Slipping them on, he started a pot of coffee. When it was through he poured himself a hefty mug three-quarters full, doctored it liberally with blackberry brandy and added milk and sugar. Taking his coffee, he walked out onto the deck and sat in the shade, enjoying the morning before the sun made it a sweltering hell. As he sat there, listening to the birds, picturing the back yard as it would be, he heard the door open and close behind him. Carol walked up, rubbing her eyes with one hand, pulling on a t-shirt with the other. She knelt beside him on the deck and put her head on his leg. Harry looked down at her, straight into her best 'big-pleading-puppy-dog-eyes' with a touch of a quivering lip, glancing briefly every so often at the coffee cup. Harry laughed and Carol laughed with him. She reached over, took a healthy slug of his coffee. "Day-um Harry, you didn't tell me you were having special coffee this morning." "After last night, I deserve it. Hell, after last night, all of us deserve it." She reached for the cup again. "Hey, get your own damn coffee!" She took the cup from him. "Don't worry Harry," she said, finishing his cup, "I'll go get you another cup, make me a cup and start another pot... looked like Kelly was showing signs of stirring when I came through. No signs of life from Margo or Eddy though." As she was heading for the door, Kelly came through wearing an almost non-existent thong and Eddy's shirt from the night before. "Carol, Merlin, Mistress... if I promised to spend an hour licking you wherever and however you asked would you please bring me a cup of Caffiena's Blessing?" Carol kissed her. "I won't charge you for coffee, although I won't turn down freely offered attentions. Would you like it leaded or unleaded?" "Oh, leaded with whatever you choose to lead it with. Howdy Harry, how're you feeling this morning?" "Much better, thanks to our talk last night. I'm still not back to normal, but I'm much better than I was." They kissed each other good morning and Kelly sat down on a bench next to Harry's Adirondack chair. Carol returned, handed Harry his coffee and took her cup over to Kelly. "Sorry, just enough left for one but I'll share it with you. Of course, that'll involve you 'baby-birding' it to me while I lay with my head in your lap." "Not a problem sweetie, lay the fuck on down." She took a sip. "Ummm, this is good stuff." She took another swig and brought Carol's head up as she kissed her, dribbling the brandy-laced coffee into her mouth. "Damn, I didn't think your kisses could get any sweeter," she said when she was finished and Carol's head was back in her lap, "but oh shucky darn, wrong again." The two women laughed together and Harry reflected that there weren't much more beautiful sounds than the loving laughter of sexy women first thing in the morning. "Harry, I've been thinking," Carol said, "and I was wondering how devoted you are to Eddy?" "What do you mean?" "Well, I think we can get him just the woman he needs, that would need him, but it might be a little expensive." "I'm not that awake yet. Expensive?" "We'll have to buy her off an asshole that won't part with her easily." "Uh huh... has anyone told him slavery is illegal?" "Harry, you know the kind of people 'Jimmy' and 'Paulie' pretended to be? That's the kind of person he is." "Oh. What happens if we 'buy' her and she and Eddy don't hit it off?" "Not much chance of that where she's concerned, sir, he's just her type. Now, Eddy not taking to her, well, that is a risk. If he doesn't... well, he or we could sell her or keep her." "What the hell happened to the whole 'setting her free to make her own choices' option?" "You haven't met Tamara, sir. That isn't an option. It's a threat." "Lovely. When do you want to pick her up?" "You're willing to do this? For Eddy?" "Love, I owe Eddy for more things than I can count. I owe him for last night. I've already learnedto trust your instincts. If you think there's a good chance this'll work and hook him up with a woman that won't fuck him over, I'm game." "Uh, I know where she and Fat Phillie will be tonight." "Excuse me, who?" "Her owner, 'Fat Phillie' Philouma. He plays in a Mexican Stud Poker game on Saturday evenings in a place down south." "You're talking about Philip Philouma, son of Victor Philouma?" "Yeah, Vic's kid." "Victor Philouma, widely believed to be the head of organized crime in the city." "Yeah, Vic." "Do you miss running in the kind of exciting circles where you'd get to know these sorts, Carol?" "Not at all, sir, not at all." ------- As it got hotter they moved inside to the kitchen table where the smell of coffee eventually brought Margo and Eddy to join the morning crew. "Eddy, we're meeting for dinner at Chez Bubba's at 7. Margo, Carol and I may be a little late so I was thinking you and Kelly could keep Karen and Patricia company until we got there." "Uh, sure. I didn't have anything planned tonight except for some more senseless drug use and chemical abuse." "Well, now you have plans." As Carol and Kelly fixed breakfast, Margo sat in Harry's lap. "Harry, I'm home if you want me to be." "No, beloved, what do you want?" "I don't want to not be here when you need me again." Her lovely face crumpled slightly. "Unless you didn't need me last night..." "Goddamn it Margo, don't you dare do that! My love, we need you every day, every hour. You're a part of us and that's not going to change. But you felt, may still feel, that you need some time to get shit straight in your own head" "Should I go somewhere else?" Eddy asked. "Shut up and drink your coffee, Eddy," Margo said, smiling at him. "Yes'm." "-and if that's still the case then you need to be away from here. So really, where do you need to be?" "Let me think on it." "Margo my love, nobody's rushing you but you." As the food started to hit the table long-denied stomachs made their demands loudly heard and soon there was no more conversation, just the sounds of five people eating good food and appreciating same. After breakfast Harry made the next of his phone calls, reserving a private room at Chez Bubba's for his party that night. Then he called his lawyer and told him what to expect. J. Noble Daggett had argued with Harry at the onset to set up air-tight pre-nuptials but Harry had been in love and stupid to boot. He was happy to hear about the papers he was to receive and would have pressed Harry for details except Harry'd already told him not to ask. He had never been impressed with Angie, had recognized her for the scheming bitch she was and wondered if he'd ever know what had convinced her to give up her rights to her share of the community property. But if one couldn't stand never knowing the truth, then the law was not the profession one should pursue. ------- "Well, thanks one and all for an interesting evening and an Angie ass-whuppin' I woulda paid good money to see," Eddy said, pulling on his boots. "I need to get home, freshen up some. I'll be at Chez Bubba's about 6:30, see y'all there." After hugs and kisses, Eddy headed out. Kelly threw on her clothes from the night before. "Arthur, my liege, if we are to venture forth tonight in search of adventure, I must needs repair to mine own castle and prepare as did Sir Edward." She pressed her body next to his and caressed his cock through his shorts. "Yet again I find myself leaving Camelot without having achieved my desires. I will have thee, Arthur. Thou cannot forever slip so neatly out of my grasp." Margo moved up and grabbed Harry's right arm. "Good Lady Kay, know that you will have your way with Arthur even if I have to hold him down myself." Carol grabbed his other arm. "Aye noble lady, for I have enchantments that will stupefy him and make him docile so that he might be bent to thy will. These will I gladly employ to help thee." "Then hear my pledge, Arthur of the Britons. Before your head hits pillow again for sleep I shall have my way with you!" "So say I," echoed Carol. "And I as well," added Margo. Harry just grinned. ------- While Harry washed up the breakfast dishes and Margo straightened up the bedroom, Carol very carefully gathered the 2 rugs and 4 pillows that Angie had touched. "Harry, I'm throwing them away," she called out. "Please do, I don't want them in our house," he answered, knowing exactly what she was referring to. Carol took them out to the trash. Margo had the bedroom back to a somewhat more orderly state. She climbed up on the bed, sat down and thought. When she came back to the house, was she running away from something or was she running to something? The first time she'd come here, away, certainly. But that was done and in another fifty-seven days it would all be over and she'd be shut of Benjamin Abraham Sapperstein forever. The first time she'd come back after that was to christen the bed. That wasn't running away. The second time was because she was needed and that wasn't running away either. How could she go on pretending that she was doing anything alone in her barren little apartment but mourning the fact that she wasn't home? She wasn't working on erasing the big red 'V for Victim' off her forehead when she wasn't with her loves; she was rocking back and forth, missing them with all her heart. It was impossible to think about 'getting her head together' when all she could do was think about the joy and love she was estranged from because of her own fears and insecurities. Harry and Carol didn't ask her to be perfect, they didn't demand that she have it all together, they simply loved her the way she was. She threw on her clothes, grabbed her keys and purse and headed out the door. ------- Harry and Carol stared at each other as she drove away, not knowing in the least what to say to each other. "She'll come back when she's ready," offered Harry. "We still have each other here to hold on to," said Carol. "Harry, come help me clean myself out. I feel the need for you to take me in my ass. I need to feel owned." A long shower and some special cleaning later, Carol lay on the bed, as Harry lightly massaged and stroked her ass. SMACK! "What?" "Did I not tell you specifically not to call Margo?" "Yes sir, that was one sir." SMACK! "But I'm glad you did, Little Cunt, so this isn't going to be just a spanking." "Oh God I hope not. That was two, sir." Eight smacks later, Carol lay on the bed, her waist hoisted high on pillows as Harry licked back and forth between her cunt and her ass, nibbling and tongue-thrusting, grasping her hips firmly in his hands. "Ummm, thank you sir, this is part of just what your little pet needed. Any time I'm feeling insecure, ummm, give some attention to my ass." Harry lifted his head. "Do I even want to try to figure out the psychology behind that?" "No sir, you just want to appreciate it." "I do, believe me." There was a honking outside, a car horn. Harry tongue-fucked her ass, running his hands up her sides to her shoulders, gripping them tightly and pulling her towards his face. "Oh sir, see how nice it is when I've been properly cleaned?" "Ummm hmmm." The car horn continued to honk. "Will whoever please go tell them to get off their horn, they're spoiling my mood!" Harry buried his face in her cunt, working her clit back and forth. "Alright, they're not spoiling it that much." As Harry moved his tongue back and forth over the tiny nub, Carol climaxed and her moan filled the room, so neither of them heard the footsteps approaching. "When you two are through, would you like to help me unload my stuff from the car?" Margo asked. Two very surprised faces looked up at her. After throwing some clothes on the two of them were humping loads in from her car. When the job was done there was a pile of clothes on hangers, a few garbage sacks of non-hangables, a few boxes of books, a box of jewelry and assorted personal care items, her Sybian Sex Machine, two small boxes of kitchen wares, an ice chest of food and drinks, a box with dry and canned goods and not much else. There hadn't been any conversation while they were unloading the car as Harry and Carol had been afraid to ask what it all meant and Margo assumed they knew. Harry was first to take the plunge. "So, moving a few things over for when you visit?" Margo looked at him, confused. "No Harry, this is it, all I'm bringing with me. Everything else is either in the bank or I don't give a shit about." Now Harry was confused but Carol had begun to snap. "Margo, love, do you mean you've decided to stay? You're home?' she asked. "Yes Baby Girl, I thought the two of you knew." Harry and Carol, in a reversal of their recent trend, put Margo on the bed before they threw themselves on her. Her clothes somehow disappeared, as did theirs. "Guys, I'm really sweaty..." she said. "Shut up," her lovers replied in unison. So she did and she was in her lovers' arms and their hands were everywhere at once and they were crying and she was crying and they were kissing her and she would kiss any part of them that got close enough to kiss. When the frenzy of welcome finally calmed, Carol was between her legs, making love to her with her tongue while Harry held her in his arms, kissing her passionately and stroking her breasts. Harry paused for a moment and looked into her eyes. "Margo Wohler, will you marry me" "YES!" "-when both our divorces are final and accept ownership with me of this most special pet?" "Yes, Harry, yes." "Then tonight's an engagement party. We'll pick you out a ring tomorrow." The three of them cried together yet again. ------- Harry woke up and slowly realized that somewhere in all the crying and cuddling he'd gone to sleep. Not surprising given the night before. He turned his head to look at the woman he was going to marry. Her long auburn hair spread over the bed like a spill of rose-tinted honey, her pale, slightly golden skin glowing in the afternoon's light. She was home. She was home where she belonged. She still had issues she needed to work through, which of them didn't? But they could work through them together, helping each other the way they were meant to. That's what friends were for, that's what family was for. "Why didn't you fall for her when you were in high school together, Harry?" Carol whispered from behind him. "I don't know... a lot of had to do with the cliques we hung with, a lot of it had to do with our perceived social differences. I was a Stoner, she was a Brain. I was the son of Methodists, she was a Lutheran minister's daughter... biggest problem was that like every girl I found attractive, she was beautiful and I was just another geeky guy with a perpetual hard-on and the social graces of a epileptic bull moose. There are a lot of guys, my love, who go through their teen years firmly convinced they're not worthy of any girl... not that they've put girls on a pedestal, just that they perceive themselves as so uncouth that they completely ignore any possible signals that a girl might be interested in them because that's simply inconceivable to them. And the one signal a girl could send them is one that until recently it seemed socially unacceptable to send: hey, I like you and want to go out with you. There was the whole 'what was proper female behavior and what was not' thing and a lot of the burden for initiating social interaction fell on the sex least able to handle it. I was in college before I lost my virginity and the only reason it happened then was the girl bluntly said 'wanna fuck' and I managed to get 'yes' out without stammering too much." "But she's yours now." "No Baby Girl, she's ours now." "Well then," Margo murmured sleepily, "are you gonna molest me or not?" "I thought we might wait until you were a little more awake myself," Harry said, grinning. "Yeah," Carol said, "I've always considered it bad form to interrupt a nap just because I was so horny I could wear out a set of batteries." "I'm awake now," Margo said with a yawn, "so there's no need to delay any longer." She smiled and stretched, her body in full extension almost overhanging the end of the bed. "Damn, I love this bed. I can stretch and-" Her sentence was cut short by Carol's kiss; her stretch was interrupted by Harry wrapping an arm around her middle and pulling himself to her. Before she was even aware of what was happening, Harry's head was between her legs, licking and teasing her as Carol was sucking at her breasts. Margo's mind had been at peace for the first time in as long as she could remember.She had allowed her own fears and insecurities to overcomplicate the situation. Her lovers had been okay with that. They had been willing to allow her all the time she needed to get it together. Where was it more together than when she was with them? Harry had decided that the warm moist welcome his tongue had received meant he should stay and bury his face in her welcoming wetness but Margo had other plans. She grabbed him by the hair and pulled his head up. "Fuck me, Harry." "Your husband shall do as you command," he replied. He began to reposition himself and tuck pillows under her ass. "What did you say, Harry? Did you refer to yourself as my husband?" "Ahyup, sure did," he said as he made sure she was properly supported and prepared to slide into her. "Why?" Harry sat back on his knees and looked at her through the 'vee' of her long legs. "Margo, as far as I'm concerned, in my heart and the eyes of God I became your husband the moment you said you'd marry me. To love, honor and cherish from this day forward in sickness and in health till death do us part. Waiting until our divorces are final is a formality for the State and the State's not welcome in our home, we don't have enough room. The same for a license... I don't need it. Had one once and it didn't make it a marriage neither did it stop it from being a tragedy. I want a big ceremony with all the trimmings when we're legally able to have one, but that's for you and our friends. I'll enjoy it but I don't need it. Unions are made in the heart and it seems damned foolish to me to call our union one thing and then another simply because of the laws of men." "Baby Girl," Margo sniffed, "do you ever want to just hold him so tightly you'd probably break him, just because you love him so much." "All the time." "Harry, come make love to your wife." "Gladly." As he slid into her, in his heart he knew that at last everything was right. He was where he belonged, as were Carol and Margo. Carol was blissfully happy as she and Margo made out, kissing deeply and passionately as Carol's hands caressed her co-owner's body. Co-owner... Carol thought that sounded clumsy and unwieldy. "Margo," she said, breaking from the kiss, "with Harry I can refer to him as 'sir'... how shall I refer to you more formally... 'madam'... 'mistress'... 'missus'... what name would please you?" "Oh, madam I think... mmmm, yes, madam... Harry, I think I'm there." Further intelligent conversation with Margo was impossible as her climax began and the beautiful flush rose through her body. Carol attached her mouth to Margo's breast and bit down, causing Margo to moan as her orgasm continued. As it slowly wound down, Carol leaned up and whispered in her ear. "Madam, it is so good to have you home where you belong." Another orgasm began to shake Margo's form. "O-o-oh Baby G-girl, I like that n-name." Carol got up and went behind Harry. She could tell he was on the edge himself. "Sir," she said, "thrust in and stay there." He did so and she moved in-between his legs and sucked his nut sack into her mouth, swirling her tongue around it. She felt him trembling above her just as she felt his balls convulsing in her mouth. She released them and crawled up on the bed, fingering herself to a quick, down and dirty orgasm as she watched her beloved owners ride out the aftershocks of theirs. As the three of them lay there, cooling down, Carol said, "Sir, we'd better get cleaned up and dressed if you want to see about Tamara tonight". Harry looked at the clock. "Holy shit, you're right. We'd better get a move on." "Who's Tamara?" Margo asked. "We'll fill you in as we go," Harry replied as they headed for the shower. ------- Chapter 12 After they had showered and while the ladies were dressing, Harry went upstairs to his father's old office. Praying that his memory didn't fail him he twirled the combination to his father's safe and pulled on the handle. Nothing happened. Sweat popped out on his brow, he turned the handle a little more firmly and it moved. Sighing with relief he looked inside, grabbed a sheaf of bills and closed it again, spinning the lock. His father had always believed that even the most law-abiding citizen might at some point in his life need several items and that was what he kept in his fireproof safe. Ten thousand dollars and his family's passports... Harry had periodically switched the money for fresh bills over the years. The only passport it held now was his, never used and probably out of date. Harry cursed himself for his forgetfulness. He had meant to go to the bank that morning but other things had occupied his mind and here he needed cash and there was only the one place to take it from. It bothered him more to be using it from the 'emergency fund', as his dad had called it, than to be spending the money in the first place. As he went back downstairs he started thinking about other ways to remodel the house. His father's old office, for example, might be a lot more useful to him on the ground floor than upstairs. To be truthful, he hardly ever even thought about the three bedrooms and two baths upstairs. When his mother had taken ill and become too weak to climb the stairs, his father had gutted most of the downstairs and remodeled to its present configuration; a large living room, a large master bedroom and bath and a small guest room and bath where his father had spent many a night half asleep, listening for his wife's call. Upstairs one of the bedrooms had become his father's office, moved from the den on the first floor. The other two had been his and Nicki's rooms. He would have to talk it over with his wife and their pet, see what they thought might be done with all the unused space upstairs. As the ladies had been dressing, Carol had filled Margo in on their plans to acquire Tamara for Eddy. "So," Margo asked, "how much do you think she'll be and how much danger will we be in dealing with Mr. Philouma?" "You, my precious darling, won't be in any danger," Harry said, coming in the door, "I hope. You'll be at the wheel of the car, ready to get us the fuck out of Dodge. As for Carol and I, well, answer the question, my pet." "Vic keeps Phillie on a pretty tight leash these days and the leash is held by a couple of Vic's boys that are there to protect Phil. About the worst that could happen is you'd get the shit kicked out of you. Me they'd probably just slap around, fuck once or twice and let go." "Oh, sounds delightful... any idea how best to avoid that?" "Well, of course, be respectful, other than that, play it by ear. He's a walking case of small-dick syndrome, with good cause from what I hear, so be polite. Don't kiss ass, though. You kiss ass and he's going to walk all over you and we still won't get what we want. The last time I heard anything, which was about six months ago, he was already tired of Tamara but I haven't heard of her being sold. I imagine if you make him a decent offer, he'll go for it." "How decent an offer is 'decent'?" "He won her in a poker game covering a thirty-five hundred dollar bet. He'll want more than that but if you don't piss him off, I imagine we could get her for as low as a thousand." "Harry, did you plan for the night of our engagement party to also involve buying a woman for Eddy from a mobster?" Margo asked. "No honey, it just worked out that way." "Good, I was hoping this wasn't a part of the experience that I was supposed to have fun with somehow." ------- The Campisi Gentlemen's Club wasn't much to look at from the outside. A storefront with a painted-over front window, the small sign proclaiming its name mounted just slightly askew on the door. The surrounding store fronts were all for lease and had been for as long as anyone could remember. The façade didn't fool anyone, least of all the police. The club behind the door paid its money, bought their inattention and all was right with the world. Nobody questioned the large men with suspicious bulges under their arms that watched the area and the parking lot across the street with its crop of BMWs and Mercedes. Nobody mentioned the fact that<<, >> in a part of town noted for the homeless, street crime and random acts of vandalism, this area was curiously immune to those urban plagues. It was simply the way things were. As they pulled up, Carol and Harry got out. "Margo," Carol said, "I wouldn't leave the motor running, it might make security a little nervous. If all goes well, we'll be out in about fifteen minutes. If we're not out in forty-five minutes, drive away. Whatever you do, don't call the police. They're not going to hurt us too badly if they hurt us at all. If they do we'll call you from the hospital." "Harry?" Margo said. "You're the one who told me to trust her instincts, dear, time to take your own advice. We'll be fine. You stay out here, keep cool; we'll be back in a few." As they walked up the sidewalk to the entrance, Carol put her leash firmly in Harry's hand. "Harry, you're buying her for someone else, I'm on loan to you because I know her, I know Phil and I know my new owner's tastes." "How much trouble are we really in?" "Not much. I'd say there's only a five percent chance that things will go badly." "Alright, one in twenty, I can live with those odds." They hit the door. ------- Eddy pulled up to Chez Bubba's, got out of his truck and stared at the restaurant with anticipation. It had been too long since he'd been there and he'd missed it. In one of the periodic attempts to revitalize the east part of the city a deluded chef from Quebec named Henri Laroque with more money than sense had built a lovely restaurant and named it "Chez Henri". His move south had been prompted by his hatred of the cold but it was soon postulated among the locals that the real reason he'd moved was that he'd been chased out for being a shitty cook and a worse businessman. Anyone who'd eaten at Chez Henri was more than likely a supporter of that position. Negative reviews and horrible word-of mouth performed as a Greek chorus to the restaurant's tragic story. Soon it was evident that the venture was going to fail and one night, around 11:30 according to witnesses, a shot was heard from inside. It is a measure of the esteem with which his neighbors regarded Henri that no one called it in until the next morning. When police arrived, they found that Henri had blown his brains out all over the west wall of the dining room. The building eventually found its way onto the auction block where it was purchased by a couple of well-educated good ol' boys who had found an inspiration for their dining venture in a typical review of Henri's. "When a Texan is arrogant, we laugh it off with 'It ain't braggin' if'n it's the truth'. When Henri Laroque of Chez Henri is arrogant, he has no such leg to stand on. "This reviewer loves fine French cuisine as any regular reader of my column can attest. What I was served at Chez Henri last night is to French cuisine what McDonald's McRib is to Barbeque; what some bland Yankee bean-filled, tomato-y stew is to Chili; what a college cafeteria's all-purpose-patty with rubber gravy is to Chicken Fried Steak." So, a building designed in French Provincial style was renovated as if taken over by poor white trailer trash. Two additions, to provide private rooms, wore the facades of a double-wide mobile home and a tin shack. Various small stovepipe chimneys poking up at different spots on the roof carried the smoke from the barbeque pits away. The elegant crest, in scrolling calligraphy, that once read "Chez Henri" now sported "Bubba's" hand painted in red with a big brush over "Henri". The menu, once an elegant placard of French delicacies, was changed to black crayon on brown paper; one side telling the history of the building as well as the story of Henri, the other listing items like "Chicken Fried Steak- if you kin say it ain't the best you ever et, we'll call you a liar to your face", "Beer-Battered Catfish Fillets- Beer an' Grease, to of the Texas food groops" and "Chili, Hot or Hotter 'n Hell- you ask for beans an' we ask you to leave". The main dining room, once so pretentious with its period furniture, delicate and frail, was now populated with sturdy mismatched tables and comfortable, uglier-than-sin chairs. The walls were covered with every type of red-neck memorabilia imaginable, except for one section of the wall. It was roped off and for a five dollar contribution to 'Heifer Project International' a guest could have their picture taken with 'whut wuz left of Henree', a careful copy of the original blood splatter in dark maroon paint, almost brown, and the real bullet hole. It was an immediate hit with diners. The food was superb, the service friendly and the atmosphere... well, the atmosphere was unique. For years when Eddy had worked in the east part of town, he had lived at Chez Bubba's, eating lunch and supper there practically every day. Eddy could taste their Chicken Fried Steak already... pounded round steak, hand-dipped in batter, deep-fried, covered in gravy that you could taste the bacon grease in, a necessity as any true connoisseur of southern cream gravy would tell you, the steak so big it overhung the plate, so tender you could cut it with a fork. Eddy had gotten weak-kneed just thinking about it. And Eddy would get to see Karen again. In a world full of women that were tiny fragile creatures to be treated gently or else he might hurt them, Karen was, while still a woman, definitely 'one of the guys'. He'd missed her in the years he and Harry'd not been hanging together. ------- "Alright Patricia, now there's a lot I need to, well, I guess I need to warn you about before we get there." Patricia Keller looked at her partner Karen with some suspicion. She had met Harry before the separation and liked him, he was a good person. She hadn't much cared for his wife and was not surprised to hear the revelations about her behavior. She had heard a little about Carol, mostly that she was responsible for the turnaround in Harry's life that had, in turn, led to the change in Karen. It was a change that still seemed almost too good to be true. Karen had made her a promise and given her a means of altering Karen's habitual workaholic behavior. She was to use Karen's full name, Karen Elizabeth Pinard, and order her to either get to bed and make love to her, or to take her out somewhere on a date. Patricia hadn't believed Karen would let it work at first but she was becoming a believer. It was obvious that Karen loved her very much and was willing to do anything to make their relationship work. They'd spent more time in bed than they had in months and more time out together having fun than they ever had. And to tell the truth, Patricia was finding she enjoyed having that power. "Alright... such as?" "Well, Harry's life has gotten a little... bizarre... since his separation. He's involved with Carol in a sort of B&D, Dom & sub kind of way, and he's involved with an old friend of his named Margo in a normal romantic kind of way, not that he's not romantically involved with Carol, he is, and she is with him, and Carol and Margo love each other as well, it's hard to explain and I'm sure I'm not doing a very good job of it, but, well, they're a threesome. "Eddy's going to be there too and Eddy's going to say some things to me that'll probably raise your eyebrows. I'll do the same right back but believe me, he's one of the sweetest men alive and he'd take a bullet for you if you asked him and probably still wouldif you didn't. "I just didn't want you to be too surprised if things get a little... odd... tonight." "I'm forewarned," said Patricia. ------- The inside of Campisi Gentlemen's Club wasn't some glitzy Vegas nightmare. It had been decorated when founded in 1949 by Vittorio Campisi's wife, Speranza, and she had very good taste. Cypress plank paneling, fixtures in light bronze, leaning towards gold. The furniture was leather in dark blues and greens with the occasional dark burgundy. Successive generations of the Campisi family hadn't seen a need to change the décor, merely maintain it. Large period ceiling fans stirred the air and regular careful cleaning had kept the smoke deposits from building up on any visible surface. It was an establishment that discouraged the curious and the first line in that discouragement was a walking wall of grey-pinstriped suit standing just outside the door. "Excuse me, do you have business inside?" the wall asked. Carol looked up at him. "We're here to see Phil." "Is Phil expecting you?" "No." "Wait a minute... do I know you?" "Maybe... I used to come here a lot with Tony Juliana a few years ago." "Sure, little Carol, I remember, go on in... be careful, he ain't in a good mood." "When is the fat fuck ever in a good mood?" "I'll pretend I didn't hear that... I'll evenpretend I don't agree with it." They walked inside. The maple floors, shining where they weren't obscured by thick Persian carpets, gave a slight echo to their footsteps as they walked down the corridor that stretched before them. Small security cameras swiveled to watch their passing. "This is nothing like what I expected. This place is beautiful." "Yes sir, Speranza Campisi, the decorator, was a classy lady from what I hear. I talked with her daughter, Violetta, a lot when I used to come here with Tony. Lord knows there wasn't much else to do while I was being his 'good luck charm'. I'd hang on his neck between hands sometimes, I'd escort him when he was taking a break, but otherwise, I was pretty much at loose ends. So I spent quite a bit of time talking with Violetta and some of the other women." They passed from the hallway into a foyer where a pair of gentlemen looked them over carefully, patting them both down thoroughly and examining each object they found. "I'm here to see Phil," Carol said. "He's playing in the Trapani Room, second door to your right in the East wing." "Thank you." They turned to the right and after a short hall entered a large open area that spread out to their left, small and intimate groupings of furniture dotting the space. To their right, doors with name plaques; "Palermo", "Siracusa", "Ragusa", "Catania", "Messina", "Agrigento" and finally "Trapani". The suited man outside the door smiled at her. "Hey, Carol, good to see you again." "Al? My God Al, you're looking great!" She glanced down to see a prominent wedding band on his ring finger. "And married? It seems to be agreeing with you." "Oh yeah! You remember Carla Russo? Well, she said 'yes' and I've never been happier. We've been married two and a half years now; our first child is on the way." "Al, two and a half years and just now pregnant? I don't think you've been being a good Catholic." "Look Carol, what goes on with my privates is between me, Carla and God in heaven, especially after it come out about all them priests and those boys. If birth control's the worst sin I have to answer for, I got no worries." "Oh, I'm being rude. Al Donetti, this is Robert Evans. I'm on loan to him to help grease the wheels. He's looking to buy Tamara for a third party. Robert, this is Al Donetti, an old friend." Harry put her leash in his left hand and put out his right, happy to see it wasn't shaking. "Mr. Donetti, a pleasure." Al shook his hand. "Mr. Evans." Al turned to Carol once again. "I'm glad you're here to get her. Phil's tired of her and you know how he gets when he gets bored with a toy." "He hurt her?" "Shit no! You know his old man would have his ass for that. But he's started playing his little games with her. I don't think she's had too many decent meals in the past month. You two go on in, see if you can get her away from him. Good luck." ------- Eddy was sipping a beer in their private room, they had gotten the one that looked like a tin shack, when Karen and Patricia were shown in. He'd never seen Patricia before. He gave her the quick once over and he liked what he saw. She was a good six inches taller than Karen, had some meat on her bones, a round face, a wide mouth with obvious smile lines, kind of reminded him of Carol that way. Her blond hair was feathered on the top, hanging down her back and tucked behind her ears. She moved with confidence and the only sign that she was slightly unsure of the situation was her grip on Karen's forearm as they walked in, arm in arm. He stood up. "Well I'll be gawddamned if'n it ain't that clam-lappin' dyke, Karen! I thought by now the right-sized dick woulda come along and changed your whole world view!" "Well I'll be, it's a red-necked, Neanderthalic throwback! I found the right-sized dick. I call it 'Suzanne', after your mama, and it fits my strap-on just fine. How is your mama, by the way, she still keep your daddy tied up in the yard?" "Nah, she done chased him under the porch, goes out there ever once in awhile an' pokes him with a sharp stick, make sure he's still alive. Speakin' o' mamas, I did say hello to your mama last week, braided her back hair for her, she was real appreciative, treated me like I was her own son. Of course, in your family that meant she fucked me for eight hours, kicked me in the nuts and told me to git on outta there, but what can ya do?" "Yeah, ma, she's a pistol alright, mentions you in all her letters, laughs about that case of the clap she give you. Have you had that checked out?" "No, I'm gonna keep trackin' down your family members and sharin' the love till my dick falls off or I got 'em all, then I'll worry about a doctor." Karen burst out laughing. "Eddy, how would you know if your dick fell off?" "Oh, gawddamn, I walked right into that one!" "Yeah, you sure did." The two of them went into a three-point stance and then charged at each other like bulls bent on mutual annihilation. They slammed together and Patricia was sure she felt the room shaking. Eddy put his hand out and Karen took it. They gripped each others' hands firmly and then began to tighten their grips, veins popping and muscles flexing. The contest went on; one minute... two minutes... sweat was starting to pop out over Eddy's brow... three minutes... finally Eddy said "I give" and relaxed his hand. "Damn woman, you been mainlining steroids?" "No, just living clean and working out..." Her statement was interrupted by Patricia, walking in-between them, spraying little bursts of sandalwood mist. "What in the hell are you doing, Patricia... oh, by the way, I'm sorry, Eddy Janak, Patricia Keller, my partner." "Oh, I'm just trying to cover some of the testosterone so we don't get mobbed by a thousand screaming drunken sorority sluts." The three of them burst into laughter so loud it had the staff checking on them. ------- Philip "Fat Phillie" Philouma was, at 5'10" and 530 pounds, morbidly obese. He perpetually reeked of sweat as even in the coldest room he was bound to be sweating somewhere in his multitudinous rolls of flesh. His eyes were buried in his puffy face and they glittered maliciously in their little caves as he stared out at the world with greed and avarice. He had been a cruel and petty boy that grew into a cruel and petty man. His father, Victor Philouma, had always been disappointed in his eldest son. Philip took it for granted that he was to inherit his father's mantle so from a very young age had viewed life as though all things were owed him. Philip's childhood years had been very busy ones for Victor and he felt it one of the greatest failures of his life that he hadn't seen and recognized the burgeoning attitude problems of his eldest son until it was too late to do much about them. After he did recognize them, his wife had had to argue him out of killing Philip more than a few times, finally selling him on the compromise of men loyal to Victor acting as watchdogs and handlers of Phil. She had made Victor swear that he would allow nothing to happen to Philip while there was breath in his body. It was a hard vow to make, but Victor had made it and had lived with it, even after his beloved Ricadonna's death. As Harry and Carol approached the table, Carol recognized Phil's high-pitched whining voice. "I can't believe you pulled a spade flush outta your ass, Tommy! I've had it; I'm takin' a fuckin' break!" "We're in luck," she whispered to Harry. "Yeah, he sounds real happy, we're swimming in luck," Harry muttered back. They came around a support pillar and Philip saw them as he waddled towards the bar in the far corner of the room. "Who are you? What the fuck you doing here?" "Mr. Philouma, I don't know if you remember me, Carol Casetti, I used to visit here with Tony Juliana?" "Oh yeah sure, Tony's little fuck toy. What do ya want?" "I'm here as a favor to a friend. He sent his assistant, Mr. Evans here, to look at Tamara; I told him about her, he thought he might be interested in acquiring her." "Mr. Evans, huh?" Harry stepped forward, extending his right hand. "Yes sir, Mr. Philouma, Robert Evans, pleased to make your acquaintance." Phil looked at him with suspicion tinged with an animal cunning. He slowly extended his sweaty hand. Harry took it and shook it, firmly but briefly. "Mr. Philouma, my employer is very grateful for this moment of your time. He regrets disturbing you but this was the only time that Ms. Casetti could be sure of us meeting. I was instructed to examine this 'Tamara' and determine if she would suit my employer's needs. If so, I was to see about acquiring her from you, were you amenable to such a transaction." "Who's this employer of yours?" Phil sneered. Harry smiled. "I'm sorry Mr. Philouma; I'm not at liberty to say. My employer is as careful of his privacy as you and your associates are of yours." Harry glanced over at the table and the five men seated there. "I can say, however, that he's a retired businessman living in New Orleans who finally has time to indulge in some of his more esoteric interests... such as young girls with no one to run to and nowhere to go who won't be missed." Phil's eyes lit up with interest. "So if I was to sell her to ya and your employer did his thing, he might tape it?" "He might, Mr. Philouma, he might indeed." "And would he be willing to make a copy of that tape?" Phil's voice lowered. "See, I've got my father's boys making sure I don't have no fun like that." "Something might be arranged." "If it was arranged, I'd be willing to pay. You bring the tape, let me check it out at the club here some Saturday, I like what I see, I'd be willing to pay quite a bit." His voice lowered again, even softer than before. "In fact, if you were to bring me a tape of Tamara getting tortured, then getting dead... I'd be willing to go, oh, five, six grand for a tape like that." Harry forced a smile through the roiling waves of nausea that where coursing through him. "I don't think my employer would be adverse to such a proposition. So I take it I'm to be allowed to examine this Tamara?" "Oh yeah, sure, the little skank's over there in the corner, take all the time you want." "Do you mind if I make a quick call, Mr. Philouma, I'd like to inform my employer of my progress?" "Sure, go ahead." Harry pulled out his cell and dialed Margo's number. "Sir, the seller is amenable. We're about to examine the merchandise. Everyone is being most helpful... I'm sorry about the delay, sir, I 'm sure you were becoming annoyed. It is taking a little longer than we expected, Ms. Casetti ran into some old friends... Certainly sir." He hung up. "Shall we proceed?" ------- "So there we were, Patricia, all of us blind-drunk, staggerin' out of McGonnigle's and these five frat punks take offense at Harry and me stoppin' and pissin' on their car. I don't know what the big deal was; it was a piece-o-shit '99 Firebird Trans Am. Pissin' on it couldn't help but improve it. But they take offense anyway and think they got what it takes to stomp the skinny guy, me and the dyke. Harry gets one of 'em down and bangs on him a bit, the biggest one pounds on me till I put him to the pavement and I'm wonderin' where the fuck the other three are. Look over and see your sweetie has already put 'em all on the ground and is pissin' on 'em. Just pulled down her pants and is gushin' like a fire hose all over these dweebs, all three of 'em out cold. Then she grabs one of their arms, dries herself on his shirtsleeve, pulls up her pants like it's no big deal and away we go down the street. Ya got a cute ass there Karen." Patricia looked at Karen in astonishment. "You didn't." "Damn sure did," Karen responded. "They were spoiled little rich boys, it was a piece-o-shit Trans Am and nobody whups on Harry and Eddy but me. Don't tell me you never did anything that would raise our eyebrows." "Well, there was this time at church camp..." ------- In the corner there knelt a short, thin, almost ethereal woman, pale skin, almost preternaturally large brown eyes, her black hair in pigtails to either side of her slightly diamond-shaped face, wearing a Catholic school girl's uniform. "Tamara... Tammy..." Carol said as she knelt beside her, "do you recognize me? Are you okay?" Her gaze was glassy and she seemed to be floating in a mental fog with no lighthouse anywhere around. "Carol? How are you? It's been a long time. I haven't seen you since Tony's funeral... I'm not sure anymore how long ago that was." "Tammy, this is Mr. Evans, he's here to purchase you." "Hello Tammy... Tammy, look at me. Do you remember the last time you had something to eat?" "Uh... I had some crackers... yesterday... I think. I had a sandwich... today's Saturday because we're here so it would've been Wednesday. I'm pretty sure it was Wednesday. You know Phil, nobody gets fat but him." She made a pitiful, face-cracking grimace that if it had had any humor behind it might have been called a smile. She seemed to be able to focus a little better. "He hasn't been on this kick for too long though. I check myself in the mirror when I go to the powder room. I haven't got that sexy runway model physique that all the girls crave yet." This time the grimace did contain humor and was a smile. "Give him a few more weeks and I'll be there though. Maybe I can get on the cover of Vogue." "He's not getting a few more weeks," Harry said under his breath. He stood up, leaving Carol to see to Tamara and walked over to Phil at the bar. "Mr. Philouma," he said, hiding his rage, "she'll do, although my employer prefers to thin them down himself, so she'll require a little fattening before he can really go to work on her. I'll give you... two hundred for her." Phil's high pitched chuckle had little humor in it. "A most interesting opening offer... since you're going to start low, I'll start high, fifty thousand." "Five hundred." "You roughly double yours, I'll roughly cut mine in half. Twenty-three thousand." "One thousand." "Twelve thousand." "In her present physical condition, I'm not prepared to go over a thousand, Mr. Philouma. But I will sweeten the deal somewhat. I think my employer would be very interested in providing you with some tapes you'd find most stimulating. You take one thousand for her, the tape of her and two other such productions free of charge. The other tapes can be negotiated for when you look at them, see what they contain." "Twelve thousand and her tape plus five others free." "One thousand, her tape and five." "I'm not going below twelve, her tape and five." Harry appeared to consider the offer very carefully. "You appear to be a card-playing man, Mr. Philouma. High card contest. I shuffle. I win, it's a thousand and her tape and five, you win, it's twelve thousand, her tape and five." "No Mr. Evans, you don't shuffle, I shuffle. I win, it's twenty thousand, her tape and five, you win, it's one thousand, her tape and five." "Then we are at an impasse. If I don't shuffle, I don't play. Otherwise your terms are acceptable." "Fine, then you shuffle." Harry walked to the table, following behind Phil. When they got there, Phil plopped his bulk into a loveseat and motioned Harry to a chair. "Excuse us boys, need to borrow a deck of cards, this'll be over soon, I'll be back in the game." He shoved the deck over to Harry and as Harry picked them up, he gave them a quick and subtle once-over. Standard deck, not marked or rigged in any way he could determine. He shuffled clumsily, at one point flipping the deck out over the table, many of the cards landing face up. He gathered them back up with apologies to all and continued to shuffle. Finally he sat them down. "You first, of course, Mr. Philouma." Phil cut and showed the Ten of Hearts to everyone at the table. "My turn then," said Harry. He picked up part of the deck and showed the Queen of Spades around the table. "Now I think I'll pay you what I owe, take the girl and be on my way back to New Orleans." Phil made a motion with his hand. The five players at the table and the two men behind Phil drew their weapons. Harry found himself looking at a collection of .45's. The sound of their hammers being cocked was not music to his ears. "No Mr. Evans, we'll go best two out of three. And I'll shuffle this time." ------- Kelly had decided to dress a little daringly for the evening. Given the nature of Chez Bubba's, she'd gone with a bandanna halter that barely contained her and a pair of ragged cut-off jeans that were just a quarter inch of fringe away from being indecent. The thong she was wearing nearly matched her skin tone so the illusion was compelling. With her hair in a do-rag and her feet in a pair of scuffed square-toe cowboy boots she strolled in to the restaurant and was shown to their room. She heard the eyeballs clacking as they swung to follow her as she pranced through the dining room. It was a good way to start the night. When she was shown into the room, she saw Eddy and a woman she assumed was Karen, arm wrestling on the table, lit candles burning in either of their take-down positions. Eddy almost lost when he briefly glanced over to see who was coming in. He recovered quickly though, then it was Karen's turn to be distracted, with much the same result. Patricia leaned over her shoulder whispering "Down girl". She came up behind Eddy, rested her tits on his shoulder and leaned over, smiling. "Hi, y'all must be Karen and Patricia. I'm Kelly, Eddy's illegitimate daughter." She bent down and licked his ear. "Hi Daddy" she breathed into it. "Gawddamn it Kelly," Eddy exploded, "don't do that!" "Oh, alright. Hi Karen, Patricia, I'm Kelly, the dominatrix that's been bending Eddy to her will. Now Eddy, beat this woman or I won't let you lick my ass tonight." Karen was about to lose it, choking back fall-on-the-floor laughter by sheer force of will. Patricia had given up the fight and was holding her sides, laughing almost silently, tears rolling down her cheeks. "Kelly," Eddy said through gritted teeth, "I don't think licking is what I had in mind where your ass is concerned... it rhymes with 'licking' but it starts with a 'k'." She threw her arms around his broad chest and circled his nipples with her fingertips. "Eddy, are you sure it doesn't rhyme with 'missing' and start with a 'k'?" "Pretty gawddamn sure." "Okay," she said as her hands went down to his sides, "as long as you're sure." And she started tickling him. ------- The silence stretched on for several year-long seconds before Harry found himself able to speak. "Why Mr. Philouma, I do believe you're trying to alter the terms of our deal," Harry said, fighting to keep his voice steady. "I believe so too," came an elderly but still vibrant voice from the door. In his peripheral vision Harry caught someone entering in a motorized wheelchair but couldn't make out much more as he was far more concerned with the handguns in his immediate vicinity. He heard Carol squeal "VIC!" and glimpsed her running toward the figure in the chair. He kept very still and watched Phil, painfully aware of the unwavering barrels of the guns pointed in his direction. "What was the deal they agreed to?" Victor Philouma asked one of his men, standing behind Phil. "If Evans won, he paid Phil a grand and some other considerations at a later time and take possession of Tammy today." "Pay my son his money, Mr. Evans, then Philip, you and the boys get out of here." "But he cheated!" Phil whined. "If everyone you accused of cheating was guilty, our family and friends would be the biggest group of card sharps in existence. Truth is, Philip, you suck at cards just like you suck at almost everything. Now take your money and get out." Harry reached into a pocket and brought on a sheaf of bills, put it on the table, and stood up. "It's been a pleasure doing business with you, Mr. Philouma," Harry said, offering his hand. "I believe I'll be taking my employer's property and going now." Phil ignored the hand, took the bundle of cash and tried to stalk out as best he could while waddling. The rest of the men at and around the table followed. "I don't think you'll be leaving just yet, Mr. Evans," said Victor Philouma, head of the Philouma crime syndicate. ------- In the ensuing free-for-all everyone avoided getting burned, no one got beaten or kicked, Kelly narrowly avoided a spanking, and proper introductions were made. Another round of drinks was ordered and while Kelly and Patricia watched, Eddy and Karen went at it once again in arm-wrestling. Patricia leaned over to Kelly. "So, I've sort of gotten the Harry, Carol & Margo story, where do you fit in to all this, if you don't mind me asking?" "Patricia, I never mind questions... I mind people who expect answers." She smiled. "It's a simple story. Delivery driver for Chinese restaurant shows up with order, is seduced by older couples' sex toy, continues to come back and play with them because she likes them, feels safe with them, is even starting to have deeper feelings for them, meets their friends, likes them too, plays with some of them, that big hunk o' man over there for example." "I heard that," Eddy said. "I meant you to, still feels safe after playing with him, as incredible as that may seem.She looked at Karen, struggling mightily against Eddy, then at Patricia and slowly and sensuously licked her lips. "Wouldn't mind playing with more of their friends." Patricia smiled. "Sorry Kelly, you're a lovely girl and imminently do-able, but we're monogamous." "Yeah," Karen added, "I've got some severe jealousy issues I need to work on and Patricia just feels safer in a monogamous relationship. But I guarantee you, we ever change our minds and we'll invite you over to be dinner." "Don't you mean 'for' dinner," Kelly asked, eyes sparkling. "You heard what I said," Karen responded, finally forcing Eddy's hand down to the candle. "OW! Gawddamnit you steroid-abusin' dyke Amazon! Have you ever once considered how I feel about losing to a woman?" He buried his face in his hands, great heaving fake sobs coming from within. "I feel so... much... less... a... man... now." Once again the laughter was so loud the staff felt obliged to check and see if everything was alright. ------- Carol came over, Victor in his chair behind her. She pushed him toward a chair. "Relax, it's alright, sir. Sit down." Victor's chair rolled up to him. She spoke softly. "Sir, this is Victor Philouma. Vic, this is Harry Grimes, my new man." Harry put out his hand. "Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Philouma." The old man took it, shook it. He might be in a chair but his grip was still hard and firm. "Well kid, he's a damn sight prettier than Tony was. He good to you?" "Vic, I'm taking his name of my own free will. I love him more than I've ever loved anyone." "That's good... you two running a number on my fat moron of a son?" "Yes Vic. We're getting Tamara out of here." "And you, Mr. Grimes, you cheated at cards in front of my son, six of his boys and two of mine. My boys spotted you putting a crimp on that queen just like I did, watching from the security room. That's why the boys were going to let him shoot you. You're guilty. The only reasons you're still living is I like it when people put one over on that sweaty dumbshit and because of little Carol here" "I didn't have his minimum number and I couldn't get him down into what I did have available to me." "You risked getting your head blown off for a girl you just met tonight?" "Is that so hard to believe? Your son was going to slowly starve her to death. What else could I do?" "You're not a cop, are you?" "No sir, I'm in advertising." "Thank God, cops with your kind of balls I don't need. I'd have to kill a cop like you to stop a cop like you. Very bad for business in the long run. You've got what you came for; you can go in a minute. "Carol, Tony left you something in his will. I never questioned why you disappeared so fast after the funeral. I know my eldest; I know what he was looking to do with you. But it meant you weren't there for the reading of Tony's will. I had what he left you boxed up and put in storage in a climate-controlled space on the south side. You give me an address, I'll have it delivered." He read the worry on her face. "Don't worry, none of Phil's boys will know about it." "But what about after you're gone, Vic? They'll all be Phil's boys then." "The hell they will. Those two boys that watch Phil? Well, let's just say that his lifespan and mine are intimately connected. He'll be going out minutes after I do and the boys will be on their way out of the country for an extended vacation to keep 'em away from the police before his fat body gets cold. Niccolo will take over the family business. I've been training him for it for years, telling Phil it's just training him to be his consigliore. But Nick, he knows the truth and knows a lot of things Phil ain't never bothered to learn. "You made my childhood friend Tony Juliana's last couple of years the best they could have been. You stayed by him when he got sick, you sat with him when no one could see him for all the tubes and shit, they couldn't pry you out of that hospital with a crowbar, you held his hand when he died and you kissed him goodbye." Vic's gruff voice was breaking just a bit but only a fool would have commented on it or the moisture in his eyes. "You were better to him than his wife. You were there for him when his own fucking children wouldn't come and see their old man off." He handed her a card with a number on it. "You ever need anything, you call that number. They'll put you through to either me or to Niccolo when I'm gone. He knows about this debt and has agreed to honor it. Tony Juliana was his godfather and treated him like a nephew. Nick always called him Uncle Tony and even if I didn't insist, this debt he would honor. Now give me an address to have his bequest to you delivered to." Carol wrote out Harry's address on a slip of paper Harry found in his pocket and gave it to the old man. "I don't think we'll meet again this side of the grave, little Carol. And I don't think we'll meet on the other side either. I expect you to be in a far nicer place than me. I've never understood why your brain works the way it does, why you need this 'owning' thing, but it makes you happy and that's all that's important. You treat her good, Mr. Grimes, not because I said you had to, but because she's a good girl and deserves it." "Mr. Philouma, she's one of the two most wonderful things to ever happen to me and the second wouldn't have happened if she hadn't happened first. She is incredibly precious to me. Please don't worry that I'll ever mistreat her." "I don't Mr. Grimes, although I do worry that you'll do something stupid someday and leave her all alone. Risking your life for a girl you just met..." The old man turned and rolled towards the door. Carol ran up and kissed him on the cheek. "Goodbye Vic." "Goodbye kid." Harry went to the corner to collect Tamara and he and Carol guided her towards the door. As they walked down the corridor to the entrance, Harry murmured "Carol Casetti?" "Yeah, Carol Casetti," she whispered, "did you think Tony would bring a cute little Irish girl in a place like this?" ------- Margo was almost beside herself with worry. This had gone on way too long but she didn't dare leave, not after the phone call from Harry. She couldn't call the cops. She was about to say to hell with it and call Eddy when she saw the door to the club open and Harry, Carol and a girl she assumed was Tamara came out. Harry was half-carrying the girl who looked like a Japanese businessman's wet dream in her schoolgirl outfit. They hurried down the sidewalk and Harry gently helped Tamara into the back seat where Carol followed her. He got in front with Margo. "Harry Grimes if you ever scare me like this again on our engagement day, wedding day, whatever damn day it is, I'm going to strap you down and use that cat o' nine on you till you bleed!" Harry slumped in his seat, the tension of the last half hour finally taking its toll on him. "Deal. If I ever do this again, you can beat me to death for all I care," he said as Margo pulled into the street and they drove away. Carol leaned up from the back seat. "Margo, love, Harry was stupidly brave but for a very good cause so be gentle with him." "Why, what happened?" "He almost got shot... repeatedly... in the head." "WHAT?" The car skidded to a halt by the side of the road. "HARRY WHAT THE FUCK-" Harry grabbed her and held her, smothering her cries of outrage against his shoulder. "Margo, Margo, look at the woman in the back seat. Look at her." Margo slowly turned her head to look closely at Tamara, her physician's eye taking in her condition. "The fat fuck was going to starve her to death. What was I supposed to do?" Margo looked at him, seeing the look in his eyes for the first time since he'd returned. Harry was shaking and had a haunted look in his eye. He'd gotten kissed by his mortality and it had terrified him. "If I was going to close this deal with that fat tub of lard it had to be today. Next week and it would've been a whole new round of games and conditions and price increases. I didn't have enough on me to meet his price and I couldn't exactly write him a check, so I played 'Cut For High Card' and cheated and won. He was ready to kill me because he thinks everybody cheats him and he's so stupid he may be right. I know he didn't catch me because he didn't kill me right off. Luckily his old man came in and saved the day. He's a nice guy for a mobster, Carol." "No he isn't Harry; he's a piece of shit." "What?" "Harry, he would've sat there and watched Phil starve Tammy to death because he didn't give a shit enough to stop him. He wouldn't let Phil beat her, because that would show and people might talk but he'd let him starve her to death. I won't get rid of his card. Someday we may need his or Niccolo's kind of help and I've never been too proud to worry about where a life preserver is coming from when I'm drowning, but he's not a nice guy. He's a murderer and can be one of the most cold-blooded sons-of-bitches I've ever seen. When he dies I won't be shedding tears at his funeral like I did at Tony's." Harry turned to Margo. "My love, you'll get the full story at some point tonight, probably at the restaurant after Carol and I get a few drinks in us. For now, we're all alive and in reasonably good shape, you can take an initial look at Tamara physically when we get there. But first, can we please get there?" Margo kissed him, put the car in gear and they set out again toward Chez Bubba's. In the back seat, Carol helped Tamara change clothes into some she had brought with her from the house. They weren't a perfect fit, but they were close enough to look presentable. While Tamara was changing, Carol was looking for signs of physical abuse. "Margo, I see some bruising, looks like where she's been grabbed but that's it, I'm not seeing any signs of beatings." "Now Tammy," Carol said, "we bought you but we didn't buy you for us. We bought you for a man named Eddy and I think you and he will get along very well. He needs someone like you and you need someone like him and eventually we want to tell him everything but right at the beginning, we don't want him to know we bought you for him or he might start thinking that the only way a woman could care for him was if she was paid for or some silly shit like that. So, at the beginning, we just bought you to get you away from Phil, that's the only reason, got it?" Tamara nodded her head. "Good, now let's get your hair out of those pigtails and brushed out." They were only an hour late when they pulled into the parking lot of Chez Bubba's. ------- Chapter 13 Between Harry on one side of her and Margo on the other, they managed to get Tamara into the restaurant and back to the room without anyone noticing how weak she was. While Carol went to tell Karen, Patricia and Kelly the edited version of the story, Harry pulled Eddy to one side and Margo checked Tamara over. "Eddy, that girl over there, her name's Tamara, I don't know her last name and we just paid a thousand dollars to buy her from Phil Philouma. You know who he is, I'm sure." "Yeah, I know who he is." "He wasn't real happy about the transaction and I'm afraid to keep her at my place, I need to stash her for awhile until I'm sure things have blown over. She's going to need constant care, for the first week or so at least, and I know it's a lot to ask, but could you..." "Say no more, Harry, I got more than enough time off built up, my boss has been tryin' to get me to take some of it for awhile now. She'll be safe with me, I'll see to her." "Good... now, she needs to be owned, even more so than Carol, with Tamara it's 'need with a capital N', so we're going to give her to you and you'll accept her and then it'll be all kosher in her headspace. Got it?" "Yeah, I got it, Harry." "How are you fixed for cash because I'm more than willing to pay for her upkeep..." "Shut up, Harry, I've got more money than I know what to do with. You'll probably need all your cash right now anyway, what with you and the ladies having to live elsewhere for a bit." "What?" "Harry, if it isn't safe for her to be at your place I kinda doubt it's safe for you to be at your place either." Harry was caught in a web of his own spinning. "Shit, you're right. I've been so worried about her I completely missed that. Eddy, do you know anybody you'd trust to house-sit our place, twenty-four-seven, let the workmen in, that kind of thing, make sure it doesn't get trashed by Philouma's boys?" "Yeah Harry, two of the boys that work with me, if I'm taking time off, so are they. They'll keep an eye on the place. We get you home tonight, you write out all the instructions you can think of, we'll get you and the girls packed up and out of there for a week or so, they'll be there tonight before you leave so you can meet them." Margo came over, half carrying Tamara. "Harry, Eddy, that asshole hadn't been starving her long enough to do serious damage. I'd say she's alright to eat semi-solid foods tonight, Bubba's Mashed Taters would probably be a great choice, but I'd keep her away from solids for another day or two. Think soups, broths, fruit juices. By Tuesday she should be fine to eat pretty much whatever she wants." "Tamara, I bought you," Harry said to the girl, "and now I'm making a gift of you to this man, Eddy. He owns you now." "Yes sir, I understand." She walked towards Eddy and hesitated, just a second, and before anyone could have registered what they were seeing the large man had gone to her, scooped her up in his arms and was back in his chair with her on his lap. She almost looked like a child as he cradled her, speaking to her in a low, soft, gentle voice. Harry gathered Margo and Carol and told them about the necessity of covering his lie to Eddy and then went over to say hello to the rest of the crew. "Patricia, it's great to see you again." Karen stood up and hugged him hard. "Ouch... Sappho... ribs... breaking... vision... going... dark." She broke the hug. "Harry, you picked a really good reason to be late to supper. If you were a girl..." "You still wouldn't fuck me because you and Patricia are soooo traditional," he finished, grinning widely. Karen hugged him and whispered in his ear, "If you were a girl, I never would have met Patricia, we'd be Karen and Harriet." Harry smiled, hugged Karen back and reflected that there were worse alternate realities to contemplate. Kelly came and gave him a hug. "Arthur, why do I think you're pulling a fast one on Eddy and the rest of us?" she asked him quietly as they embraced. "Because I am," he replied, kissing her ear. As everyone settled into their chairs and the newcomers ordered their well-deserved drinks it was impossible for anyone to avoid noticing that Eddy and Tamara were in their own world. She was curled up in his lap as he stroked her hair and murmured softly to her something only they could hear. Margo snagged the waiter before he left. "I need an order of Bubba's Mashed Taters and a bowl of Granny's Chicken Soup for the young lady there. Make sure they get here as soon as possible." She handed him a twenty. "They'll be right here ma'am." Elsewhere at the table, Kelly had sat beside Carol. "I know that when you're in control you call me 'Princess', but what should I call you when you're in control," she licked her lips, "or when I want you to be in control?" Carol thrust a hand into Kelly's halter, grasping her breast and caressed it firmly. Her other hand snaked up into Kelly's hair, gripped it hard and pulled her head back; Carol put teeth to her neck for a bite that had Kelly gasping with pleasure. "Oh, 'Mistress' will be perfectly acceptable, Princess," she growled. She pulled Kelly onto her, sitting her a-straddle her blue-jeaned leg while she continued to stoke her breast, lick and bite her neck. Kelly leaned her body down and ground her cunt on to Carol's leg, back and forth, a wet spot beginning to form in her shorts. Karen leaned over to Harry. "Jesus Christ! Are they always like this?" "Pretty incendiary, aren't they?" Harry said with a smile. "The two of them with each other would have the President grabbing for an intern and fucking her on national TV in the middle of the State of the Union address." "I thought you said Carol was submissive. That ain't no brand of submissive I ever saw." "There's something about Kelly that brings her dominant side out with a bang. Was that way the very first time she saw her. She gave me a look that I thought meant 'can I play with her?' I said yes. Turns out it meant 'can I take her and make her mine?. Small error in translation. And they don't play this way all the time, most of the time there's no dom or sub between them. I better stop them before we end up either having to buy off the staff or get thrown out. "Little Cunt! Stop it right now! The time for play is later!" "Mistress please, I'm sooo cloooose, don't leave me this way," Kelly begged. "Sir... I... Princess..." she put her mouth to Kelly's ear, "come for me, Princess, right now!" "Ummmm hmmmmm!" Kelly rocked back and forth on Carol's leg as her orgasm ripped through her. As Carol held up Kelly's slumping body to her breast, she looked at Harry. "I'm sorry, sir," she said, dejectedly. Harry was about to forgive her when Margo briefly laid her hand upon his mouth as she walked by on her way to Carol. She reached down between the two girls, gently stroking Carol's denim-clad pussy while she spoke softly to her. Harry caught only Carol's answering "Yes Madam" and the grateful smile on Carol's face. Margo stood up and walked back to sit beside him. Harry looked at her and asked, "So, if it's any of my business, what did you just tell her?" Margo looked at him, and noticed Karen and Patricia leaning in to hear as well. She shrugged. "I told her that you were far too easy on her and I knew that she enjoyed being punished so for that little act of disobedience we were going to oblige her. Later tonight you're going to slowly spank her while she eats me. As soon as I come, the spanking stops. It doesn't stop before then. She liked the idea a lot. Then I told her that since I knew she'd been caught between obedience to you and responsibility to her own toy, even though that was no excuse for her failure to stop immediately, that you'd give her a nice ass-fucking when the spanking was done, while of course she continued to eat me." There was a soft whimper from somewhere nearby and Harry wasn't sure but he thought it came from Patricia. He looked at Margo with a touch of surprise. "If I didn't know better my love, I'd say you had a dominant streak in you." "Harry, you don't know better. After years of feeling I had to serve, I had to be the one to make people happy, make sure everyone had what they wanted. Thanks to you two I'm now safe and in a place where I can be in charge when I feel like it. I don't want to be there all the time, mind you, but being there sometimes?" She took his hand and moved it towards her crotch through the slit on her skirt. Before he was even there he felt the heat and dampness. "It's a turn-on, Harry." She leaned in and murmured in his ear. "And that being completely restrained and at someone else's mercy fantasy of yours? Carol told me about it. Whenever you're ready you just let Madam Margo and your Baby Girl take care of that for you... Princess too, if you'd like." Harry didn't know his cock could get that hard that fast. ------- Cuddled in the arms of this giant of a man Tamara felt safer and more secure than she had in years. First thing, right off the bat, she'd told him something almost no one else knew. "Tamara is a very pretty name. What's the rest of your name?" "Well sir, I call myself Tamara Oleander, but really my last name's Osowski. Tamara Theresa Osowski." "Alright, I'm Eddy, uh, Edward John Janak. What do you like to be called, do you like Tamara or Tammy or would you rather I call you Theresa?" "It would make me very happy if you would call me Theresa, sir... everyone else calls me Tamara or Tammy. May I please call you Edward? 'Eddy' is a little too familiar for me." "That would be fine, whatever you're comfortable with." "I'm very comfortable with you, sir." Eddy felt his heart give a little lurch. That was not good. He had no business having any heart lurching where this girl was concerned. Theresa looked into Edward's pale green eyes and wondered how hard it was going to be for him to accept that she was his for good, if he'd have her. As his huge hand stroked her hair, she thought that it probably wouldn't be that hard for him to accept, but it would take a little time before he was ready to know the truth. That was okay with her. She snuggled in closer to his chest, smelling him all around her, a touch of sweat, a whiff of beer, soap, shampoo... and a growing sense, not really a smell, just a sense, of desire. "Now Theresa, when I take you home with me tonight, I'm apologizin' in advance for my place. It's a mess. I been livin' alone since my last divorce and I'm a slob..." "Stop right there, sir. It may be a mess now; it won't be when I'm through with it. I may have to take it a little more slowly than I normally would, but I'll soon set it right. "You don't have to do that..." "But Edward, I do have to do that. I have to! For me. For me to feel right about you taking care of me I have to and I don't mind, I like keeping house." "And there's only one bed so I'll sleep on the couch..." "Please Edward, don't do that. If I'm not worthy to share the bed with you I can sleep on the couch or the floor, anywhere. I slept... I lived in a closet when I belonged to Phil, two foot by three foot. Anything larger and more luxurious than a closet is me moving onto Boardwalk or Park Place." "Well it's not a matter of me letting you share the bed, I don't got no problem with that it's just I didn't know if you wanted to sleep with a monster in the same bed with a man you hardly know." "Edward, sir, I'm your property, I'll sleep where I'm told to sleep. But if I had my preferences it would be with you or very near you." She shuddered. "I don't think I'd feel safe too far away from you." "Well then of course you'll sleep with me, Theresa, because you feeling safe is one of our primary concerns." ------- Everyone talked for awhile. Harry noticed Margo on the phone and briefly wondered if there was something wrong. When she began smiling he knew better. It was good to relax after the stress of earlier events. Tamara's food and everyone's drinks arrived and Harry felt it the appropriate moment to make their big announcement so he tapped the side of his drink with a fork until he had everyone's attention. "Friends and loved ones, today before we left the house, two very important matters were settled. "Margo announced that she was home to stay and she agreed to marry me as soon as our divorces are final." He would have said more but Kelly and Patricia were mobbing Margo. Karen and Eddy, with Tamara held with one arm, riding his hip like a baby, clustered around him, hugs, kisses, handshakes and backslaps and then the congratulatory groups changed targets. Through it all Carol sat to the left of and just behind Margo, beaming her happiness. Soon the two people she loved most in the world would be wed, the house would be finished, all would be right with her world. Eddy and Tamara returned to his seat and Eddy began to feed Tamara small spoonfuls of food, checking to see how she was after every mouthful. For her own part, Tamara was eating very slowly. She didn't want to embarrass Edward by getting sick or somehow otherwise spoiling this night of celebration. The other celebrants sat down, worked on finishing their drinks and considered their own supper orders. "Karen, what do we have going this next week?" Harry asked. "Nothing much... just interviews for a new executive director for the company, little thing like that, nothing you need to worry about." "Holy shit, that's right. Okay, that means we hang around town while we're hiding out, otherwise I felt Chicago calling our names. Ladies, name your hotel." Margo smiled at him. "Harry, we're already booked for a week at the Omni in their Presidential Suite. I'm picking up the tab. We have an indefinite option to extend if we need to." "How the hell did you manage that in the summer during tourist season?" "Money, Harry, they tell me it makes the world go around. Plus I did a face-lift, a boob job and a butt tuck on the manager's wife. As much as I hated it, the cosmetic surgery line was good for making contacts. You know, for that reason alone, it might be worth keeping my hand in... say, one day a week." Their food orders where taken as was the order for another round for everyone. ------- Eddy held Theresa in his arms. She had pushed away a spoonful of sinfully delicious mashed potatoes. "You full, little one?" he asked. "I think so, Edward, sir. At least I am for right now. I'm sure if I get hungry later, I can find something else to eat." "Yeah, you get hungry we'll find you somethin' to eat. You wanna go join in the fun or would you rather sit here, just the two of us?" "If you don't mind, sir, I'd like to just sit here for a bit. I'm sorry that I'm keeping you from your party." "Don't you worry about it. You've been through some tough times and you're not up to snuff so we'll just take it easy." "Sir, I can sit in a chair if holding me is bothering you or if I'm getting too heavy." He looked down at her and for a moment she found herself in awe of the tenderness she saw shining through his eyes. She was even scared of it. "If you want to sit in a chair, just say so Theresa, but you don't hardly weigh nothin' and holdin' you is no problem at all. I'm fine with you right where you are." She snuggled up closer to him and sighed. "Then sir, I'm fine right where I am." "How old are you, Theresa?" "Twenty-five, sir... I know I don't look it but my birth certificate doesn't lie. Of course, I'll have to get another copy of that and another I.D. now. All that got left with Phil." "Well we'll go get it back." "No sir, please. Nothing in my pitiful pile of crap is worth anyone even risking getting hurt for. It's not worth it. A new birth certificate and I.D. is really not expensive at all. Messing with Phil Philouma could cost you everything. Please sir, no." "Alright, I see your point. Even I ain't crazy enough to want to fuck with 'Fat Phillie' and his boys, much less with his old man." "Alright then, it's settled, sir." She cuddled back in and tucked her head under his chin. She liked the feel and the smell of this giant of a man. She liked Edward. She liked Edward a lot. ------- Their orders arrived and everyone dug in. The food at Chez Bubba's was far too good to waste valuable eating time with anything as unimportant as talk. Everyone finished and slowly pushed themselves away from the tables to sit and wonder if there was any possible room for dessert. In almost every case the answer was "no way in Hell". In Patricia's case it was "maybe but I'd probably better not". Eddy and Tamara had joined the party, although she was still shyly staying almost hidden in the shadow of Eddy's arms as the friends and lovers talked and visited, letting their food digest and drinking their after-dinner coffee. Harry looked at Karen and Patricia. "You two got anything planned for tomorrow?" They looked at each other. "No," Karen answered, "nothing comes to mind." "Fine, you're having a post-hangover brunch with us at the hotel. I hear they put on a hell of a spread for Sunday brunch. So are you, Eddy, Tamara." "Harry, other than the pleasure of your hung-over company, which is negligible at best, why would we want to drive all the way to downtown for brunch tomorrow?" Karen asked. "Who said anything about you driving in? I'm thinking Margo the Wonder Arranger gets hold of her friend the manager, books us two more rooms, one for you two and one for Eddy and Tamara, and we go mount an assault on the Omni's bar. We close the place down, sleep late in the morning, get up, meet for brunch, the four of you go your merry way and the four of us spend our Sunday in sexual debauchery and hedonistic excess." Kelly leaned on the table, her tits about to spill out of her halter. "Damn Harry, I like the way you think." "Me too," added Carol. Margo scooted herself and her chair close to him, threw a leg over his hips and began to chew on his neck. "I take it Mrs. Wohler-Grimes approves?" he asked. "Oh fuck that hyphen shit," she answered, "your present and future wife loves the idea." She broke off attacking him, looked at their friends. "You've got to say yes. If you don't I'll never invite you over to use the pool and hot tub, once they're installed." Karen and Patricia looked at each other. "We're in," said Patricia. Eddy and Tamara spoke quietly with each other. "She's awfully weak still, but we're in till we're not and then we'll bid you fine folks good night." "Fair enough, beloved wench, make the calls." "Yes my lord," responded Margo. "Carol and I will go pack up at the house, leave instructions and talk to Eddy's boys while all of you get to the hotel and settle in. Margo my sweet, is there anything special we need to pick up at the house for you?" "Nothing that I haven't already spoken with our pet about." So Harry paid their bill and he and Carol headed for the house while everyone else descended on the Emily Morgan. ------- As Harry and Carol drove towards the house, he rested his hand on hers. "Baby Girl, I'm thinking you and I are due a minor nervous breakdown some day soon." "Yes sir, I know what you mean... between dealing with Angie and the scene with Phil, I'd really appreciate some time with no strong negative emotions for awhile." "Yeah... I've got a lot of shit in my head about that night with Angie that I'm slowly working through... most of it I keep pushed into a corner so I'm not the Amazing Depression Man. What I did to her really makes me... uncomfortable... with myself." "I think I may have some of the same feelings, Harry but I don't regret the physical and emotional abuse I put her through... I don't regret that at all. She earned every last bit of it. "But there was a time there Harry when I wasn't sure I wasn't going to kill her. That's been scaring the hell out of me. I never hated even Rick that much. But there I was, right in front of her and it would have been so easy to do it, Harry. And I wanted to. I wanted to end her pathetic shit right there. Then I wanted to come find you and hold you and fuck you and tell you Mommy had made sure that bitch would never hurt you again." Tears were rolling down her cheeks. "Don't get me wrong, Harry. I don't regret feeling that way about her or why I feel that way. I just can't stand the way hating someone that much makes me feel inside. Like there's a place in me that's gone black and cold and dead. A part of me that should've felt something besides disgust when she was pleading for her life... it's like there's a part of me that's no longer human." "Have I told you lately how much I love you?" he asked her. "No, sir." He pulled the car over to the side of the road and turned to face her. "I love you so much that even if somehow Margo and I were together without you being involved, my life wouldn't be complete, because you wouldn't be there. I love you so much that if I look at you too long I start to cry because I'm so happy. I love you so much that my biggest fear when we were in Campisi's and all those guns were pointed at me was that you wouldn't be safe. "I love you so much I finally understand what my father did." Carol looked at him. "Excuse me Harry, what?" "Time for some Grimes family history. My mother got sick, breast cancer, which, by the time they caught it, had metastasized all through her. It was inoperable and the chemo and radiation weren't doing much to halt the spread. She got worse as did the pain. The amount of morphine she was taking kept going up. She was miserable and so was Dad. It was a very bad time for all of us. "She never got out of the house except to go to treatments and that hardly qualified as a pleasurable outing, so he started taking her for rides on Sunday afternoons. They'd drive around and she'd sleep through most of it sometimes, other times she'd actually be able to stay awake and enjoy it. "One Sunday afternoon in April it had been raining and Dad lost control of the car on a bridge and went over the side. It was five hours before the Sheriff's Department got the car out of there." Harry's voice was breaking, tears welling up in his eyes. "Accidental death, insurance paid off, everything's copacetic... tragic, but copacetic. What no one else knew, what no one to this day knows except me, is what was in a letter I got from my father. It had been mailed the Saturday before the accident. "He said he'd talked to Mom and it wasn't that she didn't love him or Nicki and me, but she was tired and she wanted the pain to end and she wanted to go home... and that he couldn't see letting her find her way home without him... so he figured he'd go along with her... that way even if they got lost, they'd still have each other. "I never really understood what he did until you became a part of my life." Harry broke down completely and the two of them hugged awkwardly in the front seat until Harry was calm again. "Whatever we have to deal with, whatever issues need to be resolved, you and I and Margo and probably Kelly as well can handle them, and support each other through them and in the end, it'll be okay," he said. "Okay sir," she said, kissing his hand, "I think we're all going to be fine. But I think you and I need a stiff drink. For that to happen, we need to be at the Omni, so let's get home and get packed and get to the hotel." Harry put the car back in gear and they pulled out into traffic. ------- When they arrived there was a battered old truck out front with two young men in it. They got out and waited for Harry to approach them. They were almost twins, from their muscular builds to the short, blond mullets atop their heads. "You Eddy's friends?" he asked as he walked up. "Yes sir," answered one of them, "my name's Perry, this is Bevy. Eddy told us you needed somebody to watch your place, water the plants, keep arsonists away, repel airborne assaults, protect your secret vault where you stashed the proof that Johnny Carson killed Kennedy in Dallas. Now, I got to tell ya, anything special like defendin' the Holy Grail or the Ark of the Covenant against attacks by Martian zombies or shit like vampires we got to acquire victims for... it's gonna run ya extra." "Does Eddy know you're certifiably insane?" "Yessir, says that's why he likes workin' with us." Harry and Carol were laughing as they led the men into the house. ------- An hour later, with help from Perry and Bevy, the car was loaded, and a detailed list of instructions along with a check for Anna and their cell phone numbers was left with them. The guys had unloaded their stuff from the truck and set up camp in the living room. Bevy was hard at work on something on a laptop. "He doesn't talk much, does he." stated Harry. "Nosir, only time he says much of anything is when someone makes fun of his name, what he says then you mostly don't never wanna hear." "What's he working on, if I might ask?" "Oh, he's doin' the final colorin' and shadin' on the next episode of our web comic." "Dare I ask?" "Yessir, It's called 'Dinosaur Ho', about the adventures of a flight attendant for American named Candy who becomes unstuck in time and ends up in the Cretaceous period where she discovers that there was a civilization of intelligent dinosaurs, most closely resemblin' the Acrocanthosaurus. They had actually achieved a level of scientific achievement superior to our present technological level. Well, she ends up becomin' a freak attraction in one of their brothels and develops a taste for it, a condition which makes her rescue by a group of time-traveling do-gooders a bit problematical. So she's trying to escape the clutches of her rescuers so she can return to her tawdry life of sin and degradation and convince a young 'saur from their Ministry of Technology named Risstalthaaak'kark that has fallen in love with her that it's their experiments with moving asteroids into orbit to facilitate minin' them for mineral resources that's gonna end up accidentally wipin' out their whole civilization. "We've won the Web Cartoonists Choice Awards Outstanding Comic Award for the last three years running." Harry walked away, shaking his head. ------- It was 11 PM by the time they hit the hotel. Courtesy of a bellman and two carts the car was unloaded and they were off-loaded in the suite, and back down in the bar by 11:15. A valet had parked the car, The bartender told him that his crew had taken over one entire corner of the bar. Harry began to suspect something though when he noticed that the lights were completely off in that section. There was some minimal ambient light from candles but otherwise it was very dim. As they passed the velvet ropes that were blocking the section off, Harry noticed that there was very little sound coming from the cave-like interior, just the burbling of a small waterfall in the corner and the low murmur of Eddy and Tamara conversing with each other. They were, in fact, the first two that Harry came upon, Tamara still in Eddy's lap as the big man continued to cradle her. Harry leaned down next to them. "Hey Eddy, how's it going?" "Just fine Harry. Ther- Tamara and I have just been talking." "What's everyone else up to?" "Harry, you're not going to get me to answer that question no matter what you do... did you meet Perry and Bevy?" "Uh, yeah... you've got some... interesting... people working with you." "They're about the strangest of my crew but I'd trust them with my life. You go on, get comfy, get something to drink." Harry and Carol moved into the darkened corner. They came across Karen and Patricia, sitting on the floor, making out like a pair of teenagers. From what Harry could tell, it looked like Karen had just made it to third base. On the table behind them were two large empty Margarita glasses. The new arrivals quietly skirted the two and walked further in. They found Margo leaning back in a chair, eyes closed, her feet spread wide, braced low against a wall. Under the edge of her long denim skirt, they saw Kelly's legs as she knelt between Margo's thighs. Harry crept up to her and suddenly kissed her, putting his hand on her breast. She kissed him back and the kiss became long and sensual, only slightly interrupted by a small orgasm running through her. "Hello my love," she said when they were through, "I'm so glad you made it back. Carol, I really hope you don't mind that I'm making use of Princess." Carol knelt beside her. "No Madam, what's mine is of course yours to do with what you will." "Funny," Margo said, smiling, "that was the way Princess was looking at it too when she started humping my leg." "I shall punish her for annoying you, Madam." "Please don't, I think she's being punished quite sufficiently. If you need a drink, simply say 'time for another round' and start waving a candle back and forth. We'll have a waitress over here very quickly. But do make sure you announce your intentions, darlings, to give everyone a chance to get decent." Harry called out "Time for another round" and watched as Margo simply put her feet lower on the wall, covering more of the evidence of Kelly's presence. Before Harry picked up a candle to signal the waitress, he knelt and looked underneath the voluminous skirt. Kelly was on her knees, her halter down around her waist. Her face was buried between Margo's thighs and her hands were clutching at her own breasts. He gently tapped her on the shoulder. "Would you like something to drink, Princess?" "A mojito sir, if you please." "One mojito, coming up." As he waved a candle back and forth he turned to Margo. "Going to let her out any day soon?" "Going to... ummm... have to. Getting a little too sensitive for comfort. Besides, someone has plans for you tonight. Princess, come out from under there. You're through for now. "Kelly, go give Harry a kiss." Kelly came out from under Margo's skirts. Her halter was still around her waist as she kissed Harry hello with a kiss that left no doubt whatsoever as to her intentions. Harry tasted his wife all over Kelly's face, like a delicate, fragrant sauce. Then she went and gave Carol the same kind of hello. As she was doing so their waitress, a young woman with dark hair, a pleasantly plump figure and a pretty, smiling face came up. "Your last waitress went off duty. My mother's the bar manager and she said I should take very good care of you as you were in the Presidential Suite for a week. My name is Jessica, how may I help you?" Karen and Patricia ordered margaritas, Eddy ordered water and an orange juice, Margo wanted a Mint Julep, Harry asked for a B&B. As Jessica turned to ask Carol and Kelly, who had still been locked in a kiss, Kelly turned to face her. Jessica's eyes widened as she saw that her first impression had been incorrect. The beautiful black woman wasn't wearing a top with a very low back, the back was so low because her top was around her waist. Her eyes went to Kelly's tits and stayed there as she nervously licked her lips. Kelly, in full predator mode, couldn't help but notice. She approached Jessica, smiling at the scent of prey. The young woman's eyes never left her tits. She closed the distance to her target, pressed her body close and whispered in her ear. "I'll have a mojito, Jes... si... caaaa." As she moved back a few steps, the waitress' gaze never wavered. "You might want to write that down, Angel." Jessica continued to stare at Kelly's tits, her mouth slightly open. Finally Carol moved in-between Jessica and Kelly. "Jessica!" The girl's eyes rose and she looked at Carol. "She would like a mojito and I'll have a B&B as well. You okay?" "Uh, yes ma'am, I am." "If you'd get those for us, we'd really appreciate it. And can we leave a tip for our earlier waitress as well? We're sorry she left before we realized it." "Yes ma'am, we'll make sure she gets it." "Thank you." Jessica walked towards the bar with their orders. Carol turned to Kelly. "You are so bad! We need to have you leashed and on a chain. You're either begging for it or about to make someone beg you for it." Kelly moved towards her like the rush of some big cat in its final pounce on its prey. Her arms went around Carol's body in one smooth motion and grabbed her ass, pulling her to Kelly. She attacked Carol's neck and face, kissing and biting, rubbing her face against Carol's and caressing her whole body with her own. "Then why don't you chain me?" she growled. Carol put her hands behind Kelly's head and upper back, swung one leg around in a tight circle. The next thing Kelly knew she had hit the floor in a controlled fall and Carol was sitting on her waist, holding her arms down with her hands. "Now if only I had a chain handy," Carol smirked, "other than my own, which is too good for misbehaving little Kelly's." "How did you do that?" Kelly asked as she looked up at Carol and wished Carol would fuck her, right there on the floor, like an animal. "Well precious, if I told you, then you'd tell someone and they'd tell someone else and pretty soon everyone would know." Carol stretched her body out on top of Kelly's and pulled the girl's arms over her head while sliding her tongue between Kelly's lips and down her throat. They lay there, fighting and fucking each other with their mouths, until Jessica returned with their drink orders. Harry was sitting and visiting with Eddy and Tamara when she returned. As she dropped off Eddy's water and Tamara's orange juice, along with Harry's B&B, she looked at Harry as if she wanted to say something, then thought better of it and turned to go. "Jessica," Harry said. She turned back. "If you have something you want to say, say it." "Well, I don't mean to pry... are you all with some rock band?" Harry's laughter caught almost all of his friends' attention. "No," he said, once he was in control of himself, "no rock band, we're just a little odd." He glanced at the two girls, back to their duel for dominance on the floor. "Some of us are odder than others. Listen, it's kind of evident you're interested and if you haven't figured out yet, they don't mind putting on a show. If you can come up with a reason why you're back here that'll keep you out of trouble with your boss, feel free to watch." "You don't think they'd mind?" "Jessica, trust me, they won't mind. They'll go out of their way to get even more risqué and if you're not careful you just might end up as part of the show." The young woman blushed and hurried off to finish delivering the rest of the orders. "Eddy, do you ever get the feeling that you're living in some sort of dream that occasionally decides it's just not weird enough yet?" "No Harry, but sometimes I do feel like I'm living in a dream," Eddy said, absently. Harry watched as Eddy's hand unconsciously stroked Tamara's hair. He caught her eye and smiled, raising an eyebrow in question. She sighed deeply and snuggled in closer to the big man, smiling. Oblivious to it all, Eddy stroked her hair, lost in thought. Across the table, Jessica delivered Karen and Patricia's margaritas and moved on, past them sitting on the floor, cuddling. "So Trish, I heard that whimper at Bubba's tonight. What got you hot and bothered?" Karen asked, fondling her breast. "Are you sure you won't think I'm weird?" "Trish, there are two girls about to fuck each other over there while our waitress watches. 'Weird' is relative, but I'm pretty sure that as long as it doesn't involve a chicken, either feathered or plucked, or a man, I won't think it's weird." "Uh, when Margo was talking about Harry fucking Carol in the ass, I wished it was me... I mean, not me with Harry, and not while I was eating someone else, but me getting fucked... you know... by you... and now you think I'm weird." "No Trish, I don't think you're weird. I know you're weird. I know you're crazy. You came back to me." "That wasn't weird or crazy Liz, that was love. I never stopped loving you. I just couldn't live with you the way things were." "Trish, you wanting some anal play doesn't make me think you're weird. It makes me think you want some anal play." "It doesn't disgust you?" "Patricia Ellen Keller! How could anything my love does disgust me?" Patricia hugged her tightly. "Okay, well, there is that thing you do when you brush your teeth and then gargle and then spit and you sound like you're hacking up a hairball... that's pretty disgusting." The resulting tickle fight was epic in proportion. Back at the table, Eddy saw that although she tried hard to hide it, Theresa was so tired she was fighting off sleep and losing. "Harry, as well as all you other loose and morally bankrupt servants of Satan, the young lady and I are off to bed." A chorus of 'good-bye's and 'fuck-you's brought smiles to his and Theresa's faces as he carried her out of their section and through the bar towards the elevator. As he carried the small woman like a child, seated on his arm with hers around his neck, across the lobby he caught a disapproving stare from the night clerk at the desk. One patented Eddy-the-Monster glare later the clerk had found many other things to look at. As they got to the room, Theresa said "Edward, I need a shower but I'm not sure I can stay standing through one. Could you help me take a bath, please?" There went that heart lurching thing again... no heart lurching... certainly No Crotch Lurching, Eddy thought to himself. "Uh, yeah, yeah I can help you with that, but let's make it a quick one, you need your sleep." Soon a warm bath had been run and Eddy watched her carefully, ready to help if she needed him, as she leaned on the counter next to the tub and undressed. Eddy was transfixed. She was beautiful. Even in her slightly emaciated condition she was radiantly beautiful. The monster stares at what it can never have... how touching. How romantically tragic, you great hulking beast! I dare you to say one thing, one intelligible thing that might win her heart in even the smallest way you pathetic piece of shit! Speak, monster, grunt, growl! "Theresa... you're so... lovely... I could... spend... my life... just looking... at you." Oh, very good! Truly the most spastic protestation of love since the Hunchback of Notre Dame! With such a silver tongue it's no wonder you wake up next to the slatterns you do. "Edward," she said, turning all the way around, "please, look to your heart's content. I am yours to do with as you will, whether I am to eventually return to Mr. Grimes' possession or not. Right now, I... am... yours. He gave me to you, you accepted." She went to him, naked, vulnerable and motioned to be picked up. Haltingly he did so, all too aware of her nakedness and his reactions to her. She sat on his arm and looked at him. "Edward, sir, please do more than look. You are so beautiful and so terrible in your beauty..." "I'm not beautiful..." "To me you are. I'm looking beyond your face to the man who dropped his life at a second's notice to do his friend a favor. I'm gazing past your flesh at the man Carol told me about on the way over here, the man who helped save Margo years ago and helped Harry give Rick what he deserved. The man who would kill for his friends without a second's regret. I'm looking beyond your visage to a man who has held me and carried me almost non-stop for hours tonight. Who in spite of his size and strength has treated me more gently than any man I've ever known before in my whole life. I'm seeing the man who looked at me with so much tenderness it frightened me. Do you hear me Edward John Janak? The tenderness in you, not the strength or the size or the ferocity, the tenderness frightened me. It washed over me and I prayed I wouldn't fall in love with you right there and then. "That man, Edward, that man is beautiful and it's a terrifying beauty because of the strength of the emotions inside him. I know you can't or won't see it when you look in the mirror but believe me, sir, there is so much love inside you it's like looking up at some great dam stretching across a mighty river. You know what's behind that dam and no matter how much you trust it, the weight of what's behind it frightens you a bit." "I'm not... all that... I'm a monster." "Edward, who told you that? Who?" She grabbed the sides of his head and tugged at it as if to force him to look at her. "Please, look at me Edward and tell me who lied to you like that?" "We better get you in that bath before it gets cold." She looked at him sadly. "Perhaps we'd better." He started to wash her and he watched himself as he did so. He watched how gently he touched her. How careful he was with her. "Edward, I can wash myself, if this is making you uncomfortable." "No, let me, please." "Edward," she said as he washed her hair, "as you bathe me, every stoke of your hand, every move of your fingers is an act of pure love, so gentle, so caring, how can you call yourself a monster." Eddy jerked as if hit with a cattle prod. "I... I... I can't finish this, I'll be in the other room, you call me when you need me." Eddy fled the room before he burst out in tears over her. No heart lurching, no crotch lurching, no cock lurching... no heart lurching, please, he thought. A little while later he heard her call him. Going in he found her sitting on the edge of the tub watching it drain. "Theresa, yes I care about you and yes I'm careful with you. You're a woman and you're small and you're frail and I could hurt you without meaning to. I couldn't live with that. Not again. And I won't deny what anyone could see by looking at my body. I find you very beautiful and I want you. "But I'm not going to have you, I can't have you, you'll be going back to Harry when it's safe for you to do so and I don't want that... pain. So what I want is immaterial, just like what you want. My job is to protect you and hide you. Now come here and let me dry you and then let's get you to bed." He dried her, deliberately, delicately, carried her in and sat her on the bed. "Now, I know they're dirty but let's get you some clothes on to sleep in." "Why, Edward? I want to sleep naked, next to you, naked as well. If you dress me, as soon as you're asleep I will take off whatever clothes you put me in." "What if I order you to leave them on?" "Then do it Edward. Order me. Command me. Tell me to wear clothes and I will. Tell me to sleep on the floor and I will. Tell me to crawl down to the elevators naked and push my butt into the air for everyone who gets off the elevator, and beg them to fuck me, I will. "There's only one thing I can conceive of you ordering me to do that I will not." "What's that?" he asked, wishing he could call her bluff and bring himself to order her to do something, anything. "Order me not to love you. Command me to deny how I feel about you. Tell me to lie to you and say that I don't want you. Deny my heart the right to give itself to whoever it chooses. I do love you, I can't deny it and I won't lie about it. I want you. My heart has been yours for hours." "That was more than one thing." Tears flowed down her cheeks. "So I suck at math." Eddy fell to his knees, defeated but still fighting. "But Harry..." She slipped off the end of the bed and came to him, her perfect lips meeting his, her tears wetting his cheeks and mixing with his own as they started to flow. For an eternity he was blessed to kiss her lips and he could taste her and her taste was like a sweet wine and she tasted like lavender smelled and his arms were around her and he was lost but still he fought on. "Harry will want you back." She looked at him. "Edward, Harry and Carol rescued me. They didn't buy me for themselves. Do you think so little of the people who love you that you can believe that they would deny you your happiness to take possession of something they didn't want in the first place? Can't you see and hear how much they love you? Don't you know that even if Harry'd had to spend twenty thousand for me, if you asked him he would give me to you gladly, just because you asked? Are you really that ignorant of how your friends feel about you? "Edward, this is moving so much faster than I thought it could and I don't care. Don't you see, they didn't just buy me to rescue me; they bought me to rescue you. "I'm yours if you want me, I'm yours if you'll have me, I'm yours already; take me, use me, love me, do whatever you want with me, please." And she was in his arms and it was a dream because in real life Quasimodo never got to hold Esmeralda, never got to kiss her, never had her take his clothes off and climb on top of him as he lay on the bed in shock, never had her tongue thrusting into his mouth as she rubbed her wet and warm cunt against his belly, never felt her curl her fingers in his chest hair, tugging on it. He never gazed into Esmeralda's eyes as she blessed him with her tears, murmuring to him "I love you". In a quieter moment he asked "Why do you want me to call you Theresa when everyone else calls you Tamara or Tammy?" as she kissed him all over his chest. She stopped and looked at him. "It's going to sound perverse, but it's not. It's what my Daddy called me. Not that he and I ever did anything like this, no. But with him I always felt safe, I always felt loved. I always knew that I had a refuge. That's why I want you to call me Theresa, because in those ways, you remind me of him. "Now Edward, I think it's time you made love to me." He lifted her up and was about to position her on top of his erection when she said "Edward, please sir, you on top of me." "But what if I slip? What if I lose my grip and I fall on you?" "Edward, you won't fall on me and even if you did, I'm not that fragile. Beneath you I won't feel threatened, I'll feel sheltered." Reluctantly, able to refuse her nothing, he did as she asked. As he looked down at her tiny body below him, he was so terrified he lost his erection. "Hold on, sir, let me get that for you." She slid down the bed and took his deflating cock in her mouth. She caressed his balls with her tiny hands as his dick began to swell in her mouth. Soon he was erect again and she moved back up onto a pillow, putting herself into position. "Would you like me to beg for it, sir?" "Seriously beg, never. If at times you want to playfully beg, that's fine." She smiled at him, a glint of mischief in her large brown eyes. "Oh please sir, fuck me, fuck me now before I lose my mind," she said in a silly falsetto. "Sir, if you don't take me right now I'm going to start singing every annoying pop song I can think of and I've spent a lot of time listening to annoying pop songs. And I don't sing well, have I mentioned..." He had put his cock at the entrance to her cunt and the warm wetness sucked him in like there was a magnet between her legs. Then he was inside her, slowly moving deeper and they were moving together and Eddy was amazed because to him, it felt like King Kong making love to Fay Wray. It was a physical impossibility, but it was happening and she was so beautiful and they moved together so perfectly. Minute by minute he watched her, amazed at her beauty and then she was coming and he watched the blood rush to her skin and it was like a fall of autumn leaves being blown across a bank of snow. He watched her stifling her cries. "If you want to make noise I want to hear it" he said. And she gave her passion voice and Eddy listened to her music and his tears fell on the bed and somewhere in her climax he came and didn't realize it was happening until he felt himself come inside her and he let himself down closer to her and she began to run her fingers across his chest above her, almost pawing at him as he finished his orgasm. Afterwards they lay side by side and she looked up at him. "Sir, would you like me to clean you before we go to sleep? I can get a washcloth or I can use my mouth..." "Do you really know what I want, Theresa? I want you to be here in the morning and I want you to at least pretend to still love me, if just for a little while." She climbed atop him and looked at him, face to face. "Edward, I am so sorry that the world has hurt you so badly, oh God I am so sorry. I wish I could take that pain away from you. No one, ever, deserves to feel that, least of all gentle, noble, beautiful you." "Sir, I'll give you all you want and I'll go you one better. I'll still be here in the morning and I'll still love you, really and truly. You'll still be beautiful and I'll still know there's no one I'd rather belong to than you. I'll still want you, I'll still love every second of every day that I'm with you, I'll still need you more than I can say. Will that please you?" "That's more than 'one better'." She smiled, "So I suck at math." And she laid her head on his chest, and they went to sleep that way, with her stretched out atop him. ------- Chapter 14 As soon as Eddy and Tamara had made their goodbyes, Margo came and sat next to her husband. "So, are they going to be an item?" she asked, mischievousness oozing from every syllable. "Oh yeah, only a matter of time, as if with Our Lady of Empathy doing the matchmaking there was ever much doubt." "That's good. Eddy needs someone who'll love him and take care of him and I might volunteer for the job if I weren't already well and truly spoken for by two of the most loveable hedonists on the planet." "Yeah, I don't see Carol and me giving you your walking papers any day soon." He faked a belch and scratched his armpit. "Yew're jus' too gawddamn handy in the kitchen, woman, and yew're purty good with a broom 'n' a mop, too." She turned to him, the sweet smile on her face doing nothing to disguise the evil gleam in her eyes. "Why Harry, how kind of you to say so." She leaned close and whispered in his ear as she massaged his cock, "I wonder if you'll still think so highly of my domestic skills after I tie you down and do nasty, horrible things to you with that broom and mop?" "Well, long as you lube 'em first, we should be okay." Her composure dissolved into a fit of giggles. Harry held his wife close to him and breathed in the scent of her. It was good to be alive and be in love and have such a wonderful woman as his bride. "Shall we go watch the floor show?" Margo said. "Oh, let's," Harry replied. And a floor show it was. Carol still held down Kelly, but had turned her over and was licking the bottom of her ass cheeks as they came out from under the shorts. Kelly writhed beneath her, obviously enjoying the attention. Jessica was watching, one hand at her breasts and the other in her crotch. It was obvious she was headed for an orgasm. It occurred to Harry that if this show went on much longer, Kelly was in for some rug burns. "Why don't you two relax a little and let the serious play time wait till we're upstairs?" he said. The two women got up off the floor and then stood in front of Jessica, within inches of her. Kelly's top was still down and Carol began to lick and suck at her breasts. After a few moments, Kelly turned a saliva-wetted tit towards Jessica, the nipple perhaps an inch before her lips. "You sure you don't want to play with us, pretty one?" the beautiful black woman cooed. "N-n-no, I j-just w-w-want to w-watch," Jessica stammered out. Carol turned Kelly away from her and bent Kelly over, then slipped two fingers into Kelly's wet cunt and brought them out, damp and smelling of arousal. She smoothly waved them back and forth beneath Jessica's nose. "Are you sure you don't want to play with Kelly and me, Jessica?" She brought her mouth to Jessica's ear, within a hair's breadth, and said "Three is so much more fun than two." Jessica closed her eyes, her body stiffened and jerked as she moaned quietly. The orgasm she was riding out couldn't have been more evident to onlookers if she'd had neon signs above her head blinking on and off "She's Coming Now". Once she could focus her eyes again, she said "No, really... I just love watching. I have a boyfriend who is going to fuck me so hard I won't walk for a week, just because of what I tell him about tonight. He doesn't understand why I like to watch other people so much either, but it doesn't stop him from getting incredibly excited when I tell him what I've seen." "Well then, let's let you see a little more." Carol motioned for Kelly to hop up on the table. She went to her bag, rummaged about in it and then returned. Kneeling before Kelly's wide open legs she said "For this next part of the performance I request absolute quiet from the audience." She looked up at Kelly. "Trust me, honey?" "Just be careful." "Oh, I will be." Carol leaned in and took the crotch seam of Kelly's shorts in her teeth, pulling it away from her as far as it would go. Then out of her pocket, she flashed her straight razor, opened it and slid it under the seam, hollow-ground edge away from Kelly, and slowly and carefully cut through the strip of cloth that linked front and back. Suddenly Kelly was wearing a very ragged mini-skirt. Then Carol grasped the crotch seam of the thong with her teeth and pulled it away from her lover. Carefully she positioned the razor and let go. Like a knife through butter the razor sliced through the thong and Kelly's wet cunt was exposed to the world. Harry had been aware of Karen and Patricia standing behind him for some time. Karen leaned forward and whispered "Harry, is it like this every night at your place?" "Not every night, no... but a lot of nights... it seems like it... yeah." Patricia asked "What do you... how do you handle... you know what I mean!" "Yeah, yeah I do... Patricia, to tell you the truth, I come... a lot. I mean, frequently... voluminously... it's really kind of frightening how much I come..." "Shhhh," Karen said, "I think we get the picture." "No Sappho, I really don't think you do. Imagine if every time your cunt twitched, you got an erection, I mean, your strap-on magically came to life and reacted like a real penis. Patricia can fill in for Margo. So, not only do you have the bountiful charms of Patricia, but Carol is always there and it seems that Kelly is there more often than not. The two of them... the erotic super nova duet... doing this kind of thing. And every time your cunt twitches, Sappho, erection time... in a house with three women who want to help you with that problem. Can you put yourself there in your mind?" "Jesus Christ Harry, do you think you'll be able to find the strength to make it in three days a week? Are we going to have to cut your hours back some more?" "There are days when I wonder that myself, Sappho." Meanwhile, back at the table, Carol had begun to lick Kelly's cunt while Jessica watched, entranced. From the entrance to the section, "Jessica? Jessica? Are you in there?" "Damn, it's Mom," she moaned. She quickly put herself back together and turned to Margo. "Do I look presentable?" Margo looked her over then leaned forward, sniffing her. "Yeah, but you smell like you've been fucking." "Shit. Well, I'll have to tough it out." Carol went up to her and licked her ear lobe, touching her for the first time. "You want to see more, you know where we are." "Well don't be surprised if there's a knock at the door tonight then." Kelly came and hung herself on Carol, licking her lips suggestively. "Oh we won't, Jessica you plump little angel, we won't be surprised at all." "Jessica?" "There in a minute Mrs. Reynolds." The waitress smiled and then, most unexpectedly, kissed Kelly on the lips. "You are amazing. If I was going to stop watching and start playing, I'd start playing with you." She hurried out into the bar to speak with her mother. Kelly and Carol looked at each other, eyebrows raised and smirks on their faces. "I am gonna fuck that little white girl," Kelly proclaimed. "Yes you are, girl, you are gonna take her and make her do the pant & beg." "Uh huh, that's right, girlfriend, she might as well tattoo "Kelly's" above that pretty pussy 'cause I am gonna own that by the end of the night." "Might as well get her a new collar all picked out." "Are the two of you through with Kelly and Carol's Great Urban Trash Talk Extravaganza?" Margo asked, smiling. "I was thinking you might want to refasten your top and we might want to take this party upstairs to the suite, just in case her condition raises any questions with her mother, you know, the manager of this fine establishment." Harry went to take care of the tab while the women clustered around Kelly and effectively shielded her from view all the way to the elevator. They held it until Harry caught up with them. Their suite key accessed the top floor and by the time the doors opened Carol and Kelly were locked into a kiss and embrace. Karen and Patricia hung back in the elevator. "I guess it's time for us to be hitting our room, guys," Karen said. "Not unless you want it to be," Harry replied. "The light level's going to be even lower up here and we brought the stash of booze from the house. The suite has plenty of comfortable places to sit and make out... or whatever... and if you don't mind neither do we." Patricia thought about how comfortable she felt with these people. "Can we stay, Liz? I wouldn't mind enjoying the ambient orgy vibe a little while longer." Her hand stroked the side of Karen's breast. "Who knows, you might get lucky, get to fuck me on a couch like we were teenagers." Karen looked at Harry and said "We'll be joining you in the suite." The inside of the Presidential Suite was huge. The sitting room area alone was larger than most hotel rooms, a wonderfully soft king size bed in an enormous bedroom area and a decently sized bar and kitchenette. The bathroom featured a huge Jacuzzi tub in the bathroom. The suite proper, as well as the bathroom, offered a beautiful view of the city. All in all, a perfect place for a party. The drapes and curtains were thrown open and the city spread its twinkling glory below them as every light in the suite was extinguished. "Carol, come help me set up the coffee maker," Harry said. "Coming sir, just getting undressed." "Well by all means, please attend to that first. I was strongly considering just stripping you out of your clothes in the bar but figured there'd be no quick way to get them back on if we needed to." "Oh sir, you'd be amazed what blind panic can do for your speed-dressing skills." "Harry, you evil malevolent bastard, are you setting up to make your Irish Coffee?" called Karen from a couch across the room. "Damn sure am, Sappho. Something tells me I'm going to need the caffeine tonight." Patricia wandered out of the bathroom. "My God, that tub is huge. It looks big enough to do a 'Shark Tank' in." "Excuse me, a what?" Harry asked. "Something some friends of mine created when we were in college, it sort of spread campus wide. It started as a kind of dare, like in 'truth or dare'. What the victim did was kneel for a certain amount of time, naked and blindfolded, in the middle of a hot tub filled with people teasing them. The teasers were only allowed to use hands and mouths. Scoring was based on the length of time they resisted. Then variations evolved, like one where the victim knelt there until they gave in and went for one of the teasers, then the two of them were left alone in the tub. Or another variant where that was just the starting gun for an orgy. The only way I ever played it was the original version, with my lover standing by to reap the benefits of my time in the tank." "YOU TOOK TURNS IN THE TANK?" said Karen. She walked over, stripped down to her sports bra and briefs. "They did all-female tanks?" "No. No, they didn't. That was why the rules were set up as they were. Only hands and mouths because everybody, male, female, gay, straight, bi, big, small, skinny, overweight, everybody had those. I know I had guys pawing me but it didn't really matter. My body responded because it was all teasing, it was all fingers and lips, hands and tongues. Needless to say only clean-shaven guys were allowed in a proper 'Shark Tank'." "Damn, you had something else in your past that would raise my eyebrows, besides that thing with the preacher's wife at church camp. I am impressed." Carol dragged Harry's head down to hers. "We are SO doing a proper 'shark tank' when the hot tub is up and running." Margo appeared behind him, gloriously naked. "Yes, yes we are." Harry yielded to the inevitable. "Yes ma'am, I wouldn't think otherwise. A proper 'shark tank' shall be done, probably more than once." "Does anyone have a need for the tub," asked Kelly, "because I'd like to catch a quick bath if nobody minds?" No one did so Kelly skipped off into the bathroom to start the tub filling. Harry had gotten both sides of the coffee maker running, as well as the one that came with the room. He was shedding his clothes when there was a knock at the door. "Damn! Hold on." As he struggled to get his pants back on when Kelly walked to the door and threw it open in all her naked glory. "Hi Jessica, thought it would be you." The young woman walked into the room cautiously, more carefully still when the door closed behind her and she had even less light to see by. "Business was slow, so Mom let me off. Those very generous tips you left me, the bartender and your other waitress certainly soothed her mood about losing the whole back section for part of the evening. She figures you as big spenders for sure now. I brought a bottle of vodka the bartender keeps behind the bar for me... didn't know if you had anything to drink up here besides that horribly overpriced minibar." She walked to the bar area. "I see I needn't have bothered." She looked around. "It's even darker in here than you had it downstairs." Kelly was on her like a cheetah on a slow gazelle. "That's because most of us are naked, Angel, or we're going to be that way real soon. And that's what I wanted to talk to you about. See, that's gonna be a problem for you." Kelly started to unbutton Jessica's uniform. "What do you mean?" "This whole 'watching' thing you've got going, it's all fine and good, but it's too dark in here to watch, you're gonna have to get close and touch, Angel." Jessica's hands made futile attempts to re-button what Kelly had undone. "But I don't touch, I just watch." "Harry, would you please see to my water, I think it's about ready. No, Angel, tonight one of two things is going to happen. Either you're going to be naked and fucking me," her pulled Jessica's face to hers and she kissed her, the tongue she thrust down the girl's throat an assault on her barriers, "or you're going to go home and wonder for the rest of your life what you missed out on." She pulled Jessica's uniform down to the floor and the girl stepped out of it, blinking, a bemused look upon her face. "And let me guess, your boyfriend really gets excited when you tell him about watching two girls together, doesn't he? Even more excited than when you tell him about watching a guy and a girl?" "Uh, yeah, yeah he does." Kelly was on her knees, helping Jessica out of her shoes. "Then just think how excited he's going to be when you tell him one of the girls was you." "No... no I'm going to get dressed and go. I think it was a mistake to come here." Kelly wrapped her arms around the girl's waist and jammed her face into Jessica's crotch. "Ummm, Angel, either you're lying to me and to yourself or your cunt's lying." She stood up, reached around behind Jessica and unhooked her bra. "See, it's all hot and wet, and it smells heavenly. If I have to pick one of you to believe, I'll believe it over you any day." Karen, seated on the couch cuddling with a mostly naked Patricia, said, "When does this become rape?" Harry, who had returned from the bathroom and was making the Irish Coffees said, "Don't worry, you'll see here in a minute that it isn't rape." Beyond hearing or seeing what went on around them, the two young women continued their dance. Jessica's bra fell to the floor and she stood, clad in nothing but panties and pantyhose. Her rapid breath and erect nipples left little doubt as to her excitement. She looked around at the others, vague shapes in the darkness. "What about them?" "No, don't worry, Angel, I promise you're not about to become a party favor. Oh, some of them might tease you some, but the only one you have to worry about fucking you is me. So," she said, stepping back, "what's it going to be? Either finish undressing or get dressed and leave. Your choice." "See," Harry said, "that's why you don't have to worry, Sappho. She's going to have her chance to walk away." In her own little world, Jessica Reynolds stared at the beautiful woman in front of her, naked and horny and so hot. Jessica didn't feel threatened by these people, she felt strange but not threatened. Slowly she started peeling down her pantyhose. Kelly came over and put Jessica's head between her breasts. "You are a good girl; I knew you'd make the right decision. How old are you, honey?" "Eighteen." "Ummm, sweet eighteen and I bet you've never been locked in a sixty-nine with another woman, have you?" "No... I've never even kissed another woman before tonight." "Well, we are gonna pop so many of your cherries this evening." Harry wandered around and asked Patricia and Jessica how they took their coffee, then went back and finished his preparations. "Angel," Kelly said, "are you all the way off duty or would you mind helping Harry serve the coffee?" "Not a problem," Jessica replied, glad to be doing something familiar and totally safe for a moment. After everyone was served, Harry announced, "Toast time. To family, loved ones and friends new and old!" The toast was echoed, followed by sounds of blowing and careful slurping throughout the room. "Goddamn Harry, if I had any, and I mean ANY, desire for dick, I would blow you for this coffee," said Patricia. "Told you," said Karen, "even if he wasn't good for anything else in the universe, this would justify his existence." Kelly walked over to Harry, knelt and slid his dick into her mouth. "WHOA! That's different," said Harry, "she's got a mouthful of coffee!" Everyone laughed. "A little too hot for you, Harry?" asked Margo. "No... no... no, just a little unexpected, that's all." Kelly finished teasing him and then cleaned his cock off with a damp bar towel. "Another toast," Harry said. "To absent friends." "To absent friends." Kelly took Jessica by the hand and they headed for the bathroom. "My bath girl and I are going to be busy for awhile. If anyone needs to potty, come on in, you won't disturb us but we might just disturb you." Margo curled up on a couch next to Harry as Carol sat down at his feet. "Harry," Margo said, "have we created a monster?" "What do you mean beloved?" "Well, Carol is given leave to seduce, Kelly. A 24 year-old takes a 22 year-old. Now Kelly takes Jessica. A 22 year-old takes an 18 year-old. Both incidents are startlingly similar, people in the food service industry, both incidents primarily beginning with the opening of a door at a place of residence, no matter how temporary in this case. How soon are we going to read in the newspaper about Jessica Reynolds being found in flagrante delicto with a 10 year-old Girl Scout who rang her doorbell to sell her cookies?" The five of them had a good laugh over the thought. Carol crawled over to Margo and wormed between her legs, resting her head on her thighs and staring up at her. "Would you like me to dress as a Girl Scout, Madam? Show up at the door one day and let you take advantage of me?" She kissed the inside of Margo's thighs. "Roll around the living room floor while we stab each other's cunts with tubes of cookies? I'd even shave myself for it if you wanted me to. Would you like that, Madam?" "Let me think on that, Baby Girl." Margo slid herself to the edge of the couch, grasping Carol's head and shoving the girl's face into her cunt. "Lick on that while I think about it." Harry watched the two women in his life, his cock hardening by the second. "Uh, honey, if it turns out you're not interested in that particular bit of role-playing, I think I might be." Margo laughed. "Might be indeed, from the look of your dick... or is that your reaction to what we're doing right now?" "Actually, that's my reaction to the part of the fantasy where you come home unexpectedly, catching me fucking the Girl Scout and instead of getting pissed off, you get out the strap on and fuck her in the ass while she blows me." As if on cue, Harry's cock gave a strong twitch and a whimper of desire came from Carol's throat. "Oh, that's the part of the fantasy you were enjoying. I thought it might be the part where we decide not to let the little cum slut go home to her Mommy and Daddy and just decide to keep her, be her new Mommy and Daddy. Can't let her out of the house, somebody might see her... we'll have to keep her chained up in the bedroom." Carol's hands both went to her crotch as she masturbated furiously, all the while increasing the intensity of her attentions to Margo's cunt. A low and steady whimpering came from her throat. "Can you imagine her, sitting there in the shredded rags of her Girl Scout uniform, being forced to work on getting her Fellatio Badge?" Margo shook as she climaxed. "I think the little slut already has her Cunnilingus Badge. Ummm... umm... umm... nope, she doesn't need to work on getting that one. Oooooh, tongue fuck me, sweetheart! That's it, uh huh." On the opposite couch, Karen and Patricia were lost in each other, only hearing what was going on near them as Patricia lay face down on top of Karen, caressing her, while Karen gently and lovingly licked Patricia's pussy. The ongoing commotion across the table from them bothered them not at all and in fact, the sounds of Margo and Carol had done Patricia's libido nothing but good as she lost her remaining inhibitions and began to grind herself into Karen's face, her excitement becoming evident by a series of low, breathy exhalations. ------- She was nine years old and it was that final night when so many little things went wrong and she had to be on top of things all the time because if just one little thing wasn't right it could all start to go to pieces and it just took one little thing, just one. Mommy was home from the hospital again with a new medicine to keep her well. During the day she was Tammy's responsibility so Tammy had to make sure she took her medicine every day at lunch but Mommy didn't want to take her medicine so Tammy had to be real extra special careful to make sure she took it. Even though Mommy was on medicine Tammy and Daddy still locked up the sharp things in a cabinet in the kitchen because if Mommy went bad again she wouldn't mean to hurt them but she would. Now that Mommy was home Tammy couldn't be alone with her Daddy because that might set Mommy off so Daddy didn't read her bedtime stories anymore unless Mommy was with him and even when she had medicine she never wanted to sit with Daddy while he did that. They had finished supper and it was bedtime and Mommy was 'zoned out', like Daddy called it, in front of the television. Daddy had said "she'll never know" and had taken Tammy and tucked her in and was reading her a story about Gossamer Goose and his friends and their adventures in Mallardtown when Daddy spit up red all over her bedsheets and her face and the sharp shiny point of the knife had come through his shirt front and it had started getting red there too and he coughed up some more red as he turned and it sprayed across her wall and it looked like the silhouettes of Gossamer and his friends flying for home and he was looking at Mommy and she was screaming that he never loved her it had always been about his precious Theresa and his hands were grabbing at the back of his shirt trying to grip the knife and he couldn't get it. Behind him she saw Mommy raise the other knife and she looked almost sad when she said that now Daddy and Theresa would be together forever and Daddy and Mommy fought with each other for the knife and then Daddy was falling towards her on the bed and he caught himself on his arms. Mommy laid down on the floor and was very still and Daddy looked in her eyes and said "It's okay, Theresa, you're gonna be fine" and then he slid down on top of her and she screamed and screamed and screamed and kept screaming until someone came. When it really happened, the neighbors had come eventually and pulled him off of her but in the dream they never came. And she'd relived that night so many times that she didn't even wake up anymore she just cried in her sleep and her screams came out as soft moans of pain and while she knew it wasn't her fault there was a nine year-old inside her who would always know that she had killed her Daddy and Mommy by letting first one and then several more little things get away from her. Mommy had been faking taking her medicine and Tammy didn't catch it, Tammy didn't make Daddy put the knives away, Tammy didn't stop Daddy from doing something that would set Mommy off. Tammy killed Daddy and Mommy. In his sleep Eddy heard her and pulled her into his arms and stroked her back for a long, long time until she finally began to relax and come out of her fetal position. He comforted her without even fully waking up. In her dream she was screaming and then the giant came and he gently put Daddy on the floor and he said "Theresa, there's nothing to be scared of anymore" and he wiped the blood of her face and picked her up in his arms and carried her towards the door and she said "I don't want to leave Daddy" and he said "You can't leave him, he's in your heart, little one, where he always will be" and then he took her away from there. ------- In the tub Jessica had given up all pretense of fighting and was wholeheartedly joining in her own seduction. Their coffee cups were empty. Kelly took her mouth off Jessica's throat. "What'll I have to do to get you to go get us both something to drink? Anything, ask for anything." "Ummm, well..." "Come on, Angel, out with it, what do you want nasty and naughty Kelly to do?" "You'll think it's gross..." "I doubt it but you'll never know for sure if you don't ask." "I want to lick your ass and I want you to lick mine," Jessica said in a rush, as if afraid she'd be interrupted. Kelly laughed. "Is that all? Girlfriend, that was gonna happen whether you wanted it to or not, at least the me-licking-you part. I'll take rum and coke, thank you very much." As Jessica stood up in the tub Kelly grabbed her and thrust her tongue in-between the soft round globes of her bottom, running her tongue up and down the crack. "OOOOOOOH, KELLY, I don't think I'm going to get us drinks while you're doing THAT!" Kelly gently forced her tongue into Jessica's ass, firmly and irresistibly, thrusting it, wriggling it, flexing it. "Fuck DRINKS, oh my God, HMMmmm." Kelly finally pulled back. "Think of that as a down payment, Angel." "Okay... now let's see if I can still walk," she said as she carefully climbed out of the tub. "What did you say you wanted again?" "Rum and coke, sweetie." "Right, got it." She walked out of the bathroom into the living room. The sounds and smells of sex were thick in the air. She knelt down for a moment and watched as Karen ate Patricia while carefully sliding two fingers in and out of her butt. She crossed to the opposite side and squatted beside Margo, watching her masturbate as Harry fucked Carol in the mouth. She remembered she was supposed to be doing something... then she remembered, drinks. She made them their drinks and then went back to the bathroom. "Is it always like this around y'all?" "No, Angel, sometimes it's even better. Now get your plump butt in here and let me love on you." "Yes ma'am." ------- Harry was cuddled on the couch with his wife and their pet and watched the dim figures of Karen and Patricia as they made love. It was not only beautiful in the traditional sense but he found himself fascinated by the apparently effortless fashion with which Karen repositioned Patricia at will. After a particularly intense series of orgasms for Patricia that left her gasping "No more, no more", she and Karen stopped and sat, cuddling each other, side by side. "You two are really beautiful together," Margo said. Karen smiled. "Thank you. This was our first performance before an audience; we hope you liked the show." Her voice betrayed her weariness. Patricia poked her in the ribs. "Don't get self-conscious; they were busy through a lot of it." "You sound tired Sappho; I thought you were the unstoppable engine of destruction?" "Harry, you little shit, don't make me laugh, I'm too tired. Free weights are nothing compared to hoisting Ms. Big Butt here around." "I DO NOT HAVE A BIG BUTT!" "Oh yes you do my love and I wouldn't change it if I could. My sweetie got some padding on her, just the way I like 'em." "It is a very nice, well-endowed butt," said Harry. "Looks tasty," Carol chimed in. "Lusciously delectable," said Margo. "Alright, you three can stay but you, Amazonian Warrior, are gone, banished from my sight!" She raised her voice. "I will offer my charms to Kelly who will not insult me by calling my sumptuous tushie a 'big butt'." "No," came Kelly's voice from the bathroom, "I'll go all Urban Trash Talk on you and call it a Bootylicious Bonanza of Big Bodacious Back!" "Perhaps trading Liz in for Kelly is not the brightest idea I've had today," laughed Patricia. "Besides," came Jessica's voice, "Kelly's already... OH... got a bottom she's... ohmygod... involved with." Harry got up and walked towards the bathroom. "Don't mind me, need to pee." As he walked through he saw that Kelly had shifted her primary attentions to Jessica's cunt and was merely fingering her ass. The young girl was rapidly approaching 'oblivious'. He sat down on the toilet and looked up to see Kelly staring at him. "Harry, are you sitting down to pee?" "Yes Kelly I am sitting down to pee. I live in a house where I am the only male and there are two and a half women. The easiest and most efficient, as well as lazy, way to insure that I am never yelled at for leaving the seat up is to never put the seat up. Therefore I now sit down to pee." There was laughter from the other room. "Harry, the women of the world would kill for clones of you. Would you mind if we looked into it as a money-making opportunity?" asked Margo. "My genetic material is yours to do with as you wish," he replied. Kelly raised her voice, "Speaking of 'mine to do with as I wish', Guinevere, would you and Merlin keep my captive entertained while I have my way with Arthur, if my captive doesn't mind?" "Who are you talking about? You're not through with me, are you?" Kelly caressed Jessica's face. "Oh sweet captive Angel, the evening is still very young and your treasures have yet to be plumbed by the sword that I strap on to myself. But I have a long awaited tryst with Arthur, the King, seated upon his throne there, and I have failed to keep it far too many times. Tonight I mean to take my pleasure of him while you and his wife Guinevere and the wizard Merlin watch. Would that please you, to watch?" "Oh yes." Then watch you shall. And will you mind if they keep you excited while I'm busy with Arthur? They're not going to fuck you, just tease you." "Not at all, they can tease me all they want right now." "All right then, Arthur, my liege, to the bed if you would." "I will not. Not until I have had time to cleanse myself in preparation for such a long anticipated union. So, Lady Kay, out of that tub with you and let me bathe in its blessed waters." "As you will, my Lord." Harry emptied their tub and ran himself a steaming hot bath and then, armed with a tall glass of ice water, sank into it and let the heat and the pounding of the jets work on him. In the other room Karen and Patricia were getting dressed and calling it a night. Karen walked into the bathroom. "Jesus Christ, Harry! Are you trying to cook yourself to death to avoid whatever Kelly has planned for you?" "No, Sappho, just letting loose of some tension... remind me tomorrow morning to fill you in on all the fun of the past few days." "It's a date. Harry, thank you for tonight. It's been... different... but so much fun. And it was so good to see Eddy again. I've missed him so much. It's been a great night." "For us as well, Sappho... it's been nice to finally spend some time with Patricia too. I'm so glad you two are back together. Well, come give me a hug and a kiss and get going." The bellow of surprise and anger as she was pulled into the tub had everyone at the door in a flash. They gazed upon a dripping wet Karen as she held Harry in a headlock. "Do... I... get... my... kiss?" he gasped. "Lady Karen, although your cause is just, please, I implore you, do not kill Arthur before I have fulfilled my quest to lay with him," begged Kelly. "Good Karen, I add my voice to Lady Kay's, please do not beat my husband as he so clearly deserves but rather let mercy stay your hand," added Margo. Karen released him, a large grin on her face. "Harry, you threw me. You put me on my butt. Oh, you cheated in a vile and low manner, but you did it, you put me on my butt in wrestling." Harry's face lit up. "I did, didn't I? Finally, after all these years, I got you!" Karen turned and kissed his right cheek. "And the crew at work" his left cheek "will never believe you" his right cheek "and I'll deny everything." She kissed his left cheek again. "Margo, I'm borrowing one of y'all's fancy hotel terrycloth robes to get me to my room, if that's ok." "Perfectly acceptable, noble Lady, take my husband's as is only fair. Call hotel services and have you and your lady's clothes washed and dried by morning and add it to the bill." "Harry?" "Yes, Sappho my love?" "You know payback's a bitch, don't you?" "I live in fear." Patricia kissed him on the cheek, carefully avoiding any chance of ending up in the tub. "That was hilarious," she whispered in his ear. After they had left, Harry finished his bath and soak. Wrapping himself in towels to stay warm as he dried he walked into the bedroom to find his wife and pet sucking on Jessica's tits and caressing her inner thighs, all three cuddled up on a couch repositioned to give front row seats for the show on the bed. On the bed, Kelly waited for him. "Come to bed, Harry." "What, no Arthurian epithets?" "No, I need to make love with my friend Harry. Come on." She looked almost somber, certainly far too serious for fun in bed. Harry climbed into bed and lay beside her. They held each other tenderly. "Are you okay, Kelly?" he asked before he took her hands and began kissing her palms. "Mostly, Harry. Turns out you're not the only one with some unwanted baggage from that little run-in with your wife... not that mine is anywhere near as heavy as yours. But it's just enough to make me feel uncertain and kind of scared." "Why?" he asked, before he returned to kissing her hands. "Harry, did I really almost see Angie get killed?" He stopped kissing her hands and looked her in the eyes. "Do you really want me to answer that question? I'll answer any question you ask me truthfully. You just have to decide if you want that truthful answer, no matter what it may be." "Yes," she said in a small voice. "I was three-quarters of the way there. I think Carol was seven-eighths of the way there. Eddy was there, has been there damn near since the day he met her and will remain there as long as she's alive." Tears flooded her eyes and she began to cry. "I was afraid of that, Harry. That's some goddamn deep water to find yourself in." "Shhhh, baby, I know," he said, holding her close as he kissed the tears from her face. "But it didn't happen. None of us went over that cliff. We stopped ourselves and you were very brave... it just took it a little longer to hit you what could've happened that night than it did the rest of us." On the couch the audience could tell that the two of them were talking but couldn't make out any of what they were saying. "Kelly, if you don't want to hang around anymore, we'll all understand. You went so far above and beyond... that was an enormous strain to put on a friendship like ours." She looked at him through teary eyes. "No Harry, that's part of the problem for me. I don't want to spend less time with the three of you... I want to spend more. I don't mean join your group marriage, no, but I'm happy when I'm around the three of you, I'm free, I'm accepted, I'm loved. I go back home to my apartment and my roommate and I have almost nothing in common and I wish I were back at your place... it feels like home. Would you guys be looking for a housemate? I can pay for my part of bills and rent." "Hey Margo, Carol, you got any problems with Kelly moving into one of the upstairs bedrooms?" "No, not at all." "Me either." "Fine, that's easy, when we go back to the house, you move in. Don't worry about rent and bills, other than groceries, if you want to chip in now and then." "But Harry..." "But me no buts, other than this beautiful one." He patted her butt. "I know college hasn't gotten any cheaper since I went, the house is paid for, the taxes are my problem and the utilities aren't going to increase that much because you move in. Now hush, and let me down here." Harry slid down between her legs and found her ready and wet. He had wanted to taste her since the first night he saw her. He parted her lips with his tongue and began to lick. Harry found her taste every bit as delectable as he had anticipated. He worked his tongue up and down her slit slowly which seemed to bring her close to the edge of orgasm but wouldn't push her over. The gyrations of her hips which had been so smooth and rhythmic when he began had devolved into twitches of distraction as her frustration grew. "Kelly, sweetie, let's shift you to the other end of the bed." He turned her twitching form so her head half hung off the end, allowing their audience to watch her face. Harry returned to his sweet task. After a few more minutes of his gentle ministrations she was back on the edge and Harry did his best to keep her there, occasionally licking and nibbling her inner thighs. "Harry Grimes... if you... don't make me cum... I'm going to do... something vile... to you in... the middle... of the night." Harry kissed her clit and began to massage it with his tongue. Kelly's arms came up and forced his face into her crotch as she rocked back and forth. And then she shuddered and said "Thank... you... Arthur... I've... wanted... that... so... long." Her thighs briefly clamped tightly around his head, then they relaxed and she let go of Harry's head and lay back down on the bed as he continued to kiss her clit. After her orgasm subsided he stopped and scooted up a bit. "Kelly, lock your legs around my chest." She did and he lifted her up, sliding a pillow beneath her butt. "Let go now sweetheart." And after she did, he put the tip of his cock in her and then, gazing down at the beautiful woman before him, pushed it in. As he started to stroke back and forth a problem became evident- he was fucking Kelly off the edge of the bed. "Carol honey, can you come help me with this?" Carol came and pushed Kelly back towards Harry. Margo and Jessica moved the couch around and settled back in, Jessica sitting between Margo's legs as Margo molested her from behind. Harry looked down at Kelly and saw her smiling up at him. Gone was any hint of mischief, gone was the normal deviltry present in Kelly's gaze. There was nothing in her eyes but a friend's love and her joy in their passion. It had become an act of sweetness and comfort. Harry realized that something had shifted, something he wasn't sure they had planned on. He and Kelly were truly making love, albeit as friends, not romantically linked lovers. He wondered if that was going to change anything. As they moved together... as he felt his friend's cunt squeezing his cock... as he watched his pet work to keep his partner on the bed... as he watched his wife licking their waitress' tits... as he pondered his oldest friend and the woman they had bought for him... as he thought of his business partner and the change for the better in her life... "Harry, baby, you're drifting, come back to Kelly, baby." "Oh God Kelly, I'm sorry." He smiled sheepishly at her. "This feels so good and I'm just so content going that I kind of zoned. I am so sorry." "It's okay Harry; it's just that you were starting to drool." "OH GOD," he said, his face beginning to glow red, "I AM SO..." and he heard the audience's laughter and saw the mischief in Kelly's eyes, "GOING TO TICKLE you silly! But let's finish this first." He picked up the pace and lowered his head to suck on her beautiful breasts. Her rhythm matched his and then raced ahead as her arms came up and she wrapped her hands around his upper arms, digging her nails into his flesh. He felt his knees slipping and crawled forward slightly. He sped up to match her and as he did he heard Carol squeak "Margo? Help?" He looked and saw that the increased pace was forcing Kelly off the bed despite Carol's best efforts. Margo looked at Jessica. "Sorry Angel, you're on your own... and we may need your help." Then his wife was helping to keep Kelly on the bed. Harry was about to return his attention to Kelly's tits when a thought occurred to him. "Kelly, should we just turn you around?" "NO, Harry... no... you should keep on... doing what you're doing." He kissed her nipple, sucked it between his teeth and massaged it with his tongue. Kelly's hips shuddered and his cock was caught in a vise that clamped down on it so hard it approached pain but when it released he came. He came so hard his vision blurred and he got lightheaded. He came so hard he sank to his elbows, resting atop Kelly as she shook from repeated orgasmic aftershocks. Her cunt closed on him again and this time it was pain but it was a good pain and he looked in her eyes as she orgasmed again and saw the beautiful blankness of someone no longer home. He pulled out and shifted off of her to lie on the bed. He motioned Carol over and whispered something to her and then did the same to Margo. In the meantime Jessica was whispering to Kelly and Kelly responded "You are a nasty girl, aren't you? Feel free, just wait a minute." Carol crawled onto the bed. "Kelly, baby, let's get you sitting up a little and comfortable. I think you're going to need something to drink and I'm not sure that Harry and you are though for the night." "Okay... sounds good... you hold me for awhile?" "Sure baby, not a problem. I was going to suggest that if you didn't." Carol sat with her back against pillows propped on the headboard and Kelly came to sit between her legs, using her as a backstop. Kelly said "Well if you're going to, come on, you nasty little Angel, you." Jessica crawled up in the bed, licked the insides of Kelly's thighs several times and then proceeded to bury her face in Kelly's freshly-fucked-and-filled cunt, sucking out the mixture of Kelly and Harry. Kelly stroked her hair as the girl ate her. "Yeah, you a nasty little girl... wasn't thinking of poppin' this cherry of yours when I started out this evening." Kelly's breathing started to become erratic. "You know what? This kinky little bitch's about to get me off again." "Oh damn, don't it suck to be you?" Carol said, caressing her lover's breasts as she nibbled on her neck. "Oh yeah, it's just bad luck to me, girl, just bad luck to be me." As Kelly shuddered from another orgasm, Jessica crawled up her body and kissed her deeply. Kelly kissed her back and thought to herself just how surprised she was by Jessica's willingness, eagerness, to explore her sexuality. When the kiss broke, Kelly said, "Hey Harry, you know, you and I taste pretty good together. I mean, we aren't going to put Reese's Peanut Butter Cups out of business, but we ain't bad." Harry smiled. "You ready, Baby Girl?" "Ahyup." "Do it." Before Kelly knew it her arms were locked by Carol's from behind and her legs were pinioned to the bed by her legs as well. Margo slipped a pillow between Kelly's head and Carol's. "You see Kelly, one thing I've learned about being part of a group thing, like this marriage, is that you have allies ready and willing to help you when you seek revenge. And while Carol might not have agreed to hold you down if given a choice, I don't have to give her a choice. And Margo, well, Margo just enjoys causing trouble, don't you my love?" "Sure do, sweetheart. So Kelly, I'm going to let Harry rest up a bit more while I take the first shift of tickling your luscious little body." The tickling began and Kelly laughed until she cried and then Harry came on duty and she squirmed and screamed and then had Margo kissing her as a gag and Harry could only watch her move beneath his hands for so long before he was licking her pussy again and Carol was caressing her from behind and kissing the back of her neck and Jessica was on one side and Margo on the other and they molested her as well. It didn't take the four of them long to get her going and, malevolent as they were, they played her body hard, not letting up on their stimulation until she pleaded and begged them to stop. Harry went to the minibar and got her an orange juice from the minibar. "Rest up Lady Kay. Methinks you owe this young wench a taste of your sword work tonight." "Arthur... my lord... my liege... you are a bastard... and will come... to no good end." Harry collected Margo and Carol and headed for the bathroom. He caressed their asses. "I beg to differ with thee, good Lady, but it seems to me I've already come to two excellent ends." "You have a low sense of humor, my lord." Harry ran a tub for the three of them, still quite warm, but nowhere near the temperature of his earlier one. Carol made them mild peach spritzers with peach schnapps and Sprite and the three of them settled in to relax in the tub. "So Madam, when am I to be punished?" asked Carol. "I'm afraid, my impatient pet, it shall have to wait for tomorrow. But all that's on our schedule for tomorrow is brunch with our friends and the acquisition of wedding rings for Harry and I. so there should be plenty of time to give you the spanking you earned earlier this evening. Or are you so anxious that you would like something on account, so to speak?" Carol threw her arms around Margo's waist and licked her breast. "Yes, please." "Then go get me that short paddle I had you bring." Carol hopped out of the tub and skipped into the bedroom. "Margo, you're a much better 'Madam' than I am a 'Master'." "Are you okay with that, my love?" He went to her, took her in his arms and kissed her. "If you're happy and our pet is happy then I'm ecstatic." "That's not quite an answer, husband." "Yes, I'm happy, wife. Even happier as it fulfills an evident need in the two of you." Carol returned, handing the paddle to Margo and kneeling outside the tub. "Harry, sit on the edge of the tub, Little Cunt, get in here, bend over and start blowing Harry. You'd better not come while I'm spanking you, either." "Yes Madam." As Carol wrapped her lips around Harry's cock, Harry looked at his wife. "You've been doing some reading, haven't you?" She smiled as she brought the paddle down with a sharp WHACK! "Yes, beloved man, when I figured out I was going to be co-owner of little Miss Sexy here, I started doing a little research, I guess you could say." WHACK! "I found out quite a bit of the lighter aspects of it turned me on." WHACK! "In fact, it turned me on quite a bit. I just wasn't real sure how you'd feel about it, so I've been kind of downplaying it," WHACK! "since I've been home. It worries me a little, I get a little afraid of what it says about me," WHACK! "but then I remind myself that it's just something I enjoy some of the time. It wouldn't have come out now if Carol hadn't asked about her punishment. Now husband, fuck this little butt slut in the ass. Just make sure you leave me room to get to her cunt." Carol stayed in the position she'd been in, keeping her arms braced against the sides of the tub, just spreading her legs to give Margo access to her. Harry came around behind, saliva dripping off his cock. He bent down and licked her asshole to provide even more lube, felt the heat from her abused bottom on both sides of his face. He put his tip to the entrance and pushed, past the muscle rings and in. Carol's cry of pleasure and pain was short and then her moans began as his speed increased and he rammed in and out of her fist-like tightness. Margo got under Carol. "Now, little butt slut, I'm going to start doing everything I can to you to make you come. You don't have permission to, so feel free to go ahead if you want another, more painful spanking, with no ass play afterwards. If you don't want that, then I advise you not to come until I tell you to, is that clear?" "Y-yes, M-m-madam." Margo kissed Carol's clit, sucking on it, gently at first, but then with greater intensity as she tried to put her over the edge, caressed her thighs, running her fingers over her cunt lips, slipping her fingers in and out of her. She kept on and on as she teased and tormented the young woman. Finally, it seemed Carol had had all she could take. Carol's body was trembling as if in a seizure. Her knees were on the edge of buckling, her elbows, although locked, were threatening to bend at any minute. "Madam... please..." Margo got in position to catch her if she fell forward. "You may come, Baby Girl." One of Carol's hands shot towards her clit and she was coming before the finger even made contact with it. Harry held her up by her hips and just sank his cock as deeply in her ass as it would go. Her orgasm, which he could feel clearly through the thin wall separating the two cavities, brought him to climax and he came hard, realizing even in that mindless moment that he was done for the night. He thumped backward in the tub, taking Carol with him. Margo looked at the two of them and pulled Carol to her, popping Harry's deflating cock out of her ass. "Is that what you needed, precious one?" "Mmmm, yes, thank you, Madam. That's exactly what I needed. I love you." "I love you, too. More than I love anyone else but him." Carol snuggled up close to her and smiled. "Now, let's all get out, rinse off with that shower head attachment, refill this bad boy and soak some more. The water's gotten cold and that just will not do." ------- Chapter 15 As Kelly lay on the bed recovering from her tickling and the delightful torture-by-orgasm that had followed it, Jessica snuggled up next to her. "Kelly, would you prefer I let you rest without teasing you or may I play with you a bit?" "Angel, I never thought I'd hear myself say this, but let me rest a bit. Y'all are some vicious bitches and it's going to take me awhile to get my head and body back together." "Alright, I'm fine with just cuddling up close to you for awhile." Kelly felt something nagging at the back of her mind, the kind of 'something' she always associated with unnoticed occurrences of import, something she had missed that she really shouldn't. As always, for her, the best way to sort such a thing out was to free her mind of thoughts and plans and worries and just be, doing whatever her situation called for but not thinking about it, just 'being'. She closed her eyes as her mother had taught her. She laid there and felt the warmth of Jessica next to her, felt her breath upon her skin. It was calming and soothing and soon she was somewhat rejuvenated and refreshed. Keeping her eyes closed she slid down in the bed and wrapped her arms around her beautiful young Angel. Her soft round curves felt heavenly indeed and Kelly lost herself in them, using her whole body to caress Jessica, soaking in the feel of her. She listened to the faint rasp of their skins sliding across each other and let her nose guide her to each and every source of scent on the girl. "Kelly, that's my armpit, don't..." "Shhhh." Her nose fed her the scents of sweat, desire and a riot of pheromones... she pressed her ear against Jessica's chest and heard the thump of her heart. Then to the sweat under her tits, down her belly to her crotch and the wealth of odors there... she rolled her over, smelled the backs of her knees, up to her ass. She sniffed up the girl's back to her neck and nuzzled her, buried her face in Jessica's hair. She rolled Jessica back over, opened her eyes and stared into Jessica's beautiful hazel eyes. "Kelly, what were you doing?" "I was thinking without thinking. Angel, tell me true, how do you feel?" "Ummm, Kelly, I feel... sexier than I've ever felt in my life. I mean, it's like Jim, my boyfriend; all he wants to do is fuck me and hear about what I've seen, he doesn't really want to spend too much time with me other than that. To tell you the truth, I'm getting real tired of him. It's like you want to consume me, all of me... I know it's silly to say this about someone I just met, but I feel loved, I feel accepted, I feel wanted and desired. You've taken every kinky, weird thing I've ever dreamt of and given it to me and been okay with all of it. You've fucked me, sucked me, done everything to me but stick the kitchen sink up my butt and you haven't said it was time for me to leave yet." "That's good, precious, I want you to hold on to those feelings, I have something I want to ask you and I think you'll need them... or maybe I'll need you to remember them. "Jessica, I'd like to see you again." "For more of this? In a heartbeat!" "No, Angel, I'd like to see you, like, date you." "You want to date me?" "Yes. I've been feeling I'd missed something important and now I know what it was. Somewhere in all of this, I've sort of fallen for you and I'd like the chance to get to know you better and see if it leads anywhere." "You mean, like us as a couple." "Exactly, us as a couple... now, what the rules for our 'coupling' might be are open to discussion, but I like you, a lot, and if I liked a guy this much, I'd be wanting to pursue it and see where it went. Why should it be any different with you?" "But what about my boyfriend, Jim?" "Angel, I think it's my intention to steal you away from him, it's my intention to make you mine, in that whole relationship sense of the word." "You sound scared, Kelly." "I am... I get scared when I feel like this about anybody and I've never felt this way about a woman before and that's just making it a little scarier. I mean, with Carol we shot right past this point and on into something else entirely. Plus, really, to be more honest than I'm comfortable being, I'm real scared you're going to say no, and I'm not going to see you again after tonight." Jessica took Kelly's face in her hands. "I don't think you have a reason to be scared." She smiled and then kissed her tenderly. "You can see me anytime you want." She hugged Kelly tightly. "I'd love to be your girlfriend," she whispered in Kelly's ear. Kelly kissed her tenderly. "Kelly, what was that 'thinking without thinking' thing? Why'd you close your eyes and go all primal?" "It's something my mother taught me. She's blind, has been since she was in an accident when she was twenty-three. She had to adjust to not having her sight and it made her realize just how visual her thinking was. She relied on her sight for most of the stimuli she consciously acknowledged about the world around her. In the months after her wreck she said she couldn't think about things anymore because such a big part of her input was gone and that it extended into her language as well. She'd run into a wall, mentally, if she tried to 'look at an issue' or 'see another viewpoint' or 'examine the evidence' because to her, those words were all linked to vision. So she started not thinking consciously, but using her other senses on something related to the situation at hand, and let her subconscious work on it. One day I got real frustrated about something at school, I can't even remember what anymore. I couldn't get it straight in my head. There was something bothering me about the situation and I couldn't put my finger on it. She taught me to 'think without thinking' and it worked. I've been doing it ever since when I know I'm missing something but I can't get a grip on it. I wish I could explain it better." "You're very odd and that's part of what I like about you, Kelly." WHACK! "What the hell is that?" Jessica said. "That would be Carol getting a spanking." WHACK! "She enjoys that?" "Angel, I promise you, right now she's wet enough you could fit your head in her pussy." WHACK! "Have you ever been spanked, Kelly?" "Not yet, but I figure it's on the schedule for Carol and me." WHACK! "So you and Carol are..." "Pretty much like she and they are, at least some of the time. How do you feel about that?" WHACK! "Like it might be fun to play with the two of you sometimes." "Oh, Angel, the things you say." Kelly slid down and started kissing Jessica's pussy. "I know I'd love to see you all tied up and at my mercy." "Mmmmm hmmmmm." "And... I wonder if... Carol... would let me... see if I... liked spanking your beautiful ass?" "Well you better swing around and start kissing me like I'm kissing you or we're gonna find out if you like getting spanked!" "Yes ma'am!" With a little shifting, the two of them were soon locked in a sixty-nine, Kelly on top of Jessica, both of them lost in the body of the other. Their orgasms seemed to be operating in counterpoint to each other, Jessica's would shudder to an end, she would begin to lick and nibble, shortly thereafter Kelly's orgasm would burn through her and she wouldn't be able to continue her attentions to Jessica until her climax had subsided. Then she would go back to kissing and licking Jessica. And so it repeated, back and forth in a delightful pendulum swing. After a particularly intense series of climaxes brought tears to Jessica's eyes, she gently shifted Kelly off of her. "I'm sorry... baby... I can't... anymore... right now." Kelly shifted and lay beside her and nibbled on one of her large, soft tits. "Damn," she said, releasing a tender nipple from her mouth, "I'm hungry." "Harry," she said in a loud voice, "if I promise to let you do whatever your perverted mind can come up with..." "To you?" he asked. "No, to Jessica," she said. "HEY!" "Would you really mind?" Kelly asked. "Well, someday it would probably be okay... Margo too... but right now I don't know them well enough." Kelly chortled. "Angel, you didn't know any of us before this evening!" "Well, good point, but still, not yet." "Alright, I'll stop teasing. "Harry, yeah, to me. Would you let me order some stuff from room service and owe you?" "No, but I'll let you order some stuff from room service for all of us. My treat." "Margo, I want your man!" "Can't have him, but I will let you borrow him from time to time." "Deal. Alright, I'll be in there in a minute with a menu." She kissed her lover and grabbed the menu. They decided on a light breakfast including mimosas, if they could manage to get them. Harry and the ladies soaking in the tub thought that sounded lovely as well. Kelly called room service and placed the order. "They say 'no go' on the mimosas." "Ask for Emily," said Jessica, "then hand me the phone when she comes on." "May I please speak with Emily? Thank you... Here you go, honey." "Emily? Hi, Jessica... yes I know it's against hotel policy, so was that little rendezvous between you and what was his name, Le Free Spreewell, something like that, the basketball player? That's what I thought... your secret's safe with me and I'll be waiting for those mimosas. Oh, and can you please contact guest services and have four more of the terrycloth robes sent up? Why yes, Emily, it's proving to be a very interesting evening... That's right, all of it to the master bedroom door... Good night, Emily. "You see, girlfriend, it's all in what you know about who you know." "I see... you know what else I see? I see a pretty little white girl in need of a fucking." "Oh, and I suppose you're the one who's going to give it to me?" "You bet your tasty ass I am. Carol, where'd you pack the toys?" "In the red suitcase with wheels." "Thank you." "Are you going to fuck her before breakfast?" "Before and after." "Can we watch?" "Of course, come get comfortable. The show's about to begin." Harry came out wearing the other robe; Margo and Carol were only wearing towels around their hair. They moved the couch around yet again, getting a good view of the bed and offering a clear view of their state of undress to the suite door. "You're all going to flash this poor bellman, aren't you," Harry said, a tone of resignation in his voice. "Of course we are," Margo said. "Do you know a better way to insure that our service is prompt and courteous the entire remainder of our stay?" "Men, they have no sense of practicality," Carol chuckled as she smoothed her damp pubic hair away from her lips, putting them fully on display. "I know," Margo said. "Without us they'd wander around all day with their dicks in their hands looking for a knothole in a tree." She was positioning herself for maximum exposure to the door. "And they'd end up with dicks full of splinters," Kelly said, as she adjusted the buckles on the harness, "and what good would they be to us then?" "It's a good thing we're here to keep them out of trouble," Jessica said, smiling at Harry. "Well then, now that I've been firmly put in my place I'll just go crouch in the corner, pick at my ass and drool... for REAL this time, Kelly," Harry said, laughing. "By the way guys, please let me get the door when Room Service gets here. Angel, I'm thinking doggie style so there's a good reason he won't see your face when he brings the food. No need for more people to know you're up here. Get yourself some pillows set up, make yourself comfortable." She lubricated the dildo and approached the bed. "You ready, Angel?" "Oh yeah, I'm so ready, dear." Kelly carefully settled herself behind Jessica and guided herself with her hand. "That feel okay, sweetie?" "Ummm, yeah... you could say it feels okay." Kelly started slow, letting her and Jessica's bodies find a rhythm. She hadn't bothered with the harness that had attachments to bring her pleasure; this was purely a gift for her new girlfriend. It was a gift she knew would bring her rewards aplenty anyway. She looked down at Jessica's back, her ass, her beautiful creamy skin. The girl was lovely. Her rounded curves and plump mounds were just enough on the rubenesque side to make Kelly hungry every time she saw her. Their pace increased and Kelly found an attraction to this style of sex. Here she was, involved, a part of it, yet curiously detached. She could observe her lover and not be lost in her own desire. She watched Jessica's first buildup towards orgasm, clear as day. To test her theory, when she thought Jessica was almost there, she stopped. The cry of frustration proved eloquently that she was right. "It's alright, sweetie, I'm not stopping for good... just taking a little break." "But Kelly, I'm sooo clooooose..." "Oh, you are? Well, what do you want me to do about it?" she asked in a teasing voice. "Fuck me you evil woman, please fuck me." "Oh, all right, since you asked so nicely." She started up again at a rapid pace. ------- Don moved the bell cart towards the elevator with more speed than usual. The rumors concerning the occupants of the Presidential Suite were already making the rounds of the staff. They had taken over part of the bar and run up a two grand bar tab, paid it in cash and tipped everyone forty percent. Someone said that when Housekeeping went in to clean up that section of the bar, they found evidence of drug use and lots of sex. One guy in valet parking said they'd brought in twelve very well-dressed call girls, the five thousand dollar a night kind, by helicopter to the roof landing pad. Someone in Guest Services said they'd heard that two of the female hotel staff, no mention from what department, had been seduced by the guests and were up there right now, in the middle of an orgy. He didn't believe much of it. Oh, he was sure there was a little fire of some kind making all that smoke, but he doubted ninety-nine percent of the rumors. It was that remaining one percent, though, that had him hurrying to deliver their Room Service order... with two pitchers of mimosas... they must know somebody to get alcohol served after hours. He entered the elevator. ------- Kelly's pounding of Jessica hit the woman like a freight train and she went over the edge into her orgasm. A soft but high-pitched cry tore loose from her as she pushed backwards so hard that she almost knocked Kelly over, but Kelly grabbed her hips with both hands and slammed back into her, forcing her body to the bed, crushing the pillows underneath her. "So that's the way you want it, Angel?" She thrust into the woman harder as Jessica's orgasm continued to bring tremors to her whole body. Jessica whimpered with pleasure, all the while pushing her butt up to meet Kelly's thrusts. There was a knock at the door. "Room service." Kelly pulled out and patted Jessica on the ass. "Be still and relax, it's breakfast time. Don't let him see your face." She hopped off the bed and went to the remains of her shorts, pulled out two twenties, folded them and put them in the crack of Jessica's ass. "Don't worry Angel, just trust me." She strode to the door and threw it open. As the door opened, Don found a beautiful black woman, naked but for a strap-on, standing in the door before him. She was breathing hard, her breasts heaved, a fine sheen of sweat covered her skin, her hair slightly damp as it swept back from her face, and her green eyes glinted with mischievousness. There was a smirk on her face showing she knew exactly how her appearance would affect him, the strap-on at her waist, black leather with silver buckles on the straps, it's attached crimson dildo glistened with moisture, the smell of sex so thick around her Don was surprised it wasn't a visible fog. His cock couldn't help but respond to what he saw, as this was frighteningly close to a fantasy of his. There was also nothing he could do to hide his hardening cock. Kelly watched the bellman's shock with evil glee. She leaned forward as if to read his nametag as her breasts gently swayed before his eyes. "Hello... Don! Is that for us?" she said, as she glanced down at his hard-on. Don's focus shifted and he saw the rest of the room's occupants. The man in a robe on the couch, a look of amused sympathy on his face. The two beautiful women sitting on the couch, naked, casually exposed to his view. The naked woman on her hands and knees on the bed, the wetness that surrounded her cunt leaving no doubt as to where the strap-on had been just moments earlier. "Uh... uh..." "The breakfast, I mean, Don." "Uh, yes, yes ma'am." "Don, before you wheel that in and set it up, I have a big favor to ask." Kelly turned and exposed her ass to him, then bent far over. Not only was he faced with her gorgeous ass, but her glistening cunt was visible as well. "Do those straps look secure to you or do I need to have you help me tighten them?" "UH... UH... uh... they look fine... nice and tight." "Oh, that's good." She straightened up and turned around. "Well, I'll quit bothering you and let you set up now." Never had Don had to be so careful setting up a table in a room. His hands were trembling so that it took him twice as long as it should have. "There you go. I am so sorry it took so long." "Don't worry about it," Kelly said, "it's late and you must be tired. Oh, I left your tip in the girl on the bed. Pick it up with your lips, but no touching the girl." Don looked more closely at the woman on the bed. He saw the bills sticking up from her ass cheeks. He walked over and was about to grab them. "No-no-no-no-no... with your lips and don't touch the girl, no matter how much you may want to." He leaned down and very carefully put his lips on the ends of the folded bills. The smell of sex and sweat and pussy was so thick his dick was threatening to split like a hot dog in a microwave. He pulled the bills out of the woman's ass and stood up, mumbling "I'll be going now" around the bills in his mouth. "Alright Don, I hope we'll continue to get the best possible service while we're guests here," the taller of the two naked women on the couch said. "Yes ma'am, I'm sure you will. Good night." "Good night Don" they all said together, grinning. As the door closed he held it together and maintained a measure of dignity in spite of his all-too-evident erection. As he moved toward the elevator he heard laughter from inside the Suite but he didn't care, as he figured out where was the closest place he could go jerk off in peace. ------- After breakfast they all sat around, sipped the last of the mimosas and relaxed. They all got to know Jessica a bit better and she got to know them some as well. "So, Margo, you're married to Harry, Carol belongs to the two of you, Kelly sorta kinda sometimes belongs to Carol, the three of you live together and now Kelly's moving in but not as part of the three of you, just as a housemate, right? "Yeah, you got it," Margo responded. Jessica leaned over and kissed Kelly's ear and whispered, "I wonder if they have more room upstairs if things work out?" and the two of them giggled. To the other three as they watched them, it was obvious that something was happening between Kelly and Jessica and they had a pretty good idea what it was. As the two of them went from giggling to kissing passionately, Harry said softly, "So, is it too much to hope for that having a steady partner will settle Kelly down?" "Oh yeah, that's too much to hope for," Margo replied. "WAY too much to hope for," Carol said. ------- Awhile later the combination of food, alcohol and wild debauchery had everyone ready to go to sleep. "Jessica, is anyone going to be too worried if you're out all night, anyone, like, oh, I don't know, you're mother, the bar manager?" Kelly asked. "Yeah, I'm probably going to get yelled at as it is. Let me go clean and then I need to get home." "You call a cab to take you home, we're paying for it. If you can't find a ride tomorrow to get up here and pick up your car, we'll cover that as well," Harry said. "No arguments. It would be a damn shame to ruin such a fun evening with a DWI." "Listen, you guys have been great, about everything, and I want you to know I'm really looking forward to seeing you more in the future." "It was definitely a pleasure meeting and eating you as well, Jessica," said Margo, "once we're back home, you're welcome at our house anytime and as long as you don't get caught and fired, you're welcome here anytime during our stay." As Kelly and Jessica said goodbye at the door, their kiss of parting slowly ignited into a kiss of passion that had them caressing each other, lost in the sensations. "I'm taking bets. I say they're screwing again in ten minutes," said Harry. "You're way off, it'll be five if that long," said Carol. "I'm going fifteen, just out of a sense of boundless optimism," Margo chimed in. The three of them settled back on the couch again to watch. Kelly gazed at Jessica and hated herself for the question she so wanted to ask... she bit her tongue, tried not to let the words escape her lips but in the end it was no use. "Baby," she murmured in Jessica's ear, "I really don't want you to go tonight. I really don't want to say goodbye. I understand that you have to; I just want you to know that I really don't want to let you go. "I don't suppose there's any way you could stay?" Jessica looked in her eyes, a shy smile creeping across her face. "I really don't want to go either. I suppose I could call Mom and leave a message on the machine... but I seriously can't show up for brunch with you in the morning... you'll have to let me go at some point in the morning." She sighed, "I'll have to let you go, too." "Alright, but that's tomorrow, not tonight." Jessica called and left voice mail for her mother then had Kelly call Housekeeping to send up bedding for the hide-a-bed in the sitting room. They hugged each other again and the dildo poked Jessica in the side. "Damn girlfriend, does that ever go down?" "Not that I've ever seen," Kelly replied. "Well then, perhaps when that bedding gets here, we need to go see if we can wear it out." It wasn't long before Don was back with their bedding. Jessica hid in the bathroom. "Normally, uh, Housekeeping would have brought this up, but they were uh, busy, so I just volunteered... to help them out," the bellman said, blushing a deep red. Kelly kissed him on the cheek. "You're sweet, Don. Now," she leaned up and whispered in his ear, "you run along because I have a date with that young woman who held that tip for you last time... and just between you and me, Don, I don't think we'll be sleeping much on that bed you brought us. I think I'm going to spend a good part of the next several hours fucking her... and when weget tired of that, we'll just put this big old cock on her and let her fuck me like I know you'd like to... and because you're cute, I'll imagine it's you for a few minutes while she does. Nighty-night." After he left Jessica and Kelly made up the bed in the sitting room, lost in each other's eyes. "I win!" Margo chortled. "So, what do I win?" "What do you want, beloved wife? Please let it be nothing requiring sexual exertion, at least, nothing that we'd have to pay you right now," Harry said. "No, we're all too tired or too relaxed or too full for that right now." The sound of the bed creaking in the sitting room began. "Except for those two... I know, I want to sleep in the middle." "That's it, that's all you want?" Carol asked. "Sweetie, right now sleeping surrounded by the two people I love most in the world sounds better than all the gold in Fort Knox." "Well, if that's what you want, let's crawl into bed and pay you your winnings." Harry closed the curtains and drapes on all the windows, smiling at the oblivious Kelly and Jessica as he passed them to close the drapes in the sitting room. The two of them had eyes for no one else as Kelly tenderly made love with Jessica. She was atop her in the classic missionary position but as stale and pedestrian as it might be to many; the sight of the two of them together reminded Harry how beautiful it could be. He sealed the room tight against the coming of the light, put out the 'do not disturb' signs and engaged the deadbolts on both suite doors and went back to his loves. "Do the two of you want to see something so beautiful it'll move you to tears?" The three of them stood back from the doorway, in the dimness, and watched Jessica and Kelly together for awhile and then went to bed. They curled up with each other and held each other close, whispered endearments and reflected on how truly lucky they were. ------- Later, in the sitting room, Kelly held Jessica in her arms. "Well, we didn't get rid of that pesky erection, but I think we wore some of the silicon off of it." "Hmmm, I think so too. So, I think it's time I repaid you for the many orgasms this evening." "No, no repayment needed. They were a gift to my girlfriend. I'm very happy, very content and I just want to go to sleep in your arms." "That sounds heavenly. But can we take that harness off of you first?" ------- It was the smell of Harry's amazing coffee that brought Margo and Carol awake. There was one light on in the bar area and Harry was under it, reading the paper the hotel had left in front of the door. "Margo, are you happy?" Carol murmured in her ear. "Incredibly." "Me too." "Let's see if that wonderful man of ours will bring us coffee in bed." ------- The tantalizing smell of coffee brought Kelly's eyes open and she found herself looking into Jessica's eyes. She stretched like some great cat and yawned. "How long have you been awake, Angel?" "About forty-five minutes." "What you been doing?" "Watching my lover sleep." Kelly stroked her cheek. "You keep saying things like that, I might just fall for you." "If you did, that would make us even." ------- Theresa too had been awake for quite some time, watching Edward sleep, watching the clouds of anguish and fear move across his face with the speed of dreams. When they were at their worst he would murmur a word, it sounded like 'Rachel' and she would caress his brow and pray that somehow it soothed him. She was startled by a faint tapping at the door of the room. She pulled on his shirt, really a dress for her, went to the door and opened it a crack. Patricia was outside. "Hey, hope I didn't wake you up. Liz, that's Karen, says that she's pretty sure Harry's awake by now and if he's awake, he's made his great coffee. Karen is not alive until coffee, so she's going to call him on his cell and see if they're up for company. I wondered if you and Eddy wanted to join us." Sometimes it's the littlest gestures in life, performed at the right moment, that mean so much. "Thank you so much Patricia, that's so sweet of you. Let me see about getting Edward up and then I'm sure we'd be interested." She reached out and shyly touched Patricia's hand. "Thank you." Patricia looked at her, somewhat surprised and puzzled. "For what, inviting you to crash Harry's suite for coffee?" "No, for thinking of us." "Don't mention it, sweetie. How was your night?" "Beautiful." And terrifying, she thought to herself. "We'll be along in a bit, let me go wake him up." Patricia headed off and Tamara headed back to the bed. She felt stronger than she had in quite awhile and she had Harry, Carol, Margo and Edward to thank for it. She felt loved. Months with Phil had almost robbed her of the memory of the last time she'd felt loved but nevertheless, she felt loved again. And more loved than she'd felt since she was a child. Edward had two bleary eyes halfway open. "Who was that at the door?" "Patricia, sir. She and Karen have invited us to join them in crashing Harry's suite for coffee before we go down to brunch." "God, that sounds like a hell of a plan." She saw the fear of rejection and abandonment come over Edward like a shroud. She climbed up on the bed and on to him, parking herself inches away from his face. "Edward, I'm right here. I love you. You're beautiful. There's nowhere I'd rather be than next to you." The shroud receded. He looked into her eyes. "You said something last night that I made a point of rememberin', so I could ask you about it today. You said that "they didn't just buy me to rescue me; they bought me to rescue you"... what did you mean by that?" "Edward, I said something I wasn't supposed to. They wanted me to keep it a secret from you for awhile, so your head wouldn't turn it into some kind of bad thing, like the only way someone could love you was if they were paid to or something. "Your friends love you and worry about you. They know how unhappy you were, that your life wasn't a full one. Carol has a gift for reading people... she knew me and she'd spent time with you and felt there was a pretty good chance that you and I would be good for each other. "She knew that I needed someone kind and strong and gentle like you. She was pretty sure that you would be able to accept me regardless of my background and special needs. She knew that you needed someone that would appreciate the real you and not for what they could get out of the relationship. "I don't think she could've imagined just how much... I... Edward..." He put his arms around her and held her tenderly. "I know, Theresa. It's okay. I know." He stroked her hair as she cried. "It's alright, little one, you're mine now and everything will be alright." Awhile later she dried her eyes. "You and I need to get some clothes on and get ready to go have coffee, sir. Let's get moving." They had barely gotten dressed when there was a knock at the door. Eddy opened it to find Karen and Patricia. Karen looked like Eddy felt. "Dyke, if we don't get some fuckin' coffee into us I'm thinkin' some poor innocent motherfucker is gonna die." "There are no innocents, you retarded ape-man. All are guilty, all must die." Patricia and Tamara looked at each other. "I see mornings are going to be a barrel of jollies at your place as well," Patricia said. Tamara smiled at her, "We're sisters in the Church of Coffee Salvation." "Amen, Sister Tamara. Let us take these two poor lost souls up to the temple and have them accept the sacred sacrament before they kill and eat someone who would be missed," Patricia replied. "You two are a pair of goddamn comediennes is what you are," Karen growled. "Yeah, clam-lapper, if we didn't love 'em, we'd just have to use their intestines for dental floss," Eddy snarled. ------- Karen had called and said they were on their way so Harry took an elevator down to their floor so he could bring them back up with his key. The doors opened and Harry was faced with two coffee-based life-forms and their keepers. "Good morning Karen," he said in his brightest, cheeriest voice, "good morning Eddy! How are you two happy people today?" "If you didn't make world-class coffee, Harry, I'd kill you where you stand and drink your blood for the caffeine it obviously contains." "Dyke, if you did that, would you be kind and share?" "Long as you helped, not a problem." "Okay, maybe it's time to ask ourselves, is Harry's coffee really that good?" "I guess I'd better get this elevator moving. How are you this morning Patricia?" "Fine Harry... you've known Karen this long and you still take your life into your hands this way?" Patricia replied. "The pain I might have to endure is worth it for the chance to tease Sappho like this. I've always put it down to a deep-seated masochistic tendency in me. So Tamara, how are you this morning?" "Very well, Harry. I'm feeling much stronger." "That's good. Just because I knew you were coming, I've got an assortment of melon slices coming up to the suite, Margo said those would be easy for you to digest and she'd be happier if you ate sooner and later, so there you go." "Thank you, Harry." The elevator arrived at their floor and they all trooped into the suite. "Sappho," Harry said, "I have an enormous favor to ask of you and if you say no, that's okay. I'd like you to strip down to your briefs and bra and answer the door when room service brings up the melon tray." "Harry, right now I'd consider... consider mind you... fucking room service for a big mug of coffee... answering the door in something more modest than my bathing suit, not a problem, you can explain why after I get some goddamned coffee." "Uh, Harry, you want me to answer the door with her, in my briefs?" Eddy asked. "Because if that's what it takes to get coffee..." "Eddy, you don't wear briefs." "Well, still..." "If you want to, fine, but if so do it for the humor value, not for coffee... I'd never make coffee contingent on your nakedness... I don't want to see you naked that badly... ever." So it was that Eddy and Karen answered the door when room service brought the melon tray. ------- Tommie had come on duty at 6 AM and Don had been sure to tell his friend about the very weird and very sexy group up in the Presidential Suite. "Dude, whatever it takes, if an order comes in from up there, you grab it and give it your undivided attention. They tip well and the view is awesome." Tommie had taken the advice to heart, working his shift and praying that the guest in the Suite ordered something, anything. And then it happened, an odd request for a big plate of melon slices. Oh man, he bet they were going to do something kinky with melons! He almost broke a leg getting back from a delivering a breakfast order on 12 to get their melons and take them up. The elevator doors opened and Tommie headed towards the second of the two doors to the suite as he prepared himself to memorize every detail of what he saw. Don would want a full report. Knock, knock. "Room service!" The door to the master bedroom of the suite opened. To his left was short, stocky, very muscular woman with a square face and long brown hair in a ponytail. In his mind's eye Tommie could see her having a job as a bouncer in a biker bar or a prison guard at a women's prison in one of those cheesy soft-core porn flicks. She looked as if she could bench press his house after kicking the ass of everyone who lived there and do it all without breaking a sweat. To his right was a naked man, seven feet tall if he was an inch, wide, little if any of him fat, clean-shaven although otherwise intermittently covered with thick, coarse dark brown hair. Tommie felt he had found Bigfoot and wondered if he'd survive to call the National Enquirer. He had a face that Tommie could not imagine wearing a happy expression and Tommie was sure he could eat his house and everyone it without breaking a sweat. "Glad you got here before we started eating the furniture," the big bear of a man growled. "Yeah, I was about to start roaming the hotel looking for staff to dismember," the woman snarled. They stepped out of the way and he wheeled the cart into the room, fearful that he was going to be violated. What he saw was more like what Don had told him to expect. On the bed four naked women were playing cards on the back of a fifth. The 'card table' was a slightly overweight girl, while the card players were the black woman, older woman and younger woman Don had described, as well as another woman with smallish tits and a largish butt. A man in a robe and a small woman were on the couch reading the paper together. "Are you gonna set up the table or am I gonna have to tear somethin' off you an' start chewin'?" asked the large scary man. "Yeah, quit thinking you walked into a peepshow and do what you came here to do," the deadly looking woman said. Tommie put the large plate of melon slices on the table, put out place settings, napkins, stemware and from the second shelf of the cart produced two large pitchers of mimosas. "Compliments of the hotel," he squeaked. "Your buddy last night got to pick up his tip out of that cute card table's ass," said the great hairy bear, "guess whose ass your tip is in?" Tommie turned to look at him and prayed as he hadn't prayed since he was eight that it wasn't where he was terrified it would be. "Y-y-your's?" The huge man tried to hold the scowl, but couldn't and had to smile, "Nah man, we were just fuckin' with ya. Here ya go, you have a good day." He handed Tommie some bills and Tommie smiled, laughed nervously and made a hasty exit out the door. As he headed for the elevator he heard their laughter but he'd checked out his tip and for sixty bucks, they could play all the jokes on him they wanted. ------- Everyone had some coffee in them and Tammy had had all the melon she wanted. The few slices she left had no chance of survival and weren't even given a chance to scream as the rest of the crew dove for them Then everyone said their good-byes to Jessica, who was ready to slip out. "Will I see you tonight?" asked Kelly, fear creeping into her voice. "I hope so sweetie. I'm on call to work tonight which means I'll either be at home or here with my cell close by. Mom may be a complete fascist after last night and not let me out of her sight or she may be very cool. We'll see. If I can get away, you better know I will get away." After she was out the door, Eddy tapped Harry on the shoulder. "You and me need to talk." Harry followed him into the sitting room. Eddy said "Harry, I know what you did. Theres- Tammy spilled the beans last night." "So," Harry said, "how do you feel about it?" "Head or gut, Harry?" "Oh shit, do we have to do it this way, Eddy?" "Yeah, Harry, I think we do. You meddlin' in my life like that, no matter how good your intentions, no matter how good the outcome... head or gut?" "Gut, that way it won't leave a mark that the ladies will ask about." Eddy drew back his fist and Harry tried to relax but found it impossible. How is someone supposed to relax when their abdomen is ground zero for an asteroid strike? He closed his eyes. "If you're gonna do it Eddy, for fuck's sake do it and get it over with." The huge fist hit his gut with the force of... a crumpled piece of paper. His eyes shot open and he stared at Eddy. The big man's face was working as if to hold back the tears that were leaking around his eyes in spite of his efforts. "Eddy, you okay?" "Harry... when you married that screamin' skank... I thought I'd lost the best friend I've ever had... but I figured you'd finally realized what a shit head I was... then you were back and Carol told me about it bein' Angie's fault you'd dropped everyone... and I understood that... I've done stupid shit for women I've loved... and I was so glad to have my best friend back... and I was glad you were happy... and then you do this... you're the brother I never had... the one that's been there for me since we were twelve... and I love you." Harry threw his arms around Eddy. "I love you too, big man. I was so... scared... you'd tell me to fuck off after I sort of ditched you for three, four years." He let go of Eddy. "Sit down, tell me about last night. Leave out any of the real private stuff because frankly, it's none of my business, but it's evident that something happened, something pretty fine." The two old friends sat and talked until Margo came to tell them everyone was ready to go to brunch. ------- As they headed downstairs, Harry said, "Tamara and I will take the next elevator, you go on ahead." After some strange looks from the group, everyone went on ahead and left Harry and Tammy. "Tamara, I talked to Eddy. It sounds like you two had an eventful night after you left the party." "If he said we did, then we did. It's not my place to discuss such things." "You've made my best friend very happy, although I'm sure there are still going to be some very tough times ahead." He knelt and looked into her eyes. "If you or he needs anything, you let me know. I owe you a debt I cannot repay but I welcome any chance to try." "Harry, sir, you don't owe me anything... he's saving me as much as I'm saving him, if not more so." "Tamara, I say I owe you a debt I cannot repay. That statement brooks no argument. That he is saving you as you save him is merely a most welcome case of synchronicity as far as I'm concerned." "Yes, sir." "That's better. Let's go down and get something to eat. I don't know about you, but I'm starving." ------- "... so finally Eddy gets into Margie Delgado's pants, we're all stoned out of our minds and he's got her in the back of this shitty fuckin' Ford pickup he drove, the shocks were shot all to shit, he's got a mattress back there, and Eddy ain't no lightweight, even in high school, and Margie is a girl with some ass mass and she's on top and they start going at it. We're all sitting out in the field next to the truck on some blankets, fooling around, and the back of his truck starts hopping up and down like a jack in the fucking box and we're seeing Margie's head and those big old titties of hers come flying up and down. Now you finish it Eddy." "Aw fuck, do I have to?" "Oh yeah, you've told enough stories about me, this one's on you." "Alright, so we're doin' the bouncy-bouncy and Margie's crashin' back down on me like a gawddamn freight train and I mean she's so high on the up side that I'm damn near outta her. So one time she goes up and I pop out and she comes down and I go back in. "Only trouble is, I go back in the wrong gawddamn hole. Two fuckin' things happen pretty much simultaneously. Her ass muscles clamp down on the base of my dick out of shock and they hold on like it's a matter of life an' death... and she bounces back up, aided by her tryin' to get away from the guy who just stuck his dick, uninvited, up her ass. Bitch lifted me up off the mattress yowlin' like a banshee and lookin' at me like any second she was gonna plant her foot in my face and stamp me out like a cigarette butt. I'm hollerin', she's yowlin', I got a passel of friends just a few feet away who are all laughin' so hard I'm afraid they might die or somethin', kinda like y'all are laughin' now, and here's this big Hispanic bitch gonna rip my dick off and beat me to death." After his audience had quieted somewhat, he continued. "So after thirty or forty years of hanging by my dick, sure any second it was going to fail it's fuckin' structural integrity test, she drops back down, wraps both her hands around my neck and yells at me to get my dick outta her ass or she's gonna kill me. I'm tellin' her she's got to relax her grip on it or I can't get it out. Finally she calms down and I pop out of her ass and we're both laying there waiting out the pain. After ten, fifteen minutes, she looks at me and tells me she likes it up the ass, she just wants a little warm up next time. I thought I was gonna bust a gut laughin'. Now if y'all will excuse me, I'm gonna go get some more o' that prime rib." An elderly couple near their table flagged down a waiter who spoke with them for a moment and then showed them to another table, much farther away. ------- "... anyway, here's the chemistry teacher, got dosed by one of his students, nothing too serious, just a little something to make him nauseous as all hell, goes home to find his wife fucking the quarterback of the football team who she had in her senior English class. Next day, we all come to class to find a collection of chemicals under the lab hoods and these sheets of paper at all our desks. The papers said this was an experiment test and the results would be fifty percent of our quarterly grade. We were to divide into eight teams, as there were eight lab hoods and start working. There was this procedure outlined on the papers. This was first year high school chemistry; no one really knew to be too suspicious of a procedure that involved nitric acid, sulfuric acid and glycerin." "You're shittin' me, Carol! The sick bastard left y'all instructions for nitro?" "Sure did, so we're all going to town, getting things squared away and ready to start doin' our damndest and one team's hood ventilation isn't kicking on, and that's kind of required, so they go looking for the other chemistry teacher down the hall to see what she wants them to do about it. Mrs. Walicek, this dinosaur from when teaching chemistry was how to combine the four basic elements in different combinations, comes down to the classroom, picks up one of the sheets and immediately goes all drill instructor, bellows, and I quote, "Every last one of you little motherfuckers better put down whatever you have in your hands and back away from the hoods or I will slap you to the fucking ground"... " "YOU ARE SHITTING ME!" Harry said. "No sir I am not, it got our attention and she repeated it for those of us who might be hard of hearing. Everyone put whatever they had down and backed away, she slapped the intercom, got the Vice Principal down there at a run, showed him the sheet, told the ignorant jock what it meant and promptly fainted. "They checked and neither he nor his wife was on school grounds, so they sent the cops to go collect him. He yells at the cops that he has explosives strapped to his wife and they'd better back off. The cops bring in SWAT and we hear from Paul, whose daddy was on the team, that Mr. Dilwicki had evidently made some nitro earlier in the day and taken it home because he had her holding it while he shoved a vibrator in and out of her. The officer in charge wouldn't let them take the shot because she was sure to drop it so they just watched. It looked like her arms got too tired after awhile and the whole back of the house went up. Good thing they'd evacuated the surrounding homes. "If you want to read the accounts, go look for the September 28th, 1996 special evening edition of the Emporia Gazette, Emporia, Kansas. "Harry, sir, while you're up would you get me another piece of that divine poached salmon? Thank you." A pair of middle-aged ladies left their meal in the middle and walked out of the restaurant. ------- "Hello? Okay Perry, you've done everything you can? Alright... give me, oh, twenty minutes to pick up the gear and another twenty to get there, so forty minutes. I'll see if I can shave some time off of that. You sit tight and be careful. "Harry, Perry and Bevy may have a situation at your house. You stay here and don't argue with me about it because this is the kind of thing I get paid the big bucks for. I'm gonna go take a look, you watch Tammy for me. I'll call you the second I know anything." The large man bent down to kiss his Theresa good bye. "Don't worry. I'll be back for you. I promise." An air of worry settled over the table so that when the restaurant manager came by to say that the hotel would be more than happy to serve their whole party in a private room from now on, no one even laughed. ------- Chapter 16 After a somber end to the brunch, Karen and Patricia made their farewells, checked out of their room and headed home. Tamara cleared her and Eddy out of their room and transferred up to the suite. She and Margo settled in on a couch in the bedroom to talk. Harry got back from a trip to the toilet to find Margo on the room phone. When she hung up she said, "Harry, I'm taking Tamara to do a little clothes shopping and it looks like Kelly is coming with us. Do you need anything while we're out?" "Yes my love, if you can, pick up some liqueurs you think would go well with coffee... I feel many more pots of leaded coming on... a bottle of Bailey's for sure. Now that the cat's out of the bag about us buying Tamara for Eddy, we don't really have to stay here, but we do have the suite for a week, might as well enjoy it." The ladies ventured forth leaving him apparently alone in the suite. He wandered into the sitting room and found Carol, sitting in the dimness, tailor-fashion on the floor, her hands folded together in her lap. He sat down across from her and noticed that her eyes were closed. She smiled as she heard him sit. "Hello, sir." "Hello most precious one. May one inquire... ?" "It's Sunday, I'm talking with God." "You're talking with God." She opened her eyes to look at him. "Sir, I don't know what religion is correct, or if any of them are. But I believe Something, somewhere, was responsible for creation. I happen to believe that It takes an interest in the lives of It's creations but I have no proof. So on Sundays, out of tradition I suppose, I try to find some time to quietly commune with that Entity." "You mind if I join you?" "No Harry, I don't mind at all." After awhile, Carol got up and left Harry sitting there. She wandered into the kitchenette and got herself an orange juice. She thought about reading the paper but realized that she really didn't care. There was nothing in the news she felt particularly compelled to keep track of. Her world was a large one, but its places of import rarely made it into the paper. She decided that a bath was always a good idea, especially if one had a Jacuzzi tub at one's disposal so she began to run herself one. In the other room Harry had finished but found he wasn't ready to get up just yet. There was something he needed to do, something he wanted to do, something it was way past time to do but he found himself reticent to do it. Finally he realized he was stalling, got up and went to grab his cell phone. ------- "Hey gorgeous, there enough room in that tub for me?" "Sure Harry, hop in." He climbed in to the tub. "You remember me telling you about my sister Nicki?" "Yes, Harry." "I called her this morning. We talked for a bit, I apologized to her, told her about Angie, apologized to her, told her I'd really like to see her, apologized to her, told her next week would be fine, and apologized to her one more time." "So she's coming to visit, in the middle of renovating the bathroom and putting in the pool and hot tub?" "Yeah, I told her about the state of the house but she wanted to come down anyway. Sounded like she needed to get away for a bit... I figure we'll put her up in her old room upstairs, if Kelly doesn't mind taking my old room as hers. That leaves them the upstairs bathroom and the three of us the guest bathroom downstairs. Jesus, that's gonna be tight for awhile." "Yeah Harry," she said, cuddling up next to him, "but think how glorious the master bath will be when it's finished." Harry caressed her breast. "True, room for all of us to bathe, room for all of us to love, room for all of us to shower... God, it'll be positively sybaritic." "Sybaritic... good word for it... inside of two months it'll all be finished," she said. Harry's cell phone went off in the other room. He climbed out of the tub, wrapped himself in a towel and went off to answer it. "Yeah, Eddy... OH SHIT! Oh God man, I am so sorry. It completely slipped both our minds! Oh, please apologize to the two of them for me and I'll apologize to them too and there'll be a bonus for them and oh shit I'm really sorry. Okay, we'll see you when you get here... bye." He padded back into the bathroom, his face flushed with embarrassment. "We forgot to mention that at some point in the next week, some gentlemen would be delivering your bequest." "Oh no," she giggled, "so some Italian gentlemen show up and drop something off and Perry and Bevy go on full alert?" "No, not exactly... a rather large truck showed up and dropped off 178 small but very heavy crates of vinyl record albums as well as 8 larger crates of electronics equipment and speakers. The boys made sure the smaller crates were ok but they didn't have the equipment to check out the electronics for bombs or other nasty surprises, so they called Eddy who brought the equipment. It all checked out. As I'm assuming Tony was the gentleman with the vinyl collection you spoke of, it appears you've inherited it." "Oh my God, Harry. Over five thousand albums, all of them in perfect, or near perfect, condition... a system that can play them with absolute fidelity... a turntable you could fuck next to without disturbing thanks to the vibration dampening set-up... he left me the most precious possessions he had. He left me the only thing he really could, I imagine. Anything else his family would've gone batshit and fought in court but they never considered his vinyl to be anything but an old man's folly of a hobby." "Well, Baby Girl, it's your folly now." Harry climbed back into the tub. "I've never asked about your past much but now seems like a good time to, while we have a soak. Feel like talking about it?" "I suppose so. You know I left college my freshman year. I was nineteen. I knew how I wanted my life to be and so I went in search of someone to collar me. I ended up owned by a guy named Dick Laney who I'd met while exploring the scene before I left school. He still is pretty much a mover and shaker in certain circles and if you are kind and we make the Fetish Ball this year, I'll point him out to you. His was the multi-slave harem I was in, so I learned very early that I wasn't cut out for that kind of service. He was also very generous with his friends and that meant that even though he's kind of a shithead, he's got lots of 'friends'. I think I got loaned out to most of them. I was with him about five months and it felt like five years. It wasn't that he's a bad man or a bad owner or a bad Master, I just don't think he's a very good one either, and he's certainly not the one for me. One night we were in The Elysian Fields, a club down on Guadalupe and I'd displeased him somehow, so I was tongue-bathing his boots when this elderly gentleman came up. It was Tony, although we didn't know it at the time. He seemed very frail and infirm, but confident. He pulled out five grand, put it on the table and bet that against me that he could make Dick shit himself by only saying two words. Dick laughed and said sure, no problem, he'd take the man's money. They shook on it and Tony said "kill him". "All of a sudden Tony's boys, who nobody had noticed closing in around us all drew down on Dick and he's staring at all this hardware, none of them more than a foot from his face and he shit himself. Tony picked up his five grand, offered me his hand and told Dick to give one of his boys his address. He said that someone would be by the next day around noon to pick up my stuff and it all better be ready by then. That started my three year relationship with Tony Juliana." "Jesus Christ, he took you away from Dick with style." "Yeah, Tony had a lot of that type of style. He always said he was old, he'd survived Prohibition and gangland wars, he'd survived his wife and kids, he didn't have to put up with shit anymore. He said the worst anyone could do to him was kill him and at his age, that wasn't much of a threat. He knew he didn't have many years left to him and he'd decided he wanted to see and do a lot of things he wouldn't have otherwise. He'd always known the whole BDSM scene existed and it interested him but he'd never really explored it. So he'd gone to The Elysian Fields that night and being a gentleman had come to this little pet's rescue, not understanding really that I didn't exactly need rescue, although I sure as hell wanted it. "Luckiest night of my life... for the next two years we went places and met people and saw things... oh, Harry. Anytime you wonder how I know something or where I met someone or how in the world did I ever hear about thus and so, it was probably because of those two years. There was no place his money and reputation couldn't get us into... and there are some stories I could tell and some stories it'd be better if I didn't even remember. If we wanted to meet someone or get invited to a certain party, Tony turned on the charm, made with the money, dropped names if he had to and we were in. A lot of times, the charm was all that he needed. He was incredibly well-read and very well-spoken... he wasn't your typical mobster. He liked to call himself a 'student of the human condition with a lot of lab experience'. He was a witty, funny man. Which made some of what we saw together even harder to keep a straight face through. "Harry, you remember that woman, used to be mayor, big in real estate? I've seen her kneeling naked, getting a cum shower from twelve men then getting it washed off by a golden shower from the same dicks. And she was the fucking mayor at the time! I've seen that Robert Milton guy, the ex-televangelist, gobbling cock like he was at a hot-dog-eating contest and let me tell you, his mouth works just at fast sucking dick as it does preaching and praying. "There are still places in this town where you can get anything and anyone you want, for a price. There are places where you can watch any sex act you can imagine being performed, or for even more money, join in. I'm pretty sure we saw most of them. "We went out to a little concrete bunker in the hills one night, watched some people making what was supposed to be a hardcore porn film with some S & M elements. This big bitch, six foot four, built like a goddess of war, is fucking this pretty young boy, couldn't have been more than sixteen, seventeen, she's on top and he tells her he's about to come and she... she... she shoved..." Carol's composure had dissolved into tears. "Carol, Baby Girl, shhhh, whatever it is that's upsetting you about this, you don't have to say anymore." "No, no I do. She shoved an ice pick in the soft spot on his temple and rotated it, wrenched it around in there... and she was coming while she did it... we were watching them make a snuff flick... I screamed and Tony and his boys got me out of there. Tony apologized to me for hours later... he thought it was just a normal S&M porn shoot. "Two weeks later, I was helping him get ready for bed and he told me that I didn't have to worry about those people ever making another movie like that. Like an idiot I asked him if he'd had them arrested. He said no, he'd had the boys find out who their distributors were and delivered the filmmakers to them in pieces. I asked him about the woman who actually did it. He just looked at me and said there were things I really didn't want to know. About a year later I could have sworn I saw her turning tricks on 8th Street. The woman's arms had so many track marks on them they looked like railroad yards, a lot of her teeth were broken off and she was definitely working the low rent end of the street. She didn't look like a goddess of war, she looked like a crack whore in the last days of her life and if it was her, it would've been much kinder of them to kill her. I doubt you'll find anybody in this area to this day who'll consider making snuff films. "After that, I told him I'd heard rumors about a House on the south side that dealt in children, under the age of fourteen, but I never wanted to see it and if he went there I never wanted to hear about it or what happened afterwards. He and the boys would go out without me on occasion, maybe one of those nights they visited there. All I know is I never heard of the place again. "I don't want you to think that places like those were the only places we went. We went to the symphony, the opera and to the theater. We'd go to clubs that played big band, swing and jazz. We'd go dancing. Of course he didn't have too much use for modern music but I even got him into Absinthe & Opium, a goth club downtown. He never quite got 'goth' or the music and I had no luck explaining it to him. "After every concert or symphony, after every live performance of music, he'd hunt and peck out at least a paragraph, sometimes much more, on an old typewriter he had. I asked him what he was doing the first time I saw him do it. He explained he was putting down his impressions of the music, the performers, the whole experience, so he could always remember it the way it was that very night. I asked him how long he'd been doing that. He said he'd been doing it all his life. I imagine his family's thrown them away, but Harry, just from stories he'd tell, what was in some of those notes... there probably wasn't a big band he didn't see live. He saw Enrico Caruso perform several times. He caught most of the Rat Pack's Vegas shows while they were there to film the original "Ocean's 11", even hung out with them. He was acquainted with Beverly Sills and Luciano Pavarotti, hell, he knew a lot of opera's biggest stars over his lifetime. He used to take them out to dinner or throw parties for them when he and they were in the same town. He and Duke Ellington were on a first name basis with each other. "If I had to define Tony by just one attribute it would be his love of music. From the notes he took to his album collection to the joy he took in hearing me sing. The radio was on the classical or golden oldies station almost all day long. When he played a record, it was almost like going to church. He'd pull out the album, carefully remove the disc from its sleeve, lovingly clean it, clean the stylus, put it on and settle in to listen. We didn't talk, we didn't read, we didn't do anything but listen when an album was playing... no humming along, no singing along, no other extraneous sounds. We listened. He always said that you don't read a book and look at a painting at the same time, you don't watch television and examine a piece of sculpture simultaneously, music is art and should be treated as such. I never touched one of his albums, he didn't offer and I didn't ask. Those were his holy icons and I wasn't a member of the priesthood. I guess I am now. Hell Harry, it sounds like I've inherited the temple. "We lived together, along with his bodyguards, in a suite of apartments in the old Arco Tower building. He was still married, of course, no divorce for a good Catholic, but both he and his wife were happy with him living away from the house, so we had our privacy. Tony and I never did much with each other. He was too old and in too much pain a lot of the time, although only his bodyguards and I knew it, but by God he got to see what he wanted to see. And when he was feeling up to it, we had some very good times together. But mostly I was his companion, someone young and pretty for him to look at. "Then, the last year of his life, I was his nursemaid as well. I loved him, Harry. Not the way I love you, or Margo or even Kelly, but I loved him. He was good to me, he was kind and he was a gentleman. So when he got sick and wanted me to leave I told him in no uncertain terms that he'd have to make me go because I knew in his heart he didn't want me to. He hired a nurse and outfitted the apartment so he wouldn't have to go to the hospital till the very end. On his good days he and I could ignore all the damn machines and the nurse and pretend he wasn't dying. Those were some bittersweet days, Harry, when I could forget what he'd been most of his life and hold him and tell him honestly that I wished I'd known him when he was younger. "Eventually the day came he had to go to the hospital and we all knew it was the last trip, so I packed up what I absolutely needed into two small suitcases and went to live at the hospital. Vic made sure the family knew that when they came to see him I'd be nowhere around but none of them ever made the trip. They were so angry at that sick old man for shit that had happened over the years that they risked pissing off Vic just to snub him. I suppose they had their reasons. I'll never believe they were valid enough to leave an old man dying alone but then again what I believe doesn't matter. They didn't come. Late one night he called me over to his bed side, and he looked at me and said "Gimme a kiss, sugar, I got to go"... and I did... and he left..." Harry took the weeping woman in his arms and stroked her hair. Her sobs shook the two of them for a long time. "God, I wish you'd have been able to meet him, Harry... he would've liked you... you would've liked him..." "Anyway, after he passed, Vic put me up in a hotel until the funeral but after the graveside I did a vanishing act because Phil had been eyeing me for years. I was so alone. For three years I'd had this man as my owner, my companion, someone who'd been unfailingly polite and kind even when he was in so much pain that morphine was doing nothing for him, even then he was always a gentleman to me. "And he was gone and I had some money and two small suitcases and no owner and nowhere to go. I was staying with a girl I knew and her Master, a repulsive little toad of a man named Morgan, who was starting to eye me, so I was out actively looking when I found Paul, Paul Sands, a high school English teacher. A nice enough guy, rather new to the scene, had a real taste for it. The only problem with him was he liked watching me get fucked by other guys and like I told you, I'm monogamous when it comes to men. We'd been together for over a year when one of his resumes landed him a job offer in Michigan to teach at a private school. He couldn't afford to take me with him." "But honey, if Paul was going to work at a private school, surely they were paying him more money, even with cost of living differences." "Harry, you ought to know, there's 'affording' in the fiscal sense and 'affording' in the social sense. As a new teacher at a private school he was going to be under the microscope and a live-in slave didn't fit the school image. I didn't want to leave here anyway. All my friends and contacts are here; in Michigan, I knew nobody. When he left I went to work in a Denny's, earned just enough to keep a roof over my head and while I had food if I was working, I wasn't working all the time. So, Rick came along and I knew better but I was tired and I was hungry and I wanted out of the life I was in. I'd been with Rick about 7 months when I wandered into the Pearl and saw you trying to drown yourself in alcohol." "Carol, what would you have done if I hadn't collared you? Would you have gone back to Rick?" "Maybe, sir... I know I was scrambling for excuses to stay with you just a little longer, hoping you'd get the hint. I was even trying to work up the courage to tell you how to make it happen, if you wanted it to. I'd like to think I'd have gone in, packed up my shit and left him... but he'd been beating me for 7 months and I hadn't left yet so I probably would have been stupid and stayed." The two of them sat in the tub while they held each other and snuggled together, once again lost in the feelings that had brought them together in the first place. They had a bond that only others who had been where they had been, broken and dying inside, could understand. ------- Benjamin Sapperstein had been having a shitty week. He had been so paranoid about setting up airtight pre-nuptials... Margo and her lawyer had insisted on equal protection for both parties so there was absolutely no way he could screw the bitch over. She wouldn't get anything that wasn't, he was forced to admit to himself, rightfully hers, including half the assets of the surgical practice, but he really wanted to nail her to a wall. And there was nothing he could do to her. So, to relax on a Sunday afternoon, he decided to take a drive in his Diablo. ------- It had been a whirlwind shopping trip. They had hit five different stores across town, along with a brief stop at Le Madeleine's, primarily for the benefit of Tamara, to have some divine French onion soup, fresh baked bread and coffee. They arrived back the hotel hot, tired and loaded with packages which the bellmen were more than happy to help them take upstairs. Not having warned Harry and Carol they were on their way up Margo said "No show this trip, boys", tipped them and had them leave the packages at the door. They entered the suite to find Harry and Carol curled up together on the bedroom couch, cuddling. "Harry, my love, my husband, would you be a manly man and help Kelly carry in the packages we've got outside the door?" "My beloved wife, you have but to ask," he said, hugging her on his way past. "Carol, come give me a kiss and then get down on your knees," she said as she sank onto the couch. "Clothes shopping with Kelly shouldn't be undertaken lightly. I almost raped her in every store we hit today." Carol bent and kissed Margo, accepting her tongue deep into her mouth. She dropped to her knees and began removing her Madam's skirt. Next shoes and hose, then panties and finally she was able to sink her face between Margo's thighs. The pungent mixtures of old desire, new passion, sweat and body odors were intoxicating to her, a heady aroma of reality instead of some perfumed, soap-scented fantasy. Carol burrowed down and came up with Margo's legs on her shoulders. She attacked Margo's cunt, her mouth a blur of motion as she tried to lick, nibble and kiss everywhere at once. Her arms wrapped around Margo's thighs like restraints; Margo could swear she heard them lock into position. For her part, Margo felt as if she'd suddenly had a rabid ferret listening to the all-Barry White station on a double-espresso-laced aphrodisiac turned loose on her cunt. She wasn't being teased or titillated toward an orgasm, she was being jack-hammered toward one and while that wasn't unusual during intercourse with a man, she'd never had it happen during oral sex from either gender. The stimulation rode the edge of her enjoyment of pain. There was only one thing she could think to do, grab hold of Carol's head and hold on. Carol brought Margo through her first orgasm like a runaway freight train, scarcely leaving her mistress time to enjoy it before carrying her on towards another. As she continued to power-fuck Margo with her tongue, among many other stimuli, Harry and Kelly brought the last of the packages in. They joined Tamara as she watched Margo and Carol, the three of them slightly aghast at the ferocity of Carol's oral assault. "What in the name of God got into her?" Harry asked. "I don't know, Harry," Kelly replied, "but if she was going at me like that I'd be backing my ass away as fast as I could." "Kelly, I don't think it would help," Tamara observed, "I think you'd look like a prey animal running away. That could be bad." "Oh God... Baby Girl... fuck me..." moaned Margo. Carol's left arm unlocked from Margo's thigh and pointed unerringly at Kelly even though the woman was behind her. She snapped her fingers, pointed to her crotch, made a stroking motion and then locked her arm back around her Madam's thigh. Kelly went and retrieved the other strap-on and knelt behind Carol. She carefully fit the harness around Carol's body and made sure it was snug before she tightened the straps down. Her job finished she rose and stepped back to rejoin Harry and Tamara. Carol's arms unlocked and her hands moved up, smoothly undoing Margo's blouse and unhooking her brassiere. Her body moved up Margo's body and as their crotches came together Carol slid her dildo into Margo and began to fuck her furiously as her mouth lowered to Margo's breasts to savagely chew and suck on them. Margo's sudden scream turned into a cry of longing as her hands caught the sides of Carol's head, not to force it away as the onlookers had expected, but to pull it closer to her, as she forced the buzzsaw of Carol's mouth harder into her breast. Margo was somewhere beyond her previous pain limits and although she knew in some part of her mind that she would pay for the experience with soreness and tenderness in the days to come, she no longer cared. Her orgasms no longer seemed to have beginnings or ends, just slight lulls when the sensations from the rest of her body were louder than the screaming pleasure of her cunt. Tufts of Carol's hair were loose in her fists and she felt her pet's fingers as they dug into her back and bruised her. Carol didn't notice when Margo's hands let loose of her head and began to wave feebly, but Harry and Kelly did. They moved over to pull Carol off of her. "Little Cunt, relax, calm down," Harry whispered into her ear, "Madam has had enough and it's time for you to come away now." Carol's eyes weren't focusing and her breathing was shallow and very rapid as Harry sat next to her on the floor. "Take it easy, beloved and just calm down." In the meantime Kelly was helping Margo to sit back up on the couch, a difficult task given Margo's jello-like state. As Carol caught her breath and Margo slowly regained sentience, Harry and Kelly sat and looked at each other. "Damn, that was like watching an industrial machinery demo," Harry said. "I was thinking more of an episode of 'When Animals Attack' myself," Kelly said, "but I'll go along with yours." Carol unstrapped herself and crawled over to Margo. "Oh Madam, I am so sorry," she said, tears filling her eyes, "I've hurt you and I apologize." "Shhhh," Margo replied, "I asked for it, I enjoyed it and you did very well. Now come here and let me hold you." Carol crawled up onto the couch with her and Margo held her tightly in her arms, kissing the top of her head. "Yes, I'm going to be a bit sore, but you did what I wanted you to, Baby Girl. You did well, my precious one. After we rest a minute we can go bathe, I'll wash you and you'll wash me." Kelly sat with Harry on the floor. Together they watched Margo and Carol snuggle on the couch. "Tamara," Harry said, "I'm sorry I didn't think of telling you this sooner, but Eddy called. Everything's okay, we neglected to tell him and the boys about a delivery. Then he called back and said there was a little business he had to tend to and that he'd be back in time to take you to supper." "It's okay, Harry, you had other things on your mind. I hope it's alright if I wait for him here." "Tamara, if you don't mind the floorshow, you're welcome to stay as long as you like." The small woman smiled sweetly at him and went to the sitting room to gaze out at the city below. "Harry," Kelly said, "come cuddle with me on the bed for awhile." "An invitation I'll rarely pass up," Harry answered. "That's because you're a very wise man," Margo observed. "Thank you my dear. You two have a good bath, whenever you get there." "You two have a good snuggle and whatever it develops into." Harry and his wife smiled at each other as he and Kelly headed for the bed. "Harry," Carol said before he got too far away, "I think I know someone who might be worth talking to about rings for the two of you. She's a real craftsman, does beautiful work. Should I call and set up an appointment?" "Sure darling, you think she could see us today?" "Probably later this evening... she prefers to work at night during the hotter months." "Sounds fine to me if it sounds fine to the missus." "Works for me, wonderful husband." "Make the call, sweetie." ------- Kelly had shucked her clothing and thrown on a robe when she joined Harry, also robed, on the bed. She lay down close to him and he put his arms around her. "I gather from the fact that you haven't attacked me, you little sex maniac," Harry said, "that this isn't one of those kinds of cuddles and is in fact a comfort cuddle." "You're right. I'm scared, Harry. Scared of what I'm feeling about Jess and women in general, scared about moving in with y'all, scared about a lot of things." "Okay Sunshine, let's handle them one at a time. What's got you scared about Jess?" "Harry, until a little under two weeks ago, I'd never even been in a relationship with a woman. Now I'm in a sometimes fuck-buddy, sometimes slave relationship with two women and I'm developing pretty strong 'serious' feelings about another woman. It's not that I'm giving up on men," she said as her hand briefly caressed Harry's cock, "it's just that aside from you and Eddy, there aren't any I really want to let get near me. Not to mention that I'd jump in the middle of Karen and Patricia with a moment's notice and let the two of them do any goddamn thing they wanted to me. I've gone from having the occasional deeply erotic fantasy about a woman to thinking maybe I'm heading towards the lesbian side of bisexuality. I haven't had a boyfriend since high school and I've been telling myself it was because during the school year I was too damn busy and during the summer I was still too damn busy and I'm wondering if the truth isn't something different. I mean, I still find men attractive, but while we were out shopping today I saw lots of very cute guys, and they registered on my radar as such, but I saw quite a few women that I would've knocked to the ground and fucked right then and there if I could've." "I don't know, do you think that maybe you're intoxicated by the possibilities of this new sexuality you're exploring and that like with anything new, it's going to be awhile before you 'want to play with any of your old toys', so to speak?" She looked up into his eyes. "You think that might be it?" "Might be... and even if it isn't, so what if you're mostly a lesbian? So what if you're totally lesbian? I mean, don't get me wrong, I love being intimate with you, but if it turns out that you're really into women and not at all into men, I'll wish you the best of luck and remember our time together fondly. Why don't you just relax about it and see where things lead and where you end up?" "Yeah, sounds like a good plan... now, about me moving in with y'all. I'm really scared that no matter what the two of them said, they're going to think somehow that I'm trying to write myself into y'all's situation." "That's why you'll have your own bedroom, Kelly. That's why you'll have to have their permission to sleep with us, should you want to on occasion. I understand some of your fear, I think, and it seems to me Jess is the best cure for that potential problem. If you and your girlfriend are in your room, humping like wild buffalo, nobody's really going to get too jealous about you trying to horn in on our marriage. Quite the opposite, given the way Margo, Carol and I feel about you, we'll be jealous of Jess." Harry smiled. "You're great fun to play with and we all love you very much." "Okay Harry, I see what you're saying and maybe I'm looking for trouble where there isn't any. It's just been bugging me." "So Sunshine, what else is bothering you?" "Nothing else major, really... little petty shit like if this thing with Jess works out, the whole 'dealing with the parents' thing. I mean, I'm pretty sure my mom will be cool with it, just as I'm sure my dad will have a seizure. Her parents, I have no clue, but that whole eighteen year old thing is going to be a problem I imagine. It's getting closer to the start of the school year and I always get a little weird about that." "What are you majoring in, by the way?" "Harry, I'm starting my junior year, my course load this term is heavy on theology and history and I'm undeclared. I haven't a clue." "And that isn't worrying you?" "No, that I came to terms with a long time ago. I'm content to go to school, exploring my options, as long as I can afford to do so. I work my ass off over the summer, usually, to make sure I have enough for the next school year. Sooner or later, my decision will make itself and I'll be okay with it. I can't stand these shitheads who come in with this big 'I've known I was going for my MBA since I was in 1st grade'. When I was in junior high I got a little worried about it and my mom, who hasn't steered me wrong yet, gave me some valuable advice. She said she didn't really know what she wanted to be until she'd decided to be something else and then lost her sight, so I shouldn't worry about it. Sooner or later, my decision would make itself. She teaches blind children now, most of them blind from birth, and she's made it her constant goal to find ways to help them imagine what sight is like because she remembers it. She's happier than she's ever been, a damn sight happier than she was working for an insurance company." "What about your father?" "Dad is special case in and of himself. Dad worked as a correctional officer at the federal minimum security pen near here pretty much all his life, until mom was blinded. He resigned that day because she needed him. Now she has him teaching blind children as well. I always knew my father was one of the gentlest men on the planet, now so many more children are getting to know that side of the man. He's happier than ever, he works close to mom and even though she's fully capable of taking care of herself, she'll never stop needing him... they're the best proof I know of that love endures and triumphs." "Any brothers and sisters... any more like you still at home... any more Culbersons I need to worry about?" "No, I was their first child and only one. After me the doctors told mom it would be wiser if she didn't get pregnant again. It was dangerous enough for her to have me. But Harry, I'm feeling talked out. Right now, I just want to be held by my friend Harry. That okay with you?" Harry wrapped both arms around her and molded his body to hers. "Sounds wonderful to me," he whispered in her ear. "You keep that up," she murmured, "and before too long we'll be doing more than cuddling." ------- "Well Margo, we have an appointment for 9:30 this evening with Tatiana. That should give you and me plenty of tub time and plenty of time for us all to do supper." She bowed her head. "It will even give Madam time to punish me for hurting her, should she so desire." Margo raised her head and kissed her lips, gently and sweetly. "Baby, no need for punishment, you didn't do a thing I wasn't wanting you to. Now stop worrying about it. I certainly won't hesitate to have you rub me down and apply ointment to some sore spots, but there's no punishment called for. I just want to know, what set you off like that? There are definitely times I'm going to want to recreate the experience." "Margo, first off, I love a fresh clean lover, I have nothing against the smell of soap and deodorant and shampoo. But it's artificial. Ideally, I want my lover coming out of a bath having used soaps and shampoos and such that are as close to neutral in scent as possible. If clean and scented rates a six, clean and unscented, or damn near, rates an eight. If my lover smells 'real'... sweaty, pheromone charged, old secretions and new... now not too old mind you, not skanky, just... marinated a bit... well, that rates a ten. The way you smelled under that skirt after shopping with Kelly was about a fifteen. Another hour and you probably would have been at a three but the way it all came together, oh my God, Margo, I'm surprised I didn't literally start eating you." "I think you were having a debate about that when you got to my tits." Margo smiled reassuringly to head off any more apologies. "So that's what had you so supercharged, huh, I was well-marinated?" "Yes ma'am, you certainly were. There's something about it that hits my 'primal' button and it seems we're all becoming real aware of what that means." She smiled. "That's another thing I love about being with you and Harry, ma'am, is that I can let that out and you don't mind. It's really a blessing and I do appreciate it." Margo took her pet in her arms. "Believe me, you little primitive, we don't mind at all," she said, just before she kissed her. ------- In the sitting room, Tamara straightened the bedclothes on the hide-a-bed and curled up on top of them. The shopping trip with Margo and Kelly had been wonderful. They'd treated her like one of them instead of some man's sex toy... but then again, that's not all she was to Edward. Their love for him was obvious, maybe that's why they were so nice to her. She was happy. She'd be happier when Edward returned, but she was happy. She was also very tired so she drifted off to sleep. ------- Benjamin Sapperstein pulled up to the private garage where he paid a service to maintain his Diablo and store it. He used the same service on his and Margo's cars so it didn't look suspicious on his credit card statements; he needed to remember to drop hers from the contract. He pulled out his keys, unlocked the door and slid it up. There was no Lamborghini Diablo. There was a small box with an envelope on top. Like a man in shock Benjamin walked over, picked up the envelope, opened it and read the page inside. "Benjamin "The Diablo is gone. I sold it for one hundred thousand. Not as much as I could've gotten if I'd wanted to wait, but I was in a hurry. I had a bed to buy. "So while you're mourning the loss of your penis-enhancement, and let's be frank, your penis needs all the enhancement it can get, I and my lovers will be fucking our brains out on a beautiful huge bed I bought with some of the money I got for selling MY car. "Thinking of you and laughing my ass off, "Margo "P. S. I left you a little something to replace it with." The small box the envelope had rested on was a model kit of a Lamborghini Diablo. "BIIIIIIIIIITCH!" came the scream from a soul in Hell. ------- Eddy knocked gently at the bedroom door of the suite. Carol opened it wearing a robe and a towel on her head. She bounced up and tried to kiss his cheek. He bent down to let her. "Hey Eddy, I am so sorry I forgot to mention to your boys about Vic's boys making that delivery but with everything that was happening..." "Shhhh, it's okay," he said, "I'm surprised you and Harry remembered as much as y'all did, given your visit with Fat Phillie. That don't mean I ain't gonna razz Harry about it for years to come, but in reality, no problem. Where's Tamara?" "She went out with Margo and Kelly to do some shopping and was a little tired when they got back so I think she's crashed out in the sitting room. What were you up to this afternoon?" "Oh, preparing a little surprise for Tamara." He knelt down next to her. "I owe you a lot for putting the two of us together. I know Harry did the actual buying, but you had the idea. No matter what happens between any of us or all of us, even if Tamara and I part ways tomorrow, last night... was worth the world to me, and I won't ever forget it." "Eddy, sweetie, as long as you're happy, then the debt's repaid a thousand times over. Now enough mushy stuff or I'll cry. Tell me about the surprise you've planned for Tamara." "We're stayin' here a couple of days. I've rented us a new place, much nicer, much larger, much better part of town, gated with a real live guard from a company I trust at the gates 24/7 and I'm having what I want from my place moved in, won't be much and once that's done, she and I'll be decorating it." Carol let out a squeal as she hugged and kissed him. "Eddy, she's gonna love that! We're going to go see Tatiana this evening about rings for Harry and Margo, do you want to come with?" Eddy looked at her with a half smile. "You know, you're a real smart girl. Yeah, I'd love to. I've been thinking about something like that." "Okay Eddy, while she'd love a ring, she'd be even happier with a collar of some kind, and Tatiana makes some that are beautiful and don't look like collars. They look like jewelry, but they're collars, just the same... thought I'd mention that." "Uh huh... just thought you'd mention that, did you?" "Yeah, just in case you were, you know, wondering." "How do Harry and Margo survive you being so helpful?" "I figure it's going to involve a lot of therapy at some point, probably some primal screaming as well." ------- While Eddy went in to wake up Tamara, Margo went to wake up Harry and Kelly. She paused a moment before she did so to stand by the bed and watch them sleep. In the reverse of what she expected to see, Kelly had an arm thrown protectively over Harry as he lay curled up, almost fetal, next to her. Harry's face looked troubled and by watching carefully she could see the flicker of movement beneath his eyelids. She wondered what was going on in his dreams. Indeed she wondered if any of them would ever be completely free of their personal demons. One thing she knew for sure though was that having each other made them so much easier to bear. ------- The six of them went to dinner together and weren't surprised at all when the maitre de showed them to a small room off the rear of the main restaurant. Eddy pulled Harry off to one side. "Okay Harry, listen the fuck up, this is how it's going to be. I'm covering some of the cost of the 'oddball twins' watching your place this week. Since they were retained as security, not house-sitters, they're charging you two hundred a day, for a total of fourteen hundred. I'm covering a thousand of that to pay you back what you spent to rescue Tamara." "You don't have to..." "I said this is how it's going to be, Harry. You wanna argue about it, I'll win, you'll be in pain and I'll have a lot of people pissed at me, but I'll still win. Can we avoid me having all them people pissed at me? If you want to throw in a bonus for the boys because of the unexpected delivery this morning, that's fine. I'm not going to charge you for the time or use of the portable x-ray scanners and fiber optic camera rigs I brought out to check the problem boxes." "Damn Eddy, that's big of you, I mean about the bonus for the boys. You'll actually let me pay them one if I want to?" "Don't be a comedian Harry. I need this to be straight between us. I'm thankful for what you and Carol done, but I need this to be something I don't feel I owe you nothin' but gratitude for." "Okay big man, if that's what you need, that's what you get. So, we're square now? Everything's on the up and up?" "Yeah Harry, everything's fine." "Good, can we go eat because I'm fucking starved?" The two old friends moved to the table and sat down. Their waiter took their drink orders. Harry called Carol to him, whispered in her ear, patted her on the butt and she went off. "Where'd little Cute and Sexy go?" Eddy asked. "As opposed to big Cute and Sexy," he said, smiling at Margo. "Oh, I had an errand I needed her to run," Harry replied. He went into a hurried consultation with his wife. She nodded vigorously. After Carol returned she handed something in an envelope to Margo and sat down. The waiter returned with their drinks and everyone was more than ready to order supper. After they were finished and the waiter had left, Harry went over and squatted by Eddy. "Have you told Tamara about the new apartment yet?" he whispered. "No, I was waiting for a good time... seems like this could be it." "I agree, we'll toast it after you make the announcement." Harry went back to his seat. "Uh, can I have y'all's attention? Thanks," Eddy said. "Knowing how hard it is for little Cute and Sexy to keep a happy secret, I figure everyone here but the one who most deserves to know this already does." He turned, picked Tamara up and stood her on her chair. "Theresa, I couldn't take you to the shithole I lived in. No matter what you or anyone else says, I know you deserve better. So this afternoon I went and found us a new place. It's larger, in a much nicer neighborhood, great security, in a beautiful complex. You and I are staying here for the next few days while it's made ready and the few things I want from my old place are moved in. I figure we can run over there tomorrow whenever you want for you to take a look... and if you don't like it, we'll find someplace else, no problem." "I'm sure I'll love it if you chose if for us, Edward." "Okay, then when it's ready you and I will go buy furniture and such to decorate it and move in. I've got most of my last bonus check, plus another paycheck coming in next week, so money's no problem. We'll be able to get whatever you want, as long as you don't start goin' too high-class on me." "I have simple tastes, Edward." "You must," he said nervously, "you like me." "Yes Edward, I like you. More importantly, I love you." She threw her arms around him and kissed him. Harry stood up and raised his drink. "To Eddy, to Tamara and to their new apartment; long lives, full of love and many happy years in their new home!" The toast was echoed and as Harry sat down, Margo stood up and went around to Eddy, handing him an envelope. "This is to help decorate the new place." Eddy opened it to find fifteen hundred dollars. "I can't take this..." "You can, Eddy, and you will," Margo replied. "I understand why you couldn't accept our first gift, I do. But this one you can and you will, or Carol, Kelly and I are going to kick your fucking ass and we know you'll just try to stop us, you won't hurt us. Even doing that might get one or two of us hurt and you don't want that, so just take the gift, shut up and let us show how much we love you." "Yes ma'am." "Good boy. Tamara, be extra special nice to him tonight... he's having a hard day." She smiled as she kissed him on the cheek and then went back to her seat. As Eddy and Tamara sat down, Tamara looked over at him. "Edward, would you hold me in your lap?" "Sure," he said, picking her up and moving her over. "You feel okay?" She smiled at him. "Yes, I feel fine. I just want to be close to you right now." She kissed his neck and snuggled close. "Besides, I really like the way I fit into your lap and shoulder." "So do I, Theresa," he murmured, kissing the top of her head and stroking her hair, "so do I." ------- "... so my cousin Nancy had slipped us the information she got from her boyfriend's gawddamn brother that the DEA was gonna hit this big patch of fields out in Polk county, when she wasn't slippin' Harry some tongue AND I NEVER WANT TO KNOW WHAT ELSE, HARRY! So we knew when they're gonna hit 'em and we figured to go in and do a little harvestin' of our own a couple of nights before they got there and burned all that beautiful dope. Two nights before the DEA were scheduled to make their raid me, Harry, Margie Delgado, Cathy Breeden and Freaky Frank Wells take a trip down there in Freaky's Jeep Wagoneer. We got this map from my cousin Nancy and like the sweet innocents we was we parked the jeep, took our garbage bags and went trundlin' across the surroundin' countryside on a late night stroll, lookin' for the dope fields. We found 'em..." "Boy-goddamn-howdy, did we ever find them!" Harry exclaimed. "Yep, there they were and some of the prettiest Mexican Sativa plants I've ever laid eyes on... thousands of 'em... there wasn't a soft nipple or limp dick in the group. We had died and gone to dope smoker's heaven. So we held our shit together, because the urge to grab some, eat it, get naked and run through those fields was mighty strong, and we started harvestin' buds. Pretty soon there was no room left in anybody's garbage bags, so we hiked back to the car and all of us were fuckin' scroungin' for anything else to store dope in because we'd hit the mother lode and walkin' away from it was killin' us. But there was nothin' else, so Harry here came up with a brilliant fuckin' plan." "Yeah, I said we should pool our money, get a couple of cheap hotel rooms, hang out through the day, get some more bags, a LOT more bags, and go back the next night and get some more, before it got burned." "And everybody thought that was a winner of a plan, so we drove to Livingston, the county seat, and holed up in this little shitbox of a motel. I lost the coin toss so Freaky's in the room with me and Margie, which meant I was laying pipe while that stoned motherfucker watched goddamn cartoons, smoke so thick in the room I could barely breath and I was a gawddamn stoner!" "Meanwhile, in the other, Freaky-less room, Cathy and I enjoyed a little bit of quality time... we were asleep, which was a good damn thing as it turned out later," Harry added. "Damn straight, buddy. So night finally fell and we grabbed some garbage bags from a U-tote-m and back out to the fields of the Promised Land we went. We parked in pretty much the same place, got out, went trudgin' cross hill and dale, got to the fields and started harvestin' again. Margie and me had got a little sleep, but we was still stumblin' around a lot, Freaky was still so stoned he could hardly find the ground, but anything we got that night was gonna be gravy anyway, everyone was in a good mood, it was such a wonderful gawddamn life that Jimmy-gawddamn-Stewart was smokin' my gawddamn pole. "Until the automatic weapons fire started up. "We were merrily pickin' along and we all heard these whinin' noises, real shrill, and the 'splat-splat' of somethin' punchin' through leaves and plants over to our left and then we heard the gunfire and everybody freaked the fuck out. We were runnin' around like chickens with bottle rockets up their asses. I saw Margie runnin' towards flashes of gunfire so I flyin'-tackled her ass, Cathy had grabbed Freaky just in time to keep him from wavin' his arms at a helicopter that was flyin' overhead and nobody knew where the fuck Harry was." "I'd gotten lucky," Harry continued, "because I'd run exactly the wrong direction. I ended up coming out of the fields in view of this house and I swear to Sonny Jesus I thought every Federal agent in the nation was there and they'd all brought their bang-bangs. I knew I'd gone the wrong way so I headed back the way I'd come and tried to keep all the gunfire to my right. I was a low-crawling motherfucker when I basically crawled over Margie's head and Eddy grabbed my ass... he says it was what he could get a hand on, I say he was copping a feel, and I tell them that the direction I was coming from was the Wrong One and that means the way I was going was at least close to the Right One. So off we went." "Yeah, we managed to find Cathy and Freaky along the way," Eddy said as he picked up the narrative once more, "she was havin' to slap the shit out of him to get him off her. He was convinced we were all gonna die and he was hollerin' he didn't wanna die no virgin, which was way more than we ever wanted to know about Freaky. I slapped Freaky so hard he was actually sober for like, a minute, and we're all crawlin' along, followin' Harry's skinny butt. He came out onto the road within' prolly a hundred yards of the gawddamn Wagoneer. We loaded our asses in it and very carefully drove away, makin' sure we obeyed every traffic law we could remember. We got back to the motel with no sign of anybody takin' an interest in us; we debated about leavin' the dope for maybe, oh, two hours, before super stoner Harry said..." "Fuck you all, I'm taking this dope home if I have to carry it all on my back," quoted Harry. "Which kinda settled the issue... we loaded up the Wagoneer, had to tie up and gag Freaky because he was abso-fuckin'-lutely convinced we was gonna get caught, and drove back. No problems on the way home, stashed the dope, had enough to keep us in smoke for a loooooooong time. We find out from Nancy three days later that we were the luckiest little motherfuckers on the planet. The owners of the field had noticed the signs of our harvestin' the day after our first trip and were layin' in wait for us in that field with their automatic rifles and our bodies was never gonna be found. But the agent-in-charge for the DEA had gotten reminded, apparently quite forcefully, by his wife of a bar mitzvah they were to attend the following night out of state, so he moved the raid up a night. The DEA comes creepin' in on the farmhouse to find nobody there because they're all out in the field, waitin' for us. So the DEA calls in air support and goes into the field, gunfire breaks out, a whole lotta lead gets expended, two agents get wounded, one grower gets dead, another wounded and we waltz outta there with the dope without a bullet hole among us. One of the goddamn scariest nights of my life..." Margo looked at him across the table in amazement. "Eddy, if that's not the scariest night of your life, what was?" Eddy looked into her eyes. "That, my dear, is a story for another night." ------- As soon as dinner was done they went back to the suite for after-dinner coffee and relaxed until it was time to head to Tatiana's. A short drive later found them pulling up to a gate in a high wall surrounding a home in a very prestigious part of town. Most of the homes in the area had historical markers on them and the whole area positively reeked of moneyed gentility. An armed guard came to the gate and after they identified themselves, which included driver's licenses for everyone, with the exception of Tamara, they were waved through and toward an area where they could park. The home itself, a monstrosity in the Romanesque Revival style, squatted on the grounds like a great, red-brick gargoyle. Its cylindrical tower with crenellated top served as its head while the great white stone arches over its door and windows almost resembled scales. Indeed it reminded Harry more of some small town county courthouse than a home. A young man whose face seemed to be marred by a perpetual sneer met them as they got out of their cars. "Madame Tatiana will see you in the workshop. It is around back to your right," he said in a not very convincing Russian accent. Carol looked at him disdainfully. "If you are planning to put on airs like one of the last of the Romanovs, the least you could do is have an accent that is better than a high school drama student's," she said in an accent far better than his. He blushed and stormed off towards the house. "Poseurs... no sense of humor," Carol chuckled. They headed around the house to the right and saw the workshop, a converted carriage house, and followed the brick walkway to the door. A sign next to a bell said "Ring Before Entering" so they did so, opened the door and walked in. The ground floor had been converted into a showroom of sorts, with cases displaying examples of Tatiana's work. There was everything from simple, elegant designs to intricate pieces with dozens of stones and exquisite inlays. On the walls were pictures of a tall, almost painfully thin woman with most of the movers and shakers in Texas over the past fifty years, and quite a few of the national movers and shakers as well. Harry was admiring one of her with J.F.K. and Jackie when she came down from upstairs. The years had been as kind to Tatiana as her youth had, which was to say, not very. Plain with large, thick glasses, she might be considered horse-faced if her bearing weren't so regal and her inner dignity so unassailable. Since her bearing and dignity were as they were, she was aristocratic. The camouflage BDUs and the long sleeved t-shirt bore the signs of many small burns. Her gray hair was piled into a mass on the top of her head had strings hanging down everywhere, some of which looked a little charred, but she bore herself as if she was descending the Grand Staircase at the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg. "I am Tatiana, how may I help you?" she asked in a flawless Russian accent. Carol stepped out from behind Margo. "Save the act for the rubes, Tattie. How you been?" "CAROL!" she squealed in an accent far closer to Saint Paul, Texas than St. Petersburg, Russia. She opened her arms and Carol ran to her and gave her a hug. "Tattie, this is my man, Harry Grimes and his wife, Margo, our dear friend Eddy Janak, his girl Tamara, and our friend Kelly Culberson. All of you, this is Tatiana Turov who will shamelessly drop hints right and left that 'Turov' was a name the family adopted to hide a much more noble one out of fear of Russian Communist assassins in the 40's and 50's. Don't buy the bullshit; she's no more nobility than I'm a pro football player. What she is, with no argument, is the finest crafter of jewelry I've ever seen." "It's a pleasure to meet y'all. Any friends of Carol's are welcome here. Carol, where have you been, honey? I haven't seen you since before Tony's funeral. I was real sorry, it was obvious to everyone how you felt about him." "Thanks Tattie. Tell you what, some night when you need to take a break, we'll have you over to the house and we can do some visiting." "Yeah, we'll tell these folks some stories, like the time you, me and Tony got drunk at Sylvestre's and spent the evening raising hell in the Hotel Adolphus with my little wrist rocket and a pouch of bb's. Thank God they either never caught on it was us or they were so scared of Tony they didn't want to say anything." "It's a date. But for now, Tattie, she needs an engagement ring, they need to start thinking about wedding rings, who knows what that big hairy bear over there might not want. I think I'm going to take Tamara and Kelly out for a stroll on your grounds, show them the pond." "You do that, darling; I just had it re-stocked with koi. And if you see any goddamn cat anywhere on the premises, one of y'all come get me. I'll put a bb so far up its koi-eatin' ass it'll be constipated for a week." ------- Three hours later, after the girls had enjoyed a pleasant time by the pond refreshments served by a very unhappy young poseur, Harry, Margo and Eddy were ready to leave. The three of them were smiling evilly and Carol had to wonder what she might have missed by keeping Tamara out of the way. ------- Chapter 17 Upon returning to the Omni, the bar called to them loudly, so they sauntered in. Margo had taken Carol's leash and with it in hand, walked up to the manager, Mrs. Reynolds, who was standing in a corner, surveying the rather light Sunday night crowd. "Mrs. Reynolds, is it? Yes, Mrs. Reynolds, is our section available?" The woman paused only slightly. "Yes ma'am, it's available. May I assume you wish it lit as it was last night?" "Yes, exactly as it was last night... one more thing, is that delightful waitress we had last evening... Jessica... is Jessica on duty this evening?" "No ma'am, she has the night off." "Would you be a dear and call her in to work? We'd really prefer her to serve us." "Uh... that's quite irregular..." "Oh well then, I suppose we can go drink somewhere else..." "But certainly not impossible... I'll call her and see if she wants to come in." "Tell her there's at least a two hundred dollar tip if she does." "I'm sure she'll be here with bells on, ma'am. Is there anything I can have sent in to you in the meantime?" "No, we'll wait for her. Have her hurry, please. And no one else should disturb us." "Yes ma'am." The group walked into the back area of the bar as the lights were cut and Mrs. Reynolds herself roped it off, hanging the 'Private Party' sign on the rope. Eddy looked at Margo with a smirk. "Well ain't you little Miss All That?" "That's Mrs. All That to you, Eddy, and yes, I damn well am. We just need to make sure to drop enough on our bar tab, even if we don't drink everything we order, to soothe Mrs. Reynolds this evening." Eddy and Tamara went off to a booth in the corner where they sat together, quietly talking and touching. Margo sat down at one of the tables in the section and pulled Carol onto her lap. "So Little Cunt, you have a choice. Where do you want to be punished? Here, in a semi-exposed place, or in the safety of the room?" Carol whimpered softly. "Here, please Madam. Here would be lovely." "That's fine. Tell me what you want to drink so when Jessica comes by you won't have to stop to give her your drink order." "Uh, two shots of Goldshlager should be fine for now, and help with the bar tab too Madam. And please don't forget, large glasses of water for everyone." "Fine," Margo said as she gently prodded Carol to her feet. "Harry, would you be so kind as to pull that table out of that booth over there? Let's see if I can get comfortable here with enough room for Little Cunt to lay on the bench with that ass of hers in the proper position for you. If I can't, this may have to wait until the room no matter what any of us want." As she positioned her body on the bench seat of the deep booth, it became obvious that the positioning wasn't going to work. "Maybe I can help with that," Kelly said. "Scoot forward, let me get behind you... there... thank God these are some deep bench seats... even so we're both gonna have one foot on the floor." With Kelly behind her, the positioning was almost perfect and Margo's panty-clad crotch was exposed, her long skirt hiked up and out of the way. Margo raised her butt and Carol slipped her panties down and off. "Time to get started... bare your ass, Little Cunt. Harry, bring a chair, I think you're going to be busy for awhile. As sore as I am, an orgasm might be a little hard for me tonight and that's going to be hard on someone's bottom." Carol kicked off her sandals, dropped her pants and panties and lay down on the bench, her bare ass in front of Harry. He picked up her legs and scooted his knees underneath her thighs so that she lay across the bench and then him. "Begin," Margo said. Carol's tongue began to lovingly caress every fold and crevice of Margo's cunt as Harry started striking her bottom, crisply and firmly, first one cheek and then the other. Kelly moved Margo's hair out of the way and began to kiss her neck while caressing her sides. "Umm, what do you think you're doing? I mean, it feels lovely, but this wasn't part of the arrangement." "Neither was you being sore," Kelly murmured in her ear, "I'm just helping to level the playing field." "Princess, you stop that right this minute!" Margo snapped. "Oh no, Big Mama, 'Princess' isn't in the building right now. This is Kelly back here and I do what I damn well want to... and right now, if I had my way, I'd have you on your stomach, pillows under your middle, that beautiful ass of yours in the air. I'd be stabbing your cunt with that blue dildo of yours." She lowered her voice into her most animalistic purring growl. "And I'd be thrusting my tongue in and out of your ass so hard, you'd be whimpering and begging for me to strap something on and do you." "Umm hmmm," moaned Margo as her body writhed in time with Kelly's caresses, Carol's tongue and Harry's swats. After four or five minutes, Kelly said, "And when I couldn't stand your pathetic whining anymore, I'd have Harry stick his cock down your throat to shut you up. Then I'd be merciful, strap something on and give you what you wanted, fuck you in the ass till you were screaming around your husband's prick." "UMMM HMMMM NNNNGGGGNNNN GODDAMN YOU KELLY!" Margo's body went rigid as, just to add punctuation to her manipulation of her, Kelly bit her on the neck, bringing forth even more moans as Margo shuddered through her orgasm. Her hands were like claws digging into Kelly's legs, the moans slowly dying down to whimpers as she rode out the aftershocks. "Why Mrs. G," Kelly murmured in her ear, "I do believe there's a quivering little submissive in there somewhere." "Th-there is, K-k-kelly... and I want you to play with her like you were talking about some day... soon." Kelly kissed her sweetly on the cheek. "Sure thing Mrs. G, anything for you." She stroked Margo's hair. "I hope you know I was just helpin' out my girl down there?" "No problem, you were right... it wasn't fair as I set things up." ------- Jessica had spent her evening on call sitting in the employee lounge at the hotel, nervously eating whatever she could sneak out of the kitchen on her frequent raids. Her weight had been a self-image problem for her all her life... even Jimmy had made derogatory comments about her size... but Kelly... Kelly liked it. She seemed to revel in it... some of the things she'd whispered to Jessica the night before... oh God... Jessica got wet just remembering them. At one point Jessica had gotten up the courage to ask her if she really didn't mind her weight. Kelly had looked at her, lust and love swirling in her eyes. "Jess, you're almost perfect." "You mean I just need to lose a little weight?" "No, you silly bitch... you could stand to gain a few pounds." She was in such uncharted territory with Kelly... she felt like she was rushing along the very lip of a ledge, moving faster than she could navigate and she just hoped Kelly would be there to catch her if... no, when, she fell. Then her mother had called. 'They' were back in the bar and demanded her to waitress for them. She had been in the women's locker room and changed, on her way towards the bar before her cell phone cooled off from the call. She passed her mother at a fast walk. "I-was-in-the-lounge-don't-worry-about-clocking-me-in-I'm-working-off-the-clock-bye." When she got to the darkened rear section, she stood there a moment, letting her eyes get accustomed to the light, or lack thereof. She saw Eddy and Tamara over in a corner, lost in each others' company. God, it could not possibly be more obvious how much in love they were. She moved further in and saw Harry putting Carol across his knees. She had her head in Margo's cunt... and Kelly was behind Margo... oh God, Kelly looked hot! As she watched, the licking and the spanking began and Kelly started to play with Margo... Jessica was watching her lover be sexual with another person. She wasn't sure how she felt about it... she'd seen Kelly with her other lovers before, but that had been before they starting 'dating'... on one level it made her feel insecure... she knew Kelly loved her, it wasn't Margo or Carol or Harry that Kelly had wanted to be in bed with last night. And on another level, she wasn't altogether sure she didn't want to be in Carol's place... although she wouldn't want Harry to be spanking her... she'd want it to be Kelly. She nervously looked over her shoulder. The sound of Harry's hand hitting Carol's ass could be heard all the way to where she was, loud and clear. She was pretty damn sure it could be heard out in the rest of the bar. The couple at table 27 was looking a little upset. She turned her attention back to her new friends. She continued to watch, transfixed, as events culminated in Kelly's attack on Margo's neck and Margo's loud orgasm. SHIT! She was sure that had been heard and as she turned around she realized she'd been paying far too much attention to the wrong thing. The man from table 27 had gotten up and gone to get her mother. He was returning to his seat and she was headed for the rear of the bar, looking angry. Jessica moved to intercept her. ------- From the entrance to the section they heard Jessica's voice. "No, Mrs. Reynolds, everything's fine, I have their order and was just bringing it out. Mrs. Grimes simply got a little rowdy, perhaps if you turn up the music a bit it will help muffle any further disturbance... no ma'am, I'm sure that no one was hit repeatedly back here." Carol paused in licking Margo. "Oh yes they were, wonderfully so. Sir, please, there was a part two to this..." "And we'll get to it as soon as we have some lubricant. I wonder if I could send Eddy up to the room..." "No need, honey, check my bag," Margo said. "I've started carrying it, simply because I know us... all of us," she added, looking down at Carol. ------- Eddy watched the festivities from the corner as he cuddled Theresa. The look he had on his face puzzled her... he looked sad and lonely. "Edward, sir, what's wrong?" "Hmm?" "What's wrong, sir? You seem upset, sad, worried, lonely... I'm not sure what, but you're definitely not looking like a man in love should look. "I'm sorry, sir. I may have spoken out of turn. It's not my place to criticize." "You weren't criticizin', you were showin' concern for the man you love and that's appropriate in my book, no matter what you been told in the past. "Theresa, if my life has been the example for any principle, that principle would be somethin' like 'the worse something is, the longer it lasts; conversely, the better something is, the shorter its duration'. The good things that have happened to me, with the exception of my friendship with Harry, have all gone away far too quickly where the bad things and their aftereffects, have stuck around far too fuckin' long. "Now here you are, the best thing that's ever happened to me... ever. So I figure you're gonna be gone any second. I reckon I'm just tryin' to get my head ready for you leavin'." The fist that hit the side of his face may have been small and propelled by weakened muscles, but it had anger behind it. "WHAT THE FUCK?" He looked down to see her crying, glaring up at him angrily through her tears. "Edward John Janak, don't you be preparing yourself for me leaving! The day you want me gone you may give me away or sell me, but until then you're stuck with me! I may look like a frail little girl but believe you me, putting up with Fat Phillie Philouma is not a job a frail little girl can manage! I've managed it for over a year! I'm a little weak now because that sorry piece of shit tried to starve me, but you give me some time to recover and I'll show you just how strong I am! I'm not some tragic little consumptive heroine from a Victorian novel!" "Yeah, I can see that, that fuckin' punch you just gave me hurt like hell!" "I meant it to! Quit planning and preparing for my departure when I just got here! I'm yours, body and soul; not just because you own me but because for the first time in a long time I want to be." Her demeanor softened. "Edward, I am happier than I have ever been. Please, come be happy with me. It's no fun for me to be happy alone, not when the reason I'm so happy is being haunted by vague 'maybe's." Eddy looked into her eyes and was amazed at the depth of the love he saw there. It's an act, a sham. She'll get her hands on some money and then she'll leave you, just like all the others. Remember, monster, the Creature may hold the pretty girl for a time, but he never gets to keep her. "Edward, why are you so sure I'll leave you?" "Maybe I'd better tell you a bit about my track record with women..." ------- Jessica gave the bartender their drink order from the night before. She was on pins and needles. Her mother had turned the volume on the music up in the back section. Jessica was sure that they heard her talking to her mom, so she knew they were aware they'd been heard. Hopefully that awareness, and the increased volume on the music, would keep her mother away from them. "So, what do you do when you're back there with them for such long periods of time?" her mother asked from behind her. If she didn't know better, Jessica would have sworn that her heart had stopped. "Oh, listen to them tell wild, improbable stories mostly," she lied. "They seem to like having an audience and I figure it's less disturbing if I'm their audience then if they held court out here in the bar." "Uh huh... you know they offended several guests at brunch this morning... the hotel is having them served in a private room." "Mrs. Reynolds, from what I've seen, they're not bad people, they're just... a little unthinking sometimes. They get a little loud, a little inappropriate, but they don't really mean any harm." "Hmmph. Oh, Jimmy came to see you here at the bar tonight. He said you'd called him this afternoon and told him it was over between the two of you." "Did he tell you why I told him it was over?" "No and I'm quite sure I don't want to know. But Jessica, he's the only boyfriend you've ever been able to get. If you'd just take a little pride in yourself, stop eating so much-" "MRS. REYNOLDS! I don't think that kind of discussion is appropriate in the workplace. My order's up, I need to deliver it." Shaking with anger Jessica picked up the tray and headed back to the darkened section. ------- For a moment, Harry felt a little guilty that he enjoyed anal sex so much. But it was a passing flicker of guilt, as it was obvious that Carol enjoyed it as much or more than he did. One hand under her and between her legs, the other wrapped around Margo's leg, she was teasing her Madam toward another orgasm as Harry gently slid in and out of her ass. He saw Margo and Kelly wave to someone, Kelly's face had lit up like a Vegas strip hotel sign so he knew it had to be Jessica. He heard her walk up behind them. She kissed him on the cheek. "Putting your best face forward, Harry?" "Oh, very humorous... if I weren't having so much fun where I am, I'd have to put you over my knee and spank you." "Sorry Harry, only Kelly has spanking privileges on me." "Oh, don't worry, I'll spank her for it," Kelly said. "Yummy," Jessica replied. "Look, I gave the bartender a repeat of what you ordered last night, I hope that's okay?" "That's... fine... Jessica... pardon... me... if... I... go... away... now... ," Margo moaned. The sight of his wife's orgasm as it caused all her delightful bits to jiggle sent Harry over the edge and he buried himself in Carol's ass and swore he felt his balls shrivel as they emptied into her. Carol's orgasm, not too far behind his, had her slowly sinking to the floor. "Jessica, sweetie, if I asked you real nicely, would you go grab us some wet towels to clean up with and some dry ones too?" "On it!" After everyone was clean and dressed, and the used towels deposited in the bin under the bar, everyone but Eddy and Tamara sat down and talked. They looked like they were having one of 'those' conversations in the corner. The first round of drinks was quickly emptied and Jessica went back to the bar with their new orders and to retrieve water and bar munchies. ------- "... so that's why I expect you to leave." "Alright Edward, I understand, at least somewhat, why you're so scared of me leaving. But I can't. Well, I can, but you'd have to abuse me very severely to make me pack up and leave, I mean you'd have to regularly have me in fear for my life... and I know that's not going to happen with you. I would've left Phil... I would've left several of the 'Family men' I was with, except that you don't leave them. "But even if I didn't love you more than I've loved any other man since my father, I'm not mentally programmed for 'leaving'. I'm programmed for staying, pretty much no matter what. "And then let's look at it another way. Common threads in every story of a failed relationship that you told me about were that you met them at a bar, you were both drunk, and you came onto them because they looked like the type of woman who might be willing to sleep with, as you put it, a monster like you. Right?" "Yeah... I guess that's right." "Edward, I'm not the kind of woman who hangs out in bars looking for men. I'm not the kind of woman who gets drunk at a bar. Even if I were, even if I did, would you come onto me if you saw me drunk at a bar?" "No... you're not the kind of woman who'd be willing to fuck a... guy... like me." "You're right, I'm not... I want far more out of my relationship with you than just fucking. That would be like Kelly offering you all her many charms and you saying 'I'll just suck your little toe, that'll be fine'. I'm going to keep hammering on you that you're a wonderful man and a good person until someday you get tired of me beating on you and believe it. "So I'm not the kind of woman you'd normally hook up with. I was chosen for you by someone with uncanny insight. Someone who was more certain than she let herself know, I think, that I could not help but fall for you and that you had no choice but to fall for me. So to sum it all up, Edward, the only similarity between me and the women who've hurt you so badly so often over the years is that I'm of the same gender... right?" "Yeah... that's really about the only similarity." "Then stop expecting me to act like them. Now kiss me and decide how best to punish me for striking you. No matter how upset I was that was completely uncalled for, totally unacceptable and I deserve whatever correction you deem proper." "I'm gonna punish you mercilessly, and I do mean mercilessly, by blowin' raspberries on your belly until you're laughin' so hard you can barely breathe. You won't know when, or where, but it's comin'." "Yes sir," she said, smiling up at him. ------- The conversation had relocated more to the center of the room when she returned. Harry explained that the smell of sex back where they had been was sort of distracting. Carol looked in shock at her two 'shots' of Goldshlager. The bartender, being friendly, had poured said shots into highball glasses... and since that wasted so much space in the glasses, he'd added more shnapps. Carol conservatively figured she had about 6 shots per glass. "Does anyone want to help me with this Goldshlager?" she asked plaintively. "I'll help," Kelly volunteered. "Sip it or bird it?" Carol asked. "Bird me of course, you silly bitch!" Carol took a healthy swig of the fiery liqueur, stood up and kissed Kelly from above, dribbling the fluid into her mouth. Kelly continued the kiss after the liqueur was long gone. Finally she broke the kiss. "Damn that was good! Jess, Angel, you've got to try some of that." "Okay, I'm game... Carol?" "Yeah Jess?" "Well, no offense, but could Kelly, what did you call it? Bird me?" Carol smiled. "Sure, no problem, but I get to bird it to her first." "Fair enough," said Kelly, never one to pass up two kisses in place of one. Harry leaned into his wife as he gently stroked her thigh. "Do you think they have any idea the effect watching them is having on us?" "Probably not," Margo said. "I think the desires of two horny old people are pretty damn far away from their minds right now." "I heard that," Carol said, "and it isn't true." She took another large mouthful and stood over Kelly, kissed her and let the liqueur pour down into her. They both kept the kiss short and Kelly got up, straddled Jessica's lap and leaned down to kiss her, accidentally spilling some of the liqueur down the side of Jess' face. She caught it with her fingers and as Jessica swallowed and the kiss continued, Kelly put the fingers between their mouths so they both could lick them clean, then continued to kiss Jessica. Finally Kelly just sat down astride Jessica and the two of them made out like teenagers. ------- Mrs. Reynolds was quite sure something was going on... the only problem was, she had no idea what. There was no way that they were taking any sexual advantage of her daughter; those people could have no interest in a fat girl like Jessica. Maybe it was drugs, or something even darker. She did a smile-and-greet pass through the bar and made sure the two waitresses on duty were doing their jobs. Then she told Mike, the bartender, to keep an eye on things and quietly headed back towards the rear. She got to the section entrance, stepped inside and to the right, one of her observation points when overseeing this part of the bar. She waited for her eyes to adjust. Whatever she was expecting to see, it wasn't this. Nothing really unusual on the right side; the large man and his little companion were cuddling and talking. Her eyes scanned to the center of the room, the more mature of the women and her husband, Mrs. Reynolds assumed, were sitting together watching... something... the girl on the chain was watching whatever it was as well. She moved deeper into the darkness. ------- Kelly was back in the arms she'd been missing all day. She felt the warmth of her love close to her and she realized that she had fallen so hard for this girl. "Jess, I love you and I've missed you all day and every second I've wished you were with me." "Baby, I know, it's been the same for me. I love you so much. I called Jimmy this afternoon and broke it off and I've wanted to be back with you so bad." Their lips joined again and their hands began to roam across each others back and arms and neck. Carol felt her before anyone heard her but it was only a split second before and could in no way change the course of events. "JESSICA ANN REYNOLDS! WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING?" Time stopped, in that funny way it has of stopping when one really doesn't want it to, those times one wishes one could just fast-forward past the next several hours and arrive at a point in time when all the drama was over. "How do you want to play this one, she's your mother?" Kelly whispered. She got no answer so she pulled back to see that Jessica was furious. "Whatever happens Angel, we're all with you, okay?" Jessica nodded, a tight, angry, controlled little nod. Kelly got up and swung out of the way. Jessica got up, took Kelly by the hand and pulled her over to where Mrs. Reynolds stood, steaming. Jessica had plastered a politely neutral face on. "Mother, please lower your voice. I'd like you to meet Kelly, my girlfriend." Mrs. Reynolds' hand snapped back and headed for Jessica's face only to run into Kelly's face on the way. "Mrs. Reynolds, you get that one as a freebie," Kelly said, standing in front of Jessica as a shield, "you don't want to pull that hand back again, though." Mrs. Reynolds sneered and brought her hand back. It was caught by the massive hand of the very large man. "Really ma'am, you don't want to do that," Eddy said, gently holding her hand in place. "Or what," the woman said, suddenly frightened... she did a masterful job of covering the fear with scorn, "you'll hit me?" "No ma'am," the huge man responded, calmly, "someone, whomever you hit, will be filing assault charges. That would be bad enough, but also, in all probability, they'll be filing a lawsuit against you and the Omni Hotel chain as well, and that would get damned ugly, pardon my language. I certainly don't think your employers want you to hit anyone in this room again; no matter how justified you might feel." Slowly reason returned to her eyes and everyone breathed a little easier. Her next words destroyed that sense of ease. "You're terminated, Jessica. I'll be calling Security to escort you to the employee locker room and then off the premises. We'll discuss this further when I get home." Kelly shot Harry a glance, he nodded. "And immediately after you have her walked off the premises, Mrs. Reynolds, I'll walk her right back on as our guest in the Presidential Suite." "I don't think so, whatever your name was. She will not be allowed back onto hotel property." Margo stepped to the fore. "Then I think we'll be leaving and talking to my friend, the manager of hotel operations, Mr. Saunders, explaining to him why we're leaving and requesting a full apology from you, not only to us as a group, but to Kelly and to your daughter specifically." "You can give that shit up for Lent, I'm not apologizing to that little nigger..." Mrs. Reynolds found herself facing a collection of very angry people. The very large man was behind her, blocking her exit. The rest of the group was in front of her and to her sides. The short girl who'd been led in on a leash got right up in her face. "You're going to apologize to my friend and you're going to do so right now. If you don't, I'm going to pull something very nasty out of my pocket and go to work on you with it. I'm real tired of ignorant fucking bigots using that hateful goddamn word to refer to a woman who's a much better person than they'll ever be. And please don't think I'm afraid of the law. My friends will get me a very good lawyer and I'll tell such a truthful and heart-rending story of a fucked-up childhood and an unfortunate life since that I won't do much time at all. You, on the other hand, will be looking for a real good plastic surgeon to fix your face. Now apologize, bitch." Never for a moment did Mrs. Reynolds doubt she was in mortal danger from the little woman. In that she showed one of the few flashes of wisdom she had that night. "Kelly... I apologize... for referring to you by that hateful word... I ask that you forgive me... for losing my temper and saying something I didn't really mean." "Apology accepted." Kelly turned to Jessica. "What do you want to do now, Angel?" "What she wants to do is immaterial, I'm her mother and she's going to go home and wait for me to get off work." Kelly turned and looked at her. "Ma'am, when I'm speaking to you, you'll know it. Your daughter is eighteen. I asked her what she wanted to do, I did not ask what you expected her to do. I'll thank you to let her answer the question." Jessica looked from Kelly to Harry to Margo and back to Kelly. Harry'd had enough. "I'm sorry but I'm going to hurry this up a little because standing this close to you, Mrs. Reynolds, is something I'm finding distinctly unpleasant. Jessica, if you need a place to stay, we've got the room." "You need a job? Wanna deliver Chinese food? Pay ain't what it was here, but it's a living," Kelly said. "Kelly, I want to move in with you at Harry and Margo's. I'd like to get a job delivering Chinese food. Mother, may I pack up some things at the house?" Mrs. Reynolds barely contained her anger. "Take whatever you want but be out of there by the time I get home. Anything you leave I'm throwing out." "Fine," Harry said, "glad we have all that settled. Eddy, would you and Kelly go with her and help her get her stuff together and over to the house? Margo, go get Mr. Saunders on the phone from the front desk. Tell him the whole story, including Mrs. Reynold's unfortunate use of racial epithets. See how much shit you can stir up. Carol, you and I are going to go pack out the room. We're going home." "What about me, Harry?" Tamara asked. "Tammy, if you feel up to it we could sure use your help packing out the room. Good night Mrs. Reynolds, I sincerely hope you're unemployed in the morning." With that they walked out, leaving Mrs. Reynolds with nothing but her anger. ------- The next several hours were full of activity and everyone's tiredness didn't make them go any easier. But eventually Harry, Margo, Carol and Tamara had made it to the house. Perry and Bevy had been sent away after being paid for the full week. Before they'd left they'd hauled the crates of albums and equipment up to the old upstairs master bedroom, which had been Harry's father's office. They'd made arrangements to come back and shoot some photos of Carol, Tamara and Margo to use as models for "Dinosaur Ho". Harry was pretty sure that once they met them, they'd be adding Kelly and Jessica to the model list. After hauling in their luggage, Harry had gone upstairs to see the shape his bedroom was in. He threw the last of his remaining things into some boxes and put them in the office as well. Then he ripped the sheets off the double bed and took them down to the laundry room. He had Carol go put fresh sheets on the bed and finish airing the room out. Margo put away everything they had brought home. She was satisfied, overall, with the results of her conversation with Martin Saunders. Mrs. Reynolds was going to be spoken with the next day. If Mr. Saunders wasn't happy with the answers he got, and Margo was pretty sure he wouldn't be, she would be terminated. They had three nights stay in the Presidential Suite comp'd the next time they visited, provided they stayed a full week. After Jessica had mentioned it to her, she'd made sure that Saunders knew she'd paid to have a night's stay and the brunches of the people they'd discomfited that morning taken care of. She knew he'd make sure they received them. They didn't mean to be loud and obnoxious... it just seemed to happen: especially when Harry and Eddy got together. If you added alcohol and an appreciative audience to the mix, inappropriateness and high volume were guaranteed. Margo foresaw a lot of apologies and soothing of ruffled feathers when they went out together. She smiled. She wouldn't have it any other way. Harry walked into the bedroom. "My beloved wife, I have a date with a big ol' bowl of dope in that pipe, but before I go getting stoned, I'm going to make a quick run to H.E.B." As Eddy had checked out of the Omni as well, Margo and Tamara prepped the guest room for Eddy and Tamara to occupy. "You know, I wasn't quite thinking when I stormed out of the Omni just how much work would be involved," Margo said with a rueful grin. Tamara looked up at her. "You were all willing to go pretty far for someone you'd just met the day before, ma'am. I was a little surprised." Margo sat down on the edge of the newly sheeted bed. "If she and Kelly weren't involved, I don't know if we would have gone as far as fast... I'd like to think we would have. Jessica seems like a very sweet girl, I like her a lot. But she is involved with Kelly, and Kelly's one of our own, just like you and Eddy and Karen and Patricia are. We protect our own, whenever and wherever we can." Carol came in. "Well, both sets of sheets that were stripped are in the wash. Shouldn't be a problem getting them in the dryer before everyone crashes. What's up with y'all?" "Oh, we're just discussing what went down at the hotel," Margo said. "Have a seat, join the confab. "Besides," she continued, "I noticed you were right there with us, Tammy." "Edward was there, I was there." She said as the simple axiom it was, in her mind. "Carol, were you really going to cut Mrs. Reynolds?" "Not sure. I know I sure wanted to. I don't like that fucking word. I really don't like it when it gets applied to someone I love, someone who's as special as she is. I think if the chickenshit bitch had been a little ballsier and not backed down, I probably would have just beat the shit out of her. Using my razor could get me in serious trouble." She leaned over and hugged Tammy. "Have I mentioned how happy I am that we were able to get you away from that fat fuck Phil? It's good to be able to spend some time with you again, especially since you're away from that line of 'family men' you were with." "It's good to be out of there. Edward is so sweet and so gentle. I don't know how he's managed to stay that way, given the women in his past, but he's so beautiful and so fragile." Above her head Carol and Margo looked at one another and smiled. It might be a part of Eddy they'd never see, but they didn't doubt that it was real. They both envied her the chance to see that side of him... not the physical intimacy, but the emotional intimacy. "I'm glad you're happy, Tammy. I'm glad Eddy's happy. I'm glad we're all happy... let's just see if we can have a more drama-free life for awhile," Carol said. Margo heard her cell going off in the living room and went to answer it. Carol looked at Tamara. "Do you need anything from the kitchen? I'm feeling a bit hungry." "If you don't think anyone would mind..." "Goddamn it, Tamara, stop that! These people like you. Give them time and they'll love you, just like they love Eddy and Kelly. You're a guest here, a welcome guest. Quit acting like you're imposing by breathing." Tamara looked up at her from having dropped her eyes to the floor. "Carol, I'm sorry... I'm not used to being welcome." Carol sat down and hugged her. "I know, Tammy. Just work on believing you are, here, and that these people want nothing but good for you. If you and Eddy didn't work out, as long as you behaved honorably and decently, they'd still want nothing but good things for you. Now let's go get something to eat before I starve!" As the girls headed for the kitchen Margo got off the phone and followed them in. "Well, that was Eddy. They stopped and grabbed some boxes behind a couple of liquor stores and hit Jessica's house. Luckily Mrs. Reynolds was already there... Eddy was worried otherwise she'd claim that he or Kelly had stolen something. They're doing a very hurried smash-and-grab on Jessica's room. She's somewhat of an emotional wreck, completely understandably, but seems to be holding her shit together well enough to help them get her out of there." "Yeah, I imagine she wasn't expecting to lose her mother, her job and her home all in one night when she got up this morning," Carol said. "I'm thinking that if it looks like this is going to be permanent, we'll eventually switch the office upstairs with their room, to let them have the extra space." "Well, sounds good to me. You are, after all, the lady of the house," Margo said with an honest and open smile. "You do what seems best to you." Carol looked at her, trying to see any sign of resentment. "You're sure you're okay with that?" Margo laughed, "God yes! Honey, I'm not the housewifely type, I have a career I love and while I'm by no means a neat freak, I like coming home to a reasonably clean house and the promise of a hot meal somewhere in my future. For the freedom from having to worry about that," she dropped to her knees, "I will, upon request and advance notice, do anything the Lady of the House demands." "Margo, you are so beautiful... I may forget how hungry I am and do you right now on the floor," Carol said. Margo looked up. "Well, let's get you and Tammy fed first and then find a bed... I'm a little worn out tonight for the floor in the kitchen to have much appeal... although the living room... that's a different story." In the end they all agreed that soup or sandwiches were probably best. As they sat and ate, Harry got back from the grocery store. After he unloaded the car he nuked a bowl of soup and sat down with them. Margo started to fill him in on Eddy's call. "Don't bother honey, he called me too. I'm glad Mrs. Reynolds was there as well. I hate to think this of anyone, but I wouldn't want her causing any trouble for Eddy or Kelly, or Jess for that matter, and I wouldn't put it past her to claim they robbed her blind. With all four of them there at the same time. The chances of that should be negligible. "I used to think my naïve little liberal ass understood the plight of blacks in this country... I don't understand shit. I can't understand it. There's no one name anyone can call me that's loaded with four hundred years worth of hatred and bigotry... and I can't begin to imagine how it must feel to have one out there that can be used so freely by people. I never had any problem understanding how blacks could use that word among themselves. Not to equate the two situations, but Eddy and I called each other names we would've beaten the shit out of anyone else for calling us." "Well, I know you have a deep and abiding need to get stoned, Harry, but let's wait for them to get back... I'm thinking we all need the break... and after never smoking very much at all before I came here, I've missed it the past several days," Margo said. "Good God! Harry!" "What!" "Does this mean, after all these years, I'm finally not a Brain anymore, I'm a Stoner?" Harry laughed. "Yes my dear, you are now one of us. The many, the incoherent, the brain-fried... welcome to the Society of the Baked, Those Who Wear the Red Eyes, the Dope-Smoking Freaks! Just a few more degradations must I lure you into and you will be a complete and total bottom-feeding servant of Evil like myself!" He chuckled maniacally. "It's like I said, Margo, the drug use has destroyed his mind. Luckily we're made of stronger stuff than him," Carol said. "True. I kept praying he'd snap out of it... but now it's too late. He's fallen to the Drooling-Moron side of the Force. Tamara, I must apologize for my husband... he is not well." "It's alright Margo, I've seen this before. A perfectly normal and sane person driven to depravity and perversion by exposure to the demon marijuana... I hope they hurry home soon so we can smoke some." They all burst out in laughter. Margo got up from the table. "Tammy, you're going to fit in just fine around here. Come on, let me give you a tour of the house and show off what we're having done to it." As the two of them walked away Carol sighed and looked at Harry as he did his best drooling moron impression... which was frighteningly good. "Come on Igor, let's clean up some in here... if you're very good and don't break anything, I'll let you lick me between my legs." "Yes Caaaarooool... Igor like... Igor like!" Harry said as he followed behind her. ------- The truck and cars that pulled away from the apartment complex where Jessica had lived were filled with somber people. Eddy called the house and told them they were on their way. They arrived at the house and everyone helped Kelly and Jess take the boxes up to their new bedroom. Then they left them. As they were leaving Harry said, "There's sandwich makings and soup in the kitchen... we're gonna go get stoned. Y'all know you're free to join us or have some quiet alone time if that's what you need." "Thanks Harry, we'll see," Kelly said. After Harry shut the door she asked, "Are you going to be okay, Angel?" "Eventually... Mom and I haven't gotten along in years but when I started working at the Omni, was making my own money, contributing towards expenses, she seemed to be starting to chill some. And then this had to happen." "Baby, I'm so sorry-" "Kelly, don't. You have nothing to apologize for. I should be apologizing to you for the next hundred years for what a fucking piece of shit cow my mother is." "You don't apologize for her, not to me, not ever. You have no responsibility for what she said. You were behaving like an adult, your mother wasn't. I was very proud of you. I could see how angry you were." "Well thanks... Kelly... why'd you step in front of me and take that hit?" "Because you didn't deserve it... I was the one she wanted to hit, you knew it, I knew it, everyone there knew it. And because she had no business hitting you... I was protecting the woman I love... I like getting hit in the face by old cracker bitches... take your pick, I got a million of them." She smiled. "So what do you want to do now?" "Love you for the next couple of years at least... get clean... was he serious, they're going to be firing up a blunt downstairs?" "A blunt? My little delicious, delectable darling, blunts are so passé... they're going to be firing up the hookah! Let's hurry up with that shower... I could use a rinse as well." ------- Downstairs they heard one of the upstairs showers kick on. Eddy was already in the guest bath with Tamara. Harry was curled up between Margo's legs, rested his head on one of her thighs. "Have I told you lately, Carol my love, how glad I am that you suggested having a bigger water heater installed during the renovation?" Carol, who was laying back having a breast sucked by Margo, said, "No, not lately, but I'm thinking there's gonna be four people in this house real soon who wish it'd already been put in." As they lay naked almost dozing, they heard shouts from upstairs, followed by a cry and Eddy cursing downstairs. Soon they were joined in the candlelit living room by a disgruntled looking Eddy, naked but for a towel which, while of an appreciable size, didn't cover much of the man and Tamara, looking worlds better than she had when Harry first laid eyes on her, wearing a towel which, although the same size as Eddy's almost served her as a dress. Harry could see exactly what Phil had tried for in her look. Her armpits and pubic area were shaved and she looked like a well-developed underage girl... as if the Catholic schoolgirl outfit she'd been wearing hadn't been enough of a clue, he thought. "Are we waitin' for the Junior Lesbian Drum and Bugle Corps to show up before we fire up that bad boy?" Eddy asked. "Yeah, I think you'd better or I'm gonna open up a can o' whupass on you," Kelly answered as she came downstairs. "Besides you big escaped Sasquatch motherfucker, it's the Junior Bisexual Drum and Bugle Corps, although with that crack of yours, it might as well be lesbian for all of this pussy you're gonna see." "Oh, knowin' you Kelly, I'm gonna see it a lot... now, as to getting' any of it, well, that mighta been a problem, but now I have the world's loveliest, and most amenable, woman as my own and I'm afraid your feminine charms, enticin' as they are, just do not hold a candle." Eddy sat down on the floor and scooped a giggling Tamara into his arms. He burrowed his head through the edge of her towel, put his lips to the bare belly he'd exposed and blew a great, resounding raspberry on it. The peals of laughter that erupted from Tamara were such a beautiful sound that everyone was helpless to resist laughing along. The naked Kelly stood by her head as Eddy continued to make obnoxious noises on her belly. "Sister, do you wish the Junior Bisexual Drum and Bugle Corps to come to your aid and rescue you from this reprehensible man who is even now having his way with your sweet young tummy?" "N-n-n-n-no... I-I-I'm f-f-fine..." she gasped out. "I-I-I'm... being... punished." "Alright, then I shall shift realities and go sit with my liege Arthur, his Queen, Guinevere and our wizard Merlin." She looked at Jessica, who was somewhat self-consciously wrapped in a towel. "Come Lady Jessica, let us make ourselves comfortable, hopefully far away from that great belly-frapper Sir Edward and his poor unfortunate Lady Tamara." Sir Edward finally released the lovely and now quite naked Lady Tamara from his grasp. He gently wiped away her tears and when she went into a proper kneeling position, he pulled her out of it and into his arms, holding her close and cradling her as a miser would his gold. They sat down and Kelly looked at Harry and bowed her head, then raised it again. "My lord, we are assembled. In the parlance of that belly-frapper, Sir Edward, fire it up, if you would be so kind." The six hoses of the pipe were in use; Eddy looked at Tamara and offered her the tip. "No thank you Edward. I think the smoke in the air will be more than enough for me." "Do you not smoke?" "Not much... no real problem with it, just not something I've ever had much of a chance to do." "Would you like to?" "I guess... I gather you smoke quite a bit." "You could say that, yes, yes you could. Arthur, you could say I smoke quite a bit, couldn't you?" "Yes, yes, Sir Edward, you could say you smoke quite a bit... just as you could say that Lady Kay has a small exhibitionist streak, or that Merlin likes to be tied up once in a blue moon, or that I find my wife and Merlin mildly attractive. In that sense, one of massive understatement, you could say that Sir Edward smokes quite a bit." As Sir Edward gently reintroduced Lady Tamara to the fine recreation of dope smoking, Arthur lay between the legs of his Queen and stroked the thigh of his court magician. He thought to himself that even with the unfortunate reason for their return, it was good to be home. Yes, it was home where he, Guinevere and Merlin were, but this place, this land, this just made it even more so. He looked over at Lady Kay and her new paramour, Lady Jessica. What a hard night it had been for them both. They both had been tested and they both had risen to every challenge. Now it was time for them to relax and he was pleased to see that Lady Kay's powers of seduction had not failed her. The Lady Jessica's compromise with modesty was thrown to one side so her lover could more easily caress all of her. He could think of no lovelier way to spend time than in this good company, sharing the love of his friends and companions. Across from him Sir Edward's new Lady knelt next to him submissively, finally released from his arms, giving the illusion that he was in complete control. But her sweet dominance over him was unmistakable, and was to his benefit from all Arthur could see. His oldest friend deserved this happiness, if he would only allow himself to accept it as his own. Edward had his Tamara... Kay had her Jessica... Arthur, blessed above any man's deserving, had Guinevere and Merlin. As he drew on the pipe he knew it to be exhausted of unsmoked herb. He stood up. "The workmen will be coming far too early in the morning. Now that this bowl is smoked to the dregs, I suggest we all repair to our chambers and sleep while we may. Come my ladies, let us away." Guinevere and Merlin stood to join him and the three of them bowed to the assembled company and took their leave of them. Edward looked upon his fair Lady and found her to be... sleepy. Not surprising at all, really. He lifted her in his arms and stood, effortlessly. "Kay, Jessica, we also take our leave of you. Sleep well, the first night you are together in your new home." He bowed, somewhat carefully, and headed for the guest room. "Kel- Kay, are all of you mad? Has some spell robbed you all of your senses?" "Jessica, my Lady most fair... if this be a curse... if such a company as this, our circle, be a curse, then all should be as damned as we. If the love, one for another, that we share, evident in word and in deed, be some foul spell, then may we witches daily offend. If the joy of slipping into romance's heroic tales makes us appear mad, then may Camelot have padded walls. "To play together with just one other is a gift much rarer than gold, how precious then to play with many? Our inner children frolic in the sun together while our outer adults engage in their passions and desires. "My love, you have lost much tonight... mayhap this is a small glimpse of what you have gained and may it soften your loss and stay your tears. But even if it is not so, let us go up together, and if you must cry then I shall kiss your tears from your face and if you need laughter I shall revel in it like rain from the heavens." "You are extraordinary, Lady Kay," Jessica said, love shining from her eyes and bathing Kay's face. Kay reached over and stroked her love's face. "My love, are you sure you do not flatter me merely to entice me to quench your lust?" She smiled devilishly. "I am sure I do not do so... but since you have mentioned it..." "Yes, let us ascend to our tower chamber." ------- Chapter 18 First thing in the morning the entire household was awakened to knocking on the front door. Harry rolled out of bed, threw on a pair of pants and answered the door. It turned out that he and Eddy were parked in the driveway and had to move so machinery could get into the back yard. "Gawddamn motherfuckin' workmen couldn't wait till 10 o'clock like any normal slackin' off cocksuckers, no, their asses had to be here before 8 gawddamn AM in the fuckin' morning." "Eddy, I guess I better fix you some coffee before you go eat some of the workmen and I have to pay you to put in the pool and renovate our bathroom," Harry said. "Fuckin' A, buddy," Eddy said, heading for the guest bath. As he relieved himself, Theresa came in and began washing her face. "Theresa, start thinking where you want me to take you for breakfast." "Yes, Edward." She turned and smiled at him, her face covered in soap suds. "And then you'll show me our new place?" "Yes, precious one, and then I'll show you our new place." In the kitchen Harry watched out the window as the crews and equipment began working. Both sides of the coffee-maker were going and the divine smell was already wafting through the house. He had to go in to the office, even though Mondays were one of his new days off on the reduced schedule. For the schedule to work, they needed an Executive Director and interviewing of applicants was beginning that day. In the bedroom, Margo looked at her suits as she decided what to wear. Her day was going to be spent looking for a family practice clinic that would take her on, as well as a cosmetic surgery practice that would let her work out of their offices one day a week. She knew neither would be too hard to find; the number of doctors willing to go into family practice was dwindling and her reputation as a cosmetic surgeon would make her welcome almost anywhere. "Will Madam require help in dressing?" Carol asked. Margo turned and kissed her pet. "No, beautiful, no help dressing... but I am spending the day with my professional peers so I'm thinking that when I get home tonight I'll probably need a screaming orgasm or two and several stiff drinks. Think my wonderful husband could help me out with those?" "Margo," Carol said, smiling, "if he's too tired to take care of you I certainly will... but I can't imagine him ever being too tired to make love to you." Carol grabbed a t-shirt and shorts from her closet and dressed. She faced the day with something of a sense of dread. She was planning on examining her bequest from Tony and knew that bittersweet.memories would haunt her though the whole process. For him to leave her his music... it was a very special thing he'd done. By the end of the day she was pretty sure she'd need a few stiff drinks herself. Upstairs Kelly woke up hearing the pounding on the door to find Jessica next to her. That was enough to make her rude awakening worth it. "Hello, beautiful" "Good morning, my sweet, sexy Jess. You look good enough to eat." "Can it wait till I pee first?" "Hmmm, maybe, if you hurry... otherwise you'll just to have to hold it." "I'll hurry," Jess said, giggling as she scampered off to the bathroom. Kelly thought about her day. She worked from 10 till 5. She'd probably have Jess come along when she went in and apply. She didn't think there'd be a problem, especially if she put in a good word with Mrs. Cao. She'd been driving for them for two years, the most senior driver in a stable whose members rarely lasted more than three months. She and the Cao's were, well, not friends, but they were certainly friendly. By the time Jess got back, two things had distracted Kelly's desire... her need to hit the bathroom herself and the aroma of coffee coming up from downstairs. She was saved from having to admit the embarrassing truth by Jess. "Kelly, it's not that I don't want your head between my legs, but that coffee just smells too good to wait for." She smiled at Jess. "I was just thinking the same thing, lover. Let's talk more about sex after some caffeine." In the kitchen Harry had been joined by Eddy and Tamara. She had barely started on her first cup while Eddy was already pouring his second. A naked Kelly came barreling down the stairs. "Harry, unless you want me to turn my attack-trained girlfriend loose on your nuts there better be enough coffee there for me." She spun into the kitchen, saw the second pot, untouched, as Harry started another brew cycle for the first pot. "God love you, Harry, you are a wise, compassionate and very handsome man," she said, giving him a kiss on the cheek. "Good morning Sasquatch, Miss Tamara, how are you today?" Tammy smiled, "Fine, thank you." Eddy growled, "You come down here naked and bellowin' for coffee, talkin' to me like you're Karen Jr., callin' me 'Sasquatch'... why the hell don't I pick you up and throw you out back, let them workmen take care of you?" "First off, you hairy nightmare of the gene pool, because I'd fuck them all into submission. Second, I'd tell them there was a big ol' boy in here who said if he couldn't whup all their asses at once, he'd pay 'em each a thousand dollars." "You are an evil, evil woman, Kelly, and if I weren't so fond of you, I might have to have you killed." "You're too chickenshit to do it yourself, Eddy?" "Hello Kelly, I sit in the 'crazy, not stupid' section." The kitchen broke out in laughter. Harry said, "This round to Kelly." Kelly sat down next to Tamara and kissed her on the cheek. "You are looking so much better than you did a couple of nights ago. It's hard for me to believe that a few regular meals could make this much difference." Tamara cut her eyes up to Eddy. "Well, that's not all that made the difference." Kelly winked at her. "I know, but don't tell him that or he'll be impossible to live with. He'll start thinking he's in charge and shit." Carol came in. "Harry, please tell me you love me enough..." He pointed to the second pot. She squealed and ran to give him a big hug and kiss. "Anything you want, Harry, anything, you just name it," she said. Harry gave her a long hug and a kiss in return. "I have everything I want, precious," he said. Jess had been upstairs, worrying about to what to wear. Last night, tired and horny and stoned, a towel or naked had been okay, but things were different in the light of day. Finally she'd decided on a pair of shorts and a t-shirt and headed down, hoping against hope that there was coffee left. She walked into the kitchen. "Harry, please tell me-" Raising his voice Harry said, "Alright, time for an announcement!" Turning to face the assembled crowd, he continued. "I am in a house with six women, any one of whom could fuck and/or beat me to death, Tamara included. The only other male in the house is a great hulking bear of a man who would ass-rape the Pope while ripping the raw flesh off live children with his teeth if that's what it took to get coffee. I love you all, and I love me in one piece. Worry not, there will always be coffee and if you should, by some freak of timing, come in when there's not a pot ready, I know exactly how long the procedure takes. From start to finish, dry pot to full steaming pot, four minutes twenty-three seconds," he said, grinning at them. Everyone looked at him, slightly stunned. Then Jess said, "Harry, have you considered switching to decaf? You seem a little testy." In the bedroom Margo heard the laughter, loud and prolonged, from the kitchen and wondered what she was missing. By the time she'd finished dressing and made it to the kitchen, the smell of breakfast tacos were filling the house. As she stepped through the door Eddy turned to her. "Whatever the fuck you do, don't ask if there's any coffee... Harry's liable to go berserk and start humpin' the teakettle." "Well, is there-" "YES!" the room answered in unison. She went to the coffee pot and poured herself a cup. "Well, since we're all together, I have a surprise I've been saving. I think Benjie tried to take a drive in his Diablo. I've got voice mail from him... haven't listened to it yet, figured it might be good for a laugh." While Harry finished making breakfast for everyone, the story of the Diablo and the bed was relayed to those who didn't know it. "Y'know Margo, you're just a gawddamn evil bitch... if I didn't have Tamara, I could fall in love with a woman like you." As everyone gathered around the table and ate she played the message Benjamin had left. "Very funny, Margo... the Diablo model kit was a particularly nice touch. I hope you're enjoying your new bed, you fucking bitch." The voice on the message was calm... hateful, but calm. "That was most unusual," Margo said. "I expected incoherent screaming and death threats." Eddy looked troubled. "Yeah, that's what I was expecting too. You say that's unusual for Benjamin?" "Yeah, when he gets upset everybody knows about it. Small screaming man making everybody's, and I do mean everybody's life a living hell." "Is Benjamin a violent man?" Eddy asked, as he stared off into space. "No, he'd threaten and bully, but he was too scared to really do anything. Benjamin is a small and ineffectual man in a world of people who can kick the shit out of him. I've never worried about Benjamin doing anything physical." "I'll be right back," Eddy said as he headed for the front door. Harry walked to the bedroom to dress for work and Carol followed him in. "Sir, from now on I'll make breakfast on work days." "Why? I thought the breakfast tacos turned out well." "Oh, they did, Harry, but as the lady of the house cooking is part of my job. You and Margo have work to worry about. If you want to get in there on days when you're not going in to the office I'll gladly let you, you're a damn fine cook. But please let me do it on days you have other things to worry about." "Have I told you lately you're one of the two people I adore above all others?" She hugged him again. "Not today, sir, and although I love hearing it, you don't have to. I know it. You demonstrate your love a thousand different ways, every day, without even thinking about it." "Well, I'm going to keep telling you... mmm... and if you don't stop rubbing your delectable body against me, I'm going to be late to work for a very good reason." He smiled and patting her on the butt, shooed her out of the bedroom as he returned to dressing. After he was ready for work he went in the kitchen to get a last cup of coffee. Eddy came in from outside and found Margo and Harry still in the kitchen. "Margo, Harry, I need you to trust me." "Of course Eddy, what?" "Margo, when someone who might be considered a threat starts acting in a way contrary to their usual behavior, security people get nervous. It's a sign that they're no longer predictable and we like predictability. We like it a lot. Ninety-nine times out of a hundred, if a subject is behaving in a way consistent with their normal behavior patterns, there's absolutely nothing to worry about. That one out of a hundred, well, those are the ones that give us a nightmares. Do you know what we consider the threat likelihood of a subject behaving in an atypical manner?" "No clue, Eddy." "Seventy-five percent... a three out of four probability that the subject's going to do something we really don't want him to. Your soon-to-be-ex-husband is acting in an atypical manner and that worries me." "Eddy, are you aware that when you speak in a professional capacity the quality of your use of the language improves dramatically?" "Yes, Harry, yes I am. I'm not a retarded Neanderthal; I just play one during most of my life." "Alright, so you view Benjamin as a threat. What do you want me to do?" Margo asked. He handed her a small black object with metal prongs at one end. "This is a stun gun. Any time you leave the house and aren't in the car or in a building, I want it in your right hand. Make sure that the strap is around your wrist whenever you're carrying it. This model has a pin arrangement. Someone rips it out of your hand, the strap pulls a pin out of the bottom of the unit that disables it so they can't use it on you. If someone behaves in a threatening manner towards you, you jam the prong side into them and press here. Keep it triggered till he goes down. If you have more than one assailant, use this." He handed her a can labeled 'Mace Brand Triple Action Pepper Spray'. "This stuff is a mixture of pepper spray, tear gas and a UV marking agent. There's enough for thirty-eight one-second bursts and it's got an 8 foot range. Whenever you're out in public, I want the stun gun in your right hand and your left hand in your pocket next to this can." He handed her a whistle on a chain. "Wear this around your neck at all times. When, and only when, you have your assailant or assailants down, put the whistle in your mouth and blow for all you're worth, while you're running away. Don't ever forget that last part. Find people, find a building, find a place to safely use your cell phone and call the police. Then call me. Then call Harry. "Now Margo, honey, I want you to be very, very aware of your surrounding at all times. Don't be walking along, lost in thought. Don't get out your keys and prepare to get in your car until you're sure the area around you is secure. Tonight I'm going to have Perry and Bevy back over here for you to meet them. They'll be shadowing you until Harry and I feel that there's no longer a threat to you from Benjamin. Please try not to get too nervous and inadvertently mistake them for someone stalking you." She laughed. "I'll try not to mace your boys, Eddy, but even with him acting, how did you put it, 'atypically', I don't think the little chickenshit will do anything. But I will certainly follow your instructions anyway... I'd hate to have to deal with you and my husband if I didn't and I was wrong." "I'm going to be tailing you today. Sorry Theresa; we'll have to go by the new place tonight." "That's fine, Edward. This is more important. I understand that completely and I agree with you. I'll stay here and catch up with Carol." ------- The week passed uneventfully for the household, in spite of Harry and Eddy's fears. Eddy and Tamara were moved into their new apartment. True to her word, she had loved it and was happily making a home for her beloved owner. Their shopping trips had revealed that their tastes in furniture were remarkably similar: simple and functional. Margo had found a family practice clinic that was more than happy to have her. Her Wednesdays were going to be spent at the third most prestigious cosmetic surgery practice in the state. Margo was going to hate Wednesdays, but the contacts she'd make would be worth it... she hoped. Jessica had indeed been hired on at Lotus Hunan. As a new driver she got the shit shifts and Kelly, already working days Monday thru Wednesday, went ahead and gave up her Friday and Saturday night shifts for Thursday and Friday days so they could work the same hours. With help from Jess and Kelly when they were available, most of Carol had spent most of her week shifting their room into the old office, the old office into the downstairs guest room, and Tony's gift to her into Harry's old bedroom where Kelly and Jess had been. She'd been studiously ignoring his bequest otherwise, even the envelope with her name on it in his handwriting. She just wasn't ready to deal with it yet. Harry and Karen's week had been one of frustration. It would require a special sort of person with a special sort of temperament to fit in at Grimes & Pinard. So far they were having absolutely no luck finding that person. Five days of interviews with some very qualified people had failed to find anyone who could handle the divine insanity that was G&P running at its best. Friday night found everyone meeting at Micky & Miguel's, an Irish pub and Tex-Mex restaurant on Austin Blvd. Margo had done her best den mother impersonation and called ahead to reserve a room. Margo felt sure she'd be first to arrive but when she was shown to the room she was greeted by Eddy and Tamara. The two of them were deep into some Micky's-style appetizers, soda bread and small bowls of lamb stew. "Margo me darlin', come have a seat and start thinkin' about what you'll be wantin' to drink," Eddy said in a passable growl of an Irish accent. "Sorry Eddy, I'm going south of the border tonight, not across the Atlantic," she replied, grabbing a seat. Eddy looked sadly at Tamara. "What can I say? She's a heathen." He picked up his Guinness, Tamara picked up her Harp. "Fuck the English!" they said in unison and drank. Margo marveled at the change in Tamara. Most people, presented with a photo of the woman taken one week before when she'd been almost carried into Chez Bubba's and one taken tonight wouldn't have believed they were the same person. The hollows in her face had filled out, her whole demeanor spoke of happiness and contentment, she moved with confidence. Her deference to Eddy and the leather collar and wrist cuffs she wore did nothing to diminish her air of self-assuredness. In fact, they seemed to be an integral part of her happiness with herself. The waitress came in and Margo ordered an appetizer of quesadillas and two shots of Cuervo Especial and a Miguel's Martini as a chaser. The Miguel's Martini was a top shelf margarita of surpassing smoothness, worthy of its reputation as 'medicinal'. "Eddy, is there any reason why Perry and Bevy can't join us for supper this evening?" Margo asked. "I can certainly call and ask them." Eddy pulled out his cell and soon had Perry on the line. After he hung up he said, "They'll be here in about a half hour. I had told them I was meeting you here, so they went off duty once you were safely inside. They were going to a showing of some film at the Alamo Drafthouse tonight, but the mention of me picking up the tab for supper changed their minds." "That's lovely Eddy, but I'm picking up the tab and if you argue, I'm going to have Kelly do vile things to you." "Okay, I'm not going to argue." Harry arrived next, looking frazzled, with Carol in tow. He kissed his wife, very thoroughly. "You look fried. What's wrong, my love?" Margo asked. "This is nothing. I was much worse before I stopped by the house to grab our pet. The heavenly hand job our darling gave me while we were driving over has calmed me down considerably." The waitress who had followed them in looked somewhat shocked at such conversation. Harry turned to her. "I need a plate of scones with butter, not clotted cream, a shot... no, make it two shots of Tullamore Dew with a Bass Ale, please." Carol sat down next to Margo and scooted her chair close. "I'll have a platter of Miguel's Eggroll Burritos and a Miguel's Martini please." She hugged Margo and snuggled up close to her. Harry sat down on Margo's other side. "This interviewing process is making us all crazier than shithouse rats at a broccoli festival. Everyone we've talked to has been more than qualified on the business end and nowhere near qualified on the personal end. The last person we interviewed today actually got offensive and belligerent about the way G&P operates. I thought Karen was going to deck her!" "There, there, my darling. You and Sappho will work something out. I have faith in the two of you. Are she and Trish showing up this evening?" "Oh yes, with bells on, according to what Trish told Karen. She evidently had such a wonderful time last weekend, she's been very anxious to get together with all of us again. I'm getting the feeling that in controlled circumstances Patricia is a bit of an exhibitionist. I was figuring on inviting everyone back to the house after supper." "Works for me... Eddy, did you have any luck with that purchase I asked you to make?" "Yes Margo, I got y'all more pot." "You are a gift from God, Eddy. Isn't that right, Tamara?" "Yes ma'am. He is indeed." The small woman leaned over and buried her face in Eddy's chest, breathing in deeply. "You are, Edward. Whether you ever want to believe it or not, you are." The big man leaned down and kissed her. Next to arrive were Jess and Kelly, fresh off their weekday shift, smelling of sweat and Chinese food. "Good God Almighty," Kelly exclaimed, "I'd have thought it was a Saturday night as busy as we were today." "Thank God tips were good or I might've had to hurt you badly for getting me this job," Jess said, sinking into a chair. "I'm so tired I could go to sleep sitting here." "Well, with Harry and Margo's permission, after we get home tonight I'll oil you both down and give you massages before I send you to bed," Carol said. Harry and Margo were fine with that plan. Jess and Kelly placed their order for an appetizer of El Grande Nachos and frozen margaritas. The two of them leaned against each other as they slumped in their chairs. Karen and Patricia came in. "Harry, one of two things needs to happen real soon," Patricia said. "Either summer needs to end or you need to have your pool magically finished. I have a desperate need to cool off and swimming naked sounds like a perfect way to do it." "Well, I think the odds of either happening anytime soon are rather slim but I'll see what I can do," Harry replied. "DYKE!" roared Eddy. "Do you know that your low opinion of, and disrespectful behavior towards me has rubbed off on Kelly, turning her from a polite and well-mannered young lady into crude and boisterous shrew where I'm concerned?" Karen looked at Kelly, a serious look on her face. "Is this true?" "I'm afraid so, Karen," Kelly replied, her face a mask of somber reflection. Karen broke out in a wide grin. "Fantastic, glad to have been able to help make Eddy's life a little more interesting! Oh, Eddy, by the way, your mother called, said you need to come home and give her a hand. Your daddy was diggin' an escape tunnel and burrowed straight into the septic tank. It's made a terrible mess." "Yeah, I imagine it would, 'specially after your family showed up thinking that smell meant there was a barbeque happening. Speaking of your family, when are you gonna treat your mama right and get her a set of dentures? Poor woman don't have a tooth in her head. I mean, I don't mind, makes them blow jobs she gives me real good but I can't hardly stand to listen to her talk." "That's funny, I can understand her just fine, even when she's talkin' about the pitiful size of your dick and laughin' so hard she can barely breathe. I think she just talks that way to watch the stupid, uncomprehending look on your face... no, wait, that can't be it, that's there all the time." "Nah, it's not there all the time, just when I'm around you and your family. I keep tryin' to figger out if y'all's intellectual development is stunted because of inbreeding or is your family tree just a whole passel of stupid people? Inquiring minds want to know." "Well at least my family isn't full of Sasquatch like yours is!" "This round definitely goes to Eddy," Harry said. Eddy came around the table and he and Karen went into three point stances. As they crashed together Perry and Bevy were shown in. "Well hell Eddy," Perry said, "if'n we'd know we was comin' to a wrasslin' match we'd'a brought my cousin, Boudreaux. He's a tiny feller, only about six foot three, but he's three hundred 'n' fifty pounds o' pure mean swamp-water swillin', cousin-lovin', gator-fuckin' muscle. We coulda had us some fightin' then." "What, you don't think I can take this oversized red-assed baboon?" Karen grunted as she fought to move the big man. "Oh no ma'am, that's not it at all!" Perry replied. "I figger you're gonna whup Eddy's flabby ass in about another minute or so and then what we gonna do for entertainment?" Eddy and Karen both broke out laughing and decided to call their physical show down a draw. Karen sat down with her love and they agreed to split an order of bangers and boxty cakes while Karen ordered a Guinness and Trish a Black & Tan. Perry and Bevy were introduced to the few they hadn't met yet and settled in to look at a menu. "It appears," Eddy said, "that we're all doing appetizers and drinking some before ponderin' supper too seriously." "Works for me," Perry said, "what about you, Bevy?" Bevy nodded. "Ma'am," Perry said, "I'd like the Chorizo Quesadillas with jalapenos and a Dos Equis. What do you want, Bevy?" The young man pointed to two items on the menu. "He'll have a rampaging yuppy wimp beer, I'm sorry; I mean a Corona, and an order of your Habanero Hell Nachos. Better bring two or three rampaging yuppy wimp beers." The silent Bevy whapped him on the back of the head. ------- "so there were seven of us; me, Harry, Cathy Breeden, Margie Delgado, Tommy Sampson, Maggie Sampson and Tanya Svoboda, sprawled out in the back of Jeannie Sampson's truck in a big ol' pile, we're trippin' to the stars and back on peyote buttons, all of us naked as the day we were born because hey, it seemed the thing to do at the time. Jeannie was sitting on the side of the bed, playin' ground control when way down the road she sees a set of lights and it looks like a spotlight shining around. She figures it's Billy 'Beaner' Seidel, our county sheriff, patrolling the back roads on a Friday night as he was prone to do. Ol' Billy got his nickname by turnin' a blind eye to the illegals various businesses in the county had hired for a little contribution to the Billy Seidel retirement fund. Yeah, this was back in the days long before political correctness. Anyway, Jeannie starts to freak 'cause she knows there's no way she can talk her way out of a truck bed full of naked trippin' teen and tweenagers, 'specially seein' as she was thirty-eight at the time and two of 'em were her kids and I at least always strongly suspected one or two others of 'em were lovers of her's. Jeannie was a hippy that the sixties never quite ended for, ya see. So she tells us all to hold on, which sounded a lot more cosmic given the state we were in, and she jackrabbits off down the road. "Now, it wasn't Billy behind us when she took off... but it sure as hell was Billy she went rip-assin' by doin' about fifty with me and Harry holdin' Tommy Sampson's hands as he stood in the back of the truck, pissin' over the tailgate. He'd said he had to go and nobody wanted him pissin' back there with us so we held on to him tight, he slowly got to his feet and just started sprayin' the road behind us. I think Jeannie was so intent on the road ahead she never even noticed. "Billy did though. "So now there's Billy, roarin' along behind us, playin' that gawddamn spot back and forth across the trees, the road, the truck, us... and in Jeannie's mirrors. Tommy decides to double flip ol' Billy off, so he jerks his hands out from ours and the only reason he didn't turn up a hood ornament for Billy was Margie. She'd gotten on her knees at the back to see what was going on and wrapped her big ol' arms around his fool ass and yanked him back down, both of 'em going backwards into the bed of the truck. Margie's head slams down on Cathy's belly and Cathy sprays out the piss we managed to avoid with Tommy." "Let me get this straight, Eddy, 'cause this is one story Harry didn't tell me when I got back to school from Spring Break that year," Karen said. "You weren't sleeping with Jeannie, and I'll assume for the sake of argument it wasn't Tommy... you mention suspecting one or two others were lovers of hers... Harry?" "Oh, no suspicion necessary," Harry replied. "If she hadn't moved to Oregon to join the Sheep's Ass Commune or whatever they called it, I'd still be happy to bed her... although I'd probably have to get the permission of my wife and my pet, if they hadn't crawled into bed with her while my back was turned. She had that whole 'Earth Mother' thing going and I've spent many happy hours 'becoming one' with her, as she put it. Plus she always had beaucoup mighty fine dope and was very generous with it... hell, we'd smoke during sex. I just wish my relationships with her, and with Cathy, hadn't waited until I was in college. I sure could've used the sex during high school" "No shit," Eddy said, "who among us couldn't have?" "So the other you suspect, Eddy, would be?" Karen asked. "Tanya... she spent a lot of time out there, supposedly helping to finish out the upstairs of that A-frame, but I never saw much progress on that project. I just know that if I showed up while Tanya was out there I'd get the pleasure of watching Jeannie get dressed in a leisurely fashion and after some thumpin' and such, Tanya would appear, fully clothed, generally from the corner room where Jeannie slept." "Harry, did you ever see evidence of Tanya having a relationship with Jeannie?" Eddy inquired. "Well shit, it's all water under the bridge... hell yeah they were having a relationship. As much time as I spent out there, I never doubted it in the least... but Tanya wasn't into multiple partners... damn it... although Jeannie wouldn't have cared, and so if she showed up, I made myself scarce. "And I'll tell you something else for free," Harry continued. "I'm not at all sure that there wasn't something going on between Maggie and Tommy and their mother. I never saw anything but circumstantial evidence, but there was beaucoup circumstantial evidence. "But anyway, enough worrying about the sexual practices of people who aren't here... this was Eddy's story about a chase." "Yeah, so Cathy pees all over Margie's back and with the wind whippin' around in the back of the truck, we're pretty much all gettin' our fair share as well. The County Sheriff is on our ass like 'syphilitic whore' on Karen's mama-" WHAP! "-Ow! And all we've got to outrun Billy in is Jeannie's truck, which had seen its better days about 10 years before. On back roads, mostly straight, there was really no way to lose him. So Jeannie did the only thing she could and headed into town. We're tearin' up the old River Road and we hit the place where it started bein' paved and Jeannie cuts to her right and then we're headin' north into the East side of town, back in the day when that was the barrio. A truckload of white people, and Margie, runnin' away from Sheriff Billy 'Beaner' Seidel, into the barrio in the middle of the night... it was some kind of 'not fun', lemme tell ya. Jeannie's cuttin' corners, drivin' through yards, Billy gradually fallin' a little behind, yellin' through his bullhorn 'cause he never got lights and siren hooked up to his own car Every vato and chica that's up that time of night, sittin' out on the porch, havin' a beer with friends or hangin' out, they've all got trackside seats for the race." "The important thing to remember through all of this," Harry interjected, "is that although Eddy's telling it as a straight narrative, there was nothing straight about it. We were all tripping balls to the wall and nobody was really sure what was happening. I would've sworn to you, under oath, if I could've stopped giggling long enough to swear to anything, that we were being chased by Captain Kangaroo and I'm damn sure I remember spending a lot of the chase trying to convince everyone that we should slow down and let the Captain catch up with us because I was sure that Bunny Rabbit was gonna dump ping pong balls on us and that would've been just too cool. Other than the peeing incident I don't think Cathy ever stopped stroking her belly and occasionally diddling herself while staring at the stars. Maggie was all the time talking to someone under her breath, sounded like maybe she was talking to God, trying to get Him to explain why one of her tits was bigger than the other. I never figured out what the fuck trip Tommie was on, but it evidently involved repeating 'Now you know and knowing is half the battle... G.I. Joe!' over and over... even when, later in the night, Cathy was riding on his dick. And Margie was desperate for someone to lick her pussy, kept saying that would 'turn the lights up', whatever that meant." "Yeah," Eddy continued, "my trip was mostly just pretty lights and colors, some sound distortion. Where Harry saw Captain Kangaroo though, I knew it was Sheriff Billy and I just wanted to get my hands on him and pay him back for the interesting time my cousin Ray had while a guest of his at the county jail. I was sure I could close on him before he could shoot me and then I was gonna stretch his asshole just like those punks had stretched Ray's. "So all of a sudden Margie remembers that her cousin Ernesto lives around there somewhere and opens up the sliding window between the bed and the cab and sticks her head in to give directions to Jeannie. "Now we're roarin' through the barrio with two hundred and somthin' pounds of naked Mexican American woman half-standin' in the bed of the truck. We end up going around blocks multiple times and doin' one-eighties in cul-de-sacs and all sorts of maneuvers while she tries to get it straight in her head where Ernesto's is and then communicate that to Jeannie. At the same time, Billy's hangin' with us. I'm not sure what the fuck he thought he was followin' but he for gawddamn sure wasn't lettin' go of it, whatever the fuck it was. "Finally Jeannie managed to shake him for a bit by cuttin' down an alley and then ziggin' through a series o' yards till we ended up about three streets away from him, near as we could figger. Turned out by fortuitous circumstance we were only a couple of blocks away from Ernesto's, once Margie got her bearings and quit tryin' to plant her deep and hairy on top of Maggie's head. Maggie was sitting with her back to the front of the cab you see. We pull into Ernesto's drive way, Margie hopped out and started bangin' on the door. Make a long story a little shorter, we spent a good chunk of the rest of the evening sitting in his kids' above ground pool, enjoying our trip and foolin' around. Jeannie's license plates was so caked with mud an' shit you couldn't have read 'em if your life depended on it and ol' Billy's hadn't. But Jeannie was still paranoid so the next morning we all piled in the back of Ernesto's pickup, and he drove us back out to Jeannie's place where we got our shit together and went home. Two days later Jeannie's truck showed up back at her place sportin' a pretty new paint job and she stopped sweatin' so much about good ol' Sheriff Billy. "That's the story of the first time Harry and I ever did peyote." ------- After dinner everyone but Perry and Bevy were headed back to the house. "You sure you don't want to come over?" Harry asked as they all stood in the parking lot. "No sir," Perry answered, "we still got time to get to the Drafthouse for the 10 PM showing of 'Rutabagas and Razor Blades'." "Do I even want to ask?" "It's the seminal Punk-Vegan film by Concertina Wire, one of the most experimental of the post-Punk Punk filmmakers. Her later works including 'Carrot Fuck, Carrot Stab' and the 'Bend Over, Buddha' trilogy have been recognized at film festivals the world over. They just try to keep her away from the festivals themselves since she generally ends up making some kind of protest that involves blood, vegetables, nudity and violence. She's gonna be at the showing tonight doing a Q & A after the film and signing copies of her new book 'Eating the Flesh of Your Enemies And Remaining Vegan: Punk in the Age of Dubya.'. Bevy's hoping she'll carve her autograph on his flesh." "She's my hero," said a low but pleasant voice with a gentle East Texas twang. Everyone but Perry and Eddy looked in wonder at Bevy. "Well, she is," he said, somewhat defensively. ------- Once everyone had arrived at the house, Margo made a point of collecting car keys from Eddy and Karen. "Look, Eddy and Tamara can take the guest bed downstairs, although they'll have to wind their way in through the office stuff while Karen and Patricia can take Nikki's old room upstairs. If Harry and I have our way, nobody's going to be in any shape to drive by the end of the evening and we'd feel safer if y'all just stayed." "Not a problem for me and the tiny precious one," Eddy said. "We were planning on crashing over anyway since I'm going to get mega-stoned." "Well, as long as you let Liz and I fix you breakfast in the morning, we don't have a problem, do we honey?" Patricia said. "No, but sooner or later, someone's gonna need to make a run to the grocery," Karen replied. "I might as well do it now before anyone starts partaking of illicit pharmaceuticals. "HARRY! Do you realize I'm about to be exposed, full blast, to the evil and depraved drug use I managed to avoid the entire time you and I lived together?" "Yes, Sappho my love, and while outwardly I am calm and tranquil, inside I'm giggling my motherfucking ass off!" "Harry, I may have to beat you. Does anyone need anything else from the store? "No? "Then off to H.E.B. I go! See y'all in a bit with breakfast feast makings," Karen said as she headed out the door. Kelly and Jess headed upstairs to hit the shower and everyone else got comfortable. Patricia walked over to an odd looking piece of furniture. It was two adjustable, padded chairs in reclining positions, facing in opposite directions, facing each other, one over the other. The arms, foot supports and head rests of each had places to attach straps or other forms of restraints. The upper chair had even more restraint points including the thighs and across the chest and abdomen. "Margo, what in the world is this chair for?" "Trish, imagine yourself in the upper chair. Now imagine Karen in the lower. Roughly where is her face in relation to your body?" "Right in my crotch... ooooh... I like that... I gather all the adjustability is for comfort?" "Right you are. One night this last week I came home desperately needing release. Harry was willing but tired himself. I got in the upper, he got in the lower, adjusted it and he licked my pussy for a little over two hours without his muscles cramping up or getting a crick in his neck. Now, his tongue was a wee bit tired, but he said compared to what would've been tired and spasming if we'd done that without the chair, it was a small price to pay." "And the holes and such?" "Places to attach O-rings and D-rings for restraints... you can secure the bottom in place so they can't escape you putting your crotch in their face or you can far more securely restrain the top so there's no escape from your oral, or other, attentions. Carol's strapped me down in the upper and fucked me senseless with a strap-on. I was comfortable, but I couldn't get away and I couldn't move. I wanted so much to touch her and kiss her but I was helpless. It's an interesting feeling." "Uh, would you mind if Liz and I tried it at some point tonight?" "Just obey the house rule, put a towel down and clean up after yourselves. We won't mind at all. We can even loan you some straps if you'd like to try those." "Uh, no thanks, not on a first test drive... although the thought of being strapped in on bottom with Liz forcing me to eat her... yep, I'm wet." "You have a bit of a submissive streak, don't you Patricia?" Patricia looked at her, eyebrows raised. "Geez, ya think?" she asked, sarcastically, a smile on her face. The two women laughed together as they settled into the cushions on the living room floor. Eddy came out of the guest bedroom carrying Tamara in his arms. He was wearing a pair of black silk boxer shorts, covered with tiny red hearts while she was clothed in nothing more than what God had given her at birth. "Day-um Eddy... not only do you now wear underwear but you're stylin' as well," Margo exclaimed. "Yeah, figgered if I was gonna associate with hedonists, nudists and other depraved perverts I might want to at least start the evening with a touch of modesty. And Theresa here thought these looked best on me." "He's still a little shy," Tamara said, reaching down to run her hand along Eddy's leg, "but if all it takes to make him comfortable is some silk, I'll gladly caress him while he wears it." "Oh shit, my woman's a little hedonist too," Eddy said in mock horror. "Ahyup, sure enough," she said in a ludicrous impersonation of Eddy. As they all laughed, Margo got up. "If you will excuse me, I'm going to go see what's keeping my husband and our pet... although I have a pretty good idea," she said, smiling and winking at Eddy. "If you want to, Eddy, fire up the pipe. Otherwise, you know where the booze is, please, everyone, help yourselves... this may take a bit." Margo walked into the bedroom to find about what she'd expected. Carol and Harry making love in the middle of the bed, her on her back, him on top. "Is this a private party or can anyone join in?" she asked. "Not... anyone... Madam... just... you..." Carol panted. "Yeah honey... you know... you're welcome..." Harry added. "Just checking," Margo said as she climbed on the bed, straddled Carol's body and lowered her pussy to her pet's waiting mouth. She entwined her arms and Carol's, gripping the woman tightly. "Eat me, Baby Girl." "Yes... Madam." Harry gazed into his wife's eyes as their pet started to work her magic on her. There was nothing but love and joy there... well, those and a lot of lust right at the moment. "Yeah... I came in here... realized I was very horny... figured I'd better do something about it... or else I might've ended up... humping Eddy..." he said. "Ummm," she moaned, "I understand completely. And after all, what's a pet for if not relief at such times?" The squeal of joy from Carol heralded her first orgasm. As the woman's body shimmied and shook she redoubled her efforts to bring her Madam pleasure. Margo leaned forward as her inner tension rose towards exploding and kissed her husband. Between the orgasmic spasms of the pussy he was so delightfully buried in and the feel of his wife's lips and tongue playing with his, Harry was helpless to stop his own climax. Although he wouldn't have thought it possible, he managed to sink even deeper inside Carol as his orgasm shook him like an electric shock. He slipped out of her and crawled backwards, and then around behind his wife. "Bend over, my love," he said. "Ummm, double the fun," she purred. After she had readjusted herself to a position on her hands and knees that was comfortable for her, Carol resumed licking and sucking at Margo's clit while Harry began to kiss and lick her asshole. As Margo's nipples relished their brushing across Carol's belly, she reflected, in a rather disjointed fashion, that there were a lot of people in the world who had no business in a multiple partner relationship. There were times where, if she were less secure in the love she and Carol had for each other, she'd certainly be one of them. But oh the joys they were missing... two mouths... four hands... thank God she was in love and loved by these two wonderful people. She lowered her head to Carol's warm, wet mound and began to return the favor. Her nose filled with the scent of Carol's juices and her husband's cum as she licked and nibbled, losing herself in the act of loving and being loved. Her husband's tongue thrust into her asshole as her pet's tongue thrust into her cunt. She sucked and pulled at Carol's clit with her lips, moaning deep in her throat as she felt her control lessening and then she gave herself over to the orgasm, pausing in her oral assault long enough to murmur "I'm gonna fall down now". Carol braced herself, holding her lover's hips to avoid losing contact with her prize as Margo slumped down. Carol wrapped her arms and legs around her Madam's body, holding it tight as it bucked and twitched, keeping her lips and tongue firmly at work on Margo's swollen clitoris. Harry held his wife's ass cheeks apart and drove his tongue in as far as it could go as he felt her collapse down on Carol. On his back stroke he paused long enough to ask "Are you okay or do we need to roll her over?" "I'm fine for awhile, sir, thank you." Margo, oblivious to it all, her eyes rolled back in her head, rode swell after swell of orgasm, her legs squeezing and relaxing around Carol's head as the climaxes ebbed and flowed. Finally she moaned "Enough... turn loose." As Carol released her she rolled onto her side, gasping for breath. She watched Harry gather their beloved pet onto his lap and use his hand to finish bringing her to the orgasm Margo had started her towards. Margo studied them as Harry cradled her and rocked her back and forth while she shook. Just as she and Harry had the bond of their school years and the years they'd known each other as adults, he and Carol had a bond that she'd never be a part of... just as she and Carol had a bond he couldn't be a part of. Sometimes the complexity of it scared her... but then she'd realize that when in danger or in doubt, loving each other usually could get them past any confusion. Once Carol could focus again, Margo told her, "Put on your breechcloth and go get us drinks, and then get water and towels and clean us." "Yes Madam, right away," Carol replied, smiling. She wrapped a simple belt around her waist and ran a piece of black cotton cloth between her legs, tucking in under and over the belt in the front and the back. She hurried out of the bedroom. Harry and Margo moved up to sit against the headboard of the bed. "She really is happiest when she's being of service, when she's being of use, isn't she?" he observed. "Yes, she is." "And that's not a headspace I'm very good at maintaining, is it?" "Nope." "Good thing you're around to meet that part of her needs." "Ahyup." The two of them laughed together. "I can't keep it up all the time," Margo said, "but it definitely appears there's more of the Dom in me than in you." "And I'm perfectly alright with that," he replied, hugging his wife. "Although it was nice to find out you've a bit of the Sub in you as well." She kissed him on the cheek. "Baby, I'll roll over for you anytime you want." Carol returned with their drinks and scurried off again. Harry took a good-sized mouthful of his, swirled it around his mouth thoroughly and swallowed. "Now I feel safe to kiss the woman I married." "Harry... honey... it was my ass." "Still, I didn't say it bothered you, I said it bothered me." "But you don't mind kissing me after I've been rimming you or Carol..." "You're right, I don't. My problem is with me kissing someone else after I've done it and nothing else. Now give me a kiss you beautiful, sexy, ravishing..." He got no farther in his sentence. Carol returned with a basin of warm water and towels to find them kissing, their drinks barely held upright. She gently took their drinks from them and placed them on a bedside table, then began to clean them as they held each other and continued to kiss each other, their mouths roaming over each others' faces and necks and chests. Her ministrations were barely noticed as her owners fell into each other like the teenagers in the throes of 'first love' that they still were, on some level. After she was finished with the two of them she removed her breechcloth and cleaned herself. As she did so she pondered the way God or the Universe had of working things out. She was meant to be with Harry and with Margo, of that she had no doubt. If the two of them had come together in high school, or at any other time before their most recent reconnection, Carol doubted she'd have ever met either of them. And then she thought of Angie and the scars that Harry bore, the wounds that still weren't healed. She thought of Benjamin Sapperstein and the toll his neglect and casual emotional abuse had exacted from Margo. She thought about all the men in her life... she thought about Rick... and she thought that while God might work in mysterious ways, sometimes He was just an asshole. When she finished her own clean up, she knelt by the side of the bed. Margo had been keeping half an eye out for Carol to finish and no sooner had Carol's knees hit the floor than Margo motioned her up onto the bed. "Come on, my sweet, cuddle with us." The three of them lay together, drawing warmth and love from each other. "Well, while I'd love to lay here like this with the two of you all night, we do have guests," Harry said after awhile. "True, think what erotic and exotic sights we're missing while hiding in here," Margo added. "Madam, sir, promise me that sometimes we can just spend our time cuddling like this for as long as we like?" "It's a promise, sweetness," Harry said. "It is indeed," Margo agreed as they held their beloved pet tightly and kissed her. ------- Chapter 19 As the trio wandered out of the bedroom they saw that Karen had made it back from the grocery and was reclining in a corner in sports bra and briefs, sipping a drink while Patricia sat naked at the pipe with Eddy and Tamara. Of Kelly and Jessica there was no sign, although there might have been some suspicious thumping noises from upstairs. Karen, seeing them enter, waved them over. "Harry, I had an idea on the way back and it took all the willpower I had not to bust in and tell you about it." "Well Sappho, you could've come in, but I'm not sure how much attention I could have paid to anything or anyone but these two exquisite beauties," he said, hugging Margo and Carol. "Yeah well, I figured that which is why I waited. But you're out now, so listen. The biggest problem we're having finding an Executive Director is that no one we're interviewing has ever worked anywhere like G & P." "That's because there is nowhere else like G & P," Harry said, sitting down on a cushion near her. Margo and Carol exchanged knowing looks. "If you two Captains of Industry will excuse us, we're going to go hit the pipe," Margo said, her hand caressing Carol's ass. "Sure thing honey, be there in a bit," Harry responded, his mind already lost in their problems at the office. "Uh huh, sure he will," Margo murmured to Carol as they walked off. "So," Karen continued, "why not bring up someone who's already at G & P?" Harry was intrigued but saw problems right away. "Well, to begin with, none of them have the training or the education." "Well, just what training and education did you and I have in running a company like G & P? Experience, they can get on the job itself, with you and me as mentors. Education, G & P can pay for with night classes. I know it'll be a big commitment to ask someone to make, so I thought why just bring up one? Bring up three at the same time. That way we know they have the grounding in how we do business and then we structure our time and schedules so that the major shit comes down Tuesday through Thursday when we're both there, on Mondays and Fridays it's kept light and they've got the ball, with one of us on call if they need us." Harry began to see the possibilities. "Yeah, I already know seven or eight people I think could grow into the positions. You're probably thinking of the same seven or eight. Hell, Sappho, we set this shit up right, we could effectively retire in eight to ten years." "Yeah Harry, except you're the guiding light of the creative genius department and I'm the head detail wizard. But could we cut our time back dramatically? Oh, hell yeah." At the pipe, Margo and Carol joined Patricia, Eddy and Tamara. "Damn Eddy, those are some badass briefs," Carol said, eyeing the silk boxers. "I can tell that Tammy picked those out for you." "Are you intimatin' that I ain't got no taste when it comes to clothin'?" Eddy grunted. "No Eddy, I'm just saying that I'd expect to see you picking up black silk boxers with skulls on them, or flames, or motorcycles..." "I wouldn't let him get the ones with skulls or flames," Tamara said, snuggled up next to him, "but there is another pair he keeps at home with the cutest-" "Hush woman," Eddy growled. "That's one of those things we don't share with these hedonistic heathens." "Yes sir," the tiny woman said demurely. "Sorry ladies, can't say what they are, but he is just so cute-" "Hush!" "Yes sir," she said, smiling, "adorable, really he is... eek... I'm hushing sir!" she squealed as Eddy effortlessly scooped her up, brought her to his mouth and began blowing raspberries on her belly and thighs. From the stairs came a call, "To her defense, sister! The Junior Bisexual Drum & Bugle Corp charges forth to deal with the belly-frapper!" With howls like wolves scenting their prey Kelly and Jessica charged down the stairs and clambered over cushions towards Eddy and Tamara. As if she'd been a stoner all her life Margo gracefully swept the hookah up and moved it out of the way, sensing the free-for-all that was to come. "Lesbian Auxiliary, form ranks... charge!" bellowed Karen as she came out of the corner and, together with Patricia, howled as the two of them crawled towards Eddy. "Oh shit," was all Eddy had time to say as he set Tamara safely to one side before the tide of femininity overwhelmed him. "Find out where he's ticklish girls!" yelled Kelly, wrapping herself around one of Eddy's arms and running the fingers of one hand up and down his side. Harry sat down beside his wife and pet. "I think Sappho's figured out the solution to our-" "Hush, Harry," said Margo, putting the tip of a hose in his mouth. "I knew you and Karen would figure something out but tonight is a night to relax and have fun. Besides, there's a floor show." Indeed there was. At the moment Kelly was on one arm, Patricia on the other, while Jessica knelt behind his head tickling his neck and Karen laid across his legs, working on getting her fingers behind his knees. Eddy was fighting back valiantly but his innate gentle nature had him handicapped before the fight even began, a fact his opponents made shameless use of. Between his ribs, his neck and the backs of his knees, he was helplessly ticklish. "Tamara..." he gasped, "help me... please..." "Yes sir." The tiny woman carefully looked for who she'd be least likely to hurt and climbed up on Karen's back, wrapping her legs around Karen's chest and pulling on her shoulders in a vain attempt to get her off Eddy. Margo looked at Carol. "Should we?" "Oh, let's." "Grimes Brigade, form ranks, CHARGE!" Margo hollered as she and Carol entered the fray, attacking the soles of Eddy's feet. "Harry... help..." Eddy said as he twisted and turned. "Sorry old buddy, I may be a hedonistic heathen, as you so eloquently put it, but I draw the line at giving aid and assistance to belly-frappers." "Bastard," Eddy wheezed. Eddy was in hell. If his tormentors were male he could have resolved the issue handily and if they were all women like Karen he could have at least fought back but he writhed in tortured ticklish agony beneath an assault he couldn't let himself fight as he knew he'd hurt them too easily. Kelly's warm flesh was wrapped around his left arm and his hand was unable to escape being trapped between her breasts. His right arm was held between Patricia's thighs and it was all he could do not to twitch in a way she might take as an attempt to feel her up. Anytime he opened his eyes he was staring up into Jessica's jiggling tits and evil smile. The sensation of Karen's muscular and well-defined ass, squirming against his legs was far from unpleasant. His lower legs were being weighted down by Carol and Margo, their naked crotches pressed against his shins. He could feel the warmth of their cunts and the softness of their pubic hair. In the end, his body handled the situation in a way his mind would not have thought of. Suddenly Karen sat bolt upright. "EEWWW, COCK COOTIES! This Neanderthal Sasquatch throwback has a hard-on! Kelly, trade places with me." "Uh-uh," Kelly said while the assault fell to pieces as everyone began laughing. "That big woody is in your territory, you deal with it." "I don't know how," Karen said, laughing. "I'm pretty damn sure Tamara'd be upset if I pulled it off and put it in the bedside drawer and I've got no idea where the off-switch is." "Never mind ladies, I'll deal with it later," Tamara said, as she helped Eddy scoot back onto some pillows. As the parties disentangled themselves Harry was studying his pet. A thought had occurred to him and if he was going to do anything about it, tonight was the time to set it up. "Carol, sweetheart," Harry said, "do me a favor and go make up a big pitcher of citrus water. I know we've got lemons and oranges, add a lime or two if you think they're not to bitter, add some Splenda to sweeten it some. I'm thinking you should use those two two-gallon pitchers in the cabinet." "Yes sir. Would anyone else like anything from the kitchen while I'm up? No? Alright, two pitchers of citrus water coming up." She padded off into the kitchen. As she pulled the large glass pitchers out of the cabinet she heard Harry speaking in the living room in low tones. Her pulse quickened and a cold sweat broke out on her brow. Fear gripped her and she put the second pitcher down before she dropped it. She sank down to the floor, pulling her knees tightly to her chest. "Harry is not Rick. Harry is not Rick. Harry is not Rick." Being sent out of the room while discussions went on behind her back at Rick's had been the precursor to unpleasant experience after unpleasant experience. As the tears leaked out of her eyes she changed her refrain. "These people love me. These people love me. These people love me." She knew they'd never plan anything nasty or hateful to spring on her. She knew it beyond a shadow of a doubt. There was absolutely nothing to worry about. But the fear inside her was irrational and all the 'knowing' in the world wasn't going to change a thing. She sat in the corner, tears streaming down her face, teetering on the edge of panic. She fought her fear with all she had but she was losing. In that fear she felt her whole happy world falling down around her shoulders. She was going to go out into the living room and there'd be a group of men she didn't know and the abuse would begin. Rick would make them wear condoms but otherwise there would be few if any rules and Harry and Margo and Eddy and Kelly and Jessica and Karen and Patricia would laugh at her as she became a party favor again and Tamara would just look on in sorrow and- Tamara walked in to the kitchen. "Carol, I came in to see if I could... what's wrong, baby?" she asked as she ran to Carol and sank down to her knees to hug her. Carol stammered out her explanation as best she could through her tears as Tamara held her and stroked her hair. "No sweetie, I was out there. It's nothing like that. Shh, don't worry. Sure, Harry has planned something for you but it's nothing mean or nasty." "You promise me?" Carol said between sobs. "I promise you on my love for Edward. Nothing bad will come of the talk Harry had with us all." "God, I feel like such an idiot. I know Harry would never hurt me." "No, don't feel that way. After what we've been through we're entitled to feel a little schizoid from time to time. If Harry had known what buttons his doing this was going to push in you, he'd have found another way. You know that. He and Margo love you so much they could never do anything mean or hateful to you. You're going to be okay, sweetie." Tamara held her friend until her sobbing stopped. "Alright, why don't you and I get those pitchers filled and then let's get out there and relax with our families?" "That sounds good to me." In the living room Kelly had snuggled up next to Harry and Jess had snuggled up next to Margo. "What is this, divide and conquer?" Margo asked. "Well, while we're staying monogamous outside of the family and most nights inside the family, on party nights we figured we'd try opening up our relationship to family members," Kelly replied. "Yeah," Jess added, "besides, keeping Kelly and Harry away from each other might constitute cruel and unusual punishment." She looked up shyly at Margo. "And I think you're the second sexiest woman I've ever seen." "Let me guess, Kelly being the sexiest, right?" Margo responded. "Oh no, Salma Hayek... I think she's just OW!" Jessica was hit in the head with a pillow. "Of course, Kelly, the sexiest, yes, what ever could I have been thinking to say otherwise where my psycho lover could hear me?" She grinned. "Heathens and hedonists," came Eddy's comment from around the hose tip. "I'm in a house with unbelievers, pagans, probably even, GASP, liberals!" "Well I don't know you dope smoking gorilla, you procure pot for your friends. You are the proud and happy owner of a slave girl. I've talked politics with you and when I could decipher your simian hoots and grunts you sounded like a liberal yourself," Karen said from where she and Patricia were curled up. "Oh my GOD, you people have infected me with your vile ways! Any minute now I might start feeling compassion for those less fortunate than myself! Quick, I must go kill a small animal with a large handgun and suck its entrails out its butt in a bizarre yet oddly masculine ritual of death and oral gratification! Or maybe I should just suck the barrel of my penile-substitute hand gun! Or suck a dick... suck the dick of someone holding my hand gun! Harry, stay right where you are, I'll be back in a moment with my .44 Automag!" Eddy got up and made it halfway to the door before wailing "Oh no, I didn't bring it with me. I suppose I'll just have to be a Liberal!" That said he went and sat back down to riotous laughter and thunderous applause. "Thank you, thank you, I'll be here all night, try the lovely young African-American, she's very nice... OW!" Another pillow had flown through the air, catching him in the nuts. Carol and Tamara came through the door carrying a pitcher of water and plastic tumblers. Harry motioned Carol over. "Sweetie, I'm gonna need these people sober and preferably not hung over tomorrow around 2 in the afternoon. You know what to do." "Yes sir." As Carol and Tamara started everyone on a rehydration regimen Karen got up and slowly circled the room, having a few words with everyone. Patricia was blissfully stoned, half-asleep on a pile of pillows. After she'd spoken to everyone, she gently roused her love while Margo headed for the bedroom. Patricia toddled over and climbed into the upper chair of the 'eat-me-seat' and then lay back, happily relaxed. Margo emerged from the bedroom and started strapping her into the seat. "Wha-," Patricia began, partially sitting up. "It's okay, sweetie," Margo said. "Karen knew you wanted to give it a full test drive so she had me bring out the straps and such." Patricia looked at her partner and smiled. "I love you Liz." "Love you too, Trish," Karen replied. "Now just lay back like a good girl, I'm driving." "Yes ma'am." And with that, Patricia lay back. Once all the straps and restraints were in place, Karen placed a ball-gag in Patricia's mouth and tightened it down. Patricia's eye's opened in surprise. "Relax, I told you I was driving. Now calm down." Patricia grunted something that sounded suspiciously like 'fat chance'. Then Karen put the blindfold on her. "Okay sweetie, give me a minute to get situated then hold on to your garter belt." Karen settled into the lower seat, adjusting it for her height and to provide back and neck support. Once she was comfortable, with tenderness few who saw her physique would have believed her capable of, she began to kiss, nibble and lick her partner's cunt. Harry and Eddy sat back and watched, loading a bowl and firing it up. As Patricia rapidly warmed to the gestalt of the experience: her lover's attentions, the restraints, the ball-gag, the blindfold, she seemed to strain against her imprisonment in all directions at once. Karen motioned with her hand. Margo moved to Patricia's left side, lowered her mouth to the bound woman's breast and began sucking, running her hands over Patricia's body. A keening moan could be heard from Patricia through the gag. With another signal from Karen, Kelly did the same on the right side. The moan got louder as Kelly's hands and mouth worked on the captive. Karen, while continuing her oral attentions, slowly began working a lubricated plug into her lover's ass. Patricia responded with a squeak in the midst of her moans but otherwise remained lost in the sensations. Carol emerged from the kitchen with a foot-stool and, placing it behind Patricia's head, climbed up and began to kiss and caress her head and shoulders. The moans became a sort of sobbing. Tamara moved to Patricia's left leg and began to caress it, kissing her way up and down the length of it while Jessica moved to her right leg and did the same. The trembling of Patricia's body was constant as sharp, hooting cries made their way through the ball-gag. Karen, continuing to lovingly eat her partner, turned the butt-plug on. The low humming quickened the pace of Patricia's cries. "You know, you just can't find this kind of entertainment on television," Harry commented. "I've tried and even HBO and the Playboy Channel are missing the mark." "You're right," Eddy replied. "Hell, they don't even make porno's this good. Last porno I rented, 'Butt Bandits of Birmingham', pales in comparison." Karen's upraised middle finger provided an eloquent reply as her shoulders shook with laughter. "You rented 'Butt Bandits of Birmingham' too? Oh man, do you remember that scene where that one guy, what was his name, Bert? Yeah, Bert, he was slathering on that pink lotion all over that girl's ass-" "Yeah, was that not some o' the silliest shit you ever seen? I mean, it looked like pink cum and it was everywhere!" Whack! Whack! "Got both of 'em for you Karen," Kelly said before returning to teasing Patricia. Karen's upright thumb provided an eloquent reply as Harry and Eddy picked up the pillows they'd been hit with, wondering to themselves how Kelly had achieved such deadly accuracy. Patricia, in the meantime, was lost in a world of her own. Her lover knew her well, knew about this fantasy, knew how Patricia would never bring herself to ask Karen for this. She knew Karen's jealousy issues and knew that this would be at the very least hitting the edges of those issues. And yet here Karen was, giving her this gift, borrowing their friends' mouths and hands to give her an experience she had only dreamed of. She knew she had no interest, other than the occasional flash of lust, in any of the women helping Karen... and she knew if she was smart she'd drag Karen away to their bed for the night and reassure her that she had no interest in them. But for now, Patricia Keller told herself to quit thinking so much and just enjoy the gift. Harry and Eddy watched as six women, each beautiful, although with Karen it was an unconventional beauty, teased and stimulated a lovely seventh. "Harry," Eddy said quietly, "did you ever imagine, back when we were kids and those hormones first started kicking in, that you'd ever see anything so beautiful in person?" "No, never did. Of course, I spent a lot of those years convinced I'd never see a live woman naked at all unless I paid her, so my dreams were sort of aimed low," Harry responded, his voice a low murmur. "Since it's obvious that you and Tamara are deeply in love and you're happier than I've seen you in... well, ever... do you ever find yourself just sending a quiet prayer of thanks up to heaven?" "Every gawddamn day, Harry, every gawddamn day," Eddy replied. "I never knew how ugly I'd let my world become. I never knew how hopeless I'd let myself get. I used to take some kind of perverse pride in the fact that while I was fucked up, I wasn't as bad off as you. Now I realize I was pretty much as fucked up as you were, I just hid it better. It's like my world had no color in it and now it's nothing but colors everywhere I look. It's beautiful. She's beautiful." "Yeah, yeah she is. So are Carol and Margo. I can't imagine how I lived before they were a part of my life." "Well, from what I could tell, you weren't doin' much livin'... you were barely managin' survivin' on your better days. Unless you wanna talk about the time you spent with Angie..." "Eddy, do try not to say that name again or I'm going to try to hurt you, you're going to hurt me, Carol and Margo are going to hurt you, Tamara's going to hurt me, who knows what the fuck Kelly and Jessica will do... it'd be a mess. Really, much easier not to mention her." "My bad." Then the two old friends sat and watched as Karen inserted a vibrating dildo and Patricia lost any control she might have had left. Minute after minute passed and orgasm after orgasm rippled through her body in varying intensities until it was evident to everyone that Patricia wasn't home anymore. Karen stood up, stretching and popping her neck. "Ladies," she said around a slightly sore tongue, "thank you all for your help in making Trish's fantasy come true. I know she'll thank you when she can speak again." Then waving off offers of help, she removed the toys and unstrapped her lover, removing the gag and blindfold. Patricia appeared to be unconscious. "Let me get her up to bed and I'll be back down to clean up," Karen said. "No, no you won't," Carol replied, "because if you are I'll try mightily to kick your ass and fail miserably. I'll clean up; you go be with your woman. I'll be up with some water and aspirin for y'all in a bit." Karen smiled in thanks and put Patricia over her shoulder. "Ah well," she said, looking at Patricia's ass next to her face, "it may not be romantic, but it beats trying to climb those stairs with her in my arms. "Don't forget, we're making breakfast in the morning. Bring an appetite." And with that, she headed upstairs. Carol began cleaning the chair and Tamara pitched in, helping her without saying a word. As the two of them worked, Margo, Kelly and Jess came and sat down around the pipe. After Carol and Tamara finished and Carol made her run upstairs, they sat down and joined the party. "That went well I think," Margo said, leaning against Harry's shoulder. "It looked like it. Did any of you think to try to count Patricia's orgasms?" Harry asked. "Men, always with the quantifying and calculating," Kelly said as she reclined in Jess' lap. "No Harry, I don't think anyone counted. Of course, to be fair, I don't think anyone could have counted there at the end." "Harry, I'm thinkin' it was 'many many'," Eddy said, chuckling. Harry burst out laughing. "Excuse me, 'many many'?" Margo said. "We were at a dance one night, little VFW hall in a small town about seventy-five miles from here," Eddy said. "Just me and Harry, roaming around on a Friday night, trying to pick up women or find something else to do. Well, on the way, we'd grabbed a couple of fifths of bourbon, Ezra Brooks, Fine Kentucky Sippin' Rotgut, and so we were kinda loaded when we got to this dance. We both had to piss somethin' fierce, so we head for the men's room and we're standin' at the urinal and in walks the biggest redneck I've ever seen in my life. Motherfucker made me look small and delicate-" "I'll take it from here, Sparky, you're liable to leave out salient points of interest," Harry said, interrupting him. "So this big cowboy type walks up, pulls out his dick and starts to pee. Ol' Eddy here decides to take a better look at him so he turns to face him... neglecting to stop his flow of urine first. Pees all over this dude's leg, I mean he soaks him. This good ol' boy gets a look on his face like I imagine God had when they were killing his kid and so I start talking a mile a minute, apologizing for him while I'm turning this big dumb ass around so he can pee in the urinal again. I'm telling the ol' boy that we were drunk, he didn't mean anything by it, surely he'd been that drunk before, accidents happen, I'll take him straight home... I think I did everything but offer to blow this guy so he'd let Eddy live. Finally he grins, says yeah, he's been that drunk before, no harm done. I tell Eddy it's time for us to go home and I'll be waiting for him in the truck. I leave. "I'm about halfway across the parking lot when there come Eddy running his ass off. He blazes past me and I start running to catch up, hollering to ask him what was wrong. He said-" "I peed on him again," Eddy said in a monotone. "So I start running faster," Harry continued, "and I ask our friend the diplomat here, how many are comin' after us. He responds-" "One... two... many... many many," Eddy said, trying not to laugh. "Yeah, so by the time we get to the truck, I look back and we've got about twenty good ol' boys piling into their pickups all gonna chase us down and kick our asses. We're in Eddy's truck, which means we're goddamned lucky it runs at all. Asking it to outrun a bunch of shitkickers' pride and joy's is an exercise in futility. Eddy's clearly too drunk to drive, so was I but at least I could fake it. God knows I'd been faking it most of the evening, so I get behind the wheel, crank her up, put her in gear and floor her, pull out on the highway and start weaving back and forth, pretty much from one side of the road to the other. "Sure enough, there was a cop lying in wait for drunks leaving the dance. He pops his lights on and pulls us over. Neither of us could, or wanted to, pass a field sobriety test, we tell him where we're from and he tells us we're spending the night in the drunk tank and he'll let us go in the morning." "So you intentionally got picked up by the cops to avoid getting your ass beat," Jessica said. "You bet your cute butt we did," Eddy said. "We'd been in a drunk tank before. It was likely we'd make it out of there in one piece. With a crowd of rednecks ready to beat us to a pulp, the odds were slightly reversed. So yeah, the nice police officer put us up for the night, the truck was safe in the police lot, and we drove home the next morning. "But from this experience and my drunken ineptitude with mathematics comes 'many many'." "Ah, now I understand," Margo said, laughing. "Well, I think I'm going to take my tiny treasure and go to bed. Yes Carol, we'll be taking water and aspirin with us, although I'm pretty sure a hangover won't be a problem. Good night to you, one and all." Eddy led Tamara off to the bedroom, taking the remains of the pitcher with him. "Cap'n," Margo said in her Second Mate Mounds voice, "lookee what we got us on our raid tonight. Me and Twat got us this juicy young cutie here to split between us, as it was, and we brung ye this dusky jewel. We'll be in your cabin, introducin' this one to the joys of a life at sea. Ye take care t'other one out here in the salon. If ye be needin' any help, just give out a yell an' we'll come a runnin'." Mounds quickly bound Jessica with the straps from the chair and she and First Mate Twat carried her into the Captain's Cabin. "Captain," Kelly asked fearfully, "what do you plan to do with me?" "Twat," the Captain bellowed, "bring me back some silk scarves to tie this wench up with!" "Aye aye, sir," came the faint reply from the cabin. "Normally," the Captain said, leering at his captive as he held her wrists in his hands, "we'd sell ye off at the first port we come to. We wouldn't be takin' many liberties with ye in the meantime, as it might lower the price we'd get, plus with my First and Second Mate's around, me carnal needs are taken care of regular like." As Twat emerged from the cabin, the Captain straddled his prisoner's body and held her down as Twat bound her, hand and foot. Her mission accomplished, Twat returned to the despoiling of their other prize. "But seein' as how ye and your companion are such exceptional beauties," he continued, stroking her dark skin with his hands as he arranged her on the cushions, "I'm thinking your charms are too good for the likes of port scum, so we'll be keepin' ye ourselves." "Harry," she whispered, breaking character, "have I told you lately that I love you?" Harry looked at her like a pole-axed steer. "Don't get all weird, Harry, it's not the kind of love you need to worry about. It's just the kind of love that is. I'm not completely sure why. I know I love Carol and Margo the same way, and I'll tell them when the right time comes along. Part of why I love y'all is that you can play. I don't know why I need 'play' in my life so badly, I never really felt the lack of it, but it's something I'm craving now and y'all do it beautifully. So I thought I'd take a quick moment to tell my friend that I love him. "Now you wicked man, do your worst to me, exercise your perverted lusts upon me! My soul shall remain pure even if you defile my body!" "In a moment, wench, you'll get defiled all right!" He lifted Kelly's bound form into his arms and held her tenderly. "I love you too, Kelly, not the kind of love you have to worry about, just the kind that is. I know part of the reason for me is that you can play with us but a bigger part is that even though we can be intimate with each other, you're still primarily my friend and I've been blessed with the best friends a man can have, present company included. And that because under your beautiful exterior, you have one of the kindest and bravest hearts I know. Jessica is a very lucky woman." "That's funny, so are Margo and Carol." "If you say so, darling... now then, prepare for defilement!" "Whatever you do, you horrible brigand, please, leave me my virtue! I beg you, don't sheath your vile sword in my tender maidenhood! Leave me chaste and virginal so that I might someday find a husband and raise a family!" "To hell and Davy Jones with your pathetic whimperin', bitch! They only way ye'll be able to land a husband by the time this crew is through with ye is by lying your pretty ass off about how ye spent your youth! Ye'll have to find some poor dumb landlubber who'll believe your daft tale of missionary work in the islands or some such." Harry draped her over a pile of cushions. "Now then, stop your whinin' and cryin' or I'll gag ye and forget to take it out for a day or three. Heave to and prepare to be boarded." Holding her by her hips, relishing the feel of her flesh in his hands, he slid his cock into her finding her as he suspected wet and ready. "Me thought ye were protestin' too much, wench! Now your body'll do the talkin' that'll give the lie to what your lips be sayin'." Slowly he slid in and out of his prisoner, listening to her whimpers become the moans they'd always yearned to be. Gradually his pace increased as he felt the rhythm of her muscles, contracting and pulsing around his cock, urging him to fuck her faster. "Oh, to Hell and Damnation with this," he spat as he roughly pulled out, untied her feet and pulled her down to a pile of pillows on the salon deck, positioning her on her back. "Ye give me any trouble with them feet o' yours and I swear to God Almighty that Twat will wear out a cat o' nine on your hide." "Stop your threats you vile bastard and fuck me!" she responded, grabbing at him with her legs to draw him in. "As the Lady commands," he replied sardonically, lowering himself on and in her. As he sank back into the warm depths of her cunt, gliding in and out of her, his hands to either side of her shoulders, he saw her bound hands writhing under a cushion. Thinking nothing of it he once more lost himself in her charms, now able to fully enjoy the sight of her beneath him, shifting to and fro like the sea herself. He was fascinated by the fluid shifting of her breasts, fore and aft, as he thrust himself into her at a good steady pace. She was beautiful and he could see the tension building in her. He felt a malicious glee and slowed down his pace. "Fuck me faster you filthy bugger!" "Ye are a foul-mouthed little tart, aren't ye? I'm thinkin' I'll be fuckin' ye at whatever speed I feel is best." Her hands, somehow unbound, flashed out from under the cushion, one going around his neck, the other holding something to the side of it. "Listen you murderous scum. If you're going to defile me, you'll damn well do it right. That's what this knife at your throat and I have to say on the matter. Now fuck me faster or I'll cut you, roll you over and be humping your dead body before you can get out a scream," she said, holding the knife, which looked suspiciously like a dildo, to his throat. "Well, seems you've changed your tune, don't it now?" he said as he picked up the pace. "Just awhile ago ye were all 'please don't violate me' and now you've become a greedy slut about it, ain't ye?" She brought his face down to hers, never letting up pressure on the knife. "Yes, yes I have. You've already ruined me, though I might admit to having wanted you to. So now, being ruined, I don't intend to do things by half-measures. I'm planning my climb up this sewer's social ladder. I started as a prisoner, to be sold as a slave. Then I moved up to being a pirate's plaything, or maybe a pirate's whore. I figure the next step up is a pirate's lady and then maybe a member of the crew." She kissed him and the Captain felt himself pulled right past the point of no return by the passion of her kiss and the magic of her mouth. He came and as he did he felt the rhythms in her cunt which had been so steady become spastic as she joined him. She broke the kiss and her head lolled back as she rode out her climax and he trembled through the after-shocks of his own. Moments later she looked up at him, her eyes still slightly glassy. "You know, for a dirty, uneducated piece of wharf trash, you're not an unpleasant lover." She rolled him on his back and retrieved the scarf she'd been bound with. "Now I'm going to tie you up," she said, a smile of evil glee on her beautiful face. "Ye can't hold a knife and tie a knot, ye daft bitch! Ye might as well not even try." "I don't have to," she said and then moved down his body, keeping the knife ever ready to plunge into him. When she reached his groin she said "Now in a minute, you'll give me your hands and no trouble. Trust me." Keeping the knife on him, she took his balls in her mouth, biting down on them somewhat roughly to accent her point. Then she put the knife down, out of his reach, and motioned for him to put his hands down to his belly. He did so and she trussed him up tightly. Shortly thereafter, his feet were bound. "Now then, time for a little more. Put your hands up near your neck, Captain." He did so and his former captive propped his head up slightly and then swung her leg over his head, facing his feet. She lowered her messy cunt onto his hands and leaned back, putting her asshole right at his mouth. "Put your tongue to work, dog, or I'll bury this steel in your gullet and laugh while you die." So with his hand together as if at prayer, thumbs inside her with her button rubbing along the edge of the others and his tongue worming it's way up her ass, soon she was grinding fore and aft once more, using the Captain as her plaything, their mixed juices dripping out of her over his neck. For his part the Captain was rather intrigued by this turn of events. The wench had fire, true enough, and once she was past all the silly protestin' of 'proper society' she had a taste for things just the way he and the crew liked 'em on the 'Free Booty". "Umm, yes Captain, I like your tongue much better where it is than when it's flapping about in your mouth. And I can tell I'd like it in my cunny just as much." He was happy with it where it was as well. The fiery wench was holdin' her weight off him, lettin' him breath, and the smells of her, and to be truthful him as well, were surroundin' him like a fog. But most of his attention was focused on the shapely ass bouncin' over his face, pressed down against his mouth. She was a sweet cunt, he could tell from the smell, and a fuck that'd put any port whore to shame. Her soft and shapely ass was a thing of beauty, nay, majesty, when seen at this distance, when tasted. She was clean and sweet and he'd be damned to a deeper hell than Davy Jones' locker if he'd tell her she'd been headed towards recruitment as crew before he took her the first time. He buried his tongue deeper inside her, worming his way in as far as he could as he felt her starting to shudder. "Um, Captain... that's... real... good... umm... deeper..." The cheeks of her ass pressed down on either side of his face as her hips relaxed slightly, her attention wavering with her approaching climax. He curled his index and middle fingers under and shifted them next to his thumb, curling down his ring fingers and leaving her only the little fingers to rub against. On her next upstroke he uncurled the index and middle fingers, slipping them up inside her. "OH... you... bastard..." she said, and then she was coming, and coming hard, collapsing down on top of him. Her body falling forward took the pressure off his throat and neck and he was staring up when his First and Second Mates came into view, smiling, holding pistols in each hand, which looked suspiciously like toy flintlocks. "So Captain, ye managed to get your ass captured again," Mounds observed. "How is it that ye can captain a ship across the length and breadth of the Spanish Main, lootin' and pillagin' and not get caught, yet put some vixen in with ye and you're tied up on the floor with your tongue up her butt in a matter of an hour?" "Skill, Mounds, sheer skill. It takes much hard work and effort to get yourself in positions like that. Few men have the patience and dedication for it." The wench raised her head, holding the knife threateningly, but when she saw the pistols pointed in her direction, she dropped it. "Now, get me untied and retie her. Where's the other one?" "We left her bound and sleepin' on the bed, sir," Twat responded. "She's a sweet little piece and will give us no problem at all, but this one seems to be a bit of a firebrand, don't she?" "Aye, that she is," the Captain said, reaching for a tankard of rather citrus-y smelling ale. "And when we're through with her, she'll either be burning for us, or burnt out." He and his depraved crew chuckled evilly. ------- Chapter 20 Disarmed and bound the prisoner was led into the Captain's Cabin. "Y'know, me lovelies, I been thinkin' here we got this bunk, all rigged out for restrain' and makin' fast prisoners and we ain't never used it." Mounds forced the captive to her knees and then, grasping her by her hair, drove her face into Twat's twat. "There ye go, sweetie, some pie for ye." She returned her attention to the Captain. "Well now, Sir, you'd be havin' a point there. How d'ye want to have her tied?" "Somethin' allowin' us to get to her easy, I'm thinkin'... only question be left is face up or face down?" In the end the crew took a vote and the brown wench was hung suspended from padded straps, blindfolded, face down a foot above the bed. Her beautiful nipples were sucked into the mouths of the Captain and Second Mate Mounds who slid themselves under her, side by side. First Mate Twat had been eying the captive's ass since they'd brought her on board and after seeing the pleasure the Captain had taken in tonguing her there, she thought it was time she gave it a try. "Do you thieving scoundrels intend to leave me... oh... unfulfilled?" the wench cried as the crew took their pleasure of her. "What kind of foul sea scum teases... ummm... a poor woman so and leaves her nest empty?" The Second Mate paused from her suckling on a breast. "The kind that likes hearin' ye beg, bitch. Now, if you're not gonna be doin' that, quit your whinin', we've torturin' to do." The prisoner moaned and twitched in her straps, wondering if there was any way these vile brigands could make her captivity more frustrating? The First Mate had a serpent for a tongue, the Captain and the Second Mate were attached to her bosom like lampreys and she would have killed the rest of the crew and used their bodies to weight the Captain down if it was the only way she could get the hard tool she felt poking into her thigh in where it would do her the most good. But she'd tested her restraints and these sea-going perverts had secured her too well. If she didn't find release soon she'd be begging them. In her frustration she lashed out once more. "In the name of God Almighty... OH... do not use me so foully! Umm hmmm... do not, in the name of Mercy... oh, oh, ohhh... leave me so in need of relief!" "That's it!" roared the Captain, releasing his hold on her tit. "Gag the bitch before we have to take a strap to her!" Twat pulled her tongue out of the wench's ass. "Right away, Cap'n Sir!" Before the poor woman knew it, she was firmly gagged. And then they made it worse. Her head was pulled back and strapped into the new position. Her blindfold was removed. Shifting in the bunk the Captain reclined on his back and Mounds climbed on his stiff spar, facing the helpless captive, and began to slowly and with great pleasure ride him, their bodies sliding about on one another just a foot in front of her gagged mouth. The First Mate had resumed the tongue assault on her ass and had added new fiendishness to her evil. She had slipped a finger inside the prisoner's achingly empty, wet cunny, curling it in and towards her front, finding inside some spot that was setting her on fire as she'd rarely imagined possible. The foul bitch was taking her close to the edge of release, so close her body was trembling with the nearness of it and then backing away. Oh, if she ever became a member of the crew, what evil and treachery she'd have to put paid to! A time of reckoning for these scoundrels, yes, that was what was called for. She'd extract an elixir of yohimbe root, put it in their food and lock them in a convent for the night at gunpoint. She'd pay small children at every port to follow them around, begging them, as their 'mother's and 'father', to come home. She'd sell them out to the French! Or she'd come up with some plan to torture them, so diabolical and devious that Old Scratch himself would come up from the deepest Hell to ask her how she concocted it. Meanwhile the Captain was lost in his own world, one that barely even noticed the captive that was bound and gagged before him. The sight of Mounds, arched backwards towards him, filled the Captain with lust. She was a beautiful, wicked and depraved woman, amply suited both in body and spirit to be a member of his crew. The squeezings of her cunt worked on his cock like the talented fingers of the three Haitian masseuses that had given him the best handjob of his life some years before in Port-au-Prince. For her part, Mounds was very aware of the bound woman scant inches in front of her. The Second Mate's level of excitement was not only due to the feel of her Captain beneath her and his hands caressing her all over her body, as there was little of her he couldn't reach in their present position, but the knowledge that she was on intimate display for the woman hanging before her. Mounds' fingers moved down to expose her nubbin, rubbing the area around it as she reveled in the slight widening of the prisoner's eyes as she did so. Dipping her fingers lower to gather moisture from around the Captain's shaft, sliding in and out of her, she spread it around the tiny bump and tenderly rubbed it, feeling her climax approaching like a barque under full sail. The prisoner wanted to look away from the sight of the Captain and his Second Mate fucking right before her but she couldn't. Even when she closed her eyes the sounds of them, the smell of them, so close, drove her eyes open again. She strained against her straps and chains to no avail. And still the evil bitch behind her ran that serpent tongue into her innards and teased her on the edge of release! She did what little she could, pressing back as much as the straps would allow onto the First Mate's probing finger, but it brought her no relief. Tears flowed down her face unnoticed as she quivered, suspended at the edge for so long that she thought she must go mad but still refusing to break and beg. And then her mouth betrayed her. "Please... I beg you..." she muttered behind the gag, it coming out as an unintelligible mumble. "What's that, wench? Do you want mercy?" Twat asked from behind her. The prisoner's nodding of the head, though slight, was unmistakable. She cursed her weakness as the First Mate massaged her interior and gave her what she so desperately wanted. She cried out as the wave of her climax broke over her and drug her under, her eyes rolling back in her head and her cries blending into one long wail as she lost her grip on who and where she was. The Second Mate and the Captain were only moments behind her as they both shuddered to their climaxes within seconds of each other, Mounds falling forward to wrap her arms in the prisoner's straps to hold herself up as she ground her crotch on the Captain's cock. ------- Jessica watched her lover and their roommates play from between slit eyelids, feigning sleep. She had enjoyed her time with Carol and Margo and liked playing pirate with them, but if it wasn't for Kelly's connection with these people, she wouldn't choose to be here. Jessica would much prefer to be in bed with Kelly upstairs alone. She'd had a lot of time to think that week while making delivery runs; a lot of time examine her feelings and try to come to terms with the reality of her and Kelly's relationship. She and Kelly had discussed the myriad relationships in the household and Kelly had been very upfront with her. A part of Kelly belonged to Carol and Kelly wanted it that way. Her aggressive and dominant side enjoyed having one relationship it could relax in. Upon hearing the name "Princess" suddenly Kelly could sink into a place of no responsibility, no need to be in control, no worries other than pleasing her Mistress. Jessica could understand that. When she gave herself over to Kelly she felt the same way. All she had to do was what she was told. She wasn't going to even try and take that kind of freedom away from Kelly. Kelly and Harry were very close, very good friends. Jessica didn't quite understand that kind of friendship, she'd never had such with a man, but she couldn't deny it existed. Kelly had made it clear without belaboring the point that her relationship with Harry was very precious to her. Jessica was afraid of what would happen should she even intimate that she was uncomfortable with it. And she was. Very. It wasn't that she didn't like Harry, she did. Harry was a sweet and wonderful man... but the depth of Kelly's feelings for him made Jessica very nervous. She couldn't help but wonder who was more important to Kelly? Was it her or Harry, Margo and Carol? She couldn't help feeling that if she hadn't come along, Kelly would be happily sharing a bed with the three of them all the time, making herself subservient to Margo and Carol just to share in the sense of family to an even greater degree. And then there was Margo. Kelly's relationship with Margo was probably the weakest link and it was still quite strong. From Jessica's read on it, on some level Margo was a mother-figure in some bizarre incestuous way for Kelly. Well-off, well-educated, full of poise, beautiful, sensual and soon to be married to Kelly's best friend... a position that Jessica felt, in some ways, Kelly envied her for. Jessica felt that Margo was pretty much everything Kelly wanted to be when she 'grew up'. From what Kelly had told her, although her mother and father loved her and she loved them, Kelly had grown up missing a "us against them" feeling of unity with her parents. They were a family but they weren't a clan. They weren't a tribe. That's what Kelly was looking for, in a lot of ways. She had found it with these people. They were, in an odd way, her blood brothers and sisters. There were few clearly defined roles in the tribe, although Eddy was clearly a Warrior, Margo a sometimes Matriarch, Harry an occasional Patriarch, Carol the off-again-on-again Wise Woman... but the tribal feel was there for Kelly. It was real to her. Jessica knew that it had to become real for her as well or she and Kelly weren't going to make it. She loved Kelly more than she'd ever loved anyone else in her life. She hoped she could find a way to let herself become one of them. ------- "I'm not at all sure that sweet little piece over there be truly asleep, Cap'n," Mounds said as they gently lowered their captive to the bed, still insensate. "Whether she be or not, leave her. We have things to deal with here. Did ye ask her if she wanted to be brought aboard as crew?" "Aye Cap'n, we did and she declined," Twat replied. "I wouldn't be takin' it personal, she just wants nothin' to do with the life of a scallywag." "Well then, let's see what this wench says to the proposition." He took the captive in his arms, shaking her gently until her eyes flickered open. Before he could say anything, she spoke. "You have a choice, you villainous scrap of beach trash. Either make me a member of this crew or prepare to have me hunting this ship until I send her and your whole crew of perverse degenerates to the bottom of the briny deep." "Welcome aboard then, Crewman Bum." "Why 'Bum'?" "Because ye have such a delightful one, me dark beauty... now, as a 'welcome aboard' gift, me and the mates are givin' ye this wench over here to keep for your own. Take her and go find the two of ye accommodations in the crew quarters. Me and the mates got ship's business to take care of. And good night to ye both." With hugs and kisses all around, the new crew member took her leave, leading her prize by her hair. After quick trips to the guest bathroom, the three shipmates fell asleep cuddled together on the massive bunk. ------- Harry stumbled into the kitchen, the bright light pouring in through the window scarring his brain as it ripped through his optic nerves like a knife. He wasn't hung over, it was just way too early in the morning for so much illumination. Shielding his face, he was able to retreat into the corner where the coffee machine sat, the cool shadows of the corner giving him some relief. "Have you ever thought that you and Karen might in some ways be psychically linked?" asked Patricia from her seat at the table. Harry started and then turned around, peering back into the light. "Jesus-Christ-whuppin'-ass-in-the-temple, woman, you startled me!" "I don't see how you missed me, Harry, been sitting right here." "I was blind, okay, blind. Geez... I've got to remember to shut the blinds in here before I go to bed at night." "Tell you what, Harry. You let the lady of the house know that you want it done and I bet you dollars to donuts you'll rarely come in to a bright kitchen again." "I imagine you're right. If I offered you the blood of a virgin, or whatever else you want, could I get you to close them." "Sure Harry... I want coffee." She got up and soon the kitchen was at a bearable level of brightness. "That I will gladly provide... give me a few minutes. Now, what do you mean, psychically linked?" "Well, aside from your ability to work together so well, you both seem to have this vampiric allergy to sunshine first thing in the morning." "Oh Patricia, you are a goddamn comedienne, that's what you are." A short time later he was sitting at the table with her as they both slurped fresh cups of coffee, she in her panties and he in his robe. "Harry, I noticed the house catty-cornered across the street from you is for sale. Know anything about it?" "Yeah, it's a three-bedroom, two-and-a-half bath, nice sized lot. House is in pretty good shape. The woman who lived there, Mrs. Sattler, passed away and her children put it on the market. I've been in it a few times over the years, pretty common interior layout for this neighborhood. Why?" "Because I'm real tired of living in yuppie-fuckin'-condo land. I think Liz is as well. We're a little weary of a box we can kinda sorta call our own. She and I were discussing it in bed last night. We like this neighborhood; we're real fond of one of our potential neighbor families already. We were just thinking it might be time to really settle in." "Well, speaking for myself, and I feel safe in saying for the rest of the household as well, we'd love to have y'all that close. I haven't been in much of a head space to go out and get to know my neighbors since I moved back in or I've been too busy to... I think I need to remedy that real soon. It's obvious we're settling in and I've been remiss in my neighborly responsibilities." Their conversation was disturbed as Kelly stumbled in clad in nothing but skin. "Harry, y'all are some evil bastards. Between what y'all did to me last night and what Jess did once we were back in our room, I may not be able to consider sex again for at least, oh, I don't know, another hour or two. Bastards!" "My heart bleeds for you, sweetie. A night of good loving... damn, your life just sucks, doesn't it?" Patricia said with a smile. "Yeah, 'bout as much as yours does... how are you this morning?" "Radiantly wonderful and tanking up on coffee." Kelly leaned in and kissed Patricia on the cheek before kissing Harry fully and deeply. "You are a rare and wonderful woman, Kelly. Patricia, she used mouthwash before she came down... you are an angel, Kelly, really you are." "Yeah, well I didn't know if your coffee was gonna be strong enough to kill my morning breath... plus Jess is up and should be down in a bit." "Ah, so it wasn't just for us, it was for Jess... no matter, still muchly appreciated. I'll get a second pot going." Tamara wandered in next wearing Eddy's shirt as a dress. After hugs and pecks on the cheek all around, she took Harry out on the back porch and told him of her encounter with Carol in the kitchen the evening before. Harry slumped against the porch railing, a look of anguish in his eyes. "Harry, no, it's okay, I talked with her, sat with her, reassured her. She'll be okay now." "Tammy... I never, ever wanted to in anyway do even the slightest, smallest thing that reminded her of him. I think it would be like Carol finding out something she did hit an Angie button." He straightened up and calmed himself. "Thank you so much for what you did. I need to make sure she understands that from now on, if Margo or I ever do anything that hits one of those buttons, she needs to let us know immediately." When they got back inside Jessica was on her way in wearing a t-shirt and panties. After hugs she moved a chair right next to Kelly and sat down with her cup of coffee. Harry started a third pot and went to their bedroom. Margo was starting to stir so he went across the house to the bathroom with her and as she performed her morning toilet, he relayed what Tamara had told him. Together they went back to the bedroom and curled up on either side of Carol, cuddling up close to her and gently stroking her arms, gently bringing her towards wakefulness. As her eyes flickered open she smiled and stretched lazily. "Good morning my loves... what's up?" "Baby Girl," Harry said, "Tamara told me about what you went through in the kitchen last night. Sweetie, I am so sorry. I know I had no way of knowing how that would affect you but I'm still so sorry. I never wanted you to be reminded of Rick again, ever." "Harry, Margo, it's alright, really... Tamara and I worked through it and I'm fine." "Yes dear, you are, but anytime something hits a bad button like that you need to let Harry or I know, immediately. You may consider that an order from both of us. There is never a reason for you to suffer a moment's distress from something like that. Now, do you need to go to that bathroom?" "Yes ma'am, I could stand to." "Fine, go to the bathroom and then come straight back here." "Yes ma'am." While Carol was in the bathroom Harry went and checked the coffee level. Seeing Eddy sitting at the table, resplendent in his black silk boxers he knew he'd be starting another pot if not two. "Mornin' Eddy, how ya doin'?" "Trying to come up with sufficient reasons not to kill and eat Kelly. So far the best I've come up with is that it would make Jessica sad. She would have a sad expression on her face. That would make Tamara sad and I can't have that." "You backwards-ass redneck throwback to a time when mullets ruled the earth, any day you think you can take me out, bring it on and I will fuck you into submission. Leave you a broken man, sucking your thumb and crying for Tamara." "Tamara, you may end up sad today... Jessica, prepare to look forlorn... I'm thinking the woman needs to die." "Eddy, Margo and Carol will not be happy if you kill and eat Kelly. I will not be happy," Harry said. At the counter, Patricia was slicing up fruit. "Patricia, do you have anything Tamara can shove in this maniac's mouth or is she going to have to risk a tit?" "Fruit coming up, shortly to be followed by breakfast breads of various kinds. Kelly, how fast can you run?" "Damn fast, why?" "Go wake up Karen and then evacuate the area immediately before you get caught in the blast." "How do you recommend I wake her up?" "Well, I usually tickle her tits until she starts to come around, then I thrust my leg between hers and hug her real hard creating a need to go pee... I don't recommend that method for you. Try shaking her by the shoulder and calling her name real loud until she turns over. Then run." Kelly bounded off towards the stairs. "This is going to be so much fun!" "Harry, see, the girl's got a gawddamn death wish, you should let me grant it." Harry had two pots brewing. "Eddy, mega bad juju if you do." From upstairs came Karen's unmistakable bellow. "THAT HAIRY NEANDERTHAL SAID WHAT?" Then the sound of Kelly, bolting down the stairs, giggling like a lunatic, filled the kitchen. "Harry, I'm going to go slaughter one of your housemates now," Eddy said, getting out of his chair and heading towards the living room. Harry shook his head and went back to the bedroom, deciding that cleanup of the body or bodies could wait until after breakfast. He and Carol met in the living room and walked in to Margo arm in arm. They climbed into bed and Harry and Margo cuddled up to Carol in-between them. "Baby Girl, I love you and I'm so sorry that you were freaked last night. Please tell me if that happens again, not only because you've been told to but so that I can have a chance to make it right immediately," Harry said, stroking her belly gently. "As long as we all can talk to each other, everything will be fine, honey," Margo added, hugging Carol tightly. "And there's never any reason for any of us to suffer like that alone no matter what the cause. We're family... we don't let that happen, not to people we love." "EDDY, PUT ME DOWN OR I'M GONNA HAVE JESS GNAW YOUR NUTS OFF WHILE I BEAT YOU TO DEATH WITH YOUR OWN SEVERED DICK!" came the cry of Kelly from the living room. "I should've known better, I did know better... it was just at the time it all hit me so hard, I felt like I had no control over it. I was telling myself it was bullshit and that you wouldn't do that to me but all the talking I was doing wasn't changing how I was feeling," Carol said, kissing Margo's wrist. "Could you have blown a whistle?" Margo asked out of nowhere. "Blown a whistle? Yeah, yeah I suppose I could have. Why?" "The whistle Eddy has me wearing got me thinking about it. I've got an old brass British Police whistle I found in a shop in London last time I was there. I had it put on a chain at a shop." She got up and went into her closet. "EDDY, YOU CAN'T USE KELLY AS A SHIELD FOREVER, SOONER OR LATER YOUR ARMS ARE GONNA GET TIRED!" hollered Karen. Margo rummaged about for a bit and returned. "Here you go, love." The whistle was on a beautiful gold chain and Margo put it around Carol's neck, fastening it. "There now, if you ever panic like that again, you put the whistle in your mouth and blow. We'll come running." "Listen, this is silly. I shouldn't have to wear a whistle in case I freak out. It won't happen again. I'm embarrassed as hell it happened once." "No," Harry said, holding her tightly and stroking her hair, "there's nothing at all for you to be embarrassed about. In your place I would've freaked out as well." "Me too, honey," Margo added, "so don't even think twice about it. The next time you're in distress, you blow on that and we'll come running. With everything that all of us have been through, the occasional panic is to be expected." "KAREN, LEAVE EDDY ALONE, GET IN HERE AND START BREAKFAST!" yelled Patricia. "Have I told you guys lately that I love you?" Carol said, cuddled safe and sound between the two of them. "I love you too and maybe you have but I'd be stupid to get tired of hearing it, wouldn't you babe?" Harry said. "Anytime you want to say it, I'm happy to hear it because I love you too. And as much as I want a cup of coffee, I think I want to lay here and cuddle with the two of you until breakfast is ready," Margo said. "BUT PATRICIA, EDDY STARTED IT!" "HE DID NOT, KELLY WAS PULLING YOUR LEG BECAUSE I TOLD HER TO GET YOU OUT OF BED." "KEEEELLY..." "That is, if breakfast ever is ready," Harry said with a smile. ------- Some time later there was a gentle knocking at the door and Tamara stuck her head in. "I'm to ask Carol what she wants in her omelet. We have Mozarella, Monterey Jack, Swiss, Cheddar and American cheese available as well as sausage both hot and mild, ham, onions, fried potatoes, bacon, tomatoes and garlic." "Uh, Monterey Jack, hot sausage, ham, onions, garlic and fried potatoes... thank you." "You're welcome honey, might want to get a move on, it won't take Karen the wonder chef long." The three of them wandered in and Harry began another pot of coffee. Karen was at the stove in briefs, sports bra and apron. The room swam in wonderful smells. "Okay sleepy heads, we got bacon and sausage in the pan here keeping warm, taters in the other pan, breads, juices and fruits on the counter over there. Margo, Carol's omelet's about to be done, decide what you want." "When the fuck do I get an omelet?" Harry asked, smiling. "When everybody else besides me has one... sucks being the host, don't it?" Karen replied with a grin. In short order everyone had been fed and was sitting around feeling full and happy. ------- "So after those assholes had pulled their sophomoric stunt with the cadavers, my friends and I decided that to win the bet, and to do so with style, we had to get truly creative," Margo said, having a sip of juice. "I still can't believe that people who wanted to be doctors would dress corpses up and pose them having sex in the Baylor Admin lobby... that's just sick," Jessica said. "Oh honey, some of the sickest, most disgusting perverts you'd ever want to meet are medical students," Margo said with a smile. "When your business is life and death, I suspect you almost have to develop a dark and macabre sense of humor. "So one of the women in my study group, ravishing Indian girl named Devapaati, starts letting it be known that not only will we cover any side bets made, but that she would give blowjobs to bettors if we lost. As our opponents were the odds-on favorites at the time, this did stimulate some extra action. Hell, I sold my car and borrowed as much money from my family as I could to put down, above what I'd already bet on us. "The informal judges' panel, composed of some of the more relaxed professors, was known to prefer elegance to 'brute force' pranks. So we stole almost every display skeleton in the school, got the full 'cock and balls' dildos we needed, the sheets of plywood, the other supplies and retired to a rented storage unit. Soon as we'd get one diorama constructed, Ed would take it in his truck to Paul, who had worked in landscaping all through his college years. Paul would load it up in the 'borrowed' groundskeeper's cart, cover it with shade cloth hanging on the posts on the corners and off he'd go, carefully unloading it as a pre-chosen scenic spot, make sure the base was covered by the cloth and stick up the sign reading "Another New Planting Courtesy of Baylor Medical School Groundskeeping Department". He'd squared it with them, reassuring them it was a prank and that they'd be getting all their equipment back undamaged. "Still, it took us a lot longer than we'd expected and nobody got much sleep that weekend. But by 4 AM Monday morning, all sixty-four were in place and we then ran around the campus madly removing the shade cloths. "When students and faculty moved about the grounds that morning they were greeted with the sixty-four positions of the Kama Sutra, lovingly illustrated by skeletons, a white painted anatomically correct dildo designating the male figures, each diorama with a small painted plaque describing the position." Laughter filled the kitchen. "We'd gotten pictures of each of them... come to think of it, I still have my copies somewhere in my things... because we thought, perhaps, our opponents might not be good sports. "We were surprised. Carl Kline, who's now in line to get the Chief of Neurology position at St. Joseph's in Houston, and was head of the other study group, came up to us as we sat in the Student Union Building sucking down coffee and admitted defeat. We all made a nice sum off of it. I bought a new car, paid back the family... never told them what I'd really used the money for." "Honey," Harry said, "how good are the photos? If they're of sufficient quality, we could have them made into prints, get them framed, put up around the house." ------- Carol and Tamara gave Karen and Patricia massages in appreciation for the superb breakfast while the rest of the crew cleaned up the remains of the meal. Harry ducked out a little early and when the clean up was finished called everyone into the living room. "Carol, my darling, please sit down here in the middle of the floor," he said. Carol, grinning uncertainly, sat down on a cushion he'd indicated. Harry, Margo and Kelly sat down in a circle around her, close to her and holding hands. In a circle around them sat Eddy, Tamara, Karen, Patricia and Jessica, who all held hands as well. "Baby Girl," Margo said, "you've been avoiding something you need to do. You need to do it for your sake. We're all here. We're all your friends and family. We all love you. We're all here for you." Harry put the envelope from Tony in Carol's lap. "Don't you think it's time you found out what he wanted you to know?" Harry asked. "You don't have to share it with us, not now, not ever. But we're here to support you and love you. If you'd really rather not look at it now, that's fine too. This isn't meant to pressure you into something you're really not ready for. But it felt to me like you didn't want to face it alone and you didn't know how to ask us to help. If that's the case, here we are. Go ahead and read it, surrounded by the love of your friends and family." The tears streaming down Carol's face, past her smile, gave silent testimony to her feelings. Slowly she opened the envelope and in a breaking voice began to read it aloud. "My Dearest Baby Girl, I wish I could leave you something more substantial than the remnants of this foolish hobby of mine." "That was for the benefit of his family," she said. "That's what they thought of his record collecting." "However, we both know my loving family deserves everything of value in my estate as they have had to put up with so much at my hands over the years. I only wish that my recent losses at the race track had not been so big. I feel terrible about that I've cost them so much money due to an old man's foolishness." "Harry, this is bullshit. Tony went to the track, sure. He'd even place bets on the bigger races across the country but it was always relative small change. He never bet enough to be a big bettor by any stretch of the imagination." "But as Vic can attest, in an attempt to increase my estate's value as a final gesture to them, I almost ruined myself. I suspect that by the time my final debts are settled, they'll be left with enough for a comfortable life, although in a somewhat leaner lifestyle than they might have wished." "Y'all, this is totally screwy. Tony was sad about his relationship with his family but as much as he was able in his final months, he was spending money right and left. He was playing the bon vivant to the last possible moment, never having water if champagne was available, never settling for chicken if there was quail to be had." "My stupid scribblings on music and such I leave to you as well. They're filed, whenever possible, in the albums of the appropriate musicians. The uncategorizable entries are in their own envelopes. Hopefully you'll read a page or two of them, from time to time, and think of me. Although I'm sure you'd find those horrid CDs easier to deal with, I ask that you play every album at least once. I still have hopes that you'll someday be able to discover what I so treasured about them." "This is crazy talk. He and I loved listening to his records. Of all the times we spent together, the best by far were listening to his music and often times dancing together." "Maybe he had gotten a little senile when he wrote this?" Kelly said. "Not meaning any disrespect and I don't know much more than the basics of the story, but could that maybe explain it?" "No," Carol answered, puzzled, "he was sharp as a tack and all there up to... up to the last time I saw him." "If anything I've ever done leaves you needing help or advice, go to Niccolo. My godson is a good boy and knows my mind on many things." "If my greatest wish, to be granted a second lifetime to find you again, can't be granted then I pray my second wish comes true- that you find someone who loves you as you deserve to be loved and can give you what you need to be happy. "Know that if I can crash the Gates, I'll be watching over you from Above, I love you more than I can say, "Tony" The room was quiet but for Carol's soft sobs. Then she got up and carefully stepped between those seated around her. "Come on," she said, "I think I need to go take a look at those records." Leading them to Harry's old bedroom upstairs where Karen and Patricia had spent the night amidst the boxes and crates. She opened the lid of one of the boxes and carefully pulled out an album. "Alright, 'Me And The Blues', Joe Williams... we listened to this one often." She gently pulled the polylined sleeve out, reverently placing the sleeve and the record inside to one side on the desk top. With delicate movements she pried open the cardboard sleeve open and peered inside. "Well, no notes on Joe, although I know he saw him live, so they must be in another album... what's this? Anybody got a pair of forceps?" "I've got a pair I use as a roach clip out in the truck, hold on," Eddy said as he turned to run downstairs. "Think the neighborhood's ready for Eddy in his boxers?" Kelly asked. "Ready or not, they're about to get him," Harry replied. In the meantime Carol took out the next album. "Joe Williams, 'A Night At Count Basie's'... okay, here's the album itself... here are at least some of the notes... the same thing, it looks like... something fastened to the inside of the sleeve. "November 3rd, 1957 "Last night I had to handle something for Carlo. Seemed Joey G. was talking crazy again and since Carlo took over after Albert's unfortunate demise, Joey and Larry have borne watching. Out of town talent seemed to Carlo a good way to do it," Carol read. "But Joey stayed in, spending the evening at Carmen's, his mistress, so I was able to hand him off to Anthony and head to Harlem. Of course I didn't tell anyone where I was going as I catch enough flack about how much time I spend with 'the coloreds' as it is. "Harlem, Seventh Avenue and 132nd at night is an eye-opener. The cream of jazz and blues musicians are playing at Count Basie's Bar and yet most whites stay away. Those that do come walk like they expect to be attacked any moment, every step they take and every move they make announcing that they're victims, waiting to be taken. The streets are lit with the neon of the clubs and bars, the night is alive with music from a dozen sources and yet these poor fools walk in their own eternal shadows. "There are the rare few, like myself, though, who come realizing that they are safe, protected by the holy purpose of their visit. This is the Temple where the Muse resides for now and we who come to worship her and those she has touched are sacred pilgrims, journeying to a foreign land." The tears in her voice stopped the reading and she put down the pages of notes. Harry reached to her and pulled her into his arms. "Harry, I miss him so much... I can hear him in every word and I miss him." "If you can hear him, Baby Girl, then he's here with you," Harry said. "I'm sure if anyone could crash the Gates he did, so he's here with you." Carol relaxed a bit and then, wiping her face on his robe, returned to her task. "Here's the next one, Joe Williams and Harry 'Sweets' Edison, 'Together'... no notes... again, something fastened inside." Eddy's thundering footsteps came up the stairs. "You know, a compassionate group of friends might've thought to remind me that I was still dressed in only my gawddamn boxers," he said, handing Carol the forceps as he pounded into the room, skidding to a stop. "Jesus Christ, Eddy, you ever clean these?" Carol said, looking about for something to wipe off the tips of the forceps. "Yeah, about once a month... why?" "They're disgusting," she said, cleaning them on Harry's proffered robe tail. "Well excuse the fuck out of me, your highness, you wanna wait till I go buy you a fresh clean pair?" Eddy asked, smiling. "No, silly man, I'm sorry... I'm just nervous." She took the forceps and, holding the cardboard sleeve open as far as she felt she safely could, reached in and grasped the object, pulling slowly. Suddenly it came free and the forceps came out with a fifty dollar bill in them, a piece of tape on each end of the bill. Her mouth hanging open, Carol moved to the next sleeve, repeating the procedure. Another fifty dollar bill appeared. The third sleeve yielded the same. Carol froze for a moment then sat down on the floor with a thump. "What's wrong baby? What's wrong with her, Harry?" Kelly asked. Harry stood, in shock himself. "She's done the math, Kelly. Over five thousand albums, 'play each one at least once' he said... over five thousand times fifty dollars, Kelly... that's over a quarter of a million dollars." It was silent in the room for quite some time. ------- Chapter 21 After a time, Carol got up off the floor and very calmly removed another seventeen fifty-dollar bills, as well as five more sheaves of notes from albums. Then she returned the forceps to Eddy and knelt before Harry, eyes downcast. "May I take all of you to supper this evening?" she asked. "If you want to sweetie, of course you can. Any preference as to where?" Harry replied. "I was hoping the Bangkok Inn might be acceptable to everyone." Everyone chimed in with agreement so Carol asked, "May I reserve the Vimanmek Palace room?" "Certainly, my pet," Margo answered, "I've been curious to see what it looked like ever since I heard the story of your first trip to the Bangkok Inn." As Carol padded off to make arrangements, Harry and Eddy went into consultation. Within minutes Harry was measuring the door and windows of the room while Eddy was getting dressed. Shortly thereafter Eddy was heading out the door, a set of measurements from Harry in his pocket. A few hours later the room sported a new door frame, security door, and interior bars on the windows. Both keys to the new door were handed to Carol. "Baby Girl, I'd recommend putting one of these on the chain with the whistle, the other somewhere only you know about," Margo said. "This is silly," Carol responded. "The two of you should have the other key." "No," Harry said, smiling. "You're the lady of the house and the treasure in that room is yours." "Yes sir... but I'll tell the two of you where the key is, just in case." "If you wish," Margo said, "but that's your decision." While the door and bars were being installed, Karen and Patricia had gone home to grab clothes for the evening and Kelly had driven Tamara to Eddy and Tamara's apartment to do the same. Because of their labors, Harry and Eddy were the last ones to hit the showers and prepare for the evening. "Harry, sir, before you get in the shower I'd like to ask; could we possibly go by the Chateau de Chantilly after supper? I'd like to sit and listen to Bizoumet play for awhile. Maybe you and Margo, some of the others, could get in some dancing... in my head it's sort of a wake for Tony." "Sweetie, no problem at all. All that I know of that's on anybody's schedule tomorrow is that Eddy and I are planning to set up your stereo equipment just the way you want it, and I have to go pick up Nikki at the airport in the evening. Why don't you go check with the others? Is there anyone else you might like to invite?" "Yes sir, there is, I'll make some calls." She paused then turned and leapt up, throwing her arms around his neck. She snuggled her face into his neck and kissed him. "Thank you sir." The rest of the crowd was more than amenable to the idea so Carol hopped on the phone while Eddy called Bizoumet to let them know they were coming and they were bringing a crowd. Margo overheard the end of Carol's side of one conversation. "Yes, I'm serious. He meant as much to you as to anybody on Earth." "No, I don't want that to happen, it could be... troublesome. Anyway you can avoid it?" "Alright, as long as you have a plan... we should be there by ten." Margo fully expected a night of surprises. ------- Even though they'd been the last to get showered, in the time-honored tradition Harry and Eddy were the first to be ready. Harry was in a pair of dark blue chinos, with matching blazer and a cream shirt. Eddy was in a pair of black pinstripe slacks and a black dress shirt, his hair pulled tightly back into a ponytail. And as tradition dictated, they stood in the living room and waited patiently, or at least pretended to. ------- In the downstairs guest bedroom, Tamara put the finishing touches on her makeup, fastened the collar and leash she was slowly teaching Eddy to use upon her neck, and looked in the mirror. The satin kimono dress was such a deep shade of purple it almost seemed black. She smiled and bowed to herself in the mirror, her vaguely Kabuki style make-up helping to make the illusion complete. She put on a pair of suede strap sandals in the same color as the dress and twirled in place, imagining she was dancing with her love. ------- In the upstairs guest room, Karen waited most impatiently as Patricia made sure Karen's outfit was just so. "I'm still not sure, Liz," Patricia said, chewing on a finger, "are you sure you want to go with the white cotton blouse? The copper silk blouse looks much better." "Will agreeing with you get us going any faster?" "Oh yes." "Then the copper blouse it is." Karen quickly shucked her dark brown leather blazer, pulled off the offending blouse and slipped on the copper one, tucking it into the tight leather pants that matched the blazer. "God, I wish we'd had time to polish your boots," Patricia said. "Darling," Karen said, slipping her hands up under her lover's Victorian ruffle shirt to caress her breasts, "nobody will notice the condition of my boots once they see you." "Liz, stop that," Patricia said, writhing away from her. She tucked the shirt under the beaded waist of her forest green ankle-length skirt. "You don't want to go starting something you don't have time to finish. Would you help me with my shoes?" Karen rummaged in the overnight bag, pulling out a pair of black velvet flats with pewter trim. "Oh shit, you're going to want to dance tonight!" "Yes I am, Liz, and I'm going to want to dance with you." "Trish, will you rub my smelly sore feet when we're through?" "Silly woman, for the chance to dance with you I'll do that and much more," she said, leaning in to blow softly into Karen's ear. "Now who's starting things they don't have the time to finish?" growled Karen. ------- In their bedroom, Kelly and Jessica were finishing their preparations. Kelly's outfit had been relatively simple for her to get into; turquoise silk camisole and flounce jacket, low-rise distressed jeans and a pair of slides with three-inch heels that matched the camisole and jacket. Jessica, on the other hand, was having some minor issues. "I think I'm going to need more baby powder. I cannot fucking believe I'm having this much trouble with these damn boots!" The black riding boots were refusing to go on and between Jessica pulling and Kelly pushing it was starting to resemble some old comedy skit. Her black and purple mesh tulle skirt was in the way, they were running late and she hadn't even begun to get into her blackberry velvet corset top. "Here, here's some more powder... shake 'em around... alright, here we go, on three," Kelly said, positioning herself with a grip on the right boot. "One..." "Are you sure we can't just stay home and fuck?" "Yes, two..." "It's not that I don't want to go out, but this has become a nightmare." "I know, three!" The boot slid on as if it had never been any trouble at all. The two girls looked at each other and laughed. "Halfway there!" Kelly exclaimed as she readied to do battle yet again. ------- In the master bedroom, Margo and Carol were working on completing their dressing. Carol had just finished pulling the lacings tight on Margo's black satin, steel-boned corset. Margo turned to look at her pet. "So, how does it look?" "Madam, are you sure you've never dressed Goth or fetish before?" It was a valid question. The corset with it's deep plunging neckline, the black satin brocade and satin ball gown skirt, the black satin opera gloves and the lace and black ribbon choker all added up to a vision that would've looked right at home at the Samhain Fetish Ball or any Goth club in the city. Although they were barely visible underneath the skirt, a stunning pair of buckled leather ankle boots finished out her ensemble. "Well, not and known I was doing so," Margo replied. "You look lovely, Madam." "Thank you, my love. Now let's finish with your outfit." Margo knelt down and buttoned Carol's suit top. The '40's tailored women's business suit, looking like something from a Hollywood glamour shoot, changed the lines of Carol's body remarkably. She looked severe, all angles and edges, sharp and painful. Margo helped her put on her three-inch platform heels. "How the hell do you walk on those?" she asked the young woman. "A lot of practice, Madam," Carol replied. "It's definitely an acquired skill and it took me a long time to acquire it." Finally Margo attached the collar and leash and placed the black period-pillbox hat and veil on her head, pinning it in place. "You look... like you're in mourning, Baby Girl." "Good, I should." "Let's go knock the boys' eyes out," Margo said with a mischievous glint in her eye. ------- Harry and Eddy felt like they'd walked into a black tie dinner in their jock-straps and flip-flops. First Tamara had entered and walked to Eddy, putting the leash in his hand. Harry had never seen her looking any lovelier than she did that night. "Eddy? She looks..." "Yes, she does, doesn't she? Theresa, my love, you are the most beautiful woman I've ever seen." "Thank you, Edward." Then Karen and Patricia had walked downstairs. "Dyke, you look very handsome tonight," Eddy said, sincerity evident in his voice. "So do you, Neanderthal," she replied. "And Patricia, whoa... you look lovely," Harry said. "Having a Keanu moment, Harry?" Patricia said, blushing. Then came Kelly and Jessica to general acclaim and improper propositions from one and all as Kelly preened and Jessica blushed. "Guys, ladies, thank you for the kind words and interesting proposals," Kelly said, kissing Karen on the cheek. "If only some of them were serious." Finally Margo led Carol out of the master bedroom and conversation in the living room stopped. "Uh, on a purely lust level, everyone in the room who would do either or both of these lovely ladies, show a hand," Eddy said in a reverent whisper. Seven hands shot up in the air. Margo and Carol laughed. "Eddy, thank you as always for your sweet, romantic way of putting things," Margo said. "Uh, Margo, you know I love you, as a friend and all. Lemme 'splain this to ya... what you're wearing isn't sweet and romantic, it's a 'fuck me now' wet dream. And Carol's outfit, well, that's a gawddamn submissive's board room fantasy come true," Eddy replied. "It most certainly is," Tamara said as she licked her lips. Margo looked at Carol, then down at herself. "You know, you may have a point, Eddy," she said, smiling. "I guess we'll just have to get used to being objects of lust, won't we, Baby Girl?" "Yes, Madam." Margo handed the leash to Harry and leaned in to whisper in his ear. "I'm not sure why, but the money thing seems to have her feeling real insecure." "Got it," he replied. "Well, our ride should be here in," he looked at his watch, "shit, about now." Sure enough, within minutes there was the sound of a car pulling up outside. As everyone 'ooh'ed and 'aah'ed over each other's outfits, Harry went to the door and announced, "Our carriage awaits." The ultra-stretch limo had been a lucky find for Harry although if he hadn't been able to find something suitable he would've been more than willing to call in a favor or two, and spend more money to make it happen. The company that G & P used for clients had a last-minute cancellation so no added effort was called for. On the trip to the Bangkok Inn Carol sat between Harry and Margo, eyes still downcast, snuggling up against both of them in turn. It was one of those situations where Harry didn't feel the time was quite right to ask what was wrong, so he leaned down and hugged her, murmuring in her ear, "Something's obviously got you feeling very insecure. That's fine, we're here for you. But you also need to know that whatever you're feeling, there's really no need to worry. Nothing has changed between you and us unless you want it to." "Thank you, sir," she said. Harry thought he heard a small bit of relief in her voice. The manager of the restaurant scurried to the door to greet them as they arrived. "Mr. Grimes, so good to see you again. The room is ready for you." "Thank you so much," he said, smiling. "I'm sorry, but I can't recall if we got your name the last time we were here?" "Mrs. Sukhawari, Mrs. Phailin Sukhawari, but please call me Phailin. Come right this way." As they moved through the restaurant they caused a small stir, primarily because of Tamara's and Carol's leashes. Soon they were in the comfortable seclusion of the Vimanmek Palace room. Two of the walls had sculpted half-columns along them with a panorama of the palace grounds and various outbuildings. The other two walls were made to look like carved stone walls. "This is a fairly accurate representation of the view from a balcony on the southeast side of the palace," Phailin said. "When the Thai ambassador was in town three years ago he made a point of stopping by, as he is a distant cousin of my husband's. He pointed out a few small errors which we had corrected. "Should we be expecting more guests to join you this evening?" she asked. "No, I don't-" Harry began. "Yes," Carol said, "one and possibly two more, thank you so much." Harry smiled, "Guess I'd better check with the evening's coordinator before I go answering any other questions." "That is always a wise course of action," Phailin replied, smiling in return. "My niece, Chatsiree, will be your hostess this evening. Be assured she is empowered to make everything as you wish it to be. Good evening." As she was leaving Chatsiree came in, She was in her mid-twenties and stunningly beautiful. "I am Chatsiree and you are the only group I am serving this evening so your needs and desires have my utmost attention. As I understand your party is not complete, would you prefer to wait or would you like to order drinks now?" Almost as soon as everyone had given their drink orders, Tatiana Turov was shown into the room. The eccentric artisan had dressed for the occasion in a burgundy Donna Karan outfit, top, slacks, cashmere cardigan and suede boots. Her hair was swept back and held in place with one of her own creations, a hair clasp of silver, that Harry remembered from their visit to her shop. At various points the clasp had brilliant red stones emplaced. Harry had thought they were rubies until he read the card next to the piece which said they were red garnets. Carol finally showed some animation. "Tattie! I'm so glad you could make it! Where's the boy toy?" "Oh darlin'," Tatiana replied. "He was all excited about a night out until I told him it was y'all. Then he went straight into a power pout and told me to have fun by myself because he'd rather die in some horribly dramatic fashion that I can't for the life of me be bothered to remember rather than spend time in your company. I do believe you upset the dear boy with your callous comments." Carol stood up, looking terribly contrite. "I'm sorry I hurt your boy toy's feelings, Tattie. Would a formal apology help?" "Oh HELL no, it's about time to trade him in on another model anyway, one that isn't stupid enough to start believing the bullshit lonely old women say in the throes of passion and start thinking the world revolves around them and their cocks. So are you going to be a proper hostess and make some introductions or what?" Carol took her around the table, making introductions and soon everyone was relaxing with their drinks, waiting for their meals. ------- "... so it was 1966, I was twenty..." "So that makes you si-" "Enough of the math calculations, thank you very much Mr. Janak," Tatiana said, looking archly at him over the tops of her glasses, "so as I was saying, I was twenty, in my sophomore year at UT, and I already had a decent little business going in custom jewelry design. I had a little money and was a proto-hippie, hangin' around a lot of the beer joints and little hole-in-the-wall clubs where there was a lot of interesting music bein' made. "So it's Valentine's Day and I'm sittin' in the Student Union building, no boyfriend as was usual, when a friend of mine, Billy Ray, pops in and says we need to go get drunk and listen to some blues at this little beer joint. We do so and we have a pretty fun evening, sitting around with long-hairs and rednecks, just enjoyin' the music and getting' drunker by the beer. Finally it's time to leave and Billy Ray and I offer a ride to some people we'd been hangin' with, a girl who'd been singin' that night and a guy, and so it's the four of us in my VW Microbus. And I'm drunk and a little maudlin so I'm bitchin' about not havin' any man to call my own and this girl pipes up from the back seat that she's in the same boat and that it really sucks and we should go to New Orleans 'cause Mardi Gras was in full swing and if we couldn't find men at Mardi Gras we might as well shoot ourselves in the head. "Well, for a road trip like that we needed alcohol and cash. I stopped by my place and grabbed a wad of cash, but there was no place to buy booze that time of night so this guy in the back seat, Chet, says his roommate's dad keeps a well-stocked liquor cabinet and always has plenty of beer so if we grab his roomie we could probably raid the old man's supplies and outfit ourselves for the drive. None of us had no objection so we grab his roommate, who turns out to be a speed freak named Willie, go to his parent's place and clean the old man out. It's like two or three in the morning and we're loading up the bus with bottles of every kind of hootch imaginable and cases of beer. We manage to loot and pillage the place proper and we're away like the stealthy drunks we were prayin' we were." "Sorry to interrupt," said Karen, "but what was the girl in the back seat's name?" Tatiana looked at her imperiously. "Janis, if you must know, Ms. Pinard." "She from Port Arthur by any chance?" "Why yes, yes she was." "Fine, just curious." Everyone else at the table was looking at the two of them curiously as Tatiana returned to her story and Karen smiled smugly to herself. "So there we were, five drunk or otherwise altered freaks in a microbus, driving to New Orleans in the early morning hours, no plan, no clue. We get to Palestine and I'm way too wasted to see straight so we're all talkin' about finding a place to pull the bus over and crash for awhile when Willie the speed freak pops off sayin' he ain't tired and he ain't drunk and he'd be happy to drive. "Like an idiot, I let him. "So we're a busload of sleepin' drunks bein' driven through East Texas early in the morning by a speed freak. "Needless to say, we got pulled over. Seems Willie had a real loose grasp on the concept of speed limits, not surprising given his drug of choice, and so we got popped for speeding. 550 lbs of County Sheriff in a 250 lb uniform is flashin' his big ol' light in the back of the bus and roustin' all us freaks out. There we stood, drunk or hung-over, shiverin' in the cold, lined up in back of the van while Deputy Redneck pats down Willie, who's on the edge of speed-freak frenzy. Finally his Pigness gets back to us and pokes Chet in the belly with his billyclub, askin' him what he was on. "Chet... okay, all of y'all are through eatin' your desserts... Chet shows him what he was on 'cause he gets sick all over the Deputy, which provokes the predictable chain reaction and there we all are, dry heavin' by the side of the road with an Officer of the Lard that I'm sure was thinkin' of all the places he could hide our bodies. "So I was feelin' a little more clear after purgin' and I ask the Deputy if I could speak to him a moment. I explain to him that we're just a bunch of kids goin' to Mardi Gras and we were too drunk to drive so Willie, who wasn't drunk, just a little excitable, had taken the wheel and we were awful sorry about his pants and shoes and any fine for speedin' he wanted to levy I'd be happy to pay in cash right then so we could get back on the road and out of his jurisdiction, go be someone else's problem. I mean, I'm tryin' to get out twenty words a second before his reptilian hind-brain figures out he could still kill us all, take all our money and dump our bodies in the piney woods." "I take it you have a real low opinion of police, Tatiana?" asked Eddy. "You could say that. I grew up in the South, with a Russian name, during the Cold War. I grew up a freak, an outspoken woman and an advocate of civil rights in Texas during the '60's. That's not to say there aren't any good police. There are. It's just I have a long history with the not-good variety, including this one, and it does tend to color my opinion of them. "So this good ol' boy finally writes me out a citation for speeding, public intoxication, several other things I can't remember this long after, for a hundred and fifty dollars, looks me square in the eye and tells me that his handwriting is so bad that while it might look like one hundred and fifty on the citation it's really three hundred and fifty. "I told him I understood, my handwriting was very bad as well, got the money out of my purse, paid the man and we loaded up the bus and got the hell out of there. "To make a damn long story a little shorter, we all get to New Orleans, spend a few days partyin' and actin' like complete animals. Janis was right, even women who aren't conventionally attractive, like she and me, could get laid during Mardi Gras... repeatedly and pretty damn well. We were all livin' in my microbus, bathin' and washin' our clothes at the home of some other freaks we ran into in the French Quarter, and I'm going through the money I brought real quick, as I'm the only one who has any. No big deal, I was kinda used to it by then. But one night I notice my cash is almost gone so I announce that me and my bus were headin' back to Austin the next morning, all aboard who're comin' aboard. A couple of the people we'd met were interested in tryin' their luck in Texas so having room for two more I didn't have a problem with it. The little street urchin I'd been enjoyin' the company of, a boy who called himself Jean-Claude Duquesne, was most tearful that night, we had a wonderful parting evening. I was touched when I woke up the next morning to find he'd left me a rose. Of course, he was dead broke so I figgered he'd stole it, but it was the thought that counted. "We get everybody loaded up, Dack and Jillian secure their pitiful duffle bags full of stuff on the roof, and hung over as hell I start the drive back to Austin. "Long about Lafayette, Louisiana, everybody's tummies had calmed down enough to be hungry and I was about to need gas for the bus so we pulled in to a little truck stop figurin' we could get a bite to eat, some coffee, some gas, probably be good for a healthy chunk of the way back to Austin. We all tromp in and we're gettin' some dirty looks from the staff and customers. Hell, I figure the only reason we didn't get our asses stomped was that we were festooned in Mardi Gras beads and that alone'll warm most Louisianan's hearts. We get seated at a big ol' table away from everyone else and we go hog wild and pig crazy with that menu, I mean, we order the breakfast from hell. Everybody's feelin' worlds better about an hour later when we're finished. "Until I opened up my purse to pay for the meal... that little Cajun cocksucker Jean-Claude had ripped me off! Had to be him because no one else could've gotten close to where the purse was stashed without me noticin' it. Now we're a pile of freeloadin' proto-hippy freaks in a redneck truck stop in Lafayette and I'm havin' visions of becomin' Purina Alligator Chow. I'm almost in tears and Janis just pats my shoulder and tells me not to worry, she'll handle this. She goes to the manager, explains what happened and then tells the rest of the crew to start workin' to pay off our breakfast as that was only fair since they'd been moochin' off me for awhile. She was gonna go make us some gas money and I was gonna come with her to pass the hat. "So while Willie, Billy Ray, Chet, Dack and Jillian are washin' dishes, cleanin' out the restrooms, emptyin' the grease traps, moppin' and such, Janis and I go down the road and flag down a cop tellin' him we need to talk to the Chief of Police. He gives us a ride to the station, Janis and I explain everythin' to the Chief, tell him that the rest of our group is workin' off our debt to the truck stop and ask his permission for Janis to sing on the streets to raise us some gas money. "This good ol' boy is lookin' at us like we're some kind of zoological specimen he'd prefer was kept in a lab somewhere and then he scratches his big ol' buzzcut head and asks Janis to sing somethin'. She asks if he's got any requests. He allows as he was always partial to Jimmie Rodgers' "T For Texas", figurin' there was no way this freak knew that one. Was he ever surprised when with no further ado Janis breaks into it right there in his office, just growlin' out that song like there was no tomorrow. She even gets the yodelin' parts right and by the time she's finished we've got everybody that's on duty at the station in there listenin' to her and clappin'. "The Chief writes out a permit on a piece of note paper, hands her a five dollar bill and wishes us luck, tellin' us where he thought we could do the best business. "That's where we went and for the next couple of hours I stood there, my artsy fartsy little beret in my hands to collect donations while Janis Joplin sang for our gas money to get home." "You mean THE Janis Joplin?" Carol asked, dumbfounded as everyone else murmured amongst themselves, excepting Karen who'd guessed it long before. "The one and only... I heard her perform several time afterwards, but never was the experience anywhere near as... magical... as that day. She turned on the 'good old girl' charm and was takin' requests and workin' the passers-by; it was phenomenal. And while her singin' got more polished later in her career, to me it rarely sounded so joyful and, I don't know, singing for the hell of it, as it did that day. "So eventually she was tired and we both were cold and there was a policeman the Chief had sent to make sure nothin' happened to us who was more than happy to give us a ride back to the truck stop. We got there, collected the rest of the crew, got our gas, tipped the waitress, thanked the manager and headed home. We had enough so that when we got back into Austin, Janis took us all out to supper at the Villa Capri restaurant, after we cleaned up a bit. "Four months later that same Chet, Chet Helms, invited her out to California and she left Austin, moved to San Francisco and became a member of Big Brother and the Holding Company. Any time you see her wearing a bunch of bracelets I can pretty much guarantee you that there're probably two or three in the group that she bought from me after the band hit big at the Monterey Pop Festival." "Let me guess, you're the reason Tony had all of her albums and saw her perform?" Carol asked. "You bet I am. I damn near had to make him listen to her at gunpoint at the time, kinda funny considering his profession, but once he did he was an immediate fan. But anyway, that's the story of my one and only trip to Mardi Gras and how I met Janis Joplin." ------- When after-dinner drinks were finished and Carol had proudly paid the tab, the group of them headed out to the limo. "You're coming with us aren't you, Tatiana?" asked Carol. "Certainly, if y'all've got room for one more in that monstrosity." "Ma'am, for you, we'd make the room," Karen said. "I think I might could persuade this sweet young thing to sit on my lap and listen to me make lewd propositions in her ear." She kissed Patricia on the cheek. Tatiana looked at her over the top of her glasses yet again. "I somehow suspect that you would be doing that whether I needed a ride or not, Karen." "And you'd be right, Ms. Turov. How fortuitous that you do need a ride when I'm so inclined," Karen said, smiling broadly. They all piled in for the relatively short drive to the Chateau de Chantilly. As they rode along, Carol leaned in and whispered to Margo, "How much will I owe y'all for the limo service?" "Not a penny, dear, and Harry and I are firm on this. It's our contribution to this evening and you will let us cover it or Madam will be most displeased, as will Harry." "Yes ma'am. You're paying for the limo," Carol said, eyes downcast but with a smile upon her face. Tatiana sat in the limo, regal and aloof, watching the young people around her. She liked them. She liked them all. Carol had done well for herself and was surrounded by people that Tony would have approved of wholeheartedly, although some of them would have mystified him somewhat. Karen and Patricia, Kelly and Jessica... Tony wouldn't have really understood their relationship, but he wouldn't have had a problem with it. He was possessed of a remarkably "live and let live" attitude when not on family business. When he was on family business he was one of the scariest men Tatiana had ever met. But such was one of the dichotomies of Tony Juliana and one of the reasons she'd found him such a fascinating human being. Carol's relationship with Tony was one that Tatiana would envy for the rest of her days, but while she and Tony had become close friends over the years, she'd had to live with the pain of Tony never looking at her that way. It was a pain she'd had a lifetime to get used to, a thousand different times, a thousand different men. Behind the regal bearing and mask of aloofness, Tatiana ate her nightly supper of loneliness, a bottle of unshed tears her private vintage wine. ------- As the limo pulled into the strip mall parking lot and the party disembarked, Carol looked around. "Shit, he got here before us," she said to herself. No one else noticed the five men who stayed in the shadows but missed nothing that went on anywhere near the club. ------- "Goddamn it Niccolo, this is exactly the kind of thing I didn't want you to do!" Carol said as she got up in the face of a handsome young man in a grey Armani suit. "Look Carol, you know me. If you didn't want this happening, you shouldn't have invited me," the young man responded calmly. The inside of the Chateau de Chantilly had been somewhat transformed. The bandstand, such as it was, was crowded by the addition of a standing bass player and a saxophonist. A section of tables had been removed and a small dance floor cleared. A caterer had been brought in and a small buffet of what smelled to be superb Italian food had been set up. Everyone in the bar, including the staff, were wearing black armbands. By the bar there was a framed picture of a distinguished looking gentleman of Mediterranean extraction with black crepe draped around the frame. Bizoumet and her new accompanists were rolling through "Take the A-Train" and the crowd, plates of food in front of them, seemed to be having a good time. "Everyone, this is Niccolo Philouma," Carol said. "Niccolo, this is my Master and Mistress, Harry and Margo Grimes." On she went, down the line until she got to Tatiana. "Aunt Tattie, I'm so glad to see you out of that workshop," Niccolo said, giving her a big hug and kiss. "I called your place and Pyotr was most upset... forgot his accent and everything. Told me you were already with this gang of miscreants. Saved me the trouble of having to drag the two of you out, kicking and screaming." "Oh, I wouldn't have been the one kicking and screaming, I suspect. I might have found out more about Pyotr's true orientation than I want to know if you'd tried to get him to come. I suspect he would have reached levels of screaming queendom hitherto unseen outside of a theater group." "Aunt Tattie, what a terrible thing to say about one's paramour," Niccolo replied, smiling. Once again Tatiana Turov was peering imperiously at someone over the top of her glasses. "Niccolo Anthony Philouma, you are far too intelligent and I'm far too... experienced... to believe Peter is my 'paramour'. He's a gigolo who likes my money a good bit more than I like what he does to me with his body." She saw the mischievous grin on Niccolo's face. "Good God boy, you can still find that much joy in yanking your Aunt Tattie's chain? I'd have hoped you'd have outgrown it by now. You get that from your godfather, you know." "Yes and it's in his honor that I'll be trying to rattle the bars of your cage repeatedly over the course of the evening." The trio on the bandstand swung into "April In Paris". "But first, I've been remiss in my most pleasant duty to tell you that you look lovely this evening. May I have this dance, Aunt Tattie?" She smiled and offered him her hand and without another word they twirled off onto the dance floor. "So that's the true heir to the Philouma family business?" mused Eddy. "Yes it is," Carol said. "And with all the other families expecting stupid fat Phillie to take over the business, they're all primed for a quick and dirty takeover of the Philouma interests. Won't they be surprised? I expect Niccolo will either wipe out or absorb several of the smaller families in the first week or two. Then the larger families will sue for peace, realizing the new and true state of affairs and Vic and Niccolo's plans will have succeeded admirably. Niccolo will be head of a larger, stronger, more profitable family and a lot of the little riff-raff families that have been clogging up the works will be out of the picture, one way or another." "You and Tony talked about family matters a lot, didn't you?" Karen asked. "One of his favorite subjects," Carol said, smiling to herself. "The aftermath of Vic's death was one of his biggest concerns and he often pondered how it would work out. Even he didn't know, or if he did he never let on to me, that Vic was bringing up Niccolo behind the scenes to take over. The public image has always been that Niccolo was estranged from the family. It was only Vic's recent decline in health that brought him back into the fold. But enough talk about things we probably shouldn't be talking about. "I see that Nick has reserved us a large table, let's go sit down and order some drinks. I suspect this party will be a long one." After the song was finished, Bizoumet excused herself from the piano and the bassist and saxophonist went into a little improvisational jam as she headed for the table. "Alright Carol," she said as she arrived, "you know I'm going to get you up there singing tonight so you might as well resign yourself to the idea right now." "And a good evening to you too, dear," Carol replied. "I figured there was no way out of it when I first thought of coming here tonight. But give me a bit, alright?" Introductions were made around the table as Nick and Tatiana came to sit down as well. After everyone had met and drink orders been delivered, Carol turned to Harry. "Sir, I'm covering our tab tonight but if we go over what I have on me I'll reimburse you for what I can't cover immediately" "Nope, not happening. Margo and I are picking up the bar tab for all of us tonight." "Harry, you're crazier than a shithouse rat. You got the limo, Tamara and I are covering the bar tab," Eddy said, "and I don't wanna hear no gawddamn argument about it." "I'm not going to argue with you, you knuckle-dragging Neanderthal throwback, I'm just going to beat the shit out of you like I was your mama and pay the bill," Karen said. "Well, I'd offer to do evil things to your body, Karen, so Jessica could steal the check from you," Kelly said, "but unfortunately this'll end up being way too rich for our blood. But if you'd like for us to try and pay, we'll offer up our innocent young bodies to the crowd," she smirked. "Absolute and complete nonsense!" Tatiana exclaimed. "I have far more money than I know what to do with and I'm picking up the tab. That's the end of the matter; let's hear no more about it!" Niccolo sat back smiling. "You know, there are times when I love being me. You see, I'm the one with armed guards surrounding the club. I'm also the one who's already made it clear to the house that I'm picking up the tab for everyone in the place tonight. So I win the Great Tony Juliana's Wake Bar Tab Pissing Contest, hands down." Tatiana looked down her nose at him. "You, young man, do not fight fair." "I'm sure you have a point in that statement somewhere, Aunt Tattie, I'm just not seeing it. Now then, who needs a refill?" As everyone laughed he motioned a waitress over. "Rosalind, be a dear and get another of the same for everyone." "If you don't mind me asking, Mr. Philouma," Harry began. "Call me Nick." "Nick," Harry continued, "how are you avoiding having the bar fill up with freeloaders?" "First off, the patrons don't know I'm covering their tabs and won't, until they're on their way out. Secondly, the waitress and bartender grapevine has spread the word as to who I am. Generally speaking, people don't try to take advantage of people with my last name in this town. And thirdly, so what if they do? In reality I think it's a pretty safe bet I have more money than Aunt Tattie, so spending a little more of it isn't going cause me to miss any meals." Carol sat snuggling between Margo and Harry. "So Nick, how'd you lose any unwanted escorts this evening?" "Wasn't that hard, although I want you to know that it wounded my Sicilian patrician soul to ride in a Honda Civic to get here unseen. The boys weren't happy about their various low-end rides either, but they did the job. We managed to lose any local, state and/or federal watchers." He looked at Harry and Margo. "Carol was most insistent that I not bring you the kind of 'official scrutiny' that I live under. She's a very good girl." Margo leaned down and kissed Carol, whispering "Thank you" while Harry said "Yes she is, she's a wonderful girl." After a bit more conversation around the table, Bizoumet went back to the piano and the trio began playing dance music once more. The tiny dance floor was soon crowded with couples, leaving Carol and Tatiana alone at the table after they begged off, forcing Nick to dance with a lovely woman who had wandered in a bit earlier by herself. "He would have loved this, you know," Tatiana said as she got up and came over to sit next to Carol. "Oh Tattie, yes he would have indeed. He would've had the best time here tonight." "And you know he would approve of your family and friends, don't you?" "I hope so." "Carol, darlin', I know so and if you weren't so wrapped up in the middle of it all you'd know it too. Tony would've loved them all and with his charm they would have adored him as well." "Tattie... Tony left me... money." "Of course he did, honey. There was never any doubt in my mind that he would. I assumed you already had it." "Nope, just found out today. Tattie... he left me over a quarter of a million dollars... in cash." "Sounds about right and there's not a penny of that you don't deserve. Oh, I don't mean you earned it on the flat of your back. Despite your behavioral... peculiarities... you've never been a whore. You earned it by being you and by loving and caring for him and by making him happy. I suspect that if you'd never bedded him and had done nothing more than played Parcheesi with him every day until the end he would have done the same thing and you'd have deserved it just as much. "So, little Carol, what's really bothering you? Because you can't fool old Aunt Tattie into thinking it's anything you've mentioned so far." The small woman looked up at her companion. "Tattie, money... changes things... you know that. What if Harry and Margo don't want me anymore because now I'm financially independent and don't 'need' them?" "Absolute fuckin' tommyrot! Not a chance in the world and if you'd quit worryin' yourself into a tizzy you'd see it too. They love you, little one, they love you more than either of them really suspects or understands, in my opinion. "You are a part of them. Never doubt it. Trust me, they don't. And if you don't believe me or can't accept that, ask them. Talk to them about it. You're smart enough to figure that out. What else?" "What the fuck am I going to do with a quarter of a million dollars, Tattie? I've never had more than a thousand or twelve hundred dollars to my name ever. Tonight I pulled out two grand to cover supper, as well as other expenses nobody is letting me cover. I've never had two thousand dollars at one time, much less a quarter of a million." "Carol, dear, calm down. Money can be scary, especially if you've never had it before. I remember the first time one of my pieces sold after I got some recognition. I had priced the piece at nine hundred, thinking that might be a little steep. The store owner I had just started selling through, Evelyn, who became my business manager and remained so for years afterwards, looked at me like I was crazy. She told me to put a two in front of the nine and I'd still be on the cheap side of what the market would pay. I happened to still be in her shop when a woman walked in, a casual shopper, saw the necklace and had to have it. Ten minutes later she was heading out the door with it, thrilled with the bargain she'd found and I was in complete and total shock. This little ol' gal had no clue how to handle the kind of money Evelyn was telling me I was going to be making. "So I asked for help. I asked people I trusted. From what I know of Margo, Harry and Karen, none of them are handling their own investments and such. They have people who handle that for them. Hell, if nothing else, talk to Niccolo. I'm sure he knows people who could help you figure out how to invest your money, take care of it, help it grow. "Now then, is there anything else you'd like to talk about, anything else that's bothering you?" "No, not really." "Well come on then, I'm pretty sure that you and I can find room out there to dance together." "I'd be honored, Tattie." "Stuff and nonsense, the pleasure's all mine." ------- After several dances Bizoumet sent a note with one of the waitresses that she was about to stop playing unless Carol came up and sang so she reluctantly took the stage. Carol had been dreading this all night. She was so scared she'd break down on stage, thinking of Tony and put a pall on the evening, an evening which so far had gone marvelously. She needn't have worried. She closed her eyes and held onto the mike stand as she swayed back and forth, dancing with Tony in her mind, singing to him as she had when he was alive. There were tears a-plenty in the club that night, but none of them were Carol's. She performed for her old friend, lover and Master one last time. She sang with all she had in her and it flowed out through the audience, touching everyone there. She did a set of his ten favorite songs and when she was finished she was drained, holding on to the mike stand more for support than anything else. Nick walked up to her, helped her from the stage and sat her on a bar stool. He took her head in both hands and kissed her on each cheek. "You did him proud tonight," Nick said, tears in his eyes. "I don't doubt he heard you. I can't believe in a God that wouldn't let him hear you." After she rested a bit and had some water, Harry appeared beside her. "May I have this dance, Baby Girl?" The next hour or so passed as she danced with everyone, even people from the audience who used the time to tell her how much they had appreciated her performance. It was 2:00 when the regular patrons were ushered out. "Well now," Harry said, "time to relax a bit." Bizoumet had joined them at the table. "You folks know how to throw a wake, especially you, Nick. If this girl eats anymore of that food I won't have anything that fits me." "I find that hard to believe," Nick said, smiling. "I've seen you eating tonight and I'm sure you haven't put on an ounce." "Another true gentleman... Eddy, where do you find these marvelous men?" Bizoumet purred. "I just tell 'em about you, darlin' and I can't keep 'em away," Eddy said, smiling. The conversation continued until around 4 AM. "Toast time!" Harry announced. "A full circle." The traditions were explained and everyone got a fresh drink. "To friends present," said Harry. "To absent friends," Eddy announced. "To absent loves," Karen added. "To Tony Juliana," Carol said. "To light, love and laughter," Tatiana interjected. "To those we hold most dear," said Margo. "To new friends," added Bizoumet. "To plenty of time to love," Kelly said. "To freedom," announced Jessica. "To dreams coming true," said Patricia. "To finding your heart's desire," added Tamara. "Success for all our friends, confusion to all our enemies," finished Nick. And then there was silence as drinks were emptied. It was 4:30 AM when Nick finally paid the tab, everything was packed up and the Chateau de Chantilly was as it had been before. The limo full of only slightly drunk but very tired friends headed to Tatiana's home to drop her. When they arrived 'Pyotr' was busily pacing back and forth in the living room, visible through the drapes. As Tatiana trudged wearily up the walk, the rest of them got out and yelled in unison, "GOODNIGHT PETER". After which Carol shouted "You fuckin' poseur!" Laughing they fell over themselves getting back into the limo as Tatiana's cackling filled the night. ------- Before the limo had gotten two blocks away from Tatiana's, the first pair of shoes had come off and soon no one was wearing anything on their feet. "Whoever it was wrote 'I Could Have Danced All Night' was clearly out of their freakin' mind," Eddy groaned. "If I don't have blisters it's a miracle. If I do have blisters, I'm gonna whimper a lot." "There, there, Edward. If you have blisters I'll pamper you. It's my duty and my pleasure," Tamara said, hugging his arm. "Issum big bad Eddy gonna whimper wikum wittle baby?" Karen asked, grinning. "Yes, Dyke, yes I will. Of course, if you were to mention it too many more times I bet I could still find it in me to beat your ass at arm-wrestling while I'm whimpering." "Besides," Patricia said, jumping in, "I'd put Liz up against Eddy in the 'Worlds Biggest Baby Contest' when she's sick. Good Lord, you'd think a cold meant she was dying of the plague." "I'm not that bad!" Karen said indignantly. "Oh yes you are!" Eddy laughed. "Okay, for being big whiny babies when we're in pain, let's call it a draw and be thankful we have wonderful women who indulge us." "Agreed. Uh, I'm not sure it was a real good idea for me to take those boots off," Karen said apologetically. "I'm sorry, y'all." "Not a problem, that's why God made sunroofs, to let in ventilation," Harry replied as he hit the switch to open the limo's and turning up the fan in the air conditioner. "Besides, Dyke," Eddy growled as the somewhat cool early morning air swirled about the interior, "your feet can't stink anywhere near as badly as mine. I swear these bad boys could knock a buzzard off a shit wagon tonight." "Your foot stench ain't shit, Neanderthal. Mine would set the goddamn shit wagon on fire." "If you two get into a foot funk pissing war, Tamara and I are going to beat both of you senseless, sell you to the gypsies and live together happily ever after. Isn't that right, Tamara?" Patricia said. "Yes ma'am." Tamara replied, cuddling up to Patricia, who sat next to her. "Eddy, when was it you first knew you'd lost control?" Karen asked, smiling. "Karen, unlike you I was never silly enough to think I was ever in control," Eddy replied, grinning back at her. The limo-full of laughing friends cruised on into the night. ------- Once home the bathrooms were used in shifts as makeup was scrubbed off and sweaty bodies were given quick once-overs. By 5:30 seemingly everyone was asleep, dead to the world. Except Harry. He and Margo had cuddled up on either side of Carol, holding her and each other as they got comfortable. Carol had dropped off almost immediately but Margo had seemed restless and Harry had just been unable to get to sleep at all. Deciding that awake and moving about was better than lying in bed and pissed off, he got up and headed for the kitchen. Rummaging around in the pantry he found some hot cocoa mix, the kind with little marshmallows, and decided that a cup or two couldn't hurt and might help, especially if he sweetened it with whiskey. He had just settled down at the kitchen table with his first cup, watching the sky gradually lighten out the window, when Margo padded in. "Hey honey, what are you doing up?" he asked. "I could ask you the same question. I just couldn't sleep. Is there anymore of that cocoa?" "There certainly is. Shall I make you a cup?" "Oh please, love." "With whiskey or without." "With, by all means." Harry puttered about and before too much longer was back, sitting at the table with Margo as they both inhaled the chocolate fragrance rising from their mugs. "Harry, I'm worried about Carol. She's been so... I don't know, skittish I guess, since finding out about the money Tony left her. Insecure, like because she has money, we're going to kick her out of the nest." ------- Carol had woken up shortly after Margo left the bed. Her sleep had appeared much deeper than it was as there were far too many thoughts and emotions running loose in her head. She had gotten out of bed and headed for the kitchen, arriving in time to hear Margo say she was worried about her. Carol had hung back behind the doorway, frightened yet curious. ------- "Funny, I can't sleep because I'm afraid she'll leave us, now that she has money," Harry replied. "I know it's silly, I know that much more than financial need lies at the heart of our relationship. It has from the very start. But still, irrationally, the thought scares the hell out of me. I can tell myself it isn't going to happen, over and over, and it doesn't help in the least. My mind relaxes and the fear comes rushing back, as strong as ever." "You have nothing to be scared of," Carol said as she came into the kitchen and threw her arms around Harry's neck. "This is silly," she continued as she went and hugged Margo. "I'm scared shitless that you're going to 'kick me out of the nest', as Margo put it, and you're scared I'm going to fly away. Tattie was right. I should've just sat down and talked this over with the two of you." "Well," Harry said, "we're all here now. Would you like a cup of cocoa? With or without whiskey?" "Yes, please, with," Carol said, settling into a kitchen chair. "Look, I'm not going to leave unless you want me to." "And it'll be a very cold day in Hell before that happens," Margo replied. "Right," Harry said, "so do you think we can all stop tweaking so hard and just relax. Carol, honey, you're a part of this, as much as I am, as much as Margo is. There isn't any 'Margo and Harry', 'Harry and Carol' or 'Carol and Margo', there's just 'us'. I know that's hard for me to wrap my head around sometimes. It's not a family arrangement I was raised imagining. But it's ours and it's going to work for us because we're going to keep loving each other and talking to each other and loving each other some more until we make it work." "He's right, none of us are alone in this... and that's something I've been needing to remember from time to time," Margo said. "Harry, when I set up my hours with the clinic, I kept the option open to take Fridays off. I think I'm going to start doing that. You and Carol have Mondays together, and I don't begrudge you that at all, but our weekends tend to get eaten up with friends and running around. I want a day that's just for us." "Then you better switch it around to Mondays, darling wife. Anna and Galena are in the house on Fridays and while Anna would smile and ignore the show I don't think she'd approve of her underage daughter attending." "Good point, I'll discuss it with the clinic director Monday morning... oh shit, tomorrow morning. Christ, I'd forgotten it's Sunday already." She looked out the window at the brightening daylight. "So, we make Mondays a day for just the three of us, nobody else. Sound like a plan?" "Works for me," Harry said. "Force me to spend the day with the two people I can't live without? Oh, my life is a never-ending, torturous grind of pain and degradation." "Only if you ask nicely, dear," Margo replied, kissing him on the cheek. "Work for you, sweetie?" "Yes Madam," Carol said, "in fact it sounds like heaven to me." "Fine, then let's finish our cocoa and head for bed. I don't know about you two, but I've been awake far too long." Fifteen minutes later the three of them were well on the way to joining the rest of the house in deep sleep. ------- Chapter 22 There was clanking, metallic clanking. "Be still, you'll wake him up!" hissed Margo. "Mmmmm, yes Madam," Carol said softly. Wet noises. "Oh God, Little Cunt, that feels divine." Margo moaned. Harry opened one eye. He was facing the wrong direction. Nothing very interesting was happening on the bedroom wall. Damn it. Feigning sleep he rolled over and waited for a moment. There was instant silence. "Okay, he was just shifting, continue," whispered Margo. The wet sounds began again. Harry opened his right eye just a little. Through the slit he saw Carol, stretched out on her back, chained, ankles and wrists, to bed posts. Margo was lying atop her, in what could be a sixty-nine position except that Margo was showing no interest in pleasuring her captive, only in continuing to grind her cunt into Carol's mouth and face. "Well, he's awake now," Margo said. "Harry, quit faking. Silly man, you can't fool us." He opened his eyes fully and had a full body stretch. "What gave me away?" "Well, the turning over was mildly suspicious but the erection that followed it pretty much told the tale." "Damn my involuntary biological responses. Did our pet offend this morning or is this just for the fun of it?" "Little bitch woke me up by tickling my tits. I came to enough to tell her to stop or she'd be punished but she kept on. So, punished it is. Although, as always, I'm not sure it's really punishment... oh... my... as much as she's enjoying it." "Well, I'm off to the bathroom and then I'll gladly help you chastise our wayward girl." A muffled "oh damn" came from between Margo's legs. "Harry, it sounds like the prospect terrifies her," Margo said with a lustful smile. ------- In the downstairs guest bedroom, Tamara was curled up on Eddy's chest and shoulder while he happily nuzzled and sucked on her breasts. His large hands caressed her body as delicately as a faint breeze and she smiled both in pleasure and in the knowledge that she was blessed; so few people in the world would ever know what a gentle and loving man her Edward was. Abruptly he stopped, brought her face to his, kissed her tenderly and then leaned back, looking at her. "Theresa, I been thinkin'... I know we just moved in to our apartment and all, but what Patricia and Thunder Dyke are talkin' about doin'... would you like us to buy a house, maybe someplace close to here, maybe in this neighborhood even?" "Whither thou goest, my love, there go I." "I love you too, but that ain't no answer. What do you want?" "Edward, I have all that I could ever have dreamed of. For me to want anything more seems... ungrateful of me, I suppose. But in answer to your question, yes, it would be nice to be closer to our friends, for me to have someone to visit with, hang out with while you're at work, once I'm through with my duties at home. It would be nice to have a home of our own, a place where maybe we could have a family some day." Eddy looked into her eyes, his own growing moist, his lips trembling ever so slightly. "I thought you was too messed up inside for that to happen," he said, the distress evident in his voice. "Edward that was one doctor several years ago and all he said was that he thought it unlikely." "You mean all this unprotected lovin' we been doin', you could get pregnant?" "Maybe, I'm not sure. It's never something I've worried about. All my previous owners have used condoms and if the rabbit died tomorrow because of you and I... there'd be no happier woman in the world, if you wanted a child, that is. Do you want children or should we start using protection?" The tears were rolling down Eddy's face in a stream. "No, I don't want us to start using no gawddamn protection. We're takin' you to the doctor tomorrow or as soon as I can get you an appointment. I'll ask Margo for a recommendation. If you can have children, there's no one in the world I'd rather start a family with than you..." a sob tore through Eddy's voice, "and if you... really can't..." "Then the world is full of children who need loving homes, Edward. And I can't think of anyone who'd make a better father than you." "That's because she refuses to see you for what you are, Monster! That's just what this world needs, a passel of innocent little children for you to hurt, Monster, just like you hurt Rachel. Oh, wouldn't that be grand? She could have company. Why, if you tried really hard, you could probably fill a whole wing! The Eddy Janak Wing, wouldn't that be great?" Tamara had no idea what had caused Edward to curl up in a fetal position and start to wail, softly to himself, but she dealt with it as she dealt with all his pain; the small, child-like woman played mother to the huge, fierce-looking man. ------- As Harry passed by their door on his way to the only functional downstairs bathroom, he heard Eddy's cry of pain and the soft comforting sounds Tamara was making. It being Sunday, he felt it very appropriate to send a little prayer winging skyward to the Great Whatever thanking It for bringing Tamara into his best friend's life. ------- "Have I told you how very proud I am of you?" Patricia asked her lover as she lay with her head in Karen's lap after a delightful morning sixty-nine. "Trish, you have an odd idea of pillow talk sometimes. No, you haven't. Proud of me? Why? For actually being human before coffee this morning?" "No, silly woman that I adore. When you asked me for a second chance and promised me things would be different... I agreed to try again but I really didn't believe you'd pull it off. The only reason I said 'yes' was because I love you so much and you wanted that chance so bad. Well, that and I figured that when you failed, it might make it easier for you to understand and keep your next girlfriend." "You, Trish, are either the most altruistic or craziest person I've ever met." "A little of both," Patricia said, rolling over and lying on her stomach next to Karen. "Rub my back?" As Karen began to do so, Patricia continued. "You've kept your promise to me above and beyond the call and it's been wonderful." "You're sounding like it's all in the past tense," Karen said, a hint of nervousness in her voice. "Oh no, no baby," Patricia said, stroking Karen's leg with her hand. "That's just the way it came out, no, don't worry. It'd take a couple of industrial strength crowbars and the Budweiser Clydesdales to pull me away from you." "Oh God, why'd you have to go and mention Buttwiper?" Karen asked disgustedly. "Honey, I know, their beer sucks ass, but the horses sure are pretty." "Well yeah, there's that. But back on subject... you're proud of me... thank you for that. But really, you're worth every bit of effort and a thousand times more. I'm just sorry it took me so long to act like it. I plan to spend the rest of my life making it up to you." "It's okay, baby. It's all working out and we're going to get that happy ending... if you keep playing with my cunt like that, we'll be getting some happy endings a lot sooner than expected." "Oh really, playing with it like this?" "Oh, yeah, mmm, exactly like that..." ------- Kelly lay on her side watching her lover sleep. Jessica's face was so peaceful and calm, free from the worry that Kelly had seen on it all too often lately. She wasn't blind, she knew that Jess had problems with her relationship with the others. She knew Jess wasn't comfortable with her and Harry's friendship in particular. Kelly closed her eyes and tried to imagine life without Jessica. It hurt, and it was dark, damned dark, in places. But she could deal with it. She could survive it. Keeping her eyes closed, she imagined her life without Carol, without Margo. Without Harry. "Oh my sweet angel," she murmured softly to her sleeping love, "don't ever ask me to make that choice, no matter what you feel. You're not going to like the choice I make." She opened her eyes and continued to gaze at her lover as she slept. ------- Harry got back to the bedroom to find Margo still riding their pet's face, lying sprawled atop her, clutching her legs and biting down on Carol's inner thigh as Carol writhed beneath her. Margo looked up as he came in. "Glad you're back... my love..." she said, panting with pleasure. "I think our fuck-slut... needs some attention... before she gets so wild... she accidentally hurts herself." "Well then, you wicked wife of mine, get out of my way," Harry replied, beginning to adjust the chains so that Carol's legs could be raised. "Trust me, the sight of you two has me so horny I'm putting my cock in the first hole I come to and right now, that's your 'purty' mouth." Margo smiled seductively through her spasms of pleasure. "Maybe I'll take my time... moving then... this little cunt can wait... awhile longer." A muffled cry of desperation came from between Margo's legs. "Yes, I'm sure she can," Margo said, just before biting at Carol's inner thigh again. Harry climbed into bed on his knees and true to her word Margo had his cock in her mouth as soon as it came within range. With the constant distraction of Carol's efforts, Margo's efforts were haphazard and lacking in rhythm, but whatever deficits they suffered were more than made up for by her passion. She was licking and kissing his cock in a frenzy, slurping it in and out of her mouth so fast that he would've had problems following her with his eyes even if they weren't starting to glaze over with pleasure. Suddenly she throated him completely and he felt the spasms as she fought not to gag. Harry tried to pull away but Margo brought her teeth to bear on the base of his cock and he stopped. He wanted to relax and enjoy the experience but found little pleasure while worrying about Margo. As if she sensed this she let his cock slide out of her mouth. "Baby," she said, "don't worry... I'm driving and as long as I'm in control... you just sit back and enjoy... I'll be fine." And with a quick lick she had all of him down her throat again. Harry grabbed on to Carol's legs for support, leaned back slightly and tried his damndest to relax into the experience. As Margo alternated throating him and swirling her tongue and lips around the tip of his cock as she came up for air, Harry felt himself tipping over the edge. "Sweetheart... I'm..." Margo locked her lips around the head as Harry let go and Harry could hear her breathing rapidly through her nose as he emptied himself into her warm, welcoming mouth. His last spasm had barely ended before Margo let his cock slip out of her lips, carefully closing them behind it. She swung off of Carol's face and lowered her lips to Carol's, kissing her and letting Harry's cum slide into her mouth while Carol swallowed and gulped. Once she was finished she gazed down at their pet. "I'm sorry, Little Cunt, seems I took away your fun. You'll just have to remain frustrated." "Madam, please... I'm begging you..." "Or... you could try, very gently as I imagine he's a bit sensitive, to get your Master hard again, if he were willing." "Please sir, please, let me try..." Harry crawled up the bed and then positioned himself astride Carol's head, slowly lowering his cock to her mouth. She strained upwards with her head, gratitude in her eyes, to capture it and she began to nurse on it as if it were a nipple, ever so gently, while Harry braced himself against the wall. Harry's cock was almost painfully sensitive as she began, but soon her soft and soothing suckling had him hard again. She had done an admirable job of restraining her desires and frustration, moving slowly, careful not to bring pain to Harry. "Alright," Margo said, obviously relishing her ringmaster role, "time to relieve the little fuck-slut's tension. Slam her good and hard, my love. Bring Little Cunt off." Margo lay beside their pet as Harry moved between Carol's legs and lifted them, putting the tip of his dick right at the entrance to her swollen and wet pussy. Once he was sure he was on target, he rammed it home, evoking a gasp of pleasure from her. He started in with a hard and fast rhythm, one that he hoped he wouldn't have to maintain for too long. His body was feeling the after-effects of his exertions on the dance floor the night before. As Harry pounded in and out, Margo raked her nails up and down Carol's sides, bringing gasps of pleasure from the woman's lips. "Now, Little Cunt, are you going tease Madam by tickling her tits while she's asleep again?" Margo asked, following the question with a bite on Carol's nipple. "Madam... if this is what happens... when I do that... you can bet the farm... I'll do it again... every chance I get." Margo broke out in laughter. "God, I love you, sweet thing." She moved up and began kissing Carol, stroking the sides of her face. Harry felt a quivering in Carol's cunt as her body began it's dance of climax, a dance that quickly moved from one orgasm to another. Margo broke the kiss and held their beloved as short sharp moans of pleasure, almost like barks, escaped Carol's lips. Harry's second orgasm of the morning was nowhere near as intense as his first, but it was still a beautiful thing. Hands and arms locked around his cherished pet's legs, eyes closed, a smile on his lips, his movements shuddered to a halt as he spasmed, almost falling on top of her but for his tight grip on her. Carol's orgasmic shaking continued as Harry's cock began to go limp inside of her and as he made to pull out her legs tried to hold him in place. "No sir, please... stay." "As you wish, my love," he replied, trying to find the strength to stay upright. Finally the aftershocks and tiny orgasms ended and as he and Carol breathed in time with each other, Harry looked down at her. "Honey, can I please lay down now, I'm real tired?" "Oh my God! I'm so sorry, yes sir, please, lay down here, let me hold you, oh shit, I'm sorry, I wasn't thinking, I apologize!" As Harry blissfully lay down on her left side, throwing an arm and leg over her, he said, "No, really, it's okay, you're more than forgiven, I was happy to stay as long as it was helping you out, but it seems you're through." "You're right, I am... Madam, could I please be unchained? I want to cuddle this poor tired man of ours." "Certainly my dear." And soon they lying together, Margo snuggled up against Carol's back as Carol cuddled with Harry. It was anybody's guess who started to snore first. ------- "Edward, who is Rachel?" "What? Where'd you hear that name?" Eddy asked, sitting bolt upright in bed. "You were muttering it while you were crying, at least, I think that's the name," Tamara replied, reaching up to stroke his face. "If it's something you don't want to talk about, I'm sorry for bringing it up, I'm just trying to understand what happened and why you..." "Freaked out?" Eddy finished. "I've wanted to talk to you about her for a long... well, since that first night, really, I just don't know how. If you can hold on and please be patient with me for just another week, I'll take you to meet her next Saturday and explain it all to you somehow." "Edward, I'll be patient for as long as you need me to be patient. Don't rush it, especially on my account. It's your pain, I can want and wish to bear it for you, but I can't really do so. You have to deal with it and you know I'll help you in any way I can." He gathered the tiny woman into his arms and held her close as she kissed the tears from his face. ------- "Alright my lazy, naked housemates! Get the fuck out of bed before Eddy eats your breakfast! Next time I'm coming in with ice water and a cattle prod! Up and at 'em, it's a bright and shiny Sunday afternoon and there's work to be done, food to be eaten and Harry had better make some decent coffee 'cause none of us can seem to do it right!" "Why did we let Kelly move in again?" Harry grumbled from under Carol's hair. "Because we all love her so much," Margo replied. "Well, that and she's incredibly fun in bed." "I'm not feeling all that much affection for her right now," Carol said, stretching. "Oh God, I'm gonna need a shower before Nicki gets here, I'm a tad whiff." "We all are, my darling," Margo said. "Let's throw on some robes and see who's done what in your kitchen. HARRY! We're not going to let you go back to sleep, coffee is required, this is not a bad dream." She leaned over and kissed his cheek. "Yeah, okay, I'm up," Harry replied, sliding out of bed. "Lemme tend to the call of nature and I'll get some coffee started, save some lives." ------- "Damn, Jessica, you cook a mean mess o' breakfast!" Eddy exclaimed, sitting back in his chair and sipping on his fourth cup of Harry's coffee. "You sure do," Margo agreed. "Your mother teach you to cook?" "Oh hell no," Jessica replied with a grin. "Mother's one of the world's worst cooks. Burns water, bakes jello... the whole nine yards. I learned the basics after I'd had supper at enough friends' houses to realize that some people actually ate food that wasn't' TV dinners or instant oatmeal and toast. Took Home Economics in high school, that helped some too." "Well, you do a fine breakie," Karen said. "Now when do we start setting up all that stereo equipment?" "I didn't know the Dyke was helpin'," Eddy said, looking at Harry. "Eddy, you think Liz is gonna pass up a chance to string speaker wire and play with power tools?" said Patricia, smiling as she cleared the table. ------- "Okay, try it now!" Eddy hollered up the stairs. "Alright," came Carol's reply. A pause while everyone in the living room waited for sound to come pouring from the speakers. Nothing. "Gawddamn it," Eddy grumbled, heading back upstairs, "you'd think he woulda had the common sense to keep the manuals to all this stuff." ------- "Edward, is everything alright?" asked Tamara, barely able to restrain her smile. "Goin' to gawddamn RadioShack a-fuckin-gain, nobody told me before my last trip that they wanted to hook in Harry's CD player, I've seen more gawddamn organization out of a cage full o' shit-flingin' monkey's-" Eddy replied as he stomped out of the house to his truck. ------- "Alright, Carol, let's try this again," Karen said, yelling up the stairs. The "Dies Irae" of Mozart's "Requiem in D Minor" filled the room, surrounding them in beautiful sound. They stood, silent, throughout the movement. When it finished, silence returned to the house. "Whoa, gawddamn that sounded good," Eddy whispered. "Alright, switch it over to 'Input B' and we'll try the CD deck down here," he bellowed upstairs. Ella Fitzgerald's rendition of "Begin the Beguine" poured from the speakers. Eddy slumped onto a pile of cushions. "Well kids, looks like we done it right. Somebody, somewhere, please tell me there's a beer in this house?" Carol came downstairs, hugged and kissed Karen, then Harry and finally Eddy. "Thank you all for your hard work. It sounds wonderful, everything works... thank you so much." She plopped down next to Eddy and hugged him again. "Especially you, Eddy, for the multiple trips to RadioShack... I know we were driving you crazy." "Oh, don't let him fool you, sweetie," Karen said. "That's a short trip on a well-traveled road." "Love you too, Dyke-asaurus," Eddy shot back, grinning. "Well damn it, Neanderthal, we all know dinosaurs and man didn't live at the same time so one of us is gonna have to die," she replied, smiling evilly, "or at least, one of us is gonna have his ass whupped in a tickle fight." Carol barely managed to scramble out of the way before the clash of the titans began. "Do you ever get the feeling the two of them are still in grade school?" Patricia asked Tamara. "DON'T YOU DARE PUT YOUR HAND THERE, YOU REDNECK BABOON!" "GET YOUR CUNT-STROKIN' PAWS OFF MY NUTS, DYKE!" "All the time, Patricia, all the time," the tiny woman sighed. ------- Finally, after everything had settled down, and a little straightening up of the house had taken place with everyone pitching in, the household's guests started making their goodbyes. "If everything goes well and Nicki doesn't disown me or shoot me, I'm thinking of having a get-together next Friday night. I'd love for y'all to be there," Harry said, hugging Karen and Patricia goodbye. "See you at the office Tuesday, Sappho. Take care on the drive home. "The same of course for you and Eddy, Tamara... besides, Eddy and Nicki actually got along fairly well towards the end of our high school years. I know she'd like to see him... if she doesn't run screaming from the city as soon as I start filling her in on everything." "You know we'll be there," Eddy replied as he and his beloved made their good-byes. "And Margo, I owe you for the recommendation. I'll let you know how that turns out." "I'll be waiting to hear," Margo replied, smiling. As they drove away Harry hugged his wife. "What was that about?" "Oh, Eddy wanted the name of an OB/GYN that I thought highly of for Tamara." "Interesting." "Interesting indeed. Now then, you need to hop in the shower, oh man of mine, and I and our beloved pet will be waiting for you when you get out." "Going to help me get all dirty again?" Harry asked with a leer. "No, going to work on loosening up your back and neck. When I hugged you it felt like steel cords back there. I want you to try and relax a little before you go pick up Nicki." ------- Nicole Grimes was high in the air over Louisiana; inbound for her home town and a long-needed reunion with her brother. She'd put the final touches on her last story and put it on her boss's desk earlier that afternoon in a flurry of last minute work. "Southern Outlook" magazine would just have to live without her for awhile. Two badly needed weeks of vacation stretched before her. Time to mend some fences with her brother, time get to know the woman in his life, time to say a lot of things to Harry that she'd wanted to say for a long time. ------- When Harry got out of the shower and walked into the master bedroom his heart almost stopped at the sight before his eyes. To almost anyone else, it would have been two pretty women in robes sitting on a huge bed, sipping their iced teas and talking. To him it was the glorious miracles of his life made manifest, the radiant proof of the Divine, gathered into one spot all that his heart could desire. "Carol, my love, have you had church today?" "Uh, no, haven't found a quiet moment." "We have a quiet moment now. Care to join us in a little silent communion with the Great Whatever, beloved wife?" "Sounds like a lovely idea," she said, smiling. The three of them ended up, sitting cross-legged on the bed in a triangle. What the women thought or prayed or meditated upon Harry couldn't begin to guess. But for himself, out of his heart poured thankfulness, gratitude, and a song of joy so strong it was wordless, just a great stream of emotion. He sat in a room, in a house, filled with love and loved ones, which had recently held even more of both. He opened his eyes for a moment to marvel at the two remarkable, precious, unique women who blessed his every breath with their love. He thought of his friends, of how special each of them was and how completely unworthy he felt of their slightest regard, yet they'd all become family with one another by choice. The tears rolled down his face in waves as he closed his eyes again and just let go, for a moment, of his worry and stress about Nicki's visit and felt how good it would be to see her again, hold her in his arms and hug her, hear her voice, watch her face as she spoke. At last, he felt calm, still, at peace. Nothing was so broken that it couldn't be mended. Nothing was so dirty that it couldn't be cleaned. Nothing was so lost that it couldn't be found. "Harry, are you okay honey?" asked Margo, her voice mirroring her concern. "Yeah, yeah I am, baby. I'm fine," he said, wiping his eyes on his towel. "Now, I believe you ladies were going to grace me with a massage?" ------- After Harry left to go to the airport, Margo and Carol did a last minute clean-up in Nicki's old bedroom and then began the nervous fidgeting. The most obvious signs of fetishism and drug use were secreted away, but Margo couldn't help but realize that the living room looked like a giant porn set. Carol put on a stack of CD's; calm, soothing, romantic music. She held out her hand to Margo. "May I have this dance, Madam?" Margo looked at her in wonder. "Why yes, yes you may." The two nervous women danced together through one song, then two, then three. Kelly and Jess came downstairs. "What are you two doing?" Kelly asked, incredulous. "Dancing our nervousness away," Margo replied. "And having a damn fine time doing so, too, although I'm still a little sore from last night. Come on, join in." So Kelly and Jessica, arm in arm, swirled around the floor in counterpoint to Margo and Carol, cheek to cheek. ------- Harry sat in a little airport bar by the security exit Nicki'd be leaving from, sipping an orange juice. He'd made it there early, as he'd planned, and once again he wondered to himself how he was going to explain his relationship with Carol to his sister. Margo was easy, fiancée, going to get married, both waiting for their divorces... but pets, pets weren't really easy to explain... slaves were even harder. Not that his sister was a prude by any stretch of the imagination, it was just that there were a long list of things he'd never really discussed with her... how open-minded she was about alternate family groups and definitions of marriage were among them. He was pretty sure he was going to leave explaining Kelly's place in their lives until another day. ------- "Big Mama, may I have the honor?" Kelly asked in between songs. As Carol graciously stepped aside, Kelly snuggled in close to Margo, her head nestling between the tall woman's breasts. "Now see, Big Mama, that's what I like about you, your body makes a girl feel right at home." Margo laughed. "Kelly, love, is there anything you don't pump sexual vibes into?" "Oh, lots of things... but damn few of them when I'm around beautiful people that I love. And make no mistake, Margo, I do love you. Carol, too. Jessica, of course. And how I feel about Harry, well, you'd have to be blind and stupid not to know that, and ain't nobody here blind or stupid." "I love you too, Kelly. Very quickly you've become a member of this family of ours, a cherished member. And not just for the obvious reason that you're one of most erotic women in existence." Kelly's right hand dropped from Margo's back to her ass, while Kelly's left hand slid down Margo's arm and cupped her breast. "Only one of the most erotic women in existence? And here I was, shooting for the top slot." The hand that had been caressing Margo's breast slid up, behind her neck and to the back of her head, pulling her down to Kelly's waiting lips. After the kiss broke, Margo smiled at her. "Alright, you're the second most erotic woman in existence... don't try for the number one spot, it would make Carol very unhappy." Carol and Jessica danced closer. "That's right, Princess," Carol purred. "And we wouldn't want your Mistress unhappy, would we?" Kelly's eyes dropped to the floor. "No, Mistress." She looked up again, smiling as she and Margo returned to dancing. "I'll live with the number two slot if she's number one. But where does that leave you and my sexy angel, Jess?" "That's for someone else to judge," Margo replied. Carol said, "Oh, I'd put Margo in a solid fifth place, Jess is in the high twenties but climbing fast under your excellent tutelage." "Do I want to know who third and fourth are?" Kelly asked. "No darling, but if you ever meet them, you'll know why they place where they do, probably in the first fifteen minutes," Carol answered. "I can't stand either of them, but they're undeniably creatures of pure unadulterated lust." Carol tapped Kelly on the shoulder as the song ended. "My turn." As the two of them swayed away, Margo took Jess' hand and slowly danced them towards the opposite end of the living room. "So, how're you doing, Jess?" she asked when they were as out of earshot as they could get. "Just fine, everything's great," Jessica said, smiling up at Margo. "Jessica, I saw your face when Kelly started feeling me up. Everything didn't look fine or great. If you want to talk about it, you know where I am." "Thanks... I may take you up on that... some time real soon, probably. But I don't think right now's the time, not with Harry and Nicki probably on their way here." "Understandable and a good point," Margo said, smiling at the young girl. Margo's phone began to ring. She left Jess in the living room and went to the bedroom to answer it. A few moments later she returned. "Well, if you want it to be now, we have the time. Harry said he and Nicki will be stopping somewhere to talk before they come back here, so in case there's any problem he can deal with it and get her a hotel room or whatever, not have it blow up here at home. He'll call before he heads home." "Actually, I wouldn't mind that talk right now at all," Jess said, her distress evident in her voice. "Kelly, Carol... Jess and I are going to go have a chat. Harry's going to call before he comes home, sounds like he's planning to have a long talk with Nicki before he brings her here. See y'all in a bit." ------- Harry had finally come to a decision and it was one that alternately comforted him and terrified him. He was going to tell Nicki everything. Starting from that night in the Pearl up to the present... get it all said and then see where the chips fell. If he was lucky she wouldn't be too freaked and would still want to meet the family. The speakers blared the announcement of her flight's arrival. He swallowed the lump in his throat, washed it down with the last of his orange juice and stood up to wait nervously, shifting his feet constantly. ------- "Margo, it's not that I don't like y'all, I do. Y'all were there for me when all the shit went down with my mom and you've been nothing but good to me ever since. No matter what, you're some of the nicest, most giving people I've ever known and I hope some day I can grow up and be as open and caring and loving as y'all are. But I worry about losing Kelly. I worry about it all the time. I worry about losing her to you guys. I mean, she's told me repeatedly she's not interested in being involved in your marriage-thing, but it seems pretty obvious to me that she wouldn't mind that at all and she's just in denial if she thinks any differently." "You may be right... I don't know that you are, but I certainly don't know that you aren't," Margo responded. "And it's like this group of you and your friends, it's like you're some kind of alternate family or tribe or something for her. You're a social group and pretty much the only social group she wants to interact with regularly. I don't know, sometimes I almost get a 'cult' feeling off of how she is about it and then I tell myself that I'm just being weird. And then I end up thinking maybe I'm in denial, too." "And how do you feel about her viewing us as her tribe?" Margo asked, calmly. "It's something she needs, and it's something she finds here and I love her and I want what's best for her. It's just not something I understand." "And because you don't understand it, it frightens you?" "Yeah, yeah it does." ------- When Harry first saw his sister, coming out of the exit, he would've sworn the intervening three and a half years hadn't happened. She looked exactly as he remembered her from the rehearsal dinner before he'd said so many things he didn't mean and she'd stormed out. As tall as he himself, dark ash blonde hair, not too many overt curves, she'd always been on the slender side, claiming she was too busy to eat. She moved with confidence, but Harry couldn't help but notice nervousness as well which he attributed to the long-awaited reunion. It was only when she got closer that he noticed the dark circles under her deep green eyes, the general tenseness of her pretty oval face, the tightness of her lips. "Hey baby sister... Goddamn it's good to see you," he said as he moved forward to hug her. Her response surprised him. Her face lit up and the tenseness seemed to melt away. "Big brother!" she cried as she threw herself into his arms. "Damn, Harry, I almost didn't recognize you! You look so much happier than you did last time I saw you!" "Well, I was angry and hurt the last time you saw me, and I apologize again for the things I said." "No, not then, I understand the way you looked then," she said, releasing him and stepping back. "Earlier at the rehearsal dinner... you looked less than happy then as well. At least, you did to me." "Maybe you have the ability to see the future, sis. God knows I didn't think I was unhappy, but I sure as hell ended up that way. Come on, let's go grab your luggage." "Don't need to. I only brought this carry-on. It's got enough until I can go shopping. I have a lot of money saved up for my vacation and it's been quite awhile since I took the time to shop for myself for anything other than work outfits. And should the absolutely unthinkable happen and I run low on funds, I think I can probably find a very successful big brother to hit up for a loan," she added, smiling impishly. "Yeah, you're probably right there," he replied, returning her smile. "Now let's go. I've got a lot to tell you in a relatively short amount of time and I need to do it before I take you back to the house. I know this place though, serves a mean basket of fried mushrooms and has a friendly bartender named Ruben." ------- "I'm not stupid, Margo, I know that if I force Kelly to make a decision, I'm going to lose. She loves me, I don't doubt that, but she needs as well as loves all of you." "Then why are you worried? We don't want to take her away from you, she doesn't want to be taken away from you, you don't want to lose her... see what I'm getting at? Her love for us doesn't seem to be taking anything away from her love for you. Her 'need' for us doesn't seem to be taking anything away from her 'need' for you. Or am I missing something?" "No, you're not missing anything. I just feel like... like I'm not enough... like she has to have these other relationships to feel fulfilled, and I thought the whole couple thing was that two people filled that need for each other." "Alright, that I can empathize with, at least somewhat. But for me it's enough to know that Harry would, to use a grisly analogy, take a bullet for me just like he'd take a bullet for Carol. Torturing myself worrying about which one of us he'd choose to take a bullet for first if we both were getting shot at the same time in the same place is ludicrous... not that I don't sometimes still do it. But then I tell myself, after about a half hour of that, to shut the hell up and quit being foolish. My life is so full of love and wonder that for me to dwell on imagined 'what ifs' is just me searching for things to be unhappy about. "Jess, the decision to be happy, I recently learned, is up to each of us. I can sit here and dwell and worry and obsess on whether Harry loves Carol more than me, how rotten my marriage to Benjamin was, dig at the scars of my childhood... or I can realize that I'm loved by two extraordinary people, I'm surrounded by some of the most amazing, and loyal, friends a person could ever want... my life is golden. Sometimes I still have my insecurities, but then I talk about them with the people I love, or I talk to myself about them, and I realize that it's my choice whether or not to let them rule my life. Generally, my life's a lot more fun when I don't let them rule it. "I think, perhaps, that somewhere inside you, you need the same feeling of family that Kelly does, you've just taught yourself to ignore that need or for some reason you feel safer if you don't acknowledge that it's there. Now, if you think real hard on it and decide that I'm wrong, well, it won't be the first time and I'll be shocked if it's the last. "But if I'm right, and you do want that family or tribe or whatever, we're here, and we'd love to be that for you. We'd love to have you as more than a close friend. We all think the world of you. We all love and care about you. "So do me a favor, and think about it, and be brutally honest with yourself when you do." ------- "Where you goin', Jess?" Kelly asked as her lover headed upstairs. "Got some pondering to do, don't worry, I'll be back down later. Just need to think about some things." Kelly looked at her, love shining in her eyes. "You need me you call; I'll be up there in a flash." "I know." And with that Jess finished the climb upstairs and they heard the room door close. ------- Chapter 23 "I'm afraid things aren't going to work out between her and me," Kelly said after Jessica went upstairs, sadness flooding across her face. "She's too scared or too distrustful or too something, I don't know what, to relax and be comfortable with you... to be... to be..." "A part of the family?" Margo asked. "Yeah, that's it, that's it exactly! And she resents that I am a part of it. If she can't come to terms with it, I don't see much future for us." "You know that whatever happens, we'll be here for you," Carol said, stroking Kelly's hair. Margo wrapped her arms around Kelly and hugged her tight. "You're a part of us, sweetheart, nothing can change that." For a long time the three of them sat together on the floor, touching each other. Slowly the consternation grew on Kelly's face until she gave it voice. "And that's another thing that's pissin' me off," Kelly said angrily, shrugging out of their arms. "Right now I want get the two of you naked and make love like there's no tomorrow but I know, sure as I do, Jess'll come out of our room and take it wrong and get pissed or hurt... I'm startin' to resent her. And I never want to resent her. I don't mind editing my behavior on occasion because it's not a good time, I mind it feeling like it's never a good time, and that any time I spend with you is some sort of special fuckin' gift she's giving me as a great fuckin' sacrifice!" "Well honey, we couldn't anyway, you know Harry's liable to be home with his sister any time," Carol said soothingly. "Oh bullshit! You know Harry's going to call and give us plenty of time." She turned and pushed Margo down on a pile of cushions. "And Big Mama, you know what I want to do to you," she fell upon her, in full predatory mode. She reached back and grabbed Carol, pulling her down as well, "And what I want to do to Juicy-sweet here, and even if all of that went down, there's nothing we couldn't clean up," she moved her hand down inside of Margo's shorts, caressing her cunt and back out again, "and have you looking all wifely when they get home." She thrust her head into the front of Margo's shirt, using her chin to pop the buttons as she drug her face down Margo's front. Margo took her head gently in her hands. "Sweetie, I understand, I do... you're angry right now, and you're acting out that anger by doing something that could lead to a quick resolution of all your problems. But that quick resolution would be driving Jess away, and you don't really want that." Carol pulled her off of Margo into a hug. "I agree, Kelly. Why don't you go up there and talk to her, or just sit with her while she thinks? "Because," Kelly said, struggling to keep the tears out of her voice, "I just want her to be part of the family, for all this to be okay... and damn it, I want it now! I mean, I can understand, in my head, why she's having these problems, but my heart doesn't understand at all. To me, wanting to become a member of the family was as natural as breathing... it was resisting that urge that was difficult and required thought and effort. How can someone, especially someone in Jess' position, at odds with her mother, few friends, no other family, not want to be a part of a group that's already welcomed her with open arms?" "I don't know either," Carol said. "But one thing I do know. Relationships take work, a lot of it, and that work has to be done even when you don't want to have to do it, or you're tired, or you're frustrated, or you're pissed off. You know that as well as I do. You and Jessica are worth the effort. Go to it." "Yeah, I know... just felt like being a selfish, spoiled bitch for awhile," Kelly replied, shaking her head ruefully. "No baby, you're tired and frustrated, not selfish and spoiled. Trust me... we'd beat you if you were selfish and spoiled," Margo said smiling, hugging Kelly once more. Kelly got up off the floor and looked down at Margo, her old familiar grin back on her face. "You know, you keep making those promises..." And she headed upstairs to be with her lover. ------- "... and so that's how things stand as of this morning," Harry finished, looking down at his empty beer mug. "Glass of water, please, Ruben?" he said, raising a hand towards the bartender. His sister looked at him, thoughts flickering across her face too rapidly to read. She rooted around in the remnants of the flaky mushroom crusts, found a bit she liked and popped it in her mouth, chewing it slowly. "Harry, are you sure you aren't just in the middle of some wonderful dream?" she asked, gazing at her brother speculatively. "Nope, although most days I ask myself something similar at least once. I've never been so happy, Nicki. I mean, don't get me wrong, there have been rough times, and I have no doubt there'll be more. But I know now that there's nothing I can't face with the help of my friends and family. Nothing. "Now, if all this is too freaky and weird for you, I'll gladly put you up at a hotel, no problem. But I'd love you to come home, stay with us... all of us." "Oh, I'm coming with you... don't worry, my sensibilities aren't shocked at all, except in that whole 'this is happening and my big brother is in the middle of it' way." She smiled. "I'm just trying not to let my envy of you eat my head. "The last five years have been... well, they've been very lonely, Harry. After the divorce, I didn't date for a long time, and then when I did start going out again, it was like every guy I met punched the wrong buttons somehow. Finally I just said 'fuck it' and gave up on a social life. I'm married to my vibrator. I haven't named it, but I figure that'll be the next step towards becoming a social hermit. "And you've really cut your schedule back to three days a week? Karen, too?" "Ahyup. Just this morning Margo decided that the three of us need more 'us' time, so she's moving her day off to Monday as soon as she can. We don't need more money, we need more life." "Sounds heavenly... I'm still putting in 90 to 100 hour weeks; I'm tired all the time. My editors have been kind enough not to say it yet, but I can tell that the quality of my work is suffering." "You still on tranqs?" "Occasionally... whenever I finish a story and realize that although it's over, I'm still too wired to relax, rest, sleep. Then? You betcha. Otherwise, not so much. Mostly I just drink too much." "I keep telling ya, smoke dope and it'll go easier with you." "Well, from what you've told me, I'm probably not going to have much of a choice while I'm staying with you, am I? I've always been too worried about getting caught to really relax and enjoy it." "Well, we'll work on that as well... try to sway you to the outlaw side of the Force," Harry said with a grin. "You're on," she replied, her corresponding grin clearly marking them as siblings. ------- Kelly walked into the bedroom she shared with Jessica to find her lover packing. "Jess, angel, you want to tell me what's happening?" she asked, fear already making itself heard in her voice. Jessica turned to her, tears leaking from the corners of her eyes, sliding down on top of the tracks of older tears tracks. "I've called Quan and she said I could crash out on her couch for awhile, until I could find my own place. "Kelly, I love you. I know you love me. But I thought about it, like Margo said, and it hit me hard when I realized that I need to be somebody's 'one and only'. I need that. I need to be the special one that my lover's life revolves around, just like she's the one I revolve around. "And please believe me; I understand why I can't be that for you, not full-time. This family of yours, they're some wonderful people and I love them all, but they don't fill the same roles in my life that they do in yours. "I want to go on dating you, I definitely want to go on making love with you, and anytime you want to get together, just the two of us, you can bet I'll be available. Hell, face it Kelly. You give me the right look and I'll follow you almost anywhere. "But I just can't stay in this close of a relationship this way. It isn't working for me at all. And it's best for me, and I think for you as well, if I go before the frustration makes it ugly." And then they both were crying and reaching for each other. And Kelly said "I'm sorry" and Jessica said "you never promised me it would be any different" and they fell together on the bed and held each other and cried because they each were they way they were. ------- The pale blue Ford Econoline van that had been an unnoticed part of Harry's life for quite some time pulled into traffic several car lengths behind Harry and Nicki as they left The Pearl. ------- "There's something I've been meaning to tell you for a long time," Nicki said as they made their way back to the house. "Not everything I said at that rehearsal dinner had the purest motivations." "No, I told you, you were right, hell, you were more than right. Everything you said was dead on." "No, I'm not saying what I said was wrong, goofball, I'm saying that the reasons I hit you with it weren't necessarily the high and mighty "I must save my brother from a disastrous marriage" ones that you might imagine they were." "I'm still not following you," Harry said as he shifted lanes. "I know, I'm off to a real dismal start at explaining it. Alright, let's try it this way; I've had three strong male figures in my life while I was growing up. Every last one of them was, in his own way, an exemplary human being. "There was Dad, who was always special, but who showed me in the last years of Momma's life that there was nothing more important than love and family. He put his entire life into taking care of her and keeping the two of us feeling that there was hope for her, and for us as a family, no matter what the doctors said or how bad it looked. "There was Eddy, who, once I got over being terrified of him when I was younger, taught me that no matter how fierce and strong and imposing a man is, he can still be gentle and kind and thoughtful and sweet. And furthermore that exhibiting those qualities doesn't lessen him in any way, but instead strengthens him. "And then there was you, brother dear. After Momma and Dad died, you didn't really change, you just shouldered the burden of being executor of their estates, helping me through the grieving and kept on keeping on. You showed me a lesson I have yet to really master... that you can be who you are and still be successful, you can remain true to yourself and still do what you need to do. I mean, come on, in high school would anyone have believed you'd be co-owner of a successful business? Yet until An-... until that woman, you never stopped being good ol' Harry Grimes, same as you ever were. "And so with the three of you as the strong male images in my life, is it any wonder Patrick didn't measure up? I mean, it's not like Patrick didn't have his own set of issues that would have had us hitting divorce court sooner or later, but there was no way in fucking hell he could measure up to the ideals I held for what a man could and should be." "Okay, Nicki," Harry said, checking the rear-view mirror as he shifted lanes again and took an off-ramp. "Hey, you didn't signal!" "I know, my bad, I'm sorry... so you have a view of me that's rose-colored at best and being exposed to Dad and Eddy, as well as your delusions where I'm concerned, led to some unrealistic expectations of Patrick. How does this relate to what you said at the rehearsal dinner, or better said, how does it relate to your motives for saying what you did?" Nicki punched him in the shoulder. "Ow!" "Rose-colored, my ass! What it has to do with my motives is that not only was I telling you my honest evaluation of that woman and what I saw in her... but even if you'd been marrying the perfect woman for you, flawless in every way, I would have been looking for something, anything, making shit up... simply because to me, there couldn't be a woman good enough for you. "You're a very special man, and I couldn't find a way to tell you at the time, I couldn't have found the words and I didn't recognize what was going on... but I was telling you what I told you not only because Ang-... that woman... was a cum-guzzling dumpster slut from the seventh level of skank hell, but because to me there was no woman good enough for you." "I love you too, sis. And thank you. I may disagree with your evaluation, but I appreciate your honesty and I love you." "Harry, is there any reason you turned off way the fuck ahead of our exit?" "Uh, yeah... yeah, I got distracted by the conversation and thought I was one place when I was really another. That's the problem with these strip malls, make it damn hard for someone who almost subconsciously navigates by landmarks. "But look, there's a Baskin-Robbins... and I'm in the mood for ice cream. You still a Rocky Road junkie or have you turned from the darkness and joined the Enlightened Ones who worship Mint Chocolate Chip?" ------- "That was Harry. He and Nicki have stopped off for ice cream... the rat bastard! I told him to bring some home for us too," Margo said as she hung up her phone. "So, since the kids are upstairs hopefully making nice with each other, it's just you and me, darling." "Oh shucky darn," said Carol as she flowed into Margo's arms and they began to dance again. ------- "So, with you having no luck with men, wearing out batteries on your toys... you ever considered giving women a try?" Harry asked, looking out the window as he ate his ice cream, smiling evilly. "HARRY! We're in a Baskin-fuckin'-Robbins, for Christ's sake! Watch what you say!" "I'm not the one who just said a naughty word and blasphemed... but I will keep my voice down... now, quit avoiding the question." Nicki's voice dropped to a whisper. "Yeah, once or twice... there's this woman at the office... Georgina... God, she's gorgeous... well, she walks both sides of the street and one day after a particularly rough story finally got filed, she stopped by my desk and invited me out for drinks with her and some other girls after work. "Turned out the rest of the women made an early night of it... I was going to as well, but she convinced me I deserved a mental health day and tying one on that night was the perfect excuse to call in sick the next day. Turned out she and I both called in, neither one of us was hung-over, but we spent the day in bed anyway. I've seen her again, but it's real casual... definitely fuck-buddies, no romance at all, and she does her best to keep it that way. Why do you ask, you pervert?" "Well, it was sort of a necessary question. Sexy as you are, once the crew got relaxed around you, it was going to be a race to see whether Kelly or Carol made the first move on you." He continued to scan the parking lot. "And I don't mean anything subtle, either. I mean naked, wild and willing woman, crawling into your lap and doing a full-court-press kind of move. And if you hadn't considered that side of the street, I was gonna tell you that you might want to start doing so. And if you were totally opposed to the idea, I'd know so I could warn the little hedonists." "You mean the gang isn't going to be on their best behavior just because I'm visiting?" "All depends... you want to be treated as a guest, or as family?" Nicki sat back in her chair, stuck another spoonful of Rocky Road in her mouth and sucked on it thoughtfully. "I'd like to be treated as family... but I'm not sure how comfortable I'll be getting naked myself." "Don't worry about it. No one holds a gun to anybody's head, and a motion to adjourn to a bedroom is always in order. Hell, Eddy is very rarely without a stylin' set of boxers." "Harry?" "Yeah, Nicki?" "What the hell's so damned fascinating out in the parking lot?" He started, then looked over at her guiltily. "I'm sorry, sis. It's just so pretty out there, and this is the kind of conversation it's easier for me to have with my sister if I'm not looking at her." ------- The occupants of the blue Econoline van spotted Harry's car once again. Fearing they'd been made, they parked their vehicle at the far end of the lot and watched, waiting for Harry to show. ------- Harry smiled; a tight, grim, bitter smile. He turned from the window. "But you're right, it's a conversation best had face to face," he said, gazing into Nicki's eyes. "Myself, I don't worry about being naked. I know that with the wealth of beautiful women around, nobody's going to be looking at me, other than any of the aforementioned beautiful women who I'm blessed to be intimate with, so I get over my shyness that way." "Yeah, but... I mean, you're my brother, Harry... I think that's gonna give me the heebie-jeebies." He looked at her incredulously. "Did you just say 'heebie-jeebies'? I haven't heard anyone use that term in years! Come to think of it, the last person I heard use it was you." "So sue me, Harry, you rat! I still use 'heebie-jeebies'. Get over it! Do you mean to tell me that having me there isn't going to give you pause about getting naked?" "Okay, it might... but as soon as someone distracts you, I'll probably not worry about it anymore and get comfortable. Really, Nicki, at the end of it all, that's what it's all about. Whatever you're comfortable with. If it turns out you're not comfortable with any of it, that'll be okay to, we'll bring any such party to a close and call it an early night." "But that would make me a 'guest', wouldn't it?" "Yeah, but if that's how you're comfortable, then there's nothing wrong with it. We have friends and acquaintances and associates that we'd no more get freaky around than we'd run down the street, naked and painted blue. Doesn't mean we think less of them, we just realize that not everyone is comfortable with our type of get-together. In fact, later this summer, after the pool and all that is finished, we'll be having two parties... one for the neighbors and our work associates, one for friends, family members and fellow freaks. It's my devout hope I can avoid having them on the same weekend." "Oh, but Harry, think about it... what a great weekend it would be!" "Yeah, think about it, I'd need a week off to recuperate!" The two siblings laughed their remarkably similar laughs together. ------- "So, you're really determined to do this?" Kelly asked, tears streaming down her face. "Baby, I have to, for me. I love you, hell, I love them too. I just can't live in a relationship like this right now. It's hurting you, it's hurting me... that'll just end up ripping us apart. This way, I have time to maybe wrap my head around everything, work something out. Maybe I find somebody who can love me as that one and only in their life. But I need the freedom to explore the options." "Okay. You know if you need anything, all you have to do is call, right?" "Of course I do... and you know the same?" "Yeah... yeah, I know. Lemme help you get this stuff down to your car. You can leave the rest of it here in storage until you get settled somewhere a bit more permanent than Quan's couch." The two young women trudged down the stairs with a sense of resigned finality. In spite of everything they'd said to each other, in both their minds they were very afraid this was a final good-bye, at least as far as their relationship was concerned. Margo and Carol stopped in mid-dance, watching the two of them as they crossed the living room. "You two need any help?" Carol asked. "No, we've got it," Jessica answered, "but hugs and kisses good-bye would be great." She could barely keep herself from dissolving into tears again. The four women moved out to Jessica's car and Margo and Carol watched as Kelly and Jess loaded it like they were marching to the guillotine immediately after they finished. After hugs and kisses were exchanged, Jessica looked at Margo. "Guess you didn't think this was how me 'thinking about it' would turn out," she said. "I was afraid there was a possibility of it turning out this way," Margo replied. "I just hoped it wouldn't." "Tell Harry and the rest of the gang I'll see 'em later," Jessica said and she slid into her car, started the engine and roared away, trying to avoid letting her friends and lover see her burst into sobs. She didn't succeed. Kelly stood, watching her go, Margo on one side of her, Carol on the other, taking comfort in their closeness. "Kelly, do you think she's doing what's right for her?" Carol asked. "Yeah, yeah I do... that's part of why it doesn't hurt as bad as it could, I think. It's not like she's making some big mistake. Don't get me wrong... I'd give anything... except what I can't give... to have her..." She broke down and buried her face in her hands. The two women helped their crying sister into the house. ------- "Sis, excuse me for a minute, I need to make a call." Harry got up and went outside, standing out of the way of traffic on the sidewalk and hit Eddy's number on speed dial. ------- Eddy lay on his back, his tiny and precious Theresa lying atop him. Their day had been a slow and languorous one, filled with making love, leisurely meals and much lounging about the apartment. "Have I told you lately that lovin' you beats the hell out of waking up hung-over next to the skank d'jour, wonderin' how much money I'd blown the night before?" he asked her, a great smile splitting his face. "No Edward, you haven't told me that lately... I think it's been several days since some version of that sentiment crossed your lips within my hearing." She stretched, using the extension of her arms as an excuse to caress his face and hair. "But I've never doubted it for a moment. You make me feel loved and special a thousand ways every single day." "Then I'm fallin' down on my gawddamn job... I should be making you feel that a million ways every day. I'm gonna have to work on that." "Sir, I think you're doing a superb job, far better than I ever dreamed possible, but if my Master wishes to shower yet more affection upon his most devoted servant, she will not argue with him, for that would be wrong of her." "Hey, I told you... I'm still not too comfortable with that kind of talk!" "I know, Edward. But you won't get more comfortable with it if we continue to avoid the issue, now will you?" "Hmmph... I suppose you're right... you have an annoying habit of being right, didja know that?" "Yes sir, you mention that 'annoying habit' of mine quite frequently. This would be the fourth time today." "Fifth, sweetie, you're forgetting when you where right about me havin' a tendency to hum "My Favorite Things" when I'm in the shower." "Yes sir, you're right, I had forgotten that. And it is quite charming." "Shaddup, you." "Yes sir, shutting up sir." "Gawd, it's been great to have such a quiet day!" Outside, in Eddy's truck, his cell phone rested where it had lain since slipping out of his pocket. It stopped ringing and tripped over to voice mail. ------- As Harry put his phone away, muttering in frustration, it rang. "Hello?" "Harry, are you two about finished at Baskin-Robbins?" "Yeah, why?" "Jessica's left. She and Kelly are supposedly going to keep on seeing each other, but I don't know how that's going to work out. Kelly's taking it better than I would've expected but still pretty hard. Carol's upstairs with her. I just wanted to find out when you'd be home and to let you have some warning what you'll be walking into." "Damn... okay my love, we'll be home in a bit. Need to get the ice cream to go... check and see what flavor Kelly wants. There's nothing for a breaking heart like ice cream." ------- "TELL HIM BANANA NUT, MARGO, AND TELL HIM THANKS... TELL HIM IF HE BRINGS HOME A GALLON OF BANANA NUT I'LL LOVE HIM FOREVER..." Kelly yelled, smiling through her tears, "not that I won't already, goddamn it." Carol looked at her friend carefully. "That's part of the problem, isn't it, my love?" "Yeah, but not totally the way you think... I love all of you. You're my family. I mean, yeah, a lot of my sexual focus may be Harry, but that's because I love dick, and he's got the only real one in the partnership." She smiled, a hint of her natural mischievousness showing through. "And some of my focus is on him as a friend, because I feel close to him, I can talk to him on that 'friend' level... don't think I've ever had a guy I could talk with that way before. But I love all of you. I'd be lost without you, or Margo, or Harry... lost in a way I'm not going to be without Jess. And that's the part of the problem that's messin' with me. "It's not that I want to be part of your little group thing, I don't... it's that, in my own mind, I'm already a part of something and it comes with a lot of connections and obligations and responsibilities and joys and privileges... and anyone coming into a relationship with me has to either fit into that pre-existing 'relationship'... or make do with the parts of my life that are left... and that ain't much. Maybe it isn't enough. "I don't think I'm going to stop finding other people interesting and desirable, I may... but if I don't, and if they want me, then they have to take all of you as well... and not just you three, but Eddy and Theresa, Karen and Patricia... all the rest. They'll have to come to terms with my sense of 'home' not being alone with them, but being in a group with all of you... that they're, like... add-ons. "That's not going to be easy on anyone. God knows it wasn't easy on Jess." Carol held her friend in her arms and looked into her eyes. "Don't you see yourself leaving us someday?" "No, you silly bitch! Oh, it may happen, I can't predict the future, but I'm 'home'... more 'home' than I've ever been anywhere else. I'm so very happy in this little community of freaks," she said, smiling, even though her pain was evident, "I can't conceive of ever wanting to leave." Carol kissed her, tenderly and deeply, then after their lips had parted, "We love you too, Kelly darling, all of us do." "I know... I just feel shitty that all this came to a head today... today was supposed to be about Nicki meeting all of us, a time for celebration and all that... now Jess is gone, I'm on a downer, the two of you are having to deal with my drama... it's a mess and I can't help but feel that it's all my fault." "Nonsense Kelly," Margo said from the door, "it's not your fault, it's more my fault than anyone's, and it's not really my fault either, nor is it Jess'. It's just life and the way it happens sometimes. "Harry is bringing you Banana Nut ice cream and you know we'll be here for you. You look beat, why don't you lie down and take a nap?" "Y'know, Big Mama, that don't sound like a bad idea at all... if I do drift off, do me a favor and wake me up for anything really interesting... otherwise, make my apologies to Harry and Nicki and tell them I'll see them when I wake up and have me some ice cream." She smiled. "Thank you both... more than I can say." "You're welcome dear. Now get some rest. We'll all be here when you wake up," Margo replied and she and Carol hugged and kissed their beloved friend and closed the door behind them. ------- "So we're agreed then?" Carol asked, looking at her Mistress. "We're agreed, and more than agreed," Margo replied. "And you get the unenviable task of broaching the subject with Harry." "Why me? I'd think you'd be the one, senior partner in the firm, 'wife' and all that!" "Dearest, we both know you're really the senior partner and I'm perfectly fine with that. But I am the 'wife' and Nicki and I are going to end up doing the dance of sisters-in-law around each other. While you talk to Harry about all Kelly is the perfect time for she and I to do that dance. The weather's been pleasant, I figure the two of you take a walk, or maybe a drive, this evening and discuss the idea. I'll reassure him you speak for me before y'all leave. Then Nicki and I will have a chance to get to know each other a little better." ------- Harry and Nicki were almost to the house when he lost sight of the blue van on the streets of his neighborhood. It was a dead certainty he wasn't being paranoid so he figured they knew where he lived and had broken off contact to avoid suspicion. Not their fault really that he was far past the point of suspicion already. "Well Nicki, I'm just sorry it won't quite be the celebration we were wanting it to be for you." "Well, I understand... shit happens, especially in relationships. I'm just sorry, what was her name, Jessica... Jessica left Kelly. From what you've told me, Kelly's a very special girl." "Yeah, yeah she is. She's become very important and precious to all of us." They pulled into the driveway of the house. Nicki looked at the house she'd grown up in; the house that held an untold number of happy memories for her, mixed with a hefty share of unhappy ones. She got out of the car, grabbing her bag and walked up to the porch. She turned and looked back at her brother. "It doesn't feel the same." "What do you mean, sis?" "When I was here for the wedding, even with you and the Skank That Shall Not Be Named having lived here for awhile... the house still felt sad, like it did when Mom was dying. Doesn't feel that way anymore, at least, not to me. Feels good, feels alive... feels happy." "My sister, the psychic... gonna set up a little booth at the next Psychic Fair, do some card readings, look at some tea leaves maybe?" "No, I'm gonna kick my asshole brother in the butt," she said as she began to chase him around the car. As the two siblings ran around in the driveway, Nicki trying to whack Harry with her bag, and damn near succeeding several times, Margo and Carol came out the front door unnoticed and watched from the porch. "My God, it's like they're twelve-year-olds," Carol murmured sotto voce. "Yeah... side of Harry we don't see too often. See that side of Eddy and Karen all the time, but not Harry," Margo replied, just as softly. "I think this visit will do them both a lot of good." Finally Nicki dropped to the ground and Harry, running blindly forward, came around the corner of the car in perfect position to be tripped by her and landed sprawled out on the grass. In a flash his sister was on top of him holding her bag in a threatening pose. "Okay, okay, I give... you win," Harry panted. "I bow to the superior sneaky bitch." "That's Ms. Sneaky Bitch to you, and don't you forget it," she said, grinning through her own labored breathing. "Well, think we ought to go in before your family starts to wonder what happened to us?" "Oh no, Nicki, we're already well aware of your successful effort to chastise my wayward husband. Brava to you!" exclaimed Margo as she walked down the steps and extended her hand. "Nicki, it's been since college, you're looking lovely." Nicki accepted the hand up from the ground. "Damn woman! Not as lovely as you... Harry, you done damn good." She dropped her bag, narrowly missing Harry, grinned back at him and hugged Margo. As she released her, Nicki looked around and saw Carol standing shyly at the foot of the steps. "And you must be Carol. I hope you'll give me a hug as well." The next half hour was spent in hugs, more hugs, getting Nicki and her bag in the house, established in her old bedroom, showered and back downstairs to visit. ------- Harry tried again to reach Eddy but only got voicemail. He wasn't sure why the van had been following him when in all likelihood Margo was the target, but if he couldn't get hold of Eddy before the next morning, he'd be keeping an eye on her himself. ------- It was only after drinks and an hour or so of conversation that Carol looked at Harry and said "C'mon my love, let's get out of here." "What? Why?" "Evidently," she replied, "there's some sort of 'sisters-in-law butt sniffing' these two need to do that we'd just be in the way of. Besides, you and I need to talk about something and it's a lovely night for a walk." "Okay," Harry said, looking at Margo, "if you're sure." "Yes Harry, I'm sure and so is she," Margo replied. She got up and hugged her husband. "What Carol is going to discuss with you has my full and enthusiastic 'yes' vote," she whispered in his ear. "And you're not going to give me the slightest hint or clue, are you?" he whispered back. "Nope," she replied, laughing. "Now the two of you get out of here! We'll see you in, what, an hour sound good to you, Nicki?" "Yeah, we should be done in an hour," Nicki replied, grinning. As soon as Harry and Carol were out the door, the Little Sister Inquisitorial Questioning began. ------- Harry was pleasantly buzzed from the drinks he'd had, was out walking through a warm but not unbearable Texas evening with one of the women he adored. Life, he thought to himself, didn't get too much better than that. "So, what is it you and Margo want to talk to me about?" he asked after they'd wandered a few blocks towards a park in the neighborhood. "She and I have been talking about Kelly... and about us... us as in, the three of us." "Okay, color me completely and utterly confused... interested, but confused." "Harry... we think Kelly wants to be a fourth member of this relationship. A member as much as I am, or Margo is, or you are." "C'mon, you two are imagining things... she proclaims her disinterest in that very situation every time the subject comes up." "The lady doth protest too much, methinks," Carol quipped, grinning up at him. "It's her constant and loud protestations that make us think she is interested, and she's desperately trying not to appear that way. She doesn't want Margo or I to get jealous and ruin what she does have of you." "Little Cunt, you know she loves all of us! Quit trying to make this all about me!" "Goddamn it, sir, are you always this dense? No, it isn't all about you, but you are the lynchpin of this situation. "Harry, I guaran-goddamn-tee you, it's not Margo or I that she's in love with... it's you." "She's not in love with me; she loves me, sure, just like she loves the two of you, but she's not in love with me." "I stand corrected, you really are that dense. Listen, Harry my love, do you trust my instincts?" "Implicitly, even when all evidence is to the contrary I trust your instincts." "Then trust me now. Kelly Culberson is in love with you... she has been for quite some time. She loves all three of us, fiercely... it grew in strength so subtly that I didn't even notice how strong it had gotten until recently... very recently in fact. But trust me, sir, she's in love with you. I know it as surely as I know anything." They had reached the park and Harry slumped down in a swing and began to swing himself back and forth, very slowly. He racked his brain for a solution that made everybody happy but nothing occurred to him. He couldn't see adding Kelly to their marriage... Margo still had some insecurity about their relationship. That worried him and besides, he was beginning to feel like the main character in some bad porn story as it was. Any more in his bed and he was afraid he'd start hearing the word 'harem' applied to the women and that was simply unacceptable. Carol sat in the swing next to him and started to say something, then thought better of it and let him sit with his thoughts for a time. Off in the distance cars drove by, the faint light of a street lamp in the park barely reached them. Instead of city sounds they were surrounded by the music of insects and the babbling of a small creek that ran through the park. Harry thought briefly of asking Kelly to leave but then realized that no matter what, none of them would want that. She was too dear to all of them. But she was already 'out', and he didn't see a way of bringing her 'in'... so what was left? Carol felt Harry's sadness and it confused her. Confused she remained, and silent, until finally he spoke. "I can't ask Kelly to leave. We promised her she could stay as long as she needed to. We can't be that cruel, especially with Jessica leaving her. I can't see the situation staying 'as is'... nobody's really comfortable with that, apparently. I've got no clue how to handle the situation." "Oh, my love, you've got it wrong. You're thinking Margo and I see this as a problem. We see it as an opportunity. We want the three of us, together, to propose to her, have her join us as a full member. At least, that's what Margo and I think should be done. I'm supposed to find out how you feel about the idea." The weight that had settled down upon Harry's heart and mind lifted and he felt a great beaming smile break out on his face. "I love Kelly dearly and while a goodly part of me still thinks you're crazier than a shithouse rat about her being in love with me-" And then he heard the twig snap behind them. He turned and saw no one, but his eye focused on a blue Econoline van parked away from the streetlights on the street behind them. He turned back around as if nothing were wrong. He had fucked up. He had assumed Margo was the target. He had assumed he and Carol were safe in their own neighborhood. He had relaxed his guard... and now he was going to have to pay for it. "Carol, honey, Baby Girl," he said in a low and even voice, "it is imperative that you listen to me and do exactly what I say. When I say 'now', I want you to run towards the streetlight, blowing your whistle as loud as you can. Do you have your cell phone with you?" "No sir, do you?" "No... alright, we're not that far from the house... run from light to light, blowing your whistle. If anyone comes out of their house, beg them to use their phone and call 911, if not, get home and call. We're about to get jumped... NOW!" As she bolted from the swing, running forward and low to the ground, grabbing for her whistle as she ran, Harry spun out of the swing and prepared to buy her time to get clear. He didn't know if their opponents were armed or if so, what they were armed with. The adrenaline hit his system like a jackhammer as he saw the two men running towards him at full speed and suddenly it seemed he had all the time in the world to study them. Late twenties, early thirties... hard men... street muscles... no masks, no pantyhose on their faces- that wasn't good at all... both Caucasian, both in jeans and work boots, one, a blond, in a red wife-beater, the other, black hair, Nine Inch Nails tour t-shirt... the blond carrying an aluminum baseball bat, the other a large combat knife, both weapons glinting faintly in what little direct light there was. He briefly thought about running but he still wasn't sure one or both of them didn't have a gun somewhere on him. As his right foot swept around in his spin, the poor light, the alcohol in his system and a furrow in the dirt conspired to catch the toe of his sneaker and he started to go down. Grabbing at the chain supporting the swing he managed to catch it, but realized his mistake as soon as he made it. His fall continued and his grip on the swing swung him around, spinning him on his left foot, dragging his treacherous right foot behind him and as the force of his fall wrenched his shoulder, he let go of the chain involuntarily, falling onto his back, his right leg at an angle beneath him. As he landed on it, the torque ripped through his knee, he heard an angry 'pop' and the pain began. He was on his back with little chance of getting to his feet and in a defensive position before they were on him. Years of not only whuppin' ass, but having his whupped as well came to his rescue and he began to curl into a ball on his right side, protecting himself as best he could. His attackers arrived and the bat sang its metal song against his left shoulder. The sharp sound that tore its way out of him came on the heels of the sound of something giving way in the shoulder, a crunching noise, wet and far too loud in Harry's ears. "- get her!" He opened his eyes to see one set of legs, within his reach, apparently preparing to go after Carol. He uncurled and his right arm shot out to grab the denim cuff of the attacker's jeans. His fingers clamped down and held on for his dearest' life. His left arm had tried to join the right, but the pain that attempt had birthed blinded him. A second strike from the bat came down, without as much force, on his partially extended left arm and merely added to the litany of pain. He jerked the jeans cuff hard and felt his victim falling forward. In the distance, he could hear Carol's whistle begin to blow. ------- It took all she had to follow his instructions. Her straight razor was at the house, but it didn't matter. She'd chew her fucking way to their hearts if they hurt Harry. Her feet wanted to turn and charge back... But he'd told her what he wanted her to do. It was imperative, he'd said. As she clawed at her shirt, trying to get the whistle out she cursed Harry Grimes for making her abandon him. Through the tears in her eyes she noted the intersection ahead of her, 45th and Garwood. The cops and the ambulance needed to go to the swings in the park at 45th & Garwood. The whistle on its chain free of her shirt at last, she stuck it in her mouth and blew as hard as she could with every exhalation of her lungs as she ran toward the light. ------- Harry drug himself towards the one he had a grip on and found a leg, swimming before his eyes... no, the leg wasn't swimming, his eyes... something was wrong with his eyes... it was unimportant. He bared his teeth and sunk them into whatever part of the leg was closest to him. A man started screaming, shrilly, almost like a little girl, as Harry's mouth filled with blood and he would've smiled if he didn't hurt so bad as he tightened his jaws all the more. The blow that connected with the back of his side was sharp and loud and the pain was so strong it overwhelmed him... ... still in his mouth, chewing on it... ... the crunching as something else broke in him... ... something cold... icy... in his lower back... "-ut his fuckin' thro-" ... another icy... thing... in his back... breathing was wet... "-don't hurt his face" ... everything was cold... so cold... ... a shock like a thunderbolt in his arm... The final slice across his throat was the last thing he felt. ------- Chapter 24 If people on the street were turning on their lights Carol didn't see it. That would have meant turning her head, diverting her focus from home... home and her razor. She kept blowing the whistle. ------- Something was nagging at the back of Margo's consciousness... something she was hearing... something that meant... her eyes widened. "Nicki, stay here, something's wrong." She grabbed her purse with its mini-arsenal courtesy of Eddy and dashed out the door. As she made it down the steps and to the street, she saw Carol running towards her, blowing the bobby whistle. The small woman barreled past her and up the steps, barely getting the door open before she was through it. "Nicki... we were... attacked... call 911... cops and ambulance... the park... 45th & Garwood... the swings..." Margo had followed her in and heard her message. Carol ran for the bedroom. Nicki sprinted for the stairs, heading to her room and her cell phone. Carol came out, straight razor in hand and flew out the door. Margo was getting into her car. "C'mon, this'll be faster. And I've got an emergency kit in the back." Together they drove off towards the park. Somewhere in the high-speed drive to the park, a drive that felt endless, even compared to the run back to the house that Carol had despaired of ever completing, she felt Margo leave. One minute, her lover, Harry's wife was there, and then she wasn't. The person who replaced her was someone Carol had never seen before. "Carol, get me the kit from the back floorboards. Yes, that's the one. Just hold that on your lap until we get there." They were approaching the park and Carol saw this new person swerve, aiming not for a parking place, but for the heart of the park itself. "Hold on, this could get a little rough." With a thud that jarred her and tried to bounce her into the ceiling, a scraping sound that reverberated throughout the interior of the Volvo like a scream of pain and another, lesser, thud, the car was over the curb and into the park itself. "Carol, where are the swings?" "Uh, to the left... there, past that water fountain, see them?" "Thank you. Go into my purse; get out the stun gun or the pepper spray, whichever you feel comfortable with." Whoever this new person was, she was smart enough to know that one of Carol's hands would be busy with her razor. She pulled out the stun gun, putting the strap around her left wrist. The car's lights were flipped to high beams as they approached and the brakes were gently applied. In the illumination provided, there was only one figure, slumped in a heap on the ground beneath the swing. The car came to a sudden stop and as this new and unknown person leapt out with the kit she grabbed from Carol's lap she said "Cover me." Carol took a look at the figure on the ground. There was far too much blood. There seemed to be gallons of it. He was soaked in it, and as she felt the panic start to rise in her chest, she forced it back down and looked in every direction but at him, looking for any threat. Finally she looked briefly over at her Master and Mistress, bathed in the harsh light from the car, both now covered in red. "Carol," the stranger said, "it looks like whoever did this is gone. Nicki and Kelly will be here shortly. Keep them away from here. They don't need to see this and we don't want the crime scene contaminated any further." "Ma'am... is he..." "He's alive... I'm hoping I can keep him that way." ------- The next several hours passed in a blur. Nicki and Kelly got to the park and she was forced to hold both of them back. The police arrived, the EMT's pulled up and everyone was in a blur of motion except for them. They stood there, dazed and helpless at the periphery and watched the maelstrom. There was nothing for them to do. They were bystanders. The ride to the hospital was an absent memory, a hole in time. Carol remembered being in the park, and then she was in the waiting room, holding on to Nicki and Kelly. Carol knew she talked to people... made phone calls, spoke to the police, gave a statement... but she couldn't remember anything concerning details. The stranger who had replaced Margo had disappeared, along with her beloved Harry, and Carol found herself left in the position of dealing with everyone and their questions and she didn't have any answers other than the obvious. No one had shown up to tell her that Harry was dead. Therefore he was alive. She held on to that as a life-preserver in a storm-tossed sea. Nicki appeared... lost... as if she'd been deprived of something vital that somehow defined her place in the universe. Kelly slumped beside her, despair and pain crashing off of her in waves. It was as if Kelly was already grieving for him, as if he were already dead. Karen and Patricia arrived. Karen looked as if she were some ancient Goddess of War, preparing to unleash her fury upon the world. Patricia appeared to have been crying, and as soon as she had spoken with everyone there, she went to the hospital chapel. Despite the voice mails she'd left on Eddy's phone, there was no sign of him and Tamara. All anyone would tell her was that Harry was still in surgery. ------- The news crews and newspaper reporters showed up at some point in the early morning hours and Karen ran interference, making a brief statement, with Carol's approval, that Harry was still in surgery and that none of them had the slightest idea what had prompted the brutal attack in the park. She refused to let anyone speak to Carol, for which Carol vowed to love her forever. Several of the media vultures thought about trying to get past Karen but one glare from her seemed to convince them that it wasn't worth it to try. Karen had actually smiled when relaying that part of the story. And still there was no word from or sign of Eddy. ------- By around 4:30 in the morning Karen had had enough. "Kelly," she said, to no response from the nearly catatonic girl. "Kelly," she said again, a little more forcefully, bringing Kelly's face up to hers. Kelly looked back at her with eyes red and swollen. "You've been to Eddy's new place, right?" "Yeah, took Tamara there to pick up their clothes." "Can you find it again?" "Yeah, I'm a delivery driver... it's what I do." "Come on, I'm driving, we're gonna go find him. This is goddamn ridiculous." "Karen?" Carol said. "Yes sweetie, what is it?" "Please don't let him do anything stupid." Karen nodded grimly and then Carol watched her and Kelly leave as if from a great distance. She was simply glad someone else had made a decision about something. ------- At some point the media must have made another stab at talking to her because she heard Patricia say "I told them I didn't care if their bosses wanted a statement from the other person involved, they weren't going to get anywhere near you." Carol looked around the waiting room. They were far from the only inhabitants. It was like all of them were floating in a small bubble of suffering, dread and frustration. Hospital security might be keeping them safe from outside interference or bother, but the only way it could be done was by locking them inside a private hell. Good news rarely happened in the waiting room itself. Good news happened with family and friends gathered round the patient. Good news happened where recovered patients were wheeled out to their rides. Here there was little but the agonizing 'not knowing'. As she watched, an elderly Indian or Pakistani couple stood up as they were approached by a doctor, who then spoke with them in low tones, a look of commiseration plain upon his face. Carol saw a couple's lives forever altered... maybe destroyed. The woman just collapsed in upon herself, like a building that had been gutted by fire and was finally falling down. The man fared a little better. He recoiled as if struck some great blow in the face, staggered back a bit and then found his footing again, still standing even if on legs no longer anywhere near as steady as they'd been before. As the woman began to wail, softly, as if afraid to disturb anyone with her grief, he bent and helped her back up into her seat, where he wrapped his arms around her and held her so tightly Carol was afraid one or the other of them would break. That was what happened in waiting rooms. Carol felt overwhelmed by a growing certitude that soon she too would be one of those two archetypes of suffering, the person felled by tragedy or the one left to hold things together no matter how much they wanted to die. All she had to hold onto was that no one had come to tell her he was dead. ------- "Yes, buzz Mr. Janak's apartment. I know it's late, it's an emergency. Tell him Karen Pinard needs to speak with him and it's urgent." Faced with a determined Karen, the rent-a-cop in the tiny guard shack made the call, more out of fear than any sense of duty. Within minutes the gate was rolling back for her and Kelly. As they parked and got out they saw Eddy and Tamara standing in their apartment door in their bathrobes. "What? What's happened?" Eddy asked sleepily. "Why haven't you answered your phone or returned any of our calls?" Karen replied, heading for him angrily. "The phone ain't rung." "You turned it off" "Bullshit, I never turn it off. I can't because of work." "Well find it and find out what the fuck's wrong with it, we've been calling you all night. Harry and Carol got jumped tonight. Harry's in the hospital, still in surgery when we left there. Carol wasn't hurt because he made her run for help." A tremor of pain washed down Eddy 's features. Tamara clutched his arm, afraid of where this news would lead him. "I'll go check the bowl on the table, that's where he always puts everything from his pockets." A moment later from the kitchen, "Not here." The next five minutes were a mad search for Eddy's phone until finally he stalked in from the parking lot with it in his hand. "It must've slipped out of my pocket on the way home. I didn't notice. Damn thing was sittin' on the seat of the truck." He stomped back into the bedroom and came out dressed a few moments later. He dialed a number on his phone and put it to his ear. "Carlos? Yeah I know what gawddamn time it is... I don't give a goody gawddamn. I need the residential address of a Dr. Benjamin Sapperstein. No, I need it right now, I'll wait." "What the fuck do you think you're doing?" Karen asked. Eddy looked at her, incredulous. "What the hell do you think I'm doing? I'm gonna go kill the little rat turd right gawddamn now." Tamara and Kelly said "NO" simultaneously as Karen shook her head. "I can't let you do that, Eddy." "Give me one gawddamn good reason why not? Yeah, I'm still here waitin', Carlos, come on, I ain't got all fuckin' night." "I'll give you three. One, we're not sure it was him. I agree," she said, forestalling the cry of 'Bullshit' she could see rising in his throat, "that it's probably him, but we're not absolutely sure and if you go killing him without a plan tonight, you'll probably get caught and it'd fucking suck to watch you get that final injection. Two, if it was him, he probably already knows what went down tonight and he might be expecting something to happen. Anybody who watches this group for long, or does their research, wouldn't have a hard time predicting certain responses, like you charging off like a berserk Viking. Three, Carol asked me to not let you do anything stupid and rushing off to kill him tonight, no matter what else it may be, certainly qualifies as 'stupid'." "Sorry Dyke, checked my 'give-a-shit' meter. Didn't even fuckin' twitch. Cocksucker is goin' to meet God tonight." "You're gonna have to go through me to do it," Karen said, taking a stance and preparing to try and stop the big man. "And you're going to have to go through me to get to her," Kelly said, tears rolling down her face, moving into position in front of Karen. "And through me to get to Kelly," Tamara said, her small form slipping in-between Eddy and Kelly. "Please sir, don't do this. I can only begin to understand how you feel right now, but storming off and doing something rash won't wash your guilt away. It won't change what's already happened tonight." "Eddy, think," Kelly said, "I'm not saying you don't owe Harry your loyalty and that you don't have the right to end the bastard, if he's the one responsible, but you can't be dumb about it. You've got Tamara now, someone has to take care of her, and you can't afford any kamikaze acts of vengeance." "You're sure that's the address, Carlos? Okay, I got it." Eddy shut off his phone. He wiped his hand across his face. "Then what the fuck do you expect me to do?" The tears began to run down his cheeks. "What the fuck am I supposed to do?" The big man fell to his knees and brought his hands down on the floor of the apartment so hard that it could be felt through the concrete slab and they all heard the bones in his hands grinding together. "Don't you understand? Somebody's got to do somethin'! I've got to do somethin'!" Karen came around, squatted down and took him by the hand. "You do just what the rest of us are doing. You come to the hospital and pray like a motherfucker. And if it turns out that something needs doing, you and I will go do it together, carefully, with a plan, doing our best to make sure our loved ones don't lose us." ------- As Karen drove back to the hospital, Eddy listened to his voice mail, to the messages his best friend had left him, shame eating his soul with every word. A thousand times he'd picked up the phone for nothing more important than casual conversation. Now, when lives were on the line... he listened to voice mail. Tamara sat beside him, feeling the tension in his body ratchet up as he listened to Harry's messages. She'd never seen her man in so much pain before, not even in the throes of his nightmares. ------- In the distance, a million miles away, she heard Eddy's voice. "Carol, I'm so sorry, the cell phone got left in the car... he left me a message... said he was bein' followed..." Then Tamara was there, holding her, and Karen was there telling her that she'd take care of everything for awhile, that Carol should just try to rest and that Tammy was going to take care of her. She watched Karen take a sobbing, broken Eddy over to one of the unoccupied couches and hold him, trying to comfort the friend and guardian that had, through no fault of his own, not been there when he was needed. Carol knew it wasn't Eddy's fault. She knew it was hers. If she'd had her phone, if she'd had her razor... the fault was hers. ------- It was 6:12 AM when the stranger who wore Margo's skin came into the waiting room, her face a picture of fatigue, moving as if sheathed in lead. She had taken barely five steps when Karen was up and helping her to a chair. Carol found herself sitting beside her without remembering moving. "Unless any other surprises pop up, he should live-" A chorus of sighs exhaled around her. "But he's not out of the woods yet. I'll leave out the medical jargon," she said, something that might once have thought about being a smile crossing her face. "We debated removing his lacerated... fuck, it was shredded... kidney. We think it'll heal, we hope it'll heal... if it doesn't, we'll have to go back in and take it. Multiple stab wounds, they tried to slash his throat, missed the carotid and the jugular, thank God, sloppy of them really, must've been in a hurry. Nothing else terribly serious hit besides the kidney and his lung, the lung should be okay now. It's just that he was stabbed so brutally, big knife." "We spent a long time just finding all the places he was leaking inside. Lots of blood loss, lots of blood pumped back in. He kept trying to die on us... four resuscitations in one surgery is four too many... it's just that he was bleeding from so many places internally. It's a goddamn miracle he stayed alive till we got to him in the park... only a slightly lesser one that he lived till the EMT's got there." "C'mon Margo," Eddy said, his voice broken and teary, "you oughta know by now, Harry's like me, he's a cockroach... he's fuckin' near impossible to kill." "Thank God he is, Eddy. "Broken collarbone, broken arm in two places, cracked and broken ribs, broken leg in three places, a right knee that's just all fucked up... that's waiting for an orthopedic surgeon. I'm afraid he's going to be here awhile, even if everything goes well from here on out. "We know he bit one of his attackers because when I got to him he still had a chunk of tissue in his mouth... police have hopes that the DNA will match someone in their data base. "He's still in ICU, but provided his body behaves and doesn't try anything nasty, they'll be moving him to a room later today. "Eddy, I've already insured that the people handling his care are all people I trust implicitly. I don't think any of the hospital staff could be suborned into making a 'mistake' but I'd rather not run that risk. I'd like you to make sure there's someone watching him all the time, unless one of us is there with him, and then I want them outside his door." "So you're thinkin' what I'm thinkin'... that this is your douche-bag husband's doing?" Eddy said, his face clouding with rage. "Well, the motive wasn't robbery, and you don't ever see that kind of violence in our neighborhood just for the hell of it, so yeah, I'm thinking it could be." "Well, you ain't heard all the gawddamn news. Harry spotted somebody followin' him, bringin' Short Stuff here" he ruffled Nicki's hair, "home from the airport. He tried to get in touch with me" the big man visibly swallowed back tears, "but I'd accidentally left my cell in the truck. So if you add in someone followin' him, I'm almost dead certain it was him." Eddy leaned in close to Margo his voice a whisper. "Lemme get hold of Perry and Bevy, get them on their way over here, and I'm'a gonna go kill the sumbitch." Margo moved her head close to Eddy's. "Eddy, you're going to do no such thing," Margo replied, her voice low, icy and hard. He looked at her, his own barely repressed fury animating his features. "Without talking to the men who attacked Harry, we can't be sure. You're not going to go kill someone if we're not sure. And I wouldn't want you doing it, even then. If something happened and you ended up in jail, or God forbid, on death row... I couldn't live with that, and Harry couldn't either." "I've heard that argument once already tonight and besides, you didn't get that picky when we was roughin' up Rick!" "Because 'roughing up' isn't killing him and even if it was, there's a hell of a lot of difference in the amount of attention paid to the murder of a dirtbag drug dealer versus a well-known cardiologist! Face it, Eddy! The cops take an interest when rich white men die! Especially if his mother, Nelda, starts banging the war drums over the demise of her precious and perfect little Benjie! "Trust me, please... I have a plan, alright? Please, Eddy, just trust me. You sit tight." The two of them sat, nose to nose, glaring at each other. Their fierce conversation had been barely audible to anyone other than those immediately surrounding them. Eddy leaned back. "Alright, I'll be patient. But I won't be patient forever." "I'm not asking for forever, Eddy... just a couple of days." And then the stranger, calm and cool, that had replaced the woman they all knew departed and all that was left was an exhausted woman who'd almost lost her beloved. The shaking started in her hands and soon encompassed her whole frame. As she allowed herself to be held by family and friends she kept murmuring through tears "there was so much blood". ------- As the newspaper and local morning news programs ran with the story of the successful local businessman brutally beaten and stabbed in a neighborhood park late the previous evening, people started arriving. Tatiana was the first, showing up straight from a night in her workshop, singed and bedraggled and carrying a large wicker basket. "I didn't know how many of us there would be, but I brought coffee from Constantine's. It's a little Greek bakery near my place... coffee to kill close relatives for," she said as she opened the wicker basket and started distributing cups and pulling out thermoses. "And if we run out, I'll send someone for more." Anna Pessino and her entire family arrived with food and hugs and tears and support and prayers of thanks when they heard that Harry should pull through. Margo took a suite of rooms at a nearby hotel that did a lot of business with families who wished to stay close to relatives in the hospital. She left word with the hospital receptionists that anyone and any calls for them were to be directed to their suite and the whole party made their way over to the hotel. The team that was handling Harry's care had her utmost confidence and she knew the last thing she needed to do was be standing behind them, second-guessing them every step of the way. It was hard, but after the surgery she had opted out of treating him. They had her cell number and the best way to make sure she stayed out of their hair was to stay away from the hospital, at least until he was out of ICU and into a private room. Leaving Eddy and Tamara, who'd had more sleep than the rest of the family, in the sitting room to handle things, Margo, Carol, Kelly and Nicki crashed on the bed and were out within minutes. Shortly after a rollaway bed was brought up by housekeeping, Karen and Patricia joined them in slumber. Tatiana, assuring them that if she could sleep through Peter's petulant slamming about the house she could sleep through anything crashed out on the couch in the sitting room and shortly thereafter proceeded to entertain everyone still conscious with a virtuoso snoring performance. The Pessino family, after being reassured for the umpteenth time that should anything change, or should the family need anything, they'd call them, left, leaving behind enough food to feed a regiment. "Sir, are you going to stop blaming yourself for this any time soon, or should I go wake up Margo and have her hurt you severely?" Tamara asked Eddy as they sat, absent-mindedly munching on some pork empanadas. The man who gazed back into her eyes did so through a countenance of broken glass. "I fucked up, Theresa... I fucked up and Harry fuckin' near died." "Yes, Edward, you fucked up. I fucked up. So did Carol... she blames herself for this, not you, I know, she told me so. I'm sure Margo and Kelly are finding ways to blame themselves for it as well. And we both know Harry will be blaming himself for it when he regains consciousness. It was none of our faults, in truth, but rather the fault of the men who did this, but we both know we're all going to take our turns beating ourselves up over it. "But Edward, trust me... your turn is over. Now you need to think how best to make sure nobody finishes the job that was started on Harry. You've got Perry and Bevy watching him in shifts, Margo's got only people she trusts seeing to his medical care, as she strongly suspects her husband is behind it. But who's watching Margo, who's watching Carol? Who's watching Karen and Patricia, you and I?" "Yeah... yeah, you're right..." he said thoughtfully, "it's kinda fuckin' obvious Margo wasn't the direct target... Carol and Harry were. Makes sense in a twisted-fuck kinda thinkin'. Best way to hurt her is to take them away from her. Whether or not we're in danger, or Karen and Patricia are, or whether he'll now get pissy and turn his sights on Margo, depends on just how squirrelly he is... is he going to continue to push this? Lash out at anyone close to them that he can get to? Or is he a little cooler and calmer than that, gonna lay low and let things chill for awhile?" "That's good Edward, you should be thinking about that instead of hurting yourself because you failed. You and I both know, even if it was your fault, and your fault alone, Harry would forgive you. Now, what can we do to keep everybody safe?" The two of them sat with their heads together, talking for a long time. ------- The employees of Grimes & Pinard started showing up, some with flowers, some with donuts or croissants, some just with best wishes and moral support. They assured Eddy and Tamara that whatever Margo and Carol needed, they had only to call. Over the course of the afternoon every single employee of the firm showed up, with the exception of Rhonda, the receptionist, who sent her best wishes and a fruit basket and said she'd be by as soon as she could but that she figured there ought to be somebody constantly at the office, no matter what. Through it all, Tatiana snored away on the couch, and the rest of the family slept in the bedroom. Where dreams might normally have visited them, the stress of the night before had so exhausted them all as to render their sleep peaceful, deep and undisturbed. ------- By 6 PM everyone was awake and feeling somewhat better. Margo had called the hospital and found out that Harry was still in ICU. Evidently he'd started bleeding internally again so they'd opened him back up and found three places that needed repairing. He was still unconscious. As they all sat around, nibbling on the bounty that had been left by well-wishers, there was a knock on the suite door. When Eddy answered it, a large man in a suit moved through the door like he owned the room, scanned the room and its occupants and then stuck his head out the door. "Looks to be clear inside, sir." Then he moved out of the door and Nick Philouma came in. "Margo, I heard about Harry. If there's anything I can do, please don't hesitate to let me know," Nick said as he hugged her before turning to hug Carol. "Actually Niccolo, there is something you can do," she said in a voice so cold it cut straight to his bones. "When you're through greeting Carol, the two of you come to the bedroom." A few moments later they joined her, Carol closing the door behind them. "Are you a fair and just man, Niccolo?" "I'd like to think I am. I know that there are situations in which I'd have more problems than I would in others, maintaining a fair and just outlook, but overall, I'd say I am." "Then what you can do for me is grant me justice. Find the men who hurt my husband. Find out why they did it. And give me justice." He went over and sat down next to her, taking her hands in his. "Margo, this whole ordeal has been a nightmare for you that I can't begin to imagine. You're not thinking clearly and in my opinion you've watched 'The Godfather' one too many times. The police have taken Carol's statement; they've got another witness who gave them a description of the van. Soon they'll be able to talk to Harry, get his statement. They'll get these guys, the legal system will do its job... hell, I'll bet you, what, five grand, here and now, that Harry'll be up and about in the short time it'll take them to find these shits and he'll be testifying at their trial. They'll go away for a long stretch." "No, Niccolo, the police won't find them. You know, probably better than anyone in this room, what percentage of crimes goes unsolved. And the longer they go unsolved the lower their priority becomes. The police aren't going to catch them and even if they did, I can almost certainly guarantee you that they'd be represented by a very good attorney who just happened to take an interest in their case for reasons unknown. On the flip side, it doesn't look like this will be a murder case so the prosecution would probably be handled by a junior District Attorney whose lack of enthusiasm would only be matched by his lack of experience. The system would not work. "Give me justice. You asked me to let you know if there was anything you could do... give me justice." "Alright, since you're determined to replay this movie scene, you don't want justice, you want revenge." "No, Niccolo, that's where you're wrong. I want justice. "You have the resources to find them. Without the law shackling your every move, you have the ability to get at the truth. No forced confessions, no leading questions... the truth. "Then you follow the truth where it leads you. I suspect it will lead you to my estranged husband, Benjamin Sapperstein. But I don't know that for a certainty. If the truth doesn't lead you to him, I'll be surprised, but not upset. I don't want to believe anyone I know would be capable of arranging this. "But at every turn, I want you to follow the truth and let it guide you. Then let your sense of fairness and justice steer your actions once all is revealed. You dispense justice as you see fit. "Then you come tell me everything... every little detail. I'm placing this in your hands, but I'm not washing my hands of the responsibility. You will tell me, and only me." "No ma'am he will not!" Carol exclaimed. "He'll tell both of us! Don't you dare be thinking this is your affair alone!" Margo looked at her and smiled a sad smile. "Are you sure, little one?" "Damn skippy, I'm sure. I have every bit as much invested in this as you do, perhaps even a bit more as I was supposed to be part two of the double bill. And more than that, you're not going to bear this alone. We'll bear it together, whatever it ends up being." Carol went and hugged Margo wrapping her arms around her and bringing Margo's head to her breast. "You're not going to be alone in this, Madam. I won't let you be." Finally Margo's iron resolve broke and her face crumpled as she burst into tears, sobbing into her pet's chest. Nick stood up and looked at the two of them, waiting patiently until Margo calmed somewhat. "Are both of you sure this is what you want?" he asked. The two women looked at him, teary-eyed but with no reservations behind the tears. They nodded. "Then it'll be done. I'll let you know the minute I know anything... I'll keep you in the loop. "But there is something else I feel I should point out. You and members of your family already know far more about my family and my family's business than could be considered strictly healthy. I'm pretty sure you've already attracted some government attention. I know we've tried to minimize how public our meetings are, but there's no way to be sure how successful we've been. And now you ask me to do this. I can look at it one way; you're giving me something on you and yours, something that I can hold over you to insure your silence. Or I can look at as you getting me to do your dirty work leaving you with plausible deniability and something to sell the Feds should you ever need a 'Get Out of Jail Free' card. "Don't get me wrong, please... I'm very fond of you, all of you. But this is my family we're talking about. Please don't ever doubt I'll do whatever is required to keep my family and its business safe." Margo gazed into his eyes as he gazed into hers. Her tears had dried and her face had settled into calm planes and angles. She was a figure carved from the deepest strata of glacial ice, hard and impenetrable, cold and immovable. "In short, Niccolo, you'll do exactly what I'm doing now. I understand your position completely and I have no problem with your need to protect yourself and your family and their interests, just as I hope you have no problem with my need to do the same." Nick whistled, a low whistle of wonder. "Just out of idle curiosity, should the investigation lead where you expect it to, if I felt it necessary, for my own protection, to have you more intimately involved in the dispensation of the justice you've asked for... would that bother you? Would you do what needed to be done?" Margo didn't even blink. "Niccolo, if what I suspect is true, my soon-to-be-ex-husband ordered the two most precious people in the world to me killed, brutally and painfully. Do you think I'd have any problem, no matter what you asked of me?" "Remind me not to get on your bad side, Margo. Now then, for me to get started, I need to know anything and everything the police know and it would be nice if I knew some things they don't as well. Margo and Carol filled him in, Margo providing him with the information that one of the men was wounded courtesy of Harry's bite, and he went out into the hall and made a few phone calls. When he returned, he looked at the two women expectantly. "Alright, that's done. Enough talk of such things. "Now then, I know neither of you probably feels like it, but I'm taking us all out to dinner, someplace nice and quiet and discrete. All of you need to eat and you also need to get out of here for awhile and it'll be my pleasure to facilitate both. Let's go round up the rest of the crowd and get out of here." Margo looked at Nick. "Niccolo, how discrete can a public restaurant be?" "Very discrete," Nick replied, "if your family indirectly owns it." ------- Nick had reserved a private room at Muldoon's, a steakhouse not too far from the hotel. They'd gone in through a side entrance and never saw the inside of the restaurant proper. "Just a little service we provide for celebrities... and family friends who don't need to be seen with us," Nick quipped. The dinner, while excellent, was extremely subdued, especially by the family's standards. It seemed everyone, with the exception of Nick, was simply too worried and too worn out to carry on any degree of conversation and although he tried valiantly, he was forced to give up after awhile. "Nick, I'm sorry," Carol said, smiling at him across the table. "You're being an excellent host, but I'm afraid we're all lousy company right now. Too much stress and not enough rest. I'm sure you know how it goes." "I know," Nick replied. "When my mother was in and out of the hospital for years, I thought I got used to being somewhere sort of like where you are... but you never really get used to it... the ambulance would be called in the middle of the night and I'd think 'here we go again' and by the time I got to the hospital it was like the first time all over again." "What was her medical problem, if you don't mind me asking?" said Kelly, not catching Tatiana's subtle 'no' signals. "Suicide attempts," Nick replied, a fake and plastic smile on his face. "But since the wife of Big Vic Philouma, and a good Catholic girl to boot, would never attempt suicide, it was a series of very unfortunate accidents." "Oh God, Nick, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to-" Kelly began. "Kelly, really, it's alright... it's years in the past, all the wounds are good and scarred over... she had a penchant for 'accidentally' taking too many sleeping pills... she had a gift for slipping and cutting herself with sharp objects, especially on the wrists... hell, I'm sure if she hadn't been so afraid of heights she would've developed a habit of mysteriously getting her neck caught in high-up, noose-like, bundles of cloth and rope. After her third major auto accident Big Vic wouldn't let her drive herself anywhere anymore. The cook was forbidden to let her in the kitchen, locks were put on the doors and Mother never got a key. Big Vic hired her a companion... young woman who was with her constantly, Maria Tunasia. All that did was slow her down a bit." "My God," Karen exclaimed, "did anyone ever know why she started, why she kept trying?" "Oh yes," Nick replied, "there was never any mystery about that. "My father's a traditionalist about many things, including a man's duty to his wife and children. He also subscribed to the view that a man could have as many mistresses as he wanted, so long as he wasn't neglecting his family. However, women are not afforded the same privilege. "Mother had been raised with a very lenient, contemporary... hell, in some ways, modern, set of values. She hated the narrow confines of her role as Big Vic Philouma's wife... loved Phil, Paula, Rosie and I... just hated damn near everything else. She found a guy, nice guy from what I remember, a nightclub singer... what was his name?" "Joey Pasone... his name was Joey Pasone," Tatiana interjected. "Tony and I used to go listen to him... he had talent, coulda been somebody." "Yeah, Joey Pasone... well, she 'hired' him to give us all singing lessons but he was spending most of the time he was at the house with her. I think maybe Big Vic would've been happy to turn a blind eye, because I'm sure he knew, and they were being discrete, no one could point any fingers and say anything, but the radio was playing at family get-together one evening, Joey had a single out, local stations were playing it and Phil pipes up with 'Hey, that's the guy that's banging Mama!' right in front of God and everybody. "Well, no way Big Vic could ignore it anymore. So the next night he took Mama down to an old meat-packing plant on 8th Avenue, by the rail yards, sat her down, had the lights brought up and there was Joey Pasone, hanging by a leather strap from a meat hook. Big Vic blew his brains out while Mama watched, walked over to her and said "you killed him the first time you fucked him... ever since then you been fucking a corpse" and had her taken home." "She told you this?" Margo asked incredulously. "Yeah, years later, towards the end, when she thought I was old enough to understand. I asked Big Vic about it later, after she died. All he said was 'your Mama was many things but she was never a liar'. "That's when she started trying to kill herself. That's when we all got used to trips to the hospital at all hours, the whole bunch of us, all the kids shuffled off to the chapel to pray for Mama's recovery. That went on for the next ten years. "I used to think my father didn't love her... come to think of it, I used to think my father didn't love anybody, but I thought he didn't love her right up until the night she died. He sent Maria to her room, leaving Mama awake. Mama came in and told us all good night, said she was going to take a bath. Rosie went to the back of the house for something, can't remember what... but she came back yelling that the kitchen was unlocked and one of the knives was missing. "That was cause for a red alert at our house, things like that had happened before when Mama had jimmied the lock or gotten in some other way, but all my father did was grab Rosie, pull her into his lap and hold her, her face against his chest while he told her to hush, tears rolling down his face like rivers. "I'd never seen my father cry before and I've never seen it since. "So we all sat there and watched my father cry for what seemed like hours. Finally he got up, told us to stay exactly where we were, in that 'Big Vic voice' that can stop a charging rhino, and went upstairs. He had us trained so well that when we heard the crash of glass, we didn't move. He came back down with the knife, called the ambulance. "The official cause of death was 'death by misadventure'... she'd been taking a shower and had fallen into the shower door, broken the glass and slashed both her wrists from the wrists themselves damn near to her inner elbows. It was a very common accident for my mother. Big Vic told the Catholic priest, and then the local bishop, that accidents happened all the time, and unless she received a Christian burial under the auspices of the Holy Roman Catholic Church, a few more might occur. "So she was buried with the blessings of the Church." "Holy shit," Eddy muttered, "you hold a grudge against your old man for all that?" "Not anymore," Nick replied, "it was all over and done with a long time ago, none of it can be changed... none of it can be fixed. If there's a God, he'll deal with my father, just as He's dealt with my mother. And if there is no God..." Margo got up and went behind Nick, hugging him. "I'm sure there is, Nick, and I'm sure It's dealt fairly with your mother and will deal as fairly with your father." She turned his head to face her and patted his cheek. "You're a good man, Nick Philouma.," she said, then gave him a peck on the cheek and went back to her chair. As everyone at the table expressed their feelings of sympathy, Nick said, under his breath and so softly that no one heard, "If only that were true." ------- At one point in the evening, while Eddy was in the restroom, Nick got a phone call and took it outside the private room, out of earshot of the rest of them. When he returned he explained it as 'Family business'. Eddy came back from the restroom a few minutes later. ------- The after-effect of Nick's story was that it seemed to lance a great hidden wound that no one had wanted to acknowledge. It had been as though everyone had been unwilling to talk about what they were feeling for fear that voicing those emotions might invite further catastrophe. The friends and family sat around the table for hours, talking about hard times and bad times, sharing their stories and their strength, one with another. There were tears, many of them... not the first nor the last that would be shed in their present circumstances, but there was laughter as well, the healing laughter of relief as they helped to wash the wounds their fears had left on them, cleaning them and binding them in the knowledge that none of them were going to face this alone, no matter what the outcome. In fact, the only one of the family who was alone was Harry himself. ------- Somewhere inside, a million dreams away from the hiss and beeps of the machines that monitored his condition, Harry drifted free on the swells of an infinite subconscious sea, right on the edge of what he knew but didn't know... what he thought he knew but deep within knew differently. He kept trying to fly up towards wakefulness, but the harder he struggled the harder it became. So at last he just quit trying and floated there, alone with himself. Outside of Harry, the doctors kept up the fight to keep him sedated so that he wouldn't feel the pain and thrash about, undoing their efforts to keep him alive. ------- After dinner Nick escorted them as everyone caravanned to their respective homes and picked up clothes and toiletries before returning back to the hotel. Margo had called and reserved a second room. It had been agreed at supper that no one was be alone until the situation had been resolved. The next day Karen would be returning to work, as would Margo. Eddy, and his team, continued to use accumulated vacation time. "Yeah, it kinda blows when you love your work as much as we do," he'd quipped. "Ass-rape some company's security set-up, leave it screamin' like the littlest monkey, go home, have a couple of beers, start workin' on the next target. Who needs a break from that shit?" Tatiana had, without telling anyone, decided she'd be playing den-mother for awhile. She liked these people a lot and they could use someone like her. She booked her own room at the hotel and called Peter, telling him he could either deal or move out, she really didn't give a fuck which. Nicki opted to take the couch, leaving Kelly the rollaway bed, which they'd moved to the sitting room. Eddy and Tamara and Karen and Patricia were taking the other hotel room. Margo and Carol settled their luggage into the bedroom. Nick said his goodnight's and left as he had arrived, as covertly as possible. As the two women prepared for bed Carol once again slipped into a deep melancholy, one that Margo couldn't fail to notice. "Precious, what's wrong?" "Madam, no matter how many ways I tell myself differently, no matter how many times all of you tell me... it's my fault he's hurt. If I'd had my razor or even my cell phone..." "Precious, stop that, don't think that way-" "But you don't understand, Madam, I failed! I failed him, I failed you, I failed myself! How can I ever look any of you in the eyes again?" Her body started to shake with sobs. "After all he's done for me, the one time he needed me to have my shit together and all I could do was run-" "That's quite enough of that, Little Cunt!" "-run and blow that stupid goddamn whistle! He could've died-" Margo grabbed her by the shoulders and shook her violently. As Carol continued to try to take the blame for what happened Margo continued to shake her until Carol finally quieted and Margo released her. Carol hit the floor and went into a kneeling posture of submission. Margo squatted beside her and gently raised her face until they were eye to eye. "Do I have your full and undivided attention now?" "Yes Madam." "You saved your Master's life. You need to stop listening to those voices in your head that want you to take the blame for this and listen to me, listen to me very carefully. "If you'd had a cell phone, you might've stopped running and tried to use it too soon. They may have had guns. You might've been shot, or they might've caught you and beaten you to death. If you'd had your razor, you would've fought. I'm relatively sure you would've disobeyed Harry and fought no matter what he told you to do... correct?" Carol turned her eyes to the floor. "Yes, Madam." "And it's quite possible, given your alcoholic intake that evening... or even without that, that you would have been defeated, as Harry was defeated, and the two of you would have been at their mercy. "Don't you see, Little Cunt? That would mean I lost both of you. I'm quite certain that the only reason they did such a half-assed job of killing my husband, your Master, your husband, is that they knew they didn't have much time. There was a woman running up the street towards a phone, blowing a whistle with every breath, and they had to rush. If you'd had your razor, things would have been very different, and not for the better, I fear. If you'd had your cell phone, well, that's a little fuzzier, but it still could've ended very badly, for you and for the man we love. "Given what was happening, I'm convinced, with every fiber of my being, that we achieved the best possible, realistic outcome. He's alive and we owe that all to you. I owe you my husband's life, our husband's life..." Margo slumped to the floor, wrapping her arms around her pet and her lover. "Don't you ever," she said, tears beginning to well up out of her eyes, "don't you ever blame yourself for what happened. You're my hero. You saved our husband's life. Don't you ever dare think it's your fault. I love you so much. I can never repay you for what you did. Thank you..." As Margo's crying deepened, Carol joined her in her tears. "I'm sorry for shaking you like that, Baby Girl... but don't you talk about yourself that way ever again... I will not tolerate it." Carol shook her head. "It's alright, Madam. I earned it. I won't do so again." And the two women huddled on the floor, holding each other tightly. ------- Kelly was wandering around like a ghost. She'd lost Jess, she was sure of that. Now she'd almost lost Harry... and her feelings about that... confused her. She wasn't in love with Harry... that was absurd. She wasn't in love with a man who was already married to a wonderful woman whom she adored, with a pet that was the lustiest and most fun playmate Kelly could imagine. But the way she was feeling... she needed to talk to someone about it... to her it made sense that it be Margo and Carol. She knocked softly on the door, not wanting to disturb anything, as she'd heard part of the discussion earlier and figured the two of them might have been relieving some stress in a Madam and Pet fashion, but she hadn't heard anything since. "Come in!" She opened the door to see Margo inadvertently mooning her as she dug in her luggage, looking for something, the t-shirt she was wearing to sleep in having pulled up in back. It was significant that Kelly was so lost that she didn't comment. "Uh, I know you two are tired, but I really need someone to talk to." Margo whirled around and Carol scooted up in the bed and flowed into sitting in a cross-legged position. Margo joined her, sitting with her back against the headboard of the bed. "What is it, sweetie? Talking with you is no trouble at all," Margo said. She patted the bed in front of her and Carol. "Why don't you come sit here and tell us what's bothering you?" Kelly climbed on the bed and sat as they did, cross-legged, completing the triangle of women. "What happened to Harry... is happening to him... it's just... hitting me harder... much harder... than I thought it would. I don't understand why... it's not that it shouldn't hit me hard, I expect that, but this is like I almost lost a... I don't know." "Well-" Margo began but stopped as Carol put a hand on her leg. "Kelly, my darling, do you realize you're in love with him?" she asked gently. "That's... that's not it... I can't be..." "Why not?" Margo replied. "He's a damn good man. We are, why should you be different?" "But that's just it, you're his wife, she's his pet... and yours... I'm lucky to have him as a friend and fuck-buddy but his heart is already... it's already spoken for. I can't be in love with him." Carol looked at her and smiled. "Kelly, honey, when did a heart ever listen to reason? Trust me; look deeper into your heart... you are in love with him." "Then I need to... if you're right I've got to... I'm not going to..." She began to cry. "I'm too fuckin' tired for this shit right now! I'm too tired and too scared and too worried to... Mistress? Madam? Please?" The two women leaned over and pulled her to them, ending up lying on either side of her and holding her as she cried. Carol raised her head to enter Margo's field of vision. She lifted an eyebrow questioningly and Margo gave a little nod. "Princess? Princess honey, listen to me... it's going to be alright. Do you hear me?" Kelly's cries softened a bit and she nodded her head. Carol got up and retrieved a box of tissues from the vanity. She handed a wad of them to Kelly. "Princess, your Mistress and Madam, your friends and lovers, your sister and mother, Carol and Margo, assure you everything is going to be alright. There's no need for you to do anything right this moment." With the two of them holding her and stroking her she finally calmed down enough to get herself under control, blowing her nose and wiping her face. Carol got up and went around the bed, shucking off her jersey and panties as she went. Once on the other side she worked Margo's t-shirt off of her, disrupting Margo's comforting of Kelly as little as possible. Then she went back to her side and unbuttoned the somewhat threadbare men's dress shirt that Kelly was wearing, working it off of her. Then she hopped back in bed behind her and pulled up the sheet. Margo offered her breast to Kelly who latched onto it like an infant and began to suckle at it, deriving comfort instead of nourishment, as Margo stroked her back. "That's it baby, Big Mama's got you, it's going to all be okay," Carol continued. "When Jess left you, we talked about this, she and I, didn't we, Big Mama?" "That's right, Princess, we did. Carol and I talked about it and came to a decision. That's what Carol went off to talk to Harry about when they headed for the park." "And Kelly, Harry loves you... he loves you as much as you love him. He thought Margo and I were uncomfortable with how you feel about him and that we'd want you to leave." Kelly drew back from Margo's breast, fear and loss warring on her face. The brash and brazen woman was gone, replaced by someone who had lost one she loved and now feared losing her family as well. "No, no, no, no... don't worry," Margo said, hugging her tightly. "We don't want you to leave, we're happy with you and love you too much. Carol and I discussed it and we both agree. "Princess, Kelly, Lady Kay, Third Mate Bum... the two of us would like you to marry the three of us. We'd like you to be as full a member of our partnership as any of us. In a way, to us at least, it feels like it would just be recognizing something that already exists... and stopping denying the truth." Kelly gazed in wonder at Margo, then at Carol, unable to miss the love and acceptance on their faces and in their eyes. "What did Harry say?" she asked, some small measure of fear remaining to show through in her voice. Carol looked at her apologetically. "I'm sorry, Kelly, he never really gave me his opinion of the idea. At least, not verbally... I know in my heart that he loves you as much as we all do, and I know that he went from looking like the world was caving in on him to being ready to fly off into the night from sheer joy when I explained Margo's and my position. I know what his answer will be, but before he could actually give it to me, all hell broke loose. I have no doubt that he will approve of the three of us asking you formally, as soon as he's able, to become a member of this group marriage. What do you think, Margo?" "I know Harry pretty well... everything tells me that he'll have no reservations whatsoever about us all proposing to Kelly. You'd have to be blind, deaf and dumb not to know he loves Kelly." "So my love, what will you say when we all ask you?" Carol asked, caressing her lover's face. The tears were running down Kelly's beautiful ebony cheeks as she said, "Yes... I'll say yes... and thank you... and I love you... all of you... and I've never been so happy in all my life." The three women hugged and held each other for a long time. Then Carol looked at her friend. "Kelly?" "Yeah?" "Is it going to be difficult for you to get time off from work to be here in case you're needed? Is it going to be hard for you to go to work with Jessica working there as well? Would you rather find another job?" "Yeah, it'll be hard to get a lot of time off, and I really feel my place is here. And yeah, working with Jess will be somewhat painful. I enjoy my job... but perhaps something else would be better right now." "Alright sweetie," Carol said, "would you like to help me around the house for awhile? I can cover any of your expenses and such, that's no problem. And it seems to me that right now you need to be taken care of. How does that sound to you? Wanna be a kept woman for awhile?" A shadow of the old Kelly showed through her fear and worry. "Just how you plan on keepin' me and what're you gonna want me to do for my keep?" she asked, a glint of mischievousness in her eye. Carol slid her legs open with a sinuous motion. "Oh, nothing you haven't done before." "Hell woman, that I do for free... I thought you were gonna have me start trimmin' your toenails and shit." The three women laughed together and then the sounds of laughter were replaced by softer, more erotic sounds. ------- From the sitting room Nicki could hear them as they made love. Everyone had somebody tonight... everybody but her and Tatiana. Resolving not to feel sorry for herself a second longer, she grabbed her room key and went down the hall to the older woman's door. She wanted company and drinks in the bar with Ms. Turov would certainly fit the bill. ------- As they lay in bed together, Theresa could faintly make out her Edward's face in the dimness of the room. There was a peace there that she hadn't seen since news of the attack had reached them. She stroked his cheek as he slept. The subterfuge at supper might have fooled the others, but not her. Edward and Niccolo had spoken privately and something in that conversation had calmed Edward's need to 'do something'. She feared an arrangement had been reached and that someone would die at her beloved's hands. Still, it was what he needed to do, and she understood it completely. She again took pleasure in the peace and calm of his features, curled up next to her master and drifted off to sleep. ------- In the next bed over, Karen held Patricia in her arms, listening to her lover murmur softly to herself, and to her God. "You amaze me, Trish," she whispered. The murmuring stopped. Patricia's face turned towards her and Karen could make out a smile. "How so, my love?" she whispered in return. "You're still praying for him, aren't you?" "You bet I am, Liz, for him and for all of us." "It's just I've never seen you this way before." "You've never seen me when I felt the need for serious prayer... we've been so lucky and so blessed." "You really think you can sway some Creator of the Universe with your requests? Change what's going to happen?" "Hell no, I don't pray for that... what will be, will be. I pray for us all to have the strength and grace to handle whatever happens, as best we can. I don't believe that my pleas can change the course of events, but I do choose to believe that they can help each of us with what we must face." "It's just a side of you I've never seen." "I hope it doesn't freak you out or anything." "No my love," Karen responded as tears began to flow, "it just makes me more grateful than ever that you gave me that second chance." The two of them curled up and Karen went to sleep to the soft murmur of her partner's prayers. ------- Chapter 25 In short order Nicki and Tatiana were in the hotel bar, sipping their drinks and watching the world go by outside. They were quiet, silent in each other's company, but it was a companionable silence. It was Nicki who first broke it in a significant way. "Called my office this evening ... told my editor I'd need more time off." "So, what'd he say to that?" "Said to take as much time as I needed ... isn't like I don't have the vacation built up." "So, what's the problem?" "You mean, other than parties unknown trying to kill my brother and his lover?" Tatiana laughed. "Yeah, other than that little issue." "He very subtly reminded me of stories that were on the back burner, waiting for me, stories that he wanted on his desk in a reasonable amount of time ... and I realized that I no longer give a shit." "How so?" the older woman asked, motioning the waitress for another of the same. "Ms. Turov-" "Call me 'Tattie'." "Tattie, when I came down here, I wanted to learn from my brother how to let go and be who I am and still have a life, along with my career, how to not let my job become all that I am. I mean, I've seen him ... he loves advertising ... he loves the people he works with, he loves what he does. He's in heaven when the creative juices are flowing and a brainstorming session is going on all cylinders. He's laughing and bouncing off walls and inviting everyone else to bounce off walls too, not necessarily in sync with him, but in their own patterns as well and somehow out of that divine chaos comes the campaign and then he and Karen hunker down and start shaping it, molding it, and he's like a kid building a soapbox derby car ... serious, but always with that 'Oh, this is gonna be so cool and go so fast!' glint in his eyes. And while he's at the office that process is his whole world. "And when he walks out of the office, it's like a light switch. He leaves it behind. He used to stop for a drink or three on the way home, not to relieve the tension of the job but the tension of the freeway coming home from the job ... the job was left behind. He has a life, people he loves and who love him. I mean, I don't count the 'Angie years' ... but other than them, however great his joy in his work, it pales in comparison to the joy he takes in living his life. "With me it was always the opposite. My job was my life ... there was nothing else for me in the world but the story I was working on, or the story I was thinking of writing after that, or the one after that. There was me and the stories and nothing was more important. I'd run on adrenaline and caffeine and sometimes other pharmaceuticals as well, whatever it took to get the story done; interviews, research, the writing, the polishing, the fact-checking, the rewrites ... and when it was all over and done with, I'd have to tranq myself just to relax, just to realize that it was over. So I'd sleep a few days and then I'd be faced with what jokingly passed for my life ... or the next story. The next story always won that showdown. I'd run back to my obsession as fast as I could and throw myself into it as hard as I could, anything to get away from the fact that I hated my life. "So I came to visit, hoping to learn his secret ... hoping to be able to put things in perspective." "And what's happened has done that for you, hasn't it?" Tatiana asked, taking a sip of her drink. "Oh yeah," Nicki said, smiling ruefully, "it's been a crash course in perspective. I've realized that all my acquaintances in Atlanta, and that's pretty much all I have is acquaintances, don't equal one 'friend' ... friends like Harry and the family down here have ... friends who put their lives on hold to be there for each other," she said, arching her eyebrows at Tatiana. The old woman laughed. "One of the advantages of bein' your own boss ... you can take time off when you want it. "It's really no big thing, Nicki. I've known Carol for quite some time ... love her dearly. We share some very fond memories of an exceptional man. The more I see of this family that's coalescin' around her and Harry, the more I like it. Good people, all of them ... not to say they don't all have their issues, but they're good people nonetheless. "I've secluded myself from people for far too long. At first I did it because it was convenient. I had my work, it's much easier to work at night, sleep during the day ... but all of that was an excuse in a way ... like you I was lonely and I didn't like my life. So I hid from it, hid to keep from being hurt ... and when I had the money, I started attractin' 'companions' like Peter. Useless, vain, vapid ... but the chatterin' noise they made allowed me to believe I wasn't alone. The friction of our sex lives allowed me to believe I was loved. "And then Carol popped back into my life, draggin' along these people and I felt comfortable with them ... accepted by them ... I allowed myself to bask in the reflection of their love and pretend it was directed towards me ... and I realized that some of it, oddly enough, was. When they say that 'any friend of Carol's' thing, they really mean it. That, like Carol, they could love me just for existin', and for bein' a part of their lives. They didn't need to know me all that well, or psychoanalyze me ... they loved me because I'd never given them a reason not to. Do you have any concept how rare that is?" "Oh yeah, got a real firm grip on it ... and got a short taste of it myself before everything went to shit." "Well, it ain't gonna be shit forever. So, I gather you're strongly considerin' tellin' your editor to shove it up his ass and stayin' down here for awhile?" "Awhile ... maybe a lot longer..." ------- Margo shuddered through another orgasm, intense and forceful, as Kelly licked and sucked her clitoris, arms wrapped around her thighs. Carol lay curled up on her side next to Margo, her mouth locked onto Margo's breast, her hands gripping her Madam's arm. Margo needed this time with her wives. No one ever needed to know how very close she'd come to losing it, how very close she'd been to giving up in the park. There were eternities of silent prayer and non-stop pleading with Harry not to leave them. Feelings she wanted to, needed to, forget because of the hopelessness and helplessness that lay beneath them. The three women clutched at each other as though in danger of drowning, their act of love seeming more the desperate joining of people fearing death. The gentleness of their normal loving was gone, replaced by a frantic and furious passion as they writhed on the bed, taking turns being the center of attention. Their love-making seemed aimed to exhaust them, driving away their worries and fears with physical effort and sexual release. Some time later Carol found herself on her knees, her cunt forced down upon Margo's face as she thrust into Carol with her tongue. Carol's mouth was latched on to one of Kelly's breasts as if she never intended to let go and at that moment, that wasn't far from the truth. Carol was fixated on breasts at the moment, a part of her needing the sensation of nursing at a mother's tit. Kelly seemed to understand this instinctively. "There, there, Baby Girl, I've got you ... it's all right, everything's gonna be just fine," she murmured to Carol softly, stroking her hair. For herself, Kelly felt that even with all the upheaval and distress and worries about Harry and to a lesser degree about all of them, she was where she'd longed to be. She was well and truly home. Orgasms tore through Carol and she bit down on Kelly's breast, lightly bruising the skin, although Kelly was far from being able to notice. Carol had put one of her hands to use between Kelly's legs and Kelly had climaxes of her own to worry about. After more shifting of positions, Margo found her submissive side at the beck and call of Kelly who had her by the hair and was forcing Margo's face into her cunt while Carol and Kelly kissed passionately, Carol stroking Kelly's body with her fingernails. Through the sound baffling provided by Kelly's thighs Margo heard "That's it, eat me, bitch!" and Margo's orgasm surprised her as her inner submissive reveled in her situation. She put her hands behind her back and her feet together, as if she were bound, and savaged Kelly's clit with her tongue. Carol, noticing her posture, got up and found some dress belts that Margo had brought from home for her suits. She used them to tie up their wife, drawing the straps good and tight and securing her well. She hauled Margo's head up by her hair and asked "Is that what you wanted, slave?" "Yes ma'am," Margo sobbed and then Carol let her head back down to Kelly's mound. Carol crawled up in the bed and slung a leg over Kelly's belly, settling in to rub her cunt against Kelly while Kelly sucked her tits. The position was a little awkward, but Carol didn't care at the moment as Kelly was returning the favor, biting down on her nipples, creating a delightful pain that shoved her towards another orgasm. Fervently and furiously they went at each other, tongues and fingers and hands and lips, sweat and sweeter secretions mixing to fill the air of the room with an aphrodisiac scent that only served to increase their need. Three voices, the songs of three women's passion, blended into one song... BOOM-BOOM-BOOM! "I guess ... we should ... be quieter," panted Carol. "I think the neighbors are starting to object." The three women laughed and then returned to their loving, albeit in a quieter fashion. Eventually the cries of passion faded and all that was left was the sweaty gliding of skin upon skin as the three tired, frightened lovers comforted each other before drifting off to sleep. ------- Once Niccolo Philouma got back to his hotel suite, he began to make phone calls. Soon some of his father's most trusted men, men who might not know what was destined to happen upon Big Vic's death, but who knew how Vic felt about each of his sons and knew that even as Consigliore, Nick was no one to mess with, drifted into the suite of rooms he maintained at the Hotel Grand to keep up the illusion of the disaffected son who only returned because of his father's illness. Nick told them what he wanted done. He didn't tell them why, and they didn't ask. ------- Harry Grimes swam up from the silvery surface of the sea that marked the barrier between his conscious and subconscious minds. An emergency elsewhere on the floor had diverted the staffs' attentions and finally he was able to come to consciousness, although he was hazy and very disoriented. When the nurse returned to her station and casually scanned the monitors, she let out a most unprofessional squeal and rushed to his room to put him back under, only to be stopped by his croaking voice. "Please ... before you put ... me back to sleep ... please ... I have to see ... my lawyer ... call my partner ... Karen Pinard." The nurse got the attending physician and after a short conference with Harry, Dr. Lowry did as his patient asked. ------- Karen had expected many things might interrupt her nights sleep; none of them were what eventually did. "Do you think we ought to go wake up Margo and the others?" Patricia asked. "No, Harry specifically asked that they not be disturbed ... although I think that when he's better, they're gonna kick his ass for it." "No shit," Eddy said. "You want company?" "No, y'all go back to sleep. Hopefully this won't take too long." ------- Harry was beginning to reconsider the wisdom of his actions. Dr. Lowry was standing by in case he changed his mind, and the pain slowly growing everywhere in his body was starting to make very potent arguments in favor of him giving in and letting them dope him to the gills once again. It was taking a very conscious effort on his part not to thrash about because of the pain and he knew as soon as he did the doctor was going to fulfill his threat of putting a stop to the whole operation. Harry continued to focus on staying still, relaxing when he could and riding the waves of pain as they continued to crescendo through his body. It seemed to help some, relegating the pain to what felt like a second level of awareness. Perhaps he was fooling himself, but if he was, Harry was content that it was hurting no one but him. ------- J. Noble Daggett wasn't in the business of criminal law therefore he was unused to middle of the night meetings. His daughter Mattie had been hauled out of bed as well to act as secretary and notary for the evening. He had been the Grimes family attorney for the last twenty years and Karen Pinard's attorney since she and Harry had started their company. Now he and his daughter were being driven across the city by a madwoman, to see a man he understood to be barely alive. ------- "Howdy ... Daggett," Harry croaked. "Glad ... you made it ... so quick." "Thank your partner, Harry," the old gentleman replied. "I think we broke the sound barrier coming across 38th St. You remember my daughter, Mattie?" "Mattie ... of course ... listen ... I don't mean ... to be inhospitable ... but I'm in a lot ... of pain ... and I won't let them ... give me anything ... until we're through." "Of course ... now, I understand you want to change your will." "Yes. Angie is out ... completely ... all my estate ... to be split ... evenly ... between Margo Wohler-Sapperstein ... Carol Riley ... Kelly Culberson ... and my sister ... Nicki Grimes. "Executor ... of my estate ... to be Margo ... if not ... then Carol ... if not ... then Kelly. "My share of ... Grimes & Pinard ... to be administered ... by Karen Pinard ... for the benefit ... of my heirs. "You need ... anything else ... from me?" "No Harry, just let Mattie get the blanks filled in, get it printed up, we've got witnesses aplenty here, and then you sign as best you can. Then you let them knock you out ... you look more than half-dead." A faint hint of a smile crossed Harry's face. "Love you too." A few moments later the boilerplate had been adapted to fit the situation, it had been printed out on the printer they'd brought with them, Harry's signature, shaky and weak, was on the document and witnesses had signed. Mattie pulled out her notary seal and notarized it. As Dr. Lowry gave the nod, sedative and pain medication were fed into Harry's IV and the doctor smiled with satisfaction as his patient once again slipped into unconsciousness. "Doctor," Karen said, "please tell me my business partner isn't going to need that revised will any time soon." Dr. Lowry looked at the stocky woman before him and smiled. "He'll be fine, although it'll take quite awhile for him to fully recover. Now, if you'd asked me that question twelve hours ago..." "Well then, Doctor, I'm glad as hell I didn't talk to you twelve hours ago," Karen said and then she, Mr. Daggett and his daughter headed for her car... ------- Nicki and Tatiana couldn't have missed Karen's sudden departure from the hotel and, once the bar closed, had decided to wait in the lobby for her. They sat and talked quietly until Karen finally came back through at around 4 in the morning. She sat down and gave them an abbreviated version of the night's events. "So, that's how I've spent the middle of my night, ladies. Now, if y'all don't mind, I have a warm bed and a wonderful woman to get back to. I'll talk to y'all in the morning." "Sounds like a plan," Nicki said. "I'm headed for bed myself. What about you, Tattie?" "I'll be lucky if my old ass stays awake long enough to make it to my room." "Well, don't worry," Nicki replied, "I'll be with you most of the way and if you start to nod off, I'll goose you." Tatiana Turov rose to her full height, turned and looked imperiously at Nicki over the tops of her glasses. "I think not." "Tattie, you can think what ever you like," Nicki said, her face wearing a grin remarkably like her brother's, "but you start to stumble, I'm-a goosin' your ass." The three women laughed together as they headed for the elevators. ------- Tuesday morning dawned bright and cloudless. Karen, after her evening's fun, had decided two very important things. The first was that she was not going into the office until lunch at the earliest. The second was that she was getting another room for her and Patricia, all to themselves, as soon as possible. The close proximity between her and Eddy first thing in the morning was a bad idea, in much the same way as placing two rabid wolverines in a garbage can together might be considered a 'bad idea'. Meeting everyone but Margo for breakfast, as she was already at the clinic, Karen briefly recapped the night's occurrences. "Before I left, Dr. Lowry told me he'd be getting a-hold of Margo at the clinic today anyway and would tell her about it then. Looks like they'll be moving Harry to a private room this afternoon, downgrading his status from 'critical' to 'serious'. They'll be tapering off the heavy-duty sedatives over the next day or two, but he'll be on pain meds and the milder stuff for awhile longer. "Jesus ... he really looked bad last night..." "Liz," Patricia hissed, "do you really think they need to hear that right now." Carol looked at her and smiled. "It's okay Patricia; we do need to hear it. It'll help prepare us for seeing him ourselves. By this point I have faith that they'll keep him alive so I really don't give a shit how bad he looks. He'll be okay eventually ... although Margo told Kelly and me last night that he's going to have an interesting set of scars. Carol laughed to herself quietly. "What's got you chuckling, dearie?" asked Tatiana. "Karen's warning kind of reminds me of something that happened when I was younger. When my grandfather had his first major stroke, all the grandkids were brought together and we were going to go in and see him as a group. Since I was the official underachiever of the group, I got lectured and coached and warned by every adult there about how I was not to react to the paralyzation of his face in any way. Nobody was worried about all my siblings and cousins, they weren't going to have any trouble at all with it, but me, oh, they expected me to go to pieces or freeze or something. "So we all go trooping in ... it was a fucking disaster. Four grandkids left the room in tears, two others just stood there and cried, and the rest couldn't look him at him and just stood there looking at everything but him and said nothing. "I sat down on the bed next to him, caressed his cheek, the side that could feel it, told him he didn't look bad at all, and that he needed to keep his hands off any cute nurses or else my grandmother was gonna put him in the hospital for something serious instead of this piddley stroke business. We sat together for about an hour, me just talking up a storm and him smiling with the side that could smile. "I think that was when I first realized that my family had absolutely no idea how to deal with me or what to expect from me. They simply couldn't understand me ... where I was and where I was going in my life was too foreign to them. Since I didn't fit into their mold of 'right' then I had to be wrong ... defective somehow. "It was a very alienating experience." "Jesus, sounds like ... how old were you?" Patricia asked. "Fifteen ... I think that was pretty much the book-end of my childhood ... after that at least I understood that my parents and I were not of the same species. They still tried to be my parents when I showed up on their 'radar', but I really didn't pay them much mind. They had nothing to say that I needed to hear. "My grandparents, on the other hand ... any of them I'd gladly listen to for days. They never placed filters on their vision. I was their granddaughter, I was 'alright'. They might not understand where I was or what was going on in my life, but they were okay with it if it made me happy. And if it didn't make me happy, they'd offer the sage advice of changing whatever it was to something that made me happy." "That's all the advice they gave you? They didn't try to tell you what to change about your life?" Karen said. "Nope, they seemed to figure that I was going to have to make my own way, make my own mistakes, just like they had, just like all their kids had ... so the best and most comprehensive advice they could give me was to change whatever made me unhappy to something that made me happy. "If I'd listened to that simple advice a bit better, my life would've been a lot better I think." "I'm not so sure about that, darlin'," Kelly said. "Why were you in the Pearl the night you met Harry?" "Because Rick wanted me out of the apartment ... okay, point taken ... maybe things worked out perfectly after all," Carol replied, smiling. After breakfast Karen made her way to the office. After calling everyone together and letting them know how Harry was, she went to her office and called the realtor who was showing the house near Harry's. She and Patricia were going to go look at it later that afternoon and Karen had a feeling they'd be making an offer on it, or on another in the area, shortly thereafter. Kelly drove to the restaurant and after explaining the situation to the owners found that they were quite willing to grant her an indefinite leave of absence, welcome back whenever she felt like returning. As she drove back to the hotel, she felt guilty about just how glad she'd been that Jess had been out on a delivery run while she was there. For the rest of family and friends the day was passing uneventfully, their time spent in the suite, worrying and wondering when exactly they could start visiting Harry. Late in the afternoon word reached them that he could begin receiving visitors the next day. Margo returned from the clinic hot and tired. She had barely had time to shower and get dressed when Madame Cornelius arrived. With her came a very conventionally dressed Li Kuan and the two ladies were escorted by the great hulking walls of masculinity that were Andre and Hans. After Carol made introductions, Madam Cornelius took Margo's hands in her own. "Mrs. Grimes," the Grand Dame said, "I've come to offer my sympathies on your husband's attack. If there's anything I can do, please don't hesitate to let me know. Li Kuan has offered to help punish the perpetrators, should such be possible." With that the lovely oriental woman opened her mouth and grinned widely, her filed teeth glistening with saliva. "While not actually a cannibal she has absolutely no compunctions about biting someone. In fact, we had a bit of trouble with a young man who broke into our house several years ago who while in the process of robbing us came across Li Kuan sleeping and decided to indulge in a little rape. He sued us and we settled out of court. Shortly thereafter we added Hans and Andre to the household not only as playmates but as security also. Settling once was expensive but I was far more concerned with the attitude of the district attorney's office. The D.A. assured me that if Li Kuan ever bit anyone like that again and charges were filed, he'd be asking for the maximum sentence possible." The elderly woman caressed her oriental companion, her hand rising up the back of Li Kuan's leg to run along the crotch seam of her pants. "And as I'm very fond of her that would be extremely inconvenient. Now then, as I'm of the opinion there isn't a decent restaurant to be found in this hotel, I suggest that I take all of you out to supper at the restaurant of your choice ... but as Andre and Hans haven't fed since lunch, I suggest you decide in a somewhat speedy manner or random arms and legs could be in danger." ------- Alvin Jones and Tom Priest had grown up in a small town not too far away from the city. They'd started out as petty thieves and vandals, gotten into drugs, worked as muscle for hire for numerous small time operators and in the final tally, spent the majority of their lives looking for that one big opportunity that would really pay off for them. For anyone who showed half an inclination to lend either or both of them a kindly ear they'd spin out their well-rehearsed and essentially true stories of childhoods full of drunken parents, broken homes, physical and emotional abuse, mental and sexual abuse, lack of economic opportunity, absence of positive role models, victimization by authority figures, the whole sad and pathetic panorama of a white trash grand opera. The gentlemen they were being questioned by didn't show any inclination to offer a kindly ear or any other kindly body part to them. The call had gone out, anonymously except for his immediate underlings, from Niccolo Philouma on down through the Family organization all the way to the streets. Someone in the organization was very interested in two young men matching the rudimentary descriptions he'd gotten from Carol, scant glimpses as she'd run, one of them with a chunk bitten out of him, who'd been involved in a hit gone bad in a park at 45th and Garwood. The figure of twenty-five thousand dollars was mentioned as a reward. It had taken less than sixteen hours for Alvin and Tom to end up in the rough and uncaring hands of Nick's associates. And within an hour of their capture, they were being held waiting for Nick, their eyes blinded by bright lights as they sat, tied to chairs in a warehouse on the east side of town. Nick spent his afternoon questioning the two of them, carefully, justly and fairly, as Margo had asked. The bright lights were removed and they were made comfortable. Nick dealt with them face to face, letting them know exactly who he was. He had his men bring them drinks and he kept the alcohol coming. It took quite awhile but he managed to convince them that they were in no danger from him. He understood they were merely doing a job. That was a kind of business he could understand. Neither he nor any of his people were going to hurt either of them. They had his word of honor. They hadn't been hurt yet, just a little roughed up. All he wanted was information on why they'd done what they had. Finally the confessions started pouring out. The two of them knew this girl, a hooker, who'd been seeing this doctor regularly and this doctor wanted a job done. He wanted to punish his cunt of a wife, and he wanted to do it by killing her two lovers. This was the big break they'd been waiting for. He was paying them a hundred thousand dollars when both the targets were dead. It was all him, his scheme, even down to the leaving of their faces completely untouched so Margo would always have a real clear picture of all she'd lost. Alvin and Tom were just doing a job, just taking advantage of the chance of a lifetime. Mr. Philouma was very understanding. After Nick had the information he wanted he made a short phone call. ------- After a wonderful meal at Mickey & Miguel's everyone was relaxing with after dinner drinks when Eddy's cell phone buzzed. "Hello? Yes sir ... I'll be there right away ... I understand and thank you." He closed the phone. "Well, I need to run by the office for a bit. The boss-man has an op he wants my opinion on. Won't take me but an hour at the most. Theresa honey, would you mind catchin' a ride back to the hotel with someone?" "I wouldn't mind at all, Edward. Be careful." Eddy looked at her and realized she knew ... somehow she knew. And she didn't hate him for what he was going to do. He smiled at her and made his way out to his truck. ------- Nick then spent some more time talking with the two young men. "Mr. Philouma, sir, if you don't mind me askin', how did you find us?" asked Tom. "It was your trip to Dr. Bennett that gave us our first scent of your trail. We know all of the doctors who handle 'questionable' injuries in this town, all the back-alley types. Checking with them for someone with a chunk bitten out of his leg was easy. That gave us a starting place. From there we just followed your trail. Next time, grab your nutsack and just start calling doctors out of the phone book until you get to one that can see you that day. There are way too many doctors in town for anyone, even the cops, to question them all." "Thank you Mr. Philouma ... we wasn't thinkin' ... and my leg hurt somethin' fierce, I couldn't walk on it, Alvin had to fuck near carry me," said Tom. "I imagine it did, Tom, I imagine it did ... from what I hear, that guy bit a whole mouthful out of it." "Yessir, yessir he did ... hamstringed me. Dr. Bennett said I'm gonna have to have an operation to graph muscles from somewhere else in there so I can walk right again. Until then I'm stuck with crutches and a man can't do no business if he's on crutches." "He said 'graft', you moron, 'graft' not 'graph'," Alvin interjected, sneering at his partner. "Whatever," Tom sneered in return, "but with what that Jew-boy paid us up front and what we'll get when you finish the damn job, I'll be able to afford to have it done." After the inevitable squabble over whether or not Tom deserved his full share since Alvin was going to be finishing the job alone, Nick continued to chat with the two of them. When one of his men showed Eddy into the warehouse Nick gave a slight nod as Eddy walked up behind them. With a quick and brutal twist of his head, Alvin Jones was sent to meet his Maker. When Tom heard the unmistakable crunching sound he turned, recognizing Eddy from their surveillance of Harry and Carol. He turned back to Nick and said in a resigned voice, "You said you and yours were gonna let us be." "I didn't lie ... Mr. Janak doesn't work for me ... never has, never will. And at no time did I say I was going to protect your worthless ass from the best friend of the man you damn near killed." "Mr. Janak, tell Mr. Grimes for me that it was nothing personal ... it was just business. I don't hold nothin' against him for bitin' me neither." "I'm not gonna tell him a gawddamn thing for you, you piece of shit," Eddy said and with another sickening crack, it was all over. "Eddy, don't worry about the bodies ... I guarantee you they'll never be found," Nick said, getting up from his folding chair. "What now? Who ordered this?" "You know I shouldn't tell you that ... if I did, Eddy, you'd be likely to go run off and do something stupid." "I give you my word I won't." "I suppose you have as much a right to know as anybody ... fair enough ... it was Sapperstein." "Alright, since Margo has asked you to be judge, jury and executioner, if need be, what are you going to do about it?" "I'll let that be a surprise, but you won't have to wait more than four days at most to find out. Tell Margo I'll be by to see her this evening, give her the news first hand." "I will ... and thank you ... thank you very much." "Don't thank me, Eddy ... you saved me a lot of trouble ... if you hadn't volunteered to kill them, I would've had to find a way to make it happen without breaking my word to them. You got any idea how much of a hassle that was gonna be?" ------- Eddy returned to the hotel with no small degree of trepidation. It was one thing for Theresa to approve in theory of his killing the two men who had attacked Harry and Carol. It could be quite another thing once he'd actually done it. (Because this could be it, couldn't it, Monster? This could be what finally strikes the blinders from her eyes and lets her see you for what you truly are. Are you looking forward to staring at those four walls again, all alone?) His heart was pounding at a rapid pace when he reached their room and slid the keycard into the lock. He walked in and found her sitting cross-legged on the bed in a robe, smiling at him. "You made it back safely, Edward ... I can stop worrying now," she said, getting up from the bed and hugging him. "Is there anything I can get for you?" As the weight lifted from his heart and he held his love in his arms he smiled. "Just you ... all I need is you." ------- Later in the evening, when Nick left the hotel after speaking with Margo and Carol, he was thinking what an extraordinarily lucky man Harry Grimes was. They had taken the news quite well and hadn't been at all surprised when Nick told them of Eddy's involvement. "If you hadn't mentioned him I'd have known you were lying, if only by omission," Margo said. He had told Margo she wouldn't have to wait long to find out Benjamin's fate ... but that she should consider suitable clothing for a funeral. Her face had had a cold, icy cast to it as she said, "I think I know just the one I'll wear." ------- Eddy dreamt of her, on a sunny warm day, held by his outstretched arms as the world spun around the two of them until it was a blur and he let go of her. He dreamt of how it must have been for her in those final moments, spinning and soaring through wild gyrations in the air, her hair whipped out behind her. She loved 'flying', as she called it. And pleasing her was his life. In his dreams he remembered how she looked, a little blond angel all smiles and bright eyes, the sound of her laughing shriek the last clear notes of joy he'd ever hear from her. She had slipped the bonds of earth. But the earth was a jealous bitch and took her back. And Eddy watched her hit again and again and again. Twenty-one years later he could remember every second, every expression, every drop of blood as it arced through the sky, the sharp cracking sound. Most of all he remembered that last, short bark of a cry that escaped her lips. In the aftermath there was the terror on his mother's face, the look of a lifetime's hopes and dreams crushed in an instant. The wounded look that never left her face. Even the mortician's skills couldn't erase it twenty-one years later and she had gone to her grave bearing the mark of Eddy's (the Monster's) misdeeds. She had said she forgave him, but that was impossible. Some things you never forgive, some things you can't forgive. There were the words of his father, damning him, cursing him, blaming him ... all of them, while painful, a thousand times less so than the punishment he inflicted on himself. His father had never pretended to forgive him. He remained honest in his hatred even now. "Wake up, sir! Please, love, wake up! EDWARD, WAKE THE FUCK UP!" Theresa pounded on his back as Eddy continued to weep, rolled into a fetal ball of sheer misery, his hands locked on his upper arms, holding them in a white-knuckled grasp. Theresa could see blood oozing up where his fingers were gouging into his flesh. He shook and rocked as though he were being beaten and unbeknownst to Theresa, that's exactly what was happening. His father's kicks would forever echo in Eddy's dreams. Her blows, falling on his body, only played into his nightmare and strengthened its hold on his consciousness. Eventually she gave up and went to the bathroom, bringing back a pitcher of water and dashing it in his face. As her love spluttered to wakefulness, she knelt by the side of the bed, head and eyes downcast. As soon as Edward finished coming to and wiping his face, she felt his hand, large and gentle, come to rest on her head. He stroked her hair. "Bad nightmare, huh?" he asked softly. "Apparently so, sir." "You couldn't wake me up any other way?" "No sir, I tried." "Well shit, that leaves me with no gawddamn justification to make you sleep in the wet spot," he said and she could hear the smile on his face. "Since when have you ever required a justification, Edward?" she replied, smiling herself. "That's it, prepare to be tickled," he said as he pulled her up on top of him. Margo whimpered to herself as she tried to go to sleep. The rest of them would never, could never, know just how close it had really been. None of them had the medical training to recognize just how near death he'd been when the EMT's arrived. Even if she explained it to them, and why would she, they wouldn't have the years of experience that had tormented her through that terrible time. The experience that told her she'd done all she could and it still wasn't enough ... that the only thing that could keep her love alive was his will. They'd never know how she'd felt like some primitive shaman, muttering to her patient that he had to want to live, to fight to live, that there was nothing more she could do for him. Margo had, in her intern year, worked a turn in the E.R. She was no stranger to traumatic injury or blood ... the weekend graveyard shift at any major urban E.R. brought a doctor in contact with far more of both than her time with Harry had. But none of her experiences there had the effects on her that her eternity in the park had. She was periodically being overwhelmed by the rich, coppery smell of blood everywhere around her for no reason at all. The smell would surround her, making her gag, and then it would be gone as quickly as it had come. When she was least expecting it she'd look down to see her hands and sleeves soaked in his blood and she'd wonder for just a moment why no one else was as horrified as she. She wasn't sleeping well, tortured by a nightmare where Harry's will had been just a bit weaker and she'd watched the man she loved leave her, the light fading from his eyes, his body losing the feeling of life, going dead and heavy in her arms. If she closed her eyes for too long during the day, his dying eyes would appear and a cold, hard panic would grip her. Her breath and heart rates would speed up, she'd break out in a cold clammy sweat, terror would freeze her mind with an ongoing chorus of "He's dead, he's dead, he's dead". If she'd had to diagnose her symptoms in another, she'd say it sounded like a clear-cut case of post-traumatic stress syndrome. She knew better than to prescribe for herself. She'd go see an old colleague of hers about it the next day ... if she could just get through the night. ------- Nick's night had been anything but pleasant. First his father had called him in and read him the riot act for using Family resources in a profligate manner in the 'Margo & Carol' matter. Nick had known the old man would find out sooner or later and he'd hoped for later ... much later ... after Big Vic was dead would've been just fine. Now that all he had left to do was deal with Dr. Benjamin Sapperstein himself, he didn't really need all that much Family manpower, but the old man had shut the whole thing down. Even the knowledge that it involved Carol hadn't changed the old man's view. But Nick had given his word. And then that psychopath Phil had cornered him. Someone in his crew had finally put two and two together and showed the fat, sweaty moron a picture of Harry in a newspaper article on the assault. Now Phil was ready to finish the job that the two men had started in the park, and extend it to Carol and Margo as well, since they'd been mentioned in the article. Nick had managed to chill his pathetic brother out by pointing out that there was undoubtedly a police presence at the hospital due to the nature of the case ... of course, he'd used much smaller words than that. Even so, Nick knew it wouldn't be long until Phil convinced himself that he could plan a hit that would be so slick the police would never even know it had happened. In short, it would be another Phil-Philouma-produced disaster for the Family and its visibility. He could work around his father's prohibition on using Family men ... there was no working around Phil. He pulled out a clean and untraceable cell phone and sent a text message to a number he'd only call once, to a member of Phil's retinue. The message read 'John the Baptist'. Then he fell to his knees and prayed that his brother's bodyguards were as useless as they seemed to be. ------- Carmine Vicenzio was loyal, loyal to a fault, and had always been so ... right up until the day, fifteen years before, when Big Vic had made it clear that Philip was his heir apparent and had assigned Carmine to be one of his bodyguards. His loyalty had wavered that day and had gotten steadily shakier every day since. Carmine had grown up in the Family. His father had been a made man and when the Philouma family had come to Texas from New Jersey, his father had come with them. Carmine had never deluded himself into thinking that the business he was in was anything noble or righteous ... it was a business that dealt almost exclusively with the darker side of human nature and he was used to associating with the scum of society. A lot of people would have considered him part of that scum. But Philip Philouma ... it was enough to make Carmine physically ill. He had ulcers from having to put up with Fat Phil and his disgusting desires and habits. That, in his opinion, was fucking ridiculous. And to make matters worse, Carmine had been made Phil's procurer ... a pimp for a pig. So when Nick Philouma had first started feeling him out about being the last resort against Phil doing something incredibly stupid, Carmine had been willing to listen. And when Nick was through outlining what he had planned, Carmine was ready to do a lot more than listen. ------- The next morning, Eddy had come to a decision. "Theresa, sweetheart ... after last night ... my nightmare and the conversation we had at dinner, I don't think we're gonna wait for this weekend for you to meet Rachel. Lemme call and make sure it's okay for us to visit today." Theresa looked at her love with questioning eyes but he ignored those unvoiced inquiries and gently herded her towards the shower. Once he had her in and the water running, he left the bathroom and made a call on his cell. A few moments later he joined her in the shower. "We're all set. Get the two of us cleaned up, get some food in us, we'll get out of here, make a stop or two along the way and then ... well, and then we'll see what happens." "As you wish, Edward." At breakfast they saw Kelly, the only other member of the family awake and present in the restaurant, and let her know they'd be gone for most of the morning, possibly into the afternoon. After a pleasant meal they made their way a party supply store where Eddy bought sixteen bright mylar balloons. Then they pulled into a strip mall and went to a small toy store where Eddy had Theresa pick out five vividly colored stuffed animals. "Don't worry about the size, big or small, colorful is what you're looking for ... she loves colors, lots of bright, garish color. And if you see something that really catches your eye, grab it ... we ain't limited to five and money ain't a worry. I just kinda generally start with five." So it was that they left the toy store with eight brilliantly colored plushies crowding Theresa for space in the cab of the truck. "Edward, I hope we don't need to pick up anything else ... between these and the balloons, I think anymore and I'll be riding in the bed of the truck back there." "Nope, my love, the only other stop we're making is for something small." After a stop at Lambe's Candies for a bag of Licorice Medallions, they headed west. "Now, I know you're a good actress since you was with Phil ... don't get upset around her, always keep a smile on your face, as genuine a one as possible. If she senses people getting upset around her she has a tendency to get real upset herself." (I hope you enjoyed your last night with this woman, Monster. After today she'll never speak to you again, no matter what you do or say. It's back to the slatterns for you, Monster, back to the women who look like your soul.) "Don't worry, sir, I'll be fine. I won't embarrass you, sir." "I know you won't, my beloved." He pulled the truck up to a guard house at a large, wrought-iron gate. Eddy showed the guard his drivers license. "I'm here to visit Rachel Janak, Dr. Kessler approved it this morning." "Yes sir, enjoy your visit," the guard said, smiling, as he buzzed the gates open. Down a long winding gravel road they drove, through pecan and Texas red oak trees until they came to a large three-story Victorian-style house surrounded by long single-story buildings like the wings of a school, or hospital. A sign in front of the yellow and white Victorian home read "Rays of Sunshine Home". Eddy pulled the truck into an open area of gravel and parked. "This place opened up as a facility to care for injured soldiers after the Civil War. The original home burned down and they built that beautiful Victorian one," Eddy said. "They've added new sections and modernized over the years ... Rachel was lucky to get in here." Giving the balloons to Theresa he carried the stuffed animals and led her up on the porch to the bright white door and then inside. She was rather surprised to see that inside, while the Victorian motif was maintained, there was no doubt they were in the administrative offices of a medical facility. After procuring 'Visitor' badges for the two of them, Eddy led her back behind the home to one of the annexes. On the way they passed two security guards who very surreptitiously checked to see that they had their 'Visitor' badges, but otherwise did nothing but greet them pleasantly. "Edward, what is it with all the security here?" Tamara asked. "About ten years ago an attempt was made to kidnap one of the residents, a patient who happened to be the brother of one of Texas' senators. They were both children of very, very old oil money." "Isn't 'very, very old oil money' a contradiction in terms?" "Not in Texas ... anyway, the luck of the Gods came down and rested on the head of the one old retiree they had out here wandering the grounds as security. He was in exactly the right place at exactly the right time and managed to get his gun out before the kidnappers knew what was happening. Kidnapping was foiled, perpetrators were convicted, everybody was happy. Needless to say, the Senator was very grateful and praised the facility to the high heavens, which brought it to the attention of some rather wealthy families with members who needed the kind of care this place provides. The administration figured they'd better not bet on luck so they beefed up their security considerably, and the increase in patients whose families could, and did, pay through the nose has more than covered the added operating expenses." They walked into the annex and a sunlit and clean lobby, the walls and trim in complementing shades of bright green. Eddy walked up to the counter. "Janelle, how you been?" A large black woman came waddling out from behind the counter. "Eddy," she exclaimed, hugging him, "where you been? You haven't come to see her in almost a month!" "I know, I know ... I already feel like shit about it ... but life kinda got in the way. Janelle, meet Tamara my ... well, she's gonna be my fiancée sooner or later, I just ain't got around to askin' her yet. Tamara, this is Janelle, she's been working with Rachel for the last twelve years." The large woman put out her hand and Tamara shifted some of the balloons and shook hands. "Now Eddy Janak, this li'l ol' girl is pretty and polite, you better hold on to her." "No Janelle, it's me that's got to hold on to him," Tamara replied with a smile. "You better get yo' big ignernt ass around to that proposin', Eddy, this one's worth keepin'." "I know that's right, Janelle. Well, where is she today?" "Hector's got her out on the lawn, south side, catchin' some sun. She's been in an awful mood since yo' Daddy's last visit. It's got so we medicate her when he's comin', otherwise she gets so upset she's impossible to deal with. If we tranq her, he don't notice and she just in a funk for a couple of days." "Well, let us go drop these animals off in her room and then we'll head out there, see if I can't lighten her mood some." "Yeah, I saw you brought balloons. We've got two new nurses on staff, either one of 'em give you any shit, you send 'em to me, I'll straighten 'em out." "Janelle, if you weren't already married to Roscoe, I'd have to put the moves on you." "Shee-it, you couldn't handle this much woman!" she said, waddling back behind the counter. "You're probably right," Eddy responded as he and Tamara headed down the hall. He turned into a room and when Tamara followed him in she was surprised by the size of the room and by its décor. One wall was nothing but shelves and most of the shelves were filled with stuffed animals of every size, shape and color. The ceiling of the room was covered in empty mylar balloons, making it a sea of silver with brightly colored sayings and pictures floating on the surface. The other walls of the room, where not broken by windows or doors, were liberally decorated with posters of nature: the sea, mountains, waterfalls, glaciers, forests, streams, valleys, islands, rivers, jungles. There were a few posters of castles and one of a sailing ship, but they were the exception. Eddy put the stuffed animals on the bed and was turning back to the door when Janelle poked her head around the corner. "Eddy Janak, you done got me so flustered I almost let you get away with it." "Janelle, you know I wouldn't let her eat enough of them to spoil her appetite." "Uh huh, hand 'em over." Eddy opened the bag of Licorice Medallions and took out two, then handed the bag over. "One a day, same as always?" "Of course ... I give 'em to her after her lunch. Now you go on out there an' don't take no shit from anyone, get her smilin' again." "Will do, boss. C'mon Tamara, let's go visit Rachel." As they exited the building and walked around it heading in a general southerly direction, Tamara looked up at her love. "So, are you going to tell me what happened? It seems obvious that she's your sister but other than that I don't have a clue." The big man slowed his pace and she noticed his hand, faintly grasping, so she put her hand in his. "I was nine, she was six when it happened. Daddy and Mama both worked, always had, so we were raised by daycare, babysitters and neighbor ladies. I started takin' care of her when I was four or five, just handlin' little things, like feeding her, changin' diapers, keepin' her outta trouble, things like that. I didn't mind ... I thought it was great that something so small and precious was entrusted to me. She was a little angel and I got to watch out for her. "We had a big old oak tree in the backyard. Daddy'd hung a rope swing from it and Rachel used to love to have me push her and spin her around. She'd go swirling through the air, holding on to the rope for dear life, skinny little legs sticking straight out through the loops Daddy put below the knot, shriekin' her fool head off, and laughin' nonstop. "It was the most beautiful music my ears have ever heard. "Well, one day when I was nine, like I said, and she was six, she kept wantin' to go faster and higher, so I grabbed her by her feet, spun her around and around, like a hammer thrower at the Olympics, and then let loose." Eddy stopped in his tracks. "Oh Theresa, baby, she flew! She'd never spun so fast or flown so high. She'd never laughed so hard or screamed so loud. It was the proudest moment of my life. "And then she slammed into the tree ... and I heard her break ... like some porcelain doll. Broke her back, her arm, her shoulder, her ribs ... caved in the side of her head. And my little sister fell from the swing and just lay there." "Sir, you don't have-" "No, you wanted to know ... you've got a right to know. I screamed, our next-door neighbor came running over, grabbed her, put her in her car and rushed her to the hospital. I just stood there ... I stood there and looked at the tree. I just knew I'd killed her. A couple of hours later when Mama and Daddy got home, Daddy came out and found me still standin' there, lookin' at the tree. He beat the ever-livin' shit out of me ... I peed orange for a week-and-a-half ... from what I know now, I figger he broke a few ribs too. Mama tried to stop him, but he just back-handed her and told her to stay out of it. "For the rest of the time I lived at home, any time he thought about Rachel for too long, he'd come find me and beat me ... and I'd let him, even when I was big enough I could've stopped him if I'd wanted to ... I deserved every beatin' he gave me. He's never forgiven me and I don't expect him to ... I don't want him to ... Mama said she did, but I knew it was a lie ... she never showed it but there are things you don't forgive. "Rachel's got limited mobility in her arms and hands, no mobility any lower ... and the mind of a six-year-old ... they had her in some skanky facilities until Daddy got hurt in an accident, won a pretty big settlement and used the money to get her in here. I've been coverin' a lot of the cost for quite awhile, soon as I had a job that paid enough where I could cover some of them. "He comes to see her and all he can do is cry ... and that just upsets her no end ... the staff has tried suggestin' that if all he's gonna do is upset her maybe he shouldn't come but you can guess how well that goes over ... so now they're sedatin' her so her Daddy can visit. "It's a fucked-up ol' world, ain't it?" She squeezed his hand and moved forward. "Come on Edward, I want to meet your sister." They walked past the end of the annex and onto a gently rolling lawn with post oaks and red oaks dotting the landscape, passing other patients ranging from the catatonic to the very animated being wheeled about by their attendants. At last Tamara saw a short Mexican-American man standing behind a wheelchair up ahead of them. She couldn't see too much because of his position but blonde hair was flying in the gentle breeze and a pair of arms was jerking in every direction. As they got closer Tamara could make out a petulant-sounding wail coming from the woman. Eddy motioned her to silence and walked up behind the attendant. He tapped him on the shoulder, with his finger over his lips. He turned around and after he got over his surprise, smiled. Tamara assumed the attendant was 'Hector'. He moved out of the way and Eddy moved into his place. He leaned down and said, "so what's this I hear about you bein' in a bad mood, li'l girl?" "Eddy?" she cried. He swung the chair around and knelt before her. "Ahyup, sho' 'nuff." Tamara watched the woman in the chair come to life. She could have searched for a better way to describe it for a hundred years and wouldn't have found it. Life, pure and simple, flowed up into her face from somewhere deep inside. "You makin' fun o' the way I talk, Eddy?" "Nope, that's just me bein' uneddicated, same as always." "You not uneddicated, you sma't Eddy." As Tamara watched the two siblings play what was obviously a familiar game, she looked at the small woman in the chair. Rachel's face bore the hallmarks of her mental impairment, but it was evident that if not for that, she would have been a lovely woman. Her blonde hair was thick and lustrous and wavy and her pale blue eyes were striking ... especially when they focused on Tamara. "Who she?" Eddy looked back over his shoulder. "That's a very special person in my life. That's the woman I'm going to marry. Her name is Tamara. Would you like to meet her?" "Can I?" "Of course you can, silly girl. Tamara, come on over. Tamara, this blonde angel is my sister, Rachel. Rachel, this beautiful woman is Tamara." "She p'etty, she almos' as big as me, and she got balloons." "Oh, you didn't miss that, did you, she's got balloons? Well, a little bird flew in my window and told me you'd been feeling down and so I knew I'd better bring some balloons." "Gonna fly?" "Gonna fly." He reached in his pocket and pulled out a licorice medallion and popped it in her mouth. "Now if I can get the pretty Tamara to hand me one of the balloons, we'll get started." Tamara handed him one and he tied it very securely to Rachel's left wrist. "Now Rachel, all that bad you got in your head, it's weighin' you down, ain't it?" "Yeah," she said, smiling shyly as she sucked on the candy. "It's like mud and you're stuck in it, ain't ya?" "Yeah." "Alright, I brought eight balloons per arm," he said, motioning for another and then tying it to her right wrist, "and that should be enough to float you up and out of that bad stuff, you think?" "Yeah," she said. "Eddy, could Tam'a tie 'em on?" "Could Tamara tie 'em on? Well I know when I'm not wanted," he said, grinning at his sister, "so I'll just hold those balloons while Tamara gets you ready for take-off ... that okay with you, Tamara?" Fighting back the urge to cry at the beauty of Eddy and his sister together, she swallowed hard. "That's fine, Edward, I'd love to help get Rachel ready for take-off." "It's EDDY not Edwa'd ... how come you don' know his name?" "Now Rachel, you know it's not polite to correct people by yellin' ... and 'Eddy' is short for 'Edward' just like 'Ratbottom' is short for 'Rachel'," Eddy said, smiling at her and stroking her hair. "I'm not 'atbottom!" she proclaimed. "Don't you call me 'atbottom, I'm 'achell! I get Tam'a to spank you, you call me 'atbottom!" "Alright, I won't call you 'Ratbottom' ... how about 'Schnicklefritz', can I call you 'Schnicklefritz'?" Tamara was fighting hard not to lose it and break out in laughter as Rachel said, in the tone of a teacher explaining something to a very slow child, "Eddy, my name not 'Shnicklf'itz', not 'atbottom', it 'achel." "So it is ... I forgot that for a moment," he replied as Tamara tied the last balloon on. "Okay, you know how this goes. Close your eyes, close 'em tight." Tamara moved out of the way as Eddy got down on his knees and murmured, "now you feel the balloons, lifting your arms up ... well let 'em rise, let 'em reach for heaven." He lifted her from her chair as she held her arms straight up over her head. Very carefully, very tenderly he shifted her around until she was sitting on his shoulders. Reaching up with one hand, he took hold of her right arm, then repeated the process to take hold of her left. "Okay Rachel, open your eyes," he said as he slowly got to his feet. "I flyin'!" she shrieked. Tears rolled down Eddy's face but a smile lit his features as he responded, "Yes you are, Rachel, and all that bad got left behind, didn't it?" "YEAH!" And then Tamara watched as Eddy galloped across the lawn with his sister on his shoulders, bright balloons waving behind them, her happy sounds filling the air. For a moment she saw the children they once had been and she watched Rachel's soul leave its broken shell behind and soar between the trees and across the grass. She understood at last why her love thought himself a monster ... she knew he couldn't forgive himself for what he'd done to the most precious person in his life. But as she stood there she knew she was seeing two angels, playing together, and the sight of it was beautiful, yet it hurt her deeply as she knew she would never be able to convince Edward of the truth of what she saw. As she stood there, crying softly to herself, she heard a sniffle behind her. She turned to find Janelle standing a few feet away. "I figured I'd better come on down, head off any trouble afore it got started," she said, wiping her eyes. "Some of these people see somethin' like this they jus' freak the hell on out. I sent Hector back up to get another diaper and some wipes ... he shoulda brought some along but he forgot. And they gonna need 'em." "Does she always react like this to Edward?" "Oh yes, child, always ... that girl's world revolves around that man ... we gonna be hearin' about this visit for a week or more. And if y'all stay till her nap time, we gonna be hearin' the story for that long as well ... but that's okay. That girl ain't got much in life to be happy about. She's got Eddy and she's got her Christmas givin'." "Her Christmas giving?" Tamara asked. "Oh yeah, all them stuffed animals? Come Christmas she gets a list of needy chil'ren from a couple of local churches, mine's one of 'em, and she spends weeks decidin' which child gonna get which animal. And then she write out the tags for all of 'em, doin' her best printin' on 'em, sayin' they from 'Santa'. Oh, that girl giggle about bein' Santa's helper for a long time. They only two animals that don't get given away ... them's two she got handed down to her from Eddy when she was a baby. The rest of 'em she just look at and put on the shelf till Christmas. She likes lookin' at the colors. Yeah, come Christmas, that girl the happiest person I know. "So long as Eddy come pretty regular, she don't seem to need much more to keep her happy ... well, that an' her Daddy don' come too of'en." As Hector returned with the supplies and Eddy and Rachel wound down, Tamara had an idea. While Eddy carefully cleaned and changed the diaper on his sister, she discussed the idea she'd had with Janelle. ------- After they returned to Rachel's room and had had lunch, Eddy had gone to the bathroom and Tamara was sitting beside Rachel as she lay in her bed. "Eddy ashamed of me," Rachel whispered. Tamara looked at her in shock. "No honey, no ... why would you say that?" "He neva' b'ings no one to see me. You the fi'st." Tamara firmly believed that God forgave well-intentioned lies without being asked. "No, honey, he's not ashamed of you at all. He talks about you all the time and he's so proud of you and how well you're doing here. Oh, and Rachel ... when he talks about you being Santa's helper-" "He talks about that?" "Oh yes he does ... and when he does, he is so proud. He tells everyone what a good person you are, what a sweet and loving person you are and how blessed he is to have someone like you who loves him. Oh Rachel, honey, your brother loves you so much and is so proud of you-" "Then why he neva b'ing people like you to see me befo'e?" "Because I was ashamed of me, Rachel," Eddy said from the door to her bathroom. "I didn't want people to hate me for having hurt someone as beautiful and precious as you." Eddy struggled to keep his voice calm. "Tamara's the first person I ever believed loved me enough to know what I did and not hate me forever." "Eddy," Rachel said in her teacher-to-a-slow-student voice, "it was a accident. Nobody hate you fo' a accident." "Daddy does." "Well Daddy is STUPID!" she proclaimed loudly. "Daddy hu'ts too bad when he looks at me. Daddy is stupid." "Mama did." "NO SHE DIDIN'!" "Shh, Rachel, calm down, sweetie," Eddy said soothingly. "I will soon as you stop bein' dumb ... Mama neva' blamed you ... she told me so ... lotsa times." The woman curled up on the bed. "So now you b'ing otha' people to visit?" "Yes, if you want me to." "Okay, I do ... nap time ... tell me a sto'y." Eddy began to spin a tale of a beautiful princess who lived in a castle, and he pointed at one of the castle pictures, in a forest, and he pointed at one of the forest pictures. As he went on, Rachel looked at Tamara. "You wanna lay on Missa Toby's ea'?" she asked in a low whisper, holding up the ear of a black velveteen stuffed dog. "It 'eally cool an' soft." "Thank you, I'd like that," Tamara whispered back and she put her head on the pillow next to Rachel's, each of their cheeks resting on one of the dog's ears, while Eddy continued on with his illustrated story. It was soft and cool and before long, Rachel was fast asleep, the other stuffed animal she'd inherited from her brother, a crocheted monkey, held tight in her arms. ------- They made their farewells to Janelle and Hector, returned their badges and left Rays of Sunshine Home. After they'd exited the grounds, Eddy pulled the truck over to the side of the road at a rest stop, put his head and arms on the steering wheel and sobbed. Tamara scooted over and held him as best she could, letting him cry for as long as he needed to. After twenty or so minutes, he finally sniffled and heaved to a halt. After drying his eyes and blowing his nose, he started the truck and pulled back onto the road. "You do that after every visit, don't you, Edward?" she asked. "Ahyup," he said, his eyes never leaving the road. "I think sometimes that rest stop was put there for just that reason." They drove on in silence for a time, then she said, "Edward, were you serious about looking for a house in Harry's neighborhood?" "Yeah, sure was. Why?" "It needs to be within easy walking distance of Harry and the family's place, or it needs to have a pool. Janelle said Rachel loves to be in a pool." "Theresa, there's no way she can live with us-" "Nor am I suggesting she should, Edward. But she can visit on the weekends, from time to time, once a month or so." "Are you serious, sweetie?" "Yes, Edward. Now, the house will also need to be made wheelchair accessible as well..." The truck rolled on towards the hotel. ------- There was nothing the young woman who was known as 'Salome' wouldn't do for money, and she'd had a long and varied career that lent credence to that opinion. After she played "Daddy, Can I Touch It?" with Philip Philouma, she reflected that if the money was not so incredibly good, that would be something she wouldn't have done under any circumstances ... but the money was that good ... fifty thousand dollars was a powerful incentive. She had found herself surrounded by walls of quivering, sweating, repugnantly white and reeking flesh. Thankfully the fat fuck couldn't see her over the heaving mass of his own belly, so he never saw her look of disgust. More thankfully still his bodyguards had never thought of doing a cavity search. Of course, who could really blame them? You didn't normally worry about someone who looked and acted twelve years old. From deep inside her vagina she dislodged and then removed the plastic ampule and pulled the top from the needle, preparing to jab it into his femoral artery, faintly visible through his somewhat-translucent skin, even through the layers of fat. Phil slept on, the great mound of his body heaving. He'd drunk enough he should be able to sleep through anything. God knew it had put his miserable little penis to sleep. No one should ever have to work that hard to get a man erect. Taking a deep breath through her mouth, and preparing to break away from him quickly, she slid the needle into him and squeezed the ampule until it was completely collapsed, then she pulled the needle out and rolled away. The fat bastard barely moved, although a troubled look of pain did cross his face, briefly. She had barely finished reinserting the recapped needle and ampule in her vagina when the first signs of a massive myocardial infarction began showing on Phil's sleeping features. As she prepared herself for her tearful calling of the guards, she reflected that a girl could go far in this world if she was willing to do anything for the right price. And she could go farther still if she had a patron like Niccolo Philouma. ------- As she was driven away by Danny, the old man she paid to pretend was her pimp, she pulled out her phone and made a call. "It's done ... I danced beautifully," she said. "There's another gig, same dance, different client, same payday," Nick replied. "Meet me at our usual restaurant for supper, usual time, tomorrow night?" "Certainly." The silver Mercedes S-600 Sedan drove on into the darkness. ------- Nick went to the large suite he kept in the city. Now there was less reason to be quite so circumspect about doing so, as Phil finding out about it had been his primary concern, but he still went through the usual dodges and evasions to hopefully keep it a secret from any Federal observers for awhile longer. The high-rise had been built as luxury apartments, with a collection of shops and restaurants on the first two floors, back in the late '60's. A dummy corporation of his had bought the building back in 2001 after the owners had fallen on hard times. While the renovations and restorations had brought new tenants in as the downtown area underwent one of its periodic revitalizations, the building was still operating at a loss which made it a handy write-off at tax time. Nick had had one floor redone as his 'apartment', with quarters for his bodyguards and a maid and housekeeper separate from his. After his guards checked in with the security personnel on duty at the suite full time, Nick bid them all good night and went in to his rooms. As he walked into his living room area he heard the guest bath's shower running. He poured himself a weak drink and sat down to wait. Susan Raymond, who worked under the name 'Salome', walked in while toweling off the body she worked very hard to keep looking twelve or thirteen years old, a body which, at the moment, was glowing pink. "Your brother was a disgusting pig ... the only reason I'm not still showering is I couldn't stand the water temperature any longer and I had to cool down." She wrapped a towel around her hair and then put another towel down on the couch and sat on it, cross-legged, exposed to Nick's view. "Still, for what it's worth, he was your brother ... I'm sorry it came to this," she said, fanning her face with her hands. "So I surmise Carmine got you out okay?" he asked. "Oh yeah, no problem, not with one of Phil's inner circle escorting me out. As to the next piece of business, you mind if we discuss it over breakfast? It's been a long and stressful evening and I'm really beat. I sent Danny home, figured I could crash here." "Take any guest room you like, business can certainly wait until breakfast. You're welcome here anytime you like, as long as we're never connected in anyone's minds but my guards. Besides, you provide excellent camouflage where they're concerned." She got up off the couch and sauntered her childish figure over to where he was seated. "Aw c'mon Boss, you sure I can't interest you in some of this?" she asked, rubbing her bare cunt. "You know what they say; once you fuck a child you learn the meaning of 'wild'..." "Susie, darling ... first off, you're not a child, you're twenty-five. Secondly, you just fucked my brother ... my mind runs screaming at the thought of finding you desirable right now. Thirdly, you just assassinated my brother, which is enough to put any man off his feed. And the fourth and fifth reasons are... ?" "I know, I know ... you like men not women and Randy would kill you if you showed the least little interest in broadening your sexual horizons." "Very good, you got them right first time through. Speaking of Randy, I hope he makes it back before the funeral. It's going to be a very tense and I could use some alone time with him before I have to face that." "I tell ya Boss, he's one lucky man and you don't know what you're missing." "No offense Susie, but I hope I never find out what I'm missing." ------- Chapter 26 Before Niccolo Philouma had a chance to finish his morning bathroom routine, one of his men was at the door. "Phone ... it's your father." Ten minutes later he was dressed, had left a note for Susan telling her they'd talk over lunch and was on his way out the door. When Big Vic summoned someone, they went. ------- The head of the Philouma crime syndicate looked old. That was Nick's first thought upon entering the kitchen of the house he'd grown up in ... his father looked old. "Siddown Nick ... have some breakfast." Nick took a seat across the old table that had seen so many smaller, less formal family meals. "Scrambled eggs and bacon ... some toast too if it's not too much trouble, Renee," he told the cook. "Like I've forgotten what you eat in the mornings," the old woman replied as she poured him a cup of coffee and put the cream pitcher next to his plate. In a few minutes his food was on the table. It was obvious Renee had known he was coming and started her preparations early. "Alright Renee, get outta here," his father said before having a coughing fit into his napkin. The cook left, muttering something that sounded suspiciously like 'grouchy son-of-a-bitch' under her breath. Once she was gone and the only sound in the kitchen was Nick eating, Victor Philouma spent several moments leaning back in his chair, gathering his thoughts while he watched his son before finally breaking his silence. "So, you had your brother killed last night. We need to talk about that." To his credit, Nick didn't try to deny it or even act shocked. "How did you know?" "There's very little that goes on in this family that I don't know about, sonny-boy. Let that be a lesson to you. You don't keep your seat atop the shit heap by bein' caught with your pants around your ankles playin' with yourself ... or takin' it up the ass from your friend Randy." Nick looked up from his plate, calm and focused. "Are we about to have a fight, Father? If we are, I'll do you the courtesy of allowing you to make the first move." "Yeah, and I'd need it ... five years ago, hell, even two years ago, you wouldn't need to be doin' me no courtesies. Now ... now you could prolly let me have the first three moves and you'd still put my ass on the floor. And that's part of what this talk is about. "You decided that your brother was a threat to your plans, to those you feel an obligation to ... and you decided that I wasn't gonna be able to, or wasn't gonna, control him. So you put him down. "I was hoping that day would never come ... that I'd be dead and him along with me before it did ... but on the other hand, I hoped something like this would happen, something that would cause you to step up and take the reins out of my hands. You'd do something to let me know you were ready. Otherwise, I was gonna go to my grave hoping you were up to the job instead of knowing you were. "Well, you did that. I can't hold the death of your brother against you ... we both know what my plans for the poor stupid fuck were. "And I've got no doubt that if I stand in your way you have something in store for me too." "Yes sir ... it would be quick, painless. I almost exercised that option along with taking care of Phil, but decided I could work around you." "Well now you're not going to have to ... I made a promise to your godfather Tony that the day you took the reins, I'd let go of them." The old man took off the ring that had rarely left his finger since his own father had put it on him just before he died. It was a simple silver band, widening out to contain a piece of granite with a rough and crude carving of a bird of prey ... so rough in fact, that unless someone knew what they were looking at they probably couldn't tell what it was. "Gimme your hand." Nick got up from the table, went to his father and knelt before him. Victor took his son's hand and put the ring on the middle finger of his right hand. "Your great-grandfather hammered this ring out himself, and he carved the stone out of the rock of our homeland, rock that was washed with water from the Mediterranean for thousands and thousands of years. This is Sicily. We carry it with us wherever we go as a reminder of where we came from and what made us what we are. "But as soon as his ship sailed out of the Mediterranean, this little piece of granite got wet with water our family had never known before. This piece of rock got baptized with our family's sweat in New York, in New Jersey, and here in Texas ... it's been bathed in the blood of our enemies, and sometimes our friends, and our own blood as well. It's been wet from the rain of this country; it's been pissed on more than once. It's left its imprint on a lot of faces, on a lot of bodies. After Phil's funeral, when those who owe us allegiance kiss it, they're pledging their service not to you, but to the family. You and I will pass away ... we only die if the family doesn't survive. Do you understand me?" Nick felt the tears on his face as he answered, "Yes sir." "Good ... now then, dry your eyes, blow your nose and go finish your breakfast. We got shit to discuss." As Nick returned to eating, his father continued. "Now then, we're gonna get you married. Don't worry," he went on as Nick began to protest, "she'll know the score. It'll be a marriage of convenience. It won't be the first one this family has known. And you'll have kids ... I don't care if you do it the old-fashioned way or use a motherfuckin' turkey baster, you and she will have children and they will be yours. I got a list of women I think might be suitable, we'll go over them later. "I'm plannin' to plant Phil's fat ass day after tomorrow. You'll become head of the Philouma family at that time. Now if it were the old days, we could count on at least a couple of days, out of respect for the dead, before the jackals started shit ... now we'll be lucky if the fuckin' Chinese don't hit us at the goddamn funeral with the cock-suckin', meanin' no offense, Russians followin' up with their shit right on the Chinks' heels." "You really think they'll move that fast?" "I dunno ... I hope not ... but then again, like your Uncle Almora used to say, 'I hope the next cunt I stick my dick in don't gimme the clap but hopin' ain't stopped it none of the times it's happened before.' "Speakin' of your uncles, your Uncle Vincent, he's why I ain't so worried about you and your sexual ... appetites." "You mean Uncle Vincent..." "Yeah, scariest motherfucker I've ever known ... your godfather told me he'd read in a book about what Vincent was ... a socialpath? Something like that..." "A sociopath?" "Yeah, that was it ... well, a sociopath, a psychopath or a garden path, I knew there was one man in the whole world I never wanted to cross and that was my brother Vincent ... he was never interested in runnin' the family ... too much like work. But he was hell on wheels as an enforcer. "It was about three years after I took over, I needed to talk to him, but he was busy and he had everybody so scared of him that no one would take a chance on interruptin' him ... so I went over to his apartment to interrupt him myself ... never hurt to cater to your Uncle Vincent's ego, have the family head come to him. "Used my key to his place, walked in ... there he was, corn-holing this pretty little Neapolitan boy, fresh off the boat, couldn't been no more than nineteen. Well, your Uncle Vincent had this look, cold and dead, like he'd already done you and was just figurin' out what to do with the body. That's the look I was getting' from him. "So I said, 'when you're through, I need to see ya, sorry to disturb ya but it's important' and backed my ass out the door. A couple of days later, I talked to him about it ... now granted he wasn't your typical homosexual, but after talkin' to him about it I figured if the most dangerous man I knew was a fag, fags was okay with me. "And when I found out about you, your 'Uncle' Tony, may he rest in peace, was still alive and we talked about it. I was pretty upset at the time ... I mean, yeah, I don't have no problem with fags, but this was my son we were talkin' about. I was thinkin' no grandchildren, no family no more ... it was Tony that calmed me down, came up with the plan of getting' you married and her pregnant, even if it took the help of modern medicine. "Look Niccolo, I don't understand it, but you've never given me the slightest reason to doubt you got what it takes to run this family, to keep it strong, to help it grow. Now that I'm starin' death in the face, that's all that really matters. And it ain't never stopped me from lovin' you ... hell, if I never stopped lovin' your brother, what could you ever do that would make me stop lovin' you?" "Love you too, Dad." ------- Over lunch Nicki, Carol and Kelly met with Margo at Rosario's, a little open-air Tex-Mex café. The sotto-voce discussion would have interested the police greatly. "So they're dead?" Nicki asked. "Yes and our friend assures me that I'll be attending my soon-to-be-late husband's funeral before too much longer," Margo replied, smiling through thin and tight lips. "Jesus that's cold..." "Look Nicki, justice is for sale in this country, that's a given. I'm just buying ours on the black market. I would have liked to let the legal system take a crack at this, but at the end of the day, I don't believe our legal system would've given me justice for what they did to your brother. There are too many loopholes, too many ways to manipulate the system, and Benjamin can afford the lawyers to find them all. So I went shopping elsewhere. I told our friend to be fair and just. I believe he has been. If I didn't have complete faith in his ability to get the truth, not what I or anyone else wanted to hear, but the truth, I'd never have asked. This is the best way, maybe the only way, to get justice in this case.". "Remind me not to get you really pissed at me." "That's easy. Don't go out of your way to hurt the people that I love." ------- Nick walked back into his suite of rooms to do some thinking and planning before lunch with Susan. If the Philouma family was going to the mattresses, and quite possibly in as little as two days, there were a thousand things to attend to. By the time Susan bounced in, ready for lunch, he'd managed to handle the majority of the really important matters. "Hello Suzie, I'm changing the plan. You'll still be playing a major role, you just won't be finishing the dance ... pay is still the same." "Fine with me, I get paid that kind of money I'm not real picky ... witness who I fucked last time." "Good point. Listen, here's what I'm thinking..." ------- Harry Grimes came back to the land of the conscious mid-afternoon and was not where his last dream had placed him. But then again, he was reasonably sure he wasn't going to wake up on the shores of a great wide ocean of liquid silver watching whales made of stars breach the surface and fly in the air for the sheer joy of it while he discussed the political cartoons of Berkeley Breathed with Jesus Christ, so he wasn't too surprised. The sight which did greet his eyes was a thousand times more beautiful, and more welcome, than any he could have dreamed. Margo, Carol, and Kelly were sitting by his bedside playing three-handed spades on a small table. He watched for a moment as Kelly set Carol and quietly gloated. "Next game ... deal me in," he croaked. The three faces he loved best in all the world lit up as the card's dropped to the table, forgotten. "But who's gonna get stuck with your doped-up ass for their partner?" Kelly asked. "I'm finally getting' my skills back, I don't want ya messin' up my game." "Be damned if I'm gonna partner with him," Margo said with a smile. "The gimp probably can't even hold his cards up for more than a few minutes." "Not me," Carol sighed. "I'm just now learning how to play, I don't want to be shackled to the gimp." "Damn ... I can feel the love ... feels like a kick in the balls," Harry whispered, smiling. "Only if you ask nicely, my love," Margo replied, "and only after you're feeling better. Now, would you like some water, darling?" "Oh yeah." After he had finished sipping some water and being kissed by all present he asked, "So, am I going to live?" "Yes you are, sir," Carol said. "You'll live until we get you home, all healed up and healthy ... and then I get to hold you down while Margo and Kelly beat the ever-loving shit out of you. What the fuck was up with that business with the will? Do you really think any of us wanted you risking your health to put us in your will?" "That was the point, it's true," he replied, "but I'm not accepting any beating for it. All the assets of my estate should go to the people who deserve them, not the cum-guzzling dumpster skank I was shackled to for three years." "Alright, fair enough," Margo said, "but what was that shit about not having us woken up so we could be there?" "I wasn't going to be awake all that long. And in case the worst happened, it wasn't how I wanted to be remembered by you." Margo looked at him, love mixing with anger in her eyes as tears leaked from the corners. "Would you prefer I remember you as you were in the park? Would you like my last memory of you to be stretched out on the table in the OR? What last memory of you were you preserving for me?" "Or for Kelly and Nicki and I," Carol said. "Our last memory of you was a mass of red lying in a heap on the ground." Harry managed a weak smile. "Alright, if I admit I was very, very wrong, will you forgive me and write part of my stupidity off to medication and physical condition?" "Forgiven, forgotten and understood, my love," Margo said. "Agreed, my beauties?" Carol and Kelly echoed her sentiments, and then Carol said "Harry, I think we're going to get out of here and let some of the rest of the family come in." She and Kelly very gently hugged and kissed him. As she was straightening back up, Kelly said, "Oh, Harry, you don't have to worry about that whole 'proposing' thing where I'm concerned. Margo and Carol have already done the proposing, most romantically." "And you told them they were crazy?" She looked into his eyes and replied softly, "They're not crazy at all, Harry; not at all ... they had it right." Then the beautiful young woman sashayed arm in arm with Carol to the room door, turned and looked back at him. "I said 'yes'." Harry Grimes lay on his bed, dumbfounded. Margo put her hand on his arm in one of the few places she could touch skin and it wouldn't hurt. "Harry, there are things you have an instinctive grasp of ... and there are things you should leave up to Carol or me. Evidently, understanding Kelly's and your feelings for each other is something you should leave up to Carol and me." ------- "It's good to have him awake," Carol said as they sat in the hospital cafeteria, sipping what could charitably be called coffee. Neither of them was feeling charitable. "Yeah, it's good to have him awake. Now if he was only up and about and able to make coffee because goddamn, this shit sucks ... we're gonna have to get a coffeemaker for the room or something ... bring the one from the house ... I dunno, but this crap is vile," Kelly observed. Carol looked at her wife, seeing and feeling the distress in her. "Kelly, what's wrong? And don't tell me 'nothing' because something's obviously bothering you." "You mean other than the Coffee-That-Corroded-Kansas-City? It's money stuff..." "Are you upset about being included in Harry's will?" "Oh no, not that ... well, okay, I'm a little freaked about that, but that's mostly because I'm not real used to thinking of myself as y'all's spouse yet. Hell, I'm not used to the possibility of being anyone's spouse yet. It makes perfect sense, logically, for him to divide the estate between his wives and sister... "It's more that here I am, junior partner in the firm so to speak, Harry's got a career, Margo's got a career, your career is running the household for all of us ... God, it sounds strange now that I'm part of 'us' and not just a roommate. But you've got that and then Tony left you the money so you go from being a pet to a pet with means ... and here's me, a college student with nothing and not a clue what I want to do with my life. It's fun to be Margo's and your pet, from time to time, but I'm not cut out for a life of it, so I feel like I should at least be able to see a way for me to contribute to the family's financial well-being on the horizon somewhere, but I got no clue." "I don't suppose it would help any if I told you I'm pretty sure none of us have a problem with that at all, would it?" "No, not really ... I'd understand if y'all did, but I also can easily see that y'all don't ... I have a problem with it. Getting married is grown-up shit. Fuckin' around in college, trying to 'find yourself' isn't." "I tell you what, darling wife-" "Jesus, girl, the chills that go through me when you call me that ... keep it up and you'll start something that'll get us thrown out of the cafeteria." "And that would be bad ... how? But, point taken ... the four of us will sit down and discuss it as soon as Harry's up to it. Between the four of us, I believe we can pretty much solve anything," Carol said, smiling. "Now then, I propose we get out of here and go buy a couple of coffeemakers ... one for the hotel room, one for Harry's room in the hospital and some supplies." "They're not going to let us keep a coffeemaker Harry's room." "With Margo on our side, you wanna bet on it?" "With what money?" "I'll gladly accept a deviant and perverse sex act in lieu of money, beloved wife." "Damn you!" Kelly said, smiling, as the two women got up, linked arms and left the cafeteria. "Hey, while we're out we could stop by the house, pick up a few things." "Sounds good to me." ------- Nicki sat and stared at Harry for a few moments, her fingers nervously fumbling with the juice box she'd just finished draining. Finally Harry broke the silence. "Really sorry to fuck up your vacation, Sis." "No, you haven't ... wait, I don't mean it that way either, like 'sorry you're in the hospital, gotta run, I'm going out dancing' or anything ... it's ... I'm ... I'm glad I was here. No matter what happened, I needed to be here. I was talking to Tattie ... you ending up in here has put a lot of things in perspective for me." "Okay, like what?" "Well, I thought I could learn how to live from you, how to put my life first and my job second, then I could go back to Atlanta and do it. But I think I've figured out that I have to have a life to put first ... and I don't, certainly not in Atlanta. "Here I think I could have." "I agree ... you could have, if that's what you want." She smiled shyly, ducking her head and looking away from his eyes. "So you wouldn't mind having me around?" "Not at all ... I'd love it ... and I think the rest of the family would as well. So, when are you going to make up your mind?" "You mind me moving into my old room for awhile?" "Nope, was hoping you would. It's yours as long as you want it to be." "What about Margo and the others?" That part was easy. After asking Margo and phoning Carol and Kelly, it was clear no one objected. "Then my mind's made up ... I'll phone my editor tonight, call some movers, have them pack the apartment and ship it down here. Hmm, I imagine I'll need to look into a storage room until I find my own place." "Sis, why don't you go back to Atlanta, see to the packing and such yourself?" "Harry, even if I had to leave everything behind, you still couldn't convince me to go back to Atlanta ... can you understand that?" "No, but you can, and that's good enough for me." ------- After greeting the workmen and Janet, the woman Eddy had house-sitting for them, Carol and Kelly were making a pass through the house for the little things they hadn't thought of when they'd been home to grab stuff the night Nick took them out to supper. "Sweetheart?" said Kelly. "Yes love?" answered Carol. "Have you ever thought that as often as we are stuck in a hotel somewhere that maybe we ought to just keep bags and a box of essentials, like a coffee machine and such packed and in a closet somewhere so all we have to do is grab them the next time we end up taking off for awhile?" "Uh, no, no Kelly, I hadn't thought of that ... besides, how often is something like this going to happen?" She felt Kelly's stare and turned around to look at her bride. "Okay, it seems to have happened to us a little more often than some people might think usual," she said, somewhat defensively, "but come on, do you really think it's necessary to prepare ahead of time like that?" "Maybe not ... but if it happens one more time, my answer will become an automatic 'yes, it IS necessary'." "Fine honey, but what are the odds, really?" "With us? I doubt another three months will pass before we're doin' this shit again for some reason or other." "Willing to put some deviant sexual behavior where your mouth is?" "Fine, you're on ... and if I win?" "Well, what do you want if you win?" She laughed. "Let me think on that ... but consider the bet made, subject to your agreement to what I want from you as your part of the wager."" "Fine." The two of them kissed to seal the deal. ------- To anyone casually watching, the initial conversation between Harry, Eddy and Tamara never happened. And to someone watching very carefully, it still could have been easily missed. A raised eyebrow from Harry as Eddy grasped his good hand, Eddy's eyes darting to Tamara, her very faintly whispering "Nick found them, Edward took care of them" as she hugged him and kissed him on the cheek. But even though that conversation would probably have been missed by all but the most acute observer, no one could have missed Eddy holding on to his best friend's hand for the rest of their visit. No one could have missed the look of affection on Harry's face, or the tenderness in both their voices as they talked. Eddy told Harry and Margo about Rachel, and with Tamara's help explained why he'd kept her a secret. Margo looked at Eddy as she dried her eyes. "Eddy," she said, "you're one big silly sumbitch, aren't you?" "Yeah he is," Harry said. "Honey, could you get this for me?" Margo dried Harry's face with a wad of tissues. "Hell, Harry, I woulda let you have your hand back," Eddy said, moving to release his grip. Harry held on all the harder. "No you don't ... that hand is fine right the fuck where it is ... did you honestly think that an accident that happened when you were nine was going to change the way I feel about you?" "Why not? It changed the way my father felt about me." Margo said, "Eddy, your father is too wrapped up in his own pain, in his own sense of loss ... he's never dealt with what 'is' ... he just keeps focusing on what 'is not' anymore. It's cost him his two children, and I suspect his wife through a lot of their later years together. That he blames you is evident, but that doesn't make it right, or his viewpoint valid ... it just makes him another victim of what happened that day. Although your sister will always be scarred by what happened that day, it doesn't sound like she's remained a victim of it. "So it would seem to me, Eddy, you have two examples to choose from ... your father, who's remained a victim for 22 years, or your sister, who hasn't. She's happy, he's not. She loves and laughs and gives, he doesn't. I know which of the two I want you to be like." "She's right, sir. You can't undo all those years in a day, or a week, or a month ... but you can start," Tamara said, holding onto his arm. "It's time you started forgiving yourself and letting yourself heal." "And you know that all of us will be here for you, just like you've been here for us," Harry said. The door opened and the senior nurse on duty walked in, sleek and lean like a jungle predator with wrinkles and a frown. "Dr. Wohler ... you should know better. Visiting hours were over quite some time ago ... this patient needs his rest. You two, out," she said, pointing at Eddy and Tamara. "And as for you, Mr. Grimes, you're going to sleep now, whether you want to or not!" "Would it help your mood any, Nurse Fletcher, if I said that the visitors I've had tonight have soothed my heart and mind more than I can explain? You won't need to dose me, I'll go to sleep like a good boy." "Well you're going to take a sleeping pill anyway. And I'm half a heartbeat away from having you take one as well, Dr. Wohler." "You don't need to, I'll be asleep as soon as my head hits the pillow." Tamara and Eddy made their good-byes and after Harry took his sleeping pill Nurse Fletcher left as well. "If I don't see you passing my desk on your way out in five minutes, Dr. Wohler," she said before closing the door, "Dr. Lowry will hear about it." "Don't worry, you will," Margo said, smiling. "Honey, got to go or 'Nurse Ratched' will call out the hounds ... Karen and Patricia will be in tomorrow, Tattie too and God knows who all else ... sleep well. We love you." "Love y'all too..." Harry was asleep before she was out the door. ------- The big-titted blonde that had been aimed at Benjamin Sapperstein like a torpedo had done her job well. He'd been well and truly fucked, then slipped a little something. He was asleep and it would take a twenty-one-gun salute accompanied by a brass band to wake him up. The two men who circumvented the house's security system and came inside weren't going to be nearly that loud. Wearing their dark over-the-shoes slippers, gloves, and hairnets, they first swept the house for electronic listening devices and cameras, then one of them spent a lot of the evening taking photos, while the other studied Benjamin's computer very carefully. And when they were through, they removed practically all traces of their visit, electronic and otherwise. It would take far more effort than anyone was going to expend to find evidence that they'd been there at all. ------- "This is breakfast?" Harry asked, looking at his breakfast tray in dismay. "Yes, Mr. Grimes, that's breakfast. Now, eat it all and I'll be back by for your tray in a bit." The pleasant hospital employee pushed her rolling rack of distressed foodstuffs down the hall. "I think I've figured out the stratagem of hospital food," Harry said to himself, "it's so bad that it urges you to heal more quickly just to get away from it." "It's a widely held theory, but I've never been able to get any kind of confirmation from the kitchen staff. They just look at me with pleasant, smiling faces, repeat the 'it's nutritionally sound' mantra and walk away," said Dr. Lowry from the door. "But I think someone's been following me ever since I asked so I'm not going to dig too much deeper." "Afraid you'll end up part of the menu?" Harry replied. "No, nothing like that ... I'm afraid what they'll do to my food should I ever be a patient here ... or if the conspiracy is as big as I think, anywhere else. I'd hate to risk it. Go to the hospital a doctor with questions; come out a manual laborer with no questions, find out my wife and children don't recognize me anymore ... scary thoughts." "You realize you're quite insane," Harry said, moving the supposed scrambled eggs around on his plate. "You call it insanity," Dr. Lowry replied as he checked Harry's chart, "I prefer to think of it as heightened sense of awareness. My wife calls it watching too much 'Twilight Zone' as a child. Now then, Mr. Grimes, looks like you had a quiet evening and a good night. "Let's talk about how you're feeling now, aside from the nausea that always accompanies breakfast here..." ------- The house wasn't perfect, if Karen were to be truthful. The two secondary bedrooms were a bit too small, the kitchen needed to be expanded and redone, and the roof was going to need replacing in the next three to four years. But Karen loved it, and Patricia felt the same. The greenhouse/conservatory/solarium that had been added on in the back was large and lovely. Patricia had organized the room in her mind. Shelves for plants and pots for plants and hooks for hanging planters, room for her a chair to read or knit in and room for Karen to work with her weights. The master bedroom was, if anything, a little larger than they required, but that was fine as Karen had been wanting to move up to a big screen plasma television and home theater system. If that went in the bedroom, as they wanted it to, the extra space would quickly get eaten up by attendant electronics and their collection of movies. What problems there were with the house were all reparable with money and money wasn't an issue ... although after everything was said and done, it was going to take all of Karen's savings to buy the house and have the work done. That was fine ... she'd been saving it for something really special. And as the two of them went over with the realtor what had to be done before they could close on the house, Karen felt Patricia squeeze her hand and realized there was nothing she could think of that would be more special than this. ------- Tatiana Turov sat in the surprisingly comfortable chair in Harry's room and peered over her glasses at him. "You, young man, got fucked up." Harry chuckled and as the chuckle turned to laughter immediately regretted it. "Ow! Goddamn it, Tattie, don't make me laugh ... hurts too much." A look of horror covered her face. "Oh shit Harry, I'm sorry," she said, "I wasn't thinkin'." "It's okay, if I lived through the fight I can live through laughing," he said. "So, between you, me and the bedpost, how's everyone doing?" "Well, your wives, fiancés, lovers ... humpalicious honeys, whatever you call them-" "Laughter, Tattie!" "Sorry. They're doing fine. I was afraid I'd have to be den mother to a crew of emotional wrecks ... instead I find myself without much to do ... other than talk with Nicki. She doesn't really have a place in your group, she didn't have time to find one or make one before all this happened." "Then I'm glad you're here ... I hadn't really thought about that side of it ... everybody clinging to each other, but no real place for her." "I think we can excuse you for not thinking about your sister too much in the last few days, and I imagine she'll find a place soon enough, with her movin' down and all ... but it's been a little lonely for her. I'm glad I've been here for her too." "Well, I'm sure the family has enjoyed seeing more of you, even if they have been kind of clannish. Hope they haven't seemed rude but I imagine they've been a little distracted." "Overall y'all've made this old woman feel right at home and I want you to know I truly do appreciate it ... I'd rather be visitin' with y'all than listenin' to Peter lie to me." She looked out the window and Harry watched her attention focus on something he couldn't see. "It really fuckin' blows" she said "to be alone when there's someone right there with you..." "You know you're welcome anytime, Tattie..." "Yeah..." she replied, her attention still a million miles away, "I only see one small problem." "What's that?" "When the time comes to shuck clothes and get crazy," she said, peering over her glasses at him, "I'm a fifth wheel." "Well, I guess you could play it by ear, or return to your hippie roots and not give a shit, get naked, take a hit off the pipe and relax, or leave when the party started getting a little too risqué for your tastes ... whatever you're comfortable with is what you do, Tattie. You know that's the rule around us." "Yeah, I know," the older woman said, smiling at him. "Just doesn't hurt to be reminded from time to time. So y'all wouldn't have a problem with me bein' there?" "No, we'd worry about you feeling left out, and that might put a damper on things, but you've become family, you're always welcome." Tatiana Turov sat back in the chair, looking at Harry with puzzlement plain upon her face. "Why?" "Why what?" Harry replied. "Why have I become 'family'? This week I felt like I had and God knows I've been acting like I am ... I'm just curious as to why." "Tattie, every one of us would probably have our own answer to that, so I can only really speak for myself. As far as I was concerned, you became family the moment Carol's face lit up when she saw you the night of Tony's wake. When just the sight of you coming in the door could lift my Baby Girl's spirits that much, that night of all nights ... you were family. You were obviously someone pretty damn special." "And that's all it took?" "Ahyup. But if you need more, consider this. What was the first thing you did when you heard we had trouble? You dropped everything and showed up here. That's family. "Lemme tell ya a story. The best Christian I've ever known was my World History professor in college, Dr. Hoong Bak ... although he professed to be a Zen Agnostic Pagan and all us students joked about nominating him as the first Zen Saint. We made jokes like 'what was the sound of his first miracle happening?' 'Johnson passed the final'. 'If Harry's grade point average falls, but he's not there to hear it because we've already killed him because he's so annoying, does it make a sound?' 'Every man faces three paths with each step he takes, the path of right thinking and right action, the path of wrong thinking and wrong action, and the road to World War II.' That was because of Dr. Bak's oft-voiced assertion that most of the 18th and all of the 19th and 20th centuries up to the outbreak of hostilities were inevitably leading to World War II. "But we used to get into discussions in his class about everything, whether it was related directly to world history or not. And quite often, these discussions would be continued in the evening at he and his wife's house where there'd be a big pot of veggie something-or-other,, the wine was flowing, and somebody was probably firin' up a joint out back from time to time. And there was always someone there they were helping, giving them a place to sleep for awhile, helping them get back on their feet, hiding a mother and her children from her abusive husband. The house was always full to the brim with people. He said it was his and his wife Callie's obligation to themselves to help anyone who needed it. "He always impressed me by walking the walk. I never heard of or observed someone asking for his help and not getting it. I asked him about it one night, how he could just blindly help people, based on nothing more than their word that they truly needed help, how he could bring them into his home, feed them, shelter them, clothe them. Didn't he worry about getting ripped off, or assaulted, or killed? "He told me that they had been ripped off, and they had been assaulted. But what had been stolen from them were just objects, and the wounds were only physical. He and his wife wouldn't let the loss of 'things' or those wounds touch them any deeper, wouldn't let them scare them into stopping living their lives the way they felt they should. He said as long as they walked the world with love in their heart for all mankind, every person was innocent until proven guilty, and after being proven guilty was worthy of forgiveness and a second chance. And that if someday they were killed by someone they were trying to help, that the Universe taking back something it had only loaned them for a short time in the first place. "I'm nowhere near that saintly, but I figured that I could look at the world with suspicion and fear and hate, or I could look at it with joy and wonder ... and I know which makes me happier. Looking at you with joy and wonder showed me a new member of my family ... who am I to fuck around with what works?" "You, sir, are a goddamn fruitcake ... and I'm glad you are. So what do you think your first miracle will be?" Harry laughed and continued to laugh through his grimaces of pain. "I already told you," he said, when he caught his breath, "I'm nowhere near that saintly ... but our Carol? Her list of miracles is already long and impressive. She's clearly the family saint, not me." ------- "We're buying Mrs. Sattler's house." Harry's cheer lacked some enthusiasm as his lower back was bothering him quite a bit on his left side, but Carol's and Kelly's made up for it. "Harry, I was thinking," Karen said. "Always dangerous," quipped Patricia. "Keep it up, honey, and I'll choose the interior color scheme of the house..." "Oh God, no ... I'll be good!" "Anyway, as I was saying before my love interrupted me, I was thinking we could start carpooling into work together, being as how we'll be living in shouting distance of each other ... and not loud shouts at that." "Makes sense to me," Harry said, wincing. "Of course, that'll expose me to your foul temper first damn thing in the day, but I imagine that if Patricia can survive it, I can too." "Oh, after you get some coffee and food in her, Liz isn't that bad," Patricia said, a worried look on her face. "Harry, you seem to be having some pain, do I need to call a nurse or something?" "That won't be necessary," Dr. Lowry said from the door. "I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask you all to leave for a bit, give me some time with Harry." ------- Back at the hotel, Carol, Kelly, and Nicki sat around the suite Margo had rented and talked. Karen, Patricia and Tatiana were off looking at the house again. Patricia had asked Tatiana to help her with choosing a new interior color scheme. Margo was spending the morning at the clinic covering for one of the other physicians and had an appointment with her psychologist that afternoon. "Any idea what could be going wrong with him?" Nicki asked. "Well, he'd been complaining about his lower back, left side ... where they shredded his kidney. I'm thinking maybe something to do with that, but that's just a guess based on what I've heard," Carol replied. "Dr. Lowry will call us as soon as he knows anything." "You mean he's finally realized Margo's not the only person he can talk to?" Kelly said, a touch of sarcasm in her voice. "Now, that's not fair. She's a colleague and she's 'officially' the bride-to-be ... explaining the rest of all this could be difficult," Carol said. "And time-consuming," Nicki said, chuckling. ------- Hal Stallings hadn't been surprised when Margo Wohler-Sapperstein called him and asked for an appointment. They'd been friendly acquaintances for years and he was one of the silent majority who were of the opinion her soon to be ex-husband was a pestilent boil on the buttocks of humanity. The rumor mill had been going hot, heavy and hard about her leaving Benjamin; her new lover, or if the more extreme whisperings were to be believed, lovers; the brutal attack on her lover or lovers in the park. With all that going on, Dr. Stallings was expecting that her to need the services of a psychologist at some point, and he figured she'd call him. He was so sure of it, in fact, that he'd made sure his receptionist knew to put through Margo's call no matter what he was in the middle of when she called. She'd called, he'd agreed to come in on a Saturday afternoon to see her and she'd come in and talked ... and talked ... and talked. There were several interesting blank spots in her story where he suspected she'd left out things she didn't want to chance anyone else knowing, no matter how secure 'doctor/patient' confidentiality was supposed to be, but overall he was pretty sure he'd gotten the whole story and that she was being as truthful as her subjective view of events allowed her to be. They paused around 2:45 for restroom breaks and coffee. Dr. Stallings used the time to ask her some questions that weren't strictly of a doctor/patient nature. ------- Chapter 27 Even with the worries over the pain in Harry's lower back, the young women were feeling a sense of relief, an easing of the worry and fear they'd been living under since the attack. They were finally convinced that given time to heal, Harry was going to be okay. The men that had hurt him had been dealt with and no one had any doubt that Benjamin Sapperstein was living on borrowed time. Nicki'd gone to take a nap, so Carol and Kelly had wasted no time getting naked and falling into each other's arms. In a warm post-coital glow they had grabbed a quick shower and 'Princess' was massaging her Mistress when the phone rang. "Princess, hand me my phone." "Yes ma'am." "Hello Margo, what's up? Oh, just giving the new girl a work-out ... yes, she's very sweet." "Thank you Mistress." "Quiet, Princess ... uh, okay ... that's an odd thing for your psychologist to ask, isn't it? "Alright, if he and his wife want to go it alone, they can try looking around in 'Whips & Clips' down at Industrial and 8th. It's sort of the touristy club for bondage and domination, not a whole lot of S & M, despite the name of the place. They'll definitely find some toys that are willing to play with novices, but the pets will probably be novices themselves in which case the whole experience could end up very unsatisfactorily or they'll get hustled by some unscrupulous fucktards. I really wouldn't recommend it. "If they're willing to wait and go in with me as a guide, possibly Tamara as well, you and Kelly, Eddy ... hell, if they're content to wait even longer I'd love Harry to go with us, I can take them somewhere they're much more likely to find someone they'll have a positive experience with. "Alright my love, talk to you when you get here." "If I may inquire, Mistress, what was that about?" "After relaying the story of her recent past to Dr. Stallings, her psychologist, he's interested in him and his wife shopping for a pet or pets for themselves. He wanted some recommendations for places to go shopping, as it were." There was a knock at the room door. "Who is it?" Carol called out. "Nicki," came the muffled reply. "Well, if she's in for a penny she's in for a pound," Carol murmured to herself. "Princess, go open the door for her." Nicki's eyes widened as the door to the suite opened and she was motioned inside by a naked Kelly, still damp from her shower, who appeared to be without any self-consciousness whatsoever and in absolutely no hurry to close the door. "Come in, Nicki, I'm just giving Mistress a massage," Kelly said as she padded back to the bed, stopping to pick up the bottle of massage oil from the ice bucket where she'd had it warming in hot water. Carol rolled her head to one side and looked up at Nicki. "Hey, thought you were going to nap?" "Tried to," Nicki said as she curled up in the chair, hugging her knees to her chest, "but as soon as I closed my eyes, my brain started going a mile a minute. Stuff about the move, mostly." "Damn, I hate when that happens," Carol murmured as Kelly poured a line of oil down her back. The scent of roses filled the room. Carol smiled at the memories the smell brought to her. She turned her head a bit and peered at Nicki. "Sister-in-law, relax, your body English is just screaming 'tension'. If you're going to live at the house, naked bodies are something you're going to see a whole lot of." "I know ... it's just ... oh, what the fuck!" Nicki got up, went to the impromptu bar, poured herself a large Jack Daniels, downed it, and stripped off her clothes. Naked, she returned to her chair and forced herself to sit in a more relaxed position. "You're right, Carol, if I'm going to be around, I need to get over my issues about this kind of thing." In a sickeningly sweet cornpone voice, Kelly said, "Welcome to the naked side of 'family', sugah!" As Nicki snorted out laughter, Carol turned beneath Kelly and pulled her down to her, kissing her deeply. Kelly relaxed into the kiss after only a second's hesitation, molding her body to her wife's, the two of them sliding along each other, finding the perfect fit between their two lovely forms. After the kiss broke, Kelly sat up. Carol looked up at her lover. "Kelly, you can't ever know how glad I am that you agreed to marry us, but I'm looking forward to spending my life trying to show you." Nicki wouldn't have believed that the black woman's beautiful nipples could crinkle any tighter, but they did. "Mistress, if you keep saying things like that, Miss Nicki will get more of a show than she might be ready for." A gentle warmth and a pleasant tingle of anticipation she hadn't felt in a long time let Nicki know that perhaps she was more ready for that show than Kelly and Carol thought, but she said nothing. "You're right, Princess, back to my massage!" As Carol turned over yet again beneath Kelly, Nicki relaxed into another, more natural position in the chair, half-sprawled across one arm. "So Carol, from what Harry told me I know that you're his and Margo's pet but you're dominant around Kelly some of the time and that Kelly is submissive to you and Margo, but apparently not Harry, Margo is usually dominant but she has a minor submissive streak as well ... who the fuck decides who's what and when?" "Well, for starters, right now Kelly's need to be submissive is stronger than my need to be submissive ... a lot of very strange stuff has happened to my beautiful Princess in a very short amount of time. That's left her feeling 'out-of-control', and there are two ways to handle that, by putting yourself 'in control' or letting go. She's decided to 'let go' for awhile, and that's fine with me, and with Margo, Kelly's earned that right a thousand times over. There's a remarkable sense of freedom in voluntary slavery to someone you love and who loves you in return. You have the illusion of not being responsible for anything. You don't make decisions, or at least any important ones, they're made for you by people who cherish you. You don't worry about things, as you have no control, no say-so, no opinion ... you just relax into service. Oh, there are generally lines you won't cross, things you won't do, but in a good relationship you already know it's highly unlikely you'll get anywhere near those, so you can relax and be irresponsible. All you have to do is please someone, and as you love them and care about them, that's not at all difficult. When it's time for you to do something, you'll be told, or you'll have a schedule. You're taken care of, and all you have to do in return is serve. "The freedom to be submissive is a gift you give someone out of love. If Margo walked in right now and needed to be submissive, Kelly and I would go dominant because we love her and that's what she needs. Likewise, if she was here in her usual headspace, which is sort of maternal dominant, and felt the need, we'd both go sub, or I'd relax into submissive and Kelly and Margo could both use me, whatever felt right to the participants at the time. Then there's 'Complete and Total Ice Bitch' mode, which she's played in a role-playing fantasy of mine once and made me and Harry so hot and bothered it was damn near 'Race to the Rape', although I doubt Margo would've put up any fight at all. If she showed up in that headspace, I suspect Kelly and I both would be gleefully groveling on the floor, doing whatever she told us to for just the chance to please her." Kelly's squirming as she sat astride Carol's thigh gave Nicki and Carol a pretty clear idea of her reaction to that possibility. "What happens if someone wants to be dominant and no one wants to be submissive?" Nicki asked, getting up to make herself another, weaker, drink. "That's one of the advantages of having a serious submissive as one of the members of the relationship," Carol said as Kelly began to oil the cheeks of her ass. "It truly is an effort for me to play 'dominant' ... although at the moment ... mmm ... it's certainly a happy place to be." "Looks like," Nicki said admiringly. Carol raised herself up on her elbows. "Want a massage? I'm sure Princess wouldn't mind, would you dear?" "No Mistress, not at all," Kelly replied, moistening her lips. If Nicki Grimes had had quite a bit more to drink, she'd have been able to claim later that she didn't really know what she was doing. But she did know, and she didn't want to avoid responsibility for anything that might, or might not, happen due to her actions. "Sure," she said, moving to the bed and lying face down next to Carol. "It'll take a few moments for me to heat the oil up again, please forgive the delay," Kelly said, heading towards the sink to run more hot water into the ice bucket. "Not a problem," Nicki replied. "So, to continue our conversation," Carol said, turning her head to face her, "I foresee a much more likely problem where everyone is in a submissive mood and no one's feeling particularly dominant ... and in that circumstance, it'll be my duty, as the true submissive in the group, to serve the desires of my master and mistresses and play the dominant, whether I feel like it or not." "Wouldn't that be a problem for you, if you weren't in that headspace at all?" asked Nicki. "No, like I told Harry, I'm an actress ... it's part of the job description, so to speak. Remember, my purpose is to serve so I'd put on a very convincing performance and although my emotional needs might have to take a temporary back seat to the rest of the household's, my physical needs would be met most thoroughly ... I'd be in the perfect position to insure it." "Makes sense when you look at it that way," Nicki said, chewing on her bottom lip. "So right now, Kelly is sort of hiding, or taking a vacation from responsibility." "Yes ma'am," Kelly replied, coming back in from the bathroom. "And I'm loving every minute of it. My life was feeling like I was trying to steer a rollercoaster ... and that's blatantly impossible. Right now, I feel like I've, for the moment, just accepted that, thrown up my hands and shrieked 'wheeeee'! "Of course, I also enjoy a lot of the punishment parts, so I guess it's a good thing I'm such a bad girl," she added, grinning mischievously. Out of sight of Nicki, she cocked an eyebrow at Carol, then ran her eyes up and down Nicki's naked body, licking her lips. Carol barely raised both eyebrows in return, as if to say 'play it by ear'. The beautiful woman poured a line of warm oil down the length of Nicki's back. Nicki was startled by the oil, and by Kelly's hands spreading it over her skin, stroking down onto the sides of her breasts as if they'd done this a thousand times before, but she forced herself to relax. Carol resumed talking to her to help the process. "It's kind of funny, Nicki. That's the same massage oil I used on your brother, first night, or rather morning, that I was with him." "He told me a little about that first encounter, but I don't recall anything about a massage." "It wasn't exactly a massage. He was pretty hung-over, in spite of my ministrations ... it wasn't like I could see evidence of intra-cranial bleeding, but loud noises were definitely a bad idea and he was moving real slow. I was giving him sort of a sponge-bath, direly needed with as much alcohol as he was sweating out and we were talking. When I got around to washing his cock, well, it produced a reaction-" "I imagine it would," Nicki said, with just a hint in her voice that Carol washing her crotch might produce a similar state of excitement. "-and I felt obligated to banish what I had summoned. So I used that oil as lubricant to give him a hand job." "No, no he definitely didn't mention that, I'd have remembered if he had," Nicki said. Something in her voice had Carol's brain twitching ... she couldn't tell if the excitement she felt in Nicki's voice and reaction was due to the fantasy of Carol pleasuring Nicki, or something else but something definitely had the woman excited. Carol's eyes shifted to Kelly but she was innocently working the oil into Nicki's mid-back. She caught Kelly's eye and mouthed 'go for it'. Kelly nodded. "If you'll excuse me, Nicki dear, I need to go make a phone call or two, but I'll leave you in Princess' capable hands ... and other body parts as well. And then you'll be in both of ours ... at least until Margo gets back. Then I'm afraid you'll be at the mercy of the three of us." The smile that flickered across Nicki's face left no doubt that she was okay with that fate. After Carol had gotten up and grabbed her phone, she turned just before leaving the room. Nicki's eyes were locked onto her, at ass level. When she was insured privacy, she called Tatiana. "Tattie? Yeah, looks like the three of us, probably the four of us, once Margo gets back, might be busy for a little while. Feel like playing hostess? "You are a life saver, Tattie. Love you, talk to you later." She dialed Margo's number, expecting it to kick over to voicemail. She was right. "Margo, when you finish with Dr. Stallings ... well, things are getting interesting between Nicki, Kelly and I. You know how you always tell everybody to trust my instincts, well, they're telling me this is a good thing. Her interest seems to pretty much spike on all three of us so come on in when you get back." She returned to the bedroom to find Kelly straddling Nicki's back, facing her feet. Kelly's feet were tucked under Nicki's armpits to either side of her face. Nicki was holding them tightly against her as Kelly ran her oily hands forwards and back over Nicki's ass and legs, slowing down to pay special attention to running her thumbs thoroughly down and between Nicki's ass cheeks. Carol could see the slow and rhythmic twitching of Kelly's cunt on Nicki's back. As she got closer she saw that Nicki was kissing and sucking on the instep of Kelly's foot. "I walk out of the room for a few moments and look what I come back to ... my wife seducing my sister-in-law." "Oh, like you didn't see that happening before you left," said Nicki, pausing in her oral assault on Kelly's foot. Something in her voice and the cadence of her speech brought both Kelly and Carol up short. Kelly turned and looked at Carol. "Damn, she sounds like Harry." "Yeah, no doubt whose sister she is," Carol responded. "If she wasn't so sexy, I'd find it a little creepy," Kelly said before returning to her massage of Nicki's butt. Carol opened the window a crack, and then sat down in front of Nicki, her legs casually open, exposing herself fully to her sister-in-law while she loaded the small pipe they'd brought from the house. Lighting the pipe and drawing a deep lungful of smoke, she waited and exhaled, then drew in another mouthful and squatted in front of Nicki, bringing their lips together. Nicki's mouth opened without hesitation and Carol passed the smoke to her, along with a thrusting tongue and a firm kiss. Nicki managed to keep the smoke down, fighting back the urge to cough as Carol nuzzled her ear and whispered, "I'll be right back, I have to go take care of our serving girl". "Open wide, wench," she said as she prepared to draw in another mouthful of smoke. Kelly looked at her bride-to-be and said "I love you, Mistress" as she opened her mouth just in time for Carol to press their lips together, sharing the mouthful of smoke. "I love you too, Princess," Carol replied after they'd released their breaths. "And just as I can't wait to marry Harry and Margo, I can't wait to marry you." Kelly crawled forward, almost as if against her will, and forced Carol down across the head of the bed, laying her body over Carol's as she wrapped one hand behind Carol's head and firmly planted the other in Carol's crotch. Nicki disentangled herself and rolled over to watch as Kelly, like an unstoppable force, kissed and fondled her Mistress as Carol struggled to get free. Carol's hand was holding out the pipe, motioning towards Nicki, so she leaned in and took it, allowing Carol to use both hands to fend off her amorous slave. Finally Carol managed to get a hand into the hair at the back of Kelly's head and pull her away. "Bad girl, very bad girl, Princess!" "Mistress, when you say things like what you said about marrying me, it's very hard for me to control myself." "So I noticed ... so Nicki noticed ... well Nicki, how do you think we should punish this wench?" "Uh ... I really don't ... um..." "Don't worry, sweetie, if you make a suggestion that's not appropriate, Princess and I will artfully steer around it, you're not really being put on the spot." "Okay ... is a spanking appropriate?" "That girl just wants to get her hands on my ass," Kelly said, grinning. "You don't have to wait for a reason," she continued, shifting herself closer to Nicki, "you can touch me there anytime you want to." "PRINCESS!" "Yes Mistress," Kelly said, sliding into a curled up position, her hair still held in Carol's fist. "That's quite enough of that. Yes Nicki, I think a spanking is very appropriate, as are a few other punishments as well, but I'm going to need your help. We're working without a lot of the equipment we have at the house, so I'll need you to restrain her." And so it was that Kelly ended up lying down on top of Nicki, facing in the opposite direction. Nicki's torso poked up between Kelly's legs and she'd wrapped her arms around the victim-du-jour's legs, locking her hands together to make sure Kelly's legs couldn't easily get free. Kelly's arms were bound together underneath Nicki's legs with silk scarves. "Exactly why is it again you need my help restraining her?" Nicki asked, smiling lasciviously. Carol laughed, "Other than the sheer erotic kick of using one person to restrain another? No real reason, although I get the feeling you're not objecting too strenuously?" Nicki could feel Kelly writhing atop her, breasts pressed against Nicki's legs, each heaving breath of Kelly's causing her beautiful ass to move and the shifts in her position bringing the aroma of Kelly's arousal drifting up to her nose. "Not objecting at all, Carol. Now, shall we proceed to punish this willful girl?" "In a moment," she said and went to kneel down face to face with Kelly. "You remember your safe word?" Kelly nodded. "Alright then, don't be afraid to use it. This is a game, it should be fun for everyone. If it's not fun for you, then we have a problem that we need to fix, okay?" "Yes Mistress." "Good girl." "Alright, Nicki, first lesson in slave management ... remember that if you hear her utter the word 'pomegranate', or in case her voice is muffled any set of sounds that resemble 'pomegranate', or barring that if she snaps her fingers or claps her hands three times in rapid succession, you ... Stop ... immediately. You stop everything and if she's bound or restrained or gagged, you get her out of it, immediately." She went back to the other end of the bed, picked up the paddle, leather on one side, fur on the other, and raised it, leather side down. "Call out the count, Princess." "Yes Mistress." The first swat was light, almost playful, but they increased in severity, slowly, gradually, until with number six Kelly responded "Six, pomegranate!" With that, Carol eased back the severity several notches for the remaining four swats and after the tenth had fallen began to run the furry side of the paddle gently over Kelly's reddened bottom. For Nicki, it had been one of the most oddly erotic experiences of her life. She had seen sex shows of every variety, most in pursuit of a story she'd done on the sex club industry, she'd gone to strip clubs and gotten lap dances from both genders, but nothing had been so primally erotic as watching Kelly be spanked scarcely a foot in front of her face while she held her down. Kelly's body, squirming against hers in a dance of pain and pleasure, their sweat and the smells of their arousal mingling together in a palpable fog around them ... combined with her somewhat lowered inhibitions, it was more than she felt it necessary to resist. As Carol continued to caress Kelly's ass with the paddle, Nicki quickly released her hold on Kelly's legs and shifted from over and around to under and supporting Kelly's body above her until Kelly's knees came down to take most of the load. Her re-positioning completed, Nicki said, "Eat me, Princess." "Yes ma'am ... what should I call you, ma'am." With that Kelly began to tease her way around the edges of Nicki's cunt. "Is 'Mistress' acceptable to you, Nicki?" Carol asked. "Um hmm," Nicki squeaked in agreement, wriggling in an attempt to bring the lovely woman's teasing tongue more firmly in contact with her aching clit. "You will refer to her as Mistress Nicki, Princess," Carol said. "Yes Mistress," Kelly replied, breaking briefly from her torturous attentions to Nicki's twitching cunt. Kelly began to huff her warm breath over Nicki's mound, her nose brushing the tips of her pubic hair as her breath flowed throughout the mat of hair. The whimper Nicki made was quite audible. Her fingernails raked gently down Kelly's sides and her squirming dance continued. "Nicki is there something wrong," Carol asked, breathing the words huskily into her ear. "Yes ... she won't ... she just ... she's teasing me!" "Second lesson, if you're not in control of your slave, you're the bitch, not her. Right now, you're not in control of your slave. Remembering the first lesson, get control of your slave." "Kelly, I asked you to eat me..." Nicki said hesitantly. "Nicki, are you forgetting the dynamic? Get control of your slave." "But Carol, what if I do something wrong?" "Then we'll hear the safe word or signal and you'll stop and everything will be fine. Until then, have fun ... this is a game. Play with us," Carol said, caressing her sister-in-law's belly. Through all of their conversation Kelly had continued to tease Nicki, occasionally giving her the barest taste of what she craved by flicking the very tip of her clitoris with her tongue. In her mind, Nicki thought back to her fuck-buddy Georgina in Atlanta ... she was always so assured and confident, always in control ... Nicki's hand snaked between their bodies, her hand curling up behind Kelly's head. "Slut, I said 'eat me' not 'tease me'. And I didn't intend for you to take your good sweet time with it either, slut. I meant now." She forced Kelly's head down into her crotch and the girl's talented tongue immediately made itself at home all up and down Nicki's warm slit. "Oh ... that's much ... better ... slut." She took her other hand, moved it into position and locked her fingers behind Kelly's head, pushing her cunt into Kelly's face, riding her mouth and tongue like a cock. Carol curled up next to her, playing with her hair with one hand while caressing her with the other. "Now, you're no longer the bitch in this situation, Nicki ... very good. Now a question, sister-in-law ... do you like it rough, or gentle?" "Gentle ... unless otherwise noted ... like our little slut ... is finding out ... right now." Kelly had brought her arms in tight against Nicki's sides, wrapping her hands around the blonde woman's slender ass, massaging her ass cheeks forcefully, while she nibbled and kissed and licked and bit and sucked on whatever was thrust into her mouth at the moment. Carol reached over and tilted Nicki's head to the side, bringing their lips together, before shifting her hand back down to stroke the small, pert breasts that adorned Nicki's chest. The two women's tongues slithered around each other until Carol pulled back and looked at Nicki admiringly. "Whoa ... damned glad to make your acquaintance, sister-in-law." Nicki blushed. "So, how are you doing?" Carol continued. "Almost there ... but can't quite ... do you have a vibrator ... or a dildo ... something she could ... use on me?" "Oh, we have better than that. Let her up, Nicki. Kelly, go get strapped in, now!" Fifteen minutes later, Carol held onto Nicki, running her hands over her body, as the woman lay atop her while Kelly fucked her hard from behind, the sound of flesh and leather slapping together punctuating each stroke. In the interim Carol had made herself a Jack on the rocks and was taking sips of it through a straw, then passing some to her new lover as they kissed. "Goddamn- (slap) you're my (slap) kind of (slap) woman (slap) not only (slap) has her (slap) wicked (slap) way with (slap) me and (slap) loans me (slap) her slave (slap) and feeds (slap) me Jack (slap)." "Welcome my love to the joys of multiple partners ... you should be around ... well, you will be around, when the whole gang is there ... Eddy and Tamara with each other, Karen and Patricia with each other, the rest of us; Margo, me, Kelly and Harry-" The orgasm that ripped through Nicki's body at that moment ... Carol wondered at the timing ... could be, probably was, purely coincidental. "-all together ... it's real easy to end up so stimulated that your eyes just roll up in your head and you're gone, for all practical intents and purposes ... of course, the fact that we're all very stoned helps with that as well." After that Nicki's orgasms came fast and furious, one after the other and Carol locked their lips together, kissing her new lover while she held her and the trembling continued to move through her in waves. Then after seeing to Mistress Nicki's needs, Kelly moved down to Mistress Carol's waiting hole, fucking her beloved wife as Carol held their sister-in-law's insensate body in her arms. As Carol slowly approached her own climax, her whole body rocking foreward and back from Kelly's vigorous efforts, Nicki returned to the land of the aware and gave her wholehearted help to Kelly by sliding off and repositioning herself to lick and suck on Carol's clit. It really didn't take long at all after that. Carol lay there, her sister-in-law back in her arms, her beloved but willful Princess, having removed the strap-on, curled up next to her, and wondered how next they were to chastise her wayward pet. ------- After the break he'd gently helped her explore her feelings about the incredible changes her life had undergone in the recent past, and about the trauma of the attack upon her lover Harry. It was evident to him that Margo was closer to a case of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder than she allowed herself to think she was and as the afternoon drew to a close, he had done his job admirably, asking her the questions whose answers led her to the same conclusion. "So Hal, where do we go from here?" Margo asked, her voice rough from an afternoon of effectively non-stop talking. "Margo, you know the treatment as well as I do ... therapy and medication; although in your case, I think since you're unrepentantly self-medicating, the medication can be avoided altogether, especially if you make sure to do a bowl or two before bed every evening." She smiled. "That's an awfully strange prescription to hear from a doctor, Hal." "Bullshit, you know as well as I do that pot has innumerable medical uses and this is damn sure one of them. You haven't manifested any symptoms that make me think anything stronger, or a more conventional prescription, is warranted. If you do, I'll write you a prescription. "As far as the therapy, I'll want to see you twice a week to start, let's say two hour sessions, get with Helga, my office-Fuhrer on Monday to set up days and times." "Helga, your office-Fuhrer?" "Yeah ... a patient of mine with a lot of rather interesting quirks, not the least of which are a fascination with Nazi regalia and a dominant streak a mile wide ... she occasionally works as a professional Dom, but since her 'Ilsa, She-Wolf of the SS' persona is very specialized, she can't really make a living at it. What she can do is be the most efficient office manager I've ever had. She was let go from her old job because her faux-German accent and occasional slip of the tongue into Nazi-speak created a hostile work environment for a Jewish co-worker. She's not a racist, at least not any more so than any of us, but it still disturbed her co-worker, so after being counseled and written up several times, she was let go. She couldn't afford therapy anymore and I needed an office manager. Serendipity abounds! I pay her more than she was making, her therapy is part of her benefits package and I have the most efficiently run office in the city ... even if the rest of the staff lives in a sort of mock-terror of her." "Alright, that's definitely an interesting way of working out the difficulties." "Yes it is... 'creative solutions', that should be my motto. And this'll be completely off the books, Margo. It would be anyway, but with you and your crew agreeing to help out Tori and me, well, if anything positive comes of that, I'll be repaid, a thousand times over." ------- Margo sat in the car, listening to her voicemail. On the one hand, she had Carol telling her she'd probably be walking into an orgy in her suite. And on the other, Dr. Lowry telling her Harry was spiking a fever and it looked like the infection that was causing it was in the area of his lacerated kidney. Part of her so wanted to scream at her wives and her sister-in-law, telling them now was not the time for happy-happy-fuck-fuck ... but she knew that was only her stress and the aftermath of her therapy talking. Lowry was a damn good doctor and no one, least of all her, was surprised at this infection. In spite of all their medical prowess, with the damage done and the contamination of the wounds, everyone had expected secondary infections to show up. She and Lowry had discussed a preventative course of antibiotics but decided to adopt a 'wait and see' attitude. Well, they'd waited and now they were seeing exactly the sort of infection they'd expected. A course of antibiotics should take care of the infection and leave Harry as right as rain before they knew it, at least on that front. She drove to the hospital and checked in on him, only to find him talking with some of the G & P employees. She leaned in, kissed him and whispered in his ear that she and the others would be in a little later, but right now she was going to go de-stress for awhile. Harry looked at her and smiled. "Go ahead, my love, you deserve it. Don't worry about me, I'm feeling better already. See y'all a little later." ------- Margo strode into the room, her mind a whirl of conflicting emotions. It had been years since her last therapy session and she'd forgotten how she felt in the aftermath of a good session ... disturbed. As the therapy did its work, stirring things around in her psyche, bringing things to light that she had hidden from herself, forcing her to look at herself in new and sometimes uncomfortable ways, it was to be expected that she came away from it with her mind and emotions at a roiling boil. She entered the bedroom to find Kelly lying bound on one side of the bed, looking at Nicki and Carol as they slept, arms and legs entwined. Margo knelt down behind her. "So, how did it go, Princess?" she whispered. "Very well, Madam, very well. She's a wonderful playmate, so like our husband in some ways that it's almost scary, but so dissimilar in others. Her self-image, her self-confidence, they need a lot of work, but she's going to be an excellent member of the family." Margo untied Kelly. "I need you in the bathroom ... I think we'll be in there awhile." "Yes Madam," Kelly replied, "whatever you wish." The two of them walked softly into the suite's large bathroom and closed the door. "Undress me, Princess. Make it quick." Kelly was startled by the change in tone and feel of Margo's voice and attitude, but not hurt or alarmed. She felt safe under the control of this woman no matter where they went. She removed Margo's suit as efficiently as she could, folding each piece and putting them on the counter. "So, am I to gather from your bound condition when I found you that you've misbehaved this afternoon?" Margo asked, stern and cold. "Yes Madam," Kelly responded, eyes downcast as she continued undressing her. "I teased Mistress Nicki when I should have been satisfying her, among other, lesser, transgressions." The curl of Margo's lips gave her opinion of Kelly at the moment. "So be it," she said. "Then for your lapses in obedience I shall continue your punishment." As Kelly finished undressing her, Margo leaned back against the wall, parted her legs and grabbing hold of Kelly's hair, forced her to her knees. She pushed the bathmat, thick and fluffy, over towards Kelly who slid it under her knees, then Margo forced Kelly's head between her open thighs. Margo could tell she was only slightly whiff, but the principle of the act was plain. 'Princess' would've been expected to service her without regard for her state of cleanliness. With one hand Margo caressed herself, allowing herself to sink into the wealth of sensations Kelly was subjecting her to. With the other hand, Margo kept a tight grip upon Kelly's head, holding the reins of her servant, as it were. For her part, Kelly found herself quite happy where she was. She had let go of herself and her mischievousness and done as Carol said, given herself over to service. A woman she adored had let her know what was required of her and although the smell and taste were stronger than usual, they were by no means unpleasant. Kelly gave it her all, licking and sucking, nuzzling her face into the thick mound of hair, seeking out Margo's clitoris with her mouth and tongue, exploring the folds and crevices of Margo's cunt with her fingers. Deep in her throat, she heard herself making sounds of satisfaction, sounds of pleasure, sounds of worship at the oldest of humanity's temples. Margo in turn responded. She set the pace, thrusting herself forward onto her lover's face, forcing Kelly to match her, finding herself teetering on the edge of orgasm, unable to go any further. The agony was delicious and she rode along that edge, seconds and minutes of desire and frustration stretching out into what seemed an infinite period. And then her mind shifted gears ... her husband was going to be alright, the beautiful woman on the floor between her legs was her wife, another wonderful woman in the next room was her spouse as well. Intensified by the riot of emotions flooding through her, the climax that hit her was so strong that her knees went beyond weak and she slumped towards the floor. Kelly moved her hands from where they'd been occupied and caught her wife and Mistress as she slumped, helping to ease her down to a sitting position. "Are you all right, Madam?" "Yes ... yes I am ... just hold me, sweetie, just hold me. That was one hell of an orgasm ... I believe I needed that more than I thought." The two women curled up on the floor together until Margo's legs returned to normal. "Alright Princess," she said, her voice and tone much more relaxed than previously, "let's get me showered." As Margo let herself be bathed by Kelly, she explained to her pet why her mood was so mercurial. "So there's a chance you'll be like this after every session of therapy?" "I'm afraid so, darling. I'm sorry; it's just the way things-" Kelly's hand came up to her mouth. "Shhhh, Big Mama, don't be sorry ... you make sure you come get me after every session." "What?" "Margo, my love ... not only is it good to be needed, but I love you, I want you ... hell, I want you in some ways I didn't imagine I'd ever want someone. Being with you while you're raw and bleeding emotionally and mentally ... it's a gift you give me, an honor you do me. "And it's a hell of a fun ride, too ... for people who like roller-coasters." As she finished bathing Margo she continued. "It's pretty much known to everyone by now that I'm in love, messy, sloppy, romantic love, with our husband, right?" "Yeah, that's pretty much a given at this point." "Well, what might not be quite so evident, but is no less true, is that I'm very much in love with you and Carol as well, just in different ways. Think about this ... Harry doesn't really get to play with Princess much, if at all ... but there's nothing Princess wouldn't do for you. "And I do mean, nothing, Margo, my trust in you is that absolute." Margo looked at her wife with eyes more open than before. "Don't you trust Harry and Carol just as much?" "Yes, but it's different somehow ... not sure how to explain it, or even if I can explain it, ever. While we're all married to each other, for me, there are differences." "How do you see our little group marriage?" "That's easy ... we're all married to each other." "No, silly, wonderful woman; I mean roles ... who plays what roles?" "Most of the time, we're all siblings, although you're the older-sister-who-mothers-us. Sometime though, Harry is the father, you're the mother, Carol and I are sisters." "So that's how you see us. How long have you had incestuous fantasies?" "About my own parents? Oh God, icky beyond belief, never ... about someone playing those roles, either literally or figuratively, or the roles of the siblings I never had?" She slid her arms around Margo's waist, drew her close and whispered in her ear, "Ever since I first started fantasizing, Big Mama. And hearing about that little family scene y'all played out for Carol about drove me up the wall. Not the characters, per se, although those could be fun to play with, but that you actually went anywhere near that set of taboos. I think that was when I realized there was nowhere I could dream of going, fantasy-wise, that y'all wouldn't be willing to go with me." Margo reached out and directed the water spray from the shower into the corner, as far up the tiled wall as it could go. Then she carefully guided Kelly and herself down into the tub where they sat together as if in a summer rainstorm. "Come here, baby ... let Mama hold you." Kelly curled up in Margo's arms as best she could. Margo gently nudged Kelly's head towards her tits. Kelly looked up at her through the falling rain and her eyes asking the question. "Go ahead, little one, Mama wants you to." Kelly put her lips around Margo's nipple and began to nurse, gently, sweetly, at Margo's breast as if she was indeed drawing nourishment from her. "That's it, baby, oh, Mama likes it when her little girl treats her tits that way. You just take all the time you want nursing on me, baby. I've got all the time in the world for my little girl." A deep-throated whimper came from Kelly and Margo knew her guess about some of the origins of Kelly's fantasies had been proven correct. "Oh my sweet baby ... there's nothing in the world for me to do but be with you, take care of you. I'll be here for you as long as you want me." The sucking intensified and Margo could see tears mixed with the rivulets of water on Kelly's face. "There's nothing in the world more important to me than you, baby. There are some other people, your Daddy, your sister, probably your Aunt Nicki too in time, that are as important, but none of them are more important than you ... and nothing outside of our family comes anywhere close." "N-n-not work?" sobbed Kelly. "No sweetie ... not work. Nothing outside this family is anywhere near as important to me as you." Margo was astounded ... from a conversation on fantasies she had suddenly been granted a look at a deep and old wound in Kelly's psyche, a wound that she was still learning to deal with, a wound that had brought her into their lives. That she had been the delivery driver that brought them their Chinese that night might well have been mere chance, but after that initial meeting, and the attraction that Carol felt for her, Margo could now see and understand that it was their sense of family, of their loved ones before all others and against all comers, that had brought this treasure of a person so fully into their lives. She was sure that Kelly's parents had loved her and that Kelly had known it. But she'd never felt that unconditional, 'you-are-the-most-important-person-in-our-world' kind of love from them, although Margo had no doubt they felt that way about their daughter. "Shhh, baby, it's okay, Mama's here and you're here and you're safe in the arms of your family ... we love you and you'll always have a home with us." Kelly's shaking arms clutched at her as if she were in fear of losing herself in some great tempest. Margo stroked her hair while turning the water off with her foot. "We're always going to love you; we're always going to be on your side, my lovely girl. Mama and Daddy, your sisters and brother, we're yours and you're ours, now and forever after." She held the young woman as the water ran from their bodies, stroking her skin and telling her daughter how much she loved her as Kelly slowly calmed down. When at last Kelly had stopped shaking and her tears had dried, Margo kissed her and said, "Let's get you and me dry and then we'll go lie down together and talk in the living room." Kelly let the tit fall from her mouth. "Yes Mama." As Margo dried her little girl off, she thought once again how strange the course of her life had become. Now she had a family, a family who could be whatever she wanted or needed it to be for her. A family that could be whatever any member of it needed. As she finished drying off Kelly, the beautiful woman's eyes lit up as she said, "Now can I dry you?" "Sure you can, sweetie." Margo stood and let her wife, her sister, her daughter dry her, reveling in the care and tenderness the young woman showed with every stroke of the towel. When she was finished, the two of them crept through the bedroom and into the living room of the suite. Margo pulled out the hide-a-bed from the sofa, sheets still there from Tattie's night on it. The two of them looked at each other with mischievous glee in their eyes, scooted under the covers, pulled them up over their heads and faced each other, giggling. After she had brought her child-like mirth under control, Margo gazed into her partner's eyes. "So, what do you want to do now, my love?" The eyes that stared back at her in the dim light that filtered through the sheet were once again the eyes of the Kelly she was used to. The curtain that had been drawn aside offering a deeper glimpse into her was closed. "Well Mama," she said, as her body slithered across the sheets to press against Margo, "I was kind of curious to see where that whole 'nursing' thing might lead. You have a nipple for me, Mama?" "For you, my love, always," Margo replied as the first scents of their arousal began to make themselves known over the smell of shampoo and soap. "Mama always has a tit for her little girl." As Kelly snaked her arm down Margo's side, past her knee and up between her legs, she broke suction on the tit and said, "Hmm, seems like Mama might have something else for her little girl as well." She ran her finger through the damp mat of Margo's pubic hair and found her wet for another reason. "Mama, does your little girl excite you?" Margo felt Kelly's need to be the aggressor, and slipped into the fantasy with her. "Kelly," she said, "a tit is one thing ... but this ... you need to stop that right this instant!" The predatory gleam in Kelly's eyes let her know she was spot on in her read of the situation. "Oh no, Mama, I don't think so ... you thought you could get your little kinks fulfilled, naked with the daughter, nurse the daughter, feel like she's still your little girl, all innocent and sweet while you get off by rubbing yourself on her, having her bite you." In a flash she had rolled Margo onto her back and was squatting atop her, hands holding Margo's wrists to the bed. "I don't think so ... that game was cute the first couple of times, but I want more and you're going to give it to me." "Sweetie, no ... we can't ... I mean, what we've done already is wrong," Margo replied, into her role, tears leaking from the corners of her eyes. "You knowing it was wrong didn't stop you from doing it, did it?" Kelly hissed. "Didn't stop you from feeling me up all these years, did it? You've been molesting me for years, grinding your cunt against my leg, having me bite you on your tits ... what, you think I wasn't going to figure that out eventually? So now, Mama, it's time you either give me what I want, all I want, or I tell Daddy everything." "If you tell your father he'll leave me!" "You goddamn bet he will ... and take Carol and me with him. And if you don't think I'll be bouncing on that thick slab of dick before the first week is out, you're dreaming. It'll happen so fast and so naturally that he'll be fucking me and screaming my name before he can realize what's going on." The young woman looked at her mother with desire and anger and contempt and love. "I'll be crying in the night, nightmares of the abuse you put me through, I won't be able to stand sleeping alone. 'Daddy, can I please sleep with you?' and then it'll be comfort the only way I've known, sucking on his nipples." She looked down at her cowering, horrified mother in triumph. "You know as well as I do that from that point, he's lost. With the mouth you've trained and the body I inherited from you, in no time he'll be balls-deep in this fourteen-year-old and wondering why he waited so long. And once he gets a taste for it, and I tell him how much I love it and want it never to stop ... hell, the two of us will have Carol in the bed with us not long after. Think about that, Mama ... you resisted your urges with her for all this time, and it'll turn out you didn't have to." Margo sobbed beneath her, one part of her brain reveling in the fantasy they were playing out. "Then, if you're very lucky, some day I'll give you a call. And you'll want back into our little 'family affair', so you'll come to the mall where I'll be sure to have a lot of my friends along and you'll spend an afternoon 'clothes shopping' with us all. Of course, what you'll really be doing is servicing us all like the whore you'll have become. And after all that, when you've got your tongue as deep in my ass as it'll go, I'll get on the cell and convince Daddy to let you back into our lives... "Or you can give me what I want now ... and avoid all that trouble," Kelly said, easing her body down to lie atop Margo, whispering seductively in her ear. "Come on, Mama ... I don't want to be angry with you ... I don't want you to leave ... I just want you to finish what you've started a thousand times." She began to rub her cunt against her mother's thigh, teasing her clit on Margo's soft skin. The broken woman beneath her was breathing in great heaving breaths as she fought to control her tears and her terror, her physical desires fueled by the soft body-to-body caress of her daughter's skin. "But how ... do I know ... you won't ... seduce your father ... anyway?" "Oh, make no mistake, Mama, that's going to happen, and big sister Carol too ... you started us down this road ... your only choice is whether you're going to be here for the ride." The young girl was rubbing herself on her mother faster, and her eyes were beginning to appear a little glassy. "How does it feel to be me, Mama? How does it feel to have someone using your leg to get themselves off? How does it feel to be used?" "I ... I don't like it ... very much ... I'm sorry ... I'm so sorry," she replied as the tears began again. "Don't be sorry, quit fighting me ... quit using me ... start loving me, let me love you." The woman beneath her couldn't face the future Kelly had described to her and couldn't deny the dark truth behind her own desires any longer. With a great sigh and a flood of tears she relaxed, letting go of her resistance and accepting the new role her daughter had taken for her own, as well as the new role she had cast her mother in. Her daughter felt her resignation. She got up off her mother, swung herself around and over and brought her wet and fragrant slit down onto her mother's mouth. "There Mama, nurse on that..." as she herself parted her mother's pubic hair, seeking her own satisfaction "and I'll suck on this." Giving her mother's clitoris a loving caress with her tongue, bathing the entire area, she continued, "Jesus, I've wanted this for so many years." As Margo brought her tears under control and massaged her daughter's ass with both hands, she paused in the fulfillment of her long-buried desires. "Kelly, sweetie, how can you have wanted this for years? You're only fourteen." "Mama, are you kidding? Fourteen years of the two of us naked, being held against your beautiful body while you fondled and groped me? I think it's safe to say I'm a little precocious, sexually." Kelly laughed and Margo found herself able to laugh with her at last as they returned to their lovemaking. Margo's hands settling on the small of her daughter's back and along her sides, gliding across the skin with a whisper of friction as she was at last able to touch her little girl the way she'd always longed to. As for Kelly, her hands went everywhere they could reach, exploring her mother's body in a feverish fury, like a child she was trying to grasp everything at once. But even if her hands were on a high-speed race over her mother's skin, her mouth had found a steady and firm rhythm, one her mother responded to with both her hips, thrusting slightly up from the bed in time with her daughter's welcome kisses, and with her mouth as she tasted the sweetness of her little Kelly's cunt. Their bodies moved in time with each other, a dance of mothers and daughters, of lovers, of young and frenetic and old and calm, of positions of authority reversed. As Margo brought her little girl to the edge of orgasm and drove her past, her position was restored. As Kelly's orgasm began to slide into another, Margo brought a hand around to massage her daughter's clit with her palm as she probed in and out of her cunt with her fingers, freeing her mouth for speech. "That's it ... darling ... Mama ... oh yes ... yes Kelly ... right ... yes there ... oh yes ... that's my ... oh that's my GOOD girl ... oh baby ... you are Mama's good girl ... yes ... good ... girl..." And then, other than the low moan coming from both their throats as they joined each other in climaxes, one after another, there was nothing but the wet sounds of pleasure as the two women rode each other until they were forced to stop to rest and breathe. It was a tired and shaky little girl who reversed her position and crawled into her mother's arms for comfort and cuddling. As their breathing returned towards normal, Margo noticed that her daughter was crying, very softly, and turned to face her, licking the tears, and other fluids, from her face. Kelly tried to draw her arms and legs tight to her body, to curl up in a defensive ball, but Margo stopped her and stretched them back out, then said, "Put your arms around me, Kelly, do as Mama says. Put your arms around me, and put your leg between mine, yes, like that." She returned to cleaning her daughter's face with her tongue, realizing once again how blessed she was to have such a beautiful child. At last, all she was doing was catching new tears as they flowed, and she stopped. "Kelly, baby, what's wrong? Why is Mama's little girl crying?" "M-M-Margo ... I'm ... sorry ... I didn't ... mean to make ... you cry ... I should ... have stopped ... but I didn't ... I didn't want to ... I'm so sorry..." Kelly said between sobs as her tears intensified once again. "Shush, shhhh, precious one ... it's alright..." she said as she cradled her wife in her arms. "Have you ever taken any drama courses?" The tearful woman nodded. "You know when they tell you to use what you have?" Kelly nodded again. "Well, what I had was sadness that someone I love so much had so much anger in her, anger that sprang from pain ... and from that sadness came my tears, tears I channeled into playing my role. You didn't make me cry, sweetheart. I cried for you freely. I love you. Your feelings about your parents and a lot of other things have gotten all mixed together with your sexuality, and don't get me wrong, I'm glad in a way that they did because I'm convinced that's part of why you fit so well with us. But just like every one of us, you've got issues that you'll spend a lifetime working through ... now that you know you didn't make me cry, how do you feel after our little fantasy?" Margo smiled as the voice of a child, about fourteen, was heard for the first time that afternoon. "Better ... are you sure that when I looked at you, you knew it wasn't you..." "Yes my love, I knew that what I was seeing, on your face and in your eyes, wasn't for me ... and it wasn't for your real mother ... it was for a tangled nest of feelings and fears and desires. "Believe me, Kelly, I enjoyed where we went together, although not the reason why we went there. And with my mood as mercurial as it was, going there was no problem; all I needed was a hint, which you so ably provided. I love you, my darling. I love you so much." As Kelly prepared to return the endearment, she heard a very faint whisper. "See, that's what I meant about roles switching depending on who has the greater need." For a second, embarrassment and shame threatened to overwhelm her, and then Kelly realized she was at home, in the arms of her family, and there was nothing at all for her to be ashamed of. "Come out, you two..." As Carol and Nicki came around the door and into the living room she grinned at them. "Dare I ask how long you two have been there?" Carol walked to the hide-a-bed and crawled in on the other side of Kelly. "Since y'all got out of the shower. Seems we both woke up about the same time, while y'all were in there, and after y'all went to the living room, we were gonna come in and talk, but when I got to the door, 'Mama' was offering her breast ... didn't want to interrupt," she said, stroking Kelly's thigh, "but couldn't bring myself to not listen." Nicki stood, uncertainty screaming in her body language, at the foot of the hide-a-bed. "And then I got to the door and she stopped me." "Yeah, she wanted to go back to the bed, let y'all have your privacy, but I wouldn't let go of her arm," Carol said, grinning as moved the hair away from Kelly's neck and moved to kiss her there. Margo looked at her sister-in-law. "Come here, Nicki, quit standing there like the beggar at the feast." She welcomed the woman in on her side of the bed, scooting up to sit against the back and seating Nicki between her legs, holding her in her arms. "I have no doubt," she said, nuzzling Nicki's ear, "that I have a date to get to know you better. But for right now, I think all we have time for," she said, her hands moving over Nicki's breasts, feeling the nipples stiffen, "is a little cuddle time before we go visit your brother this evening." Nicki felt her last questions of acceptance answered and was able to relax into Margo's arms. "Sister, you keep up that playing with my tits and my brother's visit will be delayed slightly." "Don't you mean 'sister-in-law'?" Carol asked as she snuggled with her wife. "No, too many syllables... 'sister' will do just fine." "And don't be thinking you can get out of it if Nicki wants to have a go at you, Big Mama," Kelly said, grinning evilly. "Carol and I can hold you down for her ... won't be the first time that's happened today." ------- At supper that night, Tori Stallings watched her husband from across the dining room table. She was used to his silences during dinner during the week as that was his time to shake off the hold his day at work had on him and bring himself fully 'home'. But he'd seen a patient this afternoon, highly irregular for a Saturday, so she expected him to be disengaging himself from the patient's problem. Instead his gaze was turned not inward, but on her. "Hal, is there something wrong, something you want to talk about?" Hal Stallings smiled as he looked at the beautiful, rubenesque woman across the table from him. She had spent the afternoon in her studio and after her shower had put on one of the simple cotton lounging outfits she loved so well. Loose and flowing, the blouse and pants were free of decoration, other than the body beneath them. Her wet hair had dripped onto her shoulders and streaks of translucency ran down her front, exposing her large brown nipples. He'd noticed a somewhat lesser translucent effect above her pubic hair as she'd come to the table. He'd grown to love her more every day since they'd married and her smile could still bring tears to his eyes from the transcendental beauty it brought to her already lovely face. "No, nothing's wrong, but yes, there is something I'd like to talk to you about, darling. "You remember that last night in Miami Beach, when we were both drunk and were sitting naked on the balcony of our room?" Tori felt a welcome tingle in her cunt. "Oh yes, yes I do," she said, her hands snaking around her amply curved body to hug herself. "That second honeymoon was one of the best ideas you've ever had ... aside from asking me to marry you, it may be have been your best idea." "You remember what we were talking about?" he asked, smiling as he watched her nipples harden. "Uh, yes ... you'd put on your analyst's hat for awhile and gotten me talking about my fantasies ... you didn't try to analyze them or me, you just got me to talking about them." "Uh huh ... and you had quite a few you'd kept hidden from me out of fear that I'd think you were a freak and if I remember correctly, my zaftig love, you were very happily surprised by my reaction." "Oh yes I was, Hal, yes I was." Her hands, unbidden, had moved on her body, one caressing her breast, the other slipping down between her legs to gently tease herself around the edges of her pussy through the loose cotton lounge pants. "From your reaction it seemed you have some of the same dark little kinks I do." "I've never been sure, my love, if I share them as my own or if I just find them interesting ... I know I hadn't really considered any of them before talking with you that night ... but no matter how, they're part of my fantasy landscape now." "From the fucking you gave me that night, I don't doubt it," she said, her fingers deftly unbuttoning her top. "So what brings up this trip down memory lane, not that I'm objecting in the least?" "A patient and her ... lovers ... look to be able to guide us in finding people to help make some of those fantasies, perhaps all of them, come true," he said as he got up from his chair, slipping out of his loafers. He walked around behind his wife, shedding clothing with almost every step and kissed her softly on the neck. "We could even be talking about a long-term situation, if everything went well." He heard her ripping the lounge pants, the loose-weave cotton splitting with a zipper-like sound as she murmured, "Well fuck me..." He stepped around her, sweeping the dinner dishes off onto the floor. Over the sounds of breaking china and splattering food he replied, "That was my general idea." As she climbed up on the table to sit facing him the last intelligible words she was to say for awhile were "Good thing Carmelita's gone home for the evening ... I knew there was a reason we don't use the fine dinnerware..." ------- The four women who visited Harry that night seemed much more at ease than they had been the last time he'd seen them. Even slightly groggy, just waking up from one of his many daily naps, Harry could see that his loved ones were coming down from the high stress levels that had been a constant undercurrent since the attack. "Harry my love," Margo said after gentle hugs and kisses were given, "your sister has made quite an impression on the family." "Made quite an impression on Carol's 'juicy-sweet'," Kelly said, grinning. Carol grabbed her arm and whispered, "Oh, I know you found it such a chore, servicing her, Princess. You hated every minute of it ... perhaps we'll tie you back up this evening, let you do nothing but watch while Madam and I play with Mistress Nicki." Kelly's bravado fell away and she haltingly slipped into the kneeling position. "I'm sorry, Mistress. I spoke out of turn." "Yes you did," Margo said, her voice calm and cold. "Nicki, would you like to see to her punishment?" "Uh, no ma'am, I'm not ... uh, no." Nicki's ease with her sexuality and these women had disappeared when they entered her brother's room. "Relax, Nicki ... I told you this would happen ... just didn't figure on it happening so soon," Harry said. "Harry, you know our little girls," Margo said, smiling. "I'm rather surprised they didn't take her down like a pair of cheetahs on a gazelle." "The idea had crossed our minds," Carol replied, "but we're trying to whip Kelly's submissive side into some sort of shape." Margo looked at her husband and noticed something. "Harry, have you had your sponge bath today?" "Yep, very frightening nurse gave it to me just before I drifted off after supper ... why?" "Nicki, Princess, we're going to be standing outside for a bit. Baby Girl, take care of that ... and be sure not to let him move around much, if at all." And she led the other two outside, closing the door behind them. Carol went to the bathroom, getting a towel and returned to the bed, looking about for something. "What? What are you doing? What are you looking for?" "You're being dense again, Harry." She pointed at the erection, visible under the sheets. "God, is there any lotion anywhere in this room?" "I think there's some in the drawer there." Carol looked. "God, Vaseline Intensive Care? I think not." She went to the door and poked her head out. "Margo, give me the lubricant you keep in your bag. Damn hospital isn't set up for hand-jobs for the patients, all they've got is stuff I wouldn't use on my worst enemy ... okay, maybe them." Margo smiling handed over the tube of lubricant. "Haven't had to use this since we were in the bar at the Omni. Maybe I should bring the lotion issue with administration." "Oh, I'm sure it would go over very well with them," Nicki said, nervously. "Next thing you know, you'll have patients expecting such service from the nursing staff." "Have you seen Nurse Fletcher?" Kelly asked. "I'd be worried if she got anywhere near Harry's dick ... I have plans for it..." she kissed Margo's neck, "we all do." Inside the room Carol had flipped back the sheet and raised his gown, being extra careful not to disturb any of the tubes or wires. "Thank God they haven't catheterized you ... that would make things problematical." She arranged the towel and started to warm a squirt of lube in her hands. "Here we are again, sir," she said, her eyes a little moist. "Seems this is where I came in ... although you're a lot more fucked up this time than that." "Yeah, yeah I am, physically at least. Mentally and emotionally honey? I'm so much better than I was," he said, "but you're still an angel ... that hasn't changed." "Now I'm going to need you to lie real still, like Margo said. I don't want this to get interrupted because you moved and pulled something loose that the hospital considers vitally important. Try not to tense up at all, my love, try to relax into the orgasm as you build towards it." She spread the warmed lubricant over his cock and Harry felt 'good' for the first time since the attack. As she worked her hands up and down his shaft, Harry smiled and said, "You ever think about how far we've come since the first time you did this?" "All the time, my love ... even with all the bad things that have happened ... Angie, Benjie, losing Jessica ... it's been such a wonderful, miraculous time." Harry smiled at her use of the word 'miraculous', thinking back to his conversation with Tattie. Outside in the hall, things weren't going so well. "Ma'am, I don't care if you are the patient's wife, I don't care if you are a doctor, I don't care if you're the Lord God Almighty, his vital signs are elevated and I need to go in and check him." "No, Nurse Fletcher, I don't really think you do. While this may seem a little irregular to you, please have no doubts that if you try to go past us, I will cold-cock you in a heart-beat." "I'm going to go get security." "Why don't you go get Dr. Lowry instead? I believe he's still around, I saw him as we came in." "I will, Dr. Sapperstein. Don't you move." "Not planning to ... Nurse Ratched." It was obvious from the way the severe and stern nurse stalked away that she'd been compared to that character before and didn't like it at all. Back in the room, Harry was finding it harder and harder to remain relaxed, but he dutifully continued to attempt to remain so, as the skilled hands of his beloved brought him closer and closer to a climax. "Harry, love, I feel you tensing up again ... think of it as a wave, honey. You're tensing up because you're trying to stay on top of it. Just let the crest flow over you and be buoyed up by the body of the wave, relax into it ... that's good ... that's better." "Carol?" "Yes my love?" "How's everyone ... doing ... really?" "Harry, is that really what you need to be thinking about right now?" "Darling ... as lovely ... as you are ... and as skilled ... it's all ... I can think of." She leaned over and kissed him tenderly, then stroked the side of his face with her cheek. "Alright ... Margo's seeing a therapist and it's a very good thing. The hours between when she found you and when you got out of surgery took a terrible toll on her ... one I'm pretty sure we haven't seen the fullness of yet. We'll help her as much as we can ... she'll come through it, but it could be rough." Her hands slid over his cock, teasing him towards release. "Kelly ... Kelly is so turned around by so much in such a short amount of time that she's not sure which way is up, but she's figuring it out and happily being a bad little slave girl. Oh my love, you should have seen her this afternoon, I was restraining her and Nicki was tickling her, viciously, and she was struggling with me and struggling with her laughter and with her tears and with her excitement. I think she orgasmed five or six times, although I'm not sure if it was out of true passion or self-defense. Afterwards Nicki and I made love while Kelly was tied up on the bed next to us, forced to just watch. "You're tensing up again ... be patient, you won't be an invalid forever and then I'm sure we can stage a repeat performance while Margo gives you someplace warm and loving to put this thing." She slid one hand down towards his ass, not getting too close, but close enough to bring a strong twitch to his cock. "Nicki is finding her place ... and quite wonderfully some of her places are with Margo, Kelly and me ... she's a good woman, Harry ... it'll be good to have her home. She'll need a lot of work, learning to relax and have a life, live a life ... but I think all of us will be a good influence on her in that regard. "I want to thank you for accepting Tattie so readily into our little family ... it's been so good to see her and she seems to be thriving on having the bunch of us to look after. Talked to her briefly on the phone today ... Peter left her and she couldn't be more pleased. I worry about her though ... she's awfully lonely." While one hand played with his balls, the other continued to glide up and down his shaft, slowly and skillfully easing him towards his climax. "Eddy and Tamara are so in love they make all of our romantic moments seem tame. I'm so happy that's working out as well as it is ... Tamara's had to grow some, to take care of the parts of Eddy he can't take care of himself ... Eddy's growing ... healing..." She looked up and saw the tears and the smile on Harry's face. "And I can see how much that means to you, my dearest. Outside in the hall, Dr. Lowry came down the hall with Nurse Fletcher hot on his heels. "Alright Margo, I stopped by the nurses station and checked Harry's vitals. What the hell's going on in there and why won't you let Nurse Ra- Nurse Fletcher in to check on him?" "Are his elevated vitals putting him at any risk?" "Not that I can see, but if he starts thrashing around-" "He's not thrashing around ... I trust Carol to make sure of that." "Carol, what's Carol doing in there?" "Nurse Ratched, will you excuse us?" "What! I don't think so." "Interestingly enough, Nurse, I do think so. DOCTOR Lowry and DOCTOR Wohler need to have a private consultation concerning this patient. She turned back to Dr. Lowry. "Also, there will be a private nurse in here this evening, to cover for Nurse ... Fletcher ... whenever she's on duty so that she is not responsible for my husband in any way. "You may leave now, Nurse. What we're about to discuss is well and truly none of your business." With a look of pure venom, Nurse Fletcher stomped off down the hall. "Mike, this is going to sound a little odd. Carol, Harry's and my pet, is giving my husband a hand job, that's why his vitals are elevated. I instructed her to make sure he doesn't move, and believe me; she's very good at following instructions. "There, are you satisfied, Mike?" He smiled. "No problem whatsoever. I recommend a private nurse by the name of Adelaide Corken ... I've worked with her before and found her excellent." He took out a pad and wrote a name and phone number on it. "Now I'm going to leave you to your guard duties and go try to smooth some ruffled Fletcher feathers." "I don't envy you ... sorry Mike." "I don't envy me either ... but it is awfully fun to see that pompous bitch put in her place, from time to time." Meanwhile, in the room, oblivious to the storm outside; "Karen and Patricia ... well, Karen was very, very shaken by the attack. I think she thought once you got Angie out of your system, and especially after Angie paid us that little visit, that she was going to be able to stop worrying about you. This attack hit her hard, Harry ... real hard. You know that she loves you so much ... if she were two hairsbreadth's less gay, she wouldn't take 'no' for an answer from you?" "I know ... and if she was that two hairsbreadth's less gay, she wouldn't hear it ... wouldn't have heard it years ago ... but that would've deprived me of all of you in my life ... and her of Patricia." "This is true, and the more I get to know Patricia, the more I love her. You should've seen her, Harry ... Karen says when they got the call she started praying for all of us and when they arrived she spoke with everyone and went straight to the chapel and continued praying ... I'm not sure she's stopped yet. She's good people, Harry, damn good people." "What about you, Baby Girl?" "I'm doing well, my love. I'm going to have to deal with that night, but for the time being, I'm doing well. You're going to be okay, all the people I love are going to be okay ... I cry sometimes thinking how lucky I am ... and OH, you're cumming, Harry ... my, that has been building up awhile, my love ... hold on, let me get that ... how'd that get way over there? That was an impressive... "Harry, honey, why are you crying?" "My love ... I just ... I love you." "I love you too ... my husband." ------- Chapter 28 It's hard for a man to resist a woman who wants him. It's harder still for a man with a small man's inferiority complex to resist a prostitute who comes back to him because she's never been loved like he loved her and she doesn't want money, she just has to have more of him. And if the man is predisposed toward flights of egotistical fantasy, all the better, it makes her job much easier still. The woman who had been so helpful in getting Nick's team in the first time served the same function the last night of Benjamin Sapperstein's life. She met Nick, Salome and several of Nick's 'specialists' at the back door. "Good evening, Monique. He give you any trouble?" "No sir and he was more than willing to give me the code to disarm the system when the Chinese food arrived. Of course, he was already real mellow by then." "Good, then it went just as we planned. Get dressed and get out of here. You've done a marvelous job and I won't forget it." "So my brother, he's gonna be okay?" "His time in Huntsville State Penitentiary will be like a vacation. You have my word. You also know what happens if you ever talk." "Yeah, and I ain't in no hurry to die. You got nothing to worry about Mr. Philouma." "That's good. Lenny, escort Monique home. Monique, I'm having Lenny stay with you until you're on the plane and on your way out of the country, just like I've had him staying with you since this began. I can't afford to have anything happen to you. You take care." "Thank you, Mr. Philouma. I appreciate it." The large man who answered to 'Lenny' and Monique exited out the back door. "Alright, you all know what to do. Come on Salome, let's do this thing." The jumpsuited figures, with their slippers, gloves and hairnets separated as Susan and her patron went to the bedroom. "The joys of recreational pharmaceuticals," Salome exclaimed, looking over the naked figure on the bed. She brought out the fur-lined restraints from her bag and applied them to his wrists and ankles, linking the two sets behind his back with a length of nylon-shrouded chain. Then with Nick's help she rolled him onto a plastic sheet and centered him on it. She went back to her bag and came out with a small brown bottle labeled 'Rush'. "Good old amyl nitrate ... or whatever the fuck the exact mix is in this shit ... poppers for papa." She opened the bottle and carefully waved it close to Benjamin's nostrils as he snored away. As the sleeping man drew in another deep breath of the stimulant she reached down and slapped his exposed testicles. Benjamin's scream set Nick's nerves on edge, but he figured the asshole was at least due one good shriek from the abuse he'd just suffered. When Benjamin Sapperstein came fully awake and was about to yell, he found himself pausing, almost involuntarily. The little girl who'd slapped his nuts was standing next to his bed, dressed in a Catholic schoolgirl outfit. Even after his recent systemic shock, his cock gave a twitch at the sight of her, one foot up on the bed showing that under the skirt, there was nothing but a naked pussy, staring him in the face, the white blouse tied off above her waist, gaping open to expose her small, puffy-nippled tits. She was very pretty, her heart-shaped face framed by her short brown hair and the obvious juxtaposition of innocence and carnality oozed forbidden sensuality. "Boss, even if they like big-titted blonde bimbos, I can still make 'em pant," the young girl said, giggling. It was then he realized three things: the little twitch his cock had given was becoming a full-blown erection, he was very securely restrained, and there was somebody else in the room with them. That somebody looked vaguely familiar. He was dressed in an Armani suit, with rubber gloves and a hairnet. And he was clipping something bag-like on to the side of a silenced pistol. Benjamin Sapperstein had a flash of insight at that moment. He realized these people were here to kill him, and that Margo was somehow responsible. :"Look, whatever my wife is paying you, I'll double it, triple it! I'll forget I ever saw you and her, just take my money and let me live!" "You're suffering under several very large misconceptions, Dr. Sapperstein," Nick said. "The first one is that I'm some cheap hit-man your wife hired to kill you. My name is Niccolo Philouma, Dr. Sapperstein. That make things any clearer?" "Yes sir ... I'm sorry sir. But surely there's still some way we can do business together." "I'm afraid not, Benjie. Do you mind if I call you 'Benjie'?" "No sir, not at all." "Thank you ... you may continue to call me Mr. Philouma. I can't do business with you because I promised your wife justice. That's what she asked of me ... justice. She wanted me to find the two men who beat her lover severely, almost to death, were intending to beat her other lover as well. She asked me to find out why. She didn't want leading questions or tortured confessions ... she wanted the truth. She placed herself deeply in my debt for the truth. "And they told me the truth ... and then a friend of the man you tried to have killed broke both their necks like he was opening bottles of beer ... and did so with as little remorse. The hooker who set you up with them, found you men who'd kill for money? She did what you told her to ... took the money and left the city." As Salome put a towel over Benjamin's mouth, Nick reached down and opened a cooler by his feet, carefully lifting something out of it. "I got this from some friends of mine in Las Vegas, special delivery, this morning." Benjamin was looking at Darlene's severed head, rimes of ice, like a light snowfall, covering her cheeks, frosting her hair, eyebrows and eyelashes. His bowels and bladder were lost to his control. Nick put the head back in the cooler, and closed it. He wrinkled his nose at the stench coming from the bed and waited for Benjamin to stop screaming before he continued. "Now then, Benjie, there are two ways the rest of this evening can go. The first way is that my boys finish their work here in your home, Salome here gets you hard, fucks you, I chain her to the bed and a couple of my boys come in here and make your final hours on this earth very, very painful. See, they'll be doing their best to make it look like a Columbian drug lord is wreaking his vengeance upon you, and that always involves a lot of torture. I mean, I don't generally have that much trouble with torture, kinda comes with my family's business, but these guys? They make me big time queasy. The Columbian I'm framing for this will be here, leaving forensic evidence everywhere, and then he'll be killed in 'a minor altercation' with some of my boys. When the police investigate you, they'll find this little girl, who can't identify anyone as they wore masks, evidence on your computer that you're a pedophile, lots of kiddie porn, an apartment on the south side that records will show you've been renting for years, filled with evidence of child molestation. And of course there'll be evidence of drug use everywhere. Your reputation, your family's name, ruined beyond repair ... I hate to think what it'll do to Nelda, your poor mother. It'd probably be a kindness if I arranged an accident for her, just to spare her too much shame. I mean, I'll let her endure a week or three of it, but then I'll probably have mercy on her, have her killed. Any irregularities in the little picture I'm painting will be handled by my many good friends on the police force. "Do you have any doubts, Benjie, that I can make all that happen?" "N-N-No sir, Mr. Philouma." "Good, good ... or, the evening can go this way. You enjoy a last, semi-private fuck with the delectable Salome, nobody'll ever know about it, my people remove all the so-called evidence of your pedophilia, your drug abuse, you write out a nice little suicide note telling your wife you're sorry, nothing specific, just that you're very, very sorry, you get in a nice warm bathtub and slit your wrists. I'll sit with you until you're gone. "Which do you want it to be?" As Nick sat and watched Dr. Sapperstein go through the end of his 'denial' phase and into 'anger', he checked his watch. Even where this piece of shit was concerned, Nick was not completely heartless, he had some time to allow him to process the fact of his own imminent demise ... some time, but not too long. He took a short break, leaving the gun with Salome and strolled out into the rest of the house as Benjamin raged impotently on the bed, squirming in his urine and feces, checking to see how the others were doing. The rest of his people were finished, or very nearly so. He stood and watched while the subtle signs of drug abuse were planted in the house. He knew his frame-up wasn't good enough to fool federal investigators, or even particularly diligent city detectives, but they weren't who was going to get the case. The men getting the case were Family assets, seldom used and reputable enough to insure no one looked too closely. The paramedics that would get the call, pronounce on Benjie, one way or the other, and take Salome away were Family assets as well. She'd disappear from the hospital, a not at all uncommon occurrence where underage prostitutes were concerned. They had no desire to become guests of Child Services, so they found the cracks in the over-stressed system and instead of falling through them, crept out through them. It probably meant a six month vacation for Salome, something else he'd end up picking up the tab for, but such was life. No one who mattered would ever get a good look at little Suzie Raymond, or discover her secret. When he returned to the bedroom, Benjie was a sobbing mass on the plastic sheet atop the bed. Salome was sitting in the chair, the pistol in one hand, the other furiously masturbating herself. "Please Mr. Philouma, please ... I don't want to die." "Very few people ever really do, Benjie," he said, walking over to the bed. "I've known Carol Riley for years; I know she doesn't want to die. I've just recently become acquainted with Harry Grimes, I like him a lot, and I know he doesn't want to die. "But none of that meant anything to you when you arranged to have them killed, so don't expect me to care too much about how you feel on the issue. You're going to die, tonight, either here in this room or in the bathroom right behind that door. That's a fact. There's no stopping it, no bargaining your way out of it. I'm very familiar with your financial assets, courtesy of preparing for tonight, and trust me, even if you liquidated everything, you don't have enough money to buy a pass from me. You've got a lot, and Margo will enjoy it, whatever she ends up doing with it, but this is a matter of honor, Benjie. That's something I don't expect you to ever understand. No amount of money could buy your way out of this. "So accept the fact that you're going to die ... in the next few hours ... and decide how you want to go. Do you want to die screaming in agony, or quietly fading away in a nice, warm tub? I'll want your decision very soon now." He walked back to stare down at the masturbating Salome. "Goddamn, you really are a twisted little bitch, aren't you?" "Yeah ... yeah I am ... if you'd had to fuck ... some of the people I have ... and do some of the things ... I've done ... you would be too ... will you move?" she asked, panting. She paused a moment for breath, "You're blocking ... my view ... of him." Nick took the pistol back from her and watched as she got off on Benjie's pain and agony. He was sobbing quietly to himself, a pitiful excuse for a human being, lying there naked on the plastic sheet. Nick thought about how in reality, there was no place he'd rather be than at home with Randy, curled up in his arms, preparing himself emotionally for the funeral of his brother the next day. Instead he was here, playing psycho-drama games with a mewling little coward not fit to clean shit off the asses of Carol and her friends. He cocked back the slide of his 9mm, chambering a round and making sure the brass catcher was firmly attached. Moving to the side of the bed, carefully avoiding blocking Salome's line of sight, he squatted down and, holding the pistol to Benjamin's kneecap, at the ready, he looked into Benjie's eyes. "Benjie! BENJIE! Time to make your decision. If I have to shoot out your knee it's going to hurt, a lot. Do you want this to go easy or hard? I mean I'd love to be able to give you all night, hell, all day or however long it takes to come to terms with your imminent demise, but I don't have that much time. You see, I've got to get some rest before I bury my brother later today. I believe if a man kills his brother, the least he can do is show up at the funeral on time looking properly somber. The 'on-time' part's going to be hard to manage if I don't get to bed soon, so I'm afraid I'm going to have to rush you. Now, torture or suicide?" "You ... you killed your brother?" "Had him killed, yes I did, and that little girl masturbating to your obvious emotional distress over there was the assassin. She's very good at a number of things, killing unsuspecting men and women being among them. And she really enjoys it, gets off on it in fact. But that's all beside the point, the point here is do I call my boys in, or do you go quietly?" "Mr. Philouma, I ... I'll take the easy way out." "That's a wise choice, Benjie, a wise choice. Now then, would you like me to have Salome clean you up a bit, give you a last fuck before you go?" "That'd be nice I suppose ... although I'm not really in the mood ... kind of understandable, I think." "Yes it is, but trust me when I tell you, she could get a rise out of a dead man. You're not going to be any challenge for her at all." ------- As Salome did her thing with the freshly-cleaned Benjie, Nick sat in the living room, listening to the faint sounds coming from the bedroom and called Randy on his digital cell. "Hey lover, did I wake you?" he asked. "No ... just laying in bed, reading 'The Valachi Papers' ... again ... and wondering how I ended up in love with a 'wiseguy'." "Part of what I love about you is your sense of humor, Randall ... of course, it would help if that'd been funny. You know that kind of talk makes me nervous, even with the scramblers we have on these things." "Sorry ... how's it going?" "The deal should be closed in the next hour, hour and a half ... we're taking a last break from the negotiating table before checking everything and getting down to the signing. Sorry I have to work late." "So am I ... which option did he go for?" "He's going for the buy-out ... but then again, I never really thought he'd have the balls for the hostile takeover." "Well, try to hurry it up some or else we'll have to skip breakfast and motor if we want to make that funeral." "I cannot believe you just paraphrased 'Heathers' in reference to my brother's funeral." "That's part of why you love me." "Because you're fucking certifiable?" "Ahyup." ------- The bath had been drawn, Benjie had written his suicide note with a shaking hand, had several stiff drinks and had gotten himself situated in the tub with the help of one of Nick's computer technicians, who were already through with their part of the job. Nick sat on the toilet with the gun, watching. The stereo in the bedroom was playing a selection of soothing classical CDs on 'repeat'. As the time came for Benjamin Sapperstein to take his life, Nick was not surprised that he was having problems doing so. The pathetic, whining craven lacked the ability to hold up his end of the deal. Nick sat in silence, watching Benjie fiddle with the scalpel for a good fifteen minutes before calling the tech back in. He handed him the gun. "Cover him." Carefully holding both wrist and blade beneath the water, Nick guided Benjamin's hands through first a long deep incision up the inside of the right arm, then repeated the procedure on the left. As the scalpel dropped to the bottom of the tub, Nick carefully removed his rubber gloves over the tub, turning them inside out to avoid dripping on the floor, put them in a plastic bag and donned another pair. Nick sat with the dying man, talking with him, watching the light slowly fade in his eyes as the pinkish tint of the water in the tub continued to deepen in color, its speed lessened by the periodic draining of part of the water and the adding of more hot water. "You know, it's so fucking funny," the dying man said after his foot fell back into the water from turning off the tap. "What is?" "This is the way my sister Anna died ... of course she didn't have a mobster helping her. All she had was a fifth of Crown Royal in her belly and the broken bottle to saw her fucking wrists open." "I'm sorry to hear that." "Don't be ... she was weak. That's what Mother always said about Anna ... about Lise as well. Did you have any siblings ... other than the one you killed?" "Yes, two others ... sisters, Paula and Rosetta, we call her Rosie." "They still alive? Mine are both dead." "Rosie is ... married to a nice man that we keep as far away from the Family as we can ... she always was the rebellious one of us. Paula ... well, Paula is still around." As if he hadn't heard him, Benjamin went on. "Yeah, good old Anna did this and Lise wrapped Mother's Mercedes around a bridge support at about a hundred and twenty. The only thing that outweighed the alcohol in her bloodstream was the cocaine." "How'd you feel about that?" Nick asked. "Didn't feel much of anything, really ... like my father used to say when one of us would get tired and want to stop running or playing tennis or whatever. 'If you can't hang with the gang, go home you little crybaby and thank you for playing'. He was a real son-of-a-bitch, my father. We all hated him... "Mother always said I was the strong one ... and now this. Now I end up looking as pathetic and weak as my sisters. Useless bitches, really..." Nick watched the man in tub talk about his life and thought how much he wanted to bandage the man's wrists, get some whole blood into him, take him to a nice secluded spot and spend days inflicting real pain on him. The thought of the little bastard screaming in unendurable agony brought a smile to his face. "Is something funny, Mr. Philouma?" "Not really, Benjie ... I was just thinking how much I want to put a glass rod up your urethra and then slam your dick with a mallet ... for a start ... then I'd want to get nasty." "I'm surprised that cunt didn't ask you to do that, and a lot worse ... talk about a useless bitch ... you remember the definition of 'bitch' as opposed to 'slut', don't you, Mr. Philouma? "A slut fucks everybody ... a bitch fucks everybody but you ... I bet she fucked you to get you to do this to me..." Nick had worried that during this final conversation there would be revealed some glimmer of humanity that would cause him to regret his actions. As Benjamin Sapperstein neared the end and kept talking, Nick realized his fears were groundless. "Shoulda ... had 'em all ... killed ... took my chances ... with the police ... instead o' goin' ... for revenge." The shallow and vapid creature bleeding his life out in the tub before him had no regrets about what he'd done beyond being caught. There was nothing else in his mind but concern for himself as at last the repeated additions of hot water failed to warm him, even as he was having trouble summoning the strength to manipulate the large handles at the end of the tub with his feet. His final words confirmed completely Nick's opinion of him. Nick, confident that there was no way Benjamin could stop his own demise, or even struggle, leaned over and said, "Oh, by the way, there was a third way this evening could end ... you die in this tub and I leave all the evidence in place. Your reputation and your family name are ruined, poor Nelda will never hear the end of it ... and I won't be merciful and have her killed since I'm pretty sure she's at least partly responsible for the piece of shit you grew up to be ... that's the way this evening is going to end." Benjamin replied, "I don't care ... about that ... I just don't ... want to ... suffer." "Benjie ... your wife didn't fuck me ... I'm gay ... I did this because she asked for justice, just like I said." The look of surprise and disgust that flickered across his victim's face amused Nick no end, and shortly thereafter he watched the final glint of light fade from the eyes of Benjamin Sapperstein. "May God in his infinite mercy look upon you with a kindlier eye than I am capable of," Nick said. He got up and with the help of his crew finished the final bits of scene-setting for the police, then binding Salome to the bed, reminded her to start her screams around 6 AM to catch the neighbors awake and moving about. If the police hadn't been called by 7:30, her man Danny was going to break down the door, setting off the alarm as her 'pimp' came looking for her. He would flee the scene 'upon discovering the body' and given the neighborhood the police would be there very quickly. Then Nick and his people left the house as quietly and covertly as they'd come and drove off into the pre-dawn darkness. ------- After the various members of his team had gone their separate ways, Niccolo Philouma was as alone as he ever was. Two bodyguards in the front seat, the privacy glass raised between them and him, sitting by himself in the back with no place to run to escape himself. Was this what his life was going to become? In the past several days he'd had his brother killed and killed another man himself and when he thought about it, he really didn't feel much of anything about either of them. Was he becoming some sort of monster, killing without feeling? How could he look at the deaths of his brother and Benjamin Sapperstein as nothing more than, how would Eddy put it, 'pest control'? He had lied to the dead man ... he hadn't been exposed to much torture. There was a lot of the family business that he hadn't seen yet, the hard side of it. Thankfully Benjamin wasn't the first man he'd killed ... throwing up at this scene would've been most inconvenient. More than anything else, he wished his 'Uncle' Tony were around to talk to, but wishing didn't make it so. However, the next best thing was available... ------- The arm that snaked out of the pile of covers on the bed just so happened to be Carol's, pulling her cell phone back under those covers. "What? "Okay ... yeah ... gimme a few ... no, not a problem, not a problem. "Okay, asking me to solve riddles, that may be a problem ... oh yeah, I know where you mean ... shouldn't take me more than a half hour or so. See you there." She slid out from under the covers into the room, stumbling about, trying to find her clothes in the dim light coming in between the drapes. "Who was that, where you goin'?" Kelly asked from the other side of Margo's sleeping form. "Niccolo ... he needs to talk ... I'll be back ... well, I'll be back when I'm back. Kisses and hugs." "Hugs and kisses," Kelly said as she tucked her head back in close to Margo's shoulder. Carol finished dressing and then went downstairs to catch a cab. ------- The lake had always been one of Tony's favorite places to go. During the day, he'd walked the paths filled with bikers, skaters, joggers and power-walkers, soaking in the sheer exuberance of life as he strode along in his suit and tie, fedora perched jauntily atop his head, cane tapping briskly. At night he'd strolled those same trails, enjoying the evening and the cool breezes from the lake, not-so-secretly hoping that some 'young socialist', as he called them, was stupid enough to pick him for a wealth redistribution scheme. Between his own skills with a gun, and his boys, never too far away, no such attempt had ever come anywhere close to succeeding, and several potential life's of crime had been curtailed, one way or another. He and Carol had gone there often, and they'd spent hours walking together or sitting on a bench, watching people while Tony made up stories about those they saw. They'd listen to the musicians, busking for people's spare change, and if Tony thought them any good at all, they'd receive a 'Juliana musician encouragement grant' ... anywhere from a twenty to a couple of hundred's in their hat or instrument case. If they were really good, Tony'd give them one of his business cards with the address of a club owner or agent on the back, along with a note urging the aforementioned to 'give the kid a listen'. His business cards read simply "Tony J. — Nosy Old Man", but such was his reputation among musicians all over town that no one ever doubted that what they'd been handed was a shot at their future, if they were smart enough not to fuck it up. So when Nick had told Carol to meet him "at that big fountain where the nosy old man did his star-search thing", although it had taken a minute or two for her sleepy brain to put it all together, she'd no doubt exactly where he'd meant. When she got out of her cab on Lakeshore Drive next to the fountain with its arc of benches on either side, one of Nick's men was already there, waiting on her. She took her hand off the straight razor in her pocket and walked over to him, waving at the taxi driver as he pulled away. "He'll be back around in a few," the man said to her. "Seems like he's becoming a shark," Carol said. "Never able to stop moving or he'll die." The bodyguard looked down at her in surprise. "Yeah, there are very few places he can stop right now." "And about to be fewer still, I'd imagine. Hi, I'm Carol," she said, thrusting her hand up towards the guard. He smiled. "Izzy'," he replied, shaking her hand. "Izzy? A member of the Family with the somewhat Jewish nickname of 'Izzy'? What, did your parents hate you?" she asked, smiling back at him. "Nah, Mama was just on a biblical kick, named me Israel; Papa was out of town on business ... by the time he got back it was a done deal. So I ended up with a choice, go by 'Israel', which got shortened to 'Izzy', or go by my middle name." "Okay, must be some middle name ... I'm almost afraid to ask." "Infantina." "Oh I am so sorry..." "Yeah, so am I ... so it's 'Izzy'." "Right, 'Izzy' it is. Did you ever get even with your mother for that?" "Course I did ... I didn't become no priest, did I?" he replied, grinning. ------- Fifteen minutes later she was in the back of Nick's car, sucking down a coffee from an all-night coffee bar and studying her host. "Nick, what am I doing, riding around the city with you way too goddamn early in the morning?" "I needed someone to talk to ... I needed to talk to Tony, actually, but as he's no longer with us, I decided to talk with the person who knew him best." "Surely your father or some of the other old-timers-" "Don't kid yourself, Carol. They knew him as a 'Family man'; they knew that side of him, but he always said that was a mask he wore to play the cards life had dealt him. Not that he was bitching about the hand he'd been dealt, but you and I both know where his heart truly lay and it wasn't in being an enforcer or anything else associated with the Family. He really had no use for 'this thing of ours', except perhaps for the money and power it brought him. You and Tattie were the people who knew the real him the best, and out of the two of you, much to Tattie's regret, you knew him better than she. So put on your 'Tony hat' and talk with me ... I'm kind of fucked up tonight." "You know, it's funny, awhile back Tattie and I were talking about Tony and his assertion that immortality is the sum of all the bits of ourselves that we leave behind us when we go. I guess it's time I put my bit of Tony's immortality to use. Of course I'll do whatever I can." As Nick described his fears, Carol found it easy to listen with Tony's ears, to answer with Tony's voice. It wasn't as if he possessed her, it was just that he continued to live on so vividly in her mind that she knew what he'd find significant, knew how he'd answer. "Niccolo, hypothetical question: what if tomorrow it turns out that it would be very beneficial, but by no means essential, for the Family concerns if Harry and Margo and all their family and friends disappeared. What would you do?" "Goddamn, you sound like him ... okay, not a goddamn thing. Good peoples' lives are worth more than benefits to the family business." "Congratulations, you got nothing to worry about; your soul's very much intact. Your father would have them ... I mean us, killed. And I'm not saying he wouldn't feel regret about it, but he'd have it done, just the same. You're in good shape. You answered your own question with your response. 'Good peoples lives' ... or in a loose definition of the word, 'innocent' lives, that's the key." "Who am I to judge?" "A man who could be home in bed asleep but instead is worrying whether he's becoming a monster." They talked for another hour before Nick finally looked at Carol and said, "Thank you, I'm doing much better and it's time to get you back and for me to get a little sleep before a very busy day." He hit the intercom button and told the driver to take them back to the hotel. "No, no Nick, have him take me to the Omni, I can catch a cab from there." Fifteen minutes later, they pulled up in front of the Omni Downtown. "You're sure you're okay with being dropped off here?" Nick asked as she got out of the car. "Oh yeah, I can grab a cab from here and keep you from being seen around our hotel too often," she said, smiling. "Thank you ... I really appreciate the talk, Carol ... or should I say Tony?" "How about both? Goodnight Nick, I'll be thinking of you later today. I wish we could be there with you physically, know that we'll be there with you in spirit." "I know. Talk to you later." And with that his car pulled away and Carol walked over to one of the cabs parked outside the Omni's entrance. In thirty minutes she was back in bed, snuggled close to her wives, asleep almost before her head hit the pillow. At about the same time, across town, Randy Miers held Niccolo Philouma while he cried, comforting him as best he could, amazed that his lover had tears in him for his brother Philip. ------- The news didn't make the morning edition of the paper or the morning news programs but it got extensive coverage on the local noon news shows. Those who relied on print for their information would have to wait until the following morning. On the Internet, facts were in as short supply as elsewhere, but gossip and speculation were as well-stocked as always. ------- Overheard at a production meeting in the Channel 6 News Division... "Can you believe that fucking arrogant cow ordered Teddy and his crew to come back to the office?" "Mike, she's our star reporter ... by definition that makes her a prima donna pain-in-the-ass." "I know, but I'm the goddamn editor of the news division ... I assign reporters to stories and I assigned Teddy!" "And Janie Quitta smelled the same ripe scent of sex, drugs and delicious scandal that you did, Mike, that's why she grabbed the story. God, I would've loved to have been there when Detective ... what was his name?" "Martin." "Yeah, Martin, forcibly removed her from the scene and wouldn't let that pet cameraman of hers get footage of the girl they found inside. Shouldn't have been trying to get footage of an underage prostitute anyway, poor dear, she deserves some anonymity, especially considering what we heard about her condition when they found her." "Yeah, yeah you're right ... it's not like any other station got a picture of her either." "Yeah ... that would have been different." ------- At the Grove Spa & Wellness Center, while enjoying a mineral mud bath, sipping green tea and casually grazing on a fresh cucumber salad, Nelda Sapperstein was also listening to the radio on her headphones instead of the Soothing Sounds of Nature as was supposed to be piped in to her. She tipped the attendant a twenty for such consideration, being firmly of the opinion that if God had wanted her to listen to the sounds of nature, He would never have brought His people in from the wilderness and directed them to Neiman Marcus. So it was that she heard the news concerning her son before anyone official could contact her, as on her spa days she turned off her cell phone and told no one where she would be. They were her "Me" time. When the attendant went in to check if she needed anything else, she assumed Mrs. Sapperstein was asleep. Such was not the case. To the Grove Spa & Wellness Center's credit, they drained and cleaned the mud bath tub, even though everyone was hard-pressed to differentiate between what should be there, and what the side effects of Mrs. Sapperstein's passing had left there. ------- Even when she knew it was coming, even when it was something she devoutly wished for ... even if it was something she'd set in motion, the death of someone she once loved, once believed she was going to spend her life with, hit Margo like a heavy blow to the chest and she staggered back from the two police officers standing in the living room of their suite and fell into a chair with a thud. Her terry-cloth bath robe fell open and the two policemen turned away suddenly, embarrassed by her unexpected exposure. "How ... when?" As the words were leaving her mouth she felt the comforting presences of Kelly and Carol, on either side of her. They closed her robe. "It's okay to look again, gentlemen," Carol said. "Thank you, ma'am," the older one, a Detective Martin, said. "As of now, the coroner's ruling it a suicide." Detective Martin went on to tell them what he could, and shortly after that Margo found herself in a cold white room filled with large drawers, making an official positive identification of the mortal remains of one Benjamin Sapperstein. She stood by the extended shelf, staring down at his pale, colorless face. She'd grown to hate that face in life, despise the cruel and venal, petty and callous little coward that lived behind it. But in death ... it was just a face. Just another wealth of opportunities and potential that would be explored no further. Looking at him now, she could forgive him, and wish him some sort of eternal peace, if such were possible for him. "Dr. Wohler-Sapperstein, there's something else ... something I haven't talked to you about. "Apparently, your mother-in-law heard the news on the radio this morning while at the spa. The coroner's initial finding is death due to a massive myocardial infarction. If you wouldn't mind, we'd really appreciate it if..." "Oh my God ... certainly, if you'd give me a minute." "I'm sorry ma'am," Detective Martin said, "if I'd been thinking, I would've told you at the hotel, but we've been so busy it completely slipped my mind until we got here. Please, if you can find it in your heart, forgive me." "No, not a problem Detective ... just ... a lot of shocks, very close together. I'll be fine." "Would you like to sit down for a bit, perhaps a glass of water, a cup of coffee?" "No, really, I'll be fine ... which one is her?" The attendant slid Benjamin back into the wall and pulled out another shelf. "If you're ready, Dr. Wohler-Sapperstein?" "Go ahead." The covering was pulled back and Margo was looking at her mother-in-law. Margo and Benjamin's relationship had taken time to deteriorate, granted it didn't take much, but it did still take some time ... hers and Nelda Sapperstein's had begun in the shitter and just gone downhill from there. She remembered when she'd first discovered that Benjamin was cheating on her. In a fit of despondency she'd gone against all her better instincts and called her mother-in-law for advice. Nelda had asked if any of the women he was sleeping with were better matches for him than Margo. If so, Margo should ask for a divorce. Otherwise she should put up with it and smile. Death had not improved Nelda much at all. She'd had another facelift since the last time Margo had seen her, but she was still the pinched, poisonous looking crone she'd always been. "That's her. I'd like to go now, if I could." "Certainly, thank you so much for your help and although I know you and your husband and his family were estranged, I am sorry for your loss." "Thank you, Detective Martin." Ten minutes later Kelly was driving them back to the hotel as Carol held her sobbing wife in the back seat. ------- When they arrived back, they were surprised to find one of Nick's men, standing in the hall outside their suite. "He's inside, waiting for you ma'am," the bodyguard said, surreptitiously watching the hallway. Seated in the living room, Nick and Tattie were talking over cups of coffee and a platter of pastries, while Izzy stood by the door to the suite's bedroom. Carol waved and smiled at him, receiving a sheepish smile and little wave in return. "Well, I better go join the others. They're over at the hospital, visiting Harry," Tattie said, getting up and heading for the door. "Nick, I understand you're gonna be real busy for awhile but still, make a little time, don't be a stranger." "I'll do my best, Tattie," he said as he got up. Nick hugged her goodbye and then turned to Margo. "I don't have much time, but I promised to tell you everything I'd done. Have a seat. Would you like some coffee?" "Yes, please." "Anything stronger?" "I'll be okay." He poured them all coffee and sat down once again. "Do me a favor and save any questions you have for after I'm finished," he said. "Now, to begin..." ------- At Sisters of Mercy Hospital, Susan Raymond pulled one of her favorite tricks of all time. When you're an adult who's very good at pretending to be an adolescent, it's much easier to appear to be an adult than if the situation is reversed. Courtesy of an intentionally unobservant police officer, she disappeared from her room and within fifteen minutes exited the hospital confidently, dressed in a borrowed lab coat, a pair of prescription glasses stolen from a patient's room and a pair of sneakers that a sleeping resident would miss when she woke up from her nap in the staff lounge. Her I.D., stolen from the same resident, wouldn't bear too close a scrutiny, but the key to getting in, being in, or leaving anywhere was looking like you not only knew what you were doing but had every right to be doing it. Making it to and walking out of the E.R. entrance of the hospital wasn't any real problem. On her way out, she passed the hospital cafeteria, where her attention was drawn to a table full of people by their echoing laughter. A large, bear-like man, a tiny doll-like woman, a woman with a physique Susan thought of as "Russian Tractor Woman", a pretty pear-shaped woman and a blonde with a swimmer's body were talking and laughing loudly enough to attract a lot of attention. She smiled to herself as she passed, her pace never slowing. She found Danny circling the block as he was supposed to, from 1 PM to 3PM, and within a few minutes she was on her way back to Nick's private suite. She giggled to herself. With the possible exception of fucking Benjie, this had been the most fun she'd had on a job in quite awhile and knowing what was next on the agenda for Benjie had sweetened the experience somewhat. Overall, a good night's work. ------- "- so there's Short Stuff there, trying to convince her mom and dad that she was the one who'd drunk all of her dad's beer ... lying her ass off, putting on the lamest and most haphazard 'drunk' routine her dad had ever seen. All the time, not twenty feet away, there's our boy Harry, passed out on the floor of the bathroom, in plain sight of his parents, lying in a pool of his own puke, smelling like a brewery," Karen said. "So her daddy looks at her, trying hard not to crack up because he knows his wife is wanting something real Old Testament over this, and he asks her 'Well, if you're the one who drank all my beer, why's your brother passed out in bathroom in a puddle of vomit?' To which Short Stuff replies-" "Bad tuna fish?" Nicki said, a little girl voice. As her entire audience roared with laughter, Karen continued. "So sure as shit her dad's trying not to lose it now and even her mama might have cracked a tiny smile, so they take her upstairs and put her to bed. Her daddy told me they fed her chicken soup and Sprite soda, because her stomach was going to be upset from 'all the beer she'd drank', just pampered her like a princess for trying to cover for Harry." "Of course, they told me soon afterwards that they didn't believe a word of it and that if I ever did it again, they were going to paddle my ass until it could be used as a lighthouse, which was, I hasten to add, a frequently heard and ofttimes implemented threat around our house," Nicki added. "So what did they do about poor Harry?" Tamara asked, her voice full of concern. "Oh, they could see he was in no danger of gagging or choking, he was lying on his side and appeared to have gotten everything out of him anyway, so they left him there," Karen replied. "His dad said that when Harry finally got up, they told him the first thing he had to do was clean up his mess, rinse off his clothes in the toilet, put them in a plastic bag they'd given him, and then take a shower. "After all of that, his dad said, Harry got his paddling. He said it was the only time he'd ever seen a child being spanked on the bottom but holding his head in pain. "Then, as was the rule in the house, they never spoke of it again, except in the way of telling the story for its humor value, which is how I heard it." "Gotta say as aversion therapy it worked too," Eddy said. "Took Harry a long, long time to be able to look a beer in the face again." Tattie had missed seeing them as she walked down the hall, but the sound of their laughter brought her back to the cafeteria. ------- "-and so I imagine she's either made her escape already, will make it soon, or is making it as we speak. Nick tried hard to avoid even the vaguest flicker of his eyes towards his watch. "Any questions?" Margo looked at him with a mixture of gratitude and sadness. "No Nick ... no questions. Thank you ... more than I can say." "On the subject of thanking me ... I have a favor to ask." "Anything..." "From time to time, in our business, employees get hurt, and in circumstances where they can't go to the hospital without facing a lot of inconvenient questions, so they generally go to doctors who are, shall we say, a little shady. Only problem is, those doctors are pretty much known to all sides, us, the police, the Russians, the Chinese, the Mexicans, the Columbians ... basically the law and anyone who walks on the wrong side of the law. That means that my people risk arrest or worse even going to those physicians. "I was wondering if, on occasion, under extreme circumstances..." "Of course Nick ... although I think for the kind of injuries you're discussing, a clinic would be helpful and I can't see them where I work ... even at night. Too much security..." "Not to worry, if I need your services, there will be a place with equipment and supplies made available. I ... I don't like asking this ... but things are going to get very hot for me and mine very soon. These men ... they may be criminals, they may be murderers ... but they're mine to take care of. I've known most of them all my life. "I have your cell number, if I need you, someone you won't recognize will call and ask to speak to Marjorie ... if you answer, you act confused, in case someone's listening in, take down the number he'll give you and call it, they'll tell you where to go. If it goes to voice mail, he'll leave the number. "Thank you ... even if you only save one of my people's lives, you're doing far more for me than I did for you. "I've got to get out of here ... I've got a funeral to attend. Thank you again." Carol and Kelly hugged him goodbye, and then Margo hugged him, whispering in his ear, "I don't care what you think of yourself, Niccolo Philouma, you're a good man." He smiled and then he and men were gone. ------- It was sunny, a clear, bright, sunny afternoon with a few high clouds providing accent to the deep blue sky. Birds sang in the trees and the ever-present squirrels carried on their business all around the crowd of people. It wasn't the kind of day you think about when you think of funerals. All of the rites; the Vigil for the Deceased, the Funeral Liturgy and the Rite of Committal, had been officiated over by a priest who obviously had never even met Philip Philouma. His well-meant words complimenting the deceased were at best a bad joke, at worst an insult to the faith of the believers who knew Philip in life. As Nick stood by the graveside with his father, Rosie, her husband and her two children, he thought to himself that it was the last time his brother would embarrass the Family or insult anyone. As the massive casket was lowered into the ground, Nick knelt by his father's wheelchair, appearing to console him, in reality, whispering to him. "Everyone is either in place, or will be after they leave the get-together at the house. I'll be ducking out as soon as I can." "I don't want you goin' in nowhere 'til you know it's safe," his father croaked. "I ain't gonna lose you, 'specially not today." "Don't worry Father, the only place I'm even thinking of going in is Pedachenko's place, and I won't unless the boys say it's clear." "Good boy ... smart boy." An hour and a half later, it was official, Niccolo Philouma was head of the Philouma family, the ring had been kissed by every made man in the family, most of who quickly left for other duties. His father was serving as his consigliore for the time being and Carmine Vicenzio was in line for the position, once he had a little time to learn the ropes. As Nick ducked out of the funereal gathering at the family home, which had been in reality his 'coronation', the 'soldiers' of the Philouma family were hitting the Russian Mob hard all over the city, going all out in an attempt to eliminate the threat from the 'Redfellas' and cause anyone else considering a grab for power to think twice. It was bloody, it was violent, it was, for the most part, successful. Elsewhere there were quieter operations going on, some less violent, but no less effective and on the whole, far more profitable. The hacked information on the Chinese money laundering and the account numbers where it all ended up eventually were sent to the Justice Department, and if the Chinese noticed that the accounts were shy a few million each, who were they going to complain to? Men dressed as Immigration officials were performing raids across the city and both the Mexican Mafia and the Columbians were finding themselves suddenly very low on troops, especially as none of the 'deported' individuals were ever to be seen again. In the meantime, gunfire, explosions and the crackle of flames continued to provide the accompaniment to the Philouma Family's dealings with the Russians. ------- She wasn't sure why she'd come ... maybe just to have a quick gloat ... maybe to see if fate would give her a shot at revenge. But she'd taken time off from her new job, time she really couldn't afford to take off since she hadn't had time to 'work' her way up in the company. She'd taken a cab since her car was in the shop and she couldn't afford a rental. She was riding the bus to and from work, barely making ends meet, and the reason for all this was sleeping in the hospital bed before her. They'd sure as fuck done a number on him, she thought. Pity they hadn't finished the job ... she looked around and realized there were far too many devices monitoring his condition. Anything she did would probably have the staff running in before she could make her escape and she didn't know enough about the hospital to create enough of a diversion to give her a clear shot at him. And knowing Eddy, that fucking gorilla, there were people watching him that she didn't know about, but who'd probably already seen her. She realized she'd pushed her luck already and it was past time for her to leave. Turning toward the door she came face to face with a large male chest wearing a black Harley-Davidson t-shirt. "Figured you'd show up, bitch," Eddy said. ------- "Mrs. Sapperstein, would you come with us downtown, please? We have some questions we'd like to ask you about some material we found on your husband's computer." "That's Dr. Wohler-Sapperstein ... certainly, let me grab my purse." ------- Karen and Patricia were pulling into the parking garage at the hospital when they passed Eddy in his truck leaving. "Who's that in the truck with him?" Patricia asked. "Holy-shit-on-a-cracker, that's Angie!" "Angie? Harry's ex, skank-bitch-from-hell Angie?" "Yeah, Angie!" Karen wheeled their car around once she was inside the garage and after dealing with a very confused parking lot attendant rolled out into the street. Both the women craned their necks around, back and forth, searching in vain for some sign of Eddy's truck. "Surely he won't hurt her, not after being seen with her in a public place like this," Patricia said, looking worried nonetheless. "Right now I've got no damn idea what the fuck Eddy will do," Karen replied, "and that's a very scary thing to have to say." Unnoticed by either of them, an unmarked police car drove past them with Margo in the back. ------- Nick coughed. "Can't believe that fuck Pedachenko booby-trapped his own club..." Smoke swirled around the basement room that had until recently been Dmitri Pedachenko's office. Through the door, Nick could hear the screams and cries of the children Pedachenko had kept there, stock for his trade. "Shoulda expected it, chess-playin' bastards," croaked Izzy. "Never trust no one who passes up poker for chess." "I'll remember that in the future," Nick groaned. "Any of your phones still work? Mine's a mess ... we gotta get out of here ... grab whatever of the children are still alive, leave the rest." Izzy got up from where the shock of the blast had thrown him. He looked at his suit in disgust, "Fuck, I landed in Dmitri ... I think I'm gonna hurl." "Fuck hurling, what about the money?" Nick's other bodyguard, Albert, asked. "Fuck the money. We've got to go," Nick replied, struggling to his feet. "Boss, you're bleeding," Izzy said, his eyes widening. "No shit? Huh..." And Nick Philouma fell to the floor amid the dust and rubble. ------- Chapter 29 "Dr. Wohler-Sapperstein ... would you mind if I just called you Dr. Wohler, as I understand you and your husband were getting a divorce?" Detective Martin asked as he ran a hand over his rapidly thinning hair. "Not at all, Detective Martin, that will be fine." "Alright Dr. Wohler, we found a lot of evidence of your deceased husband living a double life, and to put it rather indelicately, we'd like to know if you had any suspicions concerning his illegal activities?" "If I may ask, Detective Martin, what kind of illegal activities?" He leaned back in the creaky wooden desk chair that had been his second home for too many years. "Well ... you sure I can't get you something, this is some pretty strong stuff?" "No, I'm fine thank you, what kind of illegal activities?" "These are some prints of picture files we found on his computer..." "Oh my God..." ------- "NO, NO, CALM DOWN, IT'S OKAY!" "Izzy ... yelling at them ... isn't going to help ... I don't think ... they speak English..." "Don't worry about that, Boss ... aw, fuck this noise," Izzy said as he stuffed the last two children in the trunk of the car. Their screams were mostly muffled by the trunk lid. "Now you gotta let us get you in the back and outta here!" "Alright ... now you can ... put me in ... OH SONUVABITCH!" "I'm sorry, Boss, I'm sorry, I'm sorry..." "It's okay ... Izzy ... it's okay ... no way around it ... have Dickie get us ... the fuck out of here." "You got it ... DICKIE, MOVE IT!" "Wish you hadn't ... felt called upon ... to yell ... inside the car..." "Sorry Boss." ------- "Angie, would you like me to run you by your apartment first? You know, 8312 Burlingame Lane, #351?" "How do you know where I live?" "Silly bitch, same way I know where you work, what bus you ride, what bars you hit on Friday night ... you're bein' watched. I don't trust you and I'm damn sure not going to get caught nappin' where your venomous little ass is concerned." "Like you were with the two that damn near killed Harry?" An ominous silence filled the cab of the truck, floating in a cocoon of the ambient traffic noises that surrounded it. Angie swallowed, wondering if she'd just talked herself into an unmarked grave. After a time, Eddy said through gritted teeth, "Alright, you get that one for free ... I deserve it. If I was you, bitch, I wouldn't bring it up again. Endin' you would make me feel better, like a kid getting' a new gawddamn puppy, and I really NEED to feel better right now." Her sense of self-preservation kept her mouth shut. "I guard my boy against what I know is out there, what I suspect is out there ... and I didn't see those two shitheads comin' ... that was my bad. But you ... I'm just waitin' for a reason to disappear you. Keep on rememberin' that when your little coke-rotted brain starts havin' delusions of revenge, starts tellin' you how horribly you were treated, how you were the injured party in the divorce. Just remember that no one will ever find your body, and what's even more tellin' is that no one will go lookin'. No one." The rest of the ride back to her office passed in silence. True to his word, he knew where she worked without her having to say a word. ------- "No, Detective Martin, I never had any idea ... I mean, as far as illegal activities ... I know he frequented prostitutes, and that he liked them blonde with big tits and no brains ... do you think that was maybe just a smokescreen?" "Well Dr. Wohler, I ain't no shrink, but I've seen a lot in my years on the job and it wouldn't surprise me if that's what it turned out to be. The evidence of his pedophilia is pretty overwhelming ... you'll never have to see the apartment he kept on the South side and trust me, you should thank God for that ... the man was a pervert and I'm just as glad the bastard's dead ... uh, maybe I shouldn't have said that." "It's alright, Detective, I'm edging towards feeling that way myself." The cell phone in her bag rang and she looked at the bag as if it were something foreign. After a few moments, Detective Martin said, "Perhaps you might want to answer your phone? Might be important, you being a doctor and all." "Um, yes, yes you're right ... sorry, this all has me a little rattled." She pulled out the phone and punched a button. "It already went to voice mail, pardon me a moment." She listened and then punched in a number. "Alright, I'll be there as soon as possible ... yes, I understand." She closed the phone and slipped it back in her bag. "Detective, I hate to rush this but are we about through here? Something pretty important's come up with a patient..." "Oh yes ma'am, not a problem. If we have any further questions we know where to find you and if you think of anything else that might help us, you give me a call," he said, handing her one of the cards from a tray on his desk. "Can I get a squad car to run you anyplace? I mean, it would be faster than a cab." "Uh, no, this is important, but not quite that urgent," she said, managing a smile. "A cab will be fine. Thank you very much, Detective Martin, you've been most kind." "Not a problem, Dr. Wohler, thank you for your help." ------- "Ms. Turov, this is Izzy, I'm calling for the Boss ... no ma'am, he's not able to talk right now ... things have been better. Listen, he wants to ask a huge favor of you ... right now... 88th and Penbrook, go around to the guard house at the back, they'll know you're coming ... we need a translator ... yes ma'am, yes we did ... it went very well overall, but we got no one to talk to some kids we took out of Pedachenko's club ... yes ma'am, we had a Russian translator but when the bomb went off ... calm down ma'am, calm down, I think we'll all be fine but our translator's bleedin' from the ears and I think he'll be pretty useless for awhile ... yes ma'am, we got out all that was still alive ... alright, he'll thank you for this himself, soon as he's able." Izzy closed the phone and looked around the inside of the car. Terrified, bleeding, dirty children were everywhere, squeezed in on top of each other, barely leaving room for Izzy and Nick. There were children in the floorboards, curled up to escape from Izzy had no idea what, but they all had the look of frightened animals. The vans that were supposed to be transporting them had been parked next to the west wall of the club, where the bastard who had been the head of the Russian mob in the city had set one of the major explosive charges. The flaming vehicles probably couldn't be traced back to the Family ... hell, if Izzy knew Nick, there was no way in hell they could be, but their loss left every vehicle they had left rolling away into the night packed with frightened, wounded, sobbing kids. He looked over to check the compresses they'd tied down across the holes in Nick's belly. They were almost soaked through, but the bleeding looked to have slowed dramatically. He saw that Nick was conscious, looking down at the boy in the floorboards before him. The boy was pretty, with an almost translucent quality to his skin, didn't look to be more than fourteen or fifteen, and was nothing but skin and bones. Izzy recognized him as the one they'd found chained to Pedachenko's desk, curled up in a basket, the kind you bought for a large dog to sleep in, covered in bits of Dmitri. Nick reached out with his hand and stroked the boy's fine pale brown hair. He smiled at him as the boy stared back at him with huge eyes, full of fear. Nick realized his actions might be sending the wrong signal, so drew his hand back and closed his eyes. "How far?" "Only about another ten minutes Boss ... Dickie's keeping it under the limit. Hope everyone else is too ... God help us if one of us gets stopped. Family men, some wounded, some dead, carloads of naked kids lookin' like we pulled 'em out of a war zone ... the cops would love that, wouldn't they?" "Yeah Izzy, they sure would..." With that Nick's eyes slowly closed and he drifted off. As soon as he was sure Nick was out, Izzy leaned forward. "Dickie, you better pull off a miracle tonight. I want us there five minutes ago and you damn well better not let any fuckin' cop see us." As the car sped up, Izzy leaned back and pulled out the phone. Time to call the old man and tell him the news ... Big Vic was going to be pissed to say the least. ------- She switched cabs twice and finally made it to the Sampson Building, 88th and Penbrook, a large three-story office building surrounded by a high wall, topped by razor-wire. As the cab let her out at the guard house, she couldn't help but notice the security cameras mounted at regular intervals along the wall, scanning the streets in constant motion. After showing the guard her I.D. he let her through and she saw one of Nick's bodyguards heading towards her on an electric cart. "Hop on, Doc, we're up to our assholes in fu ... messed-up people," he said as he wheeled the cart around and came to a stop. "I was coming down to wait for ya, good timin', huh?" "Yes, it was ... why are you covered in blood and dirt? Don't tell me Nick was stupid enough to-" "Oh no ma'am, nothing like that ... we'd got the 'all clear' on the club before we let the Boss go in ... but didn't nobody know the fuckface ... pardon my language Doc, didn't nobody know the owner had booby-trapped the place on some kinda time delay ... we think. Mighta been somethin' else." The cart shot up a ramp and under a raised gate on a loading dock. "Now in spite of what he says, you gotta see to the Boss first ... we got ya two EMT's, they're workin' ... tree-somethin'..." "Triage?" "Yeah, triage, and they tell me everybody else is stable enough for now ... that ain't to say they'll stay that way, but ... just get the Boss patched up ... he was leakin' like a motherfuckin' ... he was leakin' like a sieve." In spite of everything, Margo found a smile. "Alright, is it Izzy?" He nodded. "Okay Izzy, I'll see to Nick first." The cart came to a stop before a pair of swinging doors. "Right through there, Doc," Izzy said, "last room on the right. Look for my partner, Joey, he'll be outside the door." Margo got out of the cart and walked through the swinging doors into the last thing she ever expected to see — a hospital emergency room, going full blast. Her attention was drawn to the gurneys that lined the corridor, each with a child strapped to it. Her impulse to stop, to examine, to treat, was almost overwhelming, brought on by the sight of suffering children, but she remembered who was waiting for her down the hall and forced herself to move on. As she passed a doorway on her left, she saw someone she assumed was one of the EMT's tending to a grown man on an examining table. He finished his ministrations and turned, seeing her pass. In a moment he was walking beside her as she hurried down the hall. "I don't figure names are all that important, but I'm Carl," he said. "I hope like hell you're the doctor they told us was coming." "That would be me," she responded, "I'm Margo. Why the fuck are all these children strapped down?" "Nothing else we could do, Doctor. None of them speak English, none of us speak Russian. We didn't want to sedate them until we'd had time to do a more thorough work-up on them and they were freaking out in seventeen different directions at once. What would you have done?" She looked at him as they reached the last door on the right. "I'd have restrained them," she said, somewhat begrudgingly. "Best we could come up with too, ma'am," he said, grinning, as they entered the room together. "As far as the big Boss-man, looks to be three chunks of shrapnel in his abdomen. I figure you and me better scrub up, we got some surgery to do." "Where's the other EMT I was promised?" "Rob's working with the adults that got brought in ... a lot of gunshot wounds." After a quick, cursory examination of Nick, Margo looked at Carl with a degree of admiration. "You do good work, and you're right. Okay, tell me we've got something that'll pass as an operating room?" "Yes ma'am, it's small, and I'll have to double as your gas-passer, but it's functional." The two of them wheeled Nick in and then headed off to prepare themselves. ------- Tattie wheeled in to the gatehouse, ready to deliver tons of attitude should her admittance be delayed, but the guard gave her drivers license a quick check and waved her through. She had barely parked before Izzy showed up to carry her inside. "So why did this Pedachenko have, and now why do you have, a horde of Russian children on your hands?" she asked as they sped towards the loading dock. "Sex trade, ma'am," Izzy answered. "Lot of money to be made in young ones, that's why he had 'em ... we have 'em because the Boss didn't want 'em gettin' put in the system. He figures to funnel 'em through an adoption agency he knows of, find 'em good homes. I don't know what he's gonna do if nobody wants 'em though ... most of these kids are a little old to be adopted easily. Not to mention havin' to warn their adoptive parents what kinda issues they might have, cause o' their past and all ... but I don't worry about that, that's the Boss' problem and he's welcome to it. All I have to do is get you in there to calm 'em down and then get ready to keep Big Vic from goin' batshit all over cause o' the Boss getting' fucked ... gettin' hurt." "Izzy, darlin', it's alright, I've heard the word before ... I even use it ... frequently..." "Yes ma'am, and that's fine, but the wife, she's tryin' to get me to clean up my language some ... I kinda let some foul words slip out last time her folks was over. Thought she was gonna break my kneecap she was kickin' me so hard under the table." Tattie chuckled. "You're some kinda tough guy, Izzy ... cleanin' up your language to make your wife happy." "You ever met my wife?" "No, can't say as I have." "She's got two things goin' for her. She scares me more than Big Vic, and I hope he never finds that out, and she's the most beautiful woman I ever seen ... still not sure why she married me. So between scary, and the risk of no pus ... no romancin' or nothin', I'll try to clean up my language. Last stop, emergency Russian translators out." Tattie grinned, hopped off the cart and stepped through the doors into a maelstrom of children's voices, all going a mile a minute in Russian. "(Vashti, what do you think these men are going to do with us?)" asked one girl, small and frail, no more than eleven. "(The same thing the others were going to do, they'll just instruct us with their fists since they don't speak Russian, )" answered an effeminate-looking boy, smudged makeup running down his face. Tattie assumed he was 'Vashti'. "(I don't want to be in America anymore, I want to go home, )" cried another little boy with blood caked all over the side of his face. "(Stupid shit, who among us do you thing still wants to be here?)" snapped a girl whose eyes were much older than her body. Inside, Tattie recoiled. There was so much pain here, so much need ... and then she straightened up. She wanted to be a 'den mother' ... well, here was a group that truly needed her. "(Children, children ... calm down. My name is Tatiana, call me Tattie. These men are not going to hurt you. There are doctors here who are going to help you as soon as they can. In the meantime, how can I help you?)" The cacophony of responses had her smiling and holding her hands up within seconds. "(Children, quiet down ... we'll have to do this one at a time. But first, let me see about getting some more people here to help you, okay?)" Whether it was exhaustion or shock, or maybe just hearing their own language spoken by a kindly voice, the children seemed to settle into place, waiting. "Joey, come here ... do you think Nick would want some more help with all these kids, and with the Family men as well?" "Ms. Turov, I can't speak for the Boss, but I know he was real nervous about only having two EMT's and Dr. Wohler. If you got somebody in mind, and you're sure they can be trusted, I'd imagine the Boss would be willing to offer a real generous salary and benefits package. I don't think he expects this place to go out of business any day soon ... and after all the shit we stirred up today, I don't think so either. But they'd have to be willing to work completely off the radar, you know, no talking about it, no changing their minds later." "The two women I'm thinking of shouldn't be any problem ... let me give them a call ... both of them have worked as pediatric nurses and lost their RN licenses for aiding and abetting assisted suicides. Last time I spoke with Debbie, they were desperate and both working in the same damn convenience store." An hour later, still in a state of shock at the deal Tattie'd offered them on Nick's behalf, Debbie Mullins and Wilma Zeising were hard at it. Wilma got pulled into the operating room to act as a surgical nurse when Margo saw her as Nick was wheeled out and one of the children was wheeled in. Debbie and Tattie were working on a short course in essential Russian for the nurse, as they sponge bathed their young charges and checked them carefully for any signs of injury. But more importantly, the were soothing the fears of children who had been pushed to the ragged edge of panic, cleaning wounds and dirty faces, coaxing smiles, bringing bottles of water and soft touches. ------- It was an exhausted and over-stressed Margo that finally finished the last surgery many hours later. She stripped off her scrubs, threw them in a bin, and ran a sink full of cold water. When it was three quarters full she put her head in and submerged it, twisting it back and forth before pulling it back out. When she opened her eyes again she found herself being stared at by Carl and Wilma. "Hey, every doctor has their rituals," she said, "that's one of mine ... plus it feels marvelous after a long stint in the OR." "Whatever works for you, Doctor," Wilma replied, "myself, I could use about five shots of vodka and anything that even remotely resembles a bed." "Well, since I don't require the vodka at this point, I'll put myself on call, let Rob and you two ladies catch a drink and some shut-eye, if y'all wanna," Carl said with a grin, "c'mon, I'll show you where you can crash out. I'm pretty sure if you'd like, the Boss will have a room made up for you to stay in when we've got patients ... I'd take him up on it. I think we're gonna be busy for quite sometime." The two of them walked out together and Margo headed in to check on Nick. She found him awake, and talking with his father. "I'm sorry, I'll come back later," she said as she backed out the door. "Nonsense," said Big Vic, "come back in. I understand I have you to thank for my son's life?" "No sir, or better said, not for the most part. You really have his bodyguard Izzy to thank for his life. He's the one who kept him from dying on the way here. Then you have Carl and Rob to thank for stabilizing him once he got here. They kept him alive until I could get to him. All you really have to thank me for is removing three chunks of a building from your son's gut and from what I saw of Carl in the operating room, he could've done the job as well, all he really needs is some confidence in himself." "You're working awfully hard to avoid having me owe you my thanks," Vic said, his face gone hard. "Have I pissed in your Cream O' Wheat somehow?" "Oh, I don't know, Mr. Philouma," she replied, her exhaustion evident in every word, "you tried to shut down Nick's attempts to give me the justice I asked for ... attempts which, I might add, led directly to me being here to take part in saving your son's life. You saved my fiancées life when he was threatened by your other son, and I owe you something for that, but you would have continued to let Philip starve Tamara to death. I was there when Carol and my fiancée rescued her, I was driving the 'getaway car', so to speak, and what had been done to her was fucking inexcusable. You were allowing that to continue instead of bringing your son under control. So while yeah, you've minorly 'pissed in my Cream O' Wheat', mostly I just think you're a, how shall I put this, fuckin' douche bag. Yeah, I think that'll work." "I told you she was a piece of work, Father," Nick said. "You did indeed," the old man replied. "Alright Doctor, how do you think I should reward Izzy and the others?" "I don't know, how much is Nick's life worth to you?" she said, exhaustion driving her to sink into a chair. "More than all the money in the world ... but we're not talkin' a payout, we're talkin' a token of my gratitude." Evil gleamed in Margo's eyes. "Fine, then as a token of your gratitude, one hundred thousand to Izzy, seventy-five thousand each to Carl and Rob." She waited for the outburst she felt sure was coming. "Done," said the old man, smiling back at her. "A quarter of a million dollars feels like an appropriate token to me. You want a fruit basket or anything, maybe a nice bouquet of flowers?" "You really are something," she said, "I'll be interested to hear if they get your 'token's." "Oh, they'll get them, Dr. Wohler ... and for you, a floral arrangement, a fruit basket AND a box of chocolates." With that the old man wheeled himself around and headed towards the door. "Be back later, Nick. Gonna go make the rounds, see how the rest of the boys are doing." After he was gone, she got up and examined her patient. "He really is something, isn't he?" she asked. "Oh yeah," Nick replied, "people forget that being a cast-iron son-of-a-bitch isn't enough, you also have to be able to be charismatic and smooth as well ... although I have to admit, while he can exhibit those qualities, they're really not his forte ... OW ... that hurt." "It was supposed to. You had chunks of masonry in your gut and I need to keep track of these holes I sewed up. Oh, and the size of your little hospital's staff has increased by two. Tattie'll be in to tell you about it later, I imagine. "Nick ... you ended up needing me a lot sooner than I was thinking you would. I don't mean that to sound ungrateful, I'm not, it's just that I'm real tired and real stressed." "I know, and I'm sorry ... if it had just been the boys, if no one had been all that seriously hurt ... you would've never known about it. I'm sure Carl and Rob could've done a wonderful job and what they couldn't handle, we would've shuttled off to some of the normal 'back alley' doctors in town. "But when I saw the kids, even before the explosion, I figured to bring you in. I know you're not a pediatrician, but I wanted them looked at professionally, and under the radar, since I have no plans to have them get ground up by the system. Dmitri Pedachenko was a fucking monster, and the world is a much better place now that he's dead. I owe it to myself to try to clean up his mess." "Nick," Margo said, drawing up the chair and sitting down, "you can't stop the trade in children ... it's too widespread and you're still just one man, even with your Family behind you." "Oh, I'm not thinking of stopping it anywhere but in my town, Margo ... I'm not crazy. Something Tony used to say... 'a man does what he can do'. What I can do is the same thing he did with the production of snuff films in this town ... shut it down. While I don't think I can ever clean up the Family's reputation to the point where we'll be lauded as public heroes again, I can do something. Stopping the traffic in children is a step. There are others I have planned as well, should I live through this." "Oh, you'll live, Nick, you're young and strong. I however am feeling very old and tired right now. I'm going to make a final set of rounds, then see about getting a ride back to the hotel. I'm very serious, Nick. If this war you've started continues, you're going to need to find more medical personnel. Not because I won't come, I will, I owe you more than I can say and it's a debt I pay willingly, but because I'm only one doctor, with two EMT's and two unlicensed RN's to help me. I have my normal clinic hours as well as my family to take care of. As much as I might want to give you and your 'invisible hospital' here a majority of my time, I simply can't." "And I would never ask you to ... can I impose on you for a further favor?" he asked, looking remarkably like a little boy asking for another cookie. "Yes, of course," she responded, smiling in spite of herself. "Keep an eye open for other medical personnel who might be suited to working under the kind of arrangement we have here," he said, smiling in return. "Money and equipment aren't really an issue, and I'm willing to be very generous. But it does have to be people that can be trusted, completely." "Not a problem, I'll keep my eyes open for you. As far as I know, which isn't really saying all that much, what you're doing is rather unique in the annals of organized crime, Nick. It says a lot about you that you'd go to this trouble, basically building a hospital so your people can be treated and stay off the police's radar. Your men don't have to worry that getting injured means they'll probably be arrested as well. I bet this will pay off for you in the long run." Nick smiled as she left his room. He hoped it would pay off in the long run, he needed to build as much good will with the members of the Family as possible. Where he planned on taking it later on would tax even the most dedicated of his people. ------- Kelly put down her phone in shock. "Oh shit, I am so hosed." "What, honey, who was that?" Carol asked, padding into the sitting room of the suite "My mom." "Is everything okay?" "They're going to be in town for an educational conference in two weeks ... they want to visit me while they're in town." "Okay, so what's so bad about that?" "Are you insane, my love? Have you forgotten where we live? Have you forgotten I don't have a job anymore? How do I explain to them about the three of you? How do I explain to my father, who was going to freak about me dating a girl, a white girl at that, that I'm going to marry not only a white man, but two white women as well?" "You could simply tell them we're your roommates, leave the hard discussion for another time. I'm sure all of us would gladly go along with that." "No," Kelly said, raising her head and squaring her shoulders, "no, I'm not going to act like I'm ashamed of or embarrassed by the people I love, by my family. I'm proud of all of you. I'm proud that you've asked me to be a part of this. I'm blessed to be a member of something very special." She looked into Carol's eyes and Carol was surprised to see tears in her eyes. "I won't lie about us, not ever. I've made my choice, it's the right one for me, and they can damn well either accept it, or not accept me." Carol went to her wife and held her, stroking her hair. "You are one of the bravest, most courageous, and possibly craziest people I've ever met. And you better damn well know, we'll be with you every step of the way, no matter what happens, no matter how it goes down." "I know ... I just ... oh God ... this is going to be tough." ------- "-and you, Mr. Grimes, must get better and be up and on your feet in time for the Samhain Fetish Ball," Madame Cornelius said, her hand absent-mindedly stroking Li Kuan's leg. "You and your little coterie are already being spoken of by some of us, I think that the group of you arriving en masse, so to speak, would certainly mark your 'coming out' as members of the scene." "Madame Cornelius, remember that I want a quiet and peaceful life. Why would I want us to 'come out' at the Fetish Ball? And why on Earth are we already being talked about?" "My dear Mr. Grimes, you want to 'come out' at the Ball as a way of showing off your beautiful family and giving them the chance to dress up in their fetish best for a night on the town where the only eyebrows they'll raise will be in admiration. With Carol on your leash, Kelly on your wife's leash, your large friend Mr. Janak with Tamara on his leash, your friends Ms. Pinard and Ms. Keller, and your sister, my goodness Mr. Grimes, you and your group of friends will be the envy of almost everyone at the Ball. You should be proud of your family and friends, especially after what you've been through together. You're 'coming out' to be seen and to see others. To go to a party where practically anything goes, among people who, to one degree or another, share interests in relationships like yours." "Uh huh ... and why are we being talked about?" "Mr. Grimes, you really didn't think that stories like you beating Philip Philouma in a mud wrestling match at a strip club to win Tamara aren't going to be spread?" she replied, her eyes twinkling. "Oh ... my ... God ... look, that's not what happened at all-" "Of course it isn't, Mr. Grimes. While I might believe Mr. Janak might be the type to get naked and wrestle a man described as 'a human whale' in a large tank of mud, I'd hardly believe it of you. But that's the story ... while one of the late Mr. Philouma's men probably told his girl a reasonably straight version, by the time it got to our little community it, predictably, bore little resemblance to the truth. "And then there's your drunken orgy in the Omni Bar that led to a fight with hotel security that ended with you all under arrest. You'll be happy to know that it was only with the spreading of much baksheesh that you weren't charged. You were allowed back into the hotel because you had your pets service the manager, or some such, one story says you gave him one of them for the duration of the stay. You kidnapped one of the bar's waitresses and were using her as a party favor. When her mother complained you got her fired. The girl ended up staying with your group by choice." "I think I'm going to be ill..." "Oh, it gets better, Mr. Grimes. The reason for your present physical condition is that after your fiancee's soon-to-be-ex-husband threatened her, you and your group broke into his house, tied him down and abused him in every possible way for hours. After the Omni Incident it was obvious the law wasn't going to touch you, so he hired men to kill you for what you did to him." "I am going to be sick," he said, frightened by how close to the truth part of the last rumor was. "That last one is a relatively fresh addition ... evidently some people are finding his suicide note rather revealing." "I didn't know the note's contents had been made public." "Oh Mr. Grimes, the police department has more holes in it than a colander and secrets just pour out of it, especially into our little circle. Not surprising when you realize how many police officers play, or at least dabble, in our scene." "Lots of doms?" "Au contraire, my dear Mr. Grimes, lots of subs, screaming for attention. Generally speaking, for those who have no true vocation one way or another the way your pet Carol does, the rule seems to be that their orientation is the inverse of their real-life. High-powered executives, judges, police officers, members of the clergy ... they can be so cute when they're kissing your boot, or under the lash, or stretched out on a rack. And when the powerless, the unimportant, the overlooked come out to play, there you'll find your part-time doms, just salivating for someone they can lord it over, someone to make them their be-all and end-all." "Explains why I'm not really the Master Carol needs ... I feel no 'true vocation' for it and I really don't often feel powerless. On the other hand, my 'real-life' is rarely so stressful that I crave submission either ... although my wife and the girls owe me a session that I mean to collect on, as soon as I'm able to." "But for the mastery she needs, I get the feeling your wife is quite capable ... I enjoyed our time together earlier this week. She is a remarkable woman." "Oh, you've understated it considerably, Madame Cornelius. She is one of the four most incredible women I've ever met. I think her aptitude for 'mastery', as you put it, frightens her somewhat. If Carol's response wasn't so positive, it would be much harder for her to deal with. But as none of us mind it, and our resident submissive craves interaction with that facet of her personality, she's dealing with it quite well, and in fact learning to revel in it." "As well she should. As long as all parties are in accord, she should feel free to let that part of her grow and develop. "You wouldn't believe it, Mr. Grimes, but I spent the first thirty-five years of my life living in denial of my true self, living the kind of virtuous, upright, morally irreproachable life I'd been raised to believe was the only true path a southern lady could walk." "What happened?" "My husband, to make a long story somewhat shorter. We were married when I was seventeen and he was twenty-one, a banker from a family of very old and respected money. One day I came home from a meeting of the Daughters of the Texas Revolution early with an upset stomach to find my husband, on his knees, with a leash around his neck, while this slattern in a black dress, leash in one hand, and a whip in the other, held him in place with a shoe on his neck as she urinated upon his head. He had his tongue out, lapping it up like a dog and an erection that I'd never seen the like of in all our years of marriage ... of course I'd never actually seen him naked before." "My God, what year was this?" "1955, Harry, and yes, here in the South that reality still existed. "Well, thirty-five years of repression, eighteen years of hating my marriage with divorce an unthinkable option erupted. The man was a pig from the day I first met him. I am not now nor was I then what society would classify as beautiful, but eighteen years of his comments about how unattractive I was ... eighteen years of a sex life that consisted of his rare attempts to get me with child, attempts which thankfully never succeeded ... eighteen years of his never denying his affairs, nor confirming them either ... this was intolerable! I snatched the whip from the woman's hand, slapped her with those eighteen years of pent-up anger behind my hand, knocked the silly girl into a door facing and she collapsed to the floor. "Then I gave my husband the beating of a lifetime. By the time I was through blood and semen were mixing with her urine on the floor of our bedroom. He had an amazing tolerance for, and desire for, pain. This was quite alright with me, my most excellent Mr. Grimes, because I had a great deal of anger to work through. "And when I was done and he was passed out on the floor, I turned my attention to the woman. Imagine my surprise, Mr. Grimes, to find her kneeling in a submissive posture behind me, eyes on the floor. I found out later she was a true submissive, very much like your Carol, who was working as a prostitute for a pimp who required her to play either role, per the customer's request. "I was standing with my back to my beaten husband, who I knew deep inside was never going to be any threat to me again, and before me was a somewhat attractive young woman, showing respect and submission ... and Mr. Grimes, the smells in the air, all of our sweats, the blood, the semen, the pheromones, the urine ... I was more aroused than I'd ever dreamed I could be. I started advancing towards this woman and she began to beg me to let her please me ... I had no idea what she was talking about. How could a woman please a woman? Was she talking about something sexual? Sex wasn't pleasurable, not in the least." Harry tried hard to stifle his smile. "Oh my dear Mr. Grimes, smile if you like ... laugh if you like ... I have, many times, in the years since. But anyone who played contract bridge at some of the tables I played at religiously knew how to bluff and I bluffed my way through that encounter, placing the onus on her, requiring her to prove to me that she was capable of pleasing me, and then riding out what happened afterwards under my best mask of aplomb. "It was a life-changing afternoon and evening. She never returned to the man who had sent her out. In fact, for the next twelve years, she was never more than thirty feet from my side and after a short time of training and adjustment made a very suitable ladies maid, in addition to her other duties. She slept in my bed and my husband, until his death in 1966 of a stroke, happily slept on the floor at the foot of the bed. "I think your fiancée and I are somewhat alike, Mr. Grimes, although I suspect she's far less ... severe ... in her dominant tendencies than I. I'm pleased beyond words that the two of you found each other, for both of your sakes, as well as your darling little Carol's. "And Kelly? Oh, Mr. Grimes, Li Kuan was positively soaking over her." The severe Oriental woman smiled her sharp-toothed smile and beneath her top Harry could see that her nipples were like steel. "She was most desirous of stripping naked and going up against Kelly in a fight for dominance right there in the hotel room. I've had to convince her that while she might win the battle, she'd lose the war as I'm sure the rest of your family wouldn't allow her to hurt their friend and lover. She was almost inconsolable. But then we acquired a new playmate for her and now she is like a child who, unable to have one puppy, fixates on another. For my own part, she is quite exquisite and makes a beautiful addition to your family. Someday you will have to tell me how she came to be a part of your group. "But for now, we must be going ... Li Kuan needs to feed and water her new pet and I have a client arriving at the house in a half hour. If you need anything, my dear Mr. Grimes, you know you have only to call." "As always, your visit has been the highpoint of my day, probably my week, Madame Cornelius, thank you so much for your time and company." "Nonsense, the pleasure was all mine, I assure you. Au revoir!" As she and Li Kuan left the hospital room, Harry was free to show his amazement as well as his amusement. If her story was to be taken at face value, the woman was in her mid-eighties and there was no way he would have guesstimated her as being over sixty-five. He buzzed for the nurse. Time for another thrilling bedpan adventure! ------- Late Monday morning when Margo woke up, she felt much better than she had when she'd stumbled into the suite and gone face down on the bed. Her wives had undressed her at some point during her sleep, but she'd certainly never noticed. She smiled to herself. They could have sold her pussy for five dollars a go to passing strangers and she wouldn't have noticed. She stretched long and sinuously. After a trip to the bathroom, brushing her teeth and gargling with mouthwash she threw on a robe and stumbled out into the sitting room. She was greeted by the sight of Nicki, Kelly and Carol, reading the paper and relaxing. Then her eyes were drawn to the riot of color that covered the bar counter and the table. "Let's look at this logically, Big Mama," Kelly said. "You leave. No one knows where you are. We get a voicemail telling us you're alright and you'll be back whenever. You come back dead tired, stinking, and then all these flowers and gifts start arriving for you." "You should have told us if we were in financial trouble, Margo my love," Carol continued, "I would've gladly paid however much was necessary to keep you from having to become a high-end call girl." "Turning to prostitution, no matter how good the reason ... I'm not sure if you're really the kind of woman my brother needs to be marrying," Nicki finished. Margo looked at each of the participants through bleary eyes as a smile slowly curled up the corners of her mouth. "Ladies, it's a measure of my deep and abiding love for each of you that I let you get away with that and live, before I've even had coffee or something to eat," she said as her stomach rumbled loudly enough to be heard by everyone. "Are any of you hungry?" The chorus of assent was unanimous so she continued. "Carol, call up room service, get us some food on the way ... order me eggs, sunny side up, bacon, toast, something potato-like and unless one of you is somewhat decent with that coffee-maker you bought, coffee ... juice as well." "I'll make the coffee," Kelly said. "We experimented yesterday and it seems I'm closest to achieving Harry's level of quality." Margo bent down and hugged her. "That's fitting, somehow," she said, running her hand down Kelly's naked body. She stood up. "So," she said, looking at Carol and Kelly, "which of you gets bath girl duty after we eat and I see what all this floral madness is about?" "Uh, that'd be me, actually," Nicki said. "Margo looked at her in surprise, but then smiled and went on to look at the cards that were attached to the six large floral arrangements that were filling that corner of the room. Starting with the grandest, she was not at all surprised to read: "Dr. Wohler, As promised, everyone got their 'tokens'. As promised, you'll get yours. Thank you for the life of my son, The Fuckin' Douche Bag" As she began to expect, three more of the arrangements bore cards from Izzy and his wife, Carl and Rob. What she hadn't expected were the flowers from Debbie and Wilma. She was confused until she read Wilma's note. "Margo, For some reason, the Boss' father felt called upon share his joy at his son's survival with us. When I asked him why we were getting twenty-five thousand apiece, he told me to thank you, so thank you. A lot ... really ... a whole lot ... a paying-off-my-car-loan lot. It's been a most confusing day and a half. Just thought I'd let you know, everyone seems to be doing okay. We had a minor scare with one of the kids vomiting blood but Rob figured it was probably an ulcer and started treating it like one. Sure enough, calmed right down ... poor little girl, Tattie says her name is Svetlana. Barely fourteen and an ulcer ... not really surprising though, considering the stress they've lived under. When you come back in, you should probably take a look at her, but the major reason I'm writing all this is to let you know there's no rush, everything's going well. Gonna wrap this up and let the deliveryman get started, Tattie sends her love and says she'll be there soon, Wilma" Margo found herself almost liking the douche bag. And sure enough, there was a huge box of chocolates with a duplicate of the first note from him. And a fruit basket with the same note, except for an addition. "P.S. Don't eat the hard, black banana." She examined the fruit basket more carefully and saw what he was referring to. An oblong black box, devoid of markings, hinged on the one side ... she turned it over. Five words adorned it: 'The House of Harry Winston'. With trembling hands she opened the box. She found herself sitting on the floor, though she couldn't remember how she got there, with the other women rushing to her side. There in the box, set in precious platinum, were over 180 flawless diamonds; marquise, round and pear-shaped, a classic wreath necklace that glittered like the stars come down to Earth. The other women couldn't possibly have been more surprised by her reaction. "THAT SLIMY, DOUBLE-CROSSING COCKSUCKER!" ------- "Well, there's absolutely no doubt that Big Vic likes you ... and that he really appreciates the work everyone did keeping Nick alive," Carol said as she mopped up the last of her syrup with the last of her pancakes. "Well I'm happy he's happy but I didn't want his thanks, don't want his thanks ... I don't really want anything from the old man but for him to hurry up and die so God can see to his ultimate judgment." "Uh, Big Mama, that would sound a lot more convincing if you weren't sitting there naked, except for a diamond necklace a certain old man sent you," Kelly observed, barely keeping the smile from her face. Fire sparked in Margo's eyes for an instant and then she grinned. "Yeah ... but ... but they're ... they're diamonds..." she wailed, pathetically. "Oh no," Nicki said, "they're a great honkin' buttload of diamonds ... let's not let it sound like we might be talkin' about two or three of 'em, no, there's beaucoup diamonds being discussed." "True, true, all true," Margo said, hanging her head in faux shame, "we are talking an ass-mass of diamonds." "Yeah, and it ain't no Cub-Scout-what-got-to-pack-two-wallets-to-look-like-he-got-an-ass ass-mass, we're talkin' a Patricia ass-mass," crowed Kelly. "We're talkin' that 'oh-I've-just-got-to-kiss-it-for-an-hour-or-two' kinda ass-mass." "Girl does have a beautiful butt," Carol said, "nice and fleshy." "Well, it looked good from what little I've seen of it," Nicki chimed in, "but I haven't really gotten a look at it in all its naked glory." "Oh, you will," chuckled Margo. "Once she got a little comfortable with us, she really fell in love with our kind of parties. And from the way she responds to the room-full-of-sex-vibe, Karen has no room to complain about it, either. I'm thinkin' Karen would be the first to ask what was wrong if Patricia decided to stop dragging her to our little hedonistic get-togethers." "You're right about that," Carol said. "I'm so glad they started coming, no pun intended. Well, if y'all're going to go do the shower thing, y'all better get going." "You know, Nicki, I strongly suspect my wife Carol wants us out of the room, for some reason," Margo said, smiling. "I think you might be right, sister-in-law ... I suspect she has designs upon your wife Kelly." Carol's hand reached over and grabbed a handful of Kelly's hair. "Not really plans with Kelly," she said, dragging the woman out of her chair and over to her, forcing her to her knees. "But Princess has requested some togetherness, haven't you sweetie?" "Yes Mistress." "So while you two are doing the shower thing, and probably enacting some terribly erotic bath girl scene from my beloved's twisted imagination, I'm going to be out here, dealing with this one," she said, stroking the side of Kelly's face. "Alright, I leave you to your debauchery by heading off to mine. Fare well where ere ye fare!" And with that Margo and Nicki strolled arm in arm towards the bedroom and the bathroom beyond. After the door closed, Carol looked down at her wife. "Do you need to talk before, during, after or all of the above?" "During, I think Mistress," Kelly replied. "Then go make the hide-a-bed ready and I'll join you there." The door to the bedroom opened again. "Carol, love, forgot something. Here!" Carol reached up instinctively just in time to catch Margo's diamond necklace. "As far as I'm concerned, my loves, this belongs to all three of us. You wear them for awhile." And once again the door closed. Before she could even get the clasp undone, Kelly was there, taking it from her hands, opening it and placing it around her neck, then securely refastening it. "Thank you, Princess. Is the bed ready?" "Yes Mistress ... you look lovely in those diamonds." "As will you, my pet, when it's your turn to wear them." ------- Margo stood in the shower, the hot water cascading off her in rivulets that caressed the curves of her body as they ran all the way to her feet. "Mmmm, God ... you have no idea how many times I dreamed of this, standing in that damn OR." "I don't know ... I've had some stories that required me to be on my feet, literally, for ten to fourteen hours at a time ... I think I can understand somewhat. Raise your arms." "Oh no, honey, I'll tend to my pits. I wouldn't want to knock you out. I think my deodorant gave out about four hours into surgery." "Margo, love, I grew up in the same house with Harry. I hung around him and Eddy. Funk is nothing at all new to me. Goddamn, he used to come in from a night out and smell so bad I thought he was into bestiality with skunks." Margo chuckled and raised her arms, bracing her hands against the tiled wall. "Alright, but I warned you." As Nicki ran the soapy scrub mitt up Margo's sides, gently scrubbing her armpits, she said, "Oh, you're not bad at all ... and I'm going to make you all better." She continued to soap and scrub her sister-in-law's body, slowly and sensually. "Goddamn, Margo, this is all so strange! I come down for a visit, my brother tells me a story that sounds too good to be true about the fairy tale life he's leading, unbelievable tragedy strikes but even so, now I'm living somewhat the same fairy tale." Margo parted her legs as Nicki discarded the mitt and began to soap between her thighs. "Oh, I can understand why it would seem strange, Nicki ... not too long ago I was married to a man I hated, I mixed sleeping pills and lots of alcohol pretty much daily ... ummm, that feels good ... and I was so repressed about my own sexuality that I could barely admit I had needs at all. Carol was living with an owner who abused her regularly, couldn't have respected her less if he tried, and she was, according to her, 'just passing the days until he killed me'. Kelly was living to work and working to go to school, no real plan for her future, just following her interests to see where they took her. She was too disinterested in anyone to pursue a sex life ... which still amazes me, given the Kelly I've come to know and adore ... wondering if there was something wrong with her inside because she felt this huge emptiness that nothing had ever been able to fill. Eddy was slowly killing himself, working non-stop and abusing his body with alcohol in extreme amounts, playing Russian roulette with his sex life and severely punishing himself for an accident that occurred when he was nine years old. Tamara was trapped in a no-escape situation and being slowly starved to death by, from all accounts, one of the most worthless pieces of shit to ever walk on two legs and call himself a man. "If you keep doing that right there, this conversation is going to get cut short." "I'm sorry. Put your foot up on the rim of the tub." "Certainly, and don't be sorry, just save it for later. Karen was on her way to working herself to death, alone and as far as she knew, unloved, or at least unloved in the romantic sense. Patricia was pining for the woman she loved more than she'd ever loved anyone, but who she just couldn't live with, and from what she told me one night, actively looking for someone who could handle Karen's work-centric lifestyle so the woman she loved wouldn't be alone. "And then there was your brother ... who was just dead inside, and rotting ... septic actually, so poisoned and so hurt that Carol and I believe it was truly impossible for him to see anything outside his pain. Karen's convinced it was just a matter of time before he conspired with the universe to die outside as well ... oh yeah ... the way you wash hair, you could always take up a second career in the beauty industry, Nicki ... oh my God, that feels good ... and Karen freely admits that when Carol called her that first morning she and Harry were together, she thought that was it, that was the phone call telling her Harry was dead. She felt it was that close. "Ah, now that the rinse is through, do you need bathing?" "No, got pretty much the same treatment I just gave you from Carol and Kelly earlier." "Well then, let's dry off, shall we? Then go lie down and continue to talk ... and whatever." ------- "Ah ... ah ... ah ... alright Princess ... that's enough ... okay ... that's fine ... oh my ... you do have a most talented tongue, my love." "Thank you, Mistress." "So what now, most beautiful one?" "I think my need to serve has been sated for awhile ... can we cuddle up and talk?" "Of course, silly bitch, get up here." As Kelly curled up in her arms, Carol began cleaning Kelly's face with her tongue. "Uh, sweetheart," Kelly said, "what you're doing is definitely not conducive to talking." "What is it conducive to?" Carol asked, smiling coquettishly. "Me throwing you down and us stabbing each other in the hootchie with dildos till our arms fall off." "Not that that doesn't sound tempting, but perhaps you're right, talking might be what's called for." Carol got up and brought back a warm, wet towel from the bar area and continued to wash Kelly's face. "Now, what did you want to talk about, my love?" "Well, in all this proposal business, everybody's been focusing on how Harry and I feel about each other and it's no secret by now, not even to me, that I am in love with him and he's pretty much my best friend in the world as well." "No reason he shouldn't be." "I agree ... but I needed to let Margo and you know how I felt about y'all. I've talked with Margo ... I'm in love with the two of you too, just in different ways. I mean, with Harry it's sappy, romantic, oh-God-I-could-stare-into-his-eyes-forever love, as well as the friendship; with Margo it's trust. It's not that I distrust you or Harry, not in the least ... it's just that I trust her more. There's nothing I wouldn't do for her ... nothing that I can think of. And I've thought of some pretty severe shit, especially with what went down in the park." Carol smiled. "I know the feeling ... it's part of how I feel about Harry. I think it scares the crap out of him, to know that someone, anyone, would do whatever he told them to, no questions asked ... and that evening in the park tested that real hard." "I imagine so." The beautiful woman curled up and Carol put her arms around her. "With you, Carol, it's ... it's hard to for me to say ... you own me. While there are places I'd go and things I'd do for Margo that I might not for you, or might not without discussion or convincing, she doesn't own me. She can call for 'Princess' and I can resist. You I don't think I can ... and I certainly know I don't want to. The night I showed up at y'all's door you took me, you claimed me," her voice faltered as tears began to run down her cheeks, "and you changed my life in ways neither of us could have dreamed of. I never knew what 'home' truly meant," she continued as her lover began to gently kiss away her tears, "until I started hanging with you wonderful people." Her cries became sobs, wrenching their way up from somewhere deep inside her, someplace where she'd hidden her loneliness and emptiness. "I'm yours ... nothing held back ... and I don't ever ... want you to let me ... go..." "Shh, shh my darling ... I promise you, I'll never let you go. We promise you, we'll never let you go. The only person who can take you away from us is you." With a loud sniff Kelly sobbed, "Ain't happenin' ... not now ... not ever ... I'm afraid y'all ... are stuck with me." "Oh damn," Carol said through her own tears, "now we're really in for it. You just remember, Kelly Culberson, anytime you start feeling the least little bit insecure, your ass belongs to me and I will never let you go." "Thank you, Mistress, thank you so much. I love you so much. I also need to ask you a big favor. I need you to hold my hand while I do something that scares the hell out of me." ------- "So why did you volunteer for bath girl duty, Nicki?" "You mean being naked with one of the three beautiful women in my brother's harem-" Margo put her hand to Nicki's mouth. "Shh, we do not use the 'h' word. It makes Harry absolutely crazy. He goes off on a 'bad porn story' rant that while very entertaining to listen to, really is a reflection of his deep upset." Nicki took her sister-in-law's hand and kissed it, her tongue wandering across the palm slowly. "Alright, no use of the 'h' word ... you mean being naked with one of my brother's beautiful wives-to-be isn't enough of a reason?" Margo's hand stroked the soft and supple side of her future sister-in-law's breast. "Normally, perhaps ... but I'm sensing another motive too." "Well..." ------- Kelly's hand was in a death grip on Carol's and her wife suppressed the wince she felt trying to show on her face. "Mama? Yeah, I know we just talked earlier today ... I've got some things to tell you, and I want you to listen with an open mind, and know that I'm happier right now than I've ever been in my life ... and when it's all over, I'm going to need you to find a way to help Dad understand ... yes, I met someone special ... and then I met two more special people..." Carol's fingers were growing cold from the reduced blood flow but that was alright. She could endure this to help Kelly through this conversation. Carol's other hand gently stroked the necklace of glittering stars that swam against the beautiful darkness of her wife's neck, light shining off the facets and casting tiny dancing reflections on her fingers. ------- "Nicki, darling ... you're obviously having problems talking about whatever it is ... would you like me to take a guess, see if we can't jumpstart the conversation that way?" "Alright, but I don't think you're going to guess it." "You want to make love with your brother." The look of amazement on Nicki's face was priceless, and it was an image that would stay with Margo for the rest of her life. ------- Chapter 30 "Hi honey ... no ... I'm fine ... really I am ... Randy ... Randy, don't cry ... you know you can't come here ... no, it doesn't make any difference that I'm the boss now ... I know, I want you here too ... I knew you were out of town and I didn't want you flying back when there was nothing you could do so I waited till you got home ... yes you can kick my ass for it later ... no baby; to be truthful I was never so scared before in my life. Then Margo showed up and they whisked me into the OR and I was out of it before I knew what was happening. Next thing I remember was waking up in here ... yes, they're taking very good care of me ... bored out of my gourd, yes ... well, a little, I sent Izzy to buy me something to read ... yeah, the new Roy & Sandra Wells thriller, "Date With A Dark Angel"- it's pretty good, I just don't feel like reading all that much, got too many things I need to be doing ... I should be able to come home in a couple of days ... yes, I promise I'll take it easy ... what do you want her number for? Oh, you think you're going to call her and have her put me back in here if I don't take it easy? Have I told you how much I love you? Well, I love you more than the stars love the sky, more than the clouds love the wind; I need you more than the fish need the sea, more than the trees need the ground; I want you more than Madonna wants another hit, more than you and I want to kill Paris Hilton ... God it's good to hear you laughing ... sure, I don't mind, you know I've got no problem if you never want to work again ... yeah, I know, you'll have the whole damn place rearranged by the time I get out of here ... I'll see you in a few days ... I love you ... bye babe." ------- In his room Nick Philouma lay in his bed and tried not to worry. He was reasonably sure he had talked his father out of doing anything rash but a good size cemetery could be filled with people who had died as a result of assumptions like that concerning members of his family. Randy was finally back in town and had been told. To take his mind off his senseless anxiety, he studied the walls of his room. As the 'hospital' had to remain secret for as long as possible, there were no windows for anyone to see in through or use laser microphones on. To fight the sense of claustrophobia this might produce, the walls were painted in soothing shades, all decorations chosen for their calming effects upon people. It was the most boring place he'd ever been in his life. As the door opened he almost looked forward to some form of painful poking and prodding to relieve his ennui. He was most pleasantly surprised to see his sister Paula slip in. "Hey bro, what the hell happened to ya?" "You really don't know or are you just making conversation?" "Well of course I know already, silly. I went to see the old man before comin' here or else I never woulda known where to find ya. Ya know, ya oughta stop takin' so many risks, the old man ain't gettin' any younger or any healthier and somethin' like this coulda been just the thing to croak him right off. Come to think of it, I'm kinda surprised it didn't, considerin' you're all he has left now, then again, he's always been stronger than any of us thought he was." The changes the years, and other factors, had wrought in his sister were nothing short of miraculous. While she still had all the physical features she'd grown to maturity with, it was if the slight problems in their placement had been resolved to beautiful effect ... as if all that was less than lovely in her appearance had stepped slightly to one side, allowing her inner beauty to take its place front and center. Gone was the clumsiness of her youth, replaced with movements at once graceful, powerful and sensual. The body which had once been chubby, to put it politely, had become magnificently full-figured, a body that demanded attention and delighted the eye, no matter what the viewer's opinions on personal beauty. Her scent washed over him as she bent down to kiss him and even to him, the mixture of natural scents coming from her was intoxicating. He moaned appreciatively as her cool lips pressed his cheek. But even after being born and raised in the South with its slow speech and melodic drawling, she spoke like the stereotypical Yankee ... far too quickly and far too raucously. "So anyway the old man tells me you did Philip. Never would've thought he'd'a lasted this long, dumb as he was. I mean, even the blind squirrel finds the occasional nut but muthafucka, that squirrel was blind, deaf, dumb, and crippled from goddamn birth. Wish I coulda made the funeral but you know ... not happenin'. L sends her love, by the way, says you bein' gay is still a waste o' some o' the prettiest man she ever laid eye on, but that's just her yankin' Tommie's chain a little cause you ain't THAT pretty, not that I wouldn't do ya if I wasn't related an' all, but fuck, I know what your farts smell like. Besides, speakin' o' the funeral, not much good could come o' me seein' Rosie, remindin' her o' things she don't wanna be reminded of. So how is the 'normal one'? She and that shlub she married doin' okay? I swear to you, he ever lays a hand on her, 'normal' or not I'm gonna rip his head off, shit down his neck, pop out his eyeballs and use that fuckin' melon o' his for a fuckin' bowlin' ball, go pitch me a few frames, you know what I mean?" The laughter she brought with her hurt his body, but Nick found his spirit lightening with every second as he and his sister caught up on each other's news. ------- "Sweetie, it's funny as hell to watch, but close your mouth already, I'm afraid you might catch a fly or something," Margo said, caressing her sister-in-law's face. "But ... how ... I never ... what..." "Nicki, my wife Carol is so damned intuitive I'm probably going to start referring to her as our 'hoodoo woman'. She reads people frighteningly well and after the evening you and she and Kelly spent together, certain things slid together in her head. She came to me and we talked about it. She was certain enough of her 'read' on the situation to be willing to bet all her worldly fortune on it, which was more than convincing enough for me ... I believed her quite easily right off the bat." "Oh God ... look Margo, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have ... I'm sorry. Can we just forget this whole conversation ever occurred?" Margo took the frightened and embarrassed woman in her arms and hugged her tightly to her chest. "No, Nicki, no we can't. That box has already been opened, Ms. Pandora, and we have to deal with it. Now, when we're through talking, if you decide you never want Harry to know of this conversation, that's how it will be. How you feel about him is your business and I don't think any of us would have a problem helping you keep that a secret. But we are going to have to talk about it." "Oh God ... I'm sorry, it all seemed so much easier and so much sexier when it was me and my imagination planning this conversation and the way things would play out. Now everything's just jumbled up and confused." "Don't worry, sis," Margo replied, releasing Nicki to recline on the bed and stroking her hair, "some night, over a BIG OL' bowl of dope, I'll tell you about the night Carol seduced me and what an absolute basket case I was. If that story doesn't make you feel better about tonight you can feel free to have me do something terrible ... like bathe you with my tongue." "So that would be terrible would it?" Margo lowered her head and ran the tip of her tongue up the line from her sister-in-law's belly button, between her breasts to the tip of her chin. "Horrible beyond my ability to express," she purred before kissing Nicki deeply. Before things got too interesting, Margo broke the kiss and lay back. "But first, talk." "What do you want me to talk about?" "First off, try to convince me why I should let my husband sleep with you, regardless of the fact he's your brother," Margo said, smiling encouragingly. "Maybe that'll help you get things straight in your own mind. Then, if we get past that hurdle, we can worry about the whole incest thing." "And after that?" "Well, assuming there is an 'after that' ... we figure out if Harry will be able to handle the situation." ------- "Mama ... Mama, stop crying ... Mama ... I know this wasn't what you had in mind when you raised me to think for myself, to find out what I wanted, to go for it and make it my own. But it's what happened. You raised me to be strong and to do what's right for me ... that's what I'm doing." Kelly's hand fiddled with the necklace, her fingers running up and down the platinum and diamonds until she notice it and forced her hand to her lap. "Mama, you know how I never really fit in anywhere? Well here I fit in ... yes ma'am, I thought about that when I started to realize how I was feeling about these people and that was exactly how it felt." She put her hand over the mouthpiece of the phone. "She's not too happy that's she's having to eat her own words ... she told me that when what was right for me came along, there'd be no doubt in my mind, that the only thing that could stop me and what was right for me from recognizing each other was me. "Yes Mama, I'm still here ... was just filling in Carol on some background ... yes she's here with me, no way I could face this conversation alone ... no ma'am, you're right, and no reason I should have to ... Mama they're all that way, whatever I decide, they support me ... Mama, I'd love for all of you to meet, but Daddy... "I'll believe that when I see it ... I love you too ... yes, like I said before, here with them, I'm 'home'. "I will ... I love you and thank you, Mama ... okay, bye-bye." Kelly closed her phone and put it on the table by the hide-a-bed. "Now, that wasn't so hard, was it?" Carol said, the tone of her voice a dead giveaway that she was joking. Kelly looked at her, shock and wonder mixing with the tears in her eyes. "I cannot believe I managed to live through that phone call," she said. "Thank you, my love, thank you so much for being here for me." Her voice broke as she continued, "She understands, I think she really understands. And if she does, she'll find a way to explain it to Dad." Carol slid down into the bed and pulled her wife down with her. "I think my lovely wife needs cuddling," she said, "and I know I need to cuddle her." The sounds of softly murmured endearments, sniffles and the gradually fading sobs filled the sitting room. ------- In the suite's bedroom, Margo held her sister-in-law while Nicki tried to put her thoughts in order. "So I guess in the end, it's that once I had time away and had matured I gained enough detachment from those years together to see Harry as a 'man who happens to be my brother', not just 'my brother'. And if I remove the 'who happens to be my brother' as irrelevant, then I see Harry as a man ... and I shouldn't have to explain to any of the three of you why I'd find him attractive. "But deeper than that, he was, in retrospect, the man who kept it all together for me, made sure I was safe and taken care of while I was still in high school, made sure there was a home for me, even if it was a home with some pretty sad memories. And on the rare occasions when something came up that Harry couldn't take care of, well, he'd put me in the car and we'd go talk with Eddy. "Honestly Margo, by the time I got out of high school I had two really big cases of hero-worship going for Eddy and Harry. I mean, I knew about their 'warts', so to speak, but there didn't seem to be anything that the three of us couldn't handle together. "I remember when I was having major problems deciding what university I wanted to go to ... God, I was obsessing over that and the more I fixated on the question, the less idea I had as to where I really wanted to go. "So Harry set up a get-together at this very nice steakhouse that unfortunately is no longer with us, Dunagan's. He got us reservations for early in the afternoon on a Thursday, made sure we got a large table, told the maitre de that we weren't to be disturbed and he, Eddy and I sat down, had a marvelous meal, and then spread out all my brochures and catalogues and started going over pro's and con's of the various schools I was looking at. The two of them were treating me as if they were my college advisors, or my fathers, but really they were like gardeners ... they just kept trimming away my confusion until I looked up and said 'Well, I looks like I go to the University of Houston. "That was Thursday afternoon ... Friday night I ran across them at a mutual friend's party and they were both baked out of their gourds." Margo's laughter echoed through the bedroom. "I don't mean 'high', I mean so far beyond 'high' as to be in low earth orbit. I think it's a good thing breathing is an autonomic function or they'd have been too stoned to remember to do it. "But that was Harry ... when I needed him, when anyone needed him, he was there, one-hundred-percent ... and when he wasn't actively 'needed' anymore, he was living his life the way he wanted to." "Oh God," Margo said, wiping the tears of laughter from her face, "I know what you mean. I forget what the occasion was ... no, I remember now, it was one of Cindy Green's Christmas parties ... she used to invite all of the class she could get in touch with every year, sort of a mini-reunion. "Eddy hadn't shown up that year, he didn't show up very often, but Harry had and was trashed ... not to the point of being a gibbering idiot or being sick, but it was real evident that Harry was three sheets to the wind and sailing to win the Americas Cup. "He and Cathy Breeden weren't seeing each other all that much anymore, although they were still getting together to fuck like maniacs from time to time. I can say now that I hated her for that because I was so goddamned envious. But anyway, she comes squealing up to Cindy's house, looking for him. She'd been home, visiting the folks and her dad had gone off on a tear, started hitting her mom, she'd gotten in the middle of it and he'd proceeded to beat her all around the living room like she was a piñata. "All of a sudden," Margo continued, "Harry's 'There' ... I mean, he was still physically inebriated, no way to shake that off, but I'd swear to you in court with my medical license on the line that he was mentally sober. Sat down with her on Cindy's front lawn and they talked about what Cathy wanted to do. He ended up going to the police with her, sat where she could see him while they took her statement, took photos of her injuries, finished up everything they needed from her. Then the sergeant asked him to drive her to the hospital, have her checked out in the ER and Harry told him he couldn't, he was too drunk to drive. Cop wouldn't believe him until they Breath-alyzed him." "Yeah, that's the man who happens to be my brother, Margo. As to why you should let me sleep with your husband ... you shouldn't. If I was the one married to him I wouldn't share him with anyone else but I'm real selfish and real insecure that way." "You think I'm not?" Margo asked, eyebrows raised. "In a way, Sis, Harry ending up in the hospital has helped me realize a lot of things about our relationship that have eased my mind considerably. Before the accident, I 'knew' in my mind that we were all cross-connected but in my heart, so to speak, it still felt like Harry was the lynchpin to the entire marriage and that terrified me. If that was the case, well, Carol and Kelly are so much younger than me and prettier than me-" "I'm not sure I'd agree with that one hundred percent." "-flatterer ... but I worried that they'd take him away from me. I know it's silly, I knew it at the time, but especially after the disaster of my first marriage, I carry a lot of insecurity around with me, all the time. With him in the hospital I've seen that no one of us is the lynchpin, paradoxically we all are. We're a unit and should something happen to one or more of us, I think the rest of us would go on together, but outside of something catastrophic, I can't see any of us leaving of our own free will. "But Sis, through the first parts of my relationship with Harry and Carol, I lived on top of a barely controlled volcano of insecurity and I didn't feel I could say anything about it because I imagined if I did, he and Carol would laugh at me and I wouldn't be worthy of their love anymore and they'd send me away. Even after the evening Angie showed up and I came back, there were nights I spent hours lying awake, shaking with fear that in the morning they'd roll over and one of them would say 'Why are you still here? Get out.' and all of a sudden I'd be alone again. "I still have a night like that, from time to time, but not nearly as often and I know now that if I need to, I can wake one of them and they'll be glad to talk me through it ... and that knowledge alone is enough to help soothe out the really rough spots and make waking them up unnecessary." Nicki threw her leg up and over Margo's curvy hips. "Goddamn, that asshole really did a number on you, didn't he?" she said as she brushed a few wisps of hair from Margo's face. "Oh, not just Benjamin ... my parents started the process long before ... I'm sure that's part of how I ended up married to the late Dr. Sapperstein. But that's just the cards I got dealt and there's no changing them. How I play them, on the other hand, that can be changed, and that's what living with my new family is helping me do. "Nicki, please don't ever get the feeling that any of us 'have it together' or are 'whole' ... we're all damaged in our own ways. Harry carries a lot of scarring from Angie, and even more damage from the night she came back ... plus there are other wounds there that I've never seen, I've just watched the blood that flow from them, so to speak. Carol ... I've lay in bed and watched the nightmares race across her face like clouds across the sky before a storm. Of us all, I think she's the one who hides her pain the best. Kelly is just now becoming comfortable enough with being a part of us to let Carol and I see the side of her that hurts and is uncertain. That's been the side she's shared with Harry pretty much from the beginning and has been the surest sign of the depth of their relationship." "Well Margo, seems to me we've strayed somewhat from the original question ... why should you allow me to make love with your husband? "Because I love him very much and I want the chance to express that love completely, in a physical manner." Nicki's hand moved down and gently grasped a handful of Margo's ass. "Sorry to get distracted but God, I love your curves, woman! You, hell, all three of you, are just divinely shaped." "Well, get you out of that high-stress nightmare you've been living in, who knows? Maybe we can put some curves on you as well." "Umm, you think so? I've never been that comfortable with the whole 'you must be stick thin to be beautiful' concept." "Oh, I'm sure of it, especially if you let Karen and Patricia feed you somewhat regularly. My God, Patricia got that beautiful ass of hers the old-fashioned way ... she earned it in the kitchen. "But back to the question ... your answer is satisfying enough for me, Nicki. It's an answer we would accept from any lover of ours that was also interested in our husband, not that we plan on there being any more ... you got in on a family pass, so to speak. I think this relationship's about as open as we can let it be." Margo smiled. "Not that any of us regret for an instant you ending up in our arms ... we don't, not for an instant." "So," Nicki said, brushing her lips across Margo's nipple, "do we move on to the next question, or do we take a short break?" ------- Out of all of the children, although so many of them only qualified as 'children' by age, the most helpful Tattie had found was the one called 'Vashti'. They were sitting down together in the break room, her with a cup of tea, him with a coke, trying to ward off the exhaustion for just a little while longer so that they could get everyone seen to and settled in before Tattie left. She felt sure that within minutes of her leaving, Vashti would be face down, unconscious, on the bed he'd been assigned. "(So, what's the story of the little boy who doesn't talk, 'Yuri' I think you called him?" she asked. "(He was Dmitri's pet ... a position he saved me from, for which I shall be eternally grateful.)" "(Why doesn't he talk?)" "(Did you see the scars on his throat, Tattie? Dmitri said he whined too much so he took him to the doctor and had his vocal cords removed. He will never speak again.)" "(Do you remember this doctor's name by any chance?)" "(Certainly, he was the only doctor we ever saw, a repulsive pig of a man named Albrecht.)" "(So what happened to you, Vashti, after you were no longer Dmitri's pet?)" "(I became his ... personnel manager, I guess you'd say. Kept the children quiet, kept an eye on their health, saw to their training... )" The look of horror and shock on Tatiana's face registered on the teenager. "(Ms. Turov, before you go passing any judgment on me, )" he said, standing up, "(take into account my circumstances.)" The skinny boy dropped the cotton pants he was wearing and shucked off his shirt. Tatiana's gasp echoed through the break room as she took in the mass of crisscrossing scars covering all of his back, his buttocks, and the backs of his legs down almost to the ankles. "(This is what resisting Dmitri cost me and what Yuri saved me from more of ... although how much more I really can't say.)" He pulled up his pants and turned, pulling his shirt back on. "(The bastard almost broke me and when he told me what I was to do or else I would suffer the whip again ... if I did as he asked, I could help these children. And I did!)" He looked at her with fierce pride shining through his unnoticed tears. "(There are children here tonight who are alive because of what I taught them, how I helped them!)" He sat back down and pulled a pack of cigarettes out, and daring Tatiana to say anything about them pulled one out and lit it. "(Save your judgment and your pity for those who deserve the one and need the other, Ms. Turov.)" Tattie looked at him with a new understanding. "(No Vashti, you're right ... I am sorry I offended you, I am sorry I misjudged you. I apologize.)" "(It is alright ... I would judge me if I were in your shoes ... it is easy to judge if you have never been a slave.)" He drew a lungful of smoke and held it a long time, eventually releasing it through his nostrils. "(God, these weak American cigarettes! Even after I tear the filters off it is like smoking air. That may be the only thing I will miss about Dmitri and his men ... they always had plenty of good, strong Russian cigarettes. They would make these pathetically wimpy American smokers turn green and vomit their guts out.)" Tattie grinned at the boy. "(Remind me not to recommend you for a job in advertising, Vashti ... back to Yuri; do you think anything can be done for him? He shies away from anyone who tries to get close, even you children.)" "(No ... Dmitri almost broke me. He did break Yuri, broke him into a million pieces. He is not a person anymore; he is an animal, like a dog. I do not think there is anyone left in there to help. It would be kinder if these gangsters were to take him and shoot him. Either that or find someone who likes sex with little boys and doesn't mind one that is little better than a dog.)" "(Vashti, sometimes your sense of compassion just overwhelms me.)" "(Ms. Turov, compassion is a good thing so long as there is hope. For Yuri, there is no hope.)" "(Is that the opinion of Vashti, the world-renowned psychologist and medical doctor?)" The boy got up, crushing the hot coal of his cigarette on the tabletop with the ball of his thumb. "(No, Ms. Turov, that is the opinion of Vashti, who has been a slave, sucking men's dicks ... and doing other things ... to stay alive since he was four years old. In this matter, I would trust my opinion over a doctor's or psychologist's.)" ------- A few minutes later, Tattie was in Nick's room. "Nick, do you know of a doctor named Albrecht?" "Uh, yeah ... lost his license, works out of a shabby little apartment on the south side. Why?" Tattie sat down in the chair by the bed. "Nick, I'm tired and I'm sick at heart ... these children ... God bless you for getting them out of there, but this Albrecht ... at Dmitri's request he removed a boy's vocal cords because he 'whined too much'. I ... I'd take it as a personal favor if..." "If he stopped breathing sometime soon?" Nick asked, his voice sad. "Yes ... yes ... but only after he's endured much pain." "Consider it done ... and thank you for all your help, Aunt Tattie. I don't know how we would've gotten through this without you. Anything you need, anything you want, you just ask." "I will ... now to go look in on the last few of my little darlin's and then I'm going to have one of your boy's drive me home ... I'm afraid I'm a little too pooped to trust myself on the road." "Good night then." Tattie shuffled out of the room, weariness hanging on her body like chains. "When did she get so old?" came Paula's voice from the shadows. "She's not, normally ... but with what she's been dealing with, I think maybe even you would show some age." "Not fuckin' likely, bro." ------- Margo and Nicki lay in each others arms, coated in a light sheen of sweat. "That was some short break," Margo exclaimed, a shiver running down her body as the air conditioning cooled her. "Damn straight," Nicki said. "Christ ... I just did a 'Harry' impersonation again, didn't I?" "Yeah, yeah you did ... down to tone of voice and cadence." "So, now do we move on to the second question?" "Ah yeah, the big one," Margo replied. "Incest, the hulking monster of a societal taboo ... look, if the two of you were thinking of procreating, I might have some qualms. Although the chances aren't as high as some medical horror stories make them out, you would be running an increased risk of reinforcing any bad genetic traits you might have in your family line. But Harry's had a vasectomy-" "Since when?" "Since Angie-" "Scabrous slut." "Yes indeed, and so the offspring issue is not in question. Therefore, as far as I can see, you're two adults, well past the age of consent in your state of residence, who wish to engage in sexual relations with each other. The biological basis for the incest taboos not applying and the sociological reasons for them not applying, as you are adults and neither of you are coercing the other, so go forth and make love." "But you've raised the whole 'two consenting adults' issue ... what if Harry can't handle the idea, or worse yet simply isn't interested?" "Let me tell you a story about what happened when he heard about you and Carol while Kelly was made to watch..." ------- " ... so from that the 'hoodoo woman' gathers he is interested?" "Yeah, that's what it looks like. Now I have no doubt he'd never initiate it on his own, for a multitude of reasons, but he's interested if she says he is. "As to the issue of him handling the whole thing ... well, you let the girls and me work on that." Nicki slid her arms around her sister-in-law's body. "Margo, why are you doing this? Why are all of you doing this? Are you planning to arrange for every woman who wants to make love with Harry to have their shot?" "No, silly woman, we're very damn selective about who makes love with our man! As I said, you're family, and as we've wasted very little time taking you as our lover, why should we keep you from being the lover of our fourth partner? That would just be wrong ... criminally so, as tasty as you are, and as loveable in the non-sexual sense as well." ------- As there was no longer any threat, everyone moved out of the hotel and back to their respective homes. Margo, Carol and Kelly were back and forth to the hospital on a daily basis, but the commute was worth the chance to sleep in their own bed ... even with the joys of the renovations going on in their house and yard. Nicki settled in and looked for a job, unfortunately without much luck, putting the majority of her possessions in storage when they arrived from Atlanta and making regular trips to the hospital as well. Eddy and Tamara went home and such was her faith in him, that they would find a home of their own, that she began packing up the apartment before they'd even fully unpacked from their stay at the hotel. Once back from their sojourn at the hotel, Karen found that Patricia packing for a move was not quite the Patricia she was used to. Quite often Patricia-packing-for-a-move wanted nothing more than a quick supper, several screaming orgasms and a soft bed. As Karen saw the rapid progress of the packing, she had no problems with that at all. Tattie moved back into her large, empty house ... but she was planning on it not remaining empty for long. ------- "Nick, I want a favor," Tatiana Turov said, striding into his room as a woman on a mission. "Aunt Tattie, you know you have but to name it and it will be yours," Nick said, putting down his book. "I want Yuri and Vashti." Nick looked at her, his eyes trying to pierce her own and discern whether she had the slightest idea what she was asking for. "Right now or do you have time for me to have them gift-wrapped," he quipped, buying himself time to figure out a way to talk her out of it. "Niccolo Philouma, don't you get flippant with me! And don't be thinking, my dear boy," she said, softening, "that I don't know the handfuls of trouble I'm signing up for." "Aunt Tattie, think ... how will you get work done, how will you run your business when you have these two to take care of? And they're both going to need a lot of your attention, or you might as well not take them." "I've been meaning to take on an apprentice for years, Nick ... never did so because to me ... to me I guess that would mean acknowledging I wasn't eternal ... that I was going to end someday. "This last week here ... has been hard, harder on me than I dreamed possible. And it brought home to me that I'm not eternal ... I'm not just going to die someday, off in the future. I'm going to die much sooner than I'd like to think. It's time I stopped evadin' that, denyin' it, and started livin' like I don't have all the time in the world." She pulled a chair up and sat beside him. "An apprentice ... will carry on my name ... my work ... my style. These two boys ... Nick, they're each so broken. If I can help heal them ... give them lives ... then they'll both be the bigger and better part of my legacy ... the children I never had ... my family name going on..." Her composure broke completely. "Nick," she sobbed, "please give me this chance ... you know me ... you know I'll do whatever it takes ... give me a chance at my legacy." "Tattie, it will happen," he said, stroking her hair as her head lay on the bed next to him. "You'll get your boys. Anything else you ever need, you know who to call." "Thank you," she cried, holding on to his arm with both hands. "Thank you so much." "Have you thought about getting help for raising them as well?" "Y-y-yes ... there's a teacher Margo knows ... she's barely making it on what we pay educators in this state. I think I can make her an offer she can't refuse." "Cute Tattie, real cute." ------- Harry was admiring the ... interesting ... floral arrangements he'd received from Antoinette and Mr. Antiquity. Both of them used the same alternative florist and the bouquets made of vinyl and leather, pvc, rubber, and chromed steel never failed to elicit comment from visitors. He thought back on the inherent sadness of Antoinette's card as she explained that she didn't go out much or she certainly would come by to give him some 'proper nursing'. He understood, intellectually at least, why she wouldn't go out in 'normal' society all that often. "Harry? You mind if I come in?" "Jessica? Of course not, it's good to see you! How are you doing?" "Better than you apparently ... heard what happened. I've kinda been waiting until you were, you know, really out of the woods before I came to see you." Harry was looking at a person who seemed so different than the one he'd met at the Omni Hotel just a month or so earlier. She didn't come across as the overweight, insecure girl who'd nervously been fascinated by their antics at the hotel ... she was a large young woman, more confident in her manner and bearing, poised and calm. Of course it probably helped that she was in a hospital, not the middle of an orgy. Much to Harry's surprise, she pulled a chair over and sat right by the bed, taking his hand in hers. "I have to admit Harry ... I've been a bit of a coward. Waited until I was pretty sure Kelly wouldn't be in here every hour of the day." He smiled at her. "Still not easy, is it?" She smiled back, a sad smile. "No ... no it isn't. How's she doing?" Harry looked hard at the young woman. "You really want the answer to that or do you want polite lies?" Jessica appeared lost in thought for a moment, then heaved a sigh and said, "The truth, Harry, always the truth." "She's okay ... she misses you, we all do, but definitely not as much as she does," he smiled, "for understandable reasons. The girls decided to ask her to marry us." He waited with trepidation for the storm of pain he was sure would come. But although there was pain aplenty in Jessica's eyes for a moment, her face lit up in happiness. "I hope she wasn't stupid enough to say 'no'?" "No, she very happily agreed ... of course, you know me, last one to realize that's what she wanted ... I actually took her protestations at face value." "That's because you're a silly man, Harry. That Kelly was in love with all of you ... a blind man could've seen it ... anyone could see it, except you. Margo might have seen it ... I'm still not sure if Carol saw all of it, but I know she knew about Kelly's feelings for you ... and I'm pretty sure she knew how Kelly felt about her. "After Margo and my little talk, I got to thinking that probably the only thing that was between Kelly and the happiness of sinking completely into your family was me ... and that I really needed to be someone's 'one and only'. That maybe someday, when I'm older and I've spent some time healing some wounds inside by being the most important person in someone's life ... if I'm lucky I might find a group of people like you again ... have a second chance at that kind of happiness. But for now I need to be selfish and egotistical." "It isn't being selfish or egotistical, sweetheart; it's just where you are and what you are right now. At least you're smart enough to have recognized where you're at and what you need ... lots of people wander through life clueless. "So how are you doing otherwise?" "Oh, real good ... Quan and I get along so well as roommates we decided to get a bigger place so there was a real couch in the living room instead of what used to be a couch but was really my bed. That lasted all of a week and a half ... one of the girls we met at a club one night needed a place to stay, her parents had kicked her out. She works at a theater in the Parks, doesn't make a lot of money but pays her share of the rent and we get to see a lot of free movies. Well, anyway, Wendy, Quan and I are sitting around one weeknight, a couple of days ago, all of us off work, swiggin' down a big ol' bottle of cheap Sangria and watching "10 Things I Hate About You", and Wendy starts giving Quan a backrub, and then a little later Quan's giving Wendy a backrub, and then Wendy's giving me a backrub and I'm feeling something real odd in the crack of my ass while she's sitting on my hips." "Oh no, you're kidding, she's a..." "Oh yeah ... seems 'Wendy' is really Wendell." She laughed. "She's not gay, well, 'she' is, but he's not ... he just doesn't like facing the world as a guy ... Quan knew it the first night we met her, she and Wendy both were shocked as hell I hadn't caught on. Hell, I just though she was a real skinny girl who always wore a bra!" Harry was holding his side in laughter. "So ... uh ... after you ... uh ... figured it out ... did you do anything ... with ... uh ... the telltale boner?" "No ... not at first ... seems Wendy finds me real attractive and had kind of elicited Quan's help in setting that evening up ... she hadn't planned on her cock putting in an appearance, but evidently the binding process she uses had slipped in all the moving around and straddling of people and Wendy's erection had popped out and said 'howdy'." "Oh ... oh my ... so... 'not at first', you said ... so ... something later?" "We're working on it, we've had a few 'encounters', done some pretty heavy petting, I guess you'd call it ... she was afraid, having heard some of my recent history, that I was a lesbian, or at least a strongly-leaning-that-way bisexual and was hoping that maybe if she kept appearing to be a girl I'd forget she wasn't one ... not realizing that I didn't know she wasn't one to begin with! Oh, let me tell you, it was a comedy of errors that night ... almost Shakespearean! She was crying, Quan was giggling at me, I was confused as hell ... but anyway, things are working out. She's a sweet girl; we're looking at getting her a job with tech support at a local computer company ... I mean, she's smart as they come, she just needs a work environ that doesn't mind certain ... irregularities ... about her and this place has a rep as being 'freak friendly'." "Sounds like a nice girl ... after things calm down some more, please bring her and Quan by the house some time. I know everyone would love to meet them. So you're really doin' okay? You don't need anything?" Jessica looked at him and smiled. "Yeah Harry, I'm doing fine ... I don't need anything and the only thing I want is something I can't have. But believe me; I'm so pleased that all of you are together. It'll just be a little while before I can stand to see Kelly that euphorically happy." After they chatted a bit longer Jessica gave him a careful hug and a kiss to pass on to everyone, left their new address and phone number and said her good-byes. She went to the parking garage and spent an hour sitting in her car crying. ------- When at last Margo deemed it safe for Nick to go home, his first impression upon entering his suite was that every balloon in the entire city had been bought and crammed into his rooms. Once his eyes refocused and he adapted to the riot of colors, he realized that it wasn't every balloon; apparently it was only every balloon that bore some version of the sentiment "Welcome Home". And as his eyes continued to make out order in the riotous chaos, he made out his beloved Randy, naked, with bright silver Mylar balloons tied to his cock and balls, sprawled across the sofa. "Get the message, Nick?" He laughed until it hurt, not a long stretch, then laughed some more as Randy led him to the bedroom, the two of them wading through the balloons as through a fog. "You rearranged the place." "You knew I would." "Looks good ... what I can see of it," Nick said, "Would you be horribly offended if I didn't take you up on the implied offer just this moment?" "You mean these old things," Randy replied, caressing his balloon-adorned genitalia, "oh, no rush my love, they'll be around for a long time." "Thank God they will," Nick said, kissing his partner briefly before sinking down on the bed. "You want to lie down for awhile?" Randy asked. "I think so." "My gods-and-little-fishies, it must be serious- Nick Philouma is getting off his feet instead of rushing right back into business ... I may faint!" "Don't faint ... I'd really prefer a cuddle." "Fuck fainting!" Randy said, taking off the balloons and beginning to undress his lover. "Fainting I can do any old time ... having you home again to cuddle ... well, there's something that happens far too rarely." Thirty minutes later Randy was watching his partner sleep. He murmured to himself "Happens far too rarely ... and something tells me it's going to happen more rarely still." ------- As they planned to go house-hunting the next day, Eddy and Tamara had gone to bed early after a massage that turned into love-making and a shower. Tamara had gotten very adept at feeling when her lover's dreams tripped over into nightmares and it saddened her to realize that her adeptness was the by-product of almost nightly practice. She climbed atop him, as she often did, and cleared his hair from his face, settling down listening to what he murmured in the throes of his dream, waiting to see if he would relax. Often the feeling of her lying on him helped to soothe his mind and he would calm down into normal dreams. After awhile it was evident it was not going to be one of those nights. She could hear in his voice and the occasional intelligible word all she needed to know. He was once again haunted by the failures in his life, a mind-set exacerbated by the recent attack on Harry. He could succeed ninety-nine times out of a hundred and it would still be the one failure his mind would focus on. Sliding off of him she raised the sheet on his left side and as predictably as the morning sunrise he rolled on to his back, taking the sheet with him to close off the draft. "So far so good," she thought to herself as she slid beneath the sheet. While waking Edward up normally was always an option, she'd had success with an alternative method. Climbing atop him and taking his cock into her mouth she began to suck on the end of it like it was a large nipple, her tongue caressing the underside as she slowly and very gently ran her nails up and down his sides. As his cock grew more erect she slid more of it down her throat, until at last he was fully erect and she had managed to take almost all of him in. Already her ministrations were having an effect on his sleep as the tone of his mumblings changed. Perhaps with some such a method would backfire and their nightmares could adapt and incorporate pleasure ... not her Edward. For him, it seemed, there was nothing but pain, loss and fear in his darker dreams. If something was feeling good, he couldn't stay in the nightmare. She bobbed her head down on him, taking him in fully, the extra penetration causing her to gag slightly, which made more than enough saliva to make the rest of the blow job much easier. Like clockwork his hand came down to rest on her head, but her hands were already wrapped around the base of his cock, preventing him from driving her to her gag point again in his sleep as slowly he began to fuck her face. For Tamara it was if she was sucking off the Earth itself as it heaved and rumbled and breathed beneath her and no matter how much it might seem to someone else like an earthquake, to her it was as if the Earth was responding to her love, loving her in return. As Edward shifted and moved beneath her, she lay atop him completely, not touching the bed at all, the warmth of his body and the warmth of her own mixing, her nipples softly scratched by the hair on his legs. She knew at some point he was going to wake up and the thought of what would happen then had her cunt tingling and singing with a throbbing desire she'd never felt with any other man before this. As her lips moistened, she felt the faltering of his rhythm, the sure and certain sign of consciousness returning to him and then his hand drifted down, checking that hers were in place to prevent him gagging her. Her comfort assured, he continued to fuck her face, his other hand coming down to rest on the other side of her head, the two of them stroking her hair and her cheeks with the awesome and terrifying gentleness that so few would have conceived Edward being capable of. "You ready, little Theresa?" She nodded, never taking her mouth off of him and he sat up, reached down and wrapped his giant hands around her waist, lifting her up and then carefully setting her back down on his cock. He began to fuck her as he bent over and their lips met. After the kiss, his lips went to her ear and whispered "Let's make us a baby", as had become their tradition any time they made love. And as had become tradition, most gloriously so, her first orgasm hammered its way through her tiny body upon hearing those words. As she, with hitches and haltings, rode the climax out she asked "Sir, may I ... may I get a little..." "Rough?" "Yes Edward." "Not a problem, little one." He lay back, secure in his ability to withstand anything she was likely to do to him in the throes of her passion as she wrapped her fingers in his chest hair and used that grip to power her violent grindings, back and forth, on his cock, alternated with fierce pounding, pelvic-bone jarring bounces. She buried her face in the hair on his belly, biting and sucking on the skin beneath, tears running down her face, moaning and screaming in a low voice as her feet scraped up and down his flanks, toenails scratching at his sides. Deep inside she reveled in her divine agony as she let out the aggression and anger which she could show nowhere else. Not anger for or aggression towards Edward, but toward so many of the men before him, men that she had served, some more willingly than others, but that had all treated her more poorly than even she felt she deserved. The agony of it all was that while letting these emotions out excited her, indeed, could take her to the very edge of truly mind-scrambling orgasms ... they could take her no further. She could, and had, raged for an hour atop Edward, teetering on the brink of climax, unable to go beyond. That he was willing to indulge her in this, even to wearing a cock-ring for part of it to keep himself hard throughout the experience, was another entry on the long list of reasons he'd never understand that made him so special. Even in her own unique act of release, her own form of venting, she needed her master to give her permission to complete the act. After she had ridden him for an eternity that the bedside clock revealed to be a half hour or so, from his belly she whimpered, "May I?" "You may come, Theresa." As she lost control of her body he held her in his arms and slowly slid his cock in and out, enduring the spastic pulsings of her cunt, one hand brushing away the tears from her cheeks, until quietly, almost anti-climactically he joined her in orgasm, his powerful hips driving her shuddering form up and down effortlessly. After they lay still awhile, relaxing, he pulled her up to him and with a tender kiss, indulged in the next tradition. "Think we did it?" "Hope so, sir." "What's your feelin' on names tonight?" "Hmm," she responded, her smile of peace and contentment a contrast to the tear tracks on her cheeks, "tonight I'm thinking 'Edward Stephen Carl' for a boy, in honor of Carol, and 'Rachel Kelly Gabriella' for a girl, in honor of Kelly." "Why not 'Carol' for a girl as well?" "Because then you'd have two 'Carol's running around and it could get confusing..." "But now we'll have two Kelly's." "I'm thinking we'll call her 'Gabriella' ... or 'Gabby'." "Uh uh, no daughter o' mine's gettin' called 'Gabby'. And what about Margo?" The conversation continued on long into the night. ------- Less than a week later, they were out to visit Rachel. "Why you got pictu'es unda you a'm, Tama'a? You b'ing me new pictu'es, Eddy?" Eddy Janak leaned down and kissed his sister's cheek as she lay in her bed, ready for her nap. "Yes, Rachel Ratbottom Schnicklefritz, Tamara brought new pictures because we have a new story to tell you." "Eddy," the woman in the bed said, patiently but smiling all the while, "the'e no 'atbottom or S'nicklef'itz in my name ... but if you b'ingin' new pictu'es ... it okay that you fo'got." "It is, is it?" he laughed. "Well, you cuddle up with Mister Toby and Chi-Chi and with the help of my lovely assistant, I'll tell you the new story." The woman in the bed sat up, arranging her pillows behind her, and then cuddled the little black velveteen dog and the crocheted monkey in her arms. "'Eady!" "You're not gonna lie down and get comfortable?" "No ... new sto'y ... somethin' specia' ... wanna make su'e I stay awake!" As Tamara held up a picture of the city's skyline at night, Eddy said, "In a city not too far away-" Tamara held up a picture of herself and Eddy, "-there lived the luckiest man in the world and his beautiful girlfriend-" "Named Eddy an' Tama'a!" crowed Rachel. "-yes, named Eddy and Tamara. And one of the reasons he was the luckiest man in the world was because-" Tamara went to the next picture, a Photo-shopped image of Rachel transformed into an angel. "-He had the most beautiful angel in all of Heaven for a sister, an angel named Rachel Ratbottom Schnicklefritz Guggenheimer Patawotammie Janak." "Eddy," Rachel said, her face a mask of mock seriousness, "the angel's name was just 'Achel Janak ... none o' those othe' names." "Well, maybe you're right, but who's tellin' this story, me or you?" "You ah ... but you got to tell it 'ight!" "Alright, I'll try to do better. But the luckiest man in the world and his girlfriend were sad-" Tamara switched to a picture of the two of them in the middle of a great, overly dramatic crying fit. "Who make you sad, Eddy? You send 'em heah ... I get Hectah an' Miss Janelle, they whup 'em!" Eddy grinned. "Well, they were sad because the place they lived-" The picture was changed to one of their apartment's living room. "-Was just too small to let them do something they really, really, really wanted to do. So they went looking for a new place to live-" The new picture showed Eddy and Tamara stalking down a street in pith helmets and khakis with butterfly nets and canteens. "-And they looked..." Another picture of them creeping through a row of hedges between two yards. "And they looked..." Then a picture of the two of them hanging upside down from tree limbs, magnifying glasses held to their eyes. Rachel's laughter ran around the walls of the room on tiny feet that rang like bells. "And finally they found someplace, very close to where some of their dearest friends live." The picture showed a house on a corner lot, large with a fenced in back yard and a ramp leading up to the front porch. "And it had lots of room inside..." The picture showed a huge living room and den combination. "A big kitchen where the two of them could cook lots of good things to eat..." The picture of the kitchen showed a central island with cabinets on two sides, the other two walls with windows onto the back yard and a set of French doors that led into a conservatory and breakfast room. "And it had five bedrooms..." A series of pictures followed, showing a large master bedroom, two good-sized bedrooms and two smaller bedrooms. "And it had a swimming pool and a little pool with hot water and jet nozzles to help ease tense muscles..." The new photo showed the pool and attached hot tub, shaded by maple trees. "But best of all, it was big enough to let the luckiest man in the world and his beautiful girlfriend do what they had wanted to do." The latest picture showed the two of them, jumping up in the air in glee. "What they need so much 'oom foah?" "They needed a lot of room so they could make doorways extra wide, and at least one bathroom extra big, kinda like they are here. And as proof that he was the luckiest man in the world, God smiled on him and his girlfriend and the people who built the house had already built it that way." As Tamara put down the pictures and went to sit beside Rachel on one side of the bed, Eddy went and sat beside her on the other. "What you doin'? Sto'y ovah?" the woman asked suspiciously. "No, angel, the story's not over," Tamara said. "The people who built the house had a son who'd been in an accident that left him somewhat like you ... he needed a wheelchair because he couldn't move anything below his arms, and he needed an extra-large bathroom to make it easy for him to use and the doors had to be wide enough for him to get his chair through, with ramps so he could get in and out of the house." Rachel's eyes were full of tears, the excess spilling down her cheeks. "Poo' boy ... nobody should be hu't like that ... he okay now?" she asked hopefully. "No sweetie, he's still in his chair but he's doing well, he and his family just moved to another city," Tamara said. "But they sold us this house and it's already all set for you to come and visit us for the weekend once a month or so." "WHAT?" she screamed. "That's what we wanted a big house for," Eddy said, "so we could make it a place for you to come visit us ... because we love you so much and we want to spend time with you." "But ... but ... Eddy ... it okay with Miss Janelle?" Rachel asked, fearful tears in her voice. "Tamara's already talked to her about it and she thinks it's a wonderful idea." Rachel, still hugging her stuffed animals, looked back and forth at the two of them in confusion, trying to decide who to hug. Eventually she reached over and threw her arms around Tamara. "T'ank you, t'ank you so much," she cried. Tamara hugged her back, stroking the angel's hair. "You're so welcome, Rachel, we love you so much," she said, her own tears flowing down her cheeks. Eddy, manfully hiding his own urge to bawl like a baby, said, "Hey, don't I get no thanks?" Rachel let go of Tamara and turned to look at him, all seriousness and solemnity. "You din'dint get a'ound to t'is until she come along ... you can wait you' tu'n." The three of them laughed together as Rachel went back to hugging her future sister-in-law. ------- "Alright Carol, now we've talked about how this will go," J. Noble Daggett said, taking a last look at the papers that had been prepared, petitioning for a name change. "The judge is basically going to ask you why you're changing your name, and ask if you're doing it to evade any outstanding warrants or legally-incurred debts, then provided you haven't gone crazy and given him some completely weird answers, he grants the name change, signs the papers, we go file them with the County Clerk, and it's done." "Yes sir, I remember." "Alright then, it's time, let's go do this. You nervous?" "Just a little, sir." "Don't be, nothing in the world easier than this." Twenty minutes later they walked out of the judge's office, on their way to the County Clerk's Office. The judge had no problem with her taking a middle name 'to honor her godfather' and only small reservations about the last name 'of a man she had loved dearly but lost'. Of course, both explanations were bullshit, but in the end it didn't matter. Carol Antonia Grimes walked out of the County Clerk's Office, tears of happiness wetting her cheeks. ------- Earl Culberson's first reaction had been to get in his car, drive down, grab his daughter, and bring her back immediately and to hell with what she thought she wanted. His wife Margaret, known to her friends as 'Kissie', had anticipated his reaction and hidden all the car keys. Her blindness had not hindered her at all. His second reaction was to book a flight, call a cab, fly down, grab his daughter and bring her back immediately and to hell with what she thought she wanted. Kissie had anticipated that reaction as well and secreted away all their credit cards. He was about to stomp out of the house in search of someone to borrow the money from, as the checkbooks had mysteriously vanished as well, when his wife said, "Earl, can we please sit down and talk about this?" "There isn't anything to talk about; the girl has clearly lost her mind. I'm going to go see about borrowing some money from Gene." Margaret Culberson had had enough. She leveled the big guns and fired off a broadside. "Earl Mason Culberson! If you walk out that door before we talk about this, you will be walking back in that door to a petition for divorce. Do I make myself clear?" Kissie was renowned among her friends, her few enemies, her associates and her students for never making threats. Kissie laid out consequences. And Earl knew it. Two nights of sleeping on the couch later, two days of the cold (and Kissie could make it very, very cold) shoulder later, Earl was ready to talk. Three days and many tears later, on both their parts, as well as after some incredible makeup sex, for people of any age, Earl Mason Culberson was ready to give his daughter's fiancées a fair hearing. ------- Their trip down to Texas from Ohio started out pleasantly enough, but with every mile passing beneath their plane's wings, Earl felt the tension growing and after thirty years of marriage, he couldn't hide it from his wife, no matter how hard he tried. Finally he was driven to break the silence or crawl out of his skin. "Honey, it's not that they're not nice people, I'm sure they are. We raised Kelly right and unless she's fallen under the spell of some cult leader..." "Don't you even think it, Earl." " ... alright ... or had her brains surgically removed, they're going to be nice people. Their being nice people isn't the problem." "Then is it a color problem, Earl?" she asked pleasantly, resigned to having the same discussion again and again, possibly until one of them passed away, hopefully many, many years in the future. "You know better than that ... well ... yes, it is, partly. But not that way ... what did she say these people did again?" "Harry is co-owner of an advertising company, Margo is a doctor and Carol is a homemaker." "Alright, so it's not going to be another poor black trash and poor white trash marriage that'll end up on Jerry Springer someday. But it's never going to be easy for mixed couples, much less for mixed ... what... 'fourples'? "And this man, Harry, setting himself up a harem, I just don't like that at all, one man, three wives. It's not Chri-" "No, but it is biblical and you know it. Besides, you know the honey don't all flow that way." "Yes I do, and that's another thing-" "Earl, you like women, don't you?" "Well, yes..." "Please accept that your daughter might find them likable for the very same reasons." ------- Their first night in town was reserved for a quiet dinner with just Kelly. It went about as well as could be expected. They barely avoided being thrown out of the hotel restaurant. Kelly stormed into the house. "Give me dope, give me booze and somebody please-" her voice began to break, "-for God's sake give me a hug!" In seconds she was in the arms of her wives, wrapped in a cocoon of love as they nestled in a pile of pillows. "I gather it didn't go well, my love?" Margo said, holding Kelly on her left. Her lover's sobs were all the answer she needed. "Are we still meeting for supper tomorrow evening?" Carol asked. Kelly's head bobbed up and down. Nicki wandered in from upstairs. "How'd it ... oh, stupid question." "Yes, unfortunately it is ... be a love and make Kelly one of those divine liqueur spritzers of yours, peach I think is her favorite?" Margo said. A nod. "Yes, peach ... and then go grab the hookah, load the pipe and come on in ... this is going to take awhile." ------- "Oh, I'm sure he'll be on his best behavior tomorrow night," Kelly said, much calmer than when she'd come in, "but he saw tonight as his chance to deprogram me while I was away from y'all. I thought Mother was going to start stabbing him with her fork." "You mean seriously stab him, say, in the arm?" Nicki asked. "No, I mean seriously stab him, say, in the chest, digging for his heart. She apologized several times for not having calmed him down as much as she'd promised to. One of the reasons I'm sure he'll be on his best behavior tomorrow night was Mother explaining to him exactly what would happen if he wasn't." "And that was?" Carol asked. "An unequivocal moratorium on sex until she felt he'd paid his penance ... and a divorce should he go looking elsewhere." "I gather it's never a wise thing to cross a Culberson woman," Margo said with a smile. "And not too much brighter to cross a Culberson man," Kelly replied, "unless you happen to be a Culberson woman ... Goddamn it ... I wish Harry could be there tomorrow night." She missed the looks Margo and Carol gave each other. ------- After finding out that her parents were basic 'meat and taters' types, Margo called to reserve them a room at "Muldoon's", the steakhouse Nick had taken them to. She was rather taken aback by the level of service she received. "Yes ma'am, Dr. Wohler, a room is ready for you anytime you request it, compliments of the management." "That's very kind-" "Would you like us to prepare anything special in advance? I happen to know the chef has a lovely prime rib that we could start roasting in preparation for your arrival tomorrow. And might any of you or your guests be interested in lobster? If so, I assure you it is no trouble at all to put in an order for some to be delivered fresh tomorrow, just for your party." "Uh, I wasn't quite prepared for this warm a welcome ... may I call you back in a few minutes with a more firm idea on what we and our guests might be interested in?" "Certainly madam, but I warn you it would need to be in the next hour and a half if we're to order lobster for you." "I'm sure it won't be more than fifteen or twenty minutes." "I look forward to speaking with you again, madam." As soon as she hung up, "Goddamn his charming Italian hide!" "What?" asked Kelly. "Nick has smoothed our way at Muldoon's ... smoothed it so much that if I asked for the chef's mother, served on rice, I'm pretty sure we'd end up eatin' Mama!" Fifteen minutes later, almost to the second, she was back on the phone with the maitres d'restaurant of Muldoon's, giving their order for the next evening. ------- Kelly picked up her mother and father in Margo's car, while Margo and Carol went ahead to the restaurant. "Earl, you will behave tonight, or you will be a very lonely man." "Kissie, I already told you I will." "Well, you've told me you were going to apologize to our daughter and I haven't heard you do that yet." "Well ... you have me there ... Kelly, darling ... I apologize for last night. I was out of line and I know it." "Daddy, it's alright," Kelly said from the front seat. "A daughter getting married is stressful no matter what. This arrangement must seem like I've gone out of my way to make it as stressful as I possibly can." "Well, now that you mention it- OW! I was just agreeing with her!" "And I was just voicing my opinion on the matter," Kissie said, regaining her composure after elbowing her husband in the ribs. After they arrived and introductions had been made, the table for six in the private room was unnaturally quiet as everyone sat, uncomfortable in the silence but unwilling to break it. Finally the beeping of Margo's cell phone provided some relief. "Excuse me, I'll step outside and take this." She was only gone a few moments and when she returned she was pushing their husband in a wheelchair. Out from under the cover of hospital bedsheets, his right leg was a Frankensteinian nightmare of pins sticking out through the skin and through open patches in the cast that ran from just below the hip to just above the ankle. The knee and the wounds on that knee from the surgeries were also exposed to the air. His right shoulder and arm were in casts and in too many places his flesh bore the signs of the knife wounds. But he was as clean as could be managed, the pajamas he wore where clothes were possible were fresh and pressed, and his hair was washed, cut and brushed into place. "Good evening all, sorry I'm late but tunneling out of the Stalag was a bit of a problem and it's so hard to find a cab that can handle me and the chair." "HARRY!" Kelly shrieked. She was out of her chair and hugging him before anyone knew she had moved at all. "Easy darling, easy..." he said. "This dinner is important to us all and I wanted ... I needed to be here. I needed to be here for you." He looked up at the strong-featured black man who had stood when Kelly had leapt from the table. "You, sir, must be Mr. Culberson," he extended his left hand, "I'm very pleased to meet you, I'm Harry Grimes." Earl Culberson walked around the table and gingerly took Harry's left hand. "A pleasure," he said, releasing it and going back to his seat. "And you, madam, you could only be Mrs. Culberson. There's no doubt where Kelly got her beauty." "You are a flatterer, Mr. Grimes," she responded. "Call me Margaret, please." "Then you must call me Harry and ma'am, your eyes may not be able to see your beauty anymore, but mine are working quite well and I'm not flattering anyone, just speaking the truth." Margo wheeled him closer and he took Mrs. Culberson's hand. "It is indeed a pleasure to meet both of you, for many reasons." "Oh really Mr. Grimes ... such as?" asked Mr. Culberson in a voice only slightly above a growl. "Kelly told us about you and your wife's attitude towards her education. I wish my parents had been half as wise. Not that they were without wisdom ... but I essentially wasted four years getting a degree that is of absolutely no use to me. Don't get me wrong, it was great fun to get, I do enjoy modern literature, but there were so many other things I would have enjoyed looking into as well." "Margo, why didn't you tell me he was going to do something this stupid?" Kelly spluttered. "That's exactly the reason, dear," Carol answered. "Because you would have fussed and fought him every step of the way and both of us agreed he needed to be here." "So you're not above going around behind my daughter's back for what you perceive to be her own good?" Margaret asked. "No Mama, they not ... although, to be fair, none of us have a problem going behind any of our backs if we agree it's for their own good." "I certainly can't judge you for that," Margaret replied, "it's how I've handled your father for thirty years." A small laugh erupted from everyone but Earl. "That's all fine and good, but what are all of your plans for Kelly's education now?" Mr. Culberson asked. "EARL! They're marrying her, not adopting her!" "No ma'am, he's perfectly within his rights to ask, and while we're not adopting her, families do look after their member's best interests," Margo said, picking up the ball. "Kelly's very intelligent, we're as aware of that as you are ... often she's too smart for her own good. Between Harry and I alone, we make enough money, with all the side benefits such as health care coverage, that neither Carol nor Kelly would ever need to work. In Carol's case, she already has the full time job of keeping a household of five adults-" "Five?" Earl inquired. "-the fifth being Harry's sister Nicki, who is our roommate for the time being. As I was saying, she's very busy keeping a household of five adults running efficiently. With our divergent schedules and the many demands on our time during the week, she has her hands full. "Kelly ... Kelly has gotten it into her head that she needs to be contributing to the household's funds now. We couldn't disagree more. The three of us mean to see that she continues her schooling in the same manner as before." Margo smiled. "She's a very stubborn woman, but we're all pretty stubborn too, so I think we'll win merely by strength of numbers." Kelly and her mother began to snicker while even Mr. Culberson smiled very slightly. The looks of confusion on the other three's faces had Kelly laughing outright. "Earl, go ahead and tell them," her mother commanded. "I was working as a correctional officer when Kelly was a baby. One of my fellow guards was ex-military and I was telling stories about what a handful she was when she was little when he told me of ... I think it was a unit motto or slogan ... that fit her perfectly. He found it on a baby's t-shirt for her, and until he died when she was thirteen, he always made sure she had a tee in her size that bore that motto." "I'm afraid to ask," Harry said, fascinated. "Outnumbered, always. Outmaneuvered, often. Outfought, never." Carol, Margo and Harry burst into laughter. "Oh sir..." Carol wheezed, "seems some things don't change." "I still have the last one I got from him, Daddy," Kelly said. "It's worn, but I retired it when he passed away, kept it with me." Earl Culberson felt his resistance to his daughter's 'marriage' to these people begin to relax, ever so slightly, as they all laughed together. The waiter came and took their drink orders, Harry calmly ordering a shot of Tullamore Dew despite the disapproving look of his wives. When the drink arrived he proceeded to sip it very gingerly throughout the rest of the evening. And when the question arose of how they all met and ended up together, Kelly was surprised to find that Harry, Carol and Margo's brief narrative flowed smoothly, complete as to the emotional realities, but very vague on the physical aspects, as well as leaving out any hint of any unusual sexual proclivities. By the conclusion their appetizers had arrived and Margaret said, "Kelly, help me to the restroom please." Once inside the otherwise empty facility, Kelly made use of one stall after guiding her mother to another. "I suspect there was quite a bit left out of that story for your father's and my benefit," her mother said, her voice softly echoing around and about the metal walls. "Oh God yes, Mama ... the last thing I think any of us need to see is Daddy hearing some of the reality of the four of us and our situation." "In particular, I sensed more than a little whiff of ... bullshit ... about the first evening all of you met." "Mother!" Kelly exclaimed. "But yes, you're right, that was heavily edited for family viewing." "I thought so ... I've watched, long ago, and listened to enough old romantic movies, both good and bad, not to recognize the 'go to soft lens focus, and then show shots of waves crashing into the rocky shore' trick ... glad your father didn't notice it." "So am I." Outside at the table, the conversation was considerably different. "So Mr. Grimes ... what would I find if I searched your house?" Mr. Culberson asked. Harry looked him squarely in the eye. "A good many things, sir, some of which would undoubtedly offend you ... but the largest thing you'd find, in fact, there would be no avoiding it, would be an egregious violation of our Fourth Amendment judicially-inferred rights to privacy. What would I find if I searched your house?" The two men stared at each other, neither budging an inch. "I have by God had enough," Margo proclaimed. "Mr. Culberson, this is going to be short and sweet. We love your daughter, each and every one of us, every bit as much as any of us love each other. We're complete with her as a part of us, complete in a way we weren't before, and she's found her completion with us as well. My husband-to-be's first thought when regaining consciousness, earlier than he should have by the way, was to call his lawyer and then to wait, sans pain relief, until his lawyer could arrive so as to amend his will to include all of us, Kelly too. At that point, Mr. Culberson, the jury was still out on whether or not he was going to live, although the early ballots looked favorable ... but he didn't know that. And regardless of what you might believe, had he died, the three of us would have continued as a family because that's what we are ... a family. "I hate sounding like this, but I've had enough of you acting as if your approval is needed. Your daughter is above the age of consent, all too possessed of a will of her own and has made her decision. We'd love to have your blessing, freely given, but trust me, it's not required. "I'm so lucky to love and be loved by the three finest people I've ever met. I'd appreciate the hell out of it if you stopped treating them, treating all of us, like we're criminals or freaks." Earl Culberson sat back in his chair and looked at Margo, studying her. "Interesting definition of 'short and sweet', Dr. Wohler." Margo was still blushing when Kelly and her mother returned from the restroom. Once she had her mother resituated at the table, Kelly sat down and looked at Margo, then at her father. "So," she said, "I gather from your expressions that Daddy has talked himself out of sex for awhile." "Kelly! Margaret, did you..." "Yes Earl, I most certainly did tell her, and she no doubt told them. It's what husbands and wives do, Earl, they communicate. Surely you remember that?" "You might want to take it a little easy on him, Margaret," Carol said. "He's only trying to protect his child the way we'll try to protect ours someday." "Children?" Mr. Culberson blurted. "You're considering children? And all springing from your loins I suppose, Mr. Grimes." "SIX MONTHS, EARL!" Margaret announced. The waitstaff delivering their food turned a little pale. "What?" "Six months without sex ... keep going, jackass, and make it nine." "Margaret!" "Daddy, your outnumbered, you're outmaneuvered and you're damn close to being outfought ... you might want to watch it," Kelly snapped. He shut his mouth and stewed in his silence. "Actually, no Mr. Culberson ... in fact, at present I have the slight issue of a vasectomy I'd have to have reversed. But that aside, I know that Margo would like to have a child by my oldest and dearest friend, a man who's been her friend nearly as long." "Carol told you about that?" Margo asked, calmly. "Yes, and believe me, I have no problem with it ... she also told me she at some point wouldn't mind bearing the child of another family friend, a gay man. I suspect that insemination will occur artificially in that case. I imagine Margo's will be done the old-fashioned way, should Eddy's wife agree. I think she will. As for Kelly, well, it's not something we've had the time to discuss. "And I'm fine with all of that. Families originally evolved for the protection of children and the management of assets. I foresee us eventually having a houseful of children. And it doesn't matter who the father is, what will matter is who the 'Daddy' is ... and that will be me, along with many very close 'uncles'." "Mr. Grimes," Margaret asked, her voice soft and soothing, "do any of the rest of you have any parents still living?" "Both Harry's and my parents are dead," Margo answered, "as far as Carol..." "Mine might as well be, as far as I'm concerned," Carol replied. The smile on Margaret's face was almost transcendental. "Earl, I think you'd better get used to the idea of grandchildren." "But they're not ours unless they're Kelly's and she hasn't even said-" "Whether they're of my body or not," Kelly replied, "they'll be mine" "And therefore ours," Margaret said, her smile never fading. "Get ready to be a grandfather, Earl." As the meal passed, mostly in silence except for the sounds of people enjoying superb food, Earl Culberson did some hard thinking. It was obvious that his wife was happy about the situation, or at least was not unhappy, and he knew the promise of grandchildren at some point in the future had her on the edge of euphoria. As the last roar of a dying lion, he threw out a final question. "As I realize only one of your marriages will be legally recognized, I don't imagine there will be pre-nuptial agreements for the four of you." "No, of course not-" Margo began. "Actually there will," Carol said, smiling. "Harry had me talk to Mr. Daggett about it while we were arranging the name change. I've discussed the name issue with Kelly, just not the financial arrangements." She turned to Mr. Culberson. "Sir, I've already had my last name changed to Grimes. I have no fondness at all for my family name. As I understand it, Margo will do the same when she becomes the bride of record, for much the same reason. While I should let Kelly tell you her decision about her name ... well, I just can't ... she'll be keeping your family name and taking ours as well, going by the last name of 'Culberson-Grimes'. You and your wife mean that much to her. "But while I was arranging to have my name changed, Harry had our lawyer draw up our ... well, our contracts. The reason we didn't tell you, Margo, is you would've argued with me about what I've chosen to do. Each partner is assured one quarter of all assets no matter how they leave the partnership. That includes my assets as well, of course." "You don't have any assets from what I understood," Mr. Culberson said. "Actually you're quite incorrect, I have an inheritance of approximately two hundred and fifty thousand dollars. Would you like to see it?" "SEE IT?" "Yes, at present it's still sitting in cash in a very secure room at the house. Nevertheless, that's the contractual arrangement we'll be entering into." "Earl, are Margo and Carol beautiful?" asked Margaret. He looked puzzled. "Yes, both of them are quite lovely, each in their own way. Why?" "May I touch the two of your faces, please?" Margo and Carol both sat for her as Kissie softly, delicately, examined their faces, primarily with her fingertips although not exclusively so as she also used her palms and the backs of her hands as well. Both of them felt the tenderness in her touch and realized that they'd been very lucky where their in-laws were concerned. "Earl, they are lovely. Accept that they're not after Kelly for her looks alone, and you know they're not after her for her money ... each of the three of them is worth more than our estate is ever likely to be ... admit that it must be love, sit down and shut the hell up. They love her, she loves them, it's marriage. It's what happens when people feel that way. They want to spend the rest of their lives together and we're going to let them do it. They're a family." His final resistance beaten down, Earl Culberson admitted defeat. "Will there be some sort of ceremony for the four of you?" "Oh yes sir, Mr. Culberson, we're planning a doozy," Harry said, grinning. "Call me Earl ... and is there any chance you might deign to invite an old asshole and his wife, who is always right and should never let him forget it?" Carol got up and went to him, throwing her arms around him and hugging him, kissing his cheek. "Yes sir, Earl, the two of you were going to get an invitation no matter how this ended ... we weren't going to give up hope, for Kelly's sake, that any burnt bridges could be rebuilt." "Earl, are you blushing?" Margaret asked. "Yes he is, Margaret," Margo answered, "but how could you tell?" "You mean you can't feel the heat from where you are? And by the way, since we're family now, call me 'Kissie'." ------- The rest of the evening passed delightfully as Earl and Kissie got to know their son-and-daughters-in-law. Finally Margo said, "I hate to do this, but I have to get our escaped patient on his way back." After a careful handshake from Earl and a surprisingly warm kiss on the cheek from Kissie, as well as hugs and kisses from his three wives, Harry was wheeled out to a waiting Handi-cab with everyone in attendance. "When you get back, tell Mike 'thank you' for me again," Margo said. "From all of us, my love," Harry answered, "but most especially from me." "Why?" "Tonight I dined on prime rib and lobster, perfectly prepared, a salad that was fresh and crisp, divinely seasoned with hand-made dressing of the finest ingredients, and a baked potato superb enough to make an Irishman weeps tears of joy. It will have to sustain me through the rest of my exile to the Gulag of Atrocious Cooking that is that hospital." As everyone laughed, Harry said, "I understand that you'll be dining tomorrow night with the rest of our extended family. I won't be able to be there ... it was hard enough getting my doctor to let me out for tonight. I look forward to visiting with you both under more comfortable circumstances." "You won't be there tomorrow night?" Earl said. "Well then, since you can't be in attendance at what would seem to be a mini-engagement party, let me say this. Your engagement has our blessing, without reservations, as will your marriage when it occurs." "As will your children, no matter the parentage, when they arrive," added Kissie, her smile undiminished. As everyone's eyes misted over, and the women hugged Earl and Kissie, Harry looked at the man who had bent so far in accepting his daughter's situation. "Thank you so much Earl, not only for what it means to all of us which is more than you can imagine, but most importantly for what it means to your daughter." "Oh don't get too mushy, Harry," Kelly said, drying her eyes. "He's just giving us his blessing in hopes of getting laid sometime this century." Everyone broke up when Earl said, "You're not entirely incorrect, Kelly my dear." ------- After the Handi-cab had pulled away and everyone had returned inside for coffee and dessert, Margo waved over their invisible, but ever-ready, waiter. "We'll probably want the check in another twenty, thirty minutes." "I'm afraid I don't understand ... the check?" "Yes, the check, the bill, the tab, the list detailing expected remuneration for goods and services rendered?" "Well, yes ma'am, not to put too fine a point on it, but I am familiar with the concept. I thought you understood. Tonight's repast is compliments of the management." "It is, is it? Please get me the manager." "Yes ma'am." A few moments later she was having no better luck with her. "I'm sorry Doctor Wohler, but my orders from higher up were very specific. Whenever you or any member of your family comes in, your charges are to be billed to the owner's account." "I'm going to kick his ass." "Well ma'am, you might have that privilege, I certainly don't. I simply do as I'm told. Now, is there anything else I can help you with to make your evening a pleasant one?" "Yes please ... a round of B&B's and if you could find me some Aleve I'd be most grateful. I suddenly have a splitting headache, thanks to the owner's largesse." "Yes ma'am, he does have that effect upon people." "Am I allowed to know what my bill would have been so I can calculate an appropriate tip for the excellent service?" "No ma'am, he has a forty percent tip added in already on your charges." "I'm not going to kick his ass; I'm going to kill him." ------- "No Margo, this is really too much, you're going to at least let us pay our part of the ticket," Earl said, waving his wallet at her. "No Earl, I'm not but if it makes you feel any better, we're not picking up the check either." "Huh?" "One of the owners is a patient of mine ... the ratfuck cocksucker- I'm very sorry ... I apologize sincerely for my language ... he's set it up so that we never pay here ... I just found out ... and I'm going to kill him." Kissie laughed. "Oh, never mind the language ... I've been married to Earl for thirty years; I've heard worse ... said worse myself from time to time. But that does bring up a question. When we were talking after dinner, I noticed that you and Harry don't speak like professionals when you're relaxed, you speak a very ... slang-filled and almost stereotypically Texan dialect of English." "I blame my exposure to Harry, his partner Karen, and his best friend Eddy, both of whom you'll meet tomorrow evening. They're all very much 'fighting conformity' in their own ways and one of the common methods seems to be a refusal to speak proper English if not required to do so. Since this is the pack I run with, I've fallen prey to their bad habits." "Makes sense to me," Kissie said, smiling, "better to rebel with language than by expressing your nonconformity through unusual group marriages and ... oh wait, you do that too." "Mother..." "She's teasing, Kelly, don't worry ... yes Kissie, better through language. It would make for fewer tense evenings like earlier tonight." ------- "Kissie ... I know I don't deserve it ... but would you relent on the six months? I'm feeling ... awfully lonely ... right now ... losing our little girl ... not so little anymore ... and I'd like to curl up in your arms ... and you know as well as I do where that would lead." Kissie sat in the bathtub of their hotel room, listening to her husband through the door. She heard his pain ... she heard his loneliness ... she knew how much he'd had to fight himself to accept Kelly's situation ... she knew what he'd swallowed to ask her what he had ... and to be truthful, she needed him as well. "Earl, bring me my phone ... if the four of them agree I should let you off the hook, then you're off the hook." ------- Two hours later, after holding had turned to petting, and petting to loving, and loving to crying, and crying to holding, the two of them lay together, Kissie curled up in Earl's arms, head against his chest. "Earl?" "Yes my love?" "There's a school in town for physically challenged students, including the blind. We're leaving our resumes with them before we go back home." "What? Why?" "Earl, it isn't going to happen tomorrow, or next week, probably not even next year, but there will be babies and I damn well intend us to be close enough to be proper grandparents ... best to start preparing now." "Yes dear." ------- The next night they were at Chez Bubba's in the room that looked like a converted mobile home. Kelly and Earl were both hoarse from describing the restaurant's oddities to Kissie and the evening had so far been an unqualified success. Kissie had loved the rest of the family from the start, although Karen had made Earl a little nervous at first. But after a couple of beers and a few stories, he felt right at home with them all. " ... so here's Harry, not the world's most mechanically apt individual," Karen said, "trying to change the tire because that's what guys do, they change their tires when they go flat. It's 3:30 in the morning, we're tired as hell, still got another hundred or so miles of road to cover on our way back from our meeting in Bossier City and we've both got to be at the office by 8:30 for another meeting. "So me not being in any better shape than him, I'm groggy as all get-out, it's raining, we're both miserable ... it's not registering that the shoulder we're parked on is on an incline ... a rather steep incline ... and we're parked facing up it ... it was raining, but I'm not picking up what that could mean as far as traction. I'm just standing there, watching him try to keep enough of his head focused on the job to get it done without falling asleep right where he sat ... and the car is slowly starting to slide back down the hill ... but the jack isn't sliding with it." "Oh God, you're kidding me?" Margo said. "Nope ... and there's Harry, head under the wheel well, working on the tire and I'm trying to find in my sleep-deprived brain the words to tell him what's going on and pretty much everything I say comes out gibberish and he keeps responding with 'we all right' so I grab onto the jack stand and I'm pulling back on it as hard as I can ... and I ain't doing shit because my feet can't get any traction on the slick shoulder. The car is still creeping down the incline and about to fling the jack forward, come crashing down on Harry's little punkin' head so I put my feet on the foot of the jack, throwing my full weight backwards, using everything up to and including sheer force of will and stunning good looks to pull the damn car back up the hill and firmly onto the jack, still babbling incoherently at Harry, still getting 'we all right, we all right' back from him." "So ... how'd you keep ... Harry from breaking ... his silly fool skull?" Earl gasped through his laughter. "Oh, as the jack was about to go, I pulled out my drill instructor voice, barked 'Grimes, get the fuck away from that tire!', hopped to one side and watched the jack shoot forward about twenty feet and the car crash down. Harry's sitting on the roadway about four feet from the tire, looking at me like I just came off a flying saucer and said 'Let me eat your sponge cake'. Says to me 'Why didn't you tell me the jack was slipping?' I thought I was going to tear off his nut sack and shoot me a game of marbles." ------- " ... so there's Kelly, maybe ten months old, already toddling around and getting into everything. We were living in Lawrence, Kansas and it was a good neighborhood so everybody was watching out for everybody else and I start having neighbors knocking on the front door, returning my daughter to me," Kissie said. "And not just returning her, but returning her naked. So Earl and I searched the back yard from one end to the other, high and low, trying to find how in the world she was getting out. We already knew we couldn't keep clothes on her ... and your silence tells me that might not have changed." Amidst the group's laughter, Eddy said, "Oh no ma'am, Kissie, that ain't changed at all. I sometimes look forward to goin' out to eat with the crew just to see Kelly when she IS wearin' clothes." "Well," Kissie replied with a laugh, "I had gathered that your family's dress code might be a bit casual," she touched her husband's face and felt his ease and good humor, "but as I was saying, we couldn't find any way out. One Saturday morning I'm in the kitchen, I look out, there's my baby, naked as a jaybird, playing in the sand, eating-" "Do not go there, Mama!" Kelly said. "-pillbugs by the handful, normal for her." She paused until the laughter died down. "And then when I looked back a few minutes later, she was gone. So I went out the back door, looked all over the yard, no sign of Kelly. I picked up the little tin pail she collected those pillbugs in, held it up and said 'Kelly, got some more pillbugs for you, baby!' and out through what we thought was a solid mass of bushes came Kelly, just a-crawling to beat the band, all covered in spider webs and dead leaves. I put her in her room, went back out, ignoring the screams of my pillbug-deprived child, looked behind the bushes and found out there was a loose board back there that let her in under the house. She'd been crawling under the house, leaving through an access door in front and wandering the neighborhood." "At ten months? Good lord girl, we're gonna have to put any children of yours behind locked doors," Carol said. "I'd watch 'em twenty-four-seven, even then," Earl commented. "Kelly never had an ounce of fear ... and a lot of times, I used to swear she didn't have an ounce of common sense either." He reached over and stroked Kelly's hair. "But I think she's gotten over that 'common sense' deficiency." "She ate freakin' pillbugs?" Karen asked. "You mean the little rolly-polly's, doodlebugs, those things?" "Oh yeah," Kissie said. "By the bucket full ... area around the house was kind of sandy and we had thousands of them, seemed like all the time. When I saw what she was doing, the first time, I got on her about it, took away her bucket, but she kept doing it again, no matter what I said, no matter how many spankings she got ... what broke the camel's back for me was when I went out, took away her bucketful one day, went back into the kitchen and turned around just in time to see her calmly take out another bucketful she'd stashed under the stairs. At that point I figured if eating them hadn't hurt her yet, it wasn't going to and I knew when I was beat." "Mama, really, thank you from the bottom of my heart for telling that story," Kelly said, staring into her coffee, blushing. "That's okay Kelly; you want we should tell them some of the stories we have about you?" Eddy asked, grinning. "Don't you dare you misanthropic, evolutionary throwback! I will beat you within an inch of your life and feed you to the coyotes!" "What about Tamara?" Eddy asked innocently. "Oh, don't worry," Karen said, "one family or the other will take her in, we promise." ------- That night in bed, Earl stroked his wife's belly as he spooned with her from behind. "They're good people, aren't they?" he asked, his voice revealing it wasn't a question at all. "Yes they are, Earl, they certainly are. Our little girl is going to be just fine," Kissie replied, moving his stroking hand a little lower down her front. ------- Days later... "So he not only left you his collection of vinyl, and the quarter of a million and change ... he left you his notes on a lifetime of live performances?" Nicki asked, paging through the sheaf of paper Carol had handed her. "Yeah ... and the more I've looked through them, the more I've realized that not only did he see all the greats, he was a pretty decent writer as well. I don't know ... Tony poured so much of his life into those pages, his real life, not his mob activities, but music, his obsession with it, the way it gave his life meaning." "Yeah Carol, but on the flip side, this is also the story of his days in the mob ... where he was, who he was working for, what he was doing ... I mean, he leaves out a lot of last names, sometimes uses just initials, but I'm not even that familiar with mob history and I can decipher some of this with no problem. "Carol, these notes ... they're the story of the two sides of a man's soul ... have you thought about having them published?" "Yeah ... but Nicki, I don't have any idea how to even start ... I just know that I can't see letting these molder somewhere, never see the light of day ... he deserves better than that." "Carol ... would you like some help? I mean, I'm a journalist, not an author, but I'm not without contacts and I'd be more than willing to do whatever I can." "Nicki ... I'd appreciate it more than I can say." She threw her arms around her sister-in-law. "There's just one more piece we'd need to have fall into place..." ------- "Based on what you told me on the phone," Nick said, sitting at his desk with some discomfort, "I asked my father to be here today." As the old man was wheeled in, Carol nudged Nicki. "Our day may have just gotten a lot worse," she muttered. "Little Carol Grimes now, is it?" the old man said. "And you must be Harry's sister ... it's a pleasure," he said, taking Nicki's hand and bringing it briefly to his lips. "I've got to tell you," he added as he was wheeled back to Nick's side, "your ... partner ... Margo, she's something else. Balls bigger than most of the men I've known. There's one thing I have to know though ... before we go any further..." He sat for a moment, breathing. "Tell me about the look on her face when she opened that 'black banana'." The nervous tension Carol had been feeling was released and she busted out laughing. "Oh Vic ... I thought she was going to come hunt you down and make you eat it ... until, you know, those rocks did their hypnotic routine ... on all three of us. Then she just called you everything but a white Protestant child of God." The old man laughed, every breath a strain on his system. "Well, even if she had called me that, she'd'a only been right about one o' the three." "And even though she probably never will, I want to thank you for her and for Kelly and me as well. We all look lovely in them." "Hard for you not to ... necklace like that on any lovely lady ... can't help but accentuate her charms, and charms the three of you got plenty of. "But enough feeding an old man's ego ... I believe you had some business with Don Philouma." Both Nick and his father listened attentively as Carol laid out their plan, unable to hide her passion for bringing Tony Juliana's observations on and love of music to the world, unable to hide her love and respect for Tony either. And when her presentation was done, Nick looked to his father. "Father, Tony retired in the early nineties, didn't he?" "'92 ... May of '92." "So almost none of his observations would be about anyone still active, not with what he was doing, not with the way the Family has changed." "Nick ... there's still the Code." "Omerta? Come on, Father, that's a leaky sieve of a boat these days. We have made men turning state's evidence, writing books for Christ's sake! Everybody in the whole goddamn world knows our business but they all only know it from the side of the law, doing their job by painting us as evil incarnate, or from traitors and rats, squealing anything to get them a better deal or sell more books. "Maybe this is our chance to just let some of our story speak for itself." "Your words are not without wisdom, Don Philouma. I know that if it were my decision, there would be no Family business mentioned in the book and if the ladies weren't prepared to hand over the notes to have those portions excised, we'd take them and they'd have nothing ... possibly not even their lives. "But it isn't my decision ... and it isn't my time." "What I propose is this," Nick said, templing his fingers together in front of his face, "you go back and put the right names in, wherever you can. If you need help, talk to me and we'll see what we can do. I get to look at the manuscript before anyone other than your family and evaluate it for potential damage to our Family interests, not just here, but anywhere. If I see such potential, the manuscript is abbreviated back to initials only in those sections ... possibly to no names or initials at all in severe cases. When you publish it, after such scrutiny, I will make it known among our associates here and abroad that you do so with my blessing, and under my protection." "And w-what would you w-want in return, Don Philouma?" Nicki asked, realizing for the first time just how deep the bear pit she found herself in was. "That purely on the basis of a handshake deal between the three of us, ten percent of any royalties go into a fund aiding and promoting music education in the public schools of our city." "No," Carol said, flat and hard. "Not ten percent. Twenty-five percent." Nick looked across his desk at her, and then stood up, wincing slightly from the pain. He extended his hand across the desk towards them. "Fine, then we have a deal." "Yes we do," Carol agreed, shaking on it. "Uh huh," was all Nicki managed to get out as she shook the Don's hand. As they were leaving, Nick observed, "Interesting middle name you chose, Carol." "Yes ... certainly is," echoed his father. She smiled at them. "I loved him ... I still do." ------- "What the fuck happened to you there at the end," Carol asked as they drove away, "you were damn near monosyllabic?" Nicki looked at her and as Carol gazed back into her eyes she snapped. "Holy shit, it got real for you, didn't it?" Nicki nodded numbly. "I've been an investigative journalist for years, Carol ... I've seen violence ... but Victor was discussing erasing us like you or I would discuss washing our cars." "Yeah, I know." "And that doesn't bother you?" "Nicki, I was around them enough to realize that each and every one of us wakes up every morning with the reality that we're probably going to die that day. If we're still breathing when that day ends, then it's been a real good day, it's a gift beyond measure. Kiss someone, love someone, fuck like a ferret and go to sleep, safe in the knowledge that you've had a great day." "Interesting philosophy." "It does help deal with people like Victor Philouma." ------- Harry's physical therapy went into its intensely active stage and Harry's attitude towards slow and gradual improvement was that he didn't have time for that shit ... he had a family to get back to and he wanted out of the hospital yesterday. Helen McReady, his physical therapist, found that the problem wasn't motivating him to start, or keeping him at it. The problem was getting him to stop before he hurt himself. "Mr. Grimes-" "I've asked you to call me Harry." "Alright, Harry, that's enough for today," she said as he continued his series of leg presses. "No Helen, it's not," he said, then continued the humming which never stopped, except while he was speaking, during his rehab. The tears mixed with the sweat on his face and his lips were pale, pressed together like the teeth of a vise grip. "Yes it damn well is," she said, locking the machine in place as he prepared for another push. "If you damage yourself you won't be going home quicker you'll just be staying longer. Do I come into your office and tell you how to do your job?" "No," he sighed. "Then stop telling me how to do mine. I went to school for this and everything." He smiled through the sweat and tears, humming away. "Harry, why do you hum whatever that song is whenever you're in therapy?" "'Whatever that song is'? Save me, I'm in the land o' the heathen," he gasped. "That song, young lady, is Franz Schubert's 'Ave Maria', one of the purest transcriptions of the voice of God anywhere in history." "Alright, but why the constant humming?" "Helps keep me calm ... focused ... takes my mind off how much I hurt, how tired I am. Takes me to a much happier place in my mind." "And that happier place would be?" He looked at his physical therapist; probably twenty-five, built on the same lines as Karen, black hair, pretty oval face with a pale complexion, definitely a woman and definitely a woman he didn't want angry with him. "Do you really want to know?" "Sure." "You asked for it ... it was what my wife was humming the first time she gave me a blowjob." "Sounds like it would be a good tune for it ... not to fast, lots of low tones, get some good vibrato going ... so that's your happier place?" "Yep, sure is." "So that explains the erections." "Yep, sure does." She got him into his chair and began to wheel him back to his room. "So what about you, what do you hum?" he asked, his voice full of mischief. "Oh, generally, if giving a hummer, something by the Sisters of Mercy, slowed down a lot, or some Black Tape For A Blue Girl, Morphine ... something by one of them." "You realize I have very little idea who you were just talking about." "That's fine, Harry, you do realize you aren't supposed to?" ------- Dr. Mike Lowry had never had a patient like Harry Grimes before, that much was certain. He'd watched Harry in physical therapy, struggling to rehabilitate his knee, heard about what he used to manage the pain and fatigue. Mike understood his motivation, if not exactly the relationships behind it. Harry had three beautiful women waiting for him ... any one of which, to be truthful, would be motivation as strong, if he were Harry, as his own motivation would be to get home to his wife and children. And then there were incidents like the hand job that had resulted in the showdown between Margo and Nurse Ratch ... Nurse Fletcher. And then there was what the private nurse, Adelaide Corken, had motioned him over to see as he passed Harry's room one day. Through a gap in the door held open, he noticed, by Adelaide's shoe The three women were dressed in the kind of nurses' outfits advertised in Fredericks of Hollywood's. They had lowered his bed down and made it totally flat. Kelly was bent over at the waist, resting on her arms, using her body as bridge over his cast-encased arm and shoulder, thankfully Harry's elbow was un-cast, while Carol did somewhat the same along his side below the hip so that their backs provided a place for Margo to rest the left side of her body while she made love to him. And from their positions, it was clear none of them were wearing anything but the costumes. His colleague Margo's breasts were hanging free, brushing across Harry's chest as she very carefully moved up and down on his cock, her lips locked in a kiss with his. "When the hell'd this start?" he asked Nurse Corken in a whisper. "Awhile back ... I think we're close to the finale ... and I think it'll be 'grand'," she replied. "They walked in, told me to watch the door for awhile and knowing what I know, I couldn't bear not watching." "Knowing what you know?" "Yes ... Mr. Grimes ... Harry and I ... well, he's proud of his family and after some initial dancing around to see if I'd be judgmental or negative about their situation ... well ... we got to talking. I suppose my 'special situation' helped open him up even further, once we traded secrets, so to speak." Dr. Lowry looked at the cute, rather short, very full-figured and slightly overweight woman next to him. "So that came up, did it?" "Yes ... and once he knew about Tom, Chris and I ... well, we've had some wonderful conversations." "It is part of why I recommended you for this job... "Oh, I think we're about ready ... yes, there he goes!" Mike watched as Harry rode out his orgasm, Margo getting off of him, sliding over to his left side and stroking his cock, allowing the other two to stand up and stretch. "Here it comes!" Adelaide murmured. "Here what comes? I thought it was over?" As his cock stopped spasming, Margo said, "Yes, I think this kept the patient occupied just long enough for the thermometer to take a reading." She lifted up his left leg and gently worked the vibrating plug out of his ass. "Nurse ... Grimes ... I don't ... think I could stand ... having you take ... my temp that way ... every day ... I think I'd ... go crazy..." "Not to worry, Patient Harry, your temperature is normal and I think you're going to be just fine. Wave at the nice people who've been watching, everyone. Why don't y'all come on in?" As Harry blushed to a shade of red Mike didn't think possible and Carol and Kelly waved while tucking themselves back in, he and Adelaide walked in. "Hello Mike, Nurse Corken," Margo said, buttoning the costume back over her breasts. "Hope you enjoyed the show ... not sure when our next production is but I can put you on the newsletter list," she said, smiling to take the sting from her words. After a brief chat, Dr. Lowry and Nurse Corken left the lovers to clean up and change back into their street clothes. "Have you talked to Rochelle yet about my proposition, Mike?" Adelaide asked. "Not yet ... she's still a little touchy on the subject. But I promise you dear, I'm not stalling ... I will speak with her about it as soon as the proper moment presents itself." ------- "I'm not even out of the hospital yet and you want to plan these parties!" "Yes Harry, we do, and we're going to. If we want to have them before there's any real chance of inclement weather then it would be good to get the invitations out so people can put us on their schedules ... not everyone lives the free and easy, unscheduled lives we do." ------- Howdy Neighbor! Due to some personal problems, I haven't been the good neighbor I ought to be for a long time. But now things are finally coming together so I and my fiancé Margo, and our roommates, Carol and Kelly and our newest roommate, my sister Nicki, would like to invite you over for a barbeque and pool party on the evening of Saturday, September 16th, 2006, from 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM. We'll have hamburgers and hot dogs, chips and salad, plenty of sodas for the kids and beer for those that want it. Anything else you might want you'll probably need to bring yourself. Oh, and don't forget your swimsuits! I'm really looking forward to this chance to get in touch with all of you, some of you for the first time, as my fellow residents in this lovely neighborhood we live in. Please come and let me make amends for my un-neighborly attitude for the past nine months. We all look forward to seeing you there. R.S.V.P. at... ------- There had been a lot of talk in the neighborhood about the renovations to Harry's house. In particular the twelve-foot privacy fence had raised more than a few eyebrows and those few that had views into his backyard had fed the information on what was being done out through the grapevine. And while most of the unusual occurrences at the house had gone unnoticed by the neighborhood, there was one they couldn't ignore and that had raised the level of tension and fear quite a bit ... the attack in the park. Neighborhoods like theirs, full of middle and upper middle class family and homes lived in a fragile bubble of illusion ... far enough away from the 'bad parts of town' that they could pretend they were safe, but not so far away that they could ever forget they were there. There'd been talk of setting up a neighborhood watch in the wake of the attack, but no action had been taken. Word circulated that maybe this party would be just the opportunity they'd been waiting for to try to get such a project off the ground. The responses to the invitation up and down the neighboring blocks of Garwood, Harry's street and Hudgins to the east, Trousdale to the west, were very positive and the acceptances came in by phone and email in a stream. ------- My friends and co-workers... It's only when the Universe tests you then you find out just who your true friends are and how many people care about you. My recent stay in the hospital was such a test, although I'm pretty sure the staff was tested more than me. All of you were there for me and my family in a thousand different ways, all of them appreciated beyond our ability to express. At least allow us to try. Margo, Carol, Kelly, Nicki and I invite you to a barbeque and pool party on the evening of Saturday, September 23rd, 2006, from 4:00 PM to 11:00PM. Renowned Central Texas Barbeque Master Albertino 'Boots' Carsidona will be catering the party so bring your appetite for brisket, ribs, sausage, chicken and even fresh barbequed vegetables for those of you who are vegetarian. There'll be sodas and beer aplenty, salad, barbeque beans, potato salad and Boots' famous grill-baked beer bread as well to help sop it all up with. Anything more that you might want you'll need to bring yourself. Don't forget your swimsuits! Please allow all of us this opportunity to try to show you just how much we appreciate all your many kindnesses. We all look forward to seeing you there. R.S.V.P. at... ------- The mood in the office had lightened every day as Harry's release from the hospital and return to the office grew nearer. And then the employees had received their invitations to the barbeque. There was no doubt everyone and their families would be in attendance. The big question, quietly discussed and cogitated upon around the office was if the pool party was going to be in place of or in addition to the company picnic. Since the company's inception, the company picnic, instead of the boring trial that many such company functions were elsewhere, had been, in true G & P style, one of the highlights of the year, with 'door prizes' and bonuses and contests and games and most importantly of all, a real reiteration and reaffirmation of Harry and Karen's assertion that without their employees they were nothing, that their co-workers were the most important part of G&P. In the early years of the company, the prizes hadn't been much, and bonuses were as often as not to the tune of $20 ... sometimes less, but the books had always been open for any employee to see and from the very beginning, no one had failed to notice that until the company was truly in the black, Harry and Karen's paychecks were often pitifully low, while no employee's check ever bounced and no employee ever was asked to take less than their normal salary. And no matter how thin the year, the picnic was the time for the company to celebrate its successes, ignore its losses and look forward to a new year where, together, they would do better than they had the last. Finally the employees nominated Rhonda, the receptionist, to talk to Karen about it. "Boss?" "Yes Rhonda?" "Uh ... we, I mean, the employees ... well the rest of the staff ... and me too ... we were wondering ... uh, is there still going to be ... a company picnic this year ... or is that sort of getting combined into the barbeque at Harry's house?" "Get everybody in the breakroom." A few minutes later, Karen addressed the staff. "Alright, knowing you little barbarians' love of the picnic, I should have seen this coming and dealt with it earlier. "The picnic will go on as planned, although we probably need to get firm and set a date for it, barring bad weather. I want a committee of four chosen by the end of the day to meet with me first thing in the morning, we'll start looking at sites and dates. "The barbeque is all Harry's thing, and I know he's looking forward to seeing all of us there." All of G&P's employees, as well as Anna Pessino and her family, had left messages by email and phone that they would attend within two days of the invitations being received. It was a clean sweep of the invitees. ------- To our friends and fellow social deviates, in the 'Community' and elsewhere, Please join us in celebration of Harry's release from the hospital, as well as the end of a long period of renovations to the house. Husband Harry, Wife Margo, Wife Carol, Wife Kelly and Sister/Roommate Nicki invite you to a clothing-very-optional pool party on the evening of Saturday, September 30th, 2006, from 7:00PM until we decide to send you all home, definitely sometime after 2:00AM. Catering will be by Suburban Submissives and we've selected a menu suited for widely divergent tastes, from carnivore to Vegan. There will be ample beverages of all types provided, as well as herb, but we would ask that our guests respect our wishes and leave anything more chemically potent at home. As this is being held in a residential neighborhood, the outside portion of the party will be kept relatively low-key as far as noise levels, and as parking might be an issue, as well as driving home in an intoxicated state, we urge you to take a taxi to and from the party. We have an account set up with Texas Cabs for that evening and the next morning so that your cab fare is taken care of. We love you all and want to see you safe. Just tell the cab driver that your fare is to be billed to 'Baby Girl', and don't forget to sign for an appropriate tip. Please come and share our happiness and our home with us. We look forward to seeing you there. R.S.V.P. at... ------- Madame Cornelius sat on her balcony, stroking a naked Li Kuan's hair and smiling as she read the invitation. This little soiree of the Grimes clan was going to piss off all the right people by virtue of the fact that no matter how much scorn they might heap upon the party, they weren't on the invitation list ... and Madame Cornelius was relatively certain that the stories that would spread from the party would make them secretly wish they had been. She wouldn't miss it for the world, no matter what the guest list ... she liked these people. But the ruckus it would cause did add spice. She had Hans send their acceptance, four in attendance. ------- Antoinette sat by a translucent toilet, watching the young man who sat upon it trying to hold in the contents of the large enema bag she had slowly filled him with. "Just a little longer, my sweet." "Thank you ... Mistress Antoinette ... it hurts." "I know it does, sugar, but you'll be so clean inside when we're through." "Why won't ... you use a plug ... to help me ... hold it in?" "Because then you would be weak. This way you'll learn to hold it like a man ... and release it on command." "And then ... may I see your breasts ... and relieve myself?" She looked the erection that was bending, painfully she imagined, against the interior rim of the commode and sighed. "Yes, then I'll let you purge your testicles as well." Clarice brought her an envelope. "It arrived with the daily mail, Antoinette." She opened it and read the invitation. While she wanted so badly to attend ... to be seen by people who were... 'normal' ... who wouldn't understand ... she couldn't ... she just couldn't. And then another slip of paper fell from the envelope to the floor. As she reached down to pick it up she almost absentmindedly said, "You may relax, Terry." To the sound of his voiding, she read the handwritten note. "Antoinette, I will be heartbroken if you don't attend. The rest of my family has so wanted to meet you; they will be destitute as well. Please say you'll come. Harry Grimes" She handed Clarice the invitation, blinking her eyes to eliminate any sign of tears. "Clarice, send them our grateful acceptance of their kind invitation. Am I right in remembering that Liz won't be back from her European tour until late October? Yes? Then tell them just the seven of us will be attending." ------- Mr. Antiquity lay back on his leather and horn couch, his spindly legs wrapped around the head of four hundred and thirty pounds of authentic Japanese sumo wrestler as Himura, his guest and sometimes lover, caressed Mr. Antiquity's balls with his tongue. "Himura, pardner, anyway you could stretch your visit out till the end o' September?" The large man's nodding combined with a grunt that sounded somewhat like a 'yes' to signal undeniable assent as his flesh goose-pimpled in waves across his naked body in the frigid air. "Good, got me an invitation in the mail this morning, invitation to a party I'd like you to come along to. Wladislaw! Come and get this here invite! You email 'em, tell 'em there'll be five of us a-comin' ... and one of us is a big ol' boy." ------- Bizoumet soaked in a large claw-footed bathtub full of bubbles as she read her invitation. While it was scheduled for one of her work nights, she couldn't see a reason in the world to miss this party. She reached for her cell phone, first calling Pansy to tell him to find a replacement for the evening of the 30th of September, then to her stylists setting up appointments to have a full makeover done that day, and lastly to the phone number listed to accept the invitation. ------- Helen McReady read her invitation, along with the rest of the day's mail, as she was having a passage from 'The Hymn to Osiris' from the Egyptian Book of the Dead, done in the original hieroglyphs, added to the chaotic mass of imagery that was her back tattoo. She pulled her cell phone out of the bag on the floor below her and left a message accepting the invitation. ------- Hal Stallings was very much engaged while his wife Tori read him the invitation. She was squatting atop his face, his tongue buried as far as it could go up her cunt while she rested no small amount of her weight on him. "So Hal, do you like having my big, fat, juicy cunt damn near smothering you?" A muffled sound and his loving caress of her ass was all the affirmative response she needed. "Well, get used to it, lover. I'm thinking a reenactment of this little scene will probably happen at this party." The sound from beneath her great, round thighs sounded inquisitive. "Of course we're going. Wouldn't miss it for the world ... I'll email our acceptance as soon as we're through here. I think we'll bring Helga as well. Remind me to call her and ask if she wants to bring her new boy-toy with her." She pulled on the chain that was attached by a d-ring to the series of rings that encased his cock and balls. "Now then, how does that feel?" she asked, watching the pre-cum glisten on the head of his dick as she gradually drew it towards her. The loving and excited caresses of her magnificent ass were all the answer she required. ------- Adelaide and her two husbands, Tom and Chris, were sitting at the kitchen table, each lost in their own morning rituals. Chris was continuing his never-ending quest to stay current on his sociology journals. Tom was staring off into space, writing game code in his mind. Adelaide was looking through the previous day's mail, prior to heading for bed. As she finished mopping up the last of her eggs with her toast she announced, "Clear your schedules for the evening of September 30th, boys, we're going to a party!" ------- Nick, We're planning a series of parties at the house to celebrate Harry's homecoming and the end of the renovations and it was only after we finished the guest lists that we realized one of the people we most wanted to thank and share our happiness with really wouldn't be able to attend any of them, for numerous reasons. So we're inviting you and Randy for supper and a relaxing evening in our home, in the bosom of our family, on Saturday, October 7, 2006, dinner to be served at 7:00PM, but we'd love to see the two of you (and the security squad), as early as you'd care to show up for the purposes of visiting. Bring your swimsuit or don't, we won't mind if you skinny-dip. Please say you'll come, Harry, Margo, Carol, Kelly & Nicki (and Tattie, Eddy, Tamara, Karen & Patricia) ------- "You mean they're people we can go socialize with as a couple? And you trust them with that information?" Randy Miers asked, incredulous. "Oh yes, I trust them with that information ... would you like to go?" Nick replied, smiling. "Would I like to go?" Randy squealed, throwing himself into Nick's arms. "Love, anywhere I can go with you and not hide how I feel about you is somewhere I'd love to go!" "Fine, then I'll let them know we'll attend." ------- Kelly finished a reasonably thorough douching of her cunt and as close to one as she and the water pressure could manage of her ass, relaxing to let the bidet gently dry her with jets of warm air. When she was dry, she got up and stretched, lazily strolling over to the vanity and checking herself in the mirror. She applied a little more rouge to her nipples, carefully parted her pubic hair and applied a touch more rouge on her lips there as well, opened a small canister of solid perfume and touched herself with tiny dabs of it on the breasts, in the crook of the elbows, behind the ears on the neck, in the small of the back right above where her ass began, behind the knees. "My Queen, if you would release me, I would gladly help you with that," cried Nicki, who was called 'Whore'. Kelly sauntered into bedroom where the three of them... 'Whore', Margo who was called 'Bitch' and Carol who was referred to as 'Slut', lay bound on the bed, various implements attached to their bodies, all filled with vibrating butt plugs set on 'medium'. "Whore, if I wanted help," Kelly said, gently pulling on the chain that ran between the nipple clamps attached to Whore's swollen nipples, "I would have told one of you to help me. On your back." As the bound woman rolled onto her back, Kelly adjusted herself, spreading her ass cheeks wide. "Tongue me, Whore." As her plaything's tongue began to run around the rim of her asshole, she picked up a riding crop and used it to part the woman's legs. Gently she began to slap her cunt with the leather loop at the tip of the crop, popping the area around her clit, then moving back down to her lips. As Whore's tongue began to worm up inside her, pleasing her, she began to stroke the woman with the crop, finding her wet, spreading the wetness with the shaft of the crop up and down her slit, then returning to slapping the area with the tip. "Little Whore she likes the crop..." Kelly sang, "Little Whore likes me on top... "Little Whore wants this to stop?" Panicked sounds of denial came from Kelly's ass "Little Whore she loves the crop... "Little Whore loves me on top... "Little Whore makes my ass pop... "Little Whore..." Kelly reached down and pinched Nicki's clit, causing the woman to spasm into orgasm. "We need a mop!" As Nicki became lost in her own sensations, her rhythm in Kelly's ass became erratic. Kelly flipped the crop back down and slid it forwards and back. "Time for the Whore to remember ... her ... rhythm ... or I'm going to be forced to whip ... her ... ass..." Kelly's victim, torn between her orgasm and the promise of pain managed to regain a measure of control over her tongue and was soon thrusting in something approaching a rhythm once again. "Bored now," Kelly said with a shrug, tugging on the nipple clamps as she swung off Nicki's face. She squirted a stream of water into the woman's mouth. "Clean up, Whore." Kelly moved over to Bitch, looking at her suffering slave with a face full of mock sympathy. "Bitch? Puddin'? How ya doin'? Is that nasty ol' double vibrator action makin' you twitchy?" Bitch looked up at her, eyes full of tears as she continued to ride on the ragged edge, her orgasm so close she could smell it, but unable to achieve it. "Oh, Bitch can't talk shit like she was doing before, can't talk period with that nasty ol' gag in her mouth? Lemme get that for you ... now, you're gonna be polite, talk nice to your Queen, aren't you, Bitch?" "I-I-I'm sorry ... m-my Queen ... p-please..." "I don't know ... you be real quiet and let me think." She pulled Whore over by her hair, helped considerably by Whore's legs, pushing her across the bed. She settled her cunt down on the woman's face. "Eat me, Whore." As Nicki went to licking her cunt with a will, Kelly looked thoughtful. "I suppose, for every command of mine you swear to obey, without question, no matter when or where we are when I give it ... I would turn up the speed on one vibrator a quarter of a turn." "Y-y-you mean ... even outside ... of the house ... even when you're ... not in charge..." "That's exactly what I mean, Bitch ... I think you can trust me not to get us arrested, not to have you doing anything with someone outside of the family ... but the possibility of you having to tongue me to a screamer of a climax in the dressing room of a clothing store? Oh Bitch, that is SO possible ... or undressing in the car while I drive us somewhere, riding naked for all the world to see ... or us going back to the Bangkok Inn, using the Vimanmek Palace room for what it was offered for, you spending the meal eating out of my hand when you're not buried tongue deep in my slit? Oh, all of those are very possible." "I swear to obey w-without question one c-command of y-yours." "Umm, how very sweet ... Whore, that's just the spot ... where were we?" "MY QUEEN! I promised!" "Ah yes..." Kelly reached between her legs and turned up the speed of Margo's butt plug one quarter turn. "N-noooo..." Margo was squeezing her legs together, her ass cheeks flexing, her anal muscles trying their hardest to pull the plug all the way in. "I'm sorry, Bitch, didn't that bring relief?" "No, no, no ... please..." "You know what I want..." "I swear ... to obey without question ... two commands of yours." Kelly reached and turned the speed of the vibrator in her cunt up one quarter turn. Margo's sobbing was the only response needed. "I'm sorry, Puddin' ... did that not do it for you?" "N-n-n-n..." "I indulge you far too much," she said, spinning the speed of the anal plug up to full. Margo's scream of triumph and climax echoed through the house. As she pitched and shook uncontrollably on the bed, Kelly ground her cunt down on Nicki's face. "Unless you want a taste of what Bitch got, Whore, I'll be coming very soon now." The muffled 'Yes, my Queen' was exactly what she wanted to hear. Moments later, as she covered her slave's face in cum, she reflected that it was good to be the Queen. ------- When she had finished with her pleasure, and rolled the exhausted bodies of Whore and Bitch out of the way, she lay down next to Carol. "Ah Slut," she said, caressing her captive's face. "I bet you thought I'd forgotten about you ... lying here on your belly ... that round ass of yours up in the air ... still glowing like a runway light from that thrashing I gave it." She stroked Carol's ass cheeks. "Oh, still hot ... still tender too, I bet ... would you like another thrashing?" Carol's eyes were filled with tears as she nodded. "You really like having your ass beaten, don't you?" Carol nodded again. "Maybe I should have named you 'Butt Slut'." Carol nodded and whispered "As you wish, my Queen." "Or maybe, instead of beating you," Kelly whispered, coming close to Carol and licking her face, "I should just assfuck you till you scream, hmm?" Carol's whimper came straight from her cunt by way of her mouth. "Well then, let's put these lazy cunts to work and get you hung up." In a short time, Carol hung suspended upside down, the weight of her legs helping to pull her ass cheeks apart, her head at the level of Kelly's pussy. "Oh my," Kelly said, "look at that ... your gash all open and wet ... smells heavenly ... and that ass ... now that we've got the plug out, I don't think I've ever seen an ass that wanted fucking more ... but I'm just not sure I really want to give you the pleasure you crave." "My-Queen-I-swear-to-obey-without-question-one-command-of-yours-pleeeeeease!" "Alright," Kelly said as she jammed the large purple dildo, coated with lubricant, into Carol's ass, lowering her lips to the woman's cunt. "My Queen, I swear to obey without question one command of yours if you will let me fuck her ass," Nicki said. "Done." "My Queen," panted Margo, "I swear to obey without question three commands of yours if you will let me eat her cunt." "Done yet again." Kelly went to the side of the bed and settled herself upon the saddle of the Sybian, turned it on 'medium' and watched her slaves. Bitch was buried in Slut's cunt while Whore licked and bit at her reddened ass, the piston-like attack of her dildo never faltering. "And when you girls are finished, we'll all go out back for awhile." "Outside ... in the daylight ... naked?" Carol gasped. "Yes Slut, and if you're not very careful you'll be masturbating out in plain view on the diving board instead of sitting in the shade on the deck, licking on me." ------- "You are just fucking evil, woman," Margo commented later that evening as they sat in the kitchen enjoying a dinner of salad and fruit. "I didn't ... go too far did I?" Kelly asked, unsure of herself. "Other than the fact that I'm not going to feel like sex for oh, at least a few more hours, I've got nothing but praise for you," Nicki said, smiling. "Same here," Margo added, "although it may be more than a few hours ... maybe half a day ... and I am really, really looking forward to you calling in those oaths we made." "Me too," Nicki said, "and the more outrageous the better." "Uh, Nicki ... you haven't really known Kelly long enough to realize," Margo said, "that might not be the brightest thing to say to our little maniac." Nicki looked over to see Kelly smiling evilly and rubbing her hands together. "Anybody up to go see a Disney film? We could have all sorts of fun in the theater." "No Kelly, that's 'arrest' territory," Margo said, taking a deep drink from her wine glass. "Damn ... well," Kelly said, turning to Carol, "haven't heard anything from you, my love." "You are magnificent, my Queen," Carol said with a smile. ------- "Today's the big day! I will be so happy to get you out of my hair, I think I'm going to go home tonight, grab the wife, strip us both naked and go play in the sprinklers on the front lawn." "Aw c'mon Mikey, I ain't been that bad a patient have I?" "In all seriousness, no, you haven't Harry, and you and your group have provided the staff and me with much ... amusement ... yeah, that's a safe way to put it. But if I don't make a big deal about getting you outta here, you might decide to stay and continue to enjoy our haute cuisine and I don't think your insurance company would take very kindly to that." "Oh yeah, the haute cuisine ... I am gonna miss that ... nausea three times a day." "And besides," Helen said, "it's not like none of us will ever see you again. I'll still have the pleasure three days a week for the next couple of months." "That's true," Harry said, grinning. "I never thought that pretty much the first regular use my new pool was going to get was for physical therapy. It could be worse, though," he continued, "I could not have the hot tub for relaxation afterwards." "Oh yeah," Dr. Lowry said, "your life just fuckin' blows, Harry ... don't forget to invite Rochelle and me to your 'housewarming' party." Margo gave the doctor a hug. "Which one do you want an invite to, Mike," she whispered, "the family or the adult version?" "Since my kids have a pool of their own, I think Rochelle and I would like the adult version," he whispered in reply. "Remember the 'nurse' scene, Mike ... you've been warned," she murmured before kissing him on the cheek and standing back. "Mike, thank you for everything. You've taken excellent care of him. I really do appreciate it. You'll have your invitation next week." "More than welcome; now get the hell outta here before the free mileage runs out on the wheelchair." As the orderly pushed him down the hall towards the exit, Harry looked up at his wife. "Where are the girls?" "Oh, they're at home preparing a little welcome home surprise ... I'll fill you in on the way there." ------- The couple's night out on the town had ended early. His leg was bothering him and so, much to his chagrin, he'd had to beg off the dancing part of the evening's plans. When she'd asked what sounded good to him, he'd leered at her and said, "Going home and going to bed with you." There was little sign of life when they pulled into the drive, the babysitter was probably ensconced in the den watching television or talking on the phone and if all was as it should be, their eleven-year-old daughter was asleep. He went directly to the bedroom, leaving his wife to deal with the babysitter. He carefully pulled off his clothes, taking the brace off his knee before grabbing a robe. Outside he heard some sort of commotion and was heading towards the door when his wife came in, one hand curled in the babysitter's hair, the other over her mouth as she drug the struggling girl into the room. "Honey, what the fuck?" "Guess who didn't listen when we told her what cabinet not to pry into? Found her in the den watching one of our video tapes ... one of the special video tapes." "How'd she get in it? We have the only keys." "I think the little slut picked the fucking lock ... but in the end it doesn't matter does it? WILL YOU STOP THIS STRUGGLING SHIT BEFORE I HAVE TO KNOCK YOU THE FUCK OUT?" "Honey, be careful, don't want to wake up Precious." "I know, but the little bitch is stronger than she looks. As I was saying, doesn't matter ... I walked in and she had four fingers in her cunt and was half out of it. I guess that's why she didn't hear us drive up. I think she's high on something as well ... but high or not ... you know we can't let her tell anyone about the tapes ... about what's on the tapes." "I know." The babysitter's eyes were wide and terrified. It was dawning on her that the action she'd found so hot on the tapes was something these people were willing to kill her to keep secret. She began to shake her head, the muffled sounds of her protestations bouncing back from the palm of her captor's hand. "Wanna have a little fun with her before ... well ... you know?" she asked, staring down hungrily at the teenager's smooth curves and beautiful skin. "I know her pussy sure smelled good when I walked in on her." "Yeah," he said, looking at the long legs on display from underneath her skirt, "I think so ... and maybe, just maybe. Look," he continued, bending slightly to look in their captive's eyes, "I don't remember your name right now and I don't wanna remember your name. The people we're probably going to end up selling you to? They won't give a shit if you have a name, and once you're theirs, you won't have any name other than the one they give you, probably something like 'Candy' or 'Bambi' ... you don't need to worry about nothing in the next several hours except convincing me and the missus that there's absolutely no way in Hell you'll ever tell anyone what you saw on those tapes. And just a word of warning ... even if you succeed in that beyond your wildest dreams, we'll probably still be selling your ass to some very unfriendly people, once we're through with it. Got it?" The terror that flowed from the wide, white eyes set against the beautiful chocolate skin was a palpable force, and the couple could taste it. "Oh, this one is going to be fun," she said as tightened her grip on her prey. "Baby, get me something to use as a gag and then help me tie her up so I can get undressed." A few minutes later their victim was bound and tied and lying in the middle of the bed, tears streaming from her eyes as the two people who had seemed so normal a few hours before stood by the bed and looked her over like customers at a meat market. "Where to start?" he said, eyeing the helpless girl hungrily. His wife looked down at his erection. "You need to keep that warm, and probably someplace still a little wet as well, so bare those tits of hers ... I've been wanting to taste them since she came over this evening." With a few slices of a knife, their victim's skirt, top and bra were either off or out of the way. "No need to worry about clothes either, where you're going," he said as he toyed with the straps of her thong. "Now, you may have just shoved this out of the way," he continued as he sliced through it on either side, "but I don't even wanna fuck with it." He pulled the scrap of cloth out from under her, then checked her cunt with his fingers. "Little slut's still damp," he said. "Use lube anyway ... remember that chafing problem you had last time," she replied, lifting her mouth from the terrified girl's breast. "And I was right, she's a tasty bitch." Their victim realized in horror that she wasn't the first girl that had found herself at the negligible mercies of these two ... there'd been others ... and no one had connected their disappearance to her captors ... just as no one was probably going to connect her disappearance to them. "Hand me that bottle of flavored lube we got ... we're gonna want to eat at the 'Y' before the night's over." With the application of some lubricant, he hooked the stretch of cloth that loosely bound her legs to one another over his head and with her legs propped against his shoulders, he rammed himself into her and began fucking her while his wife caressed her body and chewed on her nipples. The young girl noticed him favoring his right side and hoped he hurt like hell ... it wasn't much revenge but it was all she was going to hope for and she certainly wasn't going to try and do anything to hurt either of them. If she could disappear and no one suspect them, she could die and no one would suspect them. But as time passed, she found herself starting to respond in spite of herself ... not surprising given what was on the tapes she'd been masturbating to, but there was a darkness in her that was reacting to them ... that was telling her that when she hadn't called the police as soon as she saw what was on the tapes, she had known something like this could happen, would happen ... that she'd heard the car pull up but hadn't cared ... she'd wanted to be found. It was telling her the moisture he'd found in her cunt wasn't left-over from her furious fingering of herself; it was fresh, born of the prospect of being used by these two deviants. Her ruminations were disturbed by the woman speaking softly in her ear, "Do you think if I take that gag out of your mouth you can avoid doing anything stupid?" She nodded. "Because if you do anything stupid, I'll knock you out, and he won't lose an inch of that erection fucking you whether you're conscious, unconscious or speaking in tongues." She nodded again. "Alright..." the woman removed her gag, "now start trying to convince us you don't belong in the hold of a freighter bound for a whorehouse in Asia." She swung her leg over her victim's head and settled her cunt down on the girl's mouth. Immediately the teenager began to kiss and lick, treating the beautiful woman above her just as she imagined she'd like to be treated if she could ever find a boy who knew a thing about eating pussy. Her efforts seemed to find an appreciative audience as the woman began to slowly and sensuously gyrate back and forth on her face as her captor ran her hands over the girl's chocolate-colored body. "I think the little cunt is enjoying this, dear," the woman said. A groan and a grunt was all the response she got from her husband as he rocked back and forth, fucking the fifteen-year-old for all she was worth. "Daddy? Mommy?" The woman looked up from her dance on the girl's tongue to see their daughter in the doorway, dressed in her nightgown and nothing else, the signs of her advancement into puberty showing through the thin cotton. She was developing a little early for an eleven-year-old, a fact that upset her mother and father not at all. "Hey honey, Mommy and Daddy are a little busy but you're welcome to come and play if you want." On the bed beneath her, the babysitter thought about the tapes she'd watched, the scenes of the two parents having sexual relations with their daughter in almost every possible variation ... her father hadn't fucked her yet, a problem of size according to what she'd heard on the tapes, but both parties were panting with anticipation for the day that was no longer an issue. She began to climax as she remembered the one she'd be watching last ... the little girl's hairless pussy plastered on her father's face while she stroked and kissed his dick, her mother fucking her in the ass with a tiny strap on. The victim, lying on the bed beneath her captors, began to chuckle, although it was muffled by the cunt pressed against her mouth. Then she began to giggle, and then the giggle became laughter. The woman lifted herself off her victim's face. "What in the world is so funny?" "I'm breaking character and I don't give a shit ... I was picturing you ... fucking Carol in the ass ... with a teeny-tiny dildo ... and I'm losing it!" Carol crawled up on the bed and curled up next to her wife, the cotton nightgown she wore bunching around her waist as she snuggled up next to Kelly. "Damn, and I was so looking forward to sucking 'Daddy's dick!" she exclaimed, hugging Kelly. Harry plopped down on the other side of her. "Sorry love, I've hopped on one leg about all I'm going to ... remind me not to let you little darlings plan out the fantasy when I'm just home from the hospital anymore." "OH GOD HARRY," Kelly shouted, sitting up suddenly and knocking Margo backwards onto the bed as she did. "I didn't think it would go on all that long and you'd been doing so well in physical therapy, I just didn't think-" "Calm down, my love, neither did I ... remember, I approved the ... well, the 'script', for lack of a better word, on the way over here ... I knew what I was in for ... it's just that if we're going to discuss ridiculous mental images and such, and cuddle, I'm laying the fuck down." "Kelly, you and Carol have some dark corners in your fantasies," Margo observed, crawling around and settling herself next to Harry. "Alright, which of us finishes off the poor dear?" "The eleven-year-old daughter-to-be-named-later volunteers ... I'm sucking him off, come hell or high water ... unless one of you..." "Go ahead honey, I'm content to cuddle," Kelly said, snuggling up to Harry's right side. "I'm good ... for the moment," Margo said, "but you and my cunt probably have a date later on, unless some other sultry vixen, or recently returned home husband, beats you to it." "A risk I'll run," Carol said, "scoot up on the bed, y'all, give a girl room to work." Within moments Harry found himself being pulled further up onto the bed by the gentle hands of two of his partners, while the third climbed between his legs. As her warm and loving mouth engulfed his half-erect penis, the conversation continued back and forth over him. "You're right, beloved wife, we do have some dark corners," Kelly said as she stroked the knife scars on her husband's body. "I think I'm trying to work my way up to a ... a ... oh shit ... I think I'm trying to get up the courage for a ... well, I don't want to talk about it ... but I've got no idea where it comes from ... and it scares me ... but I know I'm safe here and that no matter how convincing it may get, it'll still just be role-playing. That sweet young thing slurping down our hubby's cock has some family issues above and beyond mine, and I thought mine were pretty odd." She stopped fingering Harry's scars and began to stroke around his nipple. "The way I think the fantasy was going to play out was, little one there was going to reveal that she'd borrowed the key to the video cabinet before y'all left, unlocked it and returned the key. She'd been doing it regularly with babysitters, hoping for one like me. When I got a little too familiar helping her get dressed for bed, she knew I was the one who'd take the bait so she pointed me in the direction of the naughty tapes. She was going to beg you to keep me, you'd acquiesce, I'd disappear like the other girls, except that you'd keep me, with my whole-hearted approval, and the little one would make it look like I ran away by using the babysitter's keys to sneak into my, the babysitter's, house, pack what I'd pack to run away, and then leave with it. "Am I right so far, Precious?" Carol nodded as she throated their husband, who was rapidly finding it damn near impossible to follow the conversation. "Uh, Kelly, honey?" "Yes Harry?" "Hold up ... a moment ... uh ... OH GOD!" His hips bucked and Carol held on to his thighs as he shook and twitched, swallowing every drop that she pulled out of his shaft. After his breathing began to return to normal, he smiled the silly, sated smile of the recently relieved and said, "Continue ... please..." Kelly laughed and kissed him. "Certainly my love ... and so you fucking perverts would have me restrained on the bed, and me loving it, and the night would end in much merriment and mayhem." Carol moved over and parted Margo's legs, lying between them and resting her head on one of her wife's thighs. She began to gently nuzzle Margo's cunt and her wife's eyes began to glaze over ever so slightly. "I'm really sorry I lost it," Kelly continued, "but the mental image ... Margo and this teeny little dildo ... and I couldn't imagine Carol as an eleven-year old at the time; she was standing right there ... so here's that nice, round, luscious ass of hers, and Margo trying to work on it with this tiny thing, suited for a little girl ... I swear, it was like trying to keep from laughing watching someone eating a roast turkey with a toothpick!" Carol's head rose from her wife's cunt. "My ass isn't that big!" Kelly reached across her husband and stroked Carol's face. "No it isn't honey, but it is that tasty." Carol kissed her hand. "Thank you, beloved." A slight 'ahem' from Margo returned Carol to her previous task. Kelly snuggled into Harry's shoulder. "It's so good to have you home, baby ... now maybe everything can get back to normal," she said. She ignored, and Harry missed, the very faint snorting giggle from the other side of his body. "Umm, it's good to be home ... it'll be good to relax for a few days, get back into the swing of being a husband, not a patient. It'll be good to get back to the office, get some work done, make some money, and show those people how much I really appreciate them and all they did for us while I was laid up. Hell, it'll be wonderful to spend time with Nicki that doesn't involve me being in bed!" There was no way he could fail to catch the giggling coming from his left. "What the hell is so funny?" he asked, turning to look at Margo and Carol with a smile. "Whatever it is, share." "Oh, nothing dear," Margo replied, "Carol just tickled me ... down there..." "I could've sworn it was Carol giggling." "Nope, nope, it was me," Margo said, grinning, "just silly old Margo, getting tickled by a stray hair." He turned back to Kelly just in time to catch her face returning to a picture of placid composure. "What's with you, darling?" "Oh, just thinking of that mental image, big ol' juicy ass, little teeny-tiny dildo ... you know me Harry, get something stuck in my head, I just can't get it out sometimes." Harry looked unconvinced as the three women in his life all chuckled to themselves. "I think I'm going to go get the pipe ... been way too long since I smoked," he announced. "Harry, after what I inadvertently put your leg through, you'll do no such thing," Kelly said, sitting up on the bed. "I'll go get the pipe, get it loaded and such ... you stay here and help Carol get our wife off." "Oh, damn ... such torture," Harry replied, shifting to his side and stroking her breast. "Hey sweetheart, have I told you lately that I love you?" "No ... my love ... if you define 'lately' ... as 'in the last fifteen minutes..." "I love you ... I remember the first time I ever fantasized about you..." "Oh? Do tell..." "I'm embarrassed to say it was about two months after Eddy and I ... well, after we did our little White Knight bit." "Why are you ... embarrassed? I would've ... been more than willing ... to give you my virginity ... later that very week..." "Yeah, but I didn't know that at the time and it just felt wrong to me ... but the fantasy didn't involve anything I'd seen that day ... it was all imagination..." "What ... oh that's so good, Baby Girl ... what were you ... doing, Harry ... what was I ... doing?" "I'd gone to your house just to check on you, and I stammered my way through asking you to go out with me and that I didn't want you to say 'yes' because you thought you owed me anything and you looked at me and told me to 'please be quiet', because I knew you'd never say anything like 'shut the fuck up', being a preacher's daughter and all. You took me to your bedroom, which was all in pink-" "Oh Harry!" said Kelly, who had returned and was loading the hookah. "Well, what the hell did I know about girls?" he asked, blushing. "I knew Nicki and that was it and while her room wasn't done in pinks, it wasn't far from it." "Let him ... finish..." Margo panted. "And when you got me in there you closed the door and you started undressing me, like you'd done it a million times ... which was good, because I was so nervous I couldn't hold my hands still." "God Harry, you were even nervous in your fantasies?" Kelly exclaimed, preparing to fire up the pipe. "Yeah," he replied, grinning, "added the touch of realism that made my fantasies seem more possible for me ... I knew the girl parts were never gonna happen ... in the fantasy, with them happening and me bein' all suave and debonair ... it would've been way too unbelievable for me. "And then you got undressed, and lay down on your bed ... and you were the most beautiful woman I could imagine ... I mean, there might be prettier women in magazines and stuff, but they weren't real ... you were ... and that made all the difference... "And after that it got kind of embarrassing because I had a rather loose grip on the actual mechanics of sex, other than the rock bottom basics, but lemme tell ya darlin', you were great! Of course, the fantasy doesn't begin to hold a candle to the reality, but for a fantasy it was fantastic!" "Harry Grimes ... is that ... for me?" Margo asked, pointed to his erection. Harry looked down, surprised. "Uh, yes, yes it is, if you want it." "Carol honey ... no offense ... go lick Kelly ... till the little minx screams ... I'm gonna go ... make our husband's fantasy ... come true." "Yes Mistress," Carol replied, grinning from ear to ear. As she crawled up to the head of the bed and shifted her attentions from Margo's cunt to Kelly's, Margo pushed her husband back on the bed as he started to sit up." "Lay down, school boy ... you would've been too nervous to be on top ... now close your eyes," she said, throwing a leg over him and sinking down on his cock, her wet and swollen cunt accepting him with no resistance. "Pretend it's about fifteen or so years ago ... damn you feel good in me ... and you're in my bedroom at my house..." His eyes opened to gaze lovingly into hers. "You're supposed to have your eyes closed, silly." "I don't need to have my eyes closed to see the most beautiful girl in the whole school," he said with a smile, "and I don't really need that fantasy fulfilled ... the reality has been so much better." "Harry," Kelly said, motioning for Carol to stop for a moment, "you're going to let Margo fulfill your fantasy or I will not shotgun you any of the wondrous smoke of this most excellent herbage," Kelly said. "Now close your eyes and prepare for a lungful of the Fantasy Fairy's Magic Dream Smoke." She passed him a deep inhalation of smoke along with a kiss, and then did the same for Margo before getting out of the way of the fantasy. "You're in the bedroom of my house and I've pushed your naked, nervous body back onto my bed ... everything around you is done in pastel greens and blues ... and I'm making love to you..." "Yes you are," he replied in a dreamy voice. "Harry, why did you wait so long to come here to see me, to ask me out?" Margo asked, her eyes closed as well. A troubled look crossed his face as he slipped into character. "Well, I see you at school every day ... I just didn't want to ... seem pushy ... you've already thanked me too much ... I just worry that maybe you're still really hurting inside ... and school isn't exactly the place to tell me that ... and I'm afraid you're too ... scarred ... by what happened to want to go out with anyone." "I am ... anyone but you ... or Eddy ... you're the only two boys in school I ever even look at anymore ... you're the only two that would've ... stopped him..." The tears ran down Margo's face to drip onto Harry's like rain. He reached up and pulled her down to him. Her rhythm never faltered as she slowly made love with one of the boys who'd saved her so many years before. Kelly and Carol sat, lost in their own tears as they watched their husband and wife role play out the long-delayed closing scene of the drama. "Shh ... Margo ... no ... we were just the two that were there..." She rose up off of him, eyes still screwed shut, her hips coming to a stop. "NO! YOU'RE THE ONLY ONES WHO WOULD'VE STOPPED HIM!" Her sobs came hard and heavy as she sank down once more onto his chest. "No one else would've ... not our star running back ... they would've been scared of him ... of the team ... of his brothers ... of his father..." His shaking hands came up to touch the sides of her head, gently pulling her face to his where with trembling lips he kissed the tears from her face as fast as they formed. As he did so, slowly, over time, her hips began to rise and fall atop of his again. When she had calmed down he asked, "So ... w-w-w-would you ... go out w-w-with me?" Her tears began again as she laughed. "Of course ... why wouldn't I? I'm making love with you, why wouldn't I go out with you?" "W-well, you're so smart ... and a preacher's daughter ... and so beautiful ... and I'm just ... w-well ... I'm just a dumb stoner. I w-w-w-wouldn't think you'd w-want to be seen w-w-with me." Margo found herself seeing a side of Harry, the open and bleeding wound his insecurity as a teenager had been, that she'd never even suspected existed. "Harry Grimes, I will go anywhere with you that you want me to go, now and forever, because that's how long I'm going to love you ... forever." And the eighteen-year-old laying beneath her on the bed ... his face began to crack, like a porcelain doll's, and the deep, rough wail that came out of his throat was more the sound of a wounded animal than a man. And Margo realized she hadn't seen just the past so much as she'd seen the past and the very well-hidden present. Harry was hiding a great fear that he was still just a dumb stoner, that all his life was a lie. "Harry ... baby ... no ... shh ... don't you know? Don't you realize? All this, the man we all love ... it's not a mask ... it is who you really are ... this other, that's just another face of you ... but the side you're scared we'll find out is fake, is an act? It's not ... it's real ... it's as much your face as the other." "No ... no ... it's not ... it's all bullshit..." "NO, no Harry ... you may believe it started out that way a very long time ago but there are a whole lot of people who can tell you that you 'faked it till you made it'. And you did make it. You're more than a stupid pothead ... you were never that, it's just who you were scared you were ... you don't have to be scared anymore, Harry ... it's not all you are." "When ... I thought ... I might not live ... part of me thought ... at least you'd never know ... I'd die with the lie intact ... but I didn't..." "No ... no, you didn't and it isn't a lie ... Harry, I love you but you're not that good an actor ... there's no way you could've carried off fooling everyone this long ... you're thirty-three, love ... it's real ... you are who you wanted to be ... you made yourself the man you wanted to be ... it's not an act ... it's not a mask ... it's not a lie..." Harry's deep, chest-wracking sobs shook the bed as the childhood fears he'd kept hidden for years were given voice and his fear and insecurity poured out of him. Margo held him as he cried, slowly, ever so slowly caressing his cock with her cunt, willing her love into him with every breath, praying that his tears were washing out the fear that he'd never really been good enough to deserve anything that life had given him ... the fear that maybe Angie was the best that he deserved. Carol and Kelly sat ready to jump in but Margo had given no sign to them. Instead they held each other's hands so tightly their fingers began to grow cold. They watched the fears of a lifetime slowly drain away, watched their husband's body relax as one of the people he trusted most in the whole world told him the truth, told his fears to be quiet and let him be. And while they were watching, the two eighteen-year-olds not only lost their virginity to each other, but had their first orgasms with another person ... the lonely preacher's daughter and the scared stoner. When Margo finally collapsed on top of her husband, her hair covering his face, a small voice said from underneath the hair, "Well, that fantasy didn't quite go the way I'd envisioned it." "Harry, my love," Kelly said, "for awhile I wasn't sure if I was watching sex or therapy." "Or both," Carol added. "Oh ... definitely both," Margo said, her voice muffled by his shoulder. Carol carefully rolled Margo off of Harry, moving her hair from both their faces, before getting up and running to the kitchen for water. In the meantime, Kelly reloaded the long-cold pipe and by the time Carol returned with fluids, three of the four hoses were occupied, and Kelly was offering her the fourth. "In a minute my love," Carol replied, distributing the large sports bottles full of water and fruit juice to the three of them. "Little idea Princess had ... close the bottle and you can keep it on the bed with you and not really have to worry too much about leakage." "Because God knows, we do enough leakage of our own," Harry said, taking a long squirt from his bottle. Carol took a quick hit off the hookah and then went to their bathroom ... she stood in the doorway for a moment, still amazed by the sybaritic palace their bathroom had become ... and then got some washcloths wet with warm water and brought out them with some dry towels. "Clean up time, my loves," she announced. "I'm not sure what's next on our itinerary, but it can't hurt to clean up a bit." She started in on Harry while Kelly passed off possession of the pipe to Margo and, grabbing a washcloth, began to work on her. Harry reached back, grabbed some pillows and propped himself up. "I'm sorry my loves ... that wasn't somewhere we needed to go tonight-" "Harry, not one ... more ... word," Margo said, her face a mask of iron. "You're right, we didn't need to go there tonight ... we needed to go there a long time ago ... you have nothing to apologize for about it coming out tonight. I'm so sorry you held that in so long." "Truly Harry," Carol said, cleaning his chest lovingly, "I knew ... we all knew ... you had some deep pain, or something, hidden away, hell, everyone does. But things that are hidden that deep, camouflaged that expertly ... they don't exactly respond well to a direct approach. You have to let them work their way to the surface so you can deal with them." "So, how'd it happen that it broke the surface tonight," Kelly asked. "There we were ... deep in the fantasy ... God, I was so scared ... and I remembered that I'd gone over to her house to see how she was, and to ask her out ... what I never had the courage to do in real life. So I asked her ... and there it was, all that fear, all the pressure I'd let it build up over the years, so close to the surface. Margo answered, and told me she'd love me forever ... and I guess that part of me that believed I was that dumb kid, it just couldn't deal with that. I don't know if it was scared that she'd see the truth and leave, or if it didn't want someone so beautiful trapped by a lie ... but then it broke the surface." "Thank God it did, my love," Margo said, caressing his leg. "Eddy's been living with the fear that if we all knew what a monster he was, we'd hate him, even though he's not a monster at all. It's kind of fitting, I guess, that you've been living with a somewhat similar pain ... afraid that if we all knew how worthless you were, we'd hate you, even though you're so far on the other end of the 'worth' scale as to be beyond price." "Margo, I love you, please don't ever compare my pain to Eddy's ... on my worst day, in my most desperate hour ... I've never been as bad off as a good day for him. I honestly don't know how he bore it. "It's just that I drifted along until someone needed me ... and I didn't have a clue, so I kinda made it up as I went along. I mean, everyone else I looked at, they were living their lives like they had a plan, they knew what they were doing, they could handle anything. And making it up as I went along kept working. But deep down, I don't feel like I know any more than I did when I started. I'm still making it up as I go along." "Harry, that's all any of us ever do," Carol replied. "Oh, there are things like medicine and science, where there rules and procedures and schedules ... but living's not a science, it's an art ... and art is making it up as you go along. You, my most excellent husband, make it up real damn good." "Thank you, all of you ... and now I'll try to remember what I've learned tonight, and not fall back into thinking as I used to ... and hopefully, before I embarrass myself anymore, we can move on to a more pleasant topic." Harry took a final hit on the pipe and after holding it for a time, released it with a 'whoosh'. "And as far as pleasant topics go, I've been home quite some time and as yet I haven't visited our new bathroom or our new pool and hot tub. And since I really need to pee, I know where I'm going first." "The pool, Harry?" Kelly asked with a smirk. "Very cute, young lady ... my most precious Baby Girl, may I make use of your property this evening?" "Certainly, sir." "What?" Kelly squawked. "Princess, you're the sole property of my master for the rest of this evening." "But I-" "PRINCESS!" Kelly found herself on her knees in submission before she knew what was happening. Carol leaned down and spoke quietly in her ear. "Part of submission is realizing that if you submit to one, you submit to those they share you with. That's why submissives need to be very careful who they submit to, there has to be a lot of trust. Do you understand?" "Yes Mistress ... it's just that I don't really have that kind of relationship with your master." "You do now ... unless you wish to use your safe word. Do you want to use your safe word?" "No Mistress, not at all!" "Fine, then you know what's expected of you." Carol caressed Kelly's neck, her hand sliding down to her breasts. "Isn't it good, slave, to know what's expected of you?" "Yes Mistress." "Come, Princess," Harry said, "help me to the bathroom." "Yes Master." Using Kelly as someone to lean on, Harry made his way to their remodeled bathroom, and flicked the switch, illuminating the room with indirect lighting. Two bidets, framed by two toilets, two sinks with full vanities for each, a somewhat rough-grained tile floor, to prevent slippage, that very gently sloped down to a drain in case things got truly messy, a bathtub so large it was almost a hot tub in and of itself, with full Jacuzzi capability, and last but not least, the shower, large enough to hold the four of them, and Eddy & Tamara too, if no one minded getting a little friendly. Karen and Patricia could even be squeezed in if no one minded getting very friendly. The bay window that encompassed half of the huge tub was composed of a triptych of stained glass pieces, all done in the Louis Comfort Tiffany style, as were the smaller window to either side, all of which during the day would bathe the room in shifting patches of color. The floor before the toilets and bidets, the bath and showers, the sinks as well, was decorated by large matching bathmats. He stood there, amazed by the transformation. Then as his bladder made its demands known again, he slowly walked with Kelly to one of the commodes. Sinking down on it, he smiled as the pressure was relieved. "Honey, I was joking, for the most part, when I asked Carol for your services ... I was just planning on using you to help me get around a bit, not 'owning' you the rest of the evening. You're free of your Princess role for the rest of the night, just give me a hand hobbling about ... don't feel like using my cane this evening and a wonderful woman is so much more pleasant to hold." "No sir." He looked at her in surprise. "No sir? 'No sir' what?" "No sir I am not free for the rest of the evening. I reject your freeing me of my role. My Mistress feels it important that I learn this lesson ... and I want to be here, in this way." She helped him up and over to the bidet. He looked at the controls and selected a gentle wash for his cock and balls. "Did we overdo it with your leg tonight, sir?" she asked, kneeling before him. "Seems like perhaps a little. Believe me, beloved wife, making love to you ... it's very hard to remember not to overuse the leg ... not your fault, my own." She reached for the controls and Harry found his asshole being stimulated by a pulsating stream of very warm water. "What are you doing?" he asked. "Getting out of line, sir," she responded. "If my initiatives are unwelcome, please command me to stop and punish me as you will." He could hear the 'evil Kelly' glee in her voice. As his cock began to respond to the warm water pulsing against his ass, Kelly began to massage his cock with her hands. " ... I suppose we should see what's keeping them," Margo said as she walked in, followed by Carol. Carol smirked, "Princess and Harry, alone in a room ... what do you think's keeping them?" Each of them took a toilet and continued to talk as they relieved themselves. "So Harry, what do you think of the way it turned out?" Margo asked. "Lovely ... just lovely," he gasped. "Princess ... I'm thinking my dick's had ... about all the action it's comfortable with ... for awhile ... feelin' a little burned out ... ahh ... thank you," he exclaimed as she stopped her manipulations. "I'm sorry sir," she said, eyes downcast but her voice unable to hide her smile. "That's quite alright, my love," he replied, "I thought I was going to be able to handle another erection this soon ... I was wrong." "You realize, Harry, that we're about to have to start a new round of remodeling ... although much less extensive, and expensive, than this round?" Margo said. "We are?" "What were we almost out of before you went into the hospital," Carol asked, "and before Kelly joined the partnership?" "Oh shit ... closet space!" "Oh shit indeed, my love," Carol continued. "Our little Princess is a bit of a clothes horse." A soft whinnying noise came from the beautiful woman kneeling on the bathmat. "She's going to need more space, another large closet off the bedroom," Carol said, shifting over to make a quick job of it at the other bidet. She stood up and moved to stand next to Harry, pressing her body onto his while Margo hit the same bidet. "Besides, my love," Carol said, stroking his hair, "you wouldn't believe some of the clothes Margo and I have found." Margo moved in on the other side of him, mirroring Carol. "Really, Harry ... they're exquisite ... naughty ... kinky ... it'll be a constant chore to see if we can keep anyone else from tearing them off of us..." From between his legs Kelly said, "Yes sir, I've seen them and I'm sorry sir, but if you and I were both racing towards the two of them for the honor of getting them out of those clothes ... I'd trip you." "Whoa, whoa, whoa!" Harry said. "Why the full court press? This is the three of yours house the same as it's mine. And only an idiot would argue with more sexy clothes for the three most beautiful women on the planet. You know the contractors we used, you know the architect, get it planned, order it done, watch me smile a lot. What's all this about?" The three women in his life laughed. "Well Harry," Margo said, "we did want the decision to be unanimous." "And we really enjoy pressing up against you," Carol added. "And the plans have been drawn up, you need to look them over in the morning. If you approve, work can start next week," Kelly said, resting her arms on his knees. "There, that's the way I like my life," Harry said, grinning. "The women in my life arrange things to suit themselves, tell me what's going on as I need to know it and I'm constantly in a state of pleasant surprise." The fit of giggling that overtook his wives confused Harry as the comment hadn't been nearly that funny. ------- As Margo fired up the hot tub and Carol ran upstairs to see if Nicki wanted to come down, Harry had Kelly help him out onto the back deck. As he and she sat down on the bench, Margo finished her task and came to sit by them. "Well, the Cum-Master 5000 is building up a full head of steam," she said. Harry choked on the swig of water he was in the process of swallowing. "THE WHAT?" "The Cum-Master 5000 ... it's what the ladies and I have named it ... for very good reasons ... lots of them ... that you're damn well aware of. Harry, did you have to get the most sinful tool of self-stimulation known to woman or do you just have this desire to see us all prune-y twenty-four-seven?" "Okay, I admit it," Harry replied, regaining his composure, "prune-y women make me hot." "Then between that big bitch, the one that's part of the pool and that decadent bathtub, Harry my love, you're gonna be in paradise." "Oh, color me so upset," he responded, smiling and at peace as he looked out at the transformed back yard. The deck had been expanded for the new hot tub and had been covered as well. The pool, dark at present, still and inviting, filled a goodly part of what had been open ground in the back yard. All of the trees had been saved and the whole fence had been replaced with a twelve foot high privacy and security fence. He checked out possible angles of view from the upstairs of nearby houses and realized his luck. Any house that could've seen in over the fence was blocked by trees, as near as he could tell. "Checking out how easy it would be to see in?" Margo asked. "Yeah ... ah, fuck 'em. If anyone wants to see in, they'll find a way. Otherwise, we've taken all reasonable, and several unreasonable, measures to insure that what goes on back here offends no one. I know none of us are all that likely to be out here naked in the open during the day so I'm just not going to worry about it until the Universe gives me something real to worry about." "See Harry, you really are a very wise man," Margo said, smiling. She kissed him, a kiss that had gotten rather interesting by the time Carol and Nicki came out the back door. Harry started as he saw his sister, momentarily forgetting even the very interesting kiss he was engaged in. In the first place, it had been over seventeen years since he'd seen her naked and that had been an accidental encounter in the hallway early one morning. Secondly, she'd filled out some since he'd picked her up at the airport what felt like ages before. She was getting positively curvy, and Harry felt an embarrassing twitch in his cock as his body signaled its approval of the change. And then there was thirdly ... he was naked, in front of his little sister ... he was naked in front of his little sister in a most exposed fashion ... he was naked in front of his little sister in a most exposed fashion getting an erection, whether it was because of her, or any of the three lovely women he was married to was immaterial as hell. He was naked, with an erection, in front of his little sister. "Uh, Kelly, help me get into the hot tub, now, please?" He stood up and as he did his knee almost gave out on him. Kelly, on her way up from the bench, smoothly caught him and held him up. "I've got you, sir." "Harry, how much pain is your knee in?" Margo asked, her concern evident in her voice. "It's pretty bad at present, love," he replied as they hobbled towards the hot tub. "Fine, I'm going to send Carol for your water-proof brace, and three of your Vicodin and you're not going to give me any problems with either or I'll have you hog-tied on the bed and beaten before you can blink. Are we clear?" "Oh, we are so clear, Doctor Wife, you'll get no arguments ... I can't believe it's hurting like this through all that dope we smoked." "That's part of what's bothering me as well," she replied, moving towards the controls of the tub. "Princess, put him position eight, let's see if I can remember to lower the intensity of all the jets that'll be hitting him ... would hate to have him get even more tense because I aimed a fire hose up his ass." "Yes my love," Harry said as Kelly helped him into the corner position, "that would register as 'bad' right now. Now maybe later ... who knows?" He had barely gotten settled in, sinking back into the hot water, the jets gently massaging his back and legs, when Carol was back by his side. "Here you go ... Harry ... take these," she panted, putting three Vicodin in his mouth. He chased them down with a swig from his water bottle. As she slid into the tub and began to strap on his brace he said, "Damn it, beautiful, you didn't need to run." "Yes she did," Kelly and Margo echoed simultaneously. "See Harry, some things have kind of worked their way into place while you were in the hospital," Kelly continued. "If it involves anything medical and Margo says it, there's a very strongly implied 'and I want that done five minutes ago'." "And if it involves the house, and Carol says it," Margo added, "there's a very strongly implied 'I don't want this to wait more than another fifteen, twenty minutes at most'." "She's not real good with that whole 'dominant' thing," Kelly joked. "Princess, would you care to rethink that?" Carol asked, her voice lowering the water temperature by twenty degrees and causing ice to form on nearby tree limbs. "Yes Mistress ... I was making a bad joke and I apologize." "Very good ... in reality, it's just that the house isn't as important as something medical," Carol said, her voice back to its normal warm and loving tones by the end of her sentence. "So, what's Kelly in charge of, so to speak?" Harry asked, lying back with his eyes closed as he tried to relax and let the painkillers do their job. He felt Kelly move across him as she swung a leg over his lap and wrapped herself around his body, her breasts pressed against his chest, her pubic hair brushing the tip of his penis like fronds of kelp in the surf. "Well," she whispered in his ear, "we haven't found my permanent area of responsibility yet, I am kind of new to the firm, Master, but for now, just know that when your leg is much better, and your neck is in a collar, and that precious cock of yours is restrained, and you're begging for release..." "Uh ... yes... ?" "The ass you're going to have your nose in will be mine," she murmured, licking and biting his ear, "and the proper form of address is 'My Queen'." "Oh ... God ... have you two ... met her ... yet?" he stammered and panted as his cock stretched upwards through her hair, trying to find her pussy. "Oh yeah Harry," Carol said. "All three of us have," Nicki added from her spot nearby. "She comes by the name honestly," Margo said, caressing Kelly's shoulder. "I have to say, I think she makes a much better Domme than a sub," Carol added, "although she as a sub is so much fun because she gives you so many reasons to punish her ... and punishing her is just too much fun to be believed." "Yes, she gives us reasons to punish her like crawling into her Master's lap uninvited," Margo said, rising to stand behind her. "I know you appear to be having no problem with it, Harry, but you've got to take a firm hand with these submissives, or they'll walk all over you. Shall I remove her?" As hard as it was for Harry to think like a Dom, he tried, "Yes, and then I believe it's time for a round of orgasms for everyone but Princess, courtesy of Princess' mouth ... mine last." He opened his eyes to see Margo haul Kelly off of him by her hair. While wearing a look of contriteness upon her face, his beautiful dark wife's eyes were full of glee and mischievousness. Carol shifted the temperature down a bit more and lowered the jet force, so there was little spray and little steam. As Harry looked at her questioningly she smiled, "Wait and see my love, let's you smell something besides the water and chlorine." She motioned for Margo to sit on the rim of the tub just to the left of Harry, which put her spread-wide right leg lying across his chest, her hand on his shoulder. "Hope you don't mind, love," Margo said, making herself comfortable. "Carol my love, would you go put on some music, pipe it out here ... something soothing." As Carol left to do so, Kelly came up between Margo's legs and, making herself comfortable on the seat-level next to Harry, began to lovingly worship her senior wife's cunt. As Pachelbel's 'Canon in D' began to softly drift from speakers Harry saw were mounted close to the hot tub, he kissed the leg in front of him, running his hands over Margo's thigh and down to her foot. It was so good to be back home again, he thought as the combination of music, company, warm water and Vicodin eased the pain in his over-torqued knee. The smell of Margo's arousal drifted to his nose as he continued to caress her leg, listening to the music and the sounds of Princess pleasuring his wife. Carol came up with a hose from the pipe and Harry hit on it deeply, letting himself get lost in the fog of sensuality that was his family. Someone, probably his beloved Baby Girl, had readjusted the jets so that his cock was getting a gentle jet massage that kept him semi-hard and interested without tipping him over the edge. There was another hit on the pipe and Margo was coming and he smiled as he heard her, his fingers reaching up and sliding in and out of her, helping Princess to bring her off a second time, quickly following the first. Then she was gone, and it was Carol's turn, and Margo was curled up next to him ... a hit on the pipe ... holding him up ... and Carol smelled so good ... and felt good ... her hand was in his hair ... another hit off the pipe... 'thank God for Vicodin and dope ... hmm, Carol is so wet... ' fingers in and out ... and there she went, his sweet pet, coming and her muscles squeezing on his fingers ... a hit on the pipe ... Princess' tits brushing against his arm ... oh God it was good to be home ... hot tub was the best money they'd ever spent... 'where'd Carol go ... there she is ... must be Nicki's leg... ' another hit on the pipe... 'Nicki's leg?' "It's okay Harry, go ahead," Margo whispered. Fingers into her ... so wet ... kissing her leg, caressing it ... hmm, she smelled good ... they all smelled different when aroused... "I love you ... Harry..." Bite the soft skin ... hand running up her inner thigh ... fingers plunging in and out... "I love you too, sis." Her muscles squeezing down on his fingers... 'she sounds lovely when she comes ... so good to be home... ' " ... out of it ... moose couldn't wake..." "No ... ah'm not..." "Okay ... wrong ... just relax..." "His body ... lifted to the surface..." " ... sure you want to do..." " ... you're all okay with this?" "Yes I am." "Very sure." "Uh huh, positive." 'Mmm, warm mouth ... Princess ... feels different... ' His eyes opened slightly. Carol ... Kelly ... Margo ... holding him up... His eyes closed. 'Then who was ... mmm ... Princess is good at this ... deep down her throat ... umm... ' One eye crept open. "When did ... Princes ... go blonde?" "Shh, Harry ... close your eyes, everything's okay," Carol said, stroking his face as she helped support his body. Wasn't Princess ... felt different... Harry was so relaxed, and so lost in the loving arms of his family, that even when he realized he was coming in the mouth of his sister, he didn't mind. ------- " ... well, it was a very emotional time for him earl..." " ... poor baby ... shower ... put him to bed..." Harry felt himself being supported, someone under each arm and half walked, half drug into the house. " ... chair in there..." "Alright, sit him down..." Someone was pulling up his eyelid. Margo. "This ... stoned." "Think how long ... een since he smoked." " ... it ... killer dope..." Through slit eyelids he watched four lovely women showering around him as he slumped in the chair. Then Carol and Kelly were bathing him. They woke him back up to help them get him out of the shower and he managed to lean against the wall, mostly on his one good leg, while they dried him. He remembered getting to the bed ... and then nothing. ------- Harry woke up feeling much better than when he'd gone to sleep. The emotional strain caused by the unexpected turn their fantasy had taken, the two months of no smoking at all preceding the rather large amount he'd smoked, the Vicodin, it had all combined to throw him for a loop and while he could feel he was still somewhat stoned, his mind was clear and he felt more focused that he had before he'd slept. The only real question left was why he was awake? "Harry, let me help you get up and go to the bathroom," Kelly said. "I wasn't aware I needed to go to the bathroom." He cautiously opened his eyes. It was still dark outside but there were a few candles lit in the bedroom providing a small measure of light. "What happened? Did we lose power?" "No Harry, come on, let me help you to the bathroom ... they're for romantic mood." His cock twitched. "Ah, okay, I'm with you now." He looked towards the bathroom to see her, standing by the bed. He scooted himself over to the edge and tentatively stood up. His knee wasn't ecstatic, but it wasn't actively pissed at him either. "How's it doing?" Kelly asked. "Better," he explained, "but I'm not crazy enough to turn down the help." Together they hobbled him into the bathroom where a piss, tooth brushing and mouthwash later, he was hobbling back from, caressing Kelly's breast as they walked. "Watch out now, lover, none of that." "Well if not you..." She motioned towards the bed. Margo sat at the headboard in tailor fashion, a pillow on her crossed ankles. "Lay your head right here, beloved," she said, patting the pillow. Carol sat to her left in the same fashion, smiling. Harry clambered on the bed, crawling into position. "I meant face up, silly!" Margo said. "But where's the fun in that?" he replied. When he had turned over, he saw that Kelly was mirroring Carol's position on his side. From underneath her, Carol produced a bottle of massage oil and soon the room smelled of roses as the three of them slowly worked the oil into his skin. At some point someone had started some New Age meditative music on the bedroom stereo. "Mmm, this is absolute torture ... please don't ever stop." He closed his eyes and reveled in hedonistic bliss. "We weren't planning to, not for awhile at least," Carol replied. "Right, ladies?" Kelly and Margo agreed. "Harry," Margo said, "we're a family and we act together." "Um hmm." "You hurt one of us, you face all of us." "Um hmm." He began to open his eyes but Margo's hand touched his cheek. "Just relax sweetheart, close your eyes ... don't worry, you won't go to sleep." "I'm not ... that would mean missing some of this..." And indeed, his cock, three-quarters erect, showed that sleep was not where his body was headed. "More importantly than that," Margo continued, "as a family when you love one of us, you love all of us." Harry felt some shifting somewhere towards the end of the bed. "Umm hmm, seems fair." "Well my love," she continued, "the family has taken a lover..." "Who has yet to truly make love with you," Nicki finished from around his feet. Harry's eyes shot open! He remembered! He remembered things that happened in the hot tub! "Harry, love, relax, close your eyes for a bit longer," Kelly said. "Trust us," Carol murmured. "Let go of your fears, we've got you," Margo added. Harry's breathing was ragged and the familiar trembling of sexual tension and near terror was in his arms and legs. His eyes closed in fits and starts. "Relax my love, you're shaking," Carol said, "there's nothing to fear, we're all here, we all approve. We all love the two of you." "Believe us, this is something she really, truly wants," Margo continued. "There's no reason for this not to happen," Kelly added, "there's no reason for the two of you not to make love." "You ladies labor under a false assumption," Harry said, eyes still tightly shut. "You think this is unusual fear ... this is just standard first night jitters." "Every first night?" Kelly asked. "Yeah, I'm just normally a bit better at h-hiding it," Harry replied. He felt his sister move up his body, her skin seeming feverish as it brushed against him, straddling him as she crawled into position. "Okay, maybe this case is a little more intense than normal." Her breath was the honey and cinnamon of her favorite tea. "Harry, I love you ... I understand your fear..." Slowly she lay her body atop his, her breasts against his chest, the curls of her pubic hair entangling with his, the feel of her cunt, moist and warm, as his cock came to rest between her thighs, her arms upon his arms, her head upon his left shoulder, mouth at his ear, her hands on his head, her legs draped across the outside of his own. "May I tell you of my fears?" He nodded, dumbly. "First I was terrified of accepting what I felt ... how do you admit that you want to make love with your brother? I noticed that I'd started reading a lot of incest erotica online, some of it very good but the majority of it ... laughable ... and while with a lot of my previous masturbation I knew that the other person in my fantasy was a figment of my imagination, the more of that I read, pretty much exclusively brother/sister stories, the more I had to admit that the face in those fantasies was you. So I slowly came to terms with what I wanted, and I thought to myself, well, the hard part is over, now I just live with it. "And then you called me. You wanted to get together, to reconnect. You were away from Angie and you had a bright new life. "So I was coming for a visit, and I knew, I KNEW nothing was going to happen, nothing could happen. That sort of thing doesn't happen in the real world. The real world, my real world, was full of shallow acquaintances, loveless sex - on those rare occasions I got laid at all, endless loneliness ... dreams didn't come true in my real world, Harry. Dreams remained dreams, and since I was sure everybody lived in my world along with me, well, my dream of making love with one of the best men I know was going to remain a dream. "Then you and I sat in the Pearl and you told me, in absolute truthfulness, that you didn't live in my real world. You lived in a fairy tale where Princess Carol saved brave Sir Harry who had fallen under the evil queen's spell. A story where that same princess was sure enough of his love for her to bring another into their circle, after working to free Princess Margo from her evil husband, Benjamin. "Harry, you didn't live in my world at all ... and if nothing else, that told me that I needed to break away from my world, cleanly and quickly, and try to find another world where I was happier. "And then you and Carol were attacked ... and I was so terrified that the fairy tale I'd found and touched so very briefly was ending. But it didn't ... the honorable Black Knight Nick's aid was enlisted to find the assassins Princess Margo's evil husband had sent. Sir Edward took care of them. Sir Nick the Black Knight killed the evil Benjamin while the brave Sir Harry healed, safely under guard in the tower. "Somewhere in all of that, the three beautiful princesses betrothed to the handsome Sir Harry reached out and drew in the bitter and lamed Princess Nicki with her twisted soul and showed her their love. They took her to their bosoms and cherished her and never once realized the good they did. They loved her because she was your sister, it is their nature to love and they had no reason not to love her. And I began to heal, slowly ... still have quite a ways to go. "So I imagined in my mind this sexy, hard-core porn fantasy between Margo and me where I'd let her know what I dared to want and she'd be so shocked but would eventually agree after much sweaty physical persuasion. I'd have to repeat this scene with Carol and Kelly as well and oh my God Harry, I almost snapped a vibrator in half because of that fantasy. "But when I got to the reality of it, it was nothing like the fantasy ... I was so scared I couldn't see straight ... literally ... my vision was blurry and swimming. I kept trying to play out the scene I'd constructed in my head but nothing was working out right and Margo volunteered to guess what I wanted to say but there was no way in Hell she could possibly guess and my old real world was right there at my heels, trying to claw its way back. She'd guess wrong, I'd tell her the truth, she'd tell me to get the fuck out, I'd end up staying in a hotel and my world would have me again, Harry, it'd have me and it would never let go, never loosen its grip on me ever again. "And then your fairy tale reached up and slapped me in the head. The kind sorceress Princess Carol had divined my desire, and told Princess Margo. And instead of refusing my heart's desire, she helped me to understand it, why I desired it so, and then she and the other fair princesses helped to make it come true. So tonight, while you were so out of it, your fingers thrust in and out of me, and your lips kissed my leg and your hands caressed my thigh ... and later I wrapped my lips around your cock, sucking you off and Harry, let me tell you, I had the time of my life! I barely had to touch myself to come. "Even though they'd assured me that you would want me ... the last greatest fear remained. The fear that even though I had physical proof you found me desirable, you wouldn't be able to deal with the whole 'incest' issue. But since you haven't jumped up and run away screaming, I'm thinking you're okay with that." Harry smiled a shaky smile at his sister. "My dear, the only judges, the only authority, the only society I care about surrounds the two of us on this bed. If they've assured me there is no problem, and have urged me to let go my fears, then that's what I'll try to do." Harry looked pensive. "There is one fear that remains ... and I don't know if I'll be able to get past it, deal with it properly." "What's that?" Nicki asked, her own fear of rejection beginning to show on her face. Harry saw it, smiled and wasted no time answering. "The fear that I'll come too fast," he said as he drew her to him in a kiss. He felt her nipples crinkle and become erect against his chest as they kissed, tongues slithering over each other like snakes in a mating frenzy. If he thought about the fact that he was making love with his sister he would almost come without any more stimulation than her body atop of his was already providing. So he stopped thinking altogether. His hands rushed along her body, trying to touch all of her at once, his hips spasmed with a will of their own as he tried to thrust his cock inside her, his nervousness having transformed him into a mindless thing that needed only to mate. Her body responded in kind, but Kelly and Carol's hands caressed her back and sides, soothing her, while Margo stroked Harry's hair and face, saying, "Brother, calm down ... relax ... our sister is here, safe in our arms and nothing will interrupt your love. You have all the time you'll need. Sister, our brother lies beneath you, there is no need to hurry, there is no need to fear." But with both parties so nervous, so agitated, almost incoherent with their need, it was soon obvious that help was required. "Carol, is she wet?" Margo asked. "Oh, yes ma'am." "Fine, let's midwife this loving." As Margo raised Nicki off Harry's chest where she had laid, shaking, Carol and Kelly eased her back and inserted Harry's cock into her. As their two bodies melded together, their eyes met and locked on each other and suddenly it was if a switch had been flipped. The two of them began to move as one at a slow, languorous pace, every sensation savored and reveled in. He reached up and stroked her breasts. "Have I told you how beautiful you are, Sis? How good you look now that you're filling out?" "No, love, but your wives have ... it's good to know the whole family approves." "Oh definitely, Sis ... we all like our women 'real'..." his hands slid back to her ass, "with meat on them." After they'd moved together awhile longer, she kissed him and asked, "Bro, would you like to plant something back there?" "Honey, my pet's made me a believer ... if you're offering your sweet ass, I'm interested." Nicki hopped off of his cock and stood up, turning around before settling back down, her cunt in his face, her legs to either side of Margo. "Sister Margo, would you make me ready back there, please ... don't have time for a butt plug ... I'm going to suck Bro's cock clean, then we're going to go for a trifecta." "Sister, have you ever had anal sex before?" Margo asked. "No, but I damn sure want to try it now ... since I've met the three of you ... I don't think there's anything I don't want to try..." She began to noisily suck Harry's cock. Harry in the meantime was just as noisily occupied. His eyes were finding it hard to focus and his nose was deep in her cunt, his tongue lashing her clit back and forth as he caressed the skin around it with his lips ... all he could hear were wet sounds, bodies slapping together, skin brushing on skin. He opened his eyes and there, right above his head, Margo was slowly working a second finger into his beautiful sister's ass. He wrapped his arms around Nicki's hips and hugged her tightly, realizing that there are some fantasies that are never born until the moment they become possible. As Margo finger-fucked Nicki's ass and his sister and he drove each other further and further towards orgasm, Harry realized that he was far closer to coming than he'd realized. "Kelly, cock ring please, the leather one." Within minutes she was strapping the band of leather around him, snapping it firmly into place. Nicki broke off her oral assault. "Isn't it lucky we have so many helping us tonight?" "Oh yeah," he replied, "otherwise I think we'd still be vibrating at each other." "I'm ready," she announced, crawling towards the end of the bed. "Support her," Margo ordered. So as Kelly and Carol held her upright, leaning back, slightly beyond her center of balance, Nicki began to lower herself onto Harry's cock. "Margo, sisters ... does it look like I'm aligned correctly?" she asked. "Yes," Margo replied, "but why-" Her question was answered as Nicki dropped herself the rest of the way with a sharp exhalation of breath that became a cry of pain, tears coming from her eyes and rolling down her cheeks. "Honey," Carol said patiently, "I could have told you that was a bad idea." "No ... no ... no ... no it wasn't..." Nicki said through her tears, "it was ... just the way ... I wanted it ... painful ... and quick ... and now I relax ... and let the pleasure come ... like jumping into the deep end ... of an ice cold pool..." Her hands went to her cunt and she began to play with herself. "Sis," Harry said, "one drawback to that plan ... a pool doesn't have an appendage intimately involved that you tried to amputate..." "Oh God Harry, are you alright?" she cried. "Am now ... you're starting to loosen up ... holy shit that was interesting ... do me a favor ... warn me next time ... still do it that way if you want ... but warn me..." "Okay," she laughed through her panting, "for now, Bro, fuck me in the ass, please?" As his hips began to rise and fall, her hands furiously worked at her cunt. "Oh ... God ... ladies ... I see ... what y'all meant ... this is divine ... so full..." "Sister, this was supposed to just be between you and him. We're supposed to be as if we're invisible," Carol said. "But you're not ... you're here ... helping us ... blessing us ... and I don't want ... to pretend you're not ... I love all of you..." "And we love you too, Sister Nicki..." Kelly said. "Just wait till he's doing this and one of us is thrusting something big into that tasty slit of yours at the same time ... it takes a bit to get it set up, but double impalement? Oh baby, you haven't lived till you've had that..." "OH GOD ... OH God ... oh my ... oh ... damn you ... Kelly ... mmm ... a little faster ... Harry ... love me ... a little faster ... oh yes ... Yes ... RIGHT THERE ... YES ... OH ... Yes ... oh ... God ... I'm tired ... have you come yet ... Harry?" "Have you felt a gushie in your tushie?" asked Kelly, smirking. "If the answer is 'no', our boy hasn't had his jollies." "Get me off of him ... get me off..." As she was half-lifted off of Harry, she crawled around to face him. "Do we have something to clean his cock off with? Carol?" But even as she asked, Carol was on her way to the bathroom. After she returned, Nicki thoroughly cleaned her brother's cock, then sank down and popped the cock ring off, and prepared to take him down her throat. "Harry ... I want you in me when you come ... so you tell me ... when I need to get back on you..." He nodded numbly. "I love you, Nicki." "I've never doubted it," she replied, ramming her head down all the way onto his dick. As her throat muscles tantalized him, it didn't take long for him to approach the point of no return. "Nicki ... you might want to get on..." In a heartbeat she was on top of him, burying his shaft in her cunt, falling on to his chest. "Harry, I love you ... I always have..." she said as they once again began to move together. "And I'm so very glad ... I have the chance ... to express that love physically ... but I've got to admit ... a pretty big thrill ... in all of this for me ... is turning out to be the kink ... I'm fucking my brother ... and his wives ... my lovers ... are helping ... and I'm gonna fuck you ... in front of God and everybody ... at the adults-only party..." Harry exploded inside of her and she understood that 'have you come yet' was not a question she ever needed to ask him as he convulsed beneath her, a stuttering 'hnnn-nnn' sound coming from his throat. "And for the rest of my life ... my handsome brother ... from time to time ... so long as your wives agree ... I'm gonna enjoy fucking you ... and if whoever I'm involved with ... can't handle that ... then they're not gonna be involved ... with me for long." Harry's spasms continued as he clutched Nicki to his chest, driving his cock into her with no sense of rhythm, with just the primal need for oneness. His hand slid down to her ass and grasped it, hard enough to leave an imprint, hard enough for his trimmed nails to faintly break the skin. His other hand grabbed her hair, forcing her mouth to his and as she felt him crush her to him, she climaxed and words were forgotten as the two of them ground their crotches together, all subtlety and finesse gone in the flood of emotions and lust. When the two new lovers recovered enough to notice the world outside each other's eyes, they saw that the wives had formed an oral daisy chain a few feet away on the bed. The action had calmed down to gentle nibbling and sucking by the time Harry and Nicki rejoined the land of the sentient and so when Nicki and Harry began chuckling at the sight, Kelly disengaged herself from Carol's cunt. "I don't wanna be hearin' no laughin' ... after the show y'all put on, we all agreed someone was gonna be eatin' pussy and we had no shortage of volunteers ... y'all are better than the floor show at the 'Shack O' Back'." "Well, I don't know about you," Harry said, "but I need cleaning and then I need more sleep. Who's up for seeing if we can fit five in the new bathtub?" "Already know we can fit four, sir," Carol answered. "And you're kinda scrawny," Margo added, "I think we can squeeze you in." ------- Rochelle Lowry read for a second time the invitation her husband had handed her as they lay naked in bed. "Mike, this sounds an awful lot like a swinger's party ... I thought we were both tired of that?" "Shell, I'm still very disenchanted with that scene, except for the triple I spoke with you about. They'll be at the party, by the way. "But back to our previous subject, this is something considerably stranger. You remember me telling you about the couple with the pet? She's one of the wives. The patient who was the focus of the 'nurse' scene? This is him and his wives." "Wives ... not sure I'm ready for a polygamist. He sounds like some sort of Mormon chauvinist pig." "Shell, honey, look at me." She turned and gazed into her husband's eyes. "I need you to put aside preconceptions for a moment. These four are like no group you've ever met. The women are not so much all married to him as the four of them are all married to each other ... and I pity the poor fucker who tries to mess with any of them. They've got the tightest family I've ever seen. And the friends they associate with are just as tight, the only difference being they're not sexually involved with each other. But the family bonds are just as rock solid. I know you'd like them. If you'd like, I'm sure we can arrange to go visit them sometime soon, let you get to know them." She smiled, "No Mike, you're right ... I let my head get in the way again." The tall and shapely redhead leaned against her husband and sighed. "I'm sorry, I know I get judgmental and then tend to not want to let go of my judgments. If you say they're good people ... well, you haven't steered me wrong yet. With the exception of Ramon in Puerto Vallarta..." "Honey, he looked and sounded like you'd enjoy him in bed ... God, his wife was certainly more fun than I had any idea she'd be." "I know ... and I'm never going to stop teasing you about him either ... shit, what a lump in the love department he turned out to be ... wish we could've kidnapped his wife though..." "Yeah ... I think even you would've considered polygamy for her." "Considered it? Mike, I would've led parades supporting it for the chance to share her bed every night. I'll send our acceptance in a little while." "Why wait?" "Because I'm remembering you and Carmelita and I can always speak in my bad Mexican accent..." ------- "You sure you don't mind this, Jessica?" Wendy asked. "Sweetie, I've told you again and again. You being a guy doesn't bother me ... I like it ... and I like being out with you when you're a girl." "I kinda meant my ... thing ... sliding up and down the crack of your ass." Jessica stretched. "Wendy, I don't mind that at all ... feels good to me ... and like we've talked about, give me a little more time, and I'll be happy to fuck you till your balls implode. For now, it's hand-jobs, blow-jobs and you coming on my back." "Okay ... and massages, don't forget the massages," Wendy replied. "Oh, if she does ... I'll remind her," Quan said, sitting on the couch and masturbating as she watched her two roommates on the floor. Jessica was sprawled out naked, covered in oil, reading something she'd gotten in the mail while Wendy gave her a back massage, and got herself off at the same time. Jessica turned to look at Quan, legs spread wide as she very carefully slid the neck of a Jack Daniels bottle in and out of her cunt with one hand while she fingered her clit with the other. "Quan sweetie, what do you get out of watching this?" "Well ... you know I'm bi ... if you weren't still messed up ... over another girl ... I'd be jumpin' on your shit ... in a heartbeat ... and Wendy's such a pretty boy ... she's fun to look at ... doesn't really do it for me ... but hot to watch ... so in the meantime ... I jill off ... a lot." Jessica looked at the invitation in her hand and then threw it across the room. "You know, no reason why tonight can't be everybody's lucky night." She reached back and grabbed Wendy's depilatoried balls. "C'mon little girl, you're gonna get your wish." She looked at her other roommate. "Quan, so are you ... you want me, you got me. She rolled beneath Wendy. "But are you gonna be able to deal with me and Quan?" "Uh ... I don't care who I have to share you with ... I just really, really want you," Wendy stammered. "You better not have finished all the Jack in the house, Quan," Jessica said, "or else your first experience with this slit is gonna be hearing Wendy fuck it while I spank your ass!" "If I hide the fresh bottle in the kitchen until afterwards, could that happen anyway?" the sleek Vietnamese girl said as she got up off the couch, bottle in hand. "Maybe," Jessica replied as she led the parade to her bedroom. She quickly wiped the tears from her eyes. "Fuck all of you..." she muttered under her breath. In the corner of the living room, with a copy of the invitation to the adults-only party, was a hand-written note. "Jessica, I realize it's probably too early for you, but I wanted to let you know about the party, just in case I'm wrong. Everyone was so glad to hear you're doing okay, and your story about Wendy got everyone laughing. I understand if you can't, but if you feel that you can, we'd all love to see you and your roommates there. Kelly in particular sends her love and best wishes for your happiness, Harry" ------- Chapter 31 Harry opened his eyes slowly, at peace with himself and the world. He was home. He was back in the arms of his family. He was where he belonged. He looked to his left and saw the beautiful and naked forms of Kelly, Carol and Margo still asleep, all entwined together. It was a sight to make anyone's heart burst with joy. "Mornin' bro," Nicki whispered from his right side where she was curled up next to him. "Morning ... what are you doing awake?" "Oh, planning out my day's activities ... moving out, stuff like that." "What?" he said, much louder than he'd meant to. "Quiet, you'll wake the sleeping beauties ... yeah, got me an apartment and everything. Carol had Daggett draw up an employment contract for me and between you, me and the bedposts, she's a pretty generous boss. So I'm moving out." Harry rolled over to face her, marveling at the previous night's memories. "But why, God knows we've got plenty of room..." "Yes, yes you do ... but I had a nice long talk with the three bodacious ones over there and they begrudgingly had to admit that I might be right in what I was thinking ... the quickest way for me to wear out my welcome in y'all's bed was to continue to live here. "Harry, I love you, and I love them, but I'm not a part of this marriage and never will be ... that's too kinky even for me, I think. The four of you are a unit, solid as a rock. I'm just a tasty piece of tail on the side for all of you and I'm blissfully happy with things that way ... trust me. Ask Carol, your hoodoo woman; I'm not another Kelly, protesting too much, I'm someone looking for her own fairy tale now ... and I believe I'm going to find it or make it for myself. "Carol and I will continue to work with each other, courtesy of the internet as well as me spending a lot of time over here during the week. You won't be able to keep me away from parties and family get-togethers ... I just won't live here. You understand?" "Yeah, yeah I think I do," he said. "So, where you moving to?" "Oh, just down Trousdale, about eight blocks ... still almost in the neighborhood. A guy has renovated an old house into four good-sized apartments. So later today with the help of manly men like Eddy ... and Karen ... as well as the three Graces over there and Patricia and Tamara, I'll be out of here and into there. "I am gonna miss that bathroom though..." "Well, come on sis, who wouldn't?" "Good point..." "And you're always welcome to come over and use it ... just as long as I don't see you over here every time you need to go the john," he added, smiling. ------- The two of them made a bathroom visit and then lay in bed cuddling and talking softly until signs of life appeared in the pile of bodies next to them. Kelly cracked an eyelid open and muttered, "Harry ... honey ... if you're awake, why the fuck don't I smell coffee?" "Didn't want to wake anyone prematurely ... the smell of coffee's been known to do that." "Good point ... but I'm awake now ... sorta ... and if I don't have coffee soon ... my love, things could get ugly." Chuckling to himself he got up and pulled on a robe. "Come on Nicki, help me get some coffee and food started for these poor dears ... Kelly, can you wake up your wives ... gently please." "Right ... gently..." ------- Harry was not at all surprised to see Kelly being carried, kicking and screaming, into the kitchen by Margo and Carol ... all three of them naked as the day they were born. "Nicki darling, be a dear and get the back door for us," Margo asked. "NICKI, IF YOU DO I'LL..." "You'll what, oh about-to-be-wet Princess?" Carol inquired, grinning evilly. "I'LL..." "You'll lose coffee privileges for the morning if that sentence goes much further," Harry replied calmly. "OPEN THE GODDAMN DOOR ALREADY THEN!" A few moments later, after a scream and a splash, Margo and Carol came back in, dusting off their hands to signify a job well done. "Well, we're off to grab robes and then we'll be back," Margo said. "I hope that coffee's ready." "It is," Harry replied. "Tickled you?" "Ahyup," Carol said, "shoulda known better." "Harry!" came a call from outside. He went to the back door and looked out. "Yes?" "Would you be a love and fetch me a towel, please?" Kelly said, leaning her head on her arms as they rested on the edge of the pool, her beautiful form floating on the water behind. "Of course my darling, and there'll be a robe and coffee for you in the kitchen when you get in." "You are a god ... as well as a traitorous scum ... but I'll forgive you for that ... for now." "You are too good to me, my love." "I know." Within another fifteen minutes everyone was seated at the table, digging into one of Harry's breakfasts and they were almost through the second pot of coffee. ------- The evening at Jessica and Quan's hadn't really ended as of the next morning, even though it'd been interrupted by a few naps. All three of them had decided to call in sick. "Oh yes, Jessica loves her little girl ... oh ... God ... that's good," Jessica moaned as Wendy fucked her for the fourth or fifth time, no one was really sure anymore. Quan was curled up next to her, arms wrapped around her waist, mouth firmly attached to her breast. "Quan baby, are you sure you don't want to try her? She's very ... energetic..." Quan shook her head, never breaking suction on Jess' breast. Her needs had been met earlier in the evening both orally and with the help of a strap-on that Jess had driven into her like she was trying to split her in half. "Well then, little girl, I guess I'm just going to keep you all to myself," Jessica said, pulling Wendy down to kiss her. After the kiss ended, Jess looked down and caressed Quan's face. "Sweetie, are you sober enough to make a run to the Walgreens? I think this is the last condom in the house and I know I'm gonna need another before too much longer." "Uh ... yeah ... I can walk it ... I guess I better pick up the economy pack, huh?" "It would probably be a good idea." She nuzzled her lover's ear. "And when you get back, I'm thinking it's time to take the little girl's virginity." "You mean..." "Oh yeah..." ------- Breakfast finished and the plans for the closet renovations inspected and approved, Harry wrapped himself in a towel and slowly walked out to the pool. Shucking the towel scant millimeters before it would have gotten wet his nude body slipped into the pool and he began to swim laps. As he did so, he thought about the physical therapy on his leg that was yet to come. He thought about what Dr. Lowry, Helen McReady and he had discussed ... what he had asked Mike not to tell anyone else. ------- When Quan stumbled back in from the drug store, Jessica was in the shower and Wendy was stretched out asleep on the bed. Quan put down the large box of condoms and grabbed the bottle of Jack before making her way to the bathroom. "Keep your ass in that shower, bitch, I'll be joinin' you in a minute," she said, pulling off her clothes. "Not a problem ... feels good in here." "Me and Mr. Daniels about to make it feel a whole lot better." After the two naked women shared several mouthfuls of liquor, Quan began soaping her lover's back. "So, what's up?" "What do you mean?" "Bitch, don't treat me like I'm some mental defective ... everything's slow and there's a whole lot of 'maybes' between you and Wendy ... whole lot of 'probably nots' between you and me ... then all of a sudden you're more than willing to play Queen Bee in our little hive. Not that I'm complaining," she leaned over, kissing Jessica's neck while massaging her breasts, "but even tired, drunk, well-fucked and still horny, I'm not blind." "Quan ... I ... I guess I realized that ... there I was, two people, beautiful people, people I find attractive, wanting me ... and I was all wrapped up in what I didn't have ... and I get this invitation from Harry and the others to a party... "For fuck's sake, they're happy, Quan! Not that they shouldn't be but ... it really pissed me off. And for awhile I didn't know why, and then it hit me. I was mad because they were going on with their lives ... and I couldn't believe I was being that stupid and petty. Why was I sitting there being less than happy, trying to hold on to something that wasn't mine anymore, when the two of you were right here? I figure the chances of the three of us, or either you and I or Wendy and I, working out long term are pretty low ... but hell, the four of them are fighting tougher odds and they're still in there swinging and they're really happy. Maybe we can be happy too..." "You mean ... this isn't just a 'fuck' thing ... you'd like to try something serious?" Quan asked, her voice trembling ever so slightly. "Baby, why not? I wanted to be somebody's 'one and only' ... now I'm two peoples' 'one and only' ... a lot of folks would agree I should stop my whining and realize how lucky I am." "Let's get outta this shower, Jess, and you come on to bed with me ... taking Wendy's ass can wait till she wakes up on her own. I want some time being held." "You got it, lover." ------- "Bevy, property management says we're two months behind on our rent. Time to deal with the mail. Best two out of three, loser has to handle it!" Perry said, coming in from the parking lot. The two of them settled down on the couch with video game controllers in hand and a short time later, Perry was lugging the garbage can where they dumped their mail over to his chair. "I shoulda known better'n to let you choose the game," he muttered to a silent and serene Bevy. "Well, least you can do is get that work done on the webcomic you been putting off!" Bevy nodded and went to the computer while Perry started wading through several months' worth of mail. "If the damn apartment complex could do automatic payments outta the account, wouldn't have to worry about this shit ... never see the utilities not getting' their money ... ever'body that can get paid online never misses their money ... all of 'em get paid right promptly ... goddamn apartment complex still livin' in the stone age..." Envelopes were ripped open and while ninety per cent of the accumulated mail ended up in another garbage can, one that was being used for its original purpose, there was the remaining ten per cent. "Bevy! Your sister had her baby ... you got a niece ... they named her Bobbie Sue Ellen ... letter from my grandma ... says she looked at an ep of 'Dinosaur Ho' on my cousin Clyde's computer ... says we're goin' to Hell, but she still loves us ... got a couple o' checks here from them oil shares your daddy left ya, put them in the 'take to the bank' pile ... got another batch o' solicitations from that televangelist you're fuckin' with, let you handle them ... my brother writes, says the chow at Huntsville ain't bad, asks if I can put a little more in his account every month, one o' the guys in his cellblock is shakin' him down fer cigarettes ... I figger I will, it's better'n listenin' to him whine about bein' somebody's bitch ... again... "Hey Bevy ... we got us an invite to a party for freaks and weirdoes at Harry's place, last Saturday in September. I'm in if'n you are..." Bevy's enthusiastic nods had Perry on his computer, sending their acceptance in no time at all. ------- Jessica and Quan laid in bed together, the sleeping Wendy by their side. "So you think Wendy's pretty serious about you?" Quan asked, her mouth taking a break from nuzzling Jessica's neck. "I got that impression from the way she was talking," Jessica replied. "I mean, she's already refusing to consider seeing anyone else ... I don't expect that to change now that we've become lovers." "It won't," Wendy replied sleepily. "Why are you wondering, Quan sweetie?" "Well, I was just thinking ... if we're all really serious about this, then we probably want to think about moving my mattress in here with yours so we can all have enough space to sleep." Two sets of excited squeals let Quan know the idea met with her roommates' approval. ------- By the end of the afternoon, it was done. All of her stuff was out of the house; all that she wanted out of storage was in the apartment as well. Her living room was full of friends and family, tired, from the moving or in her brother's case supervising, eating pizza and relaxing. And Nicki Grimes was in her bathroom, sitting on the toilet, crying. There was a knock on the door. "Anybody in there?" Tamara asked softly. "Uh ... yeah, yeah ... lemme ... gimme a few minutes..." "Nicki, are you okay?" "Yeah ... no ... no, I'm not." "Can I come in?" "I guess." Tamara closed the door behind her and moved past Nicki to sit on the edge of the tub. "So, what's not good right now?" "I ... I guess ... it's all well and good," Nicki finally stammered out, "to be brave and talk about writing your own fairy tale and making your own life ... all that. It's another thing when it's time to actually start doing it. Tonight's going to be the first night since all this went down that I'm gonna be left with just myself ... well, me and all the fears and doubts ... you know, the insecurities sleep-over I'm evidently having." "Nicki, you know if you're not ready for this yet, Harry and the family won't raise an eyebrow if you move back in, even if you do it right now, this instant. There'd be some bitching and I'm pretty sure you'd be owing people backrubs and such for quite awhile, but nobody would think less of you. We'd have your stuff packed up and back to the house before you could say ... well, something that it'd take awhile to say, but you get the picture. You've made some big changes in your life and it seems to me what you're feeling is perfectly normal." "I couldn't ... I mean, I could, but I can't ... I can't let myself." "Well, would you trust me to go talk to Carol, see what she thinks?" "Yeah ... I feel like a fourteen-year-old, but yeah ... go see what the hoodoo woman has to say. I'm gonna try to get my shit together and then come out and be sociable." "Okay ... Nicki, the most important thing for you to remember, now and always, is that you're among friends ... and that means you never have to sit in the bathroom, crying alone, when you're sad." "Has anyone told you you're priceless today?" Nicki said, giving the tiny woman a hug. "My master assured me of it not more than an hour ago, but the opinions of others are always welcome," Tamara said, hugging her back. ------- "Now, I've got you loosened up," Jessica said, sliding three fingers in and out of her lover's butt, lubricant dripping from her hand and pooling around Wendy's ass, "but there's still probably going to be some pain. Are you ready for this?" "I'm ... ready," Wendy said, although the quaver in her voice gave the lie to her words. She lay across a pile of pillows with her already erect prick bent back towards her feet. "Now sweetie, try to let me know when you're going to come ... if you give me enough time, I'll pull out and wrap my lips around that pretty cock of yours ... this is going to be a load I don't want wasted, not a drop, okay?" "Okay ... I'll try." In the corner of the bed, Quan sat against the wall, a large vibrator buried deep in her cunt. Her eyes were half-closed as she watched her lover prepare to take her roommate's virginity. "Now Wendy, as someone who has had both, this isn't exactly like when you slide that pretty cock of yours in and out of my cunt," Jessica said as she caressed her lover's back in long, smooth strokes, "but it's somewhat similar, and as close as you and I can manage ... unless you ever decide you want a sex change." "Umm ... no... , " Wendy replied, reveling in the feel of her lover's skin upon hers, "I enjoy my prick way too much to get rid of it ... feels too good sliding in and out of you." "Fine with me, darling ... I'm not wanting you to lose it ... I've grown to love it." She pulled her fingers out and cleaned them on the damp towel she'd brought in. "Now then, relax," she said as she brought the tip of her strap-on to Wendy's ass. "Don't be thinking of this as an invasion, don't clamp down on it like it's something you want to expel ... relax around it, accept it ... know that I love you." And she pushed the head into her lover. Slowly, pausing from time to time, she inched the shaft into Wendy's bowels, whispering to her the entire time. "That's my beautiful girl ... oh, you're doing so well ... mmm, such soft skin you have, my love ... just relax, the pain passes, trust me ... yes, isn't that better?" And finally Wendy replied, "Mmm, yes ... you're right ... that's ... very nice ... oh ... oh ... slowly ... please ... oooooh ... have you ever ... tried this ... Quan?" "No ... but I'm watching your face ... put me on the sign-up sheet..." the dark-haired beauty replied as she quivered on the edge of an orgasm. "Oh Wendy baby ... I wish you could see the view from back here ... this big black shaft, glistening wet, sliding in and out of your beautiful butt ... damn ... I may not be swallowing that load ... I may have to slap a rubber on you..." Wendy squirmed in pleasure on the bed beneath her large lover. "Oh baby ... break my heart ... make me bury myself ... in that hot, wet, plump pussy of yours." "You mind if I went face down in Quan while you did?" "Not at all ... I'll just wrap my hands ... around that beautiful ass of yours ... and think about the day ... you let me do you ... like this ... oh God ... we better stop talking ... or you'd best get that rubber ready..." "How fast do you think you can recover?" "With you? Pretty ... fast..." Jessica pulled the strap-on out of Wendy's ass and slid down, kissing an ass cheek on the way and wrapped her lips around her lover's cock. Her tongue had barely brushed across the bottom before she felt the spasming begin in Wendy's balls as they bounced against her cheek. She opened her throat, relaxing it as Wendy's prick swelled and began to convulse, pumping out a load that subjectively seemed to go on forever. As Wendy trembled above her, balls jerking up and down, Jessica pulled her back off the pillow, pivoting beneath her so that she wasn't sucking her lover sideways. Wendy tried to hold herself up but her knees were weakening and she slowly sank lower and lower, her cock deflating in the aftermath of her climax, Jessica gently and tentatively sucking on it like it was a pacifier. Periodically an after-shock shuddered through Wendy's body and Jessica smiled around the half-limp dick in her mouth. "My ... God ... Jess ... I feel so ... empty ... front and back..." Jessica released Wendy's prick and brought her lover down to lie next to her. She smiled at the young woman evilly, then kissed her, swirling the remnants of Wendy's own cum in with her kiss. She felt Wendy stiffen, then relax as she accepted the natural end of the act, tasting herself and her lover together. The two of them lay together peacefully until Quan finished her own lonely, orgasm and crawled over to settle in on the other side of Jessica. "Bitch," she said as she unstrapped the harness from her lover's plump thighs and waist, "you better hope Wendy darling there recovers damn fast or you'd better not plan on waiting for her before you start on me." Quan's dark skin lay in sharp contrast to Jessica's pale color as Quan draped herself over her lover. She nuzzled Jess' ear and whispered, "You know, you're going to be one busy woman, taking care of the needs of two lovers ... I hope you're up to it." A soft snore, almost lady-like, issued from Wendy. "Well," Jessica replied, "I'm in luck that one of you is more male than she wants to admit. Head for the bathroom, I'll join you in a minute." ------- Galena Pessino was a good girl, everyone in her family told her so. She was projected to graduate early, took every AP course the high school offered, worked hard helping her mother clean at Ms. Karen's and Mr. Harry's on those rare occasions she needed help ... she was a good girl. And she was desperately tired of hearing everyone tell her so. She was even more tired of hearing how smart she was, how talented, how lucky to have a family that supported her ambition to go to college. What she really wanted were the normal things a sixteen-year old girl wanted ... a boyfriend, some measure of popularity, the occasional outrageous night that she could write in her blog about. It wasn't that she wasn't pretty, she was ... in a quiet way that was even further muffled by the clothes her mother bought for her ... the most frumpish, unappealing, form-hiding possible ... and the glasses she'd worn since she was seven. Her mother never let her change the style of her glasses too much ... variations on black plastic frames guaranteed to scare away any guy who might be even remotely interested in her. "You don't need to be worrying about boys, boys will come whether you worry about them or not. You need to worry about your grades." Her mother couldn't understand that even in the AP courses, she didn't really have to worry ... or work all that hard. She spent the mandatory study hours her mother dictated pursuing her own interests on the Web, writing boring entries into her LiveJournal that almost no one ever read, and occasionally visiting chat rooms devoted to her academic subjects. She'd visited a few social chat rooms, but she'd felt as out of place there as she felt in any social situation. She'd thought about getting a page on MySpace, but figured why should she enter a whole new arena where she could be ignored? An unexpected blessing for Galena from her mother getting fired by Ms. Angie was that it led to her mother agreeing that Galena could take care of Mr. Harry's pool. Galena's mother knew nothing about swimming pools or the maintenance thereof. And since Galena was the 'pool-girl', she had an immense amount of freedom to spend necessary, and unnecessary, time at the Grimes house. Carol and she had become fast friends even though a lot of things about Carol's lifestyle had shocked Galena at first. Carol's tendency to cover her nakedness with only a t-shirt when Galena was over and her sexual predilections, which had come out in a girl-talk conversation that would have had her mother dragging her to church by her hair for confession, had been among them. Despite them all, she had realized that Carol was just about her best friend in the whole world. So it was that Saturday night Galena had ridden the bus to the Grimes house, desperate to get away from her family, to 'clean the pool'. And found the house empty. Well, she had her mother's key, and she knew to lock the door behind her. Maybe it had been the lure of the pool, silent and dark in the night, which had started the whole thing. Galena had stood by the pool and in a moment of unbelievable daring had undressed, slowly, calmly. First she removed the dress which came down to her knees and covered her arms to just above the elbow (if Galena was honest with herself she understood that her mother's rigid attitude towards her youngest daughter's clothing was formed by the unfortunate ordeal of her older sister, Elena, who at fourteen made their mother a grandmother). Then she took off her shoes and socks, socks which came up to her knees. For a moment Galena had paused, feeling the air tease her exposed skin as she stood by the pool in her bra and panties. Slender with breasts that were still deciding if they would take after her mother's and grow to earthy, sensuous, man-hypnotizing size, or take after her grandmother's and remain rather average; hips and butt that were well on their way to developing the curves that would announce her full-blown womanhood; skin that fairly glowed under the faint moonlight, soft and smooth the way a young girl's skin should be. She threw her head back, stretched her arms out to her sides and twirled in place. Then, feeling delightfully wicked, she added her bra, panties and glasses to the pile of clothing by the pool and dove in, scarcely disturbing the water as she did so. Skinny-dipping was something she'd never even considered doing before. She reveled in the freedom of gliding through the water unencumbered by clothing, and decided that if she had her way she'd never swim covered again. She knew she'd have to, but it was wonderful to dream. At last she understood why Carol went around naked, and would only throw on the most minimal of clothing for Galena and her mother, although when her mother was there, Carol did add panties to the ensemble. After a few minutes of getting her nerve up, she climbed out of the pool and, while forcing herself to walk, not run, refusing to give in to her embarrassment, she made her way to the diving board and stood naked on the end of it, out in the open, visible to anyone who could see over the twelve-foot fence. While that fence removed some of the sense of daring, it did make her feel a whole lot safer. Almost dancing on the end of the board, she dove deep into the water, reveling in its sensual caress of her entire body. Another fifteen minutes in the pool's embrace and she felt a need of a different sort. She continued her evening of wild adventure by drying herself off as best she could, then going inside and making herself a weak rum and coke. She took it to the 'bathroom of doom', as Carol called it, and positioning herself on one of the bidets, played with the controls until she found just the settings she craved. The warms jets of water gently started her on her way towards an orgasm as she sipped her drink with a Mona Lisa-like grin decorating her face. ------- "Harry, Kelly and I are going to stay over here tonight, help get some things squared away in the apartment," Margo said, sometime later. "Yeah, help her break in the bedroom," Kelly added, chuckling evilly. "Let you and Baby Girl have some together time." A little puzzled, Harry realized that it was another of those situations in life where the best course of action was to agree and find out what was going on at a later date and time. "We'll be back in the morning," Margo continued. "Think you can get Eddie and Tamara to give y'all a ride back to the house?" "Shouldn't be a problem," Harry responded. "HEY EDDIE, you got two riding in the back o' the truck." "Alright." "See, no problem. Nicki ... there's something you and I need to discuss about Dad and Mom ... not tonight, but some evening soon, just you and me, okay?" "Sure ... uh, how's tomorrow night sound? I know you're off on Monday, so that'll give us plenty of time to talk, just in case things run long." "Works for me." After another hour or so of visiting, everyone went their separate ways. As they neared the park, Harry had a sudden inspiration. "Eddie, stop and let us out at the park, we'll walk from there." "You sure?" "Yeah ... I think I am," Harry smiled. "At least I'm pretty well assured this walk will end better than the last one." "God I hope so," Carol said from where she was snuggled up next to him. "I could live a long, a very long and fruitful life and never have another evening like that." They climbed out of the back of the truck, and waved at Eddie and Tamara as the two of them drove slowly off into the night, Eddie watching them in the rearview mirror all the while. "Got your cellphone, got your whistle, got your straight razor?" "Damn straight, sir ... loaded for bear." "Let's go then." Hand in hand they walked to the swings, took seats and started swinging back and forth slowly. "Did you know this place is haunted now?" Carol asked, a look of pain in her eyes belying the smile on her face. "Oh really ... by whom?" "You ... Nicki and I started taking walks in the evening, heard some kids talking. In the 'neighborhood legend' version of events, you didn't live. That's why you haunt the swing set where you were brutally murdered by a man with a hook." "Wow ... mixing all our urban legends in, I see." "Oh yeah ... I'm surprised you're not mourned by a woman in white." "Give me a few years, I will be ... we haven't really talked about how you're doing, sweetheart. All the attention's been on my recovery, Margo's therapy, Kelly joining the family ... Margo told me about the talk the two of you had, but that was pretty close on the heels of the attack. How are you doing?" They swung in silence for awhile, then Carol said, "You die, two or three nights a week ... in my dreams, I mean. Sometimes the two of them follow me back to the house and kill everybody there ... sometimes they just catch me and kill me ... those are the best of a bad lot, as far as those dreams go. When they kill me, that's where it stops, they can't follow me back to the house. Nobody dies but you and me. If I didn't have the freedom to take naps in the afternoon, I don't know how I'd make it on as little sleep as I get sometimes." "Why the fuck aren't you getting some help? Little Cunt, there's no reason you can't see a therapist, like Margo's doing ... hell, you could probably see the same one!" "I've thought about it a lot, sir ... I think maybe a big part of me believes I deserve these dreams ... that I failed you and these are my punishment." "No ... no my love ... as Margo told you, you didn't fail me, you saved my life. If you'd run a touch slower ... well, it wouldn't have been one of my better nights. "Besides, Little Cunt, you're not the one who decides if you need punishing. That's a job for the rest of us. So let me tell you what's going to happen Monday. You're going to book an appointment with Dr. Stallings. If you don't like him or don't feel you can trust him and be open with him, then we'll find you someone else and we'll keep looking until you do find someone you can work with. Do you understand me?" "Yes sir." "Good, now let's go home ... it's time for your punishment. Silly Little Cunt, thinking you had the right to decide that you deserved to be punished..." On the way back to the house, Harry and Carol steered clear of the illumination cast by the streetlamps. All anyone would have been able to make out was a pair of lovers, walking along with their arms around each others' waists. They would have missed the unbuttoned pants that gave Harry's hand access to an ass cheek that he held with an iron grip as his Little Cunt whimpered happily all the way back to their home. Harry hid his pain well the entire walk to the house. ------- "Wendy, you rest a bit, Quan and I are going to freshen up a bit, then we'll be back out and I'll be needing that fucking you promised, okay?" "Mm-kay ... love you," Wendy murmured sleepily before resuming her snoring. "Love you too, sweetie." She padded into the bathroom and started up the shower as Quan sat on the toilet, pissing. "Thank God she's resilient," Jessica said, adjusting the water temp. "You should be thanking God she's able to get by on a lot of cat-naps," Quan replied, finishing up and preparing to join Jess in the shower. "I figure after you spend some loving time between my legs and Wendy does that pile-driver trick you enjoy so much, you should probably help the poor dear clean up some and then we all could use some solid sleep. Now that we've run out of booze, I've run out of anesthesia and I'm starting to feel everything we've done in the past thirty-six hours." "Good point," Jessica said, lovingly soaping Quan's crotch. "About what you said earlier, I kind of thought the two of you were going to be seeing to my needs." She smiled. "Oh we will, have no doubts about that," Quan said, stroking Jessica's face. "But you see, I love you, I love your body, I love making love with you ... I plan to spend a lot of time doing it ... and I've got no doubt Wendy feels the same way ... now, while you've got two fulfilling your needs, my little Queen Bee, she and I only have one you to split between us. "And I don't know about our little darling in there, but I'm very demanding of my lover," Quan continued. "Whereas I think Wendy might well fall to her knees and become your slave, kind of like that girl 'Carol' you told me about, I'm not the slave type. I've got my own 'Queen Bee Quan' urges." Jessica's mouth ran down her lover's chest until her tongue brushed Quan's nipple. Then she bit it. "OW!" "Any day you want to be 'Queen Bee', my love, let's fight for it ... if you win, I'll gladly take bottom ... but don't think I'm going to give it to you on a platter." She reached up and gently applied pressure to Quan's neck, her other hand doing the same to Quan's breast. "I've got a lot of aggression built up and I don't want to hurt you or Wendy ... at least, not in any way you won't enjoy. But I'm not going to roll over for anyone, even someone I love as much as I'm coming to love you. Are we clear?" Quan stretched her throat and neck out, exposing them while she groped behind Jessica's head. Getting a grip she brought Jessica's mouth to her bared throat. Jessica nipped the beautiful skin in front of her. "I see we have an understanding." ------- "So how did the three of you decide who stayed here and who went home with Harry?" Nicki asked as she pulled another box of kitchen items up on the counter to unpack. "It was really pretty easy," Kelly said, unloading a box of pots and pans into one of the lower cupboards. "We figured that Carol gets more than her share of household duties as it is, and she is the senior wife." "I thought Margo was senior," Nicki replied. "I was until we realized this was a group marriage," Margo said, breaking down a box. "If we're all married to each other, then it's pretty obvious that the original relationship is Harry and Carol, then I come in, then Kelly." "Ah ... well, it does make sense for things to work out that way," Nicki replied. "I really do want to thank the two of you for staying over tonight ... I feel like such a baby." "Nonsense ... reality of the situation is, after all the trauma we've all been through in the last two months, pretty much any emotional reaction any of us have is easy to understand," Margo said. "I'm surprised I'm the only one whose in therapy ... this has been a nightmare, in so many ways." "You can say that again," Kelly said, handing her another box to break down. "I've been thinking about it ... therapy I mean ... I just don't know if I want to put the family to the expense." "Do you think you'd benefit from spending some time in therapy?" Margo asked calmly. "Yeah, I think I would, but-" "No 'buts' about it, young lady, we'll make an appointment for you to see Dr. Stallings, and if he doesn't work for you, we'll find you one who does. Affording things is not a problem ... and most especially where the mental or physical health of one of our family is concerned." "Yes ma'am." "Oh, don't give me that ... it's just silly to not get you help because of your paranoia about money ... like I told your parents. Harry and I make enough that neither you nor Carol need ever work a day in your lives. We love you, you silly bitch ... come to think of it, would you like to see someone, Nicki?" "Uh ... I probably should, but I don't know if I'm ready to or not. This has all been so ... much ... that I feel overwhelmed a lot of the time, but I'm not sure I'm ready to go back into therapy ... my last bout with it wasn't too successful." "If you come to the decision that you need to, don't worry about paying for it, we'll cover it out of family funds," Margo said. "I feel pretty safe speaking for the family on that ... you agree, Kelly?" Kelly had a 'deer-in-the-headlights' look about her. "Uh ... I..." "Kelly, darling ... you're our wife; you have a voice in our family's decisions, no matter what they be, financial included." "Uh ... certainly ... yes, I agree. The family will cover any costs incurred by Nicki for therapy." "Very good." "Well, that's sweet you guys, but I couldn't-" "NICKI!" "Yes ma'am?" "The issue's been resolved." "Feeling a little Domme tonight, Margo?" Kelly asked, smiling. "Apparently so ... I'm sorry," Margo said, turning back from the cabinets. "I just..." She was greeted by the sight of Nicki and Kelly, faces down turned and arms crossed at the wrists before them. "Yours to command, Madam," said Kelly. "I live to serve, Madam," chimed in Nicki. "Well, let's finish up with the kitchen ladies, the bathroom and then the bedroom await!" ------- "Now then, Little Cunt, I'm going to give you three chances, and only three, to convince me to fuck your ass tonight," Harry said as they unlocked the front door and walked in. "The rest of the time you're going to be gagged. And if you're not very persuasive in those ... oh, three minutes per attempt, then there's going to just be a whole lot of spanking without any other happy ass play tonight." "Sir please I-" "QUIET! Not another word ... this is not one of your three chances." ------- While any of her brothers or sisters, especially Elena, would've been much more adept at talking their way out of the situation Galena found herself in, they weren't there and she was. One of her first big 'outrageous' evenings and she found herself trapped in a house where she shouldn't really be, although she knew there'd be no problem if she just called out she was there ... well, except for the being naked part, the drinking part, the masturbating on their bidet part. She was pretty sure Carol would laugh it off but she wasn't sure about Harry ... he might call her mother and that would be the end of the world. She did what any terrified teenager would do. She panicked. She killed the jets and scurried into the bedroom, hoping to somehow sneak past them into the back yard where her clothes were. She'd picked up her glasses ... nine years of wearing them every hour she was awake had made that automatic, but her clothes were out back. In the living room Harry was stripping the clothes off Carol and throwing them into a corner. Galena peeked around the corner in time to see him remove her underwear. "You go in the kitchen, get us some water," he said, "I'm going to go get your gag." And then he started walking towards the bedroom, taking his shirt off as he came. Galena crept back away from the door and froze against the wall. If he didn't turn on the lights, she wouldn't be seen ... maybe. Harry walked through the bedroom to the closet where they kept their toys. Finding the ball-gag without any trouble he headed towards the kitchen, never noticing the small crouching, naked girl hiding in the corner. In the kitchen, Carol's eyes registered something out by the pool that her mind filed away to be thought about later. Meeting her Master in the kitchen door with two sports bottles full of water and fruit juice, she wriggled and squirmed happily as he gagged her and led her to the bedroom. Hearing them coming, Galena had made a dash for the open closet, and once inside, in the very dim light found herself in a tangle of equipment she had no idea the purpose of. ------- As Harry started rigging up the bedposts, there was a sound from the closet. "I probably dislodged something when I got the gag," he thought to himself. Carol heard the noise too and when she went to the bathroom and saw the drink sitting by the bidet, things clicked together in her mind. The 'something' by the pool resolved into a pile of clothes ... a dress she recognized. Pouring the drink and ice cubes down the drain she freshened up and hoped the young girl had the sense to sneak out when Carol gave her the chance. Galena was going to get a stern talking-to later in the week. Then Carol giggled to herself ... well, a semi-stern talking-to, at least. ------- Galena looked through the closet door to the clock by the bed. She had to get her clothes and get to the bus stop in the next forty to forty-five minutes or she'd end up walking home ... or having to let Carol and Harry know she was there and get them to give her a ride home. Neither was an option she wanted to explore. ------- Carol came back from the bathroom and motioned that she wanted the gag removed. "I don't think so ... it's not time yet, Little Cunt. Get up on the bed." Carol hoped that Galena was either ready for what she was about to see, or smart enough not to watch if she wasn't. ------- Harry went around the room lighting candles after he'd secured Carol into position. She was bent over a large and very firm pillow; her arms ran beneath the pillow to the manacles and the lengths of chain that fastened them to the matching set on her ankles. More for show than anything else, given the amount of slack in the lines, the D-rings on her collar were secured by chain to bedposts as were her ankle manacles, somewhat more tightly, on the other end. Her legs were held apart by an ankle spreader and were it not for the sixteen-year-old in the closet, Carol would have been in heaven ... secured and totally exposed to her husband, about to be punished, with three chances to convince him to give her what she wanted. She knew if she put her mind to it, she'd only need one. Galena crouched in the closet, hidden in some of Margo's outfits, with a view out the wide crack of the closet door that let her see all of Carol's exposure. Suddenly the door opened all the way and the light clicked on. Galena froze in terror. Her naked lower body was visible beneath the bottoms of the hanging clothes, her foot and ankle were out in plain sight! Harry rummaged through the pile of equipment which drew Galena's eyes almost against her will. She'd never seen anything like most of it before, although paddles and whips and such were easy to figure out. He pulled out a pair of paddles and then clicked off the light, leaving the door wide open. Galena knew she had a choice ... she could close her eyes, try not to hear what was about to happen, try not to think about the first adult penis she'd ever seen, the penis that had swung freely within touching distance just a few moments before. As her hand went down between her legs, she knew any further thought on the matter was futile. ------- Harry started the spanking with a basic flat, leather-wrapped paddle. He shifted from one butt cheek to the other, back and forth, until the smell of Carol's arousal drove him to put the paddle down, bring his nose to her moist cunt, sniff deeply and then mount her from behind. With no prelude or foreplay, he slid into her and found, as he knew he would, that she was more than ready for him. "Damn you, you smell so good ... I think a few strokes ... oh ... yeah ... oh ... will be all ... I need ... oh God, beautiful, oh..." He came inside her, riding out the throes of his orgasm while roughly kneading her slightly reddened ass. "Would I be correct, Little Cunt, in saying that you like being used, just as you like being spanked?" Carol nodded vigorously while she prayed that he would continue to fuck her for a bit longer as that was all she needed to go over the edge into her own climax. But Harry pulled out, the mixture of both their fluids dripping from his cock and running down from her cunt, hearing her whimpers as he did so. "There, that's better ... where was I?" And then he picked up the paddle and returned to spanking her. Steady, measured, firm strokes fell on her ass cheeks, first one, then the other, like he was a machine. The redness rose and the lovely globes of her bottom began to swell. Periodically he would stop and ask, "Is everything alright, my little butt slut?" After she nodded, he'd continue. ------- Galena resisted the urge to bite through her lip as she came yet again. She'd already sank to her knees as they were no longer steady enough to hold her up and it was all she could do not to sprawl out atop the equipment on the closet floor and go at it with both hands. She couldn't believe where she was, what she was seeing and what she was doing. If she were truly the good girl everyone said she was she'd have never swam naked, or made herself that drink, or used the bidet to get herself off ... but most of all, if she were the good girl everyone thought she was, she'd turn her face away from what was happening in the bedroom and ignore it. So maybe she wasn't such a good girl after all. She couldn't resist watching, she couldn't resist getting herself off. She'd done her best to make no sound as she knew she'd die of embarrassment if she was discovered, but it had grown harder and harder with each climax that steamrollered through her young body. ------- Carol was lost in a sweaty, hazy sea of sensation. She was being spanked, she was being loved, she was being watched, she was being used ... and then she heard the whimpering, coming from the closet. Carol began to moan, loudly, behind the ball gag. "What is it, Little Cunt?" he said, loosening the ball gag so she could speak. "Sir, Sir, please ... would you please go upstairs and put some music on? I know it's a lot to ask so I'm offering one of my chances to beg you to fuck my hot ... red ... swollen ass in exchange for you doing so." Harry smiled at the not-too-subtle attempt to seduce him into further ass play. "Alright, anything you're particularly in the mood for?" "Well, I got you those CDs you were interested in, the 'Black Tape for a Blue Girl' ... they're on the desk in the office. Perhaps you could put them in the player?" "Alright, sounds like a plan ... while I'm up I think I'll give Margo a quick call, see how things are going." And with that, Harry headed upstairs. ------- "Galena Maria Pessino, get your ass out here right now," Carol hissed. "You've got just a few minutes to get out back, get your clothes and get out the front door before Harry comes back." The dark-haired girl who came out of the closet with skin so close in shade to Carol's own was blushing almost as redly as Carol's ass was glowing. "Now you better be here Tuesday with your mother and while she's cleaning you and I are going to have a talk while you work on the pool ... are we clear, young lady?" "Yes ma'am." "Now hurry!" With that, Galena scurried out the back door, grabbed her clothes, put them on and was out the front door, locking it behind her, even faster than she herself thought possible. ------- "Hey honey, how're things going over there?" Harry asked when Margo answered her phone. "Fine ... we're almost through getting the bedroom ready for use and after that, well, Madam Margo has two willing playthings tonight." "Lucky woman ... I'm lucky myself as I have Little Cunt tied down for a pretty severe spanking with no happy-happy-ass-fuck unless she's very persuasive ... and she'll only have two three-minute periods to try to persuade me." "Oh, I like the sound of that ... I'm going to have to add that to the repertoire ... of course, fair warning, you know Mistress Nicki and the Queen will as well." "Such is life ... a process of give and take. Figured I was going to end up on the receiving end of my own creativity at some point." "Uh huh ... what did our precious one do to earn her spanking?" "Oh, she's been having nightmares associated with the attack and hasn't told anyone or sought help because she thought she deserved them for failing me somehow. I've told her we're making her an appointment with Dr. Stallings on Monday and if he doesn't work out we'll keep looking till we find someone who does." "Jesus Christ Harry! Talk about great minds ... same topic came up over here, Kelly's going to be seeing Dr. Stallings as well, maybe Nicki too. I spoke for the family, and Kelly backed me up, when I told Nicki we'd cover any expenses therapy incurred, should she decide she could benefit from it." "You spoke true ... you know I'll agree and there's no chance that little Miss Kind-Heart-with-the-Glowing-Butt downstairs wouldn't as well. Tell the darlings hello and we love them. Y'all have a good night. I love all of you." "Same here, most wonderful husband, love from all of us to the two of you. Breakfast at the house tomorrow morning you think?" "Works for me ... if I'm not up when y'all get here, wake me." "Will do ... get the crop out of the closet and give her three good slashes with it ... one for me, one for Mistress Nicki and one for the Queen, won't you?" "Sure, not a problem ... good night love." After he hung up he returned to the joys of trying to unwrap CDs. ------- Once they'd gotten home, the two of them had sat naked in the solarium and had a glass of wine while they relaxed. Patricia had been feeling romantic, but Karen had worked hard all day and as soon as she'd rinsed the sweat off in the shower she'd gone face down on the bed and was out like a light. As Patricia took her own quick shower, she reflected that she really couldn't blame her lover ... Patricia was more than a little weary herself and she hadn't been doing half the heavy lifting. She dried off and then curled up in bed next to the sleeping slab of muscle that was Karen. In the darkness she could see the outline of her lover's face, and as her fingertips brushed across it she reflected how very close she'd come to losing Karen. Thankfully Carol and Harry had convinced Karen to find her and make her give Karen a second chance. She was more tired than she thought so she settled for an abbreviated form of her nightly prayers, knowing God would understand. "Creator, thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you..." She was still softly murmuring 'thank you' as she drifted off to sleep, spooned up next to her beloved. ------- Eddie Janak had a secret, one he hadn't even shared with that most divine love of his life, Tamara. He and his associates had lost track of Angie. It had all started when she'd lost her job, not too long after their meeting at the hospital. Then she'd moved out of her apartment, leaving most of her possessions behind, and Eddie'd been going crazy ever since, trying to pick up her trail. As Tamara lay in bed asleep next to him, Eddie wondered if he was in the process of failing his best friend yet again. ------- As 'These Fleeting Moments', the first track on the CD 'A Chaos of Desire' began to play throughout the house, Harry slowly walked back down to the bedroom, his knee bothering him more than he wanted to admit, even to himself. Carol winced as she saw him come in, his limp evident. "May I speak, Sir?" "Yes," he said, moving to the bed and rolling her on her side. "Here, before you do, have some water." "Thank you, Sir." She drank deeply as he squirted a stream into her mouth. When he finished she said, "It seems your knee is bothering you quite a bit. I shouldn't have asked you to go upstairs." "Nonsense ... I knew the job was dangerous when I took it," he said with a smile. "Is there anything else you wish to say?" "Yes sir ... I would give up one of my chances to beg if you would get into the hot tub for awhile and let your knee get some rest and hydrotherapy." "Done ... that leaves you with one chance. You'll be joining me ... I'll probably need to the support." As he released her, she said, "Permission to speak freely while I'm unsecured, Sir?" "Go ahead." "Harry ... love ... your knee's not in as good a shape as you've been telling us, is it?" "No..." She went to the closet and pulled out the cane he'd come home with. "Here Sir, use it!" As they walked out to the hot tub he continued. "Neither Mike nor Helen was happy with the progress of my therapy ... and they both admit it wasn't that I wasn't working hard enough. Mike's hoping that maybe the difference in my mental outlook, being at home instead of being in exile in the hospital, will make a difference." "And you didn't tell us this why?" "Because, to be brutally frank, I'm tired of being worried about by all of you ... I just want to get the fuck on with life, even if it involves some pain." "You know the others are going to be hurt and pissed that you didn't tell them." "And you ... are you hurt and pissed as well?" "Oh yeah ... but I'm dealing with it. Tell me what Margo had to say." As the hot tub continued to come up to temperature, the two of them lay together and Harry relayed his conversation with their wife. ------- Galena caught the last bus of the night and sat prim and proper all the way home. Her mind was still racing from what she'd done, what she'd seen, and her panties were soaked. ------- "Can you breathe alright?" Mounds asked Bum. The guttural 'uh huh' that came from her crewmate's throat brought a smile to her face. She leaned over Bum's face, sniffing at the mixture of rum and pineapple juice that filled her open mouth as she lay on her back. "Y'know, Bum, y'make a damn fine goblet fer grog," she said before slurping some of the mix out of Bum's mouth. "Just be rememberin' that if ye have to clear yer mouth, swallow what ye can before spewin' the rest on that there cloth. Ye waste good rum and yer punishment'll last even longer than it will already." She turned from the Third Mate, wrists tied to opposite ankles across her wet and ready cunt and grasped the their blonde captive by her hair, pulling her up from where she'd laid face down on the bunk. "Now you, cunt..." Their blindfolded prisoner squirmed and her muffled cries filled Mounds' heart with joy. "You got two choices. I'm gonna ungag ye, let ye crawl yer way over and find the grog. After ye've had a sip to wet yer throat, ye'll be decidin' yer own fate by the next words outta yer mouth. Ye speak to me pleasant and respectful-like, things'll go easier on ye. Ye speak to me like ye did before ... and it's a hard night ye're in fer, no doubt about it. I'll even release that malingerin' bitch, Bum, and together we'll use ye ill. So best ye be thinkin' how ye want yer next few hours to go while ye sniff out the grog." After she hauled her roughly off the bunk to the floor of the cabin, Mounds removed her gag and watched, chuckling, while the blindfolded prisoner scooted, with bound hands and ankles, across the floor, trying to find Bum by the strong smell of rum coming from her open mouth. Eventually she found the Third Mate, but almost stuck her nose in the wrong end of her. Second Mate Mounds laughed. "That end's wet enough it's true, slut, but I'm hardly thinkin' it'll quench yer thirst ... I drunk from that fountain plenty o' times and it always leaves me wantin' more ... better try the other end afore I go for more meself and leave ye nothing but a smell." The blonde beauty they'd abducted snaked her way around to Bum's head and plunged her mouth down upon the Third Mate's. The slurping sounds echoed through the cabin. When she was finished, she slumped over on her side, resting against the black beauty. "Now then, you miserable piece of wharf trash, you may do your worst, but this lady will never yield her honor, nor her dignity. You may take, but I shall never give." In one quick movement Mounds pulled her away from Bum and squatted over her. She grabbed a handful of the shimmering blonde hair and forced the prisoner's mouth to Mounds' wet and aching cunt. "Then takin' it'll be ... ye stupid slut, we're good at takin'." ------- Harry lay back in the hot tub, the sharp jagged pains in his knee slowly abating. His beloved sat facing him, straddling his lap, passing him mouthfuls of water and lung-fulls of pot smoke while cuddling him, brushing his erection with her cunt. "Just relax, Sir ... take it easy and let the hot water and the jets do their job." "It'd be a lot easier to manage that if you weren't pressing that delectable body of yours against me, Baby Girl." "Should I move, Sir?" He wrapped his arms around her. "Nope, won't let you ... you're right where I want you." "Funny thing about that, Sir, I'm right where I want to be." "Even when you're hurt and furious with me?" "Even then, Sir..." she fingered one of the scars on his chest, "because if I'm honest about it, I have so little room to complain about keeping secrets. None of us really has room to talk, I suspect. So I'm working hard to let go of my hurt and my anger ... and being close to the man who saved my life always helps with that." "God, you've paid that debt back a thousand times over-" "No Sir! I haven't even begun ... that debt will be repaid the day I say it is ... and if I were you, I wouldn't go holding my breath, waiting for that day to arrive." "Alright, my love, I shan't argue ... might I have some more water? Oh my ... my cock just slipped inside you! However did that happen?" "Umm, good question ... let's just keep it there till we figure that out." ------- "Whip the slut's cunt again, she's slowin' down!" Mounds said, grinding her hairy slit into the prisoner's face. Behind her, Third Mate Bum lashed the blonde's cunt with an improvised cat o' nine made from strips of cloth. The tips of the lash were wet from being drug through the captive's moist and open quim. "She still wet as a drunkard's kiss down there?" "Yes'm Mounds, soggy as a widow's hanky she is." The Second Mate climbed off the prisoner's face and grabbing the mass of hair at the back of their captive's head, pulled her over until their noses were almost touching. "Listen you haughty bitch, yer mouth can lie all it wants but your cunny's tellin' us the truth! Ye might as well yield now and save yerself some trouble, cause next it's candle wax an' a whippin' on those soft an' creamy inner thighs o' yers." "Go to hell, you sea-going whore!" "Bum! Bring me a candle!" ------- The knocking at the door had Nick up and moving, somewhat slowly but moving just the same, before he realized he was even awake. "Izzy, what is it?" he asked, opening the bedroom door. "Sorry to disturb you, Boss. Jimmy C followed up on that intel ... Madame Pedachenko had several men picked up from the airport this evening ... hard cases ... Jimmy figures ex-Spetsnaz. We'll have ID's from the bodies later but he says they got the right tattoos. What do you want done?" "Goddamn, did the bitch think I was fucking joking? Married a boy-buggering bastard like Ivan, I'd have thought she'd be happy to get rid of him ... have her hit ... somewhere public, very visible. I want it clean, surgical and untraceable. The right people will get the message. "Goddamn Izzy, am I going to have to kill every of them?" "I dunno, Boss." Nick closed the door and crawled back into bed. Randy rolled over. "Are you okay, love?" "No..." Nick said, "no I'm not." ------- "Last chance, milady." Mounds held the fat glass jar with the candle in it above the prisoner's belly, tautly stretched between her bound wrists tied to the bunk frame and the enthusiastic Bum holding her legs. "Ye can yield now, or suffer." "I'll suffer! I told you I'd never yield, you slut!" Margo looked at Nicki, the question plain in her eyes. Nicki smiled reassuringly and nodded. "Fine then, wench, prepare for the pain!" Slowly Mounds let a thin line of wax flow from the candle to fall down upon their captive's exposed flesh. As the woman began to cry out, Mounds shoved a rag in her mouth. Gradually the line of wax wound its way up her stomach towards her breasts. Dribble by dribble, inch by inch their victim grew more and more agitated until, when the wax line was almost to her breast she began shake her head back and forth. Mounds stopped and removed the rag. "I yield ... I yield ... you foul and unnatural creature ... I yield..." the prisoner cried, tears running down her cheeks. "I will serve you and your base desires." Mounds blew the candle out, put it up on a table and lay down on her side next to their prisoner. "Bum, quit enjoyin' the view and get to lickin' me, ye worthless scallywag!" she said as she spread her legs. "Now, milady fair," she continued, "heave to and prepare to be boarded." She began to kiss away the woman's tears, her hand peeling away the cooled and congealed wax and putting it on a towel on the other side of her victim. When all of the wax was removed, and the tears kissed away, she wrapped her hand around the woman's breast, teasing the nipple with her thumb. "Now then, what shall we call you, my pretty?" she wondered aloud. ------- The Pessino house was a small, fourteen hundred square foot four-bedroom to begin with and had gotten smaller when Elena had her baby. That was when Galena and her sisters had all moved into one bedroom, like the boys had been all the time. So then it was four girls in one bedroom, three boys in another, Elena and the baby in a third, Emiliano and Anna in the fourth. And it seemed like there were always cousins and aunts and uncles staying over on the sofa bed in the living room. Galena had always felt like she was living in a prison ... a friendly prison, most of the time, but a prison nonetheless. The only privacy she had was when she closed the curtains she'd hung around her lower bunk bed, put on her headphones and turned the volume up. Even then the sounds and shadows of movement of a houseful of people crept into her tiny bubble of space. As she wrote a 'friends only' post in LiveJournal, the first time she'd ever had anything to write that needed to be 'friends only', and recounted the night's events, the faint snoring of her sisters Silvia, Rosa and Marilu could be heard from the bedroom around her. ------- On their return from the hot tub, Harry had securely fastened Carol to an angled spanking bench. He looked down at his love, wondering at the sides of himself he'd never known existed. Just a few months before, he'd never have believed that looking at a woman in this position would be the turn-on that it was. Carol was manacled to a bench, her beautiful thighs held in place with wide leather straps, her neck collar fastened down securely on both sides, her forearms secured in the same way as her thighs. When they'd ordered the bench from Madame Cornelius' supplier Carol had asked for additional restraint points to be added so that she could be laced in across the bench 'top' as well, and so she was, the adjustable leather restraints crisscrossing her back from just above her ass to right under her arms. "Time for us to finish this, my love ... are you going to remain silent, or do I have to gag you?" "I'll hold my tongue, Sir." "Good." Taking a moment to strap on his brace he got the other paddle he had brought out from the closet, the one covered with blunt studs. And while Carol was facing the other way and unable to see what he was doing, he leaned into the closet and got out a leather riding crop as well. "If you find that you must make noise, call out the count. Otherwise be silent." "Yes sir." He started out slowly, one cheek and then the other, increasing the force incrementally, enjoying the sight of Carol squirming in her restraints, free to lose control since she was so securely fastened there was no way she could move. She had already been wet by the time he finished strapping her down, but as the spanking continued, once again the smell of her arousal filled the air around him and even if she wasn't his love, even if he didn't find himself turned on by the sight of her in bondage before him, the smell alone would have had him hard, the sweat, tang and sweetness of a woman's desire. He realized he'd taken about all that he could, it was time for other things ... and then he remembered the crop. He reached down, picked it up off the floor. "Madame is as upset by your arrogance as I am." SLAP! The crop came down across her reddened ass and rebounded into his hand. She stifled her cry bravely. "The Queen is most angry with you; I doubt you've heard the last of this from her." SLAP! A second line of swollen scarlet crossed her bottom, making a shallow 'x' with the first. The sob that escaped her lips was bitten off, but very audible. "Mistress Nicki's ire has been raised as well at such impudence from a servant." SLAP! The third line rose on his love's beautiful ass and he dropped the crop, glad it was over. The soft sound of crying came from his lover's mouth. He walked around and, taking the brace off, knelt in front of her. "Sweetheart, did I hurt you too badly?" "No ... no Sir ... I'm just sorry ... sorry that I angered all of you ... I didn't mean to ... I just can't ... I just can't understand how I didn't fail ... when you were hurt so badly ... I just can't..." "Shh, shh my love ... you don't have to understand it, but believe us when we tell you that you didn't fail me ... we wouldn't lie to you. Please ... don't ever bottle up things like that again ... are you going to be alright?" he asked, brushing her tears away. "Oh yes sir ... that spanking was ... well ... I'm afraid I came ... more than once ... that first strike with the ... was it a crop?" "Yes, it was the crop." "Oh ... that was ... mmm ... just what I needed to send me over the edge ... again..." "Alright, now that we've determined that you're still a wonderful, glorious little freak of nature," he said smiling, "I'll give you a minute to get your shit together before starting your three minutes to convince me to fuck that luscious ass of yours." "Oh Sir, I don't need any time ... I just need you to bring your ear to my mouth so I can whisper to you." He bent down until he felt her lips brushing the surface of his ear. "Daddy," she whispered, "I'm sorry I upset you and Mommy and my big sisters." Her breath moved across his ear, warm and sensual. "But I've been a good girl and taken my punishment and while you've got my pussy all wet and aching, and I'd love it if you gave me a good fucking, and my little pussy could feel your cock sliding in and out ... well Daddy, I've paid for my mistakes, and there'll be plenty of time for you to fuck me later tonight, why you'll be able to fuck me all you want with everybody out of the house, but right now ... I really ... really ... need ... my bottom filled." And then her tongue caressed his ear, swirling around the lobe before darting back into her mouth. Within a few minutes he had her tiny brown rosebud lubed and was sliding into her ass ... just like she'd known he would. ------- Mounds lay on the bunk while Bum continued to use her talented tongue drive her towards yet another climax. The prisoner, now known as 'Blondie', had her tongue buried in the Third Mate's cunt as she showed her willingness to do whatever she was told, so long as she was tortured no more ... or at least, not tonight. Bum paused for a moment, caressing her crewmate's thigh and said, "Mounds, darlin', it ain't fair ... she yielded and here she is, suckin' on my cunny like she was born to it and no one's doin' a thing for her." "Well, she does look mighty tasty..." A few moments later, the familiar triangle had appeared on the bed as the three women formed a chain of gentle, soft lovemaking. ------- "Oh yes ... Daddy ... that's it ... oh please ... oh ... GOD ... yes..." The spanking bench ground into the carpet with every thrust as Harry pounded in and out of his darling wife so hard that when his balls slapped against her it actually hurt him ... not enough to stop, or even slow down, but the pain was real enough. He felt the muscles of her sphincter clamp down on him during a backstroke as she started another orgasm but he tightened his grip on the crossed straps on her back and drove back into her anyway, reveling in the sensation as his cock slid through, squeezed almost more tightly than he'd imagined possible. "OH Daddieeeeeeeeeeeee..." she cried, "oh ... goddamn ... that's what I needed ... oh ... yes ... oh ... please ... come in me ... please..." "Sweetie ... for that to happen ... you're gonna need ... to relax a bit more..." "Sorry Daddy..." She relaxed her sphincter and began to swivel her butt in what small range of motion was open to her. "Is that better? Is that what you want? Is that ... oh ... it is!" Harry's orgasm was long and draining but she remained relaxed throughout it, feeling his cum inside her and him shudder and shake behind her, hearing him moan. As he finished, he pulled out and she moaned in dismay. "Sorry my love ... I think I've got till the endorphins wear off ... to get you unstrapped ... then my knee's gonna have words with me..." "Well hurry then, Daddy..." He started with her wrists and then moved down her body. When he was finished she said, "Alright, let's get you in Hot Tub Jr." as she helped him into the bathroom. Helping him to slide his bad leg over the rim into the tub, she got him in and down. "Jesus Christ, this tub is cold!" "It won't be for long, let me get you and me both cleaned up before I put us in a tub of water." With that she crawled in and used a hose and spray head to rinse off his cock and sluice out around her ass. "Now that we're through with that, let's get the hot water going in here, warm up this tub ... and you ... and let me enjoy having my Daddy all to myself for the night." After the tub was filled and she'd made a run for drinks, she got the jets going and then cuddled up next to him. "So, I gather you really, really were looking forward to that fantasy last night, huh?" he asked. "Yeah, but I also know from some of our past games that you've got a similar kink as well. I mean, look at all the fun 'Susan' and her daddy 'Ed' have had together ... I'm violating the fantasy as it was conceived originally in that we're obviously fucking, but other than that ... I'm happy to be your little eleven-year old." "Darling, for my own comfort, although I would've played along ... let's make you a little older ... besides, you're far too well-developed for me to ever believe you as an eleven-year old ... now, I've seen a few fourteen-year olds ... a couple of fifteen-year olds ... quite a few sixteen-year olds..." "Fine with me, I'm sixteen ... although I'm beginning to think you might be a dirty not-so-old man," she said, smiling to herself at the thought of who'd been in their closet earlier in the evening. "Have you seen what girls are wearing these days, daughter dearest? I can either look, or poke my eyes out with a sharp stick." "Point taken ... Daddy, my ass is a little sore from you fucking me earlier ... would you kiss it and make it better?" "Oh darling, there's nothing I'd like to do more," he said, as she stood up in the tub and turned her butt to him. ------- "Edward, I'm tired of pretending to be asleep. If you're going to lay there and brood, may I brood with you?" Eddie sighed. "Why do you pretend to sleep?" "Because if I'm awake, you have a tendency to get all put out and that doesn't help you sleep." "And why are you awake in the first place?" "Because you are, my love ... as much as possible, as often as possible, I don't sleep if you're not asleep. It's my duty, it's my privilege to serve you ... how can I serve if I'm asleep? Yet you don't need to worry that I'm awake, so I give you the illusion that I'm not ... although much to my chagrin it's sometimes not an illusion. I do fall asleep on occasion." Eddie reached over and pulled his tiny lover up on top of him. "Sometimes," he said, "I think you take this 'slave' thing too far." "Edward, Sir ... that's impossible for me to do ... you know that ... serving you makes me happy beyond my ability to express." She wrapped her arms and legs around as much of him as she could. "Have I told you lately that I feel completely and utterly safe when I'm with you?" He said nothing and after a time she looked up at his face to find tears rolling down his cheeks. "Edward, my love," she said, crawling up him slightly and putting her arms around his neck, "happy or sad?" "Happy, Theresa ... happier than I ever dreamed o' bein'." "Well then, share some of that happiness, if you would be so kind, and make love to me." "Alright, small one, let's make a baby." ------- The three women ended up cuddled together in the bunk, Blondie sandwiched between Mounds and Bum. "Oh Bum, just wait till Twat an' the Cap'n get a taste o' this one ... it's a cryin' shame she won't be sailin' with us." "Aye, a damn shame to be leavin' her behind ... and her other parts ... here in port," Bum replied, smiling as she kissed Blondie's neck. "But ... you will put in here often, won't you?" Blondie asked, afraid of losing her newfound loves. "Oh darlin', once the Cap'n gets a samplin' o' yer charms, I'm thinkin' we'll be droppin' anchor hereabouts more often than we might o' before," Bum said, grabbing the blonde's breast and squeezing it. "Yeah sweetie," Mounds added, "although next time I'm thinkin' we'll be carryin' ye down to the port and aboard the Free Booty ... more room ... more toys ... more interestin' ways to string ye up." As the three of them settled in to sleep, Nicki looked at her sisters-in-law ... at her lovers ... at her friends. "You people are crazy; you know that, don't you?" "Never doubted it for an instant," Kelly replied. "Nope, me neither," Margo said. ------- Quan woke up to motion on the bed. She opened an eye and saw Jessica was on her back and had propped her butt up on some pillows to give Wendy a better angle as the young girl pounded away into Jessica's cunt. "How long have you two been awake? How long did I sleep?" "Oh ... about ... a half hour ... for us ... you've been out ... for about ... four hours ... I woke up ... to this sweetie ... licking my cunt ... and that left her ... with a problem ... so after I came ... a couple of times ... OH ... I decided to help her ... with it..." Quan watched her lover getting fucked by the pretty young girl between her beautiful plump legs and felt a growing tingling in her own cunt. "Hey QB, feel like hookin' a sistah up?" "Only ... if you promise ... to never ... go urban ... on me ... again." "Well, how about I promise not to for awhile?" "Good enough ... get that tasty ... slit of yours ... over here ... on my face..." "Yes ma'am, QB." "Quan ... what's 'QB' ... mean?" asked Wendy. "Means 'Queen Bee' ... or 'Queen Bitch'," Quan replied, settling her moist cunt over Jessica's mouth. "Then can I be 'WB' ... for 'Wendy Bitch' ... far as most people know ... or 'Wanna Be' ... between us?" "I got no problem with it," Quan said, "and from the laughter coming from between my legs, I don't think QB has a problem either ... you should do that more often ... that feels ... mmm ... nice." She settled down on Jessica's face a little more firmly. "Oh yeah, baby ... hmmm ... and I wanna be 'Takeout'." "Why 'Takeout'?" Wendy asked, already laughing. "Because I'm hot, tasty and an hour after you eat me you want me again, isn't that right QB?" "Mmm hmmm." Wendy leaned forward, giving Quan a quick kiss on the shoulder. "Just had to be ... different ... didn't you?" "Oh ... you know me ... WB ... I'm a trendsetter." ------- Eddie held Theresa in what was his favorite position, curled up in his arms like a somewhat large baby as she lay upon his chest. "I don't see how you breathe when I'm like this, Edward," she said. "My love, you're a feather to some I've had on my chest, both pleasurably and otherwise. So, what would you want to name them tonight?" "Well, 'somethin' Rachel for a girl, 'something' Edward for a boy..." "Yeah, it's the 'something's' I'm wondering about." "I know ... well, I'm thinking Carolyn Rachel tonight, and Harold Edward. What do you think?" "I think you're the best thing that's ever happened to me." "Likewise Edward, most definitely likewise." "Something I been meaning to ask you ... I know we talked about gettin' married at the same time as Harry and company, but if you turn up pregnant..." "Do I want to hurry up and get married so any baby we might have wouldn't be conceived out of wedlock? Edward, thank you for thinking of that, but to me it really doesn't matter. The child will be born in wedlock, and we'd know, as would he or she later in life, that we didn't marry because I got pregnant, we married because we wanted to and they just happened to be conceived before the scheduled event." "Okay, just thought I'd check." "I love you, Edward." "Thank God you do, Theresa ... I love you too." ------- A few hours later, a thoroughly exhausted Harry lay with his head in Carol's lap. "Sweetie?" "Yes Daddy?" "Honey, send the little girl to bed, I need to spend some time with my wife." "Not a problem, beloved husband, what can I do for you?" "You feel like loading up the little pipes, going out for a float on the pool and looking at the stars for awhile?" "Sure ... any particular reason why?" "Because I love you and I'm not ready for this evening to end just yet." "Damn ... good reasons! You start heading towards the pool, I'll get the pipes." A few moments later they drifted beneath the stars in their reclining float chairs, water bottles by their sides, sucking in smoke and holding hands. ------- After the activities of the previous evening, Margo awoke hungry to an empty bed. Crawling out she found Kelly and Nicki in the kitchen, staring morosely at each other over glasses of pineapple juice. "No food in the house, huh?" she asked. "Nope," Kelly replied. "Not a smidgen," Nicki added. "Well then, let's head over to the house ... Lord knows we've got food there and I imagine we can eat and such without waking up Harry and Carol." A few minutes later they were dressed and out the door. Upon arriving at the house, they proceeded to the kitchen straight away where Nicki called them to the window. "Ladies, come look at this!" Out in the pool, shaded from the early morning sun by the trees were Carol and Harry, asleep in their float chairs, still holding hands as they drifted on the water. Margo and Nicki walked out to the edge of the pool where Margo knelt down and collected the pipes that had been put by the water's edge. "They look so peaceful ... and it must have been nice, going to sleep out under the stars," Nicki said softly. With a scream Kelly burst from the house sans clothing, ran to the pool, leapt into the air and tucked into a 'cannonball' position. The resulting explosion of water was most impressive. "The bitch has a death wish," Margo thought as she watched the water spray everywhere. ------- Chapter 32 "Why haven't we killed her yet?" Harry muttered, standing under the shower with Carol, Margo and Nicki. "We love her too much," replied Margo. "We wouldn't be whole without her," Carol added. "She's incredibly fun in bed," Nicki said. "Good reasons all," Harry agreed, "but there are times, like this morning, when I really wonder if they're enough." In the kitchen the woman who had managed to soak all four of her lovers with one cannonball was faced with the daunting task of breakfast. Harry had started the coffee but otherwise, breakfast was all hers. She tucked the towel around her hair a little tighter, pulled the robe closed and retied the belt after warming herself in front of the oven for a bit and wished the robe was a little longer. "God, I swear these people can't take a joke," she muttered to herself, but then she smiled. It had been worth it for the way Harry and Carol screamed. ------- After breakfast Harry told the rest of the family about his physical therapy and the continuing problems he was having with his knee. " ... and so I didn't say anything because there isn't really anything y'all can do and I'm tired of being the object of everyone's worry. I feel like my life's been on hold ever since the attack and this was just one more thing that was trying to get between me and being back to normal." "Baby, I understand but ... you should have told us," Margo said. "I know, I know I should have and I have no excuse for what I did, all I have is the reasons I didn't tell you ... and they certainly don't excuse my actions. "Which raises an idea I've been mulling over in my head ... we need a family council. A system in place not only to discuss issues that affect all of us, but to also handle issues like assigning breakfast duty to beautiful wives who cannonball into the pool unexpectedly. It's a way for us all to have a voice, and a way for penance to be assigned when one of us does something upsetting or hurtful to the family. What do you think?" "Sounds like a good idea," Kelly said, "but who sits on it? I mean, does Nicki sit on the family council? She's family, but she's not a part of the marriage..." "I don't think I should sit on it ... except in certain circumstances when at the request of two or more of the council members, the extended family is brought in, all of them, to consider a particularly serious issue," Nicki responded. "The family is just you four who make up the marriage." "That sounds right ... well then, that raises the question, who are members of the full extended family?" asked Margo. "Well, I think we can agree on Eddie, Tamara, Karen, Patricia and Nicki ... what about Tattie?" said Carol. With a chorus of assents Tattie was acknowledged as a member of the extended family. "Anyone else?" Harry asked. "Well, there's Nick," Kelly said, "but I'm not sure he really qualifies." "To me he does, but he doesn't," Harry replied. "He walks, talks and acts like a member of the extended family, and we treat him like one, but he really isn't one ... not yet ... maybe not ever. I don't know." "I'd agree," Margo said, "not yet, maybe not ever. Remember, his interests and ours may collide someday, and if they do, make no mistake, he won't come down on our side out of sentimentality." "I'm with them," agreed Carol. "Love him, like him even, want to bear and raise a child of his some day as a part of our family, after at least one or two from a certain husband I know, but trust him completely and implicitly, no." "Then it's unanimous," Kelly added. "No Nick." "Alright then," Harry said, "I call the first family council meeting to deal with my hurtful withholding of information that the family had every right to know. I tell you now that if any cute or funny penance is assigned I'll refuse it. This was a serious mistake on my part and the consequences of my actions should be serious as well." "Fine, we understand," said Carol. "Do you want to be included in the deliberations?" "No ... it's for the three of you to decide. As long as no family council meeting is secret, I can see situations where all four of us being present would hamper deliberations ... this situation being one of them." "Alright, why don't you and Nicki go talk somewhere while we discuss this?" "Certainly, you know where I am if you need me." Harry and Nicki headed to the bathroom and sat in the tub together while the Jacuzzi jets massaged Harry's leg. "Sis, while we have the time ... do we want to have that discussion we were going to have tonight?" She took a sip of her water. "Works for me ... the suspense has been eating at me ever since you mentioned it." "Okay ... Nicki, I got a letter from Dad that he'd written the Saturday before the accident..." ------- " ... and that's why I never said anything about the letter. Their deaths were an accident ... that way, everything worked out okay, the insurance paid off, you weren't left thinking Dad abandoned us ... and until very recently no one but me knew that there was nothing accidental about it. He'd established the routine of taking her for drives, waited for a weekend with bad weather projected, written and mailed the letter ... and then ended both their lives ... and both their pain. "But when I told Carol, it was like there was this great weight that lifted off of me. At last there was someone I could pour out my hurt to. I didn't have to bear the secret alone anymore ... and that helped me realize I didn't need to keep it anymore either. Enough time had passed; you deserved to know the truth. As to whether you'll thank me for telling you or not, well, that's for you to decide." Nicki Grimes sat and looked at her brother. She felt numb inside. "Were you ever ... did you ever get mad at him?" "Oh, plenty of times." "It's just ... how did you ... how do you deal with that anger?" "I'm not angry about it anymore ... but there for awhile ... well, what I did was remember Mama, before she got sick. Dad wanted to go where that woman was, wanted to help Mama be that woman again ... I couldn't ... I can't blame him for that. I hope to God they're together somewhere, dancing the way they used to in the living room. "And then Carol came along, and I could understand how he felt ... understand it completely. Granted, the dynamics are a little different, but if only one of those wonderful women was left, and if she was in as much pain as Mama had been ... well, we'd start taking drives together ... so long as any kids the family might have were grown, or near grown." "I can see that ... but I can also see a lot of family, friends and loved ones left behind not understanding that it wasn't that you didn't love them, it was that you loved her more. Would you ... would you hold me, Harry? I'm feeling very small and lonely right now." "You shouldn't even bother asking ... come here." Harry held his sister as her tears began. "Harry ... what was it like ... after you got the letter?" "It was ... it was like I lost everything but you, all at once. I mean, losing Mom and Dad was bad enough, but it was an accident, and I was coping with that ... and then this big chasm opened up beneath me and I thought for awhile I was going to go crazy. It was like this swirling maelstrom of despair and all I knew was that our father had abandoned us. All I wanted to do was sleep and scream and cry and hit things ... and I couldn't. I couldn't let you know. I had to protect you from that hurt. I had to hold it all together for you. "I was hurt ... I was scared. God, Sis, I was so scared. I was going to screw it up, I knew it. Yeah I was mad at Dad ... I wasn't ready to take care of you, I wasn't ready to take care of me ... and after the non-stop emotional road-wreck of that funeral, I was right on the edge of panicking and running, I mean full-blown losing it, and Eddie sat me down and gave me a good long talking to. In the first place, I had no choice, Dad and Mama were gone and the job had to be done. In the second place, he helped me to see I'd been doing a lot of the job already for quite awhile, ever since Mama had gotten sick ... well, you remember what it was like. She got sicker, Dad got more focused on taking care of her, I just sorta fell into it as things went along. And in the third place he told me I always had him to fall back on ... which was crazy since I wouldn't even tell him where we lived." Harry smiled at the memory. "I loved the big sumbitch back then, but Jesus, he had a low sense of humor ... especially when he'd been drinking." He kissed the top of Nicki's head. "It really helped me to know that I wasn't completely alone, that I had some sort of... 'support system' I guess we'd call it now. I mean, I had you ... but you were the one I had to be strong for." "Well God, bro ... you never showed how scared you were ... I don't know how but I never got the feeling that you were worried or angry or scared," Nicki said, tears still trickling down her cheeks. "Then I did my job ... you were the smart one, sis. You were the one who had the chance to make it. I was just a dumb stoner and the only job I wouldn't allow myself to fuck up was getting you into college and on your way." Nicki slammed a fist into Harry's chest. "You weren't a dumb stoner!" "I know that now, love, but at the time I was convinced that was all I was, and all I'd ever be." He stared, unseeing, at the stained glass windows, his mind years in the past. "Then when I got to college ... I thought for sure there was something wrong ... it wasn't as hard as everyone said it was. I mean, it wasn't high school, but high school was so easy even morons like me could get through. College was supposed to be tough." "It was, you were just nowhere close to being stupid," Nicki replied. "Yeah well, again, in retrospect I'd agree with you, but at the time? That couldn't have been it. I didn't see any serious cracks in the wall of 'stupid' I'd built up in my mind until Karen and I were in business together. I'd be shooting out ideas at a mile a minute, from a hundred different directions, and there she'd sit, one of the smartest women I'd ever known, looking at me like I was from another planet. But even then I could find a way to lie to myself and figure it was just a knack ... not real intelligence or ability, just a trick of sorts." "Damn, I don't think I've ever met anyone as determined to think of themselves as stupid as you were!" Nicki said, punching him in the chest, much more lightly, again. "Oh, very guilty as charged, sis ... no doubt about it ... but we made it through ... you're okay, getting more so every day ... other than this inexplicable desire to make love with your brother. I'm okay ... hell, I'm living in a dream, even with the attack and a fucked-up knee. And you know we'll all help you deal with the bombshell I've dropped on you." Her tears continued and she sobbed into his neck. "Have I told you lately how glad I am that you've come home, sis?" Harry asked, softly. "It's not the sex, I mean, that's great and kinky and touching beyond my ability to express and a whole lot of other feelings as well ... more than anything, it's just so good to have you home." ------- After awhile her tears had run out and Harry had warmed up the water again before his fingers brought her to a gentle orgasm as they kissed tenderly in the tub. Afterwards, his hard-on was standing up proudly but he told her not to worry about it. "Well, I won't, but it will make this easier," Nicki replied, scooting over and grabbing the soap. "I've always found it simpler to clean an erect cock than a limp one. Come on, it's time for sister Nicki to give her big brother his bath." Later, as he was lying on his stomach, what little weight the water wasn't supporting resting on her legs as she soaped the back side of his body, she asked "I wonder what's taking the council so long? I'd have thought they'd be through quite some time ago." "I don't know either," he murmured, enjoying the sensations of being bathed, "but I'm hoping it means they took me at my word when I asked for serious penance for not saying anything about my knee. Oh, and if you keep playing with my asshole like that, this bath is going to get shortened considerably because me and my gimpy leg are going to throw you, kicking and screaming if necessary, on that bed in there and fuck you senseless." "Sorry ... wasn't really paying attention." "Uh huh, sis ... sure you weren't." Later still, after Nicki had turned him over and had him sitting between her legs while she washed his hair, he said, "Okay ... you've got me ... this feels so goddamn good it's positively sinful ... what do you want, you wicked woman ... name it." As she dug her fingers in close to his scalp, gently scrubbing, she replied, "That's an easy one ... bathe me when I'm finished with you." "Damn, you're easy to please," he said. "Yeah ... well, don't let that get around ... quickest way for a girl to get a reputation." "Oh, worry not, your secret is safe with me ... now, I don't know if it's safe with the Grimes Estrogen Brigade, but it's safe with me ... unless I'm tortured ... like this..." "Oh yeah, I can tell, my secret's real safe," she replied as her arms slipped down around him in a hug. ------- When Carol, Margo and Kelly finished their deliberations and went in search of their husband and sister-in-law, they found them in the bathtub, laughing. Harry had made shampoo horns with Nicki's hair and was in the process of making a second set. "Looks like fun," Kelly said. "Yep, but let's get business out of the way first," Margo responded. "Harry, the family council has a decision, but it does need to be unanimous for it to do anyone any good," Carol said. "We think that, in addition to any counseling or therapy any of us are getting individually, we need to start seeing a family counselor at least once a month, twice a month would be better." "Sounds reasonable, got anyone in mind?" he replied without hesitation. "Yes," said Margo, "I called Hal and asked for his advice. He recommended a Dr. Susan Lowenstein ... she's family counselor, among other things." "Among other things?" Harry said, eyebrows raised. "She's also into a whole melting pot of alternative therapies and alternative ... well, everything's," Margo continued. "Hal felt she'd be the family therapist most likely to accept us and our lifestyle, as well as have a broad enough range of experience to be of some use to us." "Sounds good to me, let's make an appointment with her," Harry replied. "Harry honey," Kelly said, "just out of curiosity, why'd you agree so quickly?" "Kelly, sweetheart, why wouldn't I? To make a marriage succeed with just two people takes a lot of work and compromise. There are probably many more couples who would profit from family counseling than pursue it. Now, let's up that relationship to three people ... the potential problems don't simply increase by half again, they increase ... well, it would seem exponentially. Now add a fourth ... right now it's all 'hearts and flowers' and the bloom of first love ... but sooner or later we'll have to get down to the serious and difficult business of making our marriage work long term. Family counseling to me is not only a good idea to help deal with my problem, hell, all our problem of keeping things bottled up and hidden, but it's a good idea as preventative medicine, so to speak." Kelly leaned over the tub and threw her arms around her husband's neck. "I knew I loved you for more than your sparkling smile and winning personality." "So," Harry squeaked as Kelly hugged him tightly, "do y'all want to join us in here or do you want to help me rinse off Nicki, throw on some clothes, go see a movie or something?" "Well, you go ahead," Nicki said, grabbing the spray head and beginning to rinse the soap out of her hair, "but I really need to go do some shopping and such, and then get back to the new place and continue making it mine." "Fair enough," Harry said, helping her to get all the shampoo out, "let's get you on your way then we'll decide what to do with our lazy Sunday." As Nicki was about to leave, Carol said, "Sis, since I won't be talking to you this week, we're taking Hal and Tori Stallings to Dominique's Friday night. It's a club/sex-show/match-making kinda place. You up for it?" "Wouldn't miss it for the world ... what time?" "Leave here probably about 9, 9:30." "I'll be here with bells on." "Better yet be here with something slinky-kinky on," Carol shot back. After Nicki'd gone, Harry looked at Carol, "What, we're not going to see her this next week? There are no phones at her new place? Cell service doesn't reach there?" Carol stuck her tongue out at him. "No, she's just going to be real busy. She's going to immerse herself in the notes Tony left me, see who she can identify and who we'll have to ask Nick or Big Vic about. She told me she tends to get a little anti-social when she's working like that ... said you'd understand." "Oh yeah ... her around exams time was a barrel of laughs ... in that whole 'who-is-this-demon-bitch-and-what-did-she-do-with-my-sister?' sense of the word 'laughs'. Dad used to tell me she was just 'intense', to which I'd reply, no, she's just 'insane'." ------- The four of them sat on the bed, all cross-legged except for Harry with his bum leg outstretched, facing each other in a circle, knees touching each other, each lost in their own contemplation of the eternal. 'Church' had become a welcome and necessary part of their week. First Carol, then Kelly, then Margo and lastly Harry opened their eyes and sat looking at the others, relaxed and at peace. "Before we break the circle there's something I need to talk to y'all about," Carol said. "In the spirit of not keeping things in that should be shared ... I really need more submissive time." She looked at her family apprehensively but found only openness and attentiveness. "It's not that I need, or even want, to give up any of the duties I'm responsible for ... it's that when I'm not dealing with those, I need to be treated like a submissive." "Do you mean in the bedroom or-" Kelly began. "No sweetie, I think she means everywhere," Harry said. "You're right, my love, everywhere. 'Submissive' is what I am. It's not a role I play. Any time I'm not being submissive I'm playing a role. I don't know if any of you can truly understand... 'submissive' and 'dominant' are roles for you, Kelly, you too Harry, 'submissive' is definitely a role for you, Margo, while 'dominant' is more than a role but it's still not what you are." Kelly said, "Well, I'd ask you to let us know when we need to be more dominant but that rather defeats the purpose ... Margo, when you're home, why don't you try to keep Harry and I focused where Baby Girl is concerned?" "Works for me," Margo replied, "how about you, Harry my love?" "Sounds like a plan." "Certainly works for me," Carol squealed happily. "Little Cunt!" Margo said sternly. "Nobody asked you ... but you may feel free to express your gratitude." "Yes Madam," Carol whispered, the smile on her face lighting up the room. Her body shivered with bliss as she gave herself over to service. Three minutes later Margo, Kelly and Harry were lying on their backs. Carol had buried her face in Margo's cunt, happily humming as she plunged her tongue in and out. With one hand she was slowly and sensuously stroking Harry towards an orgasm, the other hand had four fingers buried in Kelly's ever-ready cunt while she teased Kelly's clit with her thumb. Kelly and Harry shifted themselves, carefully, closer to Margo and the three of them cuddled as their happy pet performed her magic on them. "It's going to be hell keeping her happy," Kelly said breathlessly. "Oh ... torture..." panted Margo. "I wonder how we'll survive," added Harry with a moan. ------- "Why don't we invite the rest of the family over for some tub time tonight?" Margo asked later as Carol bathed them in the shower. "Then we can tell them they've been volunteered for the whole 'extended family council' thing." While Karen and Patricia, Eddie and Tamara sounded enthusiastic in their acceptance, Margo couldn't help but notice that Tattie sounded rather distracted ... and distressed. "Tattie, mind if we stopped by this afternoon?" "No ... no ... I mean, yeah, uh, come on ahead..." They arrived at Tattie's to find the house in a complete and total state of disarray, with Tattie and a rather cute brunette who looked to be in her early thirties sitting in the middle of piles of boxes of clothes, books, toys, and electronics equipment. Around the boxes were pieces of new furniture for the boys' rooms that had been delivered and just left sitting in the huge foyer of Tattie's home. Both women looked to be on the edge of tears and were nursing huge cups of coffee, a bottle of Tullamore Dew on the floor between them. "Holy shit, Tattie, what the fuck?" Carol said, looking through the doorways out of the foyer to see the rest of the house was in a similar state. "It was all going so well ... then the ratfuck cocksuckers couldn't deliver until Friday, and more stuff started coming in late, and I promised the boys they could come home tomorrow and now Julie and I are just..." "Overwhelmed," the brunette said. "Yeah, fuckin' overwhelmed," Tattie added. Margo turned to Tattie and knelt on the floor beside her. "Tattie darling, why didn't you call and ask for help?" "I just ... I didn't ... y'all've been through so much..." "Bullshit, you should know better. Now then, you, Julie and Harry will be supervising, soon as the rest of the family gets here, we'll get this place squared away in no time. "Carol, assemble the troops, have Eddie stop by the house and pull the clothes we were wearing yesterday at Nicki's out of the dryer." While they waited the rest of the family was introduced to Julie Elliott, the teacher Tattie had hired to help with Yuri and Vashti. "It's nice to finally meet the rest of you ... Tattie's talked about you so often, and of course I knew Margo from years back, but now I have faces to put with those outrageous stories." "Trust us, all the stories are true ... unless they make us look good, in which case they're scurrilous lies and slander," Harry said, smiling. It wasn't long at all before Karen, Patricia, Eddie and Tamara arrived and much to the amazement of Tattie and Julie, in only a few hours the majority of the work was done. "You guys are ... amazing," Julie stammered. "Nope, not amazing, just very good at following orders," Tamara said with a smile. "You'd already done the hard work by deciding where everything went ... you just needed strong backs to get it all there." "That's a load of horseshit," Tattie exclaimed, "y'all're amazin' ... we didn't have a clue where half this shit was going. Y'all walked in to a total 'FUBAR'. Now then, where am I takin' y'all to supper?" ------- "So there I was," Kelly said as they sat around the table after dinner in the trailer house room at Chez Bubba's, "I'd made it to high school, the big leagues, so to speak. My body'd finally gone from the skinny, gangly stick figure it had been to something that was beginning to resemble a woman more than a Cub Scout-" "There have GOT to be pictures of you in that 'Cub Scout' phase," Eddie said. "Yes and my parents will happily show them to you, I have no doubt ... after which I will contemplate killing them," Kelly continued. "And the boys began to be sniff around me ... one in particular, Paul Knox, a white boy, the running back for our football team, a junior. He was hunting my cute little freshman butt like I was the last gazelle on the veldt and my dumb ass didn't know any better. I'd gotten used to being a wallflower as far as dating and such, so I really didn't have any experience with pussy hounds. "I finally give in and agreed to go out with him on a Saturday night, lied to my folks about it, said I was going over to a friend's house, and I met him a couple of blocks away from home." "Why do I smell disaster on the wind?" cracked Julie. "Because you're a teacher and you know what animals teenagers are," Kelly said. "We grabbed a quick supper at some burger joint, talked for a bit. I didn't think about it at the time, but there was an undercurrent of unthinking, subtle racism evident throughout the entire conversation. He asked me about my favorite basketball team, seemed a little surprised when I told him I didn't watch basketball, talked a lot about barbeque, wanted to know where we went to get good barbeque, seemed real surprised my mom was a teacher and that my Dad worked with her. But I didn't pay any of it any mind, I was too busy being amazed that I was out on a date with a first-stringer! After we got through eating, we went riding around, he found a place to park and things got interesting. "Now I don't remember what I thought was going to happen on the date, but I know it wasn't having this big ol' boy try to crawl into my pants. He gets grabby, I say 'no', he doesn't listen, I slap his face, he sits back and looks at me. I tell him I'd like to go home and he tells me no one is stopping me but he sure as fuck isn't going to drive me. "Now, growing up Earl Culberson's daughter might have left me unprepared for the realities of high school dating, but it didn't leave me scared of a long walk home. I just knew that unless I was very, very lucky, there'd be little hiding that I'd lied to my folks by the time I got back to the house. "So I hop out of the car and take off and to this boy's credit, not only did he not try to rape me, or hit me back when I slapped him, but he did follow me trying to get me to get back in the car, let him take me home. But by that point, I had a good mad on, and I wasn't in the mood to take a chance on him again. He stayed with me though till I got back into the part of town with streetlights, then he drove off, shaking his head." "Didn't you have a cell phone?" Harry asked. "Yeah but I didn't use it ... I still had faint, very fucking faint, hopes that they'd be asleep when I got home and I could sneak in and no one would be the wiser. "It was an hour-and-a-half after I'd said I'd be back from my friend's house when Dad found me walking down the street. They'd already called my friend and knew I wasn't where I'd said I'd be. He started to ask me what happened and I told him it could wait until we got home so I'd only have to tell it once. Otherwise that was the quietest, most tense ride I ever had with my father ... until very recently." She smiled. "This whole marriage business kind of set a new standard. "So we get back to the house and after the initial outburst from Mom, everyone calms down and I tell them what happened, everything that happened. When I'm finished, Mom looked at Dad and asked him what he was going to do about it. She was real upset with Paul, evidently thought Dad should go speak to him, speak to his father, beat the shit out of him, I'm not sure what. Dad said he wasn't going to do a damn thing about Paul; I was of course grounded until further notice. Said if Paul'd laid a hand on me after the slap, well, he'd be over there kickin' his ass in a heartbeat, but while Paul was a shithead, he wasn't any worse than any other teenage boy, and better than most in that he hadn't left me on my own until I was in a well-lit part of town. As far as the issue of Paul was concerned, it was Dad's opinion that I'd gotten me into that situation, I'd gotten me out of it and any dealings with Paul in the future were my problem. "Mom wasn't too happy with that, but she allowed that Dad was right. "I figured I'd gotten off lucky until I got to school that Monday and found out I was the subject du jour. Oh, lemme tell ya, I was one hot piece of ass! Why, I was the wildest thing Paul'd ever sank his cock in, damn near more animal than human being. His belt was firmly notched with Kelly Ann Culberson as his latest conquest." "ANN?" Eddie said. "Yes 'Ann', and using my middle name will guarantee you going through life with one testicle ... or less," Kelly replied. She continued "I was embarrassed, I was hurt, and I was fucking livid. I sat through my classes the entire day and just fumed. Every time one of my friends saw me and started with the "have you heard what they're saying about you?" it was all I could do not to rip off their heads and shit down their necks ... but it wasn't their fault I'd gone out with him, so I restrained myself. "When I got home that afternoon, I didn't say anything to Mom, but when Dad got home I pulled him aside and asked him if he'd be willing to help me deal with Paul ... my plan, my responsibility, I just needed a little assistance. "He told me he didn't have a problem in the world helping me and then proceeded to tell me he knew pretty much exactly what Paul was saying ... I asked him who told him and he said 'No one ... he's a teenaged boy ... they're very predictable'. "So the next day at lunchtime he shows up at the school, hands me a bag containing what I'd asked him to get and then sits in the car and waits. I went to the courtyard where most of the student body hung out to eat and made a beeline for Paul. "I walked up close and told him, loudly, 'Paul, I'm sorry for the way I treated you Saturday night, getting you all hot and bothered and then refusing to put out ... to help make up for it, I brought you lunch' and I pulled out a huge, hot, and very greasy pork butt sandwich from Rufus', a little barbeque place we frequented. I told him 'I got you barbeque, a pork butt sandwich, since you seemed to think I'd know a lot about barbeque' and then I whipped the top off and ground it into his crotch." "Oh my God," Carol gasped as she laughed. "Hot grease ... barbeque sauce..." "Well, not too hot ... it had taken awhile to get it from Rufus' to the school and so on, but definitely warm ... and LOTS of barbeque sauce, all over the crotch of his pants. "And while he's scooting back on the bench at full speed, trying to get away from this crazy girl, I told him, real loudly, 'This is the only piece of ass you have ever, or will ever, get from me' ... and then I stepped back and waited to be taken to the principal's office." "I imagine you didn't have long to wait?" said Tattie. "Nope, pretty quickly both he and I were in there, he told his side of the story, pretty much a complete fabrication. I told Principal Stacy it was a pack of lies, related my version of the events and told him he could talk to any number of students who'd back me up on the trash Paul was spreading around school about what had happened Saturday night. "Well, while football isn't quite the religion in Ohio that it is here in Texas, Stacy still came down on Paul's side, said I was suspended for a week, he was going to have to call my parents and have one of them come get me. I told him to have Mrs. Albrecht, his secretary, go out to visitor parking and get my father; he was sitting in his car waiting. "Once Dad was brought in, Principal Stacy told him the whole sorry story from Paul's side, as Paul had already been sent home to change, and told him that he'd suspended me for a week and that he sincerely hoped that Dad and Mom would punish me as well. "Dad told him they would ... starting that very evening. He and Mom were going to punish me by taking me to Rufus' for supper, since my lunch had gone to serve a higher purpose. And he was planning on taking off from work at least some of the days I was suspended so he could punish me with trips to the mall, to the movies, any other similar punishments that the two of us could come up with. He told Stacy that he was convinced that Stacy was, and I quote, 'a goddamn moron' and that if anything retributive happened to me once I was allowed back in school, he was, and I quote again, 'going to visit the wrath of Almighty God and the laws of the state of Ohio and the United States of America' upon any and all involved. "You've all met my father, well, with the exception of you, Julie ... I think Principal Stacy pissed himself." "Why not, I damn near did," Eddie exclaimed. "Yes sir, but yours is from laughter," Tamara said. "This is true," Eddie answered. "But if I had Earl threatenin' God's wrath and legal troubles, I definitely wouldn't be laughin' and I might well be makin' a mess in my bree-bree." "Well, Mom was still seventeen kinds of unhappy with me and the whole situation, but over supper that night Dad and I got her to chuckling a little, and by the end of the meal she was laughing about it, having me describe the look on Paul's face for the twentieth time. "When Mr. Stacy oh-so-graciously allowed me to return to school, I heard a little about some of the shit Paul caught because of what I did, but there wasn't much cross-over between our social circles in reality, and after what I'd done there was even less. By the time things calmed down there were new topics of conversation and new gossip galore. "The next year, Paul's senior year, he and I had a class together and we got to know each other a little better ... we became, well, not 'friends', more like 'friendly acquaintances' and I finally got to hear what happened to him when his father heard about it ... which explained why the lawsuit we were in fear of never manifested. His old man beat the shit out of him. Well, not really, but his family was still firm believers in corporal punishment and so he had his ass lit up like a Christmas tree. And while that might really excite some among us," Kelly said, looking at Carol, "it apparently didn't go over too well with Paul. "And while we were getting to know each other, we discussed the casual racism he'd exhibited several times and I got a better understanding of just how subtly it crept into peoples' subconscious', how he'd learned to think in those terms without ever knowing he was doing so. And how the last term he'd ever think to use to describe himself was 'rascist' ... I think talking about it with him was more educational in that regard than any five 'afro-centric' courses in college would've been. He turned out to be a pretty nice guy, overall. "And he did tell me one bit of teasing that warmed the cockles of my little vengeful heart ... we saw each other at prom and he asked me for a dance, a slow one, and while we were dancing he told me that with the help of his girlfriend and her folks, his running buddies had set him up ... when he showed up at her house to pick her up, there was a twenty-pound ham waiting for him, dressed in a pretty little prom dress. The parents didn't quite understand it, but they got a laugh out of his embarrassment nonetheless. "We exchanged the occasional email while he was at Ohio State and after he was drafted by the Dolphins-" "You're shittin' me ... Paul Knox, running back for the Miami Dolphins?" Eddie said. "None other ... well, after he was drafted he sent me a couple of pictures of him at the signing party with the big old fake check in the amount of his first year's salary. The only words in the email were the subject line which read "Don't You Wish You'd Said Yes?" "I sent him back pictures of me wearing a Lotus Hunan cap, a tiny fluorescent pink thong and holding a bag of Chinese takeout. The subject line read "Don't You Wish You Hadn't Pushed So Hard?" "I got back a two-word reply. 'You win'." After the laughter died down around the table, Harry asked, "So how did things go that week of suspension?" "Dad was true to his word ... he had enough time off accrued and finding someone to cover for him at the school wasn't hard ... everybody was looking for overtime and his supervisor was happy to authorize it. That turned out to be the best week I ever spent with my Dad. We saw a couple of movies, did some shopping, but most of it we spent fishing and talking. I think in that week we worked out a lot of the problems that might've arisen during my high school years, just him and me talking about life and growing up and all those kinds of things. Mom and I, we had our talks spread out over my high school years, but Dad and I got the important stuff all handled that one week. "Good thing too, because once he got his teaching certificate he got real busy real fast. Whereas before he was sort of a glorified assistant, filling in here and there, once they could stick him in a classroom he got as busy as a one-armed paper hanger." "I've kind of wondered," Harry said, "you've said your father worked as a correctional officer here in Texas, you were born here, how'd y'all end up in Ohio?" "Well, when Mom had her accident and Dad quit to take care of her, they knew they'd need family to help so we moved up to Ohio to be near Mom's family. Then inertia set in and until the whole 'grandchildren' issue came up, I think they were just as happy there as they would've been here ... but now they're looking for teaching positions in this area." "They do know we're not planning on children any time soon, right?" Margo asked. "Oh yeah, we had a little talk about that, reaffirming the fact when I took them to the airport after they met y'all," Kelly replied. "Mom serenely assures me that they'll be ready whenever the grandbabies start coming and in the meantime, they've missed me and they're looking forward to the chance to get to know all of y'all better." "I won't mind ... it'll be nice to have parental types around that I actually like," Carol said, smiling. "What about you, Harry? Margo?" "I love your parents, Kelly," Margo replied. "Really warm and wonderful people, once we got past that initial awkwardness." "Me too," Harry added, "although I'm still not sure your father doesn't want to shoot me." "I think he's past that now," Kelly said. "Or at least he's as past it as any father-in-law ever is." "Don't worry Harry, once he gets to know you better he'll want to shoot you for a whole new set of reasons," Karen said with a smirk. "Thanks Sappho, from the bottom of my tiny, stone-cold, hate-shriveled heart. So, moving on to subjects that don't involve fathers shooting me, Friday night we're taking Dr. and Mrs. Stallings to Dominique's, Saturday afternoon is the G & P picnic, Sunday we lay about like dead people. Y'all up for coming out with us Friday night, Tattie, Julie?" "While I'd normally be up for a visit to whatever pit of sin and degradation y'all're headed for, I'll have had the boys home for less than a week ... I wouldn't feel comfortable about leaving them just yet. What about you, Julie?" "Uh ... what's Dominique's?" Carol explained. "About five or six years ago, a slave owner named Dominique Duvalier noticed there really wasn't a place in town where those who wanted to be slaves and those who wanted to own slaves could meet and greet. The dominants and submissives, the sadists and masochists — and all mixtures thereof — had several social venues open to them, but for those who were really just more into the whole sex slave or pleasure toy thing, well, there really wasn't anyplace. And there'd been a few mysterious disappearances that nobody was really talking about. "So she sold the business she'd inherited from her father and created one. She originally called it the 'The Slave Block' but that started catching her all kinds of flack with various groups, as you might imagine, so she changed the name. When she started it was a rather open and free-wheeling kind of place, but then there was an AIDS scare when one of the slaves who frequented the place tested positive so she instituted more stringent policies. Now it's very much like when you adopt a pet from the Humane Society. There's paperwork, on both sides. That might throw some visitors off, but she has a very large stable of slaves registered with her that are quite happy about her regs. They see them as not only providing a potential owner with some documentation as to the slave's health and such, but it insures that should anything happen to the slave, there's a place for any official investigation to begin. Usually though, the type that might cause that kind of problem balk at the fingerprinting-" "Excuse me, fingerprinting?" said Eddie. "Oh yeah, fingerprinting. That's part of 'Master' registration. Those looking to 'adopt' are fingerprinted, as well as having their identification examined and information recorded. On the flip side, the health information the potential slaves provide has been checked with calls to the doctors involved and their other background information has been checked by a friend of Dominique's who works as a private investigator and has friends in the police department." ------- "How in the world does she make any money at this?" Harry said. "I'd think she'd be broke inside a month!" "Damn near did put her in bankruptcy ... until word started getting around that some of the best live sex shows in the southwest were at her place. For the slaves who registered with her, it became kind of a family thing and they weren't going to let the family business go down the tubes so they did the whole "Let's put on a show!" routine. She quickly had to make it a private club and charge membership so that they could get away with what was happening on stage and now the family has been augmented by a whole new crowd of performers who really get off on being watched. And she's becoming a regular venue for touring sex-related productions as well. Annie Sprinkle has performed there on her last four tours. So with the occasional special event, memberships, the take from the bar, as well as the adoption fees, she makes out okay." "Adoption fees?" Julie said. "Isn't that ... what, pandering?" "No, not exactly ... she and the slaves registered with her have a perfectly legal client/agent relationship. As their agent, she receives the adoption fee for legitimate management expenses. She's got a very good lawyer who has done her very best to make sure it's as legally above board as it can be. "Still, there are provisions both at the website and the club for donations to help keep the place afloat and I plan on dumping some cash in one or the other." "Did you ever register with her ... and if you didn't, why not?" Kelly asked. "The one time when I was Master-less and could have used her services ... well, there were reasons I was avoiding the club at that time. One of her regulars and I had some very bad blood between us ... literally. And if that little bastard is still there and we run into him Friday night ... well, I won't be the one who starts anything..." "Are we likely to have to bail you out of jail?" Harry asked. "If so, I'll go ahead and email Daggett a head's up." "No ... I don't think so. That would be bad for Dominique and for my family. I think at worst it'll get a little tense." "Isn't that what Custer said as he rode into Little Big Horn?" Eddie said. "Hmm ... sounds interesting," Julie said. "I'll have to see how things are going with the boys and Tattie and get back to you. If you haven't heard from me by Friday around noon, please give me a call over here and check, Margo. I may well have gotten so busy I've forgotten." "Anybody else got any questions?" Carol asked. "Uh yeah ... I'd like to know if Kelly still has that little pink thong," Margo said with a leer. ------- That evening when they got home, the four of them wandered out to the hot tub, sitting around on the deck naked, waiting for it to heat up. "Harry, did you ever think you could find yourself sitting naked on your back deck, waiting for your hot tub to heat up, with three of the most divine women on the face of the planet, who you just happen to be married to?" Kelly asked. "Wow Kelly, fishing for compliments much?" chuckled Margo. "No honey, I never did ... not until recently. I really thought my life would either stay the way it was or end ... I suspect I was really hoping for that 'end' result." Harry leaned over and put his hand on Margo's thigh. "I gotta admit, this beats the hell out of ending." "Hello?" someone called from the side of the house. "Hello!" Harry responded. "Karen, is that you?" "Yeah, y'all in back?" "Ahyup, hold on," he said as he started to rise. He sat back down as Carol was already off the deck and headed for the gate. "Carol's coming to the gate." In a moment she was back, followed by Karen and Patricia, who were both already pulling at clothing. "Is that tub ready yet," Karen asked, pulling off her sports bra. "Geez Sappho, just walk in and plop your muscular ass in our tub, why don't ya?" Harry said, smiling. "Thanks, don't mind if I do." Within minutes the six of them were happily soaking in the tub. ."Carol, darlin', make sure you get keys made for everyone in the extended family," Harry said as he enjoyed the subtle stimulation of the jets. "Certainly, my love," Carol replied as she worked on setting the jets up properly for Karen and Patricia. "If I'd have thought about it, I'd have done it already. There was the faint sound of the doorbell ringing inside. "There's something we didn't take into account," Carol said, jumping up and grabbing a towel. "Should have put a another ringer, or a light or something back here to let us know when someone's at the door." She hurried off to answer it. Within a few minutes she returned, carrying the hookah, followed by Eddie, Tamara and a somewhat nervous looking Tattie. "Look at who we found parked out front of the house," Eddie said. "Somebody left us a crazy woman." That snapped Tattie out of her nervousness. "I may be a crazy woman," she said as she eyed the gradually revealed naked form of Eddie, "but at least I am of the genus and species 'homo sapiens', unlike some unshaven genetic throwback to a time when the ignorant ruled the earth." She began to remove her clothes. "And furthermore, Mr. Janak, I'll thank you to remember that when someone of my maturity voluntarily takes on the raising of two abused and emotionally scarred boys, it elevates me-" She paused imperceptibly before continuing to undress by removing her t-shirt and panties. "-to a whole new level of insanity that deserves a far more pithy epithet than 'crazy', so if you're going to toss around such phrases I'll thank you to beg, borrow or steal the creativity required to come up with an appropriate label." And with that she slid her naked form under the water of the hot tub amid laughter at her chastisement of Eddie. Eddie stood by the side of the tub, lip trembling, then scooped up Tamara in his arms and held her like a teddy bear. "My Tamara still loves me!" he cried, then stuck his thumb in his mouth. Everyone continued laughing as the great hairy naked man carried his tiny love into the hot tub. "Have I mentioned recently how nice it is to live close enough to walk over?" Patricia asked. "Isn't it?" Tamara agreed. "Edward and I have a little farther to come but even so, in such a nice old neighborhood with all the trees, lots of shade, we were relatively cool all the way over." "Yeah, beats the hell out of living in the middle of the concrete sea that was the condominium," Karen groused. "Felt like living in a skillet sometimes ... come to think of it, felt like living in a skillet about nine months out of the year." "Carol my love, once you get everybody's jets set up, save the settings to memory and put things on a nice, relaxing flow, more of a sore muscles and aching back setting, alright?" Harry said. "Sure thing, won't take long now," she replied before going back into quiet conversation with Eddie as to where the jets were hitting him. Once everyone was happy she saved the settings and then returned the jets to a less titillating arrangement. The four explained the family council and extended family's role in it. No one had any problems with their inclusion in the extended family or on said council. "Y'all are being remarkably clear-headed about this," Tattie said as Carol switched the nozzle and jet arrangements to the more stimulating settings. "Well," Kelly replied, "I'm the most inexperienced one in the marriage, and even I've got enough sense to see that we're going to require some relationship care and maintenance now and then. This council setup is going to be necessary. I mean, I doubt I would've thought of it on my own, or at least not for awhile, but then again I don't have some of the 'road scars' my wives and husband do." "For which all of us are extraordinarily grateful," Margo said. "It's nice to have someone in the relationship who's just carrying around normal human emotional baggage, without having the added 'relationship hell' package as well." "Yeah, I can see how that would be nice," Eddie said. "Of course, to consider Kelly the saner one of y'all, in any respect, is just damned disturbin' to me." "Tamara, darling, be a dear and whap your lover upside his thick ol' head," Kelly said, splashing water their way. "Sorry Kelly, not gonna happen ... I love you, you're a precious friend, a sister of sorts ... but he's my Edward." "Traitorous bitch ... I can see that the bonds of sisterhood have been weakened in you. Tattie, darling, be a dear and whap that big gorilla upside his thick ol' head." "Excuse me, Kelly," the older woman said, "but do I look like an idiot to you? I'm sitting next to him, so close I'm sure that body hair of his could reach out and ensnare me if he wanted it to, mutant throwback that he is. I'm Switzerland in this little conflict, I'm remaining neutral." "I am surrounded by cravens and turncoats. I have no option left but to turn to a weapon of mass destruction ... sic' 'im, Karen!" Karen lay back in the hot tub with a blissful smile upon her face and said, "Karen's naughty bits are being delightfully stimulated by titillating jets of water right now, so she can't come to the phone. If you'd like to leave your name and number and a brief message, she'll get back to you as soon as she's feeling MUCH better." "You may have won today, you hairy escapee from the red-assed baboon cage, but I will have my revenge upon you ... later..." Kelly said, grinning as she loaded up the pipe. Carol asked "Anyone have their cell phone close?" "Mine should be in my clothes, why?" Tattie asked. "Couple of calls I need to make ... thought I'd better do it while I was thinking about it, before I got stoned ... but now that I'm pondering the issue more thoroughly, I need to go put on music anyway. Back in a flash." "No my love, if you were running and we only got a glimpse of your gorgeous naked form, it would be a 'flash' ... you'll be back in a lust-inducing perambulation," Margo said, giving her a quick kiss before Carol climbed out of the hot tub. Carol turned and asked "Karen, Patricia, Eddy, Tamara ... are you interested in doing some shopping for special outfits for Friday night?" After a chorus of assents, she disappeared into the house. Before too much longer, the group in the tub was being serenaded by Dinah Washington from her album 'Back to the Blues' and only a few moments later Carol rejoined them. "We have an appointment tomorrow evening; 8:30 PM at Carmine's. Nicki will be meeting us here so we can go to supper, reservations at Jimmy Claude's at 6, meet here about 5, dress in something light and cool, make sure you're wearing comfortable shoes ... sound good?" "I've never even heard of Jimmy Claude's," Harry replied. "You'll love it," Tattie said. "Just walk in prepared to be pleasantly surprised." ------- Conversation had waned as people so inclined smoked and everyone felt themselves being gently eased towards first excitation, then orgasm courtesy of Carol's carefully programmed jets. When Eddie neared his, Tamara's head disappeared beneath the water momentarily, as did Carol's when Harry reached the same point. "You know ... it's been awhile..." Tattie said, "since I've sat ... and just gotten high ... and come ... in the company ... of friends." "I was kinda ... worried ... when I was ... setting the jets," Carol said, "but it was ... pretty clear ... what I was doing ... and you didn't object." "Almost chickened out ... then thought ... what the hell ... but after those ... could you turn mine ... back to normal?" "Not a problem." "I am at one ... with why you call this ... the Cum-Master 5000," said Patricia. "If there wasn't one ... so close ... Karen ... we'd be getting one ... ourselves." "You're right ... we would," Karen agreed, a wide smile plastered across her face. "It is an evil ... tool of depravity ... and I thank God for it," Margo said. "Of course ... we do have to run it ... with a slightly higher ... level of water treatment-" Kelly said before she gave forth with a prolonged sigh. "Because of all the ... biological contamination?" Patricia asked. "No," Kelly continued, "because Eddie ... isn't as regular ... about bathing ... as he should be." "Cute Kelly ... real cute," Eddie said. "If I wasn't bathing ... regularly ... you'd know it." "Oh yeah," Harry said, "he gets funky ... he can knock ... buzzards off shitwagons." "Now I feel like I'm back in high school," Tattie said. "May I trust you shan't be lighting farts anytime soon?" "Only on special occasions ... Tattie darlin' ... only on special occasions," Eddie said, grinning like a madman. ------- Later, after everyone but Tattie had gone home, and she had called Julie to let her know she was staying over, the four tired, but happy, lovers took a long hot shower together and fell into bed. Margo and Carol curled up together and were out like lights, but Harry and Kelly found themselves awake, staring into each other's eyes. "Hail Arthur, my liege and love ... what wrinkles your brow this evening?" "Lady Kay ... I have missed you of late. As to what troubles me, I know not myself. Some vague unease lies upon me like a fog that the sun cannot drive away." "Come my most noble love, rest your head between my breasts and find peace." Harry nestled in her arms, his face resting against her chest. "And what has the beautiful Lady Kay awake at this hour?" he asked, his voice somewhat muffled by her body. "The fear that I am not awake but sleeping still, and have yet to wake and find this all but a dream." He put his arm over her, his hand caressing her bottom then moving up to the small of her back and held her tightly against him. "Fear not ... it is no dream but as real as the very earth itself. You are here, they are here, I am here and we are all blessed beyond any I know." "My lord, although this may sound strange, thank you so much for being miserable and depressed enough to stop at that tavern where Merlin found you." "To someone else, my lovely Kay, it would perchance sound strange but to me it is an oft-repeated prayer of thanks ... as is my thanks for our desire for Chinese food one evening." "My lord, you say the sweetest things." "Only to the sweetest of people, my love." ------- In the guest room, Tattie wasn't sleeping. She was worried and knew exactly why. In less than twenty-four hours she was going to be taking charge of two boys with more problems than anyone would wish on their worst enemies. And while she had Julie to help her she was still terrified that it would be more than the two of them could handle. Two lives, already damaged and scarred; Yuri quite probably beyond anyone's ability to help, Vashti as wounded in his own way, just able to pretend that he wasn't ... a pretense that Tattie was afraid would shatter someday into a million irreparable pieces. And she'd taken the job to try to heal them. She thought to herself that she must be crazy ... or stupid ... or both. ------- When they awoke in the morning, Tattie was gone and voicemail from her said she'd left about 3 in the morning and had made it home safely. "She's really stressing over adopting those boys," Margo said, "not that I can blame her ... that'd be a huge undertaking for anyone, much less someone sixty years old." "Well, if anyone can do it, I have faith that Tattie can," Carol said. "Like Tony used to say, she's got more pure 'gumption' than any two other people I know." After a leisurely breakfast, the four of them sat around the table enjoying their coffee and gentle tinkling of the wind chimes on the back deck. Harry leaned back in his chair and grinned. "Now I know I'm home. Nobody here but the four of us, and a day where we have nothing to do till this evening. Then we have supper and ... oh shit! I've got therapy this evening! Therapy with Helen Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays! I wonder if I can reschedule." "Well, first see if she can fit you in earlier today at some point. You don't need to start getting ready for supper until around 4, 4:30," Margo suggested. "No, this is my day with my family ... it was bad enough that I had to have a therapy session in the evening ... this day is ours." "Yes it is my love," Kelly said, "and as it's all of ours, we're telling you to try and schedule your physical therapy for some time during the day today. Call her now." "Yes ma'am. Is she like this when she's the Queen?" "Oh, I'm much more demanding then, Harry, much more demanding," Kelly replied. ------- Natalya Pedachenko had hated her husband with the kind of hatred only twenty years of marriage, or twenty years in a gulag, could produce. For her, she thought with a smile on her face, there had been certain similarities between the two. They had survived the disintegration of the Soviet Union together, left the Russian Republic together, and carved out a place for themselves in the United States together ... a place that owed as much to her calculating intellect as to her deceased husband's ruthlessness. "What are you smiling about, Aunt Natalya?" asked the young man at the table with her. Her nephew Boris was still in town after attending the funeral. Soon he would be going back home to Minneapolis where, as he said, 'it got as cold as a Moscow autumn' in the depths of winter. His sophomore year of college awaited him, and a life far away from the one she and Dmitri had made. She smiled at him and said, "Nothing my boy, at least nothing important. Something funny crossed my mind; I cannot even remember what it was." His curiosity fended off, her thoughts returned to the organization she and her husband had built. To do all that they had done didn't require that she love him, it required that she be willing to work with him. One thing growing up in the old Soviet system had taught her ... even sucking Satan's cock was preferable to being powerless. Being married to Dmitri Pedachenko was nowhere near as bad as all that ... he had his little boys, she had her young men and the payoff was that they were far from powerless. He had still been nekulturny, uncultured, but he had her to open those doors for him. It had been a profitable relationship ... until this weak American gangster had upset everything. But even though he struck her as weak, she thought perhaps that this 'Nick Philouma' played more chess than poker, and after recent events she was sure she wouldn't feel too confident facing him across a poker table either. His opening move had been bold, fearless, and expertly planned and executed. To use not only his own personnel, but the U.S. Government, in the case of the Chinese ... and disguising of his killers as INS had been a master stroke. Sometimes, he seemed almost Russian ... he confused her. Still, to leave the families alive, to let them remain in town ... what kind of fuzzy, soft-hearted thinking was that? It worried her that even as sentimental as he seemed to be, he had found out about the killers she'd been bringing in and handled them swiftly and efficiently. At least there was no sign he'd found out about her other plans. The high-powered round entered the back of her skull and sprayed the contents all over her table at "Hudson's on the Bend", grey matter and blood mixing with her complimentary chilled melon-guajillo soup. Boris drew breath to scream, sucking minute bits of his aunt into his lungs. And then he did scream, the first voice in a chorus that was to fill the street around the patio where they were sitting. If she'd been able to, she would've approved of Nick Philouma's latest move. ------- Helen McReady arrived at the Grimes house promptly at 2 PM. Her Mondays were far more open than she liked. A conflict with her supervisors at the hospital over her tattoos was resulting in fewer cases being assigned to her. They had no problem with her tats as long as they were completely covered, but her work involved physical activity with her patients which resulted in her rolling up her sleeves, not to mention therapy in the pool, and so the situation kept worsening. At least she wasn't going to have to worry about that with this patient. Carol answered the door. "Hello Helen. He's already in the pool, let me show you the way back." As she walked through the living room it was impossible to miss the smell of pot smoke and she recognized some of the 'specialty furniture', no matter how artfully it had been integrated into the décor. As she had recognized the meaning of the collar around Carol's neck the first time she'd met her, that was no big surprise. That all four of them seemed to be happy together did surprise her somewhat. But physical therapy allowed her to get to know the people under the masks they normally wore ... hard to keep a façade up when you were sweating, in tears, pushed to the point of wanting to quit. And she'd gotten to know his wives as one or another of them came and cheered him on with the therapy during his long weeks in the hospital. She liked them ... liked them all. "Hello Harry, hard at it I see," she called as she crossed the deck and saw her patient floating in a pool chair next to Kelly. "Oh yeah Helen ... I tell you, there are few things in life harder than lounging in the pool with a beautiful woman." Kelly smiled at him. "I suppose I should hop out and get ready for warm-ups, right?" "Yeah, by the time you're out and at least somewhat dry, I'll have the mat set up over here in the shade." An hour and a half later they were finished for the day and even through the physical tiredness, Helen could see that her patient was in a much better place emotionally than he had been at the hospital. "So, I notice you're still humming 'Ave Maria'," she said as he eased into the hot tub. "Yep ... this shit still hurts and I still need something to keep my mind off the pain ... care to join us?" He motioned her towards the tub where he sat with Kelly and Carol. "Well, the rest of the day is mine to do with as I will ... why the hell not?" she said, shucking down to her t-shirt and panties in almost as little time as it took to say it. While Harry had kept on the pair of shorts he'd worn for his therapy, the other two women were naked and most unselfconsciously so. Carol rose up out of the tub and drug over the hookah. "Care to share a bowl?" she asked. "Don't mind if I do," Helen answered. "I'm finished for the day." The casualness of the situation emboldened her. "So Harry, I notice the collar ... is Carol yours?" "Technically, yes, although if we're being truthful, she's pretty much all of ours ... and to continue the truthfulness, I'm a pretty lax owner." "That's not entirely true, love," Carol replied. "You really just don't have a Dom's personality." "No, no I really don't ... oh, I can play the role from time to time, and there is an aspect of me that is, but really, the dominant one among is-" "Margo!" Carol and Kelly said together. Harry laughed. "Little doubt about it, is there? She's much more suited to the role than me. And Kelly here does an enchanting turn as a Domme, from what I hear. But as far as who collared our little lovely, yes, that would be me." Carol cuddled up next to him and passed him a mouthful of smoke with a kiss. "Yes, and I'm quite happy about that ... besides, I love you the way you are." "So if you aren't really a Dom, how did you end up with a Sub?" Helen continued. As Margo slid into the tub to join them, an abbreviated version of their tale was told, with all parties taking part. Helen laughed through most of it as it came off almost like a comedy routine. When they were finished, Carol said, "Glad you asked that, Helen ... I figure sooner rather than later we're going to need a short-form answer to that question ... thanks for giving us some practice." "I'd imagine so ... the four of you are definitely 'together' ... no disguising it," Helen replied. "It's bound to engender curiosity ... although I'm not sure most people would believe how you ended up together." Margo curled up in Kelly's arms. "That's alright Helen, most days I don't believe it either." ------- When Helen left the four of them realized they were all far too mellow to drive, so Carol called around and found a limo company glad to have the business on a Monday night. Then the four of them were making their passes through the shower and sedately scrambling to get ready, with the rest of the party trickling in while they were in the process. Carol was ready first and played hostess, also passing out the keys they'd had made when they went out for lunch that day. "Now you guys can just come on in," she said when the next-to-last key was given to Nicki, "instead of doing that whole annoying 'knocking' thing." "Personally I think Edward enjoys annoying you with the knocking and calling out loudly," Tamara said. "I know Liz does," Patricia added. "Well, I shall trust the two sensible partners to curtail the mischievousness of Eddy and Karen," Carol said with a smile. "Or I'm afraid I'll have to start letting Princess open the door, naked and inflamed with lust. Things could get ... interesting." "Point taken," Tamara said, grinning from ear to ear. "Taken indeed," Patricia said, smiling as well. "You are an evil bitch, Carol ... I like that." "Thank you, you are too kind." "Neanderthal, I think our characters are being impugned," Karen growled. "Me no know what big word mean," Eddy grunted, "but me think they say bad things about us." "We will punish them later tonight when we get them home." "Yes, me like. That we do." "I live in fear," Patricia said, deadpan. "As do I," Tamara agreed, equally expressionless. Harry and Margo walked out of the bedroom into a living room filled with laughter. The limousine arrived and shortly after that, Kelly joined them in the living room. "Damn Kelly," Eddy exclaimed, "glad you could finally join us." "Mongo, don't make me hurt you ... it takes time to look this good." "That's bullshit, pure and simple," Eddy replied. "I've seen you first thing in the morning ... it doesn't take much effort at all." She threw her arms around him and hugged him hard. "For that, you may live," she said. ------- The ride to Jimmy Claude's was relaxed and cozy with everyone enjoying a round of drinks courtesy of the limo's minibar. "So, what type of restaurant is Jimmy Claude's? I mean, what's on the menu?" Harry asked. "Sir, it'll be Cajun food, it'll be superb, and as to what's on the menu, well, that'll be whatever Jimmy Claude felt like cooking today. He has no set schedule, except for certain dishes he prepares on holidays, and so there's just no telling what we'll be eating tonight. But whatever it is, it'll be some of the best food you ever put in your mouth." As the limo drove east out of town Harry asked, "How far out is this place?" "Oh, not too far ... it's pretty much in the middle of five hundred acres that JC steadfastly refuses to sell." "How come none of us have ever heard of this place," Margo asked, "other than Tattie and you? What's the story?" "Well, Jimmy Claude Duvalier was the personal chef of T. Collin Hughes, founder and head of Bayou Petroleum from the time JC was in his early twenties. Hughes ran across him cooking in a little restaurant probably much shabbier than this place looks from the outside when Hughes was tromping through Louisiana looking for oil, fell in love with his food and hired him on the spot. Fast forward about forty years and Hughes was looking to reward his service, so asked him if he wanted to retire back to Louisiana, maybe open up his own restaurant or just sit back and take it easy. JC told him he missed the bayous and the swamps but there was no way he wanted to go back to Louisiana, it was too damn hot and he'd miss Texas. He did want to run his own restaurant though. "So Hughes bought him this parcel of land out here, they did some extensive landscaping and "Jimmy Claude's" opened up, but with a twist ... JC had to know you ... hell, had to like you for you to be welcome. So people would come as guests of 'members', for lack of a better word, the members knowing that they were responsible for their guests' behavior, and if JC liked them, they'd get put on the list. Tattie and I got in on Tony's arm, JC liked both of us. That way he's kept his clientele very select, to his own somewhat odd standards and the place doesn't get swamped, pardon my pun. He does enough business to keep himself and his staff comfortable. But since it's not open to just anybody, has sort of a private club feel really, 'members' tend to not talk about it much ... avoids hassle that way." The limo turned onto a well-packed gravel road and proceeded through the thick-packed oak and elm trees that seemed to fill the property until they came around a bend in the road to a large parking area and a ramshackle-looking building that extended out over a very large pond, supported on piers. As large as the parking lot was, it was almost full but their driver managed to find a spot on the side where he could park. "My God, it does sort of look like we're out in the bayous," Karen said, "sorta..." "Well, it looks as close as JC wants it to ... just enough to feel like home, not enough to be too miserable," Carol replied. Once the doors were opened there was no mistaking the sounds of Cajun music coming from inside. "Now I understand the 'comfortable shoes' part," Margo said as Harry, Eddie and Karen found themselves being stared at by the rest of the party. "We're going dancing tonight!" "Would it matter at all if I said I don't have the foggiest idea how to dance, much less how to dance to Cajun music?" Eddie asked. "Nope Neanderthal, not in the least," Karen replied. "I know that look ... we're going to do what they want us to or the punishment will be severe." "I have to agree with Sappho, Eddie," Harry said. "The only consolation we have is that the ladies are looking so stunning tonight no one will notice what complete idiots we look like on the dance floor." "You are wise beyond your years," Patricia said, giving Harry a peck on the cheek. "Now then, let's go inside ... even this make-believe bayou has too many mosquitoes for my taste." Margo grabbed Kelly who then added Nicki, Carol took Harry, Tamara and Eddie paired up, Karen and Patricia too and the group began their dance education with a simple waltz across the parking lot. ------- That Monday evening, while their daughter and her husband and wives and their friends were being shown to their table at Jimmy Claude's, there was a short, sweet and to-the-point conversation in the Culberson home in Columbus, Ohio. "Earl, the school in Texas is interested in interviewing us. It sounds like they want us for this next term. Book us a flight for tomorrow, I told them we'd be there on Wednesday." "Yes darling." ------- Carol did her shot of Jack Daniels, followed by a long pull on her glass of Dixie Blackened Voodoo Lager. "Alright Harry, time to take it to the dance floor," she said, grabbing his hand. "They're playing a nice slow song so we can get you broke in easy." "Sounds like a plan," Harry said, getting up. "Come on everybody; let's get the embarrassment of the male-types started." "I'll sit with the purses and such," Nicki said. "Next dance it's you and me," Margo said to her as Kelly dragged her onto the floor. The band, "Boudreaux's Bayou Boys", was playing a Cajun waltz, as the couples took the floor. "Ya know, this ain't so bad," Eddie said as he carried Tamara above the dance floor. "True, Edward," she said, giggling. "I'm the only woman here who doesn't have to worry about her partner stepping on her feet," she continued before going back to keeping the count for him until he got the hang of it. "Alright," Harry said, "I'll allow as dancing with one of my beautiful wives is not the horrifying exercise in making a fool out of myself that I was afraid it might be, in spite of my brave words." "Harry, you're doing beautifully," Carol replied. "I wonder what this song is?" Margo mused as she and Kelly swirled by. "It called 'La Valse De Kaplan'," answered a man's voice from behind them. Around Margo and Kelly came Nicki, dancing with a short, skinny bald man with a pleasant face full of laugh lines who looked to be in his sixties. "It a classic Cajun waltz, make ya dance de night away." "JC!" Carol said. "Hey chere, see you brung some peoples. Dey friends o' yours I reckon," he said, "but why you leave dis pretty li'l rose sittin' dere by her own self?" "We didn't have a partner for her ... and before you ask, I was gonna be busy teaching my husband here how to dance to pull off Tony's old trick of dancing with two partners." "Then it a good thing I come along. And you say he you husband! When you get married, girl?" "Well, officially not yet or else I would've gotten you an invite." The song ended and they all headed back to their table. After introductions a few explanations were made, JC said, "So de four o' you, you be married all to each other, you two ladies be together, Eddie de big man be with the tiny girl ... you sure you of legal age, chere? And so out o' all dese lovelies, de only unattached woman be dis ravishin' blonde creature?" "Ahyup JC, afraid so ... we only brought you one woman to charm tonight," Carol replied with a grin. "Oh chere, you know me better den dat, I try my damndest to charm all y'all ... but dis de only one I try to convince to come home wit me tonight," he said with a laugh. "Now lemme get back to de kitchen, see what I gots dat I kin feed y'all wit." After another round of drinks the group headed back out onto the dance floor, Carol leading Harry and Nicki. "Now, I've never led two partners before, but Tony did it all the time, made it look easy, so here we go," she said, taking Nicki's left arm with her right and putting her right arm around Harry's waist. "You two figure out how you're gonna hold on to each other." After a few turns it was evident the arrangement wasn't going to work. Harry said, "Nicki, you take this dance with the adorable one, I'll go have a seat and watch all y'all look gorgeous." He'd no sooner sat down when a waitress passed by and he ordered another beer. Before it arrived, a plate of appetizers made it to the table and at the sight of food, all thoughts of dancing left his friends' and family's minds. ------- "Oh my God, JC, that was incredible!" Carol said, pushing herself away from the table. "If you even think about offering us dessert I'll explode." "Me too ... I've been to New Orleans and I didn't eat nearly this well," Margo said. "Well t'ank you ladies and gentlemen, it was my pleasure." Jimmy Claude had pulled up a chair when dinner came out and had sat talking with them while they ate. "You know, seein' Miss Karen and Miss Tricia together remind me o' my Aunt Jeanette." "Uh oh, here we go," Carol whispered sotto voce, a big grin on her face. "You be polite li'l girl or I turn you over my knee an' no spank you," Jimmy Claude replied, the matching grin on his face giving the lie to his words. "Now Aunt Jeanette, she live out on de Bayou du Morte, or like we called it, de Bayou du Merte, way back some ways northeast o' Baton Rouge. We used to go visitin' her about onest a year, maybe twicest. She dindint have too much use for mos' peoples, an' since she scare de hell outta dose dat know her real well, much less dem dat dindint, mos' peoples dindint have much use for her. "She was a big ol' woman, used to hunt de gator all by her own self an' I ain't talkin' dem li'l ol' gators you see 'round de cities an' such, where gators been hunted damn near till dere ain't none left so dey all small an' puny. I'm talkin' big bull gators had nottin' to do but eat anyt'ing and everyt'ing dat get close to 'em for years and years. Well, she go off in her boat at night, she come back wit one o' dem, we say "yes ma'am" no mattah what she tell us to do and we go do it. "Well, eve'ybody in de family done knowed for years dat she ain't got much use for de mens, not to say dat dere was many dat would get too close to her anyway cause she scare dem so much, bein' so big and strong, although dey nevah admit dat, dey just say she too damn ugly, an' it true, she weren't no bathin' beauty but she was a handsome enough woman long as you wasn't scared of her. But anyway, de way I heared it tell, one day she went down to Baton Rouge and about t'ree or four days later she showed up at my cousin Moline's house wit de prettiest li'l girl you ever seen, name o' Polly Ann. Frail, delicate li'l ol' thing, an' Aunt Jeanette say to eve'yone "Dis is my wife, Polly Ann, y'all treat her right or I'm'a whomp you." And, like mos' t'ings where my Aunt was concerned, dat settled de matter. "She started comin' to de family get-toget'ers and holidays and such, an' always pretty li'l Polly Ann be with her an' pretty soon de family got over itself an' eve'ybody jus' accepted dat dat was de way t'ings was gonna be, and it dindint hurt none dat Polly Ann was de sweetest, kindest li'l ol' t'ing, always helpful an' polite an' jus' a joy to visit wit. "Well, even back in de bayous de attitudes o' de times, an' dis woulda been de late fifties, done be stickin' dey nose in an' one Sunday when Jeanette an' Polly Ann was visitin' wit my family, we was all out in de front eatin' some big ol' slabs o' gator dat she had done brung, up drives de parish priest in his pretty car, come to visit wit his parishioners de Duvalier family. "Don' nobody t'ink too much about nothin' cause we all used to Jeanette and Polly Ann but onest dis priest get it figgered out in his head dat dey be livin' together like dey was married an' all, well he commenced to preachin' an' yellin' an' tellin' dem dat dey was gonna be goin' to Hell an' it was startin' to upset li'l Polly Ann, cause she was real religious. Well we all knowed de signs but de priest he dindint an' so when Jeanette ast him "Father Mondragon, is de Good always gonna triumph over de Evil?" he says "Yes." And she ast "And de Evil, it never, ever, never ever gonna defeat de Good?" an' he answer "No." "Oh my God, I couldn't have watched," Eddie whispered. "We was kinda sorry we did, Mr. Eddie, cause she reach down and picked up a big ol' length o' 6x8 dat we had got to replace a porch post, swung it lickety-split an' she damn near chop his leg in half wit dat board, she hit him so hard. Dey prolly heard dat thigh bone break all de way in New O'leans. "Well, as you might imagine, he layin' on de ground all of a sudden, screamin' an' cryin' an she lean over him an' say "Well, I just whomp your ass with one shot, so I guess I'm de Good an' you de Evil an' me an' my Polly Ann, we'll make it to Heaven afore you do. You give my family any trouble over dis I'm'a come find you an' sen' you off to see if I'm right." Den she look at my big brother Reynard an' tell him to drive the priest into town and get him to a doctor. "An' I'm'a tell you what, dat priest never said another word on the subject of de homosexuality." As the table laughed Jimmy Claude sat back and bathed in the appreciation of his audience. As the laughter was dying down Karen said, "Well Jimmy Claude, I'm honored that I remind you of your Aunt Jeanette." In Jimmy Claude's eyes the twinkling light of 'I-got-you' shone. "Oh no chere, you done got me wrong, you remin' me o' Polly Ann ... I done tolded you, Aunt Jeanette was a BIG ol' girl..." There was little doubt in the restaurant that night as to which table had laughed the loudest. ------- As the group made their way back to the limo, on the very edge of running late for their appointment at Carmine's, each and every one of them had a black card with "Jimmy Claude's" and a phone number on it, printed in gold. "So, we all passed," Patricia said. "Yep," Carol replied, "not that I had any doubts, but it's nice to see it validated." "I cannot believe I walked into that," Karen said, grinning. "I can," Patricia answered, hugging her partner close to her. "You're Harry's partner; you're a natural straight man." "Hey, I resemble that remark ... well, all except for the 'straight' part ... and the 'man' part..." If there had been such a competition, they would've won loudest group in the parking lot as well. ------- Chapter 33 Although no one in the limo really needed one, a round of drinks from the mini-bar helped shorten the drive back into the city and into the older part of downtown, which had grown into the entertainment district. Slowly they made their way down a street clogged with cars and pedestrians who evidently felt the street was merely an extension of the sidewalk. "Goddamn this is busy for this early in the night," Eddie exclaimed. "Must be a convention in town or something, this many people out this early on a Monday night," Kelly said. "I mean, if classes at the university were in session, this'd be normal, but damn." "Well, crowded or not, at least we're going to shop someplace other than the warehouse district," Harry said. "I had thought about having Mr. Antiquity do our outfits in leather," Carol said, curled up across his and Margo's laps, "but this many outfits in a week ... he would've pulled it off, but he would've been very grumpy, and it would've been obscenely expensive. Carmine will charge us an arm and a leg, but not more than that." "Mmmm," Kelly said, "love leather ... soft ... supple ... smells divine ... melds to your body like a second skin ... warms instantly on contact ... the insinuation of movement that's as close to a sound as good leather makes when you move in it..." "Kelly ... honey ... if you spooge on the seats I think they'll charge y'all more for cleaning," Patricia said with a laugh. Kelly shifted over and sat on Patricia's lap. "Alright 'Tricia, what happens if I spooge on you?" "I send you the cleaning bill," Patricia said as she hugged Kelly, following it with a kiss on the cheek. "And I give you a spanking your randy little ass won't enjoy," Karen growled. Kelly looked around for someone to champion her cause. "Minx," Eddie said, "you're just shit outta luck, ain't ya?" "I'm surrounded by traitors and hateful, hateful people," Kelly said with a grin. She shifted back to her seat next to Margo. "I shall have to use our resident submissive to console myself. Carol, come here." Carol shifted up and over and sat a-straddle Kelly, facing her. "Yes ma'am?" "You're fine right where you are," Kelly said, opening Carol's blouse and freeing a breast from its confinement. She began to suck on it loudly, her hand sliding beneath Carol's skirt. "There, there ma'am ... even though we're mean to you we all still love you," Carol said, stroking Kelly's hair. "Okay, now that we've established that in all probability Princess would be willing to do all sorts of nasty tricks for a leather outfit," Margo said, "how much further is it to Carmine's?" "Uh ... the driver knows ... I told him ... he'll ... ummm..." Carol said, losing herself in Kelly's attentions. "Kelly! Stop that! We'll need her to make introductions and the like," Harry said. Kelly reluctantly released their wife and Carol slid over to sit on Harry's lap while she tucked herself back in. "We don't all need to go in right away ... good Lord, there's a horde of us ... a couple of us won't be missed..." Kelly grabbed Margo and, with no small amount of help from her new victim, guided her to sit a-straddle her lap as Carol had. "I guess you'll just have to make do with me," Margo said as Kelly completely unbuttoned her top and unhooked her bra in a flash. "Oh Big Mama, spending time with you is never 'making do'," Kelly said, drawing Margo close to her as the limo slowly made a turn into a fenced and gated parking lot. "Y'all go ahead, Margo and I will join you ... later." As Harry, the last one out, closed the limo door he heard Margo ask "Do you think the driver will watch?" and Kelly reply "Only if he's straight ... and still breathing." ------- "Are you sure it's safe leaving them alone with the driver?" Patricia asked. "Relax my love," Karen replied, "Eddie had a little talk with him while you were straightening your clothes and helping the other ladies do the same. That driver had no doubt about the painfully slow death that awaits him should he even just annoy the two of them. They'll be fine. Plus as you might not have noticed, Eddie's no longer with us." Patricia looked around and saw that Tamara was arm-in-arm with Nicki and Harry. "Where'd he go?" "He's waiting in the shadows someplace, watching the limo, ready to escort them here when they're finished," Karen said. "Don't worry, they'll be fine." As they walked through the crowds of club-goers Nicki asked, "Bro, is going shopping with the family always this interesting?" "Actually, love, this has been a rather sedate trip out ... I'll give Madame Cornelius a call and see if she's up for tea Friday afternoon." Carol squeezed his arm tightly. "Oh good ... we haven't seen her in far too long." "Don't forget my dear, we'll see Li Kuan as well," Harry replied with a smile. "That prospect doesn't scare me quite so badly anymore," Carol said. "I have faith that you won't let Li Kuan touch me and besides, if something went terribly awry, I wouldn't have to outrun Li Kuan, I'd just have to outrun Nicki ... I can do that." "In your dreams, short and cute," Nicki fired back. "Oh trust me, my fear of Li Kuan is sufficient motivation for me to outrun almost anything," Carol said. "She hits my primal fear button dead center; even when she's not being predatory she makes me uncomfortable as hell, but if she's being predatory I turn into a babbling basket case." "I remember meeting her briefly," Nicki said, "not long after the accident. She didn't look all that frightening but when I heard Madame Cornelius' offer ... well, I thought she was joking, and such a joke was disturbing enough. Then I realized she wasn't joking at all ... and that went way beyond disturbing." "Well, here we are," Harry said. Carmine's was wedged between Diamond Dick's, a dance club where the trance was pumping so loudly the brick walls seemed to vibrate with the beat, and Long Tall Sally's, a more classic rock and roll kind of club where a band was covering AC/DC's "You Shook Me All Night Long". The brick front was unadorned and windowless, the large solid wood double doors bore the words 'Carmine Landau — Tailor' and below that 'By Appointment Only'. Once inside the doors they found themselves in a small reception area with a pleasant-looking young woman at a desk and two doormen the size of Eddie standing between them and the door that led further in. Carol went to the receptionist. "Andrea, we spoke on the phone. Grimes party, nine of us, appointment for 8:30 ... well, six at present, the other three will be along shortly." "Certainly ... Emil, show our guests into Room Three. Would you like Mr. Landau to take your measurements personally or will one of his assistants be acceptable?" "Oh no, Mr. Landau himself, most definitely. These outfits deserve the full Carmine Landau treatment," Carol answered. "Of course," Andrea replied, making a note. "He should be with you shortly." Carmine's was perhaps twenty-five feet wide, but in the style of the older buildings in that part of downtown was very deep, going back over two hundred feet to the alley. As Emil showed them through the door and partway down the hallway to Room Three, Karen asked in a soft whisper, "What's the difference between him taking our measurements and an assistant doing it?" "About two hundred dollars more per garment, but since I'm paying, don't worry about it," Carol answered in an equally low voice. "The real difference, all snideness aside, is the extra time Carmine will have with us and that will lead to more attention being paid to the whole process." They entered Room Three at Emil's behest and continued to converse as they heard him head down the hall back to the reception area. "Tony used to have Carmine make all his suits for him and he'd regularly spend half again what the suit would've cost just 'making nice' with Carmine," she said as she took a seat on one of the dark burgundy couches that lined the oak wainscoting that lined the walls, dark from thousands of oilings. "He'd book an appointment for the entire day, take Carmine to lunch, spend the afternoon talking about fabrics, colors, styles, then take him to supper, followed by more talking. Finally, around 9 in the evening, they'd get around to re-measuring Tony, making sure his measurements hadn't changed in any particular, although in the last years he shrunk a little. After that, they'd discuss the final plans for the suit. The extra time showed too ... Tony's suits were some of Carmine's finest work and worth every penny Tony paid for them." There was a soft knock on the door. "Yes?" Patricia replied as she examined the pictures of western fashion through the ages that decorated the umber wallpaper above the wainscoting. A young man entered the room and bowed slightly. "My name is Sergei, may I get you something to drink?" "What do ya have?" Karen asked. Before Sergei could answer Carol put a hand on Karen's arm. "If you want it, chances are they either have it or will acquire it fast enough as to make no difference." After they gave Sergei their drink orders, they took seats on the comfortable divans and loveseats that decorated the room. "Nice place," Harry chuckled, admiring the floors that were of the same oak as the wainscoting, and bore the same signs of years of loving care. "I wonder what's keeping Margo and Kelly?" Carol, curled up next to him, said, "You know very damn well what's keeping them, sir." "True ... and when was it decided you were footing the bill for this little shopping trip?" "Yeah," Karen said, stroking Patricia's hair. "I don't recall ever agreeing to that." "I'll argue on Edward's behalf as well," Tamara added, "but I fully expect even he would lose this fight." "Yeah," Nicki exclaimed, "what they said!" "Look y'all," Carol replied, "think of it this way. If you had asked us to go to supper with you, and you chose the restaurant, and ordered the meal for us, giving us little to no input into the decisions, would you expect us to pay?" "Uh ... no," Karen answered. "I think she's got us," Tamara said. "I walked into this knowing pretty much how expensive it's going to end up being, the outfits I want Carmine to make for us ... we're going into Dominique's together, we're going to look stunning and we're definitely going to make an impression. It's only fitting that I foot the bill." Carol preened under a caress from Harry. "Of course, if Carmine and I can't convince you that what I've envisioned, that he will doubtlessly refine and improve immensely, will look great on you, well, we'll drop back five and punt. Between all of us we'll figure out something that will work for you and get it done in time." "Fair enough, I suppose," Karen sighed. "But just for that, we're picking up the bar tab at Dominique's Friday night." "No arguments from me," Harry replied. "And if Eddie objects, you can whomp him," he finished with a grin. "Yeah, if he say anything I'm'a whomp him," Karen said, in a halfway decent impression of Jimmy Claude. ------- The driver kept the engine running as even at night, it was far too hot, so Margo and Kelly were comfortably cool as they lay on the carpeted floor in each others arms. "Now then Princess, we're all alone, or nearly so," Margo said. "whatever shall we do?" "Well, first off, Big Mama," Kelly replied, gently clamping her hand on Margo's neck while she finished opening her wife's top with the other, "there ain't no Princess here right now. All I need to hear from that mouth of yours is whether you want this to go down easy..." she grasped one of Margo's breasts tightly in her hand "or hard." Margo felt her own need for dominance strong inside her, but realized that it wasn't the time or place for a fight of that sort, no matter how fun it sounded like. Perhaps tomorrow evening, after she got home from work ... make a big ring with the floor cushions and such in the living room, put down the big padded comforters on the floor, to help cut down on excess bruising. "Certainly, my Queen, I would prefer 'easy'. How may I serve you?" "For the moment, my eager little bitch, like this," Kelly said, sliding down and putting her mouth to one of Margo's nipples. "Now hold me, caress me," she said as she began to gently and softly kiss Margo's breast. "As you wish ... ummm ... my Queen," Margo purred. ------- Tatiana Turov slumped into a chair out on the patio of her home. Across the table from her sat Vashti, smoking a Marlboro with a look of disgust on his face. "Pussy American cigarettes," he said, "my God, why would people pay to smoke air?" "Maybe because these won't kill them as fast as smoking those tar sticks Russians seem to prefer," Tattie replied, tiredness evident in every word. She had just gotten Yuri settled in his room, Julie was still in there with him, humming to him. Neither of them knew if it helped him or not, but they both figured it couldn't hurt. "This place ... your home-" "Your home too, now," Tattie corrected the boy. "Our home ... it is nice. You are still a fool for bringing Yuri here ... but I recognize the good intentions behind your efforts. I thank you on his behalf." "Someday he will thank me on his own." The boy tore the filter off another cigarette and lit it off the burning coal of his last one, then leaned forward and looked at her. "Ms. Turov, you are too American. You and your people believe you can do anything, that anything is possible if you throw enough money at it. There is no Yuri left inside that shell to reach. I knew Yuri. I watched him fade away and die inside." The boy rubbed at his eyes in an ill-disguised attempt to hide his tears. "Don't you think I've looked into his eyes, talked to him, petted him, tried with all my might to reach something, anything, inside of him? "If I walked into my bedroom and broke the keyboard of that beautiful computer you gave me over my knee ... could that be fixed, or would the computer as a whole be ruined?" "It could be fixed, buy a new keyboard." "Now then, if I went into my room with a sledgehammer and busted it all into a million pieces, could that be fixed?" "No." "No ... you'd throw it away. Yuri is in a million pieces and much more complex than a computer." Tattie looked at him and felt the sadness and sense of futility that surrounded Vashti like a fog. "But computers aren't alive, Vashti ... they can't fix themselves. People can. Besides, all it will cost is my money and some time ... why are you so worried about the investment of some money and time? If I'm right, then Yuri gets better. If I'm wrong, nothing is lost but my money and my time." "Ms. Turov ... when the new shipments of children would be brought in ... after a few months, all of us had gotten very good at judging who was going to make it and who wasn't. The new shipments would come in and we'd start betting ... not on whether or not one or the other would make it, would adapt to the new way of things, but how long it would take the ones who weren't going to adapt to die. "It was that certain. We'd grown that used to spotting the signs. Protecting the weak ones wasn't an option ... there is a class of customer who prefers those weaklings. They were used and discarded and because they couldn't, or wouldn't, toughen up and fight to live, they died. "Hope, friendship, love ... these are currencies, Ms. Turov. You spend them where there's a good chance of a return, because when you invest them in someone, you are investing a part of yourself ... a part you never get back. Investing a part of yourself in someone who is going to die when nothing you can do, nothing they will do, is going to change it ... it costs you more than money and time. Trying to save Yuri ... it will cost you more than you can imagine ... it will obsess you ... it will eat at you and break you from inside. And all Yuri will do in return is sit there and look at you from a million miles, and a million pieces, away." "And you ... should I invest in you, Vashti? Or are you too broken to save?" "Would I invest hope and love in me ... no, no I wouldn't. Are you familiar with the proverb 'Any fish is good if it is on the hook'?" "I am," she said, smiling, "although Americans would take it a bit differently than a Russian would." "I mean it in the Russian sense ... you are an opportunity I never saw coming. If I am to have a future, it will be because of you and your kindness. "But ... I worry ... so many nights, the only reason I did not give in to my despair and kill myself was ... was ... they needed me. The only thing that kept from walking into the darkness was the knowledge that the others were better off with me there. And now ... now there is no one to need me ... and I..." Despite the weariness that was soaked deeply into her very bones she was up and had drawn Vashti into her arms before he realized it. And by the time his silent tears, tears that had been flowing through much of their conversation, turned into hoarse, lung-racking sobs, she was back in her chair and he was on her lap, cradled in her arms. "Vashti ... Vashti ... let it out. You are so much stronger than most of the people I know, certainly stronger than me. But even your strength must have a rest, from time to time. Don't worry, my boy ... you are needed." As she held him, the smell of his cigarettes wafting up to her nose, she was once again reminded that in spite of the old soul that looked out at her through eyes that had seen far too much far too early in life, he was still just a boy ... and a badly damaged boy at that. She held him, caressed him, and whispered meaningless syllables of comfort into his ear as he brayed out his pain and his fear. Julie came to the patio door, a look of concern on her face but Tattie waved her off and Julie left the two of them alone on the patio as the sun set. At last the boy's sobs wound down. "Who ... who needs me now? Yuri doesn't need me ... he has you and Ms. Julie ... the other children ... Ms. Turov, I don't want to feel like this ... I thought getting away from those men, I would feel better..." "Vashti ... my dear boy ... you've gone from a world where you knew your place, your purpose, and it was a very vital and important purpose, to a situation where you don't know either. "I need you ... more than you're ready to believe right now. Do you remember last year, Vashti?" "Yes," the boy answered, "although there is much of it I would like to forget ... I remember it." "I don't. I remember having dinner at the White House, sometime in June, I think ... I remember a lot of fights with Peter, not specifics, just that we had them. I remember a few high profile customers and my meetings with them ... but that's it. I don't remember anything else about last year." "Why?" "Because all I did was hide from the world in my workshop and work. I'd go out with Peter on occasion but that was mostly to shut him up and any memories I'd have of those times would be unpleasant ... as it seems most of my memories of Peter are." Vashti somewhat embarrassedly disentangled himself from her arms and stood up. He dragged his chair over closer to her, wiping his nose on his sleeve before ripping the filter off a cigarette and lighting it. "Ms. Turov, you do not need me as a reason not to disappear into your work ... you have Yuri for that." "Vashti, that's not nearly all I need you for ... I need you for a friend ... I need you for a son ... I need you not only to have someone to take care of, but someone to talk to, and someone to take care of me. I think you're old enough to understand that, aren't you?" Vashti looked at her sadly. "Yes, I understand." "Fine, then let's go inside and get you ready for bed. You know, by the way, that I want you to quit smoking, don't you? And don't you think it's time you got used to calling me Mother ... or at least Tattie?" "I will try ... Tattie." ------- "Damn, that feels good Quan," Wendy said, stretching her body out as her roommate massaged her ass. Oil-covered thumbs slid down and gently worked their way into her anus every so often to help loosen her up for the experience to come. "Yeah ... whatever," Quan grunted. "Now, now, Takeout," Jessica said where she sat against the wall, masturbating at the sight of one of her lovers unwillingly preparing to fuck her other lover, "you should know better than to wager what you're not willing to lose." "And you can shut the fu- maybe I shouldn't finish that sentence, QB," Quan said, seeing the look on Jessica's face. "I get the feeling you'd really enjoy beating my ass." Jessica had found she was adapting to her role as queen bee of their little hive quite comfortably, and quite quickly. The look on her face was one of readiness. "Oh yeah, Takeout ... I'd have you tied up so quick your pretty little eyes would spin and instead of you fucking my lover in the ass while I suck her cock, you'd be blowing her while I wore out a ping pong paddle on your butt." She got up and walked over to Quan on her knees, bringing her wet hand up to Quan's mouth. As Quan cleaned it off, she played with Quan's breast. "And when I was all through, and little Wanna-Be had finished letting a gusher loose in your mouth," she whispered none too softly, "Wendy darling and I would each take charge of one of your swollen, red, tender ass cheeks, and we'd bite on them" she pinched Quan's nipple "and just keep biting them" she pinched again "until I figured you'd whimpered and cried enough. And do you know what I'd do then, little Takeout?" The dominant side of Quan's personality was in full retreat and her submissive side whined, "No ma'am." "Then, my precious love, I'd take a page from my old roommates' book and tie you down so securely you couldn't move ... a ... muscle," Jessica said, punctuating her last words with kisses on Quan's neck. "And then Wendy and I would fuck, maybe all of an inch above your face, my love. There my hot, wet cunt would be ... getting fucked," she said, squeezing Quan's breast, "right over you. Where you could see it, and hear it, and smell it, maybe even taste it ... but you ... couldn't ... touch," she finished, breathing the words into Quan's ear. The soft keening that came from Quan's throat was all the more pleasurable to Jessica as it indicated that maybe someday Quan wanted exactly that treatment. "Now then, my sweet, let's get Wendy darling propped up and let me wrap my lips around that pretty cock of hers. Then you can get strapped in and we can pay off this bet, okay?" "Yes ma'am," Quan replied. She caressed Wendy's butt gently, fondly as she muttered "Who knew the little slut would be so good at Monopoly?" ------- Margo wondered at the mix of feelings going through her as Kelly suckled at her breast. It surprised her how she could feel so maternal towards the young woman and so in love with her and so incredibly horny for her, all at the same time. It was the addition of 'maternal' to the mix that really seemed to be the source of her bemusement ... the rest of it was perfectly understandable. Of all the women in the entire group, Kelly was by far the most beautiful and sexy by societal standards. And yet she acted as if she was completely unaware of that fact most of the time. Somewhere along the way, and Margo strongly suspected that it was due to the influence of Earl and Kissie, Kelly had developed into a beautiful person, as well as a beautiful body. She stroked Kelly's hair and wondered again at the strange chain of events that had brought them all together and how much her life had changed and how much she'd grown in just a few months. "I think I've had enough of your sublime breast, Big Mama, time for you to suck on me for awhile," Kelly said, getting up and sitting back on the seat with her legs spread. "Now let's give Mr. Driver part two of the show." She threw off the rest of her clothes and grabbed Margo's hair, dragging her face to her crotch. "And Big Mama, if I'm not screaming in orgasm in the next five minutes, when we get home tonight we're going to tie your beautiful ass down, tease you right to the edge of coming ... and leave you that way all night. You might end up calling in sick to work tomorrow if you're not careful. Now eat me, my cunt-slurping Bitch!" Margo buried her face in her wife's wet and always fragrant cunt, rubbing her clit with her nose, her tongue diving deep between swollen lips as Margo ran her hands up Kelly's sides, feeling the smooth warm skin glide beneath her fingertips and palms. Her hands moved to Kelly's nipples, finding them erect and hard and she massaged them with her palms as she softly ran the tip of her tongue up to Kelly's clit, ever so slightly brushing it so she could gauge how close Kelly was to an orgasm. For her part, Kelly was very close. She found making love with her oldest wife to always be an intoxicating experience, no matter who was in charge. For her, playing the Queen meant she could give in to that intoxication and no one could say anything about it. She felt Margo shift focus as she began to pay more attention to Kelly's clit and Kelly tightened her grip on Margo's hair and began to make humping motions on her face. Margo smiled to herself; 'the Queen' was more than ready. "Is Mama's little girl horny? Let Mama take care of that for her." The gasp that ripped free of Kelly's mouth was so loud and sharp it filled the entire interior of the limo. Margo, remembering an old Sam Kinnison routine, began to lick small, delicate letters around and over Kelly's clit. 'k e l l y a n n c u l b e r s o n g r i m e s i s m y b i t c h', she spelled as she worked her hands over Kelly's breasts, her thumbs teasing the young woman's nipples. Kelly was indeed screaming in orgasm before five minutes were up ... she'd barely made it to three. ------- It was company policy that drivers were only to use the passenger compartment monitoring system for periodic checks on the passengers or in cases where they felt there was a risk of damage to a passenger or to the limo itself. Albert Farlens didn't give a flying fuck about policy. He'd checked the compartment after everyone but the older woman and the young black woman had left and he hadn't turned it off since. He was glad there was a Kleenex dispenser in the driver's compartment. He'd come twice and although it pained him, he thought he might manage one more. He was just sorry there was no way he could record the incredibly hot scene taking place in the back because his co-workers, knowing that lots of kinky things happened in the backs of limos, would never believe the dialogue. ------- "So my little Carol, we meet again ... it's been too long. I haven't seen you since Mr. Juliana's funeral, may he rest in peace." "Mr. Landau," Carol replied, getting up from the couch and handing her cappuccino to Harry, "you're looking wonderful." She went and hugged him. Carmine Landau was tall, at least 6' 2", and stooped over even at that height. So thin he appeared emaciated, nonetheless his pants, shirt and vest fit him perfectly. His bald head caught the light, as did the glasses perched on the end of his nose and his grey beard seemed to glow. "Now then, as we all know, we're on a tight schedule here," he said, "so we'll be making introductions while I'm taking measurements. Carol darling, you'll do the honors." He handed her a pad of paper and a pencil. "Remember to write clearly, in large numbers with no room to misread them. Alright, let's start with this handsome gentleman you were hanging on when I came in. He is..." "Harry, Mr. Landau, my fiancé." "Oy, fiancé is he? Of course I'll get an invitation?" "Wouldn't dream of missing you, sir." "Alright," he said, pulling the tape measure from around his neck, "let us begin." ------- "Can Mama's little girl come for Mama one more time?" Margo asked before going back to spelling irreverent messages on Kelly's clit. "Oh ... I ... think ... you're ... fucking ... evil ... Mama ... and ... I ... love ... you ... so ... much ... it ... OH ... OHOH ... ooooOOOH!" "Mmmm," Margo hummed as continued. She had pretty much decided that there was going to be a fight for dominance the next night and she had every intention of teaching the Queen that age and treachery beat youth and inexperience every time. ------- Fifteen minutes later they lay in each other's arms on the floor of the limo. "Do you need ... me to do ... anything ... for you ... Big Mama?" "No sweetie, I'm fine for now, but I am gonna get some lovin' before I go to sleep tonight." "Oh ... count on it ... I'll strap on ... if nothing else ... I love you ... my wife." "I love you too, my wife." Kelly threw a leg over Margo and body-hugged her fiercely. "I will never ... get tired ... of hearing y'all ... call me that." "Then I guess we'll never stop, hmmm?" "Fine with me ... just prepare ... to get loved ... a lot." ------- Ten minutes after that they emerged from the limo looking slightly the worse for wear. "I hope this place has a decent restroom," Margo said. "You and I both are a little whiff." "Nah Big Mama, we just got a touch of the lovin' stink on us." "You scare me sometimes." As the two laughing women proceeded towards the parking lot exit, out of the shadows loomed Eddie. "Evenin' ladies, have fun?" "Why yes Eddie, we did, thank you for asking," Margo answered nonchalantly. "How has your evening been so far?" "A little warm, waiting out here for y'all," he replied, "but not too bad really. Shall we?" As each woman took an arm on either side Kelly answered, "We shall" and together they headed for Carmine's. ------- They were shown in to Room Three just as Carmine was finishing up with Patricia. "I'm glad you finally made it," Carol told them. "He's already done three of us." "Do we have time to go freshen up a bit?" Margo asked. "You do, Madam, but please hurry, time is short," said Carmine without turning around as he motioned to Nicki impatiently. "Now, who might this be?" "Uh, this is Harry's sister, Nicki." "I should've seen the resemblance. Are you ready, Carol? Then Nicki, let us begin." ------- Margo and Kelly walked back in to Room 3 as Carmine was finishing with Eddie. "Alright Carol, who's next?" "This would be Tamara, Eddie's fiancé." Carmine looked down at the tiny woman. "Darling, you're beautiful. It's rare I get to work on someone of your size." "I wouldn't imagine so, sir." "This will be a pleasure. Let us begin." And later, "Now who is this?" "This, sir, is our fiancé Margo." "Excuse me," Carmine said, peering at Carol over the tops of his glasses. "It's an odd arrangement," Carol answered. "With you in it, I should be surprised? It's a pleasure to meet you, Margo, let us begin." And later still, "And this would be?" "Kelly, our other fiancé." The peering over the glasses lasted longer that time. "Four of you? Do I want to know the arrangements?" "Of course you do, sir, you've always been very nosy ... everyone with everyone." "Oy vey ... good thing. Harry," he said as he looked over to where he was seated, "do you know why God ordained monogamy for His people?" "No sir." "Because more than one wife and a man dies before his time ... he may die happy, but he dies before his time. You may have a found a way around that fate." "I hope so, sir ... any one of them is more than enough for me ... and I can't imagine living without any of them." "Then it's love ... surely it's love ... now then Kelly, let us begin." And even later, "Alright, who here has the neatest, most legible handwriting?" "Y'all don't say a word, hands down it's Patricia," Karen said. "I've seen her writing a mile a minute and it was all perfectly readable, almost looked like it was straight out of a textbook on penmanship." "Alright, Patricia, a sample if you please?" Patricia wrote a few lines on the pad for him. "Lovely, no offense Carol, you're very good, I should have had her doing this all along. Now then, little Carol, let us begin." ------- "Alright, I have all of your measurements, and I understand that Carol here is not only paying for all of this, but wants this to be a surprise of sorts, so hopefully you trust her and me enough to put your sartorial splendor in our hands. Sergei will be by in a bit to see if you need anything, please ... don't hesitate to avail yourself of our hospitality, that's what it's here for. It's been a pleasure to meet all of you and I look forward to seeing you again for the final fittings Friday evening. "Now, little Carol, we must go talk." ------- An hour later they were back in the limo and headed home for the night. "Do I even want to speculate on what our outfits look like?" Eddie asked, a smile on his face. "Well, I can give you some general details," Carol replied. "Carmine and I agreed that in addition to good old basic black, which there'll be a lot of, a brilliant scarlet would be the color that came closest to matching everyone's skin tones the best, and it also has the benefit of being a rose color and quite visible in the dimness of a club atmosphere. The submissive types will be wearing a most revealing outfit, the dominant types a rather severely cut design, and those that can swing either way will have a set of each style." "Do you think we should have included Dr. Stallings and his wife in on this little shopping trip? I mean, they are going to be with us," Margo asked. "I considered that, my love," Carol replied, "but in the end, they'll be there for business, while we'll be there for pleasure, and to put on our own show." "Excuse me?" said Karen. "I'm hoping I can convince the group to allow the club to put our table on display at some point in the evening, once things get going good," Carol answered, her eyes glinting mischievously. "I repeat, excuse me?" "The tables are fitted with a light panel overhead, in plain view. It's how masters and mistresses announce that they're looking, or slaves show they're available. It's also how patrons announce that they don't wish to be bothered, or that they're willing, or not willing, to share their 'property'. There's another option. If the table's occupants agree, the club will use indirect lighting to illuminate the table while the patrons are ... performing." "Performing?" squeaked Nicki. "Yes, beloved sister, performing," Carol continued, "it is a sex club after all. One whose sex shows started as amateur productions. I'm hoping with the application of sufficient smoke before we leave, drinks once we're there, and the overall vibe of the club that we'll all relax our inhibitions and feel like being a little exhibitionistic. Think of it as a warm-up for the deviant party at the house. "Besides," she said, crawling into Harry's lap, "I promised my beloved not long after we met that I'd take him to clubs where he could do whatever he wanted to me right out in the open. The idea seemed to excite him. "And," she continued, "the lighting is very soft and the patrons are very well behaved. Faced with the risk of being banned from Dominique's, one of the kinkiest clubs in the country, they generally don't risk it." Kelly popped off with "Well, I don't have a problem with us performing." "We are all dumbstruck with surprise," said Eddie in a deadpan voice. ------- "I'm gonna get him if it's the last thing I do," Kelly muttered as they headed into the house. "Honey, what were you thinking?" Harry asked, fighting unsuccessfully to suppress a grin. "It's Eddie ... and you tried to tickle him." "WELL Y'ALL COULD'VE HELPED!" "Oh no, my love," Margo said, all pretense of seriousness gone as they all headed into the bedroom, "there were already way too many bodies in motion in the back of that car." "And then to have Tamara, TAMARA, spank me ... with her belt!" "We know sweetheart, we were there," Carol replied. "Saw you all laid out across his lap, pants down ... cute thong by the way ... her following his instructions to the letter. Got me excited, didn't it Harry?" "It did ... if had gone on much longer Baby Girl and I would've gotten in some practice for Friday night right there and then," Harry replied as he pulled off his shirt and sat on the bed. "A little help here, please?" "Got it, beloved," Margo said as she moved to help him with the shoe on his bad leg and then helped pull off his pants. "How's that beautiful ass of yours feeling, by the way?" "Sore, but I have a cunning two-part plan to help with that," Kelly replied. She glanced around and saw that Carol was already undressed except for her collar. "Carol, grab the lotion and the hookah and meet me on the deck." And with that they all watched her beautiful, naked form stride off towards the back door. "Yes ma'am." Harry said, "We'll be out to join you in a few, let us get finished undressing." "Fine," came Kelly's faint response from the living room. "Madam, if the two of you would prefer, the bong is here on the shelf." "Thank you, Carol ... Harry and I will be staying here and taking advantage of it." "So I imagined, Madam." "We will?" asked Harry, quite confused. "We will," Margo replied, caressing his cock. "Yes, we will," Harry said, grinning. "See y'all later." ------- Twenty minutes later, as Jacintha's album "Autumn Leaves: the Songs of Johnny Mercer" played throughout the house and on the deck, Carol and Kelly finished their bowl as they reclined on the deck chairs. From where she lay on her stomach Kelly said, "You know, I haven't really had enough experience to know if you can pick the right music to get the blood-pumping, like before we're going out clubbing or something like that, but you can damn sure choose the right music to relax to." "Thank you, my Queen," Carol replied, lying back on her chair, pleasantly buzzed and gazing at the stars. "Would you like me to lotion that poor, whipped bottom of yours?" "No, Slut, enjoy the high for a bit ... I'm copacetic for now." ------- In the bedroom, Harry looked up at his wife, riding him at a slow, steady pace, her hips and thighs shifting forwards and back in a most delightful rhythm. "Have I told you lately ... that you're one of the three ... most radiantly and divinely beautiful ... women in the world?" She smiled down at him and squeezed his hands. "No, not lately ... but that's just ... the dope talking ... I'm sure." Her smile grew even larger to let him know she was joking. A slight frown crossed Harry's features. "Don't say that, my love ... not even in jest ... not when I've felt that way ... for over sixteen years ... of course, you used to be ... in a class all by yourself ... hope you don't mind the company." "Don't mind ... at all ... given ... the company ... hold on ... I'm about..." And then she collapsed on top of him as her hips went into overdrive and he felt her cunt contract and grip his cock as if it was in the grip of a fist. He got his hands free and wrapped his arms around her. "Mrs. Grimes," he whispered, "I'm in love with you." "Good ... thing ... unrequited ... love ... sucks..." "No chance of that here," he replied, "now just relax and let me drive for awhile." "What ... about ... leg?" "Don't worry, I'll take it slow ... and when you're ready to take over again, you just let me know." "Okay ... my love." Harry reflected to himself that in a life full of kinks and so-called 'deviant behavior', there was still a transcendent glory in simply making love the old-fashioned way. ------- "Kelly honey?" "Yes, most excellent wife and pet?" "Are you still planning that surprise at Dominique's?" "Oh yes indeed, curvaceous one." "You realize you're going to have to get Harry sometime this week." "I was thinking of tomorrow night." "Sounds like a plan." "I thought so ... a little more lotion, sexy serving wench." "Yes ma'am." ------- Tattie lay and stared up at the ceiling of her bedroom in the dark. Yuri's and Vashti's rooms were next to hers, across the hall from each other, with Julie's room on the other side of Yuri's, so that one of them was certain to hear him in the night, even if the wireless monitors completely failed. She had put a monitor in Vashti's room as well, but had told him about it and let him decide if he wanted to leave the microphone open or not. She could tell looking at hers that he hadn't. She'd never been so tired before in her life, never felt so old and overwhelmed. It wasn't the physical exertions involved so much, although those had been considerable, it was more the emotional strain. A wild, unthinking part of her wanted to gather Yuri into her arms and simply will him into healing, to take his pain as her own, and that she knew she couldn't tore at her inside. And she was finding it was the little things that stabbed at her the deepest ... they estimated his age at ten, but he was barely potty-trained. Vashti said he had been before it got so bad for him, but now he just made a few vague motions towards his crotch. If they missed them, he went where he was, in whatever he was wearing. She hadn't expected to have to hire a diaper service, but she had. He had to be led everywhere. Food could be on the table three feet away from him, she could announce it was lunchtime, in Russian, tell him it was okay if he came to the table and sat down, and he would still just stand there, staring vacantly until he was brought to the table. At least he managed to feed himself without too much of a mess. Vashti had explained to her how thoroughly cowed, how completely broken his will was, but she hadn't wanted to even consider the possibility that he was correct. After less than one day, she was ready to consider it. That was her weakness, her fatigue talking, but she was so scared that there was no hope. She was sure she wasn't going to be able to sleep a wink. Within minutes she was out like a light. ------- Tattie slowly came to, not sure what was waking her. In her befogged state she looked at the monitors. Yuri's light was still on and that, combined with the soft sounds of regular breaths told her it was still working and he was still asleep. Vashti's was still dark. Then a hand gently touched her side and slid up her nightgowned form to her breast. A small touch of God's Grace kept her from screaming since whatever the situation was, that could not help but make it worse. Given the odds, and that she knew Julie was straight, she spoke in Russian. "Hello ... who is there?" "Don't worry, Tattie," Vashti replied, "I will make it good for you." She felt his slender form press against her back, felt the erection poking at her ass. "Vashti," she said, calmly and softly, "what are you doing in my bed?" A note of uncertainty colored the boy's voice. "I'm taking care of you, just as you said." "Vashti, darling boy, move away from me to the other side of the bed. We need to talk." The bed shifted as he slid to the other side of her bed and she rolled over. "Do you want me to turn on the light or is this a conversation best had in the dark?" "The dark, I think," he replied. "Fine ... Vashti, this is not at all what I meant by 'taking care of me'." "It ... it's not?" he said, his voice beginning to sound of tears. "No ... you are a very young man, and I am a very old woman. You are my son, you are Vashti Janos Turov, you are one of the two most precious people in my life ... you are not my lover and I do not intend you to become so." "But ... Tattie ... this ... this is all I have to give!" Screaming 'fuck propriety' in her mind, she scooted across the bed and threw her arm over him while the other slid beneath him, then drew him to her shoulder, happy to see that the erection was nowhere in evidence. "No, no my son ... it is not all you have! It is the merest fraction, the smallest part of what you have! You are so smart, so strong, so caring ... your body, handsome as it is, is the least portion of what you have to offer! "Not that I will ever turn down hugs and kisses as befit a mother and her son," she continued, her smile evident in her voice, "but this is no longer the currency with which you pay for your upkeep. Love, honor and obey your mother and your teacher, Ms. Julie, love and protect your brother, believe that the people you meet from this day forward are honorable and decent, unless and until they prove otherwise. Never lie except to spare another's feelings unnecessary pain. Never steal except to save the lives of those you care for. Never kill unless there is no other way. "By doing these things, by living this way, you pay God and the Universe for your time here, not to mention Julie and me. Do you understand me?" "Yes ... Mother." As she cried with the boy, she said, "Perhaps someday you will call me that naturally ... but for now, this is a start." The two of them lay in each others arms and cried with one another for quite some time, but they were good tears, healing tears. After quite awhile Tattie said, "Now then I have a question, after which I think you and I need ice cream. Luckily I happen to know there is some in the kitchen. "How in the world did you manage an erection for me?" "Oh Ta- Mother ... you are easy. While you will not win a beauty contest, you are a handsome woman, in your own way. And there is the key ... you are a woman." The boy laughed through the last of his tears. "After years of pretending to be excited by men ... ugly men at that ... you were easy." ------- As Galena Pessino rode to the Grimes house with her mother Tuesday morning, her mind was filled with dread. She'd been caught. And while Carol was her friend, she was also an adult, an adult who had caught her where she had no business being, doing what she had no business doing, seeing what she had no business seeing. All day Monday she'd lived in fear of the talk she and Carol were going to have ... and all day Monday she'd felt ... claustrophobic ... hemmed in by the walls of her life. It was one thing to know that the kind of things she'd seen that night happened ... somewhere ... it was little different to know intellectually, from her talks with Carol, about parts of their lifestyle. But to see them ... to 'know' it was real, it was really happening. She'd never come so hard in her life as she had in that closet. And she'd had little luck finding the privacy over the intervening time to masturbate nearly as much as she wanted to. She knew better than to try in the bedroom ... in a tiny room with three siblings, interruption, if not discovery, was guaranteed. And she couldn't, and if she could have she wouldn't, tie up one of the two bathrooms. In her entire life she'd been able to use the detachable shower head to masturbate once ... just once ... and that was when most of the family had gone to a cousin's wedding that she'd begged off from, claiming she needed to study. Otherwise there was always someone who needed in the bathroom right then. Her little prison seemed to have gotten even smaller. ------- After seeing Margo and Harry out the door that Tuesday morning, Carol and Kelly had gone back to bed, made love and then curled up in each others arms and gone back to sleep. Their evening had come to a close very late indeed, after much love-making on the deck outside beneath the stars. Galena and her mother entered the house quietly. Since the accident no one in the family slept all that well, all that regularly, so Anna and her daughter had gotten used to coming in and finding Carol and Kelly asleep. It simply meant that Anna started on the upstairs first, doing the quieter cleaning, waiting to vacuum until they were awake. Galena's maintenance of the pool disturbed no one anyway. But as her mother trudged upstairs, Galena looked at the closed bedroom door and made the 'bad girl' decision again. She crept inside and closed the door quietly behind her. Lying on the bed, on top of the sheets, their arms and legs entwined with one another's were Kelly and Carol, naked as the day they were born. Galena stood and looked at them, calming her breath, questioning in her mind what she was doing. The smell of sex was thick around the bed as she moved forward, silently, carefully, and stood by the edge of the huge bed. With one hand she reached out and ever so tentatively touched Carol's leg, the velvety smooth skin of her inner thigh, and with her other hand she reached down into her own underwear and touched herself, taking the first bit of moisture from between her pussy lips and spreading it up to her clit where she began to rub ever so gently. Her caress of Carol's leg stopped and she froze in place when Carol murmured, "Oh Kelly, that feels good." "What does?" Kelly mumbled sleepily. Carol came a little more awake. "You stroking my inner thigh, silly." Suddenly Galena found herself looking into Kelly's eyes as the beautiful black woman opened them. "Carol ... I'm not stroking your thigh, Galena is," Kelly said calmly. "Is there something going on you haven't been telling us about?" ------- An hour later a terrified and sobbing Galena had finally been calmed down, an amused and bemused Kelly had been filled in on what had transpired the preceding Saturday night, and Galena had explained as best she could what had been going on in her head since then. "So, what are we to do about curious little Galena?" Kelly asked. "Well, what does Galena want?" Carol replied. The deep blush that colored her face in an instant answered the question eloquently. "I'd say she wants to play," Kelly said as she crawled behind Galena on the bed and brought her mouth to the young girl's ear. "Don't you, sweetie?" she whispered breathily. Still blushing deeper than Carol would've believed possible, Galena nodded. "Kelly, stop it! You know that isn't happening." "Why not? I mean ... damn ... to break in a virgin?" Kelly's hands came around and pulled Galena's hair away from her neck. "Would you like to be broken in?" she purred as she caressed Galena's neck with her breath. "Would you like to have your face buried in Carol's tasty cunt while Margo and I held you down, all exposed-" "Kelly, that's enough!" "-and Harry took your virginity? Slowly sliding in and out of-" "PRINCESS! Stop it right now!" "-that pretty little pussy of yours, a slick, wet finger probing that cute little bottom, making you feel oh ... so ... full? WHAAA-" Carol drug Kelly away from Galena by her hair and forced her head down onto the bed. "Bitch, when I call you down, you respond. You're going to be punished for this and I don't think you're going to enjoy it much." Keeping her hand curled tightly in the hair at the back of Kelly's head, just above her neck, Carol looked at Galena. "I don't suppose there's any chance she's mistaken, hmmm?" Galena's head shook back and forth as she stared down at the bedsheets, silent tears dropping to make dots of moisture on her skirt. "See, I told you, let me go, you're hurting me," Kelly said, squirming on the bed. "Stay still or I'll hurt you more!" Carol snapped. "Goddamn it Kelly, how old do you think Galena is?" "Seventeen, eighteen?" came the reply, muffled by the sheets her face was ground into. "Galena?" asked Carol, raising an eyebrow. "Sixteen ... but I turn seventeen in two months ... a little less than that, actually." "Oh..." came a reply from the sheets. "Yeah ... oh ... she doesn't reach the age of consent in Texas for another, roughly, two months ... you're putting full on seduction moves ... on ... JAIL ... BAIT." "Oh..." came the reply from the sheets again. "Yeah ... oh," Carol responded once more. "I'm sorry," came the muffled voice of contrition. "Yeah, yeah, yeah," Carol said, letting her wife up. "Alright, Galena, this conversation didn't at all go the way I'd wanted it to. Kelly, get dressed. Galena, go into the bathroom, take care of that raging case of the horny's you've got and get yourself looking normal. When you're finished, come on outside, get to work on the pool. Kelly and I will be out there and we'll all talk." ------- Kelly hung suspended, the tips of her toes barely touching the floor, ready to be punished. "You know this is necessary, my love?" Carol asked, getting the riding crop ready. "Umm hmm," Kelly replied, her lips tight and drawn. "Then tell us why." "I must learn that when I'm told to stop, I at least need to listen to why before going ahead with what I'm doing. I let my desire get the best of me and if you hadn't been there, Carol, it would've gotten very dangerous for our family." She looked over at Galena who was watching with wide eyes. "I'm sorry sweetie ... I didn't know. I thought you were old enough to play with." "Carol," Galena said, "stop this ... you don't have to do this ... this is..." "These, little girl," Carol said, her voice hard and stern and full of scorn, "are the rules Kelly has agreed to abide by. She waived a family council. Don't you realize," she said, turning to the young girl, "what could've happened if we'd gone ahead and done what all three of us wanted to? "Kelly and I could've been arrested, if word got out. The house would be searched, our pot found, Harry and Margo arrested as well, our lifestyle exposed to the public ... Margo wouldn't be able to work, in all probability. Harry and Karen's company would be damaged, if not ruined, by the publicity." "But it wouldn't have gotten out, I wouldn't have told anyone, honest!" "I'm sure you wouldn't ... but what if your mother had walked in? I know you post things in LiveJournal, would you have posted something about it in there?" "Yes, but only in a locked, 'friends-only' post." "You might believe in their security, Galena ... but I'm not willing to see my family's future risked on that belief. We're talking about our lives, Galena ... sure, someday we might get busted for possession, but that's a damn far cry from statutory rape ... child molestation ... not to mention how much it would hurt your mother and the rest of your family. It's not like she and your father are going to give you parental consent to have sex this side of hell, which is the only way we'd touch you before you're seventeen." "I ... I understand..." "Good, and now that your mother has gone home for the day, it's time to end this. You ready, my most beautiful love?" "Yes, Mistress." "Good ... call the count." With brutal efficiency and as much force as Carol could muster the crop slashed through the air, each strike leaving a raised line of reddening flesh across Kelly's bottom, each 'crack' echoing in the bedroom and through the open door into the living room beyond. By the fourth blow Kelly was calling out the count through her tears and hung from her arms alone, her feet swiveled out to the side bearing none of her weight. Kelly's call of the tenth stroke was barely audible through her sobs of shame and pain. Carol dropped the crop and went to her, turning to look at Galena. "There's money for your bus-fare on the kitchen table. Go home, Galena." As the girl left Carol lifted her wife up. "Can you help me and stand up on your toes just once more? Good girl. Let's get you unhooked." And then the two of them slumped down to the floor in each other's arms. "Oh God, baby, I'm so sorry," Carol cried, cradling her wife in her arms. "I'm sorry ... please forgive-" Kelly's hand came to her mouth and fell across her lips. "Enough..." she said, "you're forgiven ... more than forgiven ... can you ... forgive me?" "Oh yes ... you're punished, forgiven and it's forgotten." "Not ... by ... my ... ass..." Kelly panted, a smile returning to her face. "Damn ... that hurts ... and it don't do ... for me ... what it does ... for you." She looked up at the tear-stained face of her wife. "Well ... not exactly ... roll on your left side." As Carol did so Kelly slid down and lay on her side, using Carol's thigh as a pillow. She began to lick and suck at Carol's clit, her free arm caressing her wife. In a flash it occurred to Carol that this was how Harry felt when she blew him for comfort on the balcony of Madame Cornelius' and she smiled. "Take all the comfort you need, beloved ... there's no hurry at all," she said as she stroked Kelly's hair. ------- On the way home from work that night, after a day of thinking about it, Margo stopped at Costco for some supplies to enact her new plan. Her afternoon therapy session had left her very riled up. ------- That night dinner was a serious affair. " ... so that's why Kelly is sitting a little tenderly this evening," Carol concluded. "VERY tenderly this evening, thank you very much," Kelly said with a small smile. "Let me get this straight," Margo said. "The sixteen-year-old daughter of the family's long-time cleaning lady wants to play?" "Margo, darling, move past that for a moment ... I'm not even sure yet if she really wants to play with us or if she's just so desperately ready to burst out of her life as it's been so far that she'd play the first warm bodies that came along ... and that's part of what worries me," Carol said, rubbing her temples. "Even with the money Anna's making now, vastly more than she was bringing home, they're still just living in a better class of poverty conditions. The girl's too damn smart. She's going to graduate high school early, that's certain, but getting out of there and going to college ... well, that's going to be rough on her. I don't think she'll have any problem getting a scholarship but unless it's a full ride it won't be enough and even then she'll come up short for the things scholarships don't cover, like real life stuff. She'll have to work her way through and while that's not necessarily a bad thing, it's not the best use of her talents. Add on top of everything else that if she ends up playing with the wrong people, all that gets flushed down the toilet. She'll end up like her sister Elena, living back at home with a kid and very little hope." "Yeah, and how do you keep her down on the farm once she's seen those big city lights?" Harry said, somewhat cryptically. "Excuse me?" Margo replied. "Look at it, my love. Whether we end up playing with her or not is immaterial. Her whole world view got majorly expanded, in a way she probably wasn't ready for, probably still isn't. Trying to put it all back in that tiny box she's been living in ... not gonna fuckin' happen. She's going to find a way out, and she's inexperienced enough for that way to probably be the wrong one." "I see your point ... so, what do we do?" Margo asked. "I'm not sure we 'do' anything," Carol answered. "She's not our child, she's not our responsibility. I know that sounds cold, but it's the truth ... and for another two months, anything we did do would require parental consent and that's a can of worms and then some." Harry got up and grabbed his cell phone. "Y'all go ahead, I need to talk to Karen about something." "So," Margo mused, "a good serious whipping with the riding crop, hmm?" "Ahyup, she earned all that and perhaps a little more besides, didn't you, my dear?" Carol said. "Yes Mistress," Kelly replied. "It seems I've been forgetting myself lately." "Yes, yes you have," Margo said. "In fact, here in a bit, you and I are going to have a talk about that as well." Kelly looked up at her sharply. "What kind of talk?" "Oh, don't worry; it won't directly involve your ass." ------- "Alright, after getting Sappho's tentative approval, here's what I'm thinking," Harry said when he returned to the kitchen table. "We make Anna and her husband an offer they can't refuse. G & P employs Galena as an intern for what little is left of the summer and as part of work-study this next school year. I'm sure she has all of her required course work completed, or near enough that we can make this work. To make things easier, all the way around, Galena moves in-" "Not with us!" said Kelly. "After today we'd be inviting disaster!" "-no dearest, not with us ... with Sappho and Trish. They've got more than enough room. Trish is more than willing to do whatever Galena-transport we need done, from school to work and so on. And when it comes to college, providing she even minors in business or advertising or something useful to G & P, the company will cover anything her scholarship doesn't, and include a generous extracurricular activity stipend, dependent on her GPA. In exchange, she's contractually obligated to work for G & P a number of years equal to half the length of time it takes her to finish school. After that, if she does well and wants to stay with the company ... well, she's a very, very smart girl. "Now all we have to do is sell it to Anna and Emiliano." "What about Galena? Doesn't she have a say in this?" asked Margo. "Of course she does," Carol said. "But after today, I'm pretty damn sure what that say will be ... a lot surer than I am of anything else in this whole situation." "Alright, resolved, Karen and Harry pitch the idea to her parents, probably tomorrow morning, sound good?" Margo said. "Yeah, that'll work." "Now then, on to the next item up for discussion ... and I think we're going to need stiff drinks all around. Carol, see to it." "Yes Madam." A few moments later when everyone had a tall stiff drink in front of them, Margo continued. "The question got forcibly raised today ... just how open is our marriage?" After giving her spouses time to babble for a moment she held up her hands for quiet and continued once again. "Let's look at this logically ... we know it's open. Kelly, Jessica and Nicki are all examples of how open it is, or has been. Kelly and Nicki have been delightful examples of complete openness, extending to all of us that were in the relationship at the time, while Jessica was available to everyone but Harry, at least some times ... and although I understood that, it still upset me somewhat at the time. If you're going to play with one of us, you should be willing to play with all of us. "That our marriage is open is unarguable. This family council needs to decide how open it is." "I see your point, Margo ... it's a very valid question, not only because of what happened today, but because of the deviant party coming up," Kelly replied. "And as I seem the one most likely to drag someone back into our bed," she grinned mischievously, "not struggling too hard, it's a very important question where I'm concerned." Carol leaned over and kissed her wife on the cheek. "Don't worry sweetie, if she'd been of age and her mother hadn't been upstairs, I'd have been dragging her on to the bed with you ... she's a delightful young woman and the prospect of opening her up to all the new experiences we could offer her was making my cunt twitch. I just had to be the voice of reason." "Harry, I told you we needed to worry about these two," Margo said with a big smile, "some day we're going to come home and find an orgy with a pack of Cub Scouts and Brownies in the middle of the living room and these two will be in the thick of it." "Oh no," Carol said, "Cub Scouts and Brownies are far too young ... Boy and Girl Scouts now ... there we could be talking." After the laughter died down, Carol said, "Alright, let's look at the conditions we already think it might be open for. If Jessica showed up and wanted in?" A chorus of assents came from her spouses. "Any of the extended family? Say, if for some completely unfathomable reason Karen or Patricia wanted a relationship with one of us ladies?" "Or," Margo added, "if Karen became just a touch bisexual and decided to consummate her love for Harry." Harry looked shocked until he thought about it for a moment. "Yeah, okay ... I could actually wish for that to happen, much as we love each other ... and not that I'd turn down an evening in Patricia's arms, if she decided to swing that way either ... not the way the thought of that ass is making my dick twitch." Again, the opinion of the group was that those situations presented no problems. "Alright, what about this one, and we know it's probably coming some day. After my beloved husband and I have had at least one child, probably more, I want to bear a child of Eddie's, for our family to raise and I want the impregnation to occur the old-fashioned way ... that'll probably take more than one try." No one at the table had any problem with that prospect. "But what if the completely unthinkable happened, and Eddie and Tamara wanted to open their relationship up with the four of us?" Kelly asked. "I mean, I think we're damn lovable and all, but those two have such a romantic target lock on each other, I don't think they realize there are other sex partners available, even in theory." Nobody seemed to have any problems with it except Harry. "What is it honey?" Carol asked. "It's Tamara." "What about her?" "She's so ... she's so damn small ... I'm afraid I'd break her or something." "Oh trust me, Harry my love, from what she tells me, you haven't got a chance of breaking her ... you don't even have a chance of scratching her. She and Eddie can evidently tear some shit up and he hasn't broken her yet," Carol said, smiling. "Well then," Harry said, returning her smile, "that's a theoretical load off my mind." "What about Tattie?" Margo said, her voice sounding small and scared. "What about Tattie indeed," Carol replied. "I'm pretty sure none of us ladies would have an issue with it, but for us, loving doesn't raise the performance issues it does with men." "If the situation presented itself, I'd have no problems making love with Tattie," Harry answered without a trace of doubt in his voice. "You wouldn't?" Kelly asked. "Okay, so she's nowhere near as beautiful as the three of you ... she's family and I love her. She's been there for us when we needed her. I love her, we love her, why should there be a problem?" "Okay," Kelly said with a smile, "then there's no problem. And I love you very much, you wondrous man." "Look, I'm pretty sure I qualify as the most insecure person here," Margo said, "so it's fitting, I think, that I put this proposal forth on the table. "At first I was terrified by the prospect of an open relationship ... I suppose parts of me still are ... but we are open. And it's brought us nothing but happiness. If we hadn't been open, there would be no Kelly in our marriage, and I cannot imagine a life without her." "I love you too, Big Mama." Margo smiled. "And especially with the adventurous Kelly in our midst, opportunities to play with other people are going to arise ... the Great Black Huntress makes that a virtual certainty and I think we all can cope with it, provided one rule is put in place. "If our beloved little hoodoo woman gets a good vibe, and we desire to, we go with it. If she doesn't get a good vibe, we don't. And I don't mean an 'okay' vibe or an 'acceptable' vibe, I mean a 'good' vibe." Carol got up and walked around to where Margo sat, straddled one of her legs and hugged her wife tightly, then drew back and looked her in the eyes. "You'd trust me with 'us'? With this marriage?" "My beloved, I'd trust you with anything." "Uh, the two of you can do what you like, I'm dragging this woman away and making love with her, okay?" Carol said, tears flowing down her cheeks unnoticed. Margo kissed some of the tears away. "No, no you're not, my beloved little primal hoodoo woman ... I have business with our junior partner. Carol darling, throw on some clothes, go unload my trunk and inflate the pool in the back yard." "Excuse me?" "You'll understand when you see what's in the trunk. Come on, Princess, you're going to undress me." ------- "Big Mama, is this a therapy thing?" Kelly asked, stripping off Margo's blouse. "Partly, and partly it's the head bitch in the house establishing dominance. As much as I've enjoyed them, there've been a few too many 'Princess isn't here right now's lately and I do the family a disservice if I allow my enjoyment of their outcomes to let discipline become lax." "What if I use one of your oaths to me?" Margo turned to her wife and smiled the type of smile that was the baring of teeth. "You won't do that, my precious love, because you know I'm right, and deep inside," she caressed her wife's chest, "you're wondering if you can take me, and what taking me will mean. "What it will mean," Margo continued as she let Kelly remove her garter belt and hose, "is that you'll be head bitch. The Queen will truly be the Queen ... until I think I can take you and we do this again." Finally naked she went to the bedside table and pulled out her manicure kit. "Time for us both to trim the finger and toenails ... I don't want either of us to get scratched up." "Are you sure you want to do this ... are you sure we need to do this?" Kelly asked. "I'll promise to behave." "Kelly, part of you is wild ... not untamed, but wild, and like every other part of you, we love that part too, but it doesn't make promises. It recognizes dominance." Then it was Kelly's teeth that were bared. "Guess you're right, Big Mama ... this will be fun." "In a way, yes it will," Margo said, baring her teeth again. "But mostly, it'll be instructive ... either way it goes." "Either way it goes then." The two women looked at each other and honestly smiled, kissed and then continued trimming their nails. ------- By the time the two of them walked out the back door the stars were out and Carol had finished her labors. She and Harry were naked, sitting on a large blanket on the ground, sharing a pipe and a bottle of wine. The inflatable children's pool was a large one, round, eight feet across and bright yellow, covered with pictures of clowns on water-skis and sitting in inner-tubes. "Madam, I supposed that you wanted all six liters to be used." "That's why I got them." "So I concluded," Carol replied. "Six liters?" Kelly asked, eyeing the pool. "Olive oil, extra-virgin," Margo said. "This isn't something you see every day," Harry muttered from his ring-side seat. "My darling Margo," he said, raising his voice, "I assume you have a good reason for this, other than its pure erotic entertainment value?" "Oh yes, my love ... Carol can explain it to you if you wish." And with that Margo walked around to the far side of the pool and stepped in. Kelly stepped in on her side. "Any rules you wish to lay down before we begin, Big Mama?" "Let's try to keep it friendly," Margo replied over the hushed explanation Carol was giving Harry. "No biting, try to avoid injury as much as possible. First to yield or to be solidly pinned loses. We take a break, if such is necessary, when we both agree." Then with a sudden start, they began. Both of them moved to the center of the pool apparently reaching for a grapple, but at the last moment Kelly dropped her shoulder, came in low and flipped Margo down into the oil. Oil splashed out of the pool and Carol got some off her leg and reached back, coating Harry's cock with it. "Sir," she said, her voice sounding distracted as she watched Margo sweep Kelly's legs out from under her, "get ready to have my ass caressing that beautiful cock of yours." "No problem," Harry replied, "I've been hard as a rock since they came out the back door." "I know." And with that she lowered herself onto him. She whimpered slightly as she sank the final half-inch. "Umm ... that's ... deep." "Do you need to get off," Harry asked, concern in his voice. "Oh no ... just need to get used to it," she answered as Kelly twisted around and hopped up, coming back down immediately to attempt to body slam Margo, who was up on her hands and knees, down into the pool. As Kelly slid off, her move having failed, she twisted yet again and wrapped her arm around Margo's neck, pulling her to the side, a gambit which worked, but left Kelly on her back in the pool with Margo lying on her side atop her. "Umm ... damn you feel good," Harry said. He reached in-between Carol's arms and her sides and used some more of the olive oil that had splashed on her to massage her breasts, his fingertips running circles around her tight, erect nipples. "Damn, sir, you keep that up and I'm going to lose concentration," Carol murmured as Kelly tried to twist out from under Margo, eventually succeeding by going face down and scooting out from under backwards. Carol continued to lever herself up and down on his thighs as she asked, "Are you sure this isn't hurting your leg?" "A bit," he answered as Margo scrambled unsuccessfully to pin Kelly again, "but there's a nice ... ummm ... ridge in the ground that's giving me partial support." Kelly had gotten up to her hands and knees, olive oil running off her chocolate skin in thick rivulets, when Harry said, "Damn Baby Girl, you left some marks on that ass." "Yes sir I did. But I was very careful-" "Shush, I know you were ... of all of us in this household, you're the one who knows best what you're doing in situations like that." His right hand strayed down to his beloved wife's clit while the other continued to rub her breast. "I was just commenting on the marks." "Oh you are evil, sir ... ohhh ... yes sir, she's marked and she deserved them. She agreed she did ... AhAhhhhAH ... of course ... not at the time she was strung up ... getting them." The two women rolled around, neither side seemingly able to get the advantage of the other, for several minutes, flipping each other over and over to no good effect. Finally Kelly managed to wrap both arms around Margo's chest and got on her back as Margo fought to maintain her stance on her hands and knees. Kelly tried wrenching her to one side and the other before sliding off and ending up under her wife. "No," Kelly squeaked before Margo dropped on her with an evil grin. Scrambling backwards Kelly got most of the way clear before Margo slammed down on her. "OOF!" Kelly exclaimed as she pulled her legs out from under her wife. "Almost got me that time ... you tricksy bitch!" "If you weren't ... so slippery and quick ... woulda ended this ... by now," Margo answered, grinning. The two of them paused, glaring at each other across the pool, oil dripping off them as their chests heaved. "Break?" asked Kelly. "Break," agreed Margo. The two combatants in the pool crawled away to opposite sides where they leaned back and eyed each other, panting. "You know..." said Margo, "I'm not sure ... whether I want to beat you ... or fuck you." "Same here ... Big Mama ... same here..." Kelly replied. "Figured that was why ... you got oil." "Partly ... damn, this is fun ... and partly to have ... just the effect ... it's having ... on them ... no reason ... can't kill ... two birds ... with one stone." Kelly looked over and smiled at her husband and wife, slowly fucking. "Tell you what ... Big Mama ... let's end this ... sometime soon ... get cleaned up ... and get us some of that." "Maybe ... ready?" "Ready." The two women got back up to their hands and knees, then to their knees and slowly moved towards one another as Carol softly announced her orgasm. "A hug before we resume?" Margo asked, holding her arms out. "Certainly," Kelly replied. As they moved together, Margo's left hand caressed down Kelly's leg to her oil-soaked cunt while her right slid up Kelly's back. "I love you so much," Margo said. "Same here, Big Mama ... always." "Good," said Margo as her right hand grasped the already-abused patch of hair at the back of Kelly's head and her left hand's four fingers curled up into Kelly's cunt. Using both grips she pulled Kelly down, rolled her onto her back and moved to straddle her. Once atop her Margo wrapped her legs around her and locked her ankles together as best she could, then slowly brought her left hand up, snaking her arm underneath her struggling wife. When it was in place she released Kelly's hair and slid the hand down to join the other, leaving Kelly's arms trapped inside of hers. Against her longer limbs and greater body mass, Kelly struggled in vain. "God ... damn you! You cheated," she spluttered. "Well, you said ... you wanted it ... ended." "You've been ... playing with me?" "I wouldn't call it ... playing with you ... but I had a good idea ... how to win ... my size has to count ... for something ... without the oil ... it would be easier." "I ... yield ... to the superior ... bitch." "Did the two of you ... hear that?" Margo asked. "Sure did," Harry replied. "Umm hmmm," Carol moaned. Margo released Kelly and rolled off to one side. "Princess?" "Yes ... Madam?" "Get out ... clean yourself off ... as best you can ... with those towels ... then you can clean me." "Yes Madam." ------- A half hour later found a mostly de-oiled Margo reclining on the blanket beside her husband and Carol. "Tomorrow, Princess, you're to dispose of the oil, clean out the pool with soap and water, deflate it and let it dry, then put it away." "Yes Madam." "Glad to see you two had fun while we were busy," Margo said, caressing Harry's bad leg. "Well, the sight of two beautiful women, a pool with oil, glistening bodies struggling with each other in the moonlight," Harry said. "An erect cock and my empty ass," Carol added. "It seemed the thing to do at the time," Harry finished. "Well, it looked like a lot of fun, what I saw of it. I think I'm going to take my beautiful but defeated spouse to the shower, have her scrub the two of us down good, then head for bed where, if I'm feeling particularly loving, I might lotion her poor, cropped ass before we go to sleep. You two be in soon?" "I think we're going to finish this bottle of wine, maybe engage in another act of sodomy under the stars-" "Really?" squealed Carol. "Yes, my beautiful butt slut of a wife, and then head in ourselves. See y'all after our baths when we come to bed." With a round of goodnight kisses, the two couples went about their pleasures. ------- "Madam?" Kelly said as they stood under the shower. "Yes Princess?" "You were right, I needed to be put in my place." She resoaped the loofah and began to work on Margo's other side. "And we know I'll get out of line again ... it's who and what I am." "Yes, it most gloriously is." "So ... you wanna make the next bout best two out of three?" Margo laughed and hugged her wife. "I love you so much ... but I sit in the 'crazy', not the 'stupid', section." ------- "Just lay there, sir, and let me see if I can bring you off with just my rectal muscles." "Fine by me, precious, I'm a little tired." "Oh no sir, you're not tired, that's just the wine and the smoke talking. Trust me, I've got a ... umm ... firm grip on you, and you're not tired." "Silly butt slut, just because he's not tired, doesn't mean I'm not." "Oh really, let me stop what I'm doing..." Slowly, steadily, Harry's hips began to drive him in and out of her. "See, told you, you're not tired. Now lay still again." "Yes, dear ... why aren't you letting me get you off?" "Because sir, I came very hard several times during our earlier bout and I'm working to bring you off quickly so that after I bathe you, I can put you to bed and you'll still be awake enough for me to slap a wet, willing pussy on your face and have you know what to do with it, without me having to necessarily worry about getting you off at the same time." "Ah, so I'm in the grip of a diabolical plan!" "Do I have any other kind?" ------- "Sir?" she said as she soaped his back. "Yes, most wonderful pet?" She squirmed against him as he sat in the tub, the jets of water pounding on his leg. "You know what it does to me when you call me that ... I mean, I love being a wife, but I'll always be a pet at heart." "Yes, yes you will ... a pet and so very much more, but that's a discussion for another time ... you wanted to ask me something?" "More discuss something with you ... I'm not sure I'm comfortable with being the litmus test for whether or not we should be involved with someone." "I thought you and Madam had settled this, sweetling?" "Harry ... sir ... this is our marriage we're talking about. There's nothing in the world more important to me than this ... I just ... I don't know if I..." "My love, do you trust the three of us?" "Well ... yes." "Then don't worry. The three of us trust you with this without any reservations. Just relax and don't stress about it. Relax into it, as a very wise hoodoo woman once told me. It'll be fine. And besides ... we're strong enough to survive even if you turn out to be wrong at some point. It's not like we'll go flying apart the first time there's the smallest little problem." "Good point, sir. Have I told you lately that I love you?" "With every touch ... speaking of which, let's hurry up and get out of here and into bed ... I feel the need for my lips to touch that soft and warm 'juicy-sweet' of yours." "Umm ... yes sir, have you rinsed and out of here in a moment." ------- Galena Pessino cried softly to herself in the middle of the night behind the sheets blocking off her bed from the rest of the room. She was out of control and she knew it. Sooner or later they'd miss all that she had taken and there'd be no doubt in Kelly or Carol's mind who'd taken it. The clamps were lightly screwed down on her nipples but even as she tortured herself with her fears of being caught she considered tightening them again ... much tighter. Her ass screamed at her but she didn't care. She had taken her time working the butt plug in, both it and her virgin ass more than sufficiently moistened with fluids from her cunt. Now she still felt like she would burst but she contracted her rectal muscles again, gripping the plug as hard as she could as she rocked back, driving its wide base against her heels, forcing it inward. With one hand she roughly rubbed the area around her clit ... in the other hand she held a crumpled page, the contents of which she'd already memorized before the battery in her little flashlight went out. It began, "To our friends and fellow social deviates, in the 'Community' and elsewhere," and she knew she had to go, one way or another. Soft whimpering cries came from her throat, cries of passion, cries of shame, cries of fear, cries that begged her discovery so that she would be cast out of her tiny prison of a life ... but mostly cries of joy because it all felt so glorious. ------- "It's settled," Harry said, "Anna and Emiliano were in tears. Looks like we won't have Sunday off to recuperate, we'll be moving Galena into Karen and Patricia's." "Well, we still have Monday to get ourselves back together," Carol said, giving the thumbs up to Kelly. "Okay, I just wanted to let y'all know ... I need to get back to work. My love to both of you beauties." "Love you too, our husband." ------- "Hi sweetie," Harry said as he called from the office yet again. "Hello my love." "Just lettin' y'all know I'm gonna be late getting out of here tonight. With the company picnic Saturday and talking with Emiliano and Anna this morning, seems like all hell has broken loose and there's a thousand and seven things we didn't have time to get done today that we really need to." "Should I have something ready for you to eat when you get home, my poor, overworked love?" "No, we're making the local Papa John's real happy again tonight, but thank you for asking, adorable one. Talk to y'all whenever the hell it is that I get home." Carol put down the phone and looked at Kelly. "He's working late tonight." "FUCK!" ------- "Alright, if it's going to happen, it has to happen tonight," Kelly said as Carol rubbed lotion on her still-sore bottom, a light haze of pot smoke surrounding them. "I agree ... time has run out on us. Shall I call Margo and enlist her aid as well?" "Yes, but don't tell her why it has to be tonight unless there's no other way to get her help." "Yes, my Queen." ------- After talking to Margo, and setting her wife's cunt afire with thoughts of the evening's play, Carol returned to the bedroom and pleasured her other wife by slipping a vibrating plug into Kelly's ass and then burying her head between her wife's ebony thighs. "Margo is more than happy to serve this evening, my Queen," she said as she took a break awhile later. "Oh ... good ... so glad ... to hear it..." Kelly replied, "now ... I just need ... to figure out ... what I'm doing ... tonight ... I'm thinking ... a light supper ... fruit and cheese ... sound good?" "Yes ma'am." "Good ... either turn that plug up ... or turn it off ... where it is ... is making me crazy." ------- Galena didn't have a key to the house, but she had a key to the gate. Telling her mom she was going to go check the pool she left Karen & Patricia's where she and her mother had been cleaning and headed across the street. She knew they rarely left the back door locked during the day and once she'd locked the gate again she found all was as she had expected it to be. The girl slipped inside ... it scared her how much easier doing the wrong thing had become. Quietly she moved through the house, peeking around the corner of the door to the living room to see that Carol and Kelly were in the bedroom, the door wide open. She could see that they were quite occupied with each other and her new-found sense of freedom emboldened her. She undressed in the kitchen, swallowing hard as she took off her bra and panties last of all, and then low-crawled through the cushions on the living room floor, right up to the bedroom doorway. "Oh ... my pet ... I don't ... think I can take ... much more..." The wet sounds of loving stopped and Carol said, "My Queen, do you trust me?" "Yes ... in everything..." "Then believe me, you can take a lot more," she said and the sounds resumed. Galena closed her eyes and asked herself for the last time if this was what she really wanted. And then she crawled inside the bedroom. ------- "WHAT IN THE BLUE-EYED GAZE OF SONNY CHRIST DID YOU THINK YOU WERE DOING?" Kelly bellowed as she slid out of bed and advanced on the petrified teenager. "I thought ... I mean ... you arranged to have me ... move across the street?" Kelly grabbed Galena's earlobe and twisted it fiercely. "SO YOU FIGURED WE WERE BRINGING YOU CLOSER FOR EASY ACCESS? YOU THOUGHT THAT MEANT YOU COULD COME OVER HERE AND WALK INTO OUR HOME AND STICK YOUR FACE IN MY WIFE'S CUNT?" "My Queen, I might-" Carol began. "NOT ONE WORD, SLUT, NOT UNLESS I'M ABOUT TO CROSS THE LINE! SO, IDIOT GIRL, SINCE I GOT MY ASS STRIPED FOR PUTTING THE MOVES ON YOU, WHAT ... THE FUCK ... HAS CHANGED?" "I'm going to be living across the street," Galena whimpered through her tears. "HAS ANYTHING ELSE CHANGED? HAVE YOU MAGICALLY SOMEHOW MOTHERFUCKIN' GOTTEN TWO GODDAMN MONTHS OLDER? HAS STATUTORY RAPE OR CHILD MOLESTATION BECOME LEGAL IN THE STATE OF TEXAS? HAVE YOUR MOTHER AND FATHER GONE GOAT-HUMPING INSANE AND AGREED THAT YOU COULD HAVE SEX? HAVE CAROL AND I WANDERED THROUGH A TIME-WARP STRAIGHT OUT OF MOTHER-FUCKIN' STAR TREK AND IT'S NOW TWO MONTHS LATER? HAS THE SUPREME MOTHERFUCKIN' COURT OF THE GODDAMN UNITED STATES HANDED DOWN A SPECIAL EXEMPTION TO THE LAW SO WE CAN PLAY WITH YOUR IGNORANT LITTLE ASS?" "N-n-no m-m-ma'am," the young girl cried, standing as straight as a board to take the strain off her ear. Kelly held her there, so angry that words were failing her. She looked at her wife, kneeling at their feet, for help and Carol clearly mouthed the words, "We ... will ... play ... with ... her." Kelly's voice went low and soft. "I don't know what I'm going to do with you ... part of me really wants to lock your eager little ass in one of the rooms upstairs and give you, every goddamn day, what I got, until you turn seventeen," Kelly brought her mouth to Galena's twisted ear and growled, "and then have the four of us fuck you so hard, so long, play with you so rough, that you wouldn't be able to walk for a week. How'd you like that for a birthday present, idiot girl?" The whimper that came from Galena's throat was not entirely one of pain and fear. "But that would probably raise a lot of questions that we can't afford to answer right now," Kelly snarled, "so we're just going to give you something on account. Slut, march this idiot girl over and tie her down on that spanking bench." She grabbed Galena's tear-streaked face, her anger distorting her features, and said, "And I won't even have you call the count" before licking a solitary tear from the side of the girl's face. Within minutes the trembling girl was strapped into place and Kelly was warming up her swing with one of her belts, doubled over, smiling as it whistled through the air, every pass bringing a shudder to the exposed teenager on the bench. "Galena, remember this ... for the next ... how long?" Kelly asked. "One month ... two weeks ... and three days..." sobbed the girl. "For the next one month, two weeks and three days," Kelly said as she brought the belt down across Galena's quivering ass cheeks. And as the next four strokes landed, even Carol would have been surprised at what was going on in Galena's mind behind her tear-filled eyes. "They're going to let me play with them!" ------- After the girl had been released, gotten dressed and left the house, Kelly had Carol go start up the hot tub where she proceeded to soak and plan, leaving Carol to prepare supper and then clean herself. Margo came home as Carol was bathing and walked out onto the deck. "Bitch, disrobe!" "Yes, my Queen." And Margo undressed out on the deck, putting her clothes and shoes in a careful pile on one of the deck chairs. "Sit on the edge of the tub, legs open." Margo did so, her body exposed to the air. Kelly slid over and began to nibble her way up the inside of her slave's thigh. "My Queen, I'm not clean, I've been at work all day and the heat-" Kelly's hand shot up out of the water and two fingers captured Margo's nipple between them, tightening and then twisting. "I'm sorry, my Queen." Kelly continued her advance towards Margo's cunt, taking her time, releasing the nipple only when she finally reached her slave's hairy slit. Margo relaxed as Kelly carefully parted her pubic hair and began to lick her cunt lips. "Bitch," Kelly said, her breath warm and soft against Margo's open cunt. "Yes, my Queen?" "Lift your left breast with your left hand, like you're offering it to someone in front of you," she breathed, "and wave with your right hand like there's an audience watching us." "Excuse me?" In a flash Kelly's teeth were on Margo's clit. "Do it," Kelly growled. "I know that there's probably no one watching, but if they are, you give them a thrill. Do you understand me?" "Y-yes, my Queen." "Good." "Now lean back," she said, returning to her previous labors, "and let me enjoy this well-marinated pussy. Slut was right about you." "Oh ... thank you ... my Queen." ------- By the time her precious Bitch was shuddering through her second orgasm, Slut was finished with her preparations and came out to join them. "Bitch, as soon as you can stand steady, go clean up, thoroughly. This was to prove to you there are no hard feelings." "Yes ma'am." "Come Slut, time to give me an enema." ------- While Bitch bathed, Kelly endured the cramping misery of holding in a bag full of warm, jasmine-scented cleaning solution, even managing to walk around a bit to help it reach everywhere it could. Then, as Slut held her hand, she sat back down and relaxed. "Slut, prepare another bag, just for a rinse." "Yes ma'am." "If this one may be so bold," Bitch said from the tub, "it would appear you have plans for your beautiful ass this evening, my Queen." "Oh yes, my dear, plans indeed. I intend to have our new boy's tongue as far up as it will go." Bitch wriggled in the tub. "This is going to be so much fun." "Yes it is," Kelly said as Slut brought the next bag over and she rose up to facilitate the insertion of the nozzle, "it certainly is." ------- By the time Harry got home, still suspecting nothing, all three of the ladies had had their baths and were ready for him. Kelly lay on the bed, a vibrator in each of her lower orifices, set on 'low', and listened to the selections of jazz blues that Slut had set up. As he walked in the door, Slut and Bitch rose from where they had been seated on cushions and stopped him. "Your Queen wishes your service this night," Slut said, her eyes bright. "You are to be bathed and made ready," Bitch added. Harry dropped his briefcase on the floor as the two of them removed his clothes. He'd been wondering when he'd get to meet Kelly's Domme persona. He smiled to himself ... seemed that it was his lucky night. As he was led through the bedroom he saw her laying on the bed, tranquil and so very beautiful, the toys' soft hum audible only during quiet moments in the music. He knew he was in for torment but as he looked at his Queen, and her other two slaves, he thought that never did any man look forward to being tormented as much as him. As the bath was run for him, the tall one introduced herself. "I am Bitch. Whatever name I might have at other times, believe me ... you don't want to make the mistake of calling me by any other name than Bitch. She is Slut. You are Prick. If you refer to us ... or her ... by any other names, you will be punished. If you do not answer to your new name, you will be punished." He was bathed more thoroughly than he could remember being bathed in quite sometime as every inch of him was lovingly washed, and then washed again. When they were finished they dried him and led him back into the bedroom where they put a brace on his leg and lay him on his stomach with his hips over a pillow. "What is the tall slave's name?" asked his Queen, her voice low and seductive. Harry couldn't resist. "Marg- I mean, Bitch." "Insert it with minimal lube," she said and one of their remote-control vibrating butt plugs was forced up his ass with only a quick mouthful of spit on it as lubrication. "UMMMM," he cried, biting off what he was going to say. He had tested the rules, he'd pay the price. Slut's hand caressed his face as he came to terms with the pain. As it continued to ease, they removed the pillow and rolled him on his side. The plug in his ass began to buzz, quickly growling up to 'High', and that, combined with Bitch's caressing of his cock, soon had him hard. "Cuff, collar and clip him." His wrists were cuffed to his sides with the aid of a belt around his waist and his feet were manacled together with almost no chain between them. The collar was slipped around his neck, an intricate series of rings around the base of his shaft running all the way up, and nipple clamps firmly screwed down on his nipples. Even though she'd turned the speed of the vibrator down, Harry found himself becoming more and more excited with each addition. Thankfully the cock ring would help with his urge to come. And then the full measure of her evil began to reveal itself. The nipple clamps were chained to the cock rings ... and the chain was a bit too short. The pulling on his nipples was painful, but not unduly so. Then a chain was run from the cock rings through his legs and up his back to fasten at the back of the collar ... and it was more than a bit too short. His cock was pulled down, his nipples were in the beginning of agony and his back was arched, trying to give the chain some slack. He saw his Queen as she crawled over to him like some predatory cat, bringing her face down to where their noses almost touched. The smell of her perfume, jasmine, filled his nostrils and she was so beautiful it made his cock lurch ... painfully. "Now then ... Prick ... all you have to do," she whispered, her breath peaches and cinnamon, "is give me what I want, and this all gets easier." "What do you want, my Queen?" Her hand danced across his chest emphasizing each word. "You swear to obey, without question, one command of mine, no matter what, no matter where, no matter when. "Each oath you give me, this gets a little easier. You understand?" "I thought deals with the devil usually had better pay-offs." "Oh, you will be fun to break," she said, smiling at him as she pulled the vibrators out of herself. "Flip him on his back." As Harry landed on his back, the chain drew tauter and a whimper escaped his mouth. "Chain too short? Just one little oath, and I'll have them put more slack in it before you know it," she said, rubbing her anal vibrator over his face. In spite of himself Harry turned to grasp at it with his lips, the smell of the jasmine enema, a smell he'd come to know well, the delicate scent of the edible lubricant she'd used and the odor of her own fluids that had run down from her cunt, thick upon it. She pulled it away as the collar drew tighter across his throat. "Uh-uh-uh ... just one little oath." Anger flashed in Harry's mind. "Fuck you!" "Later, dear boy ... later," she laughed. "Slut, start in on his cock." Harry had only thought it was bad before. Slut's exquisite mouth hovered just out of reach of his cock, nibbling at it, breathing on it, caressing it with the occasional brush of her cheek and all the while the evil Queen dangled the vibrator just above his lips, a mocking grin on her soft red lips and laughter in her eyes. He closed his eyes, willing himself to ignore what was happening to him, willing himself to relax everything that he could, but there was no escape; no escape from the smells that hovered above his face, no escape from the divine torture of his cock, no escape from the newest torment, the soft, cool caresses of Bitch's hands across his chest. The plug in his ass began to vibrate faster and he heard her, whispering in his ear. "Soon, my dear Prick, we'll be going over to the other side of the bed to play awhile, leaving the plug on high and you stretched in agony. If I was you," he heard a mischievous smile in her voice, "as I someday will be, I'd give me just one little oath, make things easier, keep us here where we can see to your needs. "Like supper ... we've all had ours, you must be hungry ... and thirsty too. Just one little oath and there'll be slack in the chain, a slave feeding you ... all you need to do for water is ask, of course." "Some water ... would be ... nice." "Bitch, water for him." The water trickled into his mouth from between Bitch's warm and loving lips. After another mouthful he signaled he'd had enough. "So, Prick, do you give me one, little oath ... or do we fill the air with the smells and sounds of three delicious cunts, all just out of your reach?" "You ... you have my oath." "Not quite good enough," she said, chuckling, and the vibrator went to 'high' and he jerked, painfully. "Repeat after me... "I swear to obey without question..." "I swear to obey without question..." "one command of my Queen's..." "one command of my Queen's..." "no matter what, no matter where, no matter when." "no matter what, no matter where, no matter when." "There, that wasn't so hard was it? Give him some slack, Bitch. Slut, fetch some cheese and fruit. In the meantime," she said, "here's a treat." And she lowered the anal vibrator to his mouth. He sucked it into his mouth and bathed it with his tongue, pulling every trace of her off of it. "Oh, you enjoyed that, did you?" "Yes ... my Queen." "Out of character, Harry, how's your leg holding up? You okay?" "Yes ... my Queen." "Good ... now then, you've been such a good boy, here's the other vibrator while we're waiting for that dawdling cunt, Slut. "SLUT, what's taking so long?" Harry blissfully licked and sucked on the vibrator she'd had in her cunt while they waited. "Sorry my Queen," Slut said, scurrying into the bedroom with a tray, "but I'm afraid I miscalculated. We're out of cheese ... Prick will have to make do with fruit." "Too bad, Slut ... I was looking forward to a night of turning my full and undivided attention on Prick. Now you demand that I distract myself with punishing you." "I am sorry, my Queen," she replied, handing the tray to Bitch. She knelt by the bed. "Command me." "Bitch, feed him and don't let him go soft ... although with you around I can't see that happening." While Bitch fed him, Harry watched his Queen manacle Slut onto the angled spanking bench, then slip her vibrator into the slave's cunt. "Five minutes, a paddle across your ass very ten seconds. If you come, the vibrator comes out and there'll be five minutes more, with no ass play afterwards. You manage to restrain yourself, I strap on something nice and meaty and give your aching little asshole what it craves ... understand?" "Yes, my Queen." "Good ... let us begin," she said with a smile as she hit the button on the stopwatch. As the strokes fell Bitch eyed their Queen and leaned down to Harry's ear. "Prick, while she's distracted, do you want me to suck you off? I mean, the cock ring should keep you at least semi-hard, and it will make this night easier on you." "Yes ... please..." he whispered. Bitch moved down to his cock and took him deep into her throat, the muscles working on him as she bobbed up and down, her tongue swirling around the head like a warm stream of water. He fought to keep from moaning as the combination of her attentions and the plug in his butt, still slowly vibrating, worked on his restrained cock. With the chains connecting his clips to the rings to his collar being only a bit short now, he was able to relax into the experience, his eyes rolling back into his head as he felt the pressure building and reveled in his gradual climb towards orgasm. "I said keep him from going soft, Bitch, not bring him off in that pretty mouth of yours." The cold tone of the words brought both of them back to the there and then and they realized that in their passion, they'd fail to hear the end of Slut's spanking. Harry watched as Slut and their Queen bound Bitch's left ankle to her left wrist, right ankle to right wrist, and proceeded to suspend her, as if she were sitting on the floor, above the bed. "Have I mentioned my thanks for the wondrous and deviant bed that decorates my bedchamber?" the Queen asked. "You're welcome," Bitch said, a smile audible in her voice even as she hung suspended by thick straps. Together they shifted Harry to rest beneath Bitch. "My dear Prick, a reward for you, as I'm sure you were not at fault and a punishment for this traitorous Bitch. You may entertain yourself with the tasty cunt that hangs above you, within easy reach. Just don't make her come." Indeed Prick, as he had begun to think of himself, enjoyed teasing and tasting the delightful tangy moistness that was spread out and exposed above his face. The height was such that he could, with minimal pain, stretch and tongue her all the way to her tiny, puckered asshole as well as forward almost all the way to her clit. But his breath could certainly reach it and each warm chest-full of air that he sent across it sent shivers through her. "I love you, Bitch," he whispered, his breath stirring her pubic hair, the sound covered by the music, as well as the noise of the vigorous fucking Slut's ass was receiving a few feet away. "I love you, too," she replied. "And I love playing with you ... and with them." Meanwhile, a few feet away, with a vibrator singing in her cunt, Slut was in heaven as her Queen's strap-on hammered in and out of her ass. As her Queen caressed her thighs the orgasms began, first one, rumbling through her, mammoth and unstoppable, fed by her exposure, her sense of being used for pleasure, the sharp spikes of pain from her paddled ass, the love in her partner's every touch, the thrumming of the vibrator at the edge of pain itself, the constant and metronome-like hammering her asshole was undergoing. No sooner had her first begun to wind down then the second began to build up, quickly roaring over her like a great wave, tumbling her inside it. She felt helpless before the responses of her own body and it was a feeling she reveled in ... out of control inside, completely in the control of another outside. Then quick on the heels of the second came the third, rolling her beneath it, and more quickly still after that, the fourth. Somewhere around her sixth her eyes rolled back in her head and she started to drool. After countless more, her Queen pulled out, slipping a plug into her distended asshole, and removed the vibrator, giving her clit a little kiss that elicited a cry of panic and a futile attempt to pull her crotch away from her Queen's face. The Queen walked around and crouched in front of her. "Oh Slut," she said, wiping the woman's face with a towel, "are you alright?" "Gnnnnggnnnn," Slut answered, trying to gather the scattered fragments of her consciousness "Do you need water, my sweet?" the Queen asked, caressing her sweat-dampened hair. "Y-y-yes ... p-please." "Certainly," she replied, reaching over and grabbing a water bottle. "Are you going to be alright? Do I need to unstrap you?" "Yes ... I'll be ... fine ... no ... I'd ... fall ... down." "Here you go," the Queen said, giving the young woman water. When she was finished she stood and went to the bed, unstrapping herself and letting the dildo and harness fall to the floor. "With one slave recovering and one being punished, looks like I'll have to finish feeding you myself," she said, scooting the tray over to Prick and climbing on the bed behind it. "Now," she said, settling in beside him, "doesn't look like you got too much in you before this recalcitrant Bitch tried to suck you off." She picked up a slice of peach, lightly dusted with cinnamon with every finger but her index, and then ran her index finger along Bitch's moist and swollen slit, gathering some of the fragrant dew. She slid the peach slice into his mouth, slowly waving the finger beneath his nose as he chewed and swallowed, and then she slipped the finger in-between his lips and let him suck on it for a bit. "So tasty, isn't she, my pet?" she asked. "Ready for more?" He nodded, so a slice of pear made the same trip, with a remoistened finger awaiting him after he swallowed. They continued like that until the tray was empty, then she slid off the bed and put the tray to one side. "Time to wake up the help," she said as she began to unstrap Slut from the spanking bench. As the little slave stretched and shook herself, restoring the blood flow, the Queen said, "Come help me get Bitch down, then go take a shower. You reek of sweat and sex ... not normally a bad thing, but it's a tad bit strong." "Yes ma'am." Together they got Bitch down and released, leaving her to sprawl on the bed and recover from her suspension. As Slut headed for the shower, the Queen began to rig a set of straps over Prick's head. Then, when she was satisfied, she positioned herself in them, ending with her beautiful, dark-brown hued ass hanging just over Prick's face. "Time to kiss a little ass, slave." "Oh yes, my Queen!" he said as he enthusiastically began to lick between the wide-spread globes of her butt. She pulled herself up on the straps, settling in a bit more comfortably and then looked over at the smiling Bitch. "You look sufficiently rested ... bring me the cat." As Bitch retrieved the small cat-o'-nine-tails and brought it to her, the Queen had her straddle Prick's body and, grasping her head by entwining her fingers in the hair on both sides of her head, brought Bitch's face up to her own. "Now," she whispered, "I want you to bring him off in the next twenty minutes ... do you understand?" "Yes, my Queen." "If he comes, I'll be using this cat on his thighs and belly ... and if he doesn't, you'll be lighting the scene, ass up in the air, acting as a candelabrum ... hot wax running down everywhere, do you understand?" "Yes, my Queen," Bitch whimpered. She pulled her slave to her and kissed her, deeply and tenderly, before whispering "I love you so much." "I love you too, you crazy bitch." "Now then," the Queen continued, "did you hear that and understand, Prick?" "Unnh hnnnh," he replied, tongue worming its way into her ass. "Oh yes ... my dear boy ... you have a serpent's tongue..." Slut came out of the bathroom to see Bitch frantically trying to bring Prick off, her Queen writhing in pleasure and Prick feverishly tonguing her ass, his fists clenched at his sides, his body rigid as a steel girder as he tried to resist exploding in Bitch's talented mouth. She crawled onto the bed and began to lick at her Queen's breast. "My Queen," she purred, "what if I offered you an oath for you to relent and let poor Prick relieve his tension in Bitch's mouth?" The Queen crushed Slut's face against her breast and Slut began to suck harder, her teeth gently chewing on the sensitive areola. "Oh Slut, you would do that for him?" "Oh yes." "You would do that for him if I told you how and when I'd call it due? Tomorrow, on the balcony at Madame Cornelius', to let Li Kuan lick your naked, quivering form, the stench of fear coming off you in waves?" "MMMM MMMMM!" Slut squealed, muffled by the breast she was crushed against. "Just lick you ... but those teeth always the merest fraction of an inch away?" "MMMmMMMmmmm," Slut moaned, tears streaming down her face. "Prick, Whore and I there to protect you, to make sure nothing happened other than licking..." "Mmmm mmmm mmmm mmmm," Slut whimpered. Through it all Harry and Margo were ready to scream their safe words, but trusted in Kelly's love for Carol. "Do you want to offer me that oath ... face that fear ... work past it?" she asked, releasing Slut from her breast. "D-d-damn you..." "We'll be right there, my love ... if you want to do that." "No ... no ... not yet..." "Alright then," the Queen said, returning Slut's mouth to her breast, "will you offer me your oath for a trip to the Bangkok Inn Monday night, the Vimanmek Palace room, you on the table, our husband fucking you from one end, you eating Margo at the other, her skirt pulled up around her waist, you all naked and totally exposed ... and we see if Chatsiree wants to play a bit as I put serious moves on her tasty ass?" "MMmmmmmmm," Slut cried, her hands jammed into her crotch. "I take that as a 'yes', little Slut?" the Queen asked, relaxing her hold on the back of Slut's head. "Oh God yes ... she was willing the last time we were there ... and disappointed, after what her aunt had told her I think, that nothing happened!" "Fine then, say the words..." "IsweartoobeywithoutquestiononecommandofmyQueen'snomatterwhatnomatterwherenomatterwhen!" "Prick, fill our beautiful Bitch's mouth with cum." "Ysmm," Prick said and relaxed, allowing himself to tip over the edge he'd been teetering on for so long, his balls spasmodically contracting as Bitch, caught by surprise, splurted cum over his crotch. As Prick's cock finished, Bitch gently released it from her mouth and grinned, looking like an actress from a bad porn video, cum dripping from most of the lower part of her face. "I think the poor boy was primed and ready to go." "Slut, go clean her and Prick ... looks like an accident at a dairy farm down there ... and if either of you makes a 'got sperm?' joke I'll beat you. I'm going to reposition myself-" She was surprised by Prick's hands, shackled at his sides, grasping her ankles and his head shaking back and forth as much as it could without dislodging his tongue from her sphincter. The slash of the cat as it cut through the air was quick and vigorous, the slaps as it struck Prick's belly sharp and loud. "SLAVE!" Prick froze. "Did I ask your opinion? Did I ever give you the impression this was a democracy?" "Nnnno," he moaned. "Then what were you thinking? Have you gone mad? Bitch, when that little cum-guzzler finishes licking your face clean, go get the cylinders and the pumps." A few moments later she had repositioned herself. "Silly Prick, I was merely going to give you someplace else tasty to put your tongue," she said as he buried his nose and mouth in her wet and welcoming slit. "But now while you pleasure me you'll be punished as well ... too bad." Prick didn't find the opening phase unpleasant at all. The nipple clamps were removed, the cylinder ends were lubed and then placed over his nipples, and then the suction began, slowly and steadily distending his nipples until he felt the Queen crane to look back over her shoulder. "A little more I think, then stop and hold them there for a bit." "Yes ma'am," Bitch replied. When the suction was finally released and the cylinders removed, the very air moving across his nipples felt heavenly and his cock throbbed in anticipation ... until his Queen said, "Now light the candle." As he heard the lighter flick, his Queen wrapped her fingers in his hair, pulling his head tightly into her cunt. "Now boy, you keep calm, remain focused, this will be all over before you know it ... but if that lovely thrusting tongue of yours loses its rhythm ... or speed ... you have a lot of exposed flesh for Bitch to dribble wax on." "Ysss mmm," he murmured into her delicious insides. "Good boy. One pass across them both, to begin with." The pain as the wax dripped on him wasn't all that bad ... until it hit the skin that had been sensitized by the suction. Then he fought to maintain his speed and rhythm as tears flowed down his cheeks and a long, high-pitched moan escaped his throat. Then he enjoyed a respite as the line of wax crossed in-between his nipples, only to have the agony return as the other nipple was reached. "That's enough ... Slut, what's the state of his cock?" "Rock hard, ma'am." "Good..." she got up and disentangled herself from the straps. She stretched her body out atop his, putting her mouth next to his ear. "Who do you belong to, boy?" "Y-y-you ... m-my Queen." "Does that make you happy?" Harry's submissive side cried out, "OH YES!" "Very good, boy ... would you like me to flake that wax off, kiss those poor nipples of yours?" "Oh ... oh yes." "Then give me what I want, Prick." "I swear ... to obey ... without question ... two more ... commands ... of my Queen ... no matter what ... no matter when ... no matter where." "Two more!" she replied, delight in her voice. "Whatever brought on this bout of generosity?" "I ... I love you ... and I'm ... sorry ... for grabbing ... you." Then she was kissing him, the tears spilling from her eyes down upon his cheeks. "I love you too ... more than words could ever express ... and I will reward you ... for your love." She slid down a bit and began to pick off the wax. "Bitch, get that cock ring off. Slut, prepare to sit your luscious cunt on his face." As soon as the rings were removed, the wax all flicked off and Slut planted firmly on his face, she lowered herself on his erection. "Make love with me, slave, make love with me." And then she softly, gently began kissing his nipples as her hips rose and fell atop him. "Bitch, you may do what you like, your needs will be dealt with shortly," she said, and was then surprised to feel Bitch's tongue begin to snake its way into her ass. "Oh ... oh yes ... your needs will ... be dealt with. "Let me see ... Slut ... check my math ... that's three oaths from Bitch ... one from Whore ... one open from Slut ... one specific from Slut ... and three from Prick ... am I right?" "No ... my Queen..." answered Slut. "No?" "No ... I owe you another ... just because ... I love you too." "Annd add annnthr fur mee," came Bitch's voice from behind her, "b'cuz I luvv eew too." The orgasm that that brought a cry of pure joy from their Queen's throat surprised everyone but the Queen herself. Kelly's Domme persona scared Kelly herself, and she lived in fear of a rejection not only of 'the Queen' but of Kelly as well. "Oh ... my ... then that's ... four from Bitch ... one from Whore ... two open ... and one specific ... from Slut ... and three ... from Prick." "Yes ma'am," Slut answered. "I am ... a very rich ... Queen." "Yes you are," Slut replied. As a smaller orgasm had her bearing down on Prick's cock, she looked at him, happily buried in his fellow slave's muff. "Slut, get off of him ... for a moment ... Prick ... why haven't you come?" He smiled up at her. "My Queen ... I'm having far too much fun." "Hmph," she said, then leaned down and whispered in his ear. "OOOoooh mmmmmmMMMMM," he cried, his hips betraying his orgasm even if nothing else did. "Good God, what did you whisper to him?" Slut asked. Letting the persona of the Queen slough from her shoulders like a shawl, Kelly looked at her husband. "Should I tell them, my beloved?" "Oh ... go ... ahead..." Margo rose up behind her and hugged her. "I have a sneaking suspicion." "I told him I dreamed with joy of the day I bore him our first child." "Yep, I was right," Margo said, kissing her wife on the neck. "If a man is into having kids, that'll hit him like a lightning bolt." "So glad ... I'm so ... predictable," Harry panted. "Harry, love, everybody's predictable in some way or another ... most of us in most ways," Carol said, starting to remove the manacles from his wrists. "Sweetie, do you need to go sit in the tub for awhile?" Kelly asked. "I imagine the constant state of arousal has had your whole body tense, including your leg." "And miss you dealing with Margo's needs? I think not." So while Harry continued to remove the waist belt and then the manacles on his ankles, as well as his collar, Carol and Kelly suspended Margo in a reclining position above the bed. "I'd say we should load up a big ol' bowl and smoke it, but Margo has work tomorrow," Carol said. "Uh, not exactly ... I took off because I didn't want to miss out on the trip to Madame C's." "Marvelous!" Carol exclaimed. "I'll be back in a flash." Soon they were all getting severely stoned, Carol and Kelly continuing to secure Margo ever more restrictively in-between pipe hits. "Do I want to know what you're going to do to me?" "Might as well," Kelly said. "Big Mama's little girls are going to tie her up good and tight and then double piston her until she's fuck near unconscious in the straps." "Oh ... Big Mama loves her little girls ... very much." So it was that a little while later Harry finished the last of the third pipe load watching two of his wives fuck the third senseless. Their strap-ons slammed into Margo in an alternating rhythm that had the tall woman shaking in her restraints, even as tightly as she was secured. They had already ignored her half-hearted protestations, after checking to remind themselves of her safe word, and Kelly was latched on to one of her breasts as well as she fucked her from above. He let the hose drop from his hand and fell asleep to one of the most beautiful sights, accompanied by some of the most beautiful sounds, in the world. ------- Chapter 34 Harry opened an eye and found he'd been moved in the night. Someone, and he naturally suspected his lovely spouses, had straightened him out in the bed, shoved a pillow under his head and tucked him in. He smelled coffee. "Clearly I'm still dreaming," he thought. Feeling someone warm and alive snuggled up to his back he very slowly and carefully rolled over to find himself gazing into the loving eyes of his wife Margo. "Mornin' lover," she murmured. "Have a good night?" "Oh God yes ... you?" "Umm hmmm ... even at the end. I'm pretty sure I was kidnapped and ravished by members of a bisexual terrorist organization bent on reducing the world's women to mindless creatures of lust and perversion one mind-pummelingly intense fucking at a time. Only their intimate familiarity with the lubricatory needs of the female of the species has left me able to walk today." "You're far too fuckin' awake ... you've had coffee," he said accusingly. "And is 'lubricatory' even a word?" "Well, if it wasn't, it is now. I've made it one." "Yes Madam." He stretched and yawned. "So when will this poor unworthy find himself a helpless slave in your clutches?" "Oh, your time is coming, dear boy ... although the thought of following the Queen is somewhat daunting." "I wasn't aware y'all were in competition." "We're not," came Kelly's voice from the doorway, "but the silly bitch still worries about it. Well ... we're occasionally in competition, as you saw the other evening, but trust me," she said, leaning over and giving her husband a kiss, "you'll enjoy service under both of us." "Under you, over you ... between the both of you would be nice," Harry replied. "I smell coffee ... you brought me coffee, you wonderful woman," Harry said, scooting back to sit up in the enormous bed. "My God, this place looks like a war zone." Straps and chains hung from their fastenings on the six bedposts, the special fitted sheets were completely un-tucked on the far side and stains from various substances decorated them. The hookah sat at the foot of the bed where Harry had left it, there were water bottles strewn everywhere and the room smelled of pot and sex and more sex yet again. "Oh, about thirty minutes of attention from our little one," Margo said, "and Anna and Galena's cleaning later today, it'll be good as new." "Speaking of Galena," Kelly said, settling on the bed as Harry sipped his coffee, "we didn't tell you about yesterday, did we?" "Uh, no ... what now? Did she hump a wildebeest on our front lawn?" "No, Eddie was at work all day I believe," Kelly laughed, as Carol came in with more coffee for herself and Margo. "Let us tell you what happened while I was being serviced during the formulation of my evil designs..." ------- "-and then we sent her back to Karen and Tricia's," Kelly finished. "Sir, you've been hanging around me too long," Carol said, eyeing the erection Harry was sporting. "I think the idea of spanking's beginning to get to you. Let me clean you up a bit and I'll gladly take care of that for you," she said, sliding off the bed and scampering to the bathroom. "I ... it's just ... well..." "Harry, don't sweat it," Margo said. "The thought of a tender young ass, and other bits, all spread out on the spanking bench ... hmmm..." "Well shit, Big Mama, scoot over and let my fingers do some walking." "Alright ... but afterwards we really do have to start getting ready to go to Madame C's." ------- Nicki had forced herself away from her labors the night before and relaxed with a bottle of wine and a bowl of the excellent dope her brother had given her. The project was going well, most of the initials and 'nicknames' were no problem to decipher, it was just that there was so much material. It seemed like she found herself running as fast as she could and making visible, real progress, but being measured against a course that was incredibly long. She was coming to realize that unless they became absolutely vicious in the editing, there was much more than a book in Tony's notes ... there were several. Nicki's Friday was reserved for a visit to Madame Cornelius, then the final fittings at Carmine's, followed by Dominique's, and she planned to make the G & P picnic, at Harry's invite, on Saturday. If she'd wanted a life, seemed all she had to do was hang around her brother and his wives and her dance card would be full. After a light breakfast she'd considered calling over to the house, but hadn't wanted to chance waking anyone up, so she'd just gone over, figuring to get in some swimming if no one was awake, and perhaps even if they were. The smell of coffee greeted her as she let herself in ... the smell of coffee and the sound of sex. She walked to the open bedroom door and stood there, watching as Margo and Kelly rolled around, locked in a clinch, hands in each other's crotches and Carol gave her brother a blowjob that was, by all appearances, divine. Not hard to believe, Nicki thought, as she hadn't found anything Carol did in the realm of sex that wasn't divine. "I suppose I should gently 'ahem' or in some other way announce myself ... getting naked and jumping in the middle might be bad form," she said, somewhat surprised by Kelly and Carol's sudden and startled reactions. "God y'all, you'd think you were expecting Jack the Ripper or something!" "No," Kelly replied, "we were afraid it was Galena the Mad Cunt-licker again." "Something tells me I've missed some drama this week," Nicki said. "I'm going to go get some coffee and wait in the kitchen for someone to come tell me about it." Harry pulled his beloved Carol's head up from his cock and cuddled her in his arms. "Later my love, time to get moving ... I'll be fine." Turning to face his sister he said, "Give us time for a quick shower, and we'll fill you in." ------- "I hope there's some of that fruit left in the fridge," Harry said, stumbling into the kitchen in his robe. "There is, already on the table," Carol replied, "and Kelly and I've already told the tale of Galena ... figured to hurry since there's no telling how soon she and her mama will get here." "You think she'll actually show up after yesterday?" Margo asked, slurping on another cup of Kelly's coffee. "I'd think she'd be terrified." "Oh, she is, Big Mama, she is," Kelly said with a predatory grin, "but I'll bet you a long night of complete and utter servitude whenever you wish that she left with a wet and aching cunt." "I'll take that bet, just because either way it goes, I win," Margo replied. "And it looks like we can settle it here right quick, they're coming in the front door." "Turn me loose on her, I'll get the truth," Kelly said with a grin, "and a little more besides." "What do you mean?" asked Nicki, suspicious. "You'll see. With your permission Madam, Sir?" Kelly asked. "Go for it, just don't get stupid," Harry replied. "Don't get too stupid," Margo amended. "Galena's bought Kelly some 'stupid' room." "Anna," Carol called, heading out into the living room, "do us a favor and run to the store for more of those melons you brought over Tuesday. Here's some money, we won't need change ... I'm thinking four or five will be fine. Someday, not today, you must teach me how you select melons, they were perfect." "No problem, Miss Carol, I will be back in a bit." "Galena," Carol continued, "come with me, there's a problem with the pool filter I need your help with." As they heard Anna head out the front door and across the porch, Carol showed a near-petrified Galena into the kitchen. Leaving her to stand in the middle of the floor, Carol sat down at the table next to Harry, casually letting her t-shirt ride up exposing her naked cunt. As Galena looked at the five of them, it was obvious to her that they all knew. They had even told Miss Nicki. She flinched when Kelly stood up, her bathrobe slipping from her effortlessly. "Good morning Galena," Kelly hissed. She slid around behind Galena, her hands almost brushing the girl's breasts under her blouse. "Did your sore bottom give you problems sleeping last night?" she asked, her lips grazing Galena's ear as her hands slid down the girl's arms. "Yes ... uh ... I mean ... no." "Well," Kelly asked, motioning out of Galena's sight for Margo and Harry to open their robes, "which is it?" She kissed the girl's neck, her tongue dancing along the skin. "Yes or no?" Galena swallowed, watching Margo shift slightly, her robe falling open to reveal her nakedness, one breast out, the skin around the nipple crinkling tightly, the way Galena's did when she was excited. She looked at Harry, as Carol leaned over to give him a kiss, her bare ass exposed, her return to her seat pulling his robe open and giving Galena a perfect view of his slowly hardening cock. She licked her lips unconsciously. "Uh ... well, it hurts a little still ... but..." "Oh, enough of this," Kelly said, breathing into her other ear. "Turn around and grab the counter, Galena." "Excuse ... me ... what?" Galena said, her eyes drawn to Carol's nipples hardening under her t-shirt. "GALENA!" Kelly shouted, slapping her hands together with a sharp crack. "Turn around and grab the counter ... NOW!" The girl found herself bent over, both hands gripping the counter and unsure how she'd gotten in that position. "Very good," Kelly breathed into her ear. "Very responsive," Margo purred, and at that Galena twitched. "Oh, she likes your voice, Big Mama," Kelly said. "Now, let's take a look and see what that ass looks like this morning." She knelt down and slowly, sensuously, began to run her hands up Galena's legs, lifting her skirt as she went. "Galena, baby, you need to spread your feet apart about another foot or two." "W-w-what?" "Spread your fucking feet apart now, you little slut, or I'll tell your mother what you've been up to," Kelly growled and Galena's feet slid another foot-and-a-half apart. "Better, sweetie," Kelly said as the slow progress of her hands continued. "Auntie Kelly's sorry she's being a bitch, but sometimes it's the only way-" she smiled as the skirt was finally raised high enough to be flipped over on to Galena's back, "-to get distracted little girls to listen." Galena's legs were quivering and tears were dripping onto the floor after making their way across her hot cheeks, which were flushed pink with blood. She'd thought she couldn't feel more exposed and embarrassed than she'd felt strapped to the bench, but she was wrong ... this was so much worse ... and so much better. "Now then, can't see anything through these granny panties, can we? Let's just tug those down ... here we go ... around those pretty knees of yours is where those horrid things belong. Soon as we get you moved in across the street, little Galena, it's a shopping trip for you and Auntie Kelly and Auntie Carol-" "And Auntie Margo!" "And Auntie Nicki!" "-so you can get rid of those godawful things. Now then, let's see..." Her breath moved across Galena's ass as she peered at it intently. The young girl shivered as Kelly's hand caressed the back of her leg. "Oh my," Kelly exclaimed, "do you smell that? Umm, our little slut is excited." In a flash her lips were nibbling Galena's ear. "Aren't you, little Galena?" "Y-y-yes." "Yes what?" "H-h-huh?" "YES WHAT, LITTLE GIRL?" "Y-y-yes m-ma'am ... I'm excited ... ma'am." "Much better," Kelly said, moving back to examining her ass. "No, no sign of injury that I can see ... would the rest of you like to come take a look?" Realizing that their wife and lover had already taken them across one line the others looked at each other and then Margo got up, her robe fully open and walked over. "Galena, I'm a doctor ... I'd better examine this," she said before she crouched down, making sure that her erect nipples brushed across the girl's butt. "No ... no sign of injury here," she said as she gently stroked the girl's ass. "But I'll kiss it to make it better anyway," she said before planting a soft kiss on Galena's left ass cheek. Nicki went next, surprising everyone. "Umm, I saw a medical textbook in the college bookstore once, I better have a look," she said, running her hands along the girl's sides, "I don't feel any sign that you missed and hurt her on her flanks." She bent over Galena, who was trembling like a leaf by then, and ran her hands up her belly to her breast. "Can't tell anything, too many clothes." "Hold on," Kelly said and she grabbed the girl's skirt and continued to work it up her body, taking her blouse with it. "Let go of the counter for a moment." And once Galena did, all of her clothes except her panties, bra, her socks and her sneakers lay on the floor below her. "Hands back on the counter." As she grasped it once again she felt someone unsnapping her bra and then her breasts were swinging freely. Delicious, erotic shame washed over her in another, even greater wave than before and her tears became whimpers, deep in her throat. She felt Nicki run her hands up her belly and then cup her breasts, gently massaging them for a moment before releasing them to hang again. "No, no sign of damage here either." Carol approached her next. "You know, I fuck a doctor all the time, I better examine this girl carefully," she said, her agile fingers exploring every inch of Galena's inner thighs, all the way up to her soaking swollen cunt. Carol paused, taking a deep whiff of her excited odor. "I don't feel or see any signs of injury, but holy shit, is this bitch hot." Galena couldn't see the carefully enunciated silent conversation going on behind her back but her sublime terror had reached a new high even before she heard Harry say "Goddamn it, I've had enough! "I've had a doctor stick his finger up my ass and you can't be exposing someone this incredibly sexy to me for this long and tell me I can't bury my cock in her!" His hands grabbed her waist roughly and she could feel the tip of his erection brush across the backs of her thighs. "Sir, no, you can't ... up till now, maybe we could get away with some sort of defense, but if you go pumping the little slut full of DNA, all bets are off!" Carol said. "I don't care," he growled, "and I'll bet neither does she. Am I right, Galena?" "Fuck ... me..." "See, what did I tell you!" "Harry's right, she wasn't this excited after her whipping last night, were you, Galena?" Kelly asked, grinning madly. "N-n-no ma'am ... my p-p-panties were soaked ... but n-nothing like ... this." "Bend over and grab your ankles, slut," Harry said, holding on to her hips with a vise-like grip. The girl dropped her hands from the counter to her ankles and grasped them hard, looking through her legs at Harry's cock, waving between her thighs mere inches away from where she so badly wanted it. And then he squatted down and as Kelly whispered "One month, two weeks, two days" he kissed her clit and the orgasm that slammed through her would have had her falling to the floor on her head if not for Carol and Kelly helping Harry to hold her up. ------- "You ... you b-b-bastards ... you're just ... evil!" Galena exclaimed as Carol helped her into a pair of shorts and t-shirt that weren't too big on her. "You're right, we are," Kelly said, smiling. She leaned in kissed the girl's cheek. "And so far, you seem to be loving it." "Y-yes ... but ... well ... fuck you!" "Very good darling, that's the spirit," Harry said on his return from throwing her clothes in the washer. "We'll tell your mother we've got a full day of pool and lawn chores lined up for you, you take it easy and relax. We'll be back this afternoon and then be leaving again for the evening. Just make sure that whenever you leave, you lock the back door." "And remember, Galena," Kelly said. "You want to play like an adult, and in one month, two weeks and two days that delicious little ass of yours will be playing like an adult, so you need to act like one. We're trusting you with our home. If you do something stupid, the cropping I got will seem like nothing compared to what will be done to you ... and there was nothing sexy in the least about my whipping. If you get incredibly stupid..." "If you get incredibly stupid the deal's off and you stay at your parent's house," Harry said. "Look," he continued, taking her by the shoulders, "we've got a lot of secrets to keep. Carol seems to think you can keep them. Don't fail her, or us." "I won't ... you can trust me." "Fine," Carol said, "and once your mother is out of the way, hit the hot tub outside, positions are numbered clockwise from the control panel. Position 1, setting 2 ... trust me, you'll like it ... but be naked." "Maybe even have a drink or two," Margo said, smiling. "While you're sitting there, think about one month, two weeks and two days from now," Kelly finished. They all headed to the bedroom to get ready as they were on the edge of running late. As they were getting dressed they heard Anna return. "My clothes? The pool filter had gotten clogged, when I unclogged it, it spit up all over me, soaked me to the skin. Carol was kind enough to loan me these. Mine are in the washer." "That's our little girl," Kelly said, grinning. "Covers her ass like a pro ... she's a natural." ------- They were almost out the door when Harry took a call on his cell. After a short conversation, he hung up. "Alright, that was Madame Cornelius, wanted to know if we had eaten as she was thinking of having a light lunch laid out. I told her that would be lovely. She also said, since this was, as she understood it, primarily a social call, to bring something light to slip into. I figure bathrobes will do nicely." "Kelly and I will be wearing loincloths, sir," Carol said. "We will?" sputtered Kelly. "Yes we will, Princess!" "As will I," said Nicki, "provided you can fix me up with one, sister." "Not a problem, I'll get three, a collar and leash for you as well, Nicki, robes for Madam and Sir, throw them in a bag and we'll be out the door for real." ------- At the last moment Harry had a flash of how the afternoon would go and so called a van-cab to pick them up. "I know we may run a little late, but she's very understanding about such things and I'm reasonably sure we're all going to be a little too fried to drive. Thank God I already ordered a limo for tonight." "That's because you're wise beyond your years, my husband," Kelly said. "And you understand that since you became the evil influence that you are in our lives, we'll get altered for any occasion, yea verily, for no occasion at all, just cuz." Late Friday morning traffic was kind to them and they made it to Madame Cornelius' by the time they'd originally said they would. Minutes later Harry and Margo were leading three very tentative women in loincloths out onto the balcony by their leashes. Madame Cornelius had fans set up to draw cooler air from the dark, shaded area between her house and the next oscillating back and forth and chairs set out for everyone. After seeing how Carol, Kelly and Nicki were dressed she said, "ANDRE! There you are. Take three of these chairs away and bring out cushions." Soon the girls were seated on cushions while Harry and Margo sat comfortably in well-padded high-backed rattan chairs. Madame Cornelius herself was dressed as traditionally as ever, high collar, long sleeves with tight cuffs, a low-waisted dress that went all the way down to her feet, but Harry was amused to note it was pale blue, and appeared to in a much more lightweight fabric than he'd seen her in previously. "Where is Li Kuan?" he asked as he retrieved Margo and himself a plate of finger food from the small buffet table. "She will be out when it is time to feed them," Madame Cornelius replied, motioning at the girls on their leashes. "To tell you the truth, my dear Master Grimes, she's a little in awe of you at the moment." "In awe? Of me?" Harry stammered. He noted the difference in how he was referred to, 'Master' instead of 'Mr.' but decided not to ask. "Why yes ... as you know, Li Kuan fancies herself a warrior, and she is one, as we found out during the robbery attempt. But she has met few who have truly fought, hand to hand, for their life, or the lives of others, ... not in what was clearly a struggle to the death. "You have done both, you almost died, and of particular fascination to her, you bear battle scars. "She has often considered ritual scarification, but in the end, while it might satisfy one aspect of her need, they would not be the truly-won battle scars, which she holds in the highest reverence. "She begged me to ask you to indulge her and grant her an examination, a reverent contemplation, of your scars..." "I sense there is something else as well," Margo said, smiling. "As well as your teeth, Master Grimes. You took a piece of one of your attackers with nothing more than normal, everyday teeth. She finds that particularly praiseworthy." "Uh," Harry said, stalling, he glanced down to Carol and caught her infinitesimally slight nod, "certainly, Madame Cornelius. If it will please you, consider it my pleasure as well." "Most excellent, my dear Master Grimes! But first, we eat, then we feed our property, and then I think we smoke, and perhaps drink, and perhaps inhale as well." ------- As they were finishing feeding the girls, Madame Cornelius stroked Li Kuan's hair and said, "I had not expected to see your sister sitting at your feet, Master Grimes. Somewhat unusual, wouldn't you say?" Nicki started to answer but Margo casually placed her hand over Nicki's mouth and said "Quiet slut, you aren't being spoken to." "Yes ... I didn't expect it either," Harry said, hoping to skirt the issue of their true relationship, "but she was seduced by the others while I was in the hospital, so I was presented with somewhat of a fait accompli." "And a very fitting addition she makes to your coterie ... Andre! Bring out that infernal contraption of yours, and the tanks as well. After luncheon absinthe?" "Why yes, please," Margo said. "I've always wanted to try it but have never had the opportunity." "Oh my dear woman, then I am proud and privileged to be your introduction," Madame Cornelius exclaimed, her face lighting up like a schoolgirl's. Absinthe for three, Hans!" After the preparation was completed, the three of them sat back in the artificial breeze, taking sips of the cloudy liquor. "Oh, very nice," Margo said, "I knew it had an anise flavor, and was expecting something ouzo-like, but this is much more flavorful ... all the different herbs ... mmm, I could grow quite fond of this." "It is lovely," Harry agreed. "Although I suppose it might be a bit less so without the ice water and sugar?" "Oh yes indeed, Master Grimes. Twice as bitter, if not more, and much stronger ... I have drunk it straight, upon occasion, and find it ... unpleasant." Responding to a tug at his robe, Harry passed his glass down to Carol and Kelly. "Very small sips or you will be punished ... I'm sure Li Kuan would jump at the chance." The naked woman sitting at Madame Cornelius' feet smiled her shark grin and savagely twisted one of her breast spikes causing blood to ooze from both sides. As Kelly took the glass from Carol, Harry heard her ask, very, very softly, "Is he serious?" to which Carol replied at the same volume "Of course, this is one place you don't fuck around." Harry smiled to himself and noticed Margo passing a drink to Nicki mouth-to-mouth. Madame Cornelius smiled at the sight. "Mistress Grimes, you do not disappoint. When I spoke with your husband concerning you and your growth into your Domme persona, I gathered that you would flower beautifully and so you have." "Thank you, Madame Cornelius. The kindness you show my husband and our family continues to outshine the very sun." "Nonsense! It is no more than you deserve! Outshines the sun indeed..." the woman muttered, but it was obvious she was pleased. "Madame," Hans said from the door, "Master Laney is downstairs and wishes to speak with you." "Send him packing, Hans. If he can't be bothered to make an appointment like civilized people do," she said, smiling at her guests, "then I can't be bothered to see him." "But Madam," Li Kuan said, "he has influence-" "Hush, foolish woman!" She raised her voice. "He has influence he doesn't deserve and if he does not remember how to make friends rather than embarrass them, he won't have that for long." She lowered her tone again. "There, that ought to have him properly furious." Harry was shocked to hear Carol snickering at his side. "Insufferable man," Madame Cornelius continued. "He has influence ... well, so do I, and unless I miss my guess, very soon so will you, Master and Mistress Grimes." "Wait, I'm not-" "Harry, I think this is one of those areas that you let me handle," Margo said. "Andre!" Madame Cornelius called to the large man standing in the shadows. "Fire up that infernal contraption ... the prospect of dealing with Laney, by appointment or without, has agitated me. I require smoke." Andre loaded a pipe bowl inside a modified diving helmet that was attached via a hose to a World War I-era gas mask and began pressing a peddle on the side of the mechanism with his foot. "We were having problems with most of our smoke blowing away, especially on days when we had to use the fans," the grand dame explained, "so Andre had an idea and took it to a local fixture in the underground, a so-called 'bong engineer' named David Ivey. Mr. Ivey helped refine the plans and Andre constructed this ... this thing! I still don't know how to operate it." "Luckily Madam, you do not have to," Andre said as he handed the mask to her. He held the filter canister and asked, "Ready?" Madame Cornelius nodded her head and he spun a dial on the canister. As she inhaled he explained, "It helps to build up a little pressure in the chamber to bring the smoke all the way up to the mask." When she'd inhaled her hit she forced the mask away and Andre pumped the peddle a few more times. "Mistress Grimes?" "Yes please," she answered and took the mask, fitting it snugly over her face. When she signaled she was ready Andre opened the valve and she took her hit. After he closed the valve and Margo relinquished the mask to him, Li Kuan snatched it and the canister from him, offering the mask to Harry with a smile on her face. Madame Cornelius chuckled. "I told you, my dear man, she suffers a small case of hero-worship where you are concerned." Harry accepted the mask, fit it to his face and nodded when he was ready. Li Kuan released the valve and he inhaled deeply, sucking all that he could into his lungs, finding the smoke to be, as usual, of superior quality. When he was through he handed it back to Li Kuan, smiling at her and was surprised to see that she blushed. After another two rounds of hits, Madame Cornelius had Li Kuan take the girls into the house to smoke a bowl. Andre followed leaving the three of them alone on the balcony. Harry was somewhat startled to find that Margo was openly caressing his cock. For awhile they spoke of inconsequential things until Li Kuan and the girls returned. Then Madame Cornelius got down to business. "I think your most excellent wife has figured something out that you have yet to see, Master Grimes," Madame Cornelius began. "I like you and your coterie, very much. Your naiveté is at times a little worrisome, but between your Carol and Mistress Grimes, I don't think it will be a problem. "Our little community has its traditions and rituals, just like any other society, and in this town, whichever Houses, or coteries, have their senior Dominants elected Master and/or Mistress of the Samhain Fetish Ball have influence, influence that determines how things are done. "How things are done in this town at present is most distasteful to me, as well as to many others. Behavior at functions and at clubs ... well, I stopped attending, except for the occasional special occasion, because incivility and boorish behavior offend me beyond my ability to express. But I am old, and no one listens to me, except when they're buying from me and then I am merely humored. How we treat our property is a contract between them and us, but how we treat each other, as well as the curious and the newcomer, the 'tourist' and the thrillseeker, that trickles down from those with influence, those at the top of our little community. It's very much a case of leading by example. "For too long, Laney and his allies have held sway, by virtue of being elected Master and often Mistress of the Samhain Fetish Ball. "Those elected reach that lofty position," she smiled sardonically, "because of their bearing, their coterie, the wealth they exhibit in their costumes, not that anyone would be fooled by a poor coterie that scrimped and saved to put on a display above their means, to some small degree the length of time their group has been in existence, and their overall savoir faire. "I was more than a bit disingenuous when I spoke with you about the Fetish Ball in the hospital, Master Grimes. I intend, should you and your Mistress be willing, to work to see that your coterie takes both positions this October 31st ... something that hasn't happened in the history of this city." "I..." Harry began. "We accept, Madame Cornelius, your offer of sponsorship, your offer of support and, unless I misread you, your offer of alliance as well," Margo said coolly. A squeal of surprise uttered from Carol's mouth. "I see your little pet realizes what just happened, Master Grimes." "As usual when accompanied by my brilliant wife, I find myself at sea, Madame Cornelius. What did just happen?" "My dear," Margo said, squeezing his cock gently, "our social calendar just got much busier and our group grew larger by ... four, is it Madame Cornelius?" "Five, most excellent Mistress, counting Li Kuan's pet." ------- Madame Cornelius excused herself for a moment and went inside, taking Li Kuan and Andre with her. Carol hopped up in Harry's lap and the three of them put their heads together. "Do you have any fuckin' idea what just happened on this porch?" Carol hissed. "You just got handed the fuckin' Holy Grail! House Cornelius hasn't allied with anyone, ever! Dick Laney's been trying for an alliance since before I was in his harem and was probably going to broach the subject again today, no matter what other business he had with her." "So she's allied with us ... whatever we are," Harry said. "What does she bring to the table beside herself and her slaves?" "Harry, you know how in American politics there's the vast majority of the population that never votes? Well, in this community there's a large number of minor Houses and coteries, small groups that just finds it easier to avoid the whole scene rather than deal with Laney and assholes like him. They still have their private little get-togethers, but they've pretty much bowed out of public life, so to speak. She can bring them. Everybody shops here, everybody knows her and most of them respect her, even if they don't always agree with her. "Not to mention she brings a warchest bigger than God's left nut." "A warchest?" "Oh yeah Harry, there's no reason to finance all of this with our own money." "Finance all of what?" "Harry, would you rather I organize this and tell you what's going on when it's about to happen, tell you where you need to be?" Margo asked, caressing his cock again. "Actually, yes, because while I get the feeling this is something you're going to become passionately involved in, as I will through you, it's not something I'd seek out for myself." "I think that'll change, Harry, the more of the scene you see," Carol said, kissing his cheek. "And Madam, you've got one of the best instinctive grasps of scene politics I've ever witnessed," Carol continued, "you picking up on what was being offered was nothing short of amazing, and probably impressed the hell out of Madame Cornelius. I guaran-goddamn-tee you she's on the phone right now, starting shit moving. "Invite her to Dominique's with us tonight, Margo." "The thought had crossed my mind, but I wasn't sure..." "I am ... invite her." "You got it, my little hoodoo woman." Harry found himself in a three-way hug and realized that there were some things he still understood just fine. ------- When Madame Cornelius and Li Kuan came back out, Harry and Margo were petting the heads and stroking the hair of their pets. "Thank you for so graciously excusing me, a small matter simply had to be attended to ... and now, as Li Kuan has so impatiently reminded me, she wishes to examine your scars, Master Grimes. If you are still amenable..." "Oh certainly," Harry said, standing up and shrugging off his robe. The breeze from the fans felt marvelous against his bare flesh. He walked out into the open area between his family's seats and Madame Cornelius'. Li Kuan started at his leg, the scars from the surgeries, giving them a small amount of attention before dismissing them. As she moved past his half-erect cock she huffed a warm and moist breath on it, smiling without baring too many of her teeth. Harry could see Carol tense up, but Margo had sat back and was calmly taking it all in. Li Kuan moved around behind him and he felt her breath on his lower back as she looked at the scars over his kidney. She slowly moved up his back, her breath the only indication of where she was, until she reached his neck. Then she came around in front of him, squatted again, and began examining the scars on his front. He noticed a smirk on Margo's face that baffled him until he realized he was no long half-erect; he was fully erect, bobbing up and down with every heartbeat ... a heartbeat that appeared to be accelerating. When Li Kuan got to the scar on his neck, she stopped and looked at him with a raised eyebrow. "May I touch them?" "Wait Li Kuan ... you know that I didn't get many blows in ... I hardly damaged my foes at all?" She smiled at him. "A warrior's heart is not measured by the victory, but by the attempt." "Then yes Li Kuan, you may touch them." Her fingers ever so briefly brushed the surgery scars on his leg, but every other scar was caressed, long and lovingly, around the edges and back and forth. He felt his fingers twitching at his side. She was beautiful, a frightening beauty, to be sure, but beautiful nonetheless and he was finding this all far more exciting than he'd thought he would. As she worked her way up his back, a pearl of pre-cum appeared at the tip of his cock, something she couldn't miss as she squatted to begin her tactile examination of his front. Her trip up his chest was agony for him and he clenched his hands into fists to keep from reaching out to take her in his arms. And Margo's damn smirk was even more evident. After she had finished stroking the scar on his neck, she again raised the eyebrow and asked, "May I ... may I kiss them?" His eyes darted to Madame Cornelius who gave a slight nod and smile. "Yes. Kiss them, Li Kuan." Carol squealed and Margo smoothly pulled Carol into her lap, bringing Carol's head to her breast. Carol tried to suckle away her terror there, whimpering to herself. Li Kuan licked her finger and touched the scars on his legs but when she went around to the scars on his back, she didn't kiss them. She made love to them. Her hands held him tightly as her tongue poured out her passion onto his scar tissue, her teeth occasionally giving the very slightest of scratches. Harry shut his eyes and leaned his head back. He was surprised after she'd moved around to his front when he heard Andre from behind him. "A hit of nitrous oxide and oxygen, sir?" He opened his eyes to see that Andre had wheeled the tanks over and was holding a mask out to him. "Oh God yes," Harry replied, hoping he didn't squeak too much when he did so. He took the mask and nodded, placing it over his face and drew several deep breathes through it, holding them for a few moments each, but not too long. As the rush hit and he dropped the mask, his knees buckled but Li Kuan effortlessly caught him under his arms, holding him up as he regained his footing, her oral attentions never faltering. With the nitrous in his system he could hear each taste bud on her tongue as it flicked across each ridge of scar tissue. The euphoria rode him like her tongue did and he gave himself to both, his hands coming up to caress her arms, her shoulders, her neck. And then, when she was through thoroughly kissing his neck, she gently pried his mouth open, gazing in at his teeth. Her fingers danced along his molars, canines and incisors while her eyes sparkled. She peered and poked and prodded until Harry felt quite like a horse about to be bought... She kissed him, covered her mouth with hers, crushing her body to his, her spikes rammed into his flesh but he wouldn't have recoiled if he could have because the taste of her was rosehip tea and honey and blood as her tongue caressed his teeth and his cock found a home between her legs, between her lips ... between her very wet lips. Harry fought the urge to knock her to the ground and take her right then and there and he focused on the kiss, only on the kiss but the feeling of her breasts against him and her ass beneath his hands as the spikes caught the flesh of his hands... "Li Kuan ... down!" And she stepped away and Harry felt he could at last open his eyes again ... he was safe. Until he did open them, looked down and saw that Li Kuan was on the ground, face down, facing away from him, ass high in the air. "Take her, Master Grimes," Madame Cornelius said, her voice betraying nothing. He looked to Carol but she was still whimpering at Margo's breast so he looked to Margo. Her slight nod didn't surprise him all that much. "Madame Cornelius, meaning no disrespect ... a condom?" he asked. "Certainly my dear, dear man. Andre!" He took the offered condom and slipped it on ... the sight of Li Kuan's upturned rump left no room for him to lose an ounce of interest while doing so. Looking at Madame Cornelius he then dropped his gaze to Li Kuan's ass and made a questioning gesture. "Either or, Master Grimes, although taking her anally might surprise you ... her rectal muscles are frighteningly strong." "As fierce a warrior as she is, I'll not risk my cock that way," he replied, seeing Li Kuan preen under the praise. He leaned down and pushed into her, finding her more than ready for such an intrusion. Wet and hot, she clamped down on his cock like a vise. "She isn't weak with these muscles either," he said, managing a grin. "She lets very few men anywhere near her in this way, Master Grimes. I would not ask her to do something she did not want to, but I do warn you she is not normally 'man-friendly' ... it may take her a bit to relax." "Li Kuan, would it help you if I gave you pain?" A fierce nod from the head pressed to the floor between her outstretched arms and he grabbed a spike, closed his eyes, swallowed, and twisted it as hard as he could bear to. As he did so, he felt her loosen inside; she seemed to relax a bit. He found it easier to move in her. Margo smiled to herself ... things were going down about the way she'd expected. They were sealing an alliance, an important one, and although she didn't know all the proper rites and rituals, she was finding herself surprisingly good at picking it up along the way. "Kelly, Nicki, come take care of your sister." Despite Carol's whimpering protests she handed her down to them and was about to rise when Carol put her head in her lap. Margo heard her whisper, "No Madam, let me." Carol crawled over and knelt before Madame Cornelius. "Take your pleasure from me, please." Madame Cornelius raised the hem of her dress and guided Carol's hand beneath. "It is simple. Stimulate me and when I need to, I will hurt you. This would be so much easier if you were pierced as Li Kuan is." "Yes Madame, it will be as you wish." Carol's hand ran up the old woman's leg, papery thin skin, slick with sweat, still wrinkling beneath her touch ... not unpleasant, but Carol was glad she wasn't able to see what she was doing. It was hot and humid beneath the Madame's skirts. "Madame," Margo interjected, "may I ask why you wear such stifling garments even on days as hot as today?" "Yes dear ... I believe in mortification of the flesh, my own in this case. I enjoy my suffering." "As you will, Madame." "Indeed ... as I will, as you will, as he will. As we will it, so shall it be." Carol's fingers found her cunt and although she couldn't tell if the wetness there was from excitement or sweat, her fingers went to work with a will, nimbly caressing the wrinkled lips and inner thighs, stroking the Madame's clit and pleased to find the old woman still capable of response. "AIEEeeuuummmm!" Carol screamed. A line of fire had opened up down her shoulder, bringing tears spurting from her eyes. "That was a finger blade I had made for me in Hong Kong," Madame Cornelius said, her voice sounding a little excited. "Don't worry ... it won't even leave a scar." There was a tear-choked whimpering and it was with shock Margo realized it was coming from her as she watched her beloved suffer. The Madame's breathing was almost to the panting stage and Carol could feel the blood engorging her lips as she slid her fingers in and out of her. It occurred to Margo that this must be a special treat for Madame Cornelius, hurting someone who was there willingly, but didn't enjoy this kind of pain. Meanwhile Harry was about to come unhinged. He watched his wife sobbing on her knees as her hand worked beneath the Madame's skirts, a thin trickle of blood running down her back from a long, shallow slice just beneath the skin, lifting it like a flap. Only Kelly's wide-eyed shaking of her head, hidden from the Madame and Li Kuan by Nicki's body, and his over-hearing of the conversation between Margo, Carol and the Madame, kept him were he was. Bitterly he twisted Li Kuan's piercing harder and as the blood began to flow down her sleek and muscularl ass cheek he felt her body began to tremble and her cunt spasm around his cock. He very overtly scooped up blood from her ass with his finger and noisily put it in his mouth. It tasted good to him ... and that wasn't one of the happier realizations he'd ever had, but his cock erupted all the same, filling the condom and threatening to backflow and seep out around the top. He pulled out quickly and for a moment stared down at the beautiful, but by his lights, deeply disturbed woman on the carpet in front of him. Then he dropped down and wrapped his lips around the spike he had been twisting. He didn't know what he was doing but it felt right. Sucking for a moment at the blood welling up from the piercing, he swallowed and then asked in a calm voice, "Do you want this, Li Kuan?" "Ooooh ... please ... Master Grimes!" "Very well." Slowly he bit down, increasing the pressure gradually until his jaws could squeeze no more tightly. Then he placed his hands on either side of the piercing, next to his face and thought about that night in the park, felt himself dying ... in the here and now he heard his wife sobbing, heard his sister whimpering. Heard his wife, his love, his friend Kelly clearly say, "Do it". With a savage pull of his head and a bite fueled by the hatred he knew he still had buried deep inside he ripped the piercing and the bit of surrounding flesh out of Li Kuan's ass. It was as if a live wire had been applied to the beautiful Oriental, she lay on the floor and spasmed uncontrollably. He spit the chunk of her flesh and the spike into his hand and then put it in hers where she gripped it compulsively, continuing her long low moan of orgasm. He got up and walked unsteadily back to his chair. "Jack Daniels, Andre, make it a double." "Yes sir." His reactions seemed to steady Nicki. She looked up at him and smiled through the last of her tears. Then she crawled around in front of him, pulled the condom off, knotting the end, and laid it to one side. Next she took his limp, cum-covered cock in her mouth and began to suck. "My ... my ... Master ... Grimes ... most ... unusual ... indeed," Madame Cornelius said. "One ... more ... my ... dear ... hold ... still." Carol buried her head in the old woman's lap, hand still working furiously, as the half-moon shaped razor, secured to Madame's finger by beautifully filigreed silver, slid beneath Carol's skin. As Carol's scream shook Madame Cornelius, the old woman orgasmed. Andre returned with the drink and Harry downed half of it before Andre was even a foot away. "I'd go get me another of these, Andre, if I were you." "Yes sir." As Madame Cornelius' orgasm eased down to a barely perceptible trembling in the old woman's shoulders, she raised Carol's head from her lap and smiled at her before motioning her away. "You ... Madam Grimes ... are an exceptional ... woman ... I am sorry ... for your slave's pain." "Don't be, Madame Cornelius ... I'm not," Margo said, hoping Carol understood. "You understand ... the symbolism of this?" "Oh yes ... symbolically, your property is ours ... and our property is yours." "Exactly ... Madam Grimes ... it need only happen ... once." Margo smiled, a shaky smile but a smile nonetheless. "That's fine with me ... once was enough." "Yes it was," Madame Cornelius said. "I can see I did not make a mistake in throwing my lot in with you. You are formidable. You will become more so." "Thank you ... but only with your help." "And you shall have it, in abundance. Andre!" she called, as he returned with Harry's second drink. "See to little Carol's wounds, immediately. After that, see to Li Kuan ... if she's calmed down by then." "Madam Cornelius, I insist that your property be seen to first. Her wound is much more severe than that left by your expert slicing." "As you wish, Madam ... my thanks for your consideration where my slave is concerned. And now on to another subject ... your little coterie and its collection of kinks ... am I to assume from her current activity that your husband and his sister are lovers?" "Oh yes, she raised the issue after becoming involved with the three of we ladies and I was happy to facilitate it, as were Carol and Kelly. In fact, we were there and helped the consummation of their love," Margo said as Andre began to clean Li Kuan's wound. "Incredible ... how absolutely marvelous ... I do not wish to callously use such a loving relationship for political gain, but I will use it, somewhat more gently, if allowed to. Among our circles, kinks are currency of a sort. If you were screaming it from the rooftops or exhibiting it in some kind of white-trash spectacle, well, that would make it a liability. But the calm, matter-of-fact manner in which your family manifests it and accepts it ... an asset, and one that will serve us well." Carol finally felt sure enough of her legs and crawled into Margo's lap, carefully avoiding stretching the skin of her back, and whispered in her ear, almost inaudibly, "Margo, now that the alliance is sealed, she's referring to you as Madam. That's a sign of respect ... a lot of respect." Margo softly murmured, "Baby Girl, are you and I okay?" "We're fine, my beloved wife," Carol replied so softly it was almost a kiss. To maintain appearances Margo stroked Carol's hair and murmured, "There, there dear, everything's alright. You did beautifully." "Yes Madam," Carol said, slipping off her lap to sit at her feet as Kelly crawled to join her there. While Andre was seeing to the wound on Li Kuan's ass, Hans arrived with cleaning supplies. As Kelly was cleaning Carol's rather ripe hand, Harry took some wet towels in case Nicki wanted them later. He stroked the side of her head and looked deeply into her eyes, seeing nothing there but love. "I love you," he murmured, softly. Her hand came up, pointed to herself and then raised two fingers. He smiled. "You too, got it." He felt pressure begin to build in his cock ... he wouldn't have thought he'd have another erection any time soon, but Nicki ... the whole experience ... his hand went to the side of her head and pulled her off his cock. Downing the rest of his second double, he pushed his sister back to the floor and crawled in-between her legs, sliding into her easily. "Right where I want you," she said. "Right where I want to be," he answered, slamming his crotch into hers. He lowered himself on top of her and she wrapped her legs and arms around him, bringing her mouth to his ear. "I didn't know..." she panted, "what a turn on ... it would be ... wearing this collar ... your collar ... Margo's collar ... oh God ... I love you ... I love all of you..." Tears filled Harry's eyes, dripping down to baptize her face. "Nicki ... baby ... I ... it's so good ... to have you home..." He leaned down and kissed her as he continued to grind into her, their tongues showing the tenderness their bodies were momentarily denying each other. Breaking apart to gasp for air, Harry caught his breath and continued, "It's so good to have you home ... close to me ... close to all of us ... I missed you so much." "I missed you too..." she replied, "although ... oh oh OH ... I never really thought ... of missing you... this way ... a little ... faster please?" He sped up, wincing at the pain in his leg but beyond the point of caring. "My sweet Harry ... I'll never ... be too far ... away ... ever ... again!" And with that her cunt clamped down and she crushed him to her as her climax hit her like a full-body cramp. Harry heard her muttering, through gritted teeth, "loveyouloveyouloveyouloveyou" as tears seeped out from the corners of her eyes. For a moment, as Nicki rode out her orgasm, Harry looked around at the balcony: his wife, with Kelly and Carol at her feet, looking on, as did Madame Cornelius; Hans standing by impassively with a fresh basin of water and towels; Andre carefully stitching up the wound in Li Kuan's ass ... and Li Kuan herself, slight twitches as she rode the waves of pain while the needle pierced her skin again and again, gazing at Harry with the sleepy, bedroom eyes and satisfied smile of a satiated lover. With that Harry's cock convulsed and he lost control of himself, falling on top of Nicki as he emptied his balls inside her. "I've got you ... I've got you ... oh God ... I've got you..." she murmured, holding him and rocking her body back and forth. ------- When Harry came back he was lying on his side next to Nicki and began to lick the sweat off his sister's face, her neck, her breasts, compulsively, until his mind regained more focus and he rocked back onto his knees with a grimace of pain and handed her the wet towels. "My word, Master Grimes ... if Li Kuan was not still out of commission, I might well have ripped something out of her through that," Madame Cornelius said, fanning herself. "They are very ... exciting ... together, aren't they?" Margo asked, smiling with pride. "Indeed," the old woman replied, "they do put on a most erotic show." "Speaking of shows, Madame Cornelius, we were wondering if you and yours might like to join us tonight at Dominique's?" Margo asked. "Oh ... very much so. You see, Master Laney will be there, as he is almost every Friday evening, looking for likely newcomers who won't know any better ... my dear Madam Grimes," she said, looking at Margo, "I do believe we're about to fire the opening shots of the war." "I believe you're right, Madame," Margo replied. "Kelly, Carol, go see to your Master. Nicki, come here." Nicki crawled on her hands and knees over to Margo, cum dribbling out of her cunt, and knelt before her. "Yes Madam?" Margo took her by the hair and brought her face to Margo's cunt. Nicki made the swollen slit, wet and tasting of a slightly salty tang, her entire world, worshipping the woman she'd come to love as a person and was now coming to revere as a Mistress. Margo settled in and shifted slightly to make herself more comfortable. "I'm curious, Madame, it was my impression that Dominique's was more of a 'pet' scene. Why is Laney giving it his attention?" "There is a lot of cross-over between the 'pets' and 'pleasure slaves'," Madame Cornelius said. "For many, the terms are practically indistinguishable and as Laney has a large contingent among his allies that like to begin with pleasure slaves and slowly lead them down darker avenues. The pleasure slaves find themselves involved in a relationship that very slowly, and subtly, takes on more violent, more degrading tones than they were looking for. It's driven quite a few out of the scene altogether, and after a certain point many just seek other owners but it necessitates constant trolling for fresh meat. "These are male-chauvinist swine, misogynists who've taken advantage of the growing number of young women ... and young men ... who after recognizing their submissive tendencies give up all responsibility, for anything, and find someone, anyone, to take care of them while they in turn do everything they're asked to ... all for the 'freedom' from responsibility." Margo said, "Carol has a touch of that, I think." "Yes, but over the years I've known her she's shown she's ready to work, and work hard, if a situation was not available for her. So many of this new breed won't work, even if they are starving. They'll make a deal with someone and end up the degraded slut of some bottom-feeder. Dominique, God bless her, hires as many as will work, but there are so many more. "My dear Madam Grimes, not two miles from here there is an apartment, a three-bedroom, packed with to the rafters with lost girls of the type we're speaking of. Last time I heard there were fourteen of them, all owned by a man who prostitutes them out for prices that would make you weep ... offensively low. They service their clients on mattresses on the floor of the apartment, out in front of God and everyone, yet he isn't their pimp, and they aren't his whores. "He's their Master, and they're his slaves. And they're all happy ... supposedly. "You all are so very lucky that your little Carol found Master Grimes rather than one of those leeches." While Kelly bathed Harry, Carol supported his head on her arm on whispered to him, "Sir, you are magnificent. Tonight me love you so good, me love you long time and anybody get in me way me hurt bad. Me senior slave, me have rights. Oh Harry, I love you, and Margo is doing so well, it's like she was born to do this, to wheel and deal. I know you don't understand why it's important, but you will, I promise you Sir, trust me." "Always, in all ways," he murmured. "And you ... you, my most precious pet, you were so brave and so good ... remind me to spend the rest of my life adoring you. Not that I think I'll have any problems remembering, but just in case." Kelly finished cleaning him and lay down at his other side. "Sir," she whispered, "when you bit that piece out of Li Kuan?" "Yes?" "I almost came." He leaned over and kissed Kelly deeply and thoroughly. "My God I love you," he said, "you're like Carol; you're such a little barbarian." "Guilty," Carol said, as Kelly said "Guilty as charged." The three of them lay on the carpet and laughed together. ------- "So," Madame Cornelius said as Andre cleaned Carol's wounds, "what are your colors?" "You intend to wear them?" Margo asked. "But of course, it's de rigueur," the Madame answered, "at least for public occasions where you're making a statement." "Carol, when Andre is through, come here." A few moments later she was there. "Yes Madam," Carol said as she knelt at her feet. "Are you alright, my pet?" "Quite alright now, Madam." "Good," Margo said, caressing her wife's face. "Take my cell, call Carmine and have him messenger over cloth swatches for our outfits as soon as humanly possible." "Yes ma'am." "Were you planning on putting on a show while you are there this evening?" Madame Cornelius inquired while she prepared to take a hit from the nitrous mask. "Carol has plans for us along those lines," Margo said, "I gather you have ideas about that as well?" "Oh, most certainly, my dear Madam Grimes. Unfortunately the first of them is that little Nicki and Master Grimes' relationship shouldn't be advertised, not in such an open venue." She took a hit of the nitrous, leaving her with a most uncharacteristic grin when the mask was removed. "The rest I can discuss with your performance coordinator when she's finished on the phone." She handed the mask to Margo. "Now, lean back and enjoy, please. You're providing me with the most pleasant day I've had in a very, very long time." ------- By the time the nitrous and Nicki's talented tongue had combined to bring Margo to a whimpering release, Harry had returned to his seat where Kelly sat between his legs, keeping his cock very slightly erect with the occasional delicate mouthing. "Andre ... another ... absinthe..." Margo stammered and across from them Madame Cornelius smiled at Margo's understanding of the nature of their new relationship before going back to talking with Carol about the evening's plans. When the grand dame was finished, she turned to Harry and said, "So, I understand there were business reasons as well as social for your visit this afternoon?" "Um? Ah ... yes ... if you remember the substantially modified 'Chair of Oral Pleasure' we had commissioned?" "Of course ... you'll be surprised to know that it's now a stock model. My friend was so impressed with the way it turned out that he recognized others would enjoy it as well. Andre, bring out Chris Spencer's latest catalogue! So, I gather you need-" she raised her eyebrows "-another one?" "Yes, it's for Karen and Patricia, you met them at the hospital." "Oh yes, the striking pair of lesbian lovers, I remember them well. I can have it for you by Wednesday for a certainty. Tuesday is possible. Of course I shall include all the straps and restraints ... furry, leather or metal?" "A set each of furry and leather, I think." "Excellent. Shall I have it delivered to your address or theirs?" "Ours ... we'll take it over there and help them set it up." Andre came back with a catalogue and a package. "I believe the materials the young lady ordered from the tailor are here," he said, handing them both to Madame Cornelius. Madame Cornelius ruffled through the catalogue until she found the page she was looking for. "There you are," she said, giving it to Andre to hand to Harry. Harry found himself looking at a full page description of the modification he'd requested, with photos and diagrams and atop it all, the model name: "Little Carol". "I hope you don't' mind," Madame Cornelius said, "when Chris asked what to call it, I felt that to be appropriate." Carol got up and leaned over to look squealed in delight, and then lay down with her head on Kelly's leg. Madame Cornelius thrust the color swatches into Hans grasp and told him, "Find us outfits that match! Something severely revealing for Li Kuan, she'll be suspended tonight." Harry reached over and took Nicki by the hair. "If you don't mind?" he said, looking at Margo. She waved him on and he led Nicki crawling to him. Bending down he kissed her and licked his wife's cum off his sister's face. "Mmm ... now, go take care of Carol," he said and Nicki lowered her head as she said, "Yes Master" and crawled on towards Carol. Shortly thereafter he heard the sounds of a licking Nicki and a purring Carol. "We must now consider the question of a house name," Madame Cornelius began, "as well as a symbol. Have you any thoughts on the matter?" Harry said, "Well, 'House Grimes' is out ... I'm proud of my name but it sounds like dirt ... doesn't work." Margo spoke up, "Why not 'House Carol' ... she did begin it for us, after all, brought Harry in, brought he and I together, recruited Kelly, found Tamara for Eddie, indirectly got Karen and Patricia back together?" On the floor nearby Carol wriggled with delight and preened with pride until Madame Cornelius said, "Naming a house after a submissive will not do ... it simply isn't done." "Maybe not," Harry said, "but a lot of things about our House aren't by the book ... still, for political reasons, I can see your point. Perhaps 'House Karolla', with a 'K' and two 'l's? No, we sound like a Toyota..." "If you wish to honor me, though I don't deserve it, think about my love of music, and another name for a choir, many voices singing in harmony ... what about "House Chorale"?" asked Carol from the floor. She snickered, "It also works in the sense of a 'corral', if you think about it ... and this being Texas, someone surely will." Harry and Margo beamed at each other and then Harry directed his attention to Kelly who was sucking his cock at the moment. "When was the last time you realized your sister was a genius?" Kelly let his dick slide from her mouth and said, "Every morning, when I wake up and can see all of you." ------- "Well then," Madame Cornelius said, "by the end of next week I'll have a batch of the monograms back from Katt, the 'Little Carol' will be delivered to your address no later than Wednesday, and we'll meet you outside Dominique's at 9 PM. We won't be late." "No Madame Cornelius, I don't imagine you're ever late for anything," Harry said. To his surprise she took him by the arms and kissed him, European style, once on each cheek. He returned the gesture. Then she turned to Margo. "Madam Grimes ... you astound me. We will have such fun together." Then they kissed each other as she and Harry had, and Madame Cornelius headed back into the house, shouting "Au revoir!" over her shoulder. "You realize this flushes your plans for this evening down a very deep toilet, don't you?" Carol whispered to Kelly, very quietly. "Yeah," Kelly replied, "but it sounds like it's going to be a lot more fun this way." Once they had all squeezed inside, not that difficult, Hans put the Bentley in gear and away they went, headed for their home. ------- Nicki headed to her apartment as soon as they arrived and as they walked in the house Hans asked, "Where should I put this?" He was holding the large box that Madame Cornelius had sent home with them in his hands. Harry motioned him to the kitchen, "In there on the table, thank you Hans. We look forward to seeing you again later this evening." "Thank you, Master Grimes." "HARRY, GET YOUR ASS IN HERE!" "I can find my way out, sir." "Very good, Hans, until this evening." Harry walked, wincing with every step, to the bedroom where he joined his wives in staring at the bed in amazement. Under a poster-board sign hanging from chains reading "Why wait, take her now!" in elegant calligraphic script, a naked Galena knelt on the bed, very much as Li Kuan had knelt on the balcony just hours before, hands stretched out before her, face down, legs spread, on her knees with her ass high in the air. "We'll I'll be goddamned," Harry said. "Someone left us a little underage girl nekkid on our bed. Whaddayou reckon we oughter do with her, Ma?" "Well Pa, I reckon we oughter take her!" And with that Margo went to the bed, grabbed Galena, threw her over her shoulder, squawking and squealing, and headed for the back door. "Then," she said over the noise, "I reckon we oughter cool her hot little pussy down!" She carried the yowling girl through the kitchen and after unlocking the door, out into the back yard, into the late afternoon heat, her husband and wives right behind her, laughing at Galena. "Gimme a hand here, Kelly." "Sure, Ma!" A few moments later Galena landed squarely in the deep end of the pool, making a tremendous splash. After she climbed out, sputtering furiously and ran into the house in shame, the four of them followed her in and found her in their bathroom, drying off and speaking rapid-fire Spanish under her breath. As she threw on her clothes she glared at them. "I suppose now you want me to go home!" "Actually Galena," Margo said, "now I want you to start training. You're to help Kelly and I shower, so you might as well have stayed naked and wet. But this is not sexual and you positively will not like what happens if you try to make it so ... you're helping us to bathe, like any well-trained ladies maid would. After we're through with that you'll start to learn where things are in the bedroom, where our clothes are, how to help us dress. Is that satisfactory? Do you understand? "Yes ma'am," the girl said, smiling. "Good. Carol, let Harry's leg get all the Jacuzzi time it can ... we're in a bit of a hurry, but not that much. Carol, you were so magnificent today ... when we have the time, you're going to receive a very, very special treat ... as soon as I figure out what that will be." The bathing began and it was after Carol had finished with Harry, had bathed herself, and gingerly had Harry wash around the liquid-bandage that Andre had applied to the slices on her back, that Harry was able to fully relax and let the water do its work on his leg. "Oh God, I get the feeling I'm going to back in this tub when we get home tonight," he said. "And with the picnic tomorrow ... Carol, honey, can we just take the tub with us tomorrow?" "No dear, no we can't," she said, scooting close to him. She put on her best little-girl voice. "And I know how you just hate being stuck in this horrible old tub cause of your achy-hurty knee! But that's okay, because Carol knows a way to make it not so bad..." Beneath the water's surface her hand grasped his cock and began to jack him off. "And here's something for you to put in your mouth while you're stuck here in this nasty old tub," she said as she kissed him, thrusting her tongue in his mouth and fucking him with it in time with the motions of her hand. "Baby Girl, is he keeping that leg relaxed?" Margo called. She ran her hand along it. "Not really, ma'am, no. It seems to have tensed up." "I can't imagine why," Kelly said laconically. "Then stop playing with him, dear, he's supposed to be relaxing, not fucking." "Yes ma'am." "I'm sorry," she whispered in Harry's ear. "Maybe later when Mama's not around." Galena marveled at the interplay between these four, their apparent complete and total ease, not only with each other, but with her being there ... and with who they were ... or who they were pretending to be at any given moment. Galena had never really known who she was ... or who she wanted to be ... she was only sure of where she wanted to be, and for the moment, her wish was coming true. ------- "I still say we should've just popped in to see her and the rest of them while we were in town, Kissie," Earl said as he prepared supper. "Damn shame, going all that way and not even seeing the girl. You know she'll be mad when she finds out." "You're being short-sighted again, Earl," Kissie replied. "You want to spoil the big surprise with a little one." "Besides sweetie, we were right there in the neighborhood looking at houses, hell, at our closest we were only a street away!" "Now Earl, I know you just want to get a look inside that house, see what they're up to ... there'll be time enough for you to play 'suspicious father' later." ------- "Dommi, it's Carol ... you know that table I had reserved for tonight?" "Carol, if you're calling to cancel I'm going to hunt you down and give you piercings you won't enjoy!" "No ... no honey, we're not canceling, we're upgrading. You still got the 'three-ring-circus'?" "Of course ... Laney and his crew have been using it for their 'love-slave' performances." "I want it." "Are you bringing enough people and enough mojo for the three-ring?" "Honey-child, I could be bringing a Chihuahua with epilepsy and an eighty-seven year old Egyptian bellydancer whose tits hang to her knees and have more mojo than Laney's crew ... don't ask me about mojo ... and in a minute, you won't have to. Our party's size has increased by five, so that's sixteen altogether." "That's enough for the 'three-ring'." "Okay, Dommi, are you sitting down?" "Am now, why?" "Put placards on the center and left tables, reserved for House Chorale-" "They're finally making it official?" "Oh, you betcha ... and put a placard on the third one, reserved for House Cornelius." The squeal through the phone was heard two rooms away. "What the fuck was that," Harry said, coming to check. "I just told Dommi that Madame C was coming out tonight." She took her hand from over the mouthpiece. "You through screamin' Dommi? You're scaring people!" "You ... are ... shitting me. There's no way." "Oh, major way." "You sure you don't want center table reserved for her?" "No ... she's allied under us, made the first move, offered the first rights, the whole nine yards ... she was the supplicant." The second squeal was almost as loud, but longer. "Okay, that is motherfucking it," Dominique said when she caught her breath again, "Chorale is coming up and visiting with me after we close for the night." "I don't know, Dommi, we got a full schedule tomorrow..." "You want the 'three-ring', that's the price." "Look in the mirror for me, Dommi." "Um hmm." "Are you keeping a straight face?" The woman snickered, "No ... alright ... I understand ... but convey to your Master and Mistress-" "Oh no Dommi, Master and Madam ... Madame Cornelius says so." "Holy shit ... HOLY SHIT ... Laney is going to shit fireplugs. Then convey to your Master and Madame that Mistress Dominique would greatly appreciate a personal visit in the quiet of the after-hours, should they be up to it." "Will do, Dommi ... God, it's going to be so good to see you again." "You too, sweetie ... anything else?" "Oh, fuck yeah ... rig table right with straps, Li Kuan's playing tonight." "You were right. Mojo questions are completely irrelevant." "See you soon." "Soon." ------- "LIZ! God ... bless it, honey, you know I love you, but if you do not get a move on we will be late!" "Trish..." Karen said, breathing deep, even breathes, "I'm trying to hurry, but when I hurry, my beloved finds things I didn't do, or didn't do right, so I have to do them again ... therefore it's better not to hurry." "Well, do you want some help?" "Oh God, no!" ------- "Got everything, sir?" "Got everything, angelic one. You're ready, I'm sure." "Oh yes sir ... gonna go be naked ... okay, nearly naked ... and put on a show with my Edward!" A long period of uncomfortable silence followed. "It will be fun, Edward, you'll see." ------- Nicki ran through her shower at top speed, grabbed the makeup and jewelry she had chosen after hearing the color choices Carol and Carmine had made and headed out the door. She was down the hall and to the stairs, bag in hand, before she realized she hadn't put on clothes and was in fact wearing only a towel. Something her neighbors had noticed quite a bit earlier. ------- "You're shittin' me, Short-stuff," Eddie roared, "you went out the door in nothin' but your towel?" "I shit you not, I'd even completely zoned on shoes so I was barefoot too." "So," Eddie said, still chuckling, "we meetin' this doctor o' yours and his wife at the place or here?" "Well, I had thought about having them meet us here," Margo said, "but then I realized it would probably just be easier for all concerned if we met them there ... no telling what shape we'll be in when we get out of there tonight and I'm not sure I'd be up to being all that hospitable." "Eddie, would you be a love and go across the street, see what's keeping Karen and Trish?" ------- Her husband Hal wisely said nothing as Tori Stallings changed clothes for the fifth time. His marriage had not survived as long as it had because he was stupid. He knew that if he offered advice, it would be ignored, but that if he waited until she asked, he might have a shot of being listened to. Finally she stood naked in front of the mirror yet again and shrieked in frustration, "Alright Hal, do I have to ask?" "Yes gorgeous, yes you do?" "Alright ... which of those looked best on me ... for tonight I mean?" "None of them ... go for the black gown with that nasty back slit that'll make it clear you aren't even wearing a thong." "HAL ... I love it ... I know you love it," she said, smiling seductively at him in the mirror, "but I've never met these people before and that dress ... well, that dress ... well, it ... it says something." "My love, it says that you're a beautiful woman, proud of her figure and her body, and comfortable with showing how good you look." She turned her head and looked at him over her shoulder. "Do we have time for me to fuck you senseless?" "No ... we barely have time for you to agonize over your decision for another thirty minutes and still make our dinner reservation." "But that dress ... are you sure?" "Tori ... they're a plural marriage, full of interlocked dominant and submissive relationships, coming out with us to help us find what are essentially pleasure slaves to pretend to be our children so you, and I to a frightening degree when I think about it, can live out some deep incest fantasies. So what are you worried about?" "Well, if you put it that way..." "I do, now hurry so maybe we'll have time for drinks and some dancing before dinner." ------- The argument began as soon as the front door was closed. "Alright, whoever's bright idea it was to send this fart-sniffin' throwback to when village idiots ruled the earth to see if we were ready yet-" Karen bellowed. "Look clam-lapper, if you're so gawddamn smart why the fuck don't you listen to Patricia. She's got twice the brains as you, four times the common sense ... you'd'a been ready an hour ago, I betcha," Eddie replied. "I like to be able to pretend that I'm capable of getting myself ready to go out with friends, you hairy reprobate!" "Yeah, an' you just said you was only pretendin'. We ain't got time for you to spin fairy tales about you're bein' able to dress yourself without a LOT o' help, so save us all a metric fuck-ton o' foot-tappin' an' clock-watchin' an' just let your damn wife get you ready, for fuck's sake!" "Don't tell me you let Tamara get you ready!" "Actually, he does," Tamara said quietly. "OH and with an assist from the sexy one it's game, set and match to Eddie!" Kelly crowed. "Wait a minute, I'm not finish-" Karen began. "No, no Liz, you are," Patricia said, soothingly. "Really, you know I'd back you up if I thought you had the slightest chance of pulling something out of this, but you just got owned." Karen had to admit to herself that not only had she been owned, but Eddie'd been right. As she stomped off to the kitchen she reflected that owned or not, she'd be damned if she was going to stand there and watch the hairy ape and Kelly do the shimmy-shimmy-butt-bounce victory dance together. ------- The limo trip to Carmine's passed quickly as the rest of the family was filled in on what had happened at Madame Cornelius' earlier in the day. "So ... you're pretty serious about makin' a stab at bein' a mover an' shaker in this community. Am I right, Margo?" Eddie asked. "Yes I am ... and I know I don't have any right to ask-" "Shut the fuck up, Margo ... all the right you ever need is sittin' here at my side." Tamara looked up at him and smiled. "House Chorale has my loyalty, no question. Besides, when have I ever refused Harry's back?" "You've got us as well," Karen said. "Patricia is quite taken with the whole idea of being submissive, at least when it suits her, and I'm with Eddie. If this is important to you and Harry ... and Carol and Kelly ... it's important to us. Besides, starting shit sounds like fun. We'll gladly wear the House colors and cover your ass." Margo struggled with her tears for a moment before simply letting them flow. After they stopped and Harry had helped her dry them, she looked at her friends and family. "I love you all ... thank you ... really." "Don't think about it," Eddie said. "This Laney fuck sounds like he's just beggin' for some whuppin'." ------- As Carol had done the planning, even down to remembering what everyone else forgot to bring, they were able to make it to Carmine's on time. Shown immediately back to Room Three, they'd only waited a moment or two before Carmine joined them, smiling from ear to ear. "Carol, darling, it's wonderful, they're wonderful, I couldn't be more pleased. Let me get them wheeled in here," he opened the door, motioning to someone outside, "we finished them just this afternoon, thank God you didn't want anything too complicated, and I've been, Oy, head in the clouds ever since." Sergei wheeled in a clothes rack. Carol eyed it suspiciously. "Mr. Landau, there are an awful lot of clothes on there, including some things I don't recognize." "Inspiration, it hit ... what was I to do? Ignore it? I think not. Now don't worry, if you don't like them, my heart will break a little, but that's all. "The outer coats are done in black, in a light wool blend. Long straight sleeves, mandarin collars, a top that tapers down to the waist and then drapes down to the ankles, a little warm for this part of the world but the wool blend will breathe and you're hopefully all smart enough not to wear them outside in the heat for too long. "Most of the rest of your garments are made from 500 thread-count Pima cotton. We'll start with the pants for the gentlemen and you, Karen. "Now Carol had told me she wanted complete access while leaving the pants essentially on, so what we've done is go with an older button front style, a double row, one down each side. It may seem a little too much to get down in a hurry but we've tested it and you can go from buttoned to breezy in about fifteen seconds without looking like a spastic on some sort of drug. Now the pants won't take a belt, that's why they're tailored to fit. The legs are slightly tapered to the ankles, as she told me these will be worn with boots quite often. The pants are in black as are the skirts ... speaking of which... "Oy, the skirts ... ladies, she and I went around and around on this until finally she saw the wisdom of my position and told me to do it as she wished anyway. Long as in down almost to the ankles, straight, severe, subtly pleated, and slit almost to the waist on both sides. That only works because all of you have such lovely legs. These will take a belt, but as beautiful as all of you are, it would be gilding lilies to go too fancy. I have some very nice leather belts, with a little ornamentation, that would do wonderfully. "The shirts ... little Carol originally envisioned something very militaristic, continuing the severe, uniform-style motif but I managed to convince her to go with a simple Empire style shirt, silver buttons matching exactly the ones on the pants. This is where that beautiful scarlet she and I chose comes in. I think you'll find these marvelously comfortable. But I was having dinner with my granddaughter Elenore-" he went back to the door and stuck his head out, "Elenore sweetie, come in, these people are going to want to thank you!" He returned to the clothes rack. "And she gave me the idea that there might be occasions where the need for severity would be adequately dealt with by the coats. That once you were wherever you were going, you might want something a little less ... militant. So we have these-" he pulled out a large, billowing shirt, "linen, gathered sleeves, lace-up front that goes all the way down to the waist, the cuffs are minor works of art, I'm very proud of them, same silver buttons." Into the room came a girl in her early twenties, her black-dyed hair gathered in pony-tails on either side of her head, wearing a deep purple, very gothic mini-dress with a lace-up front, jagged hemline, long gothic cuffs and a white underskirt. Darker purple-and-black striped knee socks and black patent leather Mary Janes completed her ensemble. "Elenore, these are the Grimes and their friends. All of you, this is my granddaughter, Elenore. Stand right there honey, prepare to be adored. "Now, as I very well understand the kind of places you're going to be going wearing these outfits-" "YOU DO?" blurted Eddie. "Of course I do, Edward, I made the slave skirts which we'll get to in a moment, the linen shirts are more than large enough to be unisex, and I have no doubt they'll feel marvelous brushing against bare bosoms. We have them in the scarlet and in black for each of you. "Now, continuing with the 'kinder-gentler' look, for the ladies we did another type of skirt, a black net skirt with darker scarlet net underskirts, very striking, very cool to wear as it gets good airflow, they have an elastic waistband, with a button arrangement to tighten it as needed. "Finally to your slave skirts ... alright, I admit it, I got the thongs from a very reputable supplier that I work with often ... there, you made me say it! The skirts themselves, in the scarlet, and a set in black as well, thanks to Elenore's suggestion, pleated, a bell curve hemline in front and back, maxing out at eight inches in the front, ten inches in the back and rising to only three inches on the sides." "Oh God, they sound beautiful," Patricia said, the tone of her voice leaving no doubt in anyone's mind that her nipples were crinkling. "You're not planning on wearing one," Karen exclaimed. "You bet your ass I am, Liz," she said, kissing Karen on the hand, "and wearing a collar and being led on a leash by you, oh, you're damn right I'm wearing one." "HARRY," Karen bellowed, "you ... you've ... you've turned my wife into a submissive exhibitionist!" Patricia climbed over and straddled Karen's lap, pushing her backwards into the couch cushion. "Have you had any complaints, Ms. 'Oh-yes-touch-it-like-that-Little-Girl'?" Harry was sure that people three states away saw Karen's red glow coming from the direction of Texas that evening and he hoped it didn't alarm anyone. Eddie went to Karen's side. "Karen, honey," he said, gently taking her hand, "listen to me. I speak from experience. Pick your fights. This isn't one you can win, and if you think about it, the whole thing, all that it encompasses, you don't really want to win it. Just surrender. I know that it's going to make you twitch, but I'll be there with you through the whole thing. Patricia and Tamara both are going to be wearing those, in front of people ... lots of people ... people we don't know. And the best thing we can do is hold on tight to our love for them ... and fuck them till their eyes roll back in their heads and we have to take them out on a stretcher." "Thank you Eddie ... I appreciate that," Karen said, gripping his hand tightly. "More importantly sir, we appreciate that, don't we, Patricia?" Tamara said. Patricia answered, "Oh yes, your lover is very wise, Tamara ... especially that part about fucking us till our eyes roll back in our heads ... that sounds very nice." "Doesn't it? I was just thinking that myself," Tamara replied. As the group laughed, even Karen and Eddie joining in, Elenore moved over to Carol and asked, "Excuse me, have I seen you somewhere before?" Carol smiled, "I don't know ... you seem very familiar ... I've got it! Did you ever go to Vortex Void?" "Up on Comanche Drive, oh yeah, especially on Wednesday nights-" "When Emi-X is spinning!" they said together. "Yeah, I remember seeing you there lots," Elenore said. "So, if you don't mind me asking, where are you going this evening? Can't be too many places if some of you are only going to be wearing those skirts." "Oh, we're going to go start some shit at Dominique's ... I'm Carol, by the way." "Elenore ... but you already know that. So ... do you, uh, like the shirts and skirts I talked Gramps into?" "Oh yes, going to be hard-pressed not to go with the shirts tonight, but I still think we'll want to look a bit more fierce. But otherwise, I'm thinking of all sorts of naughty things an open-front shirt like that could be good for." Elenore smiled, "Whew, glad you like them. Gramps takes a trip out on the limb every time he listens to me ... luckily so far the customers like my ideas about seventy-five percent of the time." "So, are you planning to follow in your grandfather's footsteps?" "Hoping to ... hoping someday it'll read 'Elenore Landau' on the door. But I've got a lot of school to get through and a lot of time to put in under Gramps before that happens. "Uh ... listen, I know this may be a little ... well ... pushy of me, but could I catch a ride with you to Dominique's tonight? My plans fell through and I'm at loose ends ... I mean, I'll catch a cab back, no problem, it's just-" "Don't worry, Elenore, no problem, we'll squeeze you in." Carol turned back to the group to find Carmine in the middle of final fittings on Harry. "Well, come on, I'll introduce you to everyone, we have the time." ------- "I'd worry about more make-up and maybe some body appliqués but I expect everyone here will be performing by the end of the night and repairing those is a nightmare unless you're really well prepared," Carol said as she looked at everyone dressed for the evening. "You want appliqués and make-up that'll survive anything?" Elenore asked. "Hold on ... wait, how much time have you got?" Carol looked at the clock. "An hour at most. We have to be at Dominique's promptly at 9." "No problem. Gramps, love you, see you tomorrow for Sabbath supper, whenever I get there. Y'all come on, I know who can help." As she led them out the door, she was already on her cell. "Hello Jerome? Drop what you're doing, I got customers for you and if you're very nice, you'll get to go out with us tonight." ------- "I thought you were caravanning there in cars ... I had no idea you guys had a limo," Elenore said as they drove through the early evening. "It beats taking cars and allows us the freedom to get a little messed up," Harry said. "Speaking of which," he pulled out a pipe from Carol's bag and began loading it, "Carol, crack the sun-roof." "Yes sir!" As the pipe made its way around the group Elenore said, "I guess I better warn you about Jerome ... he's a little ... well ... he's a little socially ... backwards, you know? I mean, he's a sweet guy, but he's an artist so all the time he was growing up, while other kids were working on their social skills he was working on his art and it's only in the last couple of years that he's started to come out of his shell, and getting his business started has really helped a lot." "What is his business?" Margo asked as she released a huge breath of smoke. "Well, he airbrushes pretty much anything on anything, he does a lot of mural work for local businesses, he's had a few gigs doing face-painting at little local festivals and such, that's why I know he can help you with your problem. He uses some stuff that you have to use some kind of oil, mineral oil or such, to remove that'd be perfect for what you're doing tonight and he's fast, wicked fast, when he works. "Oh, and I think he's a genius." "High recommendations," Eddie said "and knowing that Karen despises puns I'll say no further." "Wise ... you are becoming wise in your old age," Karen said, making herself another drink from the minibar. They pulled up to a ramshackle converted garage that fronted on a side street several blocks from the main arteries of the downtown entertainment district. "Here we are," Elenore said, striding towards the door and kicking it with her shoe. "Jerome! Open the fuck up, it's me and the customers I told you about." The friends made their way inside through the side door, which had been opened by a skinny but handsome young man with a pale complexion, jagged streaks of color adorning his bare arms and torso, wearing only a pair of ragged black cut-offs. Once inside they removed their coats as even with the sun down, it was much too warm for black wool coats in Texas. The interior of the garage was almost frigid and after wearing the coats outside for even a few moments, that was most welcome. Elenore made introductions but it was evident that they were wasted on Jerome who was staring dumbstruck at Carol, Kelly, Nicki, Tamara and Patricia, clad in nothing but sandals, the slave skirts and thongs. "JEROME!" Elenore yelled. "Snap out of it! Busy, busy, busy, we're on a schedule here and if you do well and get invited you'll have even less time since these fine people have to be there by 9. Now hurry!" "Alright ladies, time to get real. Lose the thongs, we won't be wearing them tonight," Carol said, starting to slip out of hers. "They won't? You won't?" Karen said, looking from Eddie to Carol to Patricia in confusion. "Nope, don't need 'em, they'll only get in the way," Patricia said, flipping hers to Carol who caught it and dropped it in the big duffel bag she'd brought. Kelly flipped hers into the bag with her unerring accuracy and walked over to Jerome, getting right in his face. "Jerome, honey ... pay attention." His eyeballs almost clicked as they locked on her. "We need you to do make-up, body accents, appliqués, whatever your creative genius can do to make us more beautiful." She smiled seductively at him. "But remember, artiste ... you can look at the pussy, work on the pussy as necessary, even-" she leaned in close, "smell the pussy ... but if you touch it in an unprofessional manner, those four people over there will fight to see who pops your head off and eats it like it was an apple. Got me?" "Uh ... yes'm." "Alright, get to work, Michelangelo, we're on the clock." ------- "Well, he is very talented and he does work fast," Margo murmured to Harry as they and Eddie, Karen and Elenore stood and watched Jerome fly through his work. A few moments studying each woman; her skin tone, body and facial structure, and he would be arranging his materials, and the sound of spraying paint would be heard over the compressor. "Yeah, he came in fourth, just out of the prizes, in the city's Inter-urban Mural Contest. Only reason he didn't win, and I got this straight from one of the judges, was that they'd been directed to base sixty-five percent of their score on relevance to the contest's theme. He didn't feel moved by 'The Community and Business, Building A Better Tomorrow' so he did four hundred feet by twenty feet of how he saw the city. It was beautiful ... a people-and-nature-in-harmony kind of thing ... no business anywhere to be seen." Margo pulled out Harry's pocket watch. "Damn, the rate he's going, we will make it on time ... provided he's as quick at clean-up on himself." "He will be ... or I'll kick his ass," Elenore said with a smile. ------- As Jerome was wiping himself down with mineral oil soaked rags and heading upstairs to his shower, his work was examined under the lights of the garage. Kelly's nipples were comets trailing silvery plumes of iridescence behind them. Tiny stars glittered around her eyes and beneath the skirt the explosive birth of a new galaxy centered on her vagina. Nicki's back bore the trace impressions of wings, only visible when the light hit them right, folding against her from between her shoulder blades up to her shoulders and all the way down to the backs of her knees. Her dark ash-blond hair was brilliant highlighted with gold and her face glowed as if a halo was casting its light upon her, with similar accents running down the length of her body. Tamara looked positively obscene as Jerome had her looking like a child, albeit a well-developed one, giving her the look of a living doll, a thousand times more effective than the Goth Lolita look Elenore was going for. Tamara's delicate features had been given an almost porcelain quality and Eddie muttered, "I feel like turnin' myself in for wantin' her." Patricia had been shaded and highlighted with a subtle use of earth tones and as a result appeared to be some statue of a Mother Goddess come to life, her full hips promising life and rebirth. Jerome had carefully, layer by layer, built a subtle radiance around her eyes in warm shades of gold fading to bronze. Jerome had taken inspiration from Carol's Hispanic skin tone to make her an Egyptian slave girl, hieroglyphs on her arms proclaiming her the property of the Temple of the Sun God, Ra. Her face, and most particularly her eyes, looked to be decorated with kohl and crushed malachite and everywhere her skin had been highlighted with the faintest sheen of copper. "How much is he going to charge for this?" Margo asked Elenore. "I'm not really sure, probably forty per person," Elenore replied. "Damn the boy is good." "Yes he is ... and if he's amenable we'll be using him again," Harry said. "Yeah," Eddie added, "if he don't get me arrested for child molestation." A few moments later Jerome came back downstairs in a pair of leather pants and a PVC shirt, both in black. "Uh, look guys, I wanna thank you for the chance to work on such beautiful subjects ... I mean, I really appreciate it-" "Yeah," Kelly snickered, "we could tell from the chub you were poppin'." "But," the young man continued, "I'm gonna have to ask for fifty per lady, if that's alright." "It's not alright Jerome," Harry said in a threatening voice. "You'll take one hundred per girl or nothing at all." "Uh..." "Yeah, don't make me start breakin' things on ya," Eddie growled. "Take the money or I'll use my ass cheeks and crack your head like a walnut," Karen threatened. "ALRIGHT ALREADY ... alright ... I'll take five hundred dollars ... alright ... just don't hurt me." "Now the boy is talkin' sense," Eddie said, smiling. "Come on, we've got to run if we're going to make it on time," Margo said in a voice that brooked no argument. ------- "Thank God this stuff dries fast," Carol said as she sat on Harry's lap. "I'd hate to even think about ruining the beautiful job you did, Jerome." "Oh yeah, it dries real fast. It helps that it's in reality very thin coats of a-" Elenore's hand covered his mouth. "You're about to become a geek. You know what I told you about becoming a geek when you were out with me." "Don'tf dof fit?" came his muffled reply. "That's right, don't do it or I'll leave you at home next time to watch hentai and play with yourself all night." "Ofkay." She took her hand off his mouth and kissed him, but much to his dismay it was the kiss of a friend. ------- It was 8:58 PM when their limo pulled into Dominique's parking lot. ------- Chapter 35 When they pulled into the parking lot Carol peered out the windows and soon had rolled down the partition and told the driver to pull up next to the Bentley. Carol was as nervous as she'd ever been in her life. It wasn't that there was some vastly important outcome hanging in the balance based on how things went that evening, it was just that Carol saw in her wife and husband, even though he was unsure of it as yet, a chance to change things for the better, things that had needed changing for a long time, and the evening at Dominique's was the first move of that campaign. As they exited she was babbling at them all again, "Remember, Harry and Margo first, leading me, Kelly and Nicki behind and to the sides, then Madame Cornelius and her entourage, then Eddie leading Tamara, behind and to the side, next to Karen leading Patricia, behind and to the side, then Elenore and Jerome ... sorry guys, this is kind of a big thing ... and Hal and Tori if they make it here in time." "Quite alright," Elenore said. "I figured it might be and I promise to ride herd on Paint-boy here." "Well, you don't have to, but we'd be honored if you'd sit with us at our tables this evening. We're picking up your bar tab," Karen said. "Oh no problem, sounds like this is going to be one hell of a night, right Jerome?" "Uh..." "Yes, I know, there'll be naked people fucking in there, it's alright, come on, Auntie Elenore will take care of you." As Madame Cornelius and her group exited the Bentley, Kelly gave out with a gasp. The Madame's outfit was her normal high-necked, long-sleeved, tight-cuffed, low-waisted, long dress done in black leather. "I might ... kill her ... for that dress..." Kelly whispered. "It wouldn't fit you, my love," Harry muttered to her. "But the one we get you will." "Sir, do you want me to implode your balls tonight, because I can ... and I will," Kelly said, smiling at him and licking her lips. "I'll put so much suction on them they'll fail their structural integrity test and just collapse in on themselves." "Behave, you little barbarian," Margo said, pulling tight on her leash, "or Mama will spank." Li Kuan wore a scarlet leather breakaway skirt, her remaining ass-cheek piercing causing a slight bump in the smooth lines, as well as a matching leather micro-bikini top, the strips of leather that covered her nipples barely wide enough to do so, their coverage further stretched by the spikes through said nipples. On her feet she wore rather simple sandals, strapped exceedingly tightly to her feet and fastened with spike-edged buckles that threatened to puncture the skin with every step she took. And she was taking several very forceful steps in the direction of Harry. He felt a momentary panic until he saw in her eyes the same ... adoration ... she'd shown him before. When she reached him she knelt before him and held out her hands before her. He took her hands and she stood up. "When you left earlier today, you did not take the spike, so I made this for you, I hope it pleases you." She took from around her wrist a length of silver chain with the spike he had bitten out of her ass cleaned and mounted as a pendant. She had carefully wrapped it around her wrist several times to make sure she didn't lose it. He took it from her hands and said, "You are a very beautiful, and very strange woman." "Thank you, Master Grimes." He put it around his neck and smiled at her. "I wear it gladly. Thank you." He wasn't sure, but he would've almost sworn she skipped back to her Madame. Once there she took the chain a young black woman standing head down, dressed in a robe with a hood, never looking up even when she was introduced to group as "Puppy". Andre and Hans were their usual well-dressed selves in leather pants that were almost scarlet and black long-sleeved silk shirts. For the occasion they had freshly shaved their heads so they shown in the parking lot lights. "I'm sorry, my dear Master and Madame Grimes that we did not have more scarlet, but our wardrobes are lacking in that color, something that we shall be remedying soon," Madame Cornelius said. "Now, shall we enter?" "Indeed we shall," Margo replied, having looked around and seen no sign of the Stallings, and as they arranged themselves Margo breathed much easier when Madame Cornelius smiled and nodded her acceptance of the order of their procession. When they reached the doors, two doormen wearing only the briefest of shorts with "Dominique's" embroidered on them, swung the doors wide and they found themselves entering a large foyer with a wide bar on one side and a coat check on the other. Dominique's had been a mid-sized manufacturing plant before the whole factory had been moved to the state of Coahuila in Mexico and opened again as a maquiladora. The factory had made cedar lawn furniture and as a result the interior still smelled of cedar years after the fact. The young man from the coat check came out. "May I take your coats?" "You may," Margo replied. "And I assume you're who we see about our memberships," she said to the young woman behind the bar. "Yes ma'am." Very quickly all coats were checked, and memberships bought or in the case of Madame Cornelius and Li Kuan, checked, and they stood, much cooler, at the entrance where a sign asked them to please wait to be seated. Beyond them lay the large, open interior of the club. Placed at various central points across the floor were stages, only one of which was occupied at the time, in a far corner where the action couldn't be made out. Then there were the tables. About half of them seemed to be normal club tables, except for the light bars above them, some lit but most dark. The rest of the tables were a curious mixture of stage and table, the tables being large and very low, but placed on a raised dais with bench seats around the perimeter, broken every six to ten feet by shallow steps giving access to the dais. But no matter the table type, almost every table was taken and people were milling about everywhere, the hum of conversation effectively drowning out the light dance music playing in the background. As they looked around the room another young man dressed in the shorts that seemed to be the club's uniform came hurrying up and bowed deeply. "You have reservations?" he asked hopefully. "House Chorale and House Cornelius," Harry answered. "Right away sir, if you will follow me," the young man said and began to move off into the club. As they followed, Harry leading Carol, Margo leading Nicki and Kelly, he noticed that the club had highways; wider avenues between the tables that he suspected were put there for just such entrances as theirs. And indeed they were making an entrance. The background conversations stopped around them and more eyes began to follow as their procession made its way deep into the middle of the club, to a stage/table that looked as if three great round tables had been linked together into one overlapping leviathan of a platform. The dais itself rose two feet with the padded bench seats rising another foot. Harry was happy to see that the interior of the dais was recessed. He'd been looking at a long, uncomfortable evening with his leg. The table itself rose another foot and had a high, wide rim around the edge. He looked at Carol questioningly as they were scooting their way across and she said, "Keeps the mats they put down for performances, and people, from sliding off." Finally everyone was seated and Margo motioned to their host, "We have another couple coming, Hal and Tori Stallings, as well as a possible, a Miss Julie Elliott." "Thank you..." "Madam," said Madame Cornelius imperiously from her table. "Madam, to be sure," he continued, nodding and smiling at Margo, "I'll make sure they're brought here immediately." "Is it a subtle hint that these benches are deep enough, hell, more than deep enough, to have sex on?" Eddie asked. "No sir, we wouldn't call it a hint, we'd think of it as an invitation," said a voice from over his shoulder. A cute young woman also wearing just the club uniform stood behind them. "Hello, I'm Angela; I'll be your waitress this evening." After taking the table's drink orders she turned to Margo and said, "Madam, Mistress Dominique left strict instructions to be informed when you arrived. She will undoubtedly be down to meet you shortly as I'm sure Dwayne has already told her you're here." "Thank you Angela." Carol crawled into Harry's lap. "Sir, I know I'm looking forward to you doing anything you want to me right out here in front of everybody, but I need to go work out a few details of their performance with Karen, Eddie and their ladies. Would you mind if Kelly pleasured you until I return?" "Not at all, dear one, go right ahead." Harry looked over to Margo to find that Madam Grimes had already shifted her skirt out to one side, opened wide her legs and had Nicki's head between her thighs, the rest of his sister lying out on the bench seat. He leaned over and whispered in her ear "I see you didn't waste any time." "Harry, have you seen what's going on around us?" she asked. "No, haven't really taken the time to look." "Take the time." A stage behind them had three couples- two men, two women and a man and woman- playing out light S&M scenarios and from the way the stage was lit, Harry could see that the sex was real ... very definitely real. As Kelly pressed her body up against him she purred, "I could fall in love with this place." "I bet you could. I can count five couples not on stage fucking just in what part of the club I can see." "Have you gotten a good look at Puppy now that she's lost the cloak?" "No," Harry replied, turning around, "let's see ... oh my." Puppy was nicely rounded, naked, lightly scarred and wounded from Li Kuan's oral attentions ... and totally hairless ... Harry could tell because she was standing on Madame Cornelius table, her hands on her ankles, fully exposed to her owner, bald head between her knees. Li Kuan was running her finger through the woman's slit and licking it. Puppy's hairless cunt was clearly in evidence, as was Li Kuan's enjoyment of her taste. "How does this place get away with it?" he said. "I don't know," Kelly answered, "I reckon we can ask Angela when she gets back with our drinks ... but one thing's for sure. This place has a hellacious hump vibe going." Harry looked into his wife's eyes. "What would you know about hump vibes, my beautiful one?" "I know I'm about to unbutton you and suck your balls down my throat through your cock," she said, kissing his neck. "I know that later tonight I'm going to be lying on that table, Carol sitting on my face, Nicki riding on my strap-on, while Carol blows you and Nicki eats Margo and the two of you do your best to make it look like you're fucking their faces. Carol's been babbling about getting to seriously throat you here in performance all fucking week. I considered using an oath to make her trade places with me but she's better at deep-throating than I am. "And I know that right now your cock is hard as a rock." Harry wasn't quite ready for public sex and was saved by the arrival of their drink orders. "I'm to tell you that the Stallings have arrived, but are filling out the registration paperwork and will be joining you as soon as they're finished. If you have any questions about the light codes either ask me or check the menus on the table." As she was preparing to leave Harry said, "Hit the same order again, and follow it with a round of large glasses of water for everyone, would you Angela?" "Certainly sir, I'll have those here for you in just a bit." "Oh, Angela?" "Yes sir?" Harry handed her a hundred and smiled. "We'll be here all night and we'd like it if you took good care of us." "Not a problem, sir." She leaned in and whispered, "If your House is looking for additions, or you just want to play for an evening, or three, I'd be willing to take very good care of all of you." Harry managed to put a smile on his face. He'd have to be careful in places like this or he'd end up in trouble. "I'll certainly keep that in mind, Angela. God knows you're a lovely girl." "Thank you, Sir." Harry could hear the capitalization in her tone. It was going to be a long night. "I could bury my tongue in lots of places on that woman," Kelly said. "Down girl." "I'm just sayin'-" Harry took her head and moved it towards his crotch. "I said, down girl." "Oh ... yes sir." Meanwhile Margo and Madame Cornelius were having a talk while Nicki got force-fed pussy. Harry listened in, commenting from time to time. "So Madame Cornelius-" "Call me Minerva, Madam Grimes." "Then I'm Margo, and he's Harry." "Certainly." "So Minerva, guess who ... had these tables reserved ... until Carol put the fix in?" "Laney?" "Exactly. We've pissed him off ... and he doesn't even know ... oh ... oh ... OH..." "Please Margo, take your pleasure. I'm not going anywhere." "Th-tha-thank y-" "You're more than welcome." ------- Billy Calhoun's feet had bothered him all day. Not too remarkable until one considered that he'd lost his legs ten years before in an auto accident. He suffered phantom pain very rarely, it was always a burning sensation, not surprising as his last memory of sensation from his legs and feet was of them burning, the smell of the roasting flesh filling his nostrils. Whenever his feet bothered him, it seemed to be an omen, a sign of good or bad fortune. The way his luck had been going, he was betting that his most recent bout of pain was a bad omen. Still, as was his way, he put on a happy face, his pair of "Dominique's" shorts, his prosthetics and after grabbing his crutches went to hobble his way around the club. If he could spot a problem before the customers noticed it, he figured he'd paid back a bit of Dominique's hospitality. ------- "Master and Madam Grimes, Madame Cornelius, Mistress Dominique would like to greet you." As if orchestrated three heads nodded as one and Angela stepped aside. Up the steps came a voluptuous woman with long, blond hair, highlighted with golden blond streaks. Her leather top, modeled on a sports bra, as well as her skirt, plain-fronted with a lace-up back that had an open buttocks area, showed off bountiful amounts of her tanned flesh and her face showed only laugh lines. The smile she wore demonstrated their source. "House Chorale, House Cornelius, you do me and my club honor by your patronage. I offer you not only the hospitality of my establishment, but the hospitality of my House, House Duvalier, as well." "We accept your hospitality, House Duvalier," Margo said regally as Nicki continued to tongue her, "and ask that you join us as your busy schedule permits." "My schedule permits me time at present. Now," she said, lifting Nicki's feet and sitting down, "the formalities are done, it's a pleasure to have you here." She caressed the shapely calves and feet she had in her lap. "Thank you, Mistress Dominique. Your club is lovely," Harry said. Kelly whispered from his crotch, "That ass has got you about to explode, Sir, pardon me while I take care of that." She returned her attention to his cock. "Allow me to introduce our House members," Harry said, "this is Eddie Janak," Eddie bowed his head "and Karen Pinard," Karen bowed as well "and these are two new friends we made along the way, Elenore Landau and Jerome, whose last name escapes me." "Hackler ... Jerome Hackler, Mistress Dominique," Elenore said. "I'm sure he'd tell you himself but he seems to have been in a catatonic state since we entered your beautiful club." Dominique laughed, an earthy, honest, sexy laugh. "Quite alright, Elenore. There aren't many higher compliments my place can get than honest male catatonia ... well, that and the salute he's raised in those pretty leather pants of his." Apparently even in a catatonic state, Jerome could blush. Angela and another waitress appeared with the second round and the water. While she was delivering the order Angela took every opportunity to display her charms to Harry. Dominique had, after asking and receiving permission with a raised eyebrow and a glance, begun stroking Nicki's back, ass and thighs. She noticed Angela's efforts and laughed again. "I see you've already found an admirer, Master Grimes." "Please, call me Harry." "And call me Margo." "Then I'm Dominique ... she's one of our 'available's, if you're interested. I'm not sure if she even knows exactly what kind of a relationship she's after, but she's a very sweet girl, very accommodating ... a hard worker. "And who might your lovely servants be?" At this Madame Cornelius snorted slightly but by the time Dominique turned to face her, the Madame's inscrutable countenance had been restored. "Of course you remember Li Kuan, this is Andre and Hans." "And this is mine, it is called 'Puppy'," Li Kuan said. "Very nice ... very nice indeed, all of them." Dominique turned to her left. Margo stroked the head in her lap and said, "This ... is ... Nicki." Harry picked up the introductions, glad he was in a calmer state than his wife. "The beauty between my legs is Kelly; the little Egyptian over there between Karen and Eddie is Carol." "Oh, Carol and I know each other from way back," Dominique said. "This is Tamara, the radiant jewel who contains my soul," Eddie said. "You sir are a poet, as well as a very handsome, and very lucky, man," Dominique replied. "This is my wife, Patricia," Karen said, caressing her love that was a-straddle her knee, hugging her. "And you are a damn lucky woman ... she has an incredible ass," Dominique said, standing slightly and turning to display her own, "and believe me, I know what I'm talking about." Patricia's blush was not as intense as Jerome's, but charming all the same. "House Duvalier welcomes you all. I've assigned Angela to your table exclusively for the duration of your stay. Please, enjoy all the hospitality my establishment has to offer." "Mistress Dominique, I have a question, if I may be so bold as to ask," Harry said. "Isn't it odd for a Mistress to be wearing what, if I remember correctly, is called a 'spanking skirt'?" From Carol was heard a very muted "Uh oh, here we go." Dominique heard it as well. "You I'll deal with later, little Miss Carol. Yes, if you think of it as a 'spanking skirt', it would indeed by highly unusual for a Mistress to wear ... if you think of it as an "I've got a beautiful, soft, womanly ass and I love having it touched and feeling it touched skirt', then there's no problem at all." She got up and turned away from Harry and Margo, bending to offer them the chance. Margo's hand slid up her flawless right cheek. "Oh God Harry, if I had this ass..." Harry reached over and stroked the left cheek. "You'd leave the house even less often than you do now ... which could be bad as I'd be staying home with you and then who'd go to work?" Kelly let his cock fall from her mouth and asked with her eyes if she could touch it. "May Kelly touch?" Dominique laughed, "From what I saw of Kelly she can do anything she likes to my ass." As Kelly reached to touch it, Nicki rolled over and scooted up, preparing to kiss Dominique's ass, but Margo brought her up short. "What do you think you're doing?" "I ... I was ... I'm sorry, Madam," Nicki said. "Go find Angela and request some towels, you know what to get. I'm through with you for the time being." Nicki found her lip quivering and eyes watering as she went to find Angela, and she wasn't at all sure she understood why. A few moments later, while Dominique was drawing praise for her ass from Eddie and Karen, Margo straightened her skirt and turned to her husband. "Have I told you lately that you are the most wonderful man on the planet?" she said, pivoting on the bench so she could cuddle in his arms and kiss him. "No, but that's alright, you've already paid me the highest compliment you ever can ... you've married me," he said. At that Kelly began to nod fiercely ... Harry's cock still in her mouth. "Whoa, that's interesting ... I should be careful what I say when I'm being blown." "Always, Harry, always," said Eddie. "Kelly," Margo said, "take a hike." Kelly laughed and emerged from under the table, finally able to enjoy her drink. "Harry," Margo said as she straddled him, "make love to me." ------- Julie Elliott was running late and it had taken Tattie threatening to throw her into the koi pond to get her out of the house at all. She didn't know what had happened between Tattie and Vashti, but it had been good, for both of them. The news of Yuri however, continued to be bad. The boy still defied any attempt to reach him. He was subject to fierce outbreaks of violent panic, mouth open in the rictus of a scream that made no sound and as they had discovered, there seemed to be no pattern as to what set some of them off. Some of the triggers Vashti knew, such as baths, which were a no-no, only showers, and very light ones at that. Too much water was a major trigger. He explained Yuri's constant crouching posture to them, and that it was bad to try and straighten him out. Those two Julie and Tattie understood. He'd been tortured with water at some point and the curled position was a defensive posture, protecting his front. But how could they understand his outburst the day before? They had all been sitting on the patio in the shade of the house after their afternoon snack, watching the clouds drift by, Yuri staring vacantly up at the sky. They'd been doing so for about fifteen minutes when suddenly Yuri went into full panic mode and tried to run back into the house through the dining room windows. Only Vashti tackling him to the patio floor had stopped him and that had led to a trip to the minor emergency clinic as Vashti had taken the brunt of the fall and gashed open his shoulder on a paving stone. And the panic outbursts were becoming more frequent. It was things like that that made Julie reticent to leave Tattie alone with the boys. It was like leaving a fellow soldier alone in the minefield while she went on R&R. But Tattie had insisted. And Julie knew she needed time off the front lines. She was stressed and she was incredibly horny ... from what Carol had said about the club, maybe she could get some help with that. When she was shown to Margo's table she hadn't known what to expect. What she found was beyond anything she'd ever dreamed of. Eddie and Karen introduced her around as Margo and Harry were very busy. She ended up sitting between Patricia and Jerome, talking with the two young newcomers. ------- Billy hit the floor, taking the majority of the impact on his arms and crutches. He should have seen it coming; he knew that Morgan and his people were assholes. Unfortunately, he hadn't been paying attention, so the outstretched foot had caught him by surprise and down he went. "Oh ... oh I'm sorry, Billy," Morgan said as he crouched over him in mock concern. "Perhaps you should watch where you're going more carefully ... inattentive slaves get into trouble. "Or perhaps you should give up and go find a ball team that needs another third base." "Master Morgan," Billy said, "your wit continues to be as the pearlescent-hued belly of the most regal serpent to ever slither upon the earth." ------- Carol's ears had heard the fall ... something in the voice she heard very soon afterwards was familiar ... and the next voice she heard she knew very well. ------- "At least I can slither, crip!" "Oh sir, once again, your wit shines like a candle in an oxygen-less chamber in the deepest hole of the belly of the world." "You little shit-" "That'd be coming from a big shit, would it Morgan?" Carol said as she walked over and stood by Billy, sprawled on the floor. "Quiet, slave! I wasn't speaking to you and a big, grown man like Billy doesn't need a little gutter-slut to do his fighting for him. He can get his ass handed to him all on his own." "YOU FAT, SMELLY, ARROGANT, SLAVE-RAPING PIECE OF SHIT!" ------- "Aw fuck, here we go," Eddie said. "No time for love, Dr. Jones." "Put it back in the pants, Harry," Karen added, "sounds like our kind of party after all." "I'm coming, I'm coming," Harry said. He was already off the dais, buttoning up his pants as he strode across the floor, catching up with Eddie and Karen easily. "No you're not, Harry, I've seen your 'Goofy' face before and that ain't it," Karen replied. Margo found herself motioning to Angela to bring her towels as she was leaving a mess on the bench while she watched the iron fist of House Chorale move across the club like a bullet. ------- Morgan's face was red with fury. If the club had been owned by someone with a proper sense of propriety he'd have back-handed the little slut across the room by now. But as it wasn't ... he forced himself to play nice. "I see ... you have a collar ... who do I speak to ... about having you punished ... for your insolence?" "That would be me," Harry said. Getting a quick read on the situation he knelt down to help Billy up as Eddie and Karen loomed menacingly on either side of him and Carol. "Are you alright?" he asked the handsome young man. "Yes Master, I am," Billy said as he got his crutches back under him. "Carol, take this young man back to our table and make sure he's alright." "Yes sir." "Now sir, I believe you and I had some business together concerning the punishment of my property. As I have sent her back to our table in escort for the young man who had an accident here, would you care to join us there and witness her chastisement?" "Yes I would," Morgan said, puffing up with his own importance. He took the leashes of the three disreputable-looking women at his table and followed as Harry and the others led him back. Once back at their table Morgan's surprise was evident, but he managed to avoid saying anything to reveal it. "House Blackpool greets House Cornelius and" he read the card, still on the table, "House Chorale." Madame Cornelius ignored his greeting and Harry and Margo took their cue from her. Dominique grabbed a passing waitress and sent her running to the light board operator. Harry went straight to business. As the lights slowly rose, illuminating the three tables he said, "Madame Cornelius, might I borrow the center of your table? I require the straps that hang there." "Certainly Master Grimes, what is mine is yours," she answered in a loud and carrying voice. "Carol, get up there and take hold of those straps, stretch yourself out." He went to the duffel bag Eddie had carried in with all their toys and personal effects and pulled out a long crop, looked at questioningly, then laid it on the table. "Too short." Carol hung in the rising lights, naked but for the skirt and sandals. Harry pulled out a paddle, held it up in the light and examined it. "Too soft," he said and put it on the table. Dominique watched, barely able to believe what she was seeing ... and not sure exactly what she was seeing. Finally Harry pulled out a long and wicked cat o' nine tails, slashed it through the air with a dramatic swing of his arm, putting his whole shoulder into it. "This will be sufficient I think," he said, bounding up the steps and on to the center table, fighting hard to, and succeeding in, not showing any pain. "So Master Morgan, he said, managing to slur the short 'a' in 'Master' almost to the short 'i' in 'Mister', "my slave called you what?" Morgan answered but a sudden coughing fit from Eddie drowned him out. "I'm sorry good sir; could you repeat that, a little louder?" "She called me a fat, smelly, arrogant, slave-raping piece of shit!" Morgan exclaimed. For the first time he began to suspect that things were not truly going his way. "She called you a fat, smelly, arrogant, slave-raping piece of shit?" Harry said loudly. "Sir, this will not be tolerated. Behold my avenging of your honor." He drew back the cat as if preparing to strike a mighty blow ... then reversed the handle, gently slid it between her legs and brought it back out, licked it and smiled. "Oh, she will be traumatized for weeks, let me assure you. You may leave now, Morgan, and take your sluts with you. And if I were you, I'd wash them; I can smell their cunt-reek from here." Their own table managed to hold its laughter as Morgan stalked back to his table, but a lot of the rest of the patrons close enough to have heard the exchange didn't even make the effort. Harry led Carol back down off the tables and kissed her, then had her put away the toys. He slumped down next to Margo. "I'm a bad person," he said. "I had far too much fun doing that." "There are many things you are, Harry Grimes," Margo replied, "a bad person isn't one of them. Leg?" "Leg." "Nicki, get over here," Margo snapped. "work on Master's leg." "Yes ma'am," she said as she slid underneath the table and began to massage it. "You understand that as a businesswoman I can't take any more of a side than I already have in the shitstorm you just helped kick off?" Dominique said over his shoulder. "Of course," Margo answered, "it's your livelihood and the safety of a lot of people on both sides of the collar at stake out there." "You do understand, good," Dominique replied. "But also understand that as a friend of House Duvalier, whatever aid and comfort my House can provide short of being seen to take sides further, you will receive." She kissed Harry and Margo on the cheek before whispering, "I must go be political now and soothe a few, but not many, ruffled feathers. I truly hope we can spend more time together later this evening." ------- Harry motioned Carol over. "Bring your friend over to talk, if he feels up to it." Soon she and Billy were sitting on the bench next to Harry. Between the two of them they managed to give Harry Billy's life story over the next half hour and how he had gone from a successful young hustler with a strong submissive streak to, at the age of twenty-five, living in one of the little rooms Dominique didn't tell many people about, doing odd jobs to earn his keep. "No reputable House will take him, Sir," Carol said after Billy'd gone off to the toilet. "You saw the scars on his back. Those aren't from the accident, they're from abuse. He won't talk about it but I've known Billy for years and those weren't there after the accident. He's been used by some rough people ... and had it much worse than me because he has less to barter. Did you see the shape his prosthetics are in?" "Do you trust him?" Harry asked her. "Sir, he's a tried and true friend. He fell off the radar and ... well, the way things were going for him, I didn't expect to ever see him again. He is most dear to me." Harry turned to Margo. "How serious are you about this? Do you want this bad enough to let it affect our lives outside of the clubs and parties?" "Yes Harry ... I think I could be very happy in this society ... full time, yeah, I think so." "Kelly, what about you?" "I'm in ... and yes, before you ask, I'm sure. Just promise me I'll still get to be the Queen when we're not in 'society'." "It's a promise my little barbarian," Margo replied. "You will always be my magnificent Queen." "Actually, as a 'switch', if you choose to subjugate yourself to a senior Domme's authority on occasion, none except the most hidebound of old traditionalists, such as myself," Madame Cornelius said with a smile, "will think much of it. So Kelly, you may play in 'society' both ways, I would just advise not switching in the middle of something." "Thank you, Madame," Kelly said, head bowed. "Alright then..." Harry began. Carol grabbed his face between her hands. "Sir, I promise you that if you regret this, it will be my responsibility. I will fix it and I will make whatever amends I have to." He pulled his wife to him, holding her against him and with every breath feeling the joy in life she had given back to him. He sat her back down and said, "Thank you, Mrs. Grimes" only to find himself attacked by a small, apparently rabid slave girl who was beginning to cry all over him. After he had caught his breath while he held her to his chest, he said, "I love you, my pet ... and I'd forgotten what referring to you as 'Mrs. Grimes' did to you." Carol slipped down between his legs and began undoing the pants he had so recently re-buttoned. ------- Billy sat in the handicapped stall and hugged himself with joy. Carol had found herself a home and a family, good people who loved her as she deserved to be loved and treated her like the wonderful person she was. He wiped the tears of happiness from his face. He wouldn't let himself give in to his teary bliss where she could see it, it would embarrass her and probably her family as well, but it had kept growing inside him until it was either let it loose or it would break loose, so he'd come to the employee's restroom. When he felt sufficiently in control again he'd get out, wash up and make his way back to the tables ... but he wasn't through being happy for his dear friend just yet. ------- Master Laney of House Odessa had already heard about the House that had come out of nowhere and ended up senior partner in an alliance with House Cornelius before he even arrived at Dominique's. Then there'd been Morgan relaying in exquisite detail his humiliation at the hands of House Chorale once he arrived at the club. "No great surprise there," Laney thought, "the hairy mongoloid was stupid enough to make it easy." It wasn't until he and his retinue were standing at a table nearby, talking with friends, till he saw them, and House Cornelius, at his tables at Dominique's that he truly believed it had happened. But there on the reservation cards, inexplicably left on the tables, were the names of House Chorale and House Cornelius in place of his own House. There was no doubt in Dick Laney's mind why it was happening; it was the work of that aged cunt, Madame Cornelius. And as he looked at the table's denizens more closely, he recognized one of them. He watched Carol Riley hug one of House Chorale's Dominants ... evidently they were very close. She slipped down between his legs. He had not forgotten his own humiliation at the hands of the man who had taken Carol from him. And he had not forgotten that she seemed very happy to be leaving. ------- "Harry, Margo..." "Yes Minerva," they said, almost in unison. "The man standing at the table across from us and to our left, the one with the eight women leashed behind him ... that would be Master Dick Laney of House Odessa." "Our asshole-du-jour?" Harry said. "You do have a way with words, Harry. Yes, that would describe him. I think he's considering how best to approach us." "When he does, Harry, let me handle him. You deliberately snub him however you can ... fuck Carol's mouth, hell, fuck Carol period, talk to someone else, whatever," Margo said. "You've gotten in your shot this evening, and it was a beautiful one that I can't hope to match, but I'd like to take my shot at some skeet." "He's all yours ... unless he gets pushy, in which case remember-" "My love, I will never forget who the velvet glove is and who the iron fist is. I haven't forgotten since you first rescued me." "Fair enough ... you deprive us of a chance to whomp someone and we get testy." ------- Hal Stallings had never seen his wife so unnerved. Tori was normally one of the most unflappable creatures on the planet, but the entire experience of coming to Dominique's was rattling her worse than- "Honey, were you this nervous on our wedding day?" he asked her as they were shown to Margo's table. "Oh, I was worse ... much worse." "You certainly didn't show it." "Valium darling, valium. And I know you wish I had some tonight." He smiled reassuringly at her but she wasn't off the mark at all. She'd changed her mind three times during registration, something the nice young lady told him wasn't at all unusual, had two crying jags in the restroom and he'd had to bring her back in from the parking lot twice. "Hal ... it's just ... it's frightening to get close to touching your fantasies." ------- After all the introductions were made, and Hal had apologized for their lateness, taking the blame himself, Tori Stallings sat back and took the table's inhabitants in as they waited for their drinks. Andre and Hans, the two bulked up Aryan Adonis's, who she was pretty sure were more interested in each other at the moment than in anyone else, sat, conversed, drank, and watched the shows on the stages within their view ... all the while holding hands and turning that simple act into some of the most erotic love-making Tori'd ever seen. Then there was Li Kuan and her pet ... Tori understood why the two of them were being ignored to a great degree by the rest of the group. It was ... disturbing ... to see what amounted to vampirism going on before one's eyes. The tall oriental woman had her pet sitting on the table and had carefully given her a small bite on the thigh that she was squeezing on every so often, the fresh blood being licked up slowly and lovingly. 'Puppy' was doing essentially the same with one of Li Kuan's piercings, twisting it as needed to produce blood flow, then licking and sucking at it. Madame Cornelius ... now there was a sight. She sat, rigid and regal and not at all comfortable with the club's ambiance, looking like she belonged in some twisted Victorian fairy tale. She sipped her drink and conversed with Margo and Harry and all the while the feeling she gave off was that she was there to be seen, not to enjoy herself. She was a statement made flesh. Margo ... her outfit and bearing gave her a stern and foreboding countenance, one that she completely lost when she was making out with the delectable Kelly sitting in her lap, or laughing and joking with Harry and her friends. It was when she spoke intently with Madame Cornelius, or paused for a moment in thought, that she seemed to recede into the distance like a mountain peak, cold winds blowing down from her summit. Tori looked at Harry and had to smile. He had the natural charisma and easy likeability of a natural born slinger of bullshit, and as he was in advertising, Tori figured she wasn't far off the mark. She watched him sitting almost directly across from her, the perfectly edible Carol sucking his cock while pretty little Nicki returned to massaging his leg and she felt warm, as if he was a campfire. He wasn't completely at ease with the situation, the occasional look, glance, gesture or twitch told her that, but he was close enough to fake it beautifully. Then there was Eddie, whose body language positively screamed his ownership of the precious little Tamara. He was fiercely protective of her and anyone who was stupid enough to miss that somehow would have their skull caved in, Tori was sure of it. Tamara sat in his lap and snuggled like a child but the love in her eyes and his was no paternal bond. They were as 'in love' as any two people Tori had ever seen. She would pay good money to see the two of them making love ... it would be beautiful. Of everyone at the table, Karen appeared to be the most uncomfortable with the situation. She was totally at ease with the curvaceous Patricia who was busy bumping and grinding on her leg, but it seemed most of the rest of the scene bothered her. So she was coping by spending much of her time focused on Patricia and if Karen had had a cock, Tori was absolutely sure that the hard-on would have been enormous. Then there were the three odd-men-out; Elenore, Jerome and Julie. They were talking amongst themselves, and having a good time of it, with Jerome animatedly describing something to do with art ... fresco techniques apparently ... but none of them were truly 'there', they were all wearing their 'tourist' signs around their necks ... Tori reckoned she couldn't complain too much. Her 'tourist' sign must be visible from a mile away. It seemed that a lot of the people at the table were waiting for something to happen ... or something to continue... ------- A Dominique's girl came up and knelt next to Margo, extending a note. Margo took it, smiled at the girl and raised a finger. "Please wait, there may be a reply." "Madam Margo, House Duvalier extends to your friends, the Stallings, our help in finding just what they're looking for. I will be sending some people by; they will say they are there with my compliments. Hopefully this will make their search a little easier as I can be quite the matchmaker. I know I'm being a pushy nag, but I do so hope to entertain you and yours after closing this evening, Mistress Dominique" "Do you have a pen," she asked the girl. "And am I correct that closing time is 2 AM?" "I do, and yes ma'am it is." "Fine. Madame Cornelius, would you and yours be interested in accepting Mistress Dominique's hospitality after closing?" "No, thank her very kindly for me, but by 2 I shall be quite done in." "Certainly." Margo wrote: "Mistress Dominique, Provided you have not had us thrown out by closing time, House Chorale would be most honored to accept your invitation. House Cornelius sends its sincerest thanks and regards but regrets that it will not be in attendance. Margo" "Take this back to your Mistress, darling girl," Margo said. ------- Laney made his move, sending one of his women up the steps to Harry, as the Dom, to announce him. "House Laney would like to visit with House Chorale and House Cornelius." He couldn't believe his ears when Carol said, "Master Grimes is busy at the moment, seek out Madam Grimes." No one would dare to slight him that way without the backing of a senior House ... which they had ... so he forced a smile and sent his girl to the next set of steps. "House Laney would like to visit with House Chorale and House Cornelius." "Certainly," came the response from the Chorale Domme. He found that interesting. Cornelius evidently was very comfortable pretending to be the junior partner in their alliance. He started up the steps only to find himself looking up at the woman who had spoken. "I'm sorry, sir, that we cannot offer you a seat, but our tables are full," she said. "I am Madam Grimes of House Chorale." "Mistress-" he began, seething at the obvious lie ... her table was half empty. "As she said, she is Madam Grimes," Madame Cornelius said, her tone icy enough to threaten the Titanic. "And since you cannot manage a simple introduction, Master Laney, I must step in. Madame Grimes of House Chorale, this is Master Laney of House Odessa." ------- Billy approached the table in awe of what he was watching. Madam Grimes had put Master Laney in an inferior's position and was playing it for all it was worth. Billy almost turned around, he was one of Master Laney's favorite targets, but he felt safe with Carol and her friends so he headed for where he'd been talking with Master Grimes. As he crutched up the steps, Master Grimes said, "Get comfortable, Billy." Billy got up on the bench next to him. Between Master Grimes' legs Billy saw Carol stop sucking his cock and watch the two of them, smiling, eyes bright. "Billy, House Chorale offers you shelter beneath its roof, space at its hearth, bread and salt at its table and its collar for your neck. What say you?" Billy couldn't believe his ears. He looked down to Carol and saw her nodding, tears running down her cheeks. "I ... I accept, pledging my service and loyalty to House Chorale," he stammered. "Good enough," Master Grimes said. "Kelly, find him a skirt, something close enough to fit, get him out of those shorts. You'll need to pack; you're going home with us tonight. You look tired though, sit here by me, have a drink, take a load off." He smiled. "And now if my lovely pet can quit crying, I was finally damn close to coming." ------- Laney's anger was about to get the best of him. The man wouldn't speak to him, but he'd stop everything to take a crippled sub into his House. "Interesting choice in pets," he said, choking down his humiliation. "To see a beautiful body is a common thing," Madam Grimes replied, "requiring only eyes. To see a beautiful soul requires wisdom and is therefore much rarer." Two men and a woman came up and stood on Laney and his retinue's left. Laney was shocked when the icy bitch before him turned to them and said "Hello, may I help you?" her voice full of warmth and her face full of welcome. "Uh ... we're ... uh ... House St. Paul, we were wondering..." "I am Madam Grimes; House Chorale and House Cornelius welcome you, House St. Paul, please sit with us, we have plenty of room. Angela, get them drinks." "Thank you, Madam Grimes." She looked back at Laney. "What? Are you still here? I thought we were finished. Was there something else you wanted?" "No ... nothing else at all. Thank you so much for your gracious hospitality." "To each as they are due, Master Laney. Good evening." The table's laughter followed him as he and his women walked away. ------- "You are an incredibly vicious creature," Minerva said. "I like that." "Thank you Minerva," Margo replied. "I understand now what Harry meant about being a bad person ... something that much fun must be evil." "Oh, evil it may have been, Madam," Billy said, "but no one deserves such evil more than him." "Has he gotten that much worse since I was with him?" Carol asked, pausing from her labors. "Oh yes, child," Minerva said. "When enough rectum-tonguing little sycophants tell you you're something special, you begin to believe it. Something I don't think will be a problem for House Chorale." "Oh no ma'am," Eddie said, "we're real good at burstin' bubbles like that." "Yeah," Karen said, chiming in, "Eddie's been keeping Harry straight for most of his life, I joined in the fun later, and I'm quite sure there's no big head of Margo's that Kelly can't pop." "This is true," Margo replied. "Damn straight," Kelly murmured under her breath, but very audibly. The conversation turned to inconsequential things for awhile until Angela arrived with drinks for everyone ... very large drinks. "It is the management's pleasure to pick up your bar tab," she whispered to Margo. And following her was the same messenger girl with another note. "Margo, I would take it as a personal favor if your House would consider sheltering three female submissives, at least for a time. They're all 'good folk', they've just fallen to the bottom of House Odessa's sub hierarchy and haven't felt they could leave, as no other House would touch them for fear of becoming social outcasts. As I gather you're about to rewrite some of those rules, this shouldn't be a problem. They all have jobs and don't require financial support; they just need the shelter of a House name. I'm more than willing to put them up here for awhile, until they can get their own place(s). If you agree, I'll think of some distraction so that I can get a note to them. I'd REALLY like this to come as a complete surprise to Laney. Do not feel obligated to accept them, just please consider them. Dominique" After a hurried consultation with her family, Margo sent back: "Dominique, Gladly will our House consider them ... we would anyway, but for another chance to tweak Laney, it's a special pleasure. Don't worry about a distraction; Carol and Billy say they'll see to that. Carol says to tell you to set up Stage Four with a piano and wireless throat mikes. A song she says you'll remember, "It's Hard to Be a Submissive". I warn you, our bar tab could get pretty high ... I insist you let us pay half. Margo" ------- "Can anyone at this table play piano by ear?" Carol asked. "I used to be pretty good at it," Patricia said, "but it's been years." "I am very good, and have kept in practice," Li Kuan said. "Marvelous, come on," Carol said as she shuddered to herself before leading Li Kuan and Billy over to Stage Four. After a quickly humming the song to Li Kuan twice and a brief consultation with the girl on the light board, two tight spots illuminated Billy's boy-like face and Carol's face, with a bag over her head. (Together)"Oh it's hard to be a submissive, When you look the way we do... The spots pulled out to illuminate his body and battered prosthetics and her beautiful form and face as she whisked off the bag. (Him)I am the guy all the gals are yearnin' to meet (Her)I am the skank that sends guys runnin' down the street (Him)So I romance until dawn (Her)Play with myself till I yawn (Together)But in the end one thing is true It's hard to be a submissive, When you look the way we do. (Together)Oh it's hard to be a submissive, When you move the way we do... She took his hands and swirled gracefully around him as he stood still but for the slight leans in her direction as she continued to dance back and forth. (Him)I'm suave, debonair, who the hell's Fred Astaire (Her)I stumble climbing the stair, got spindly legs like a chair (Him)So I charm all the broads (Her)I'm a freak of the gods (Together)But in the end one thing is true It's hard to be a submissive When you move the way we do. (Together)Oh it's hard to be submissive When you ... well you know ... the way we do She fell to her knees, lifted his skirt front and then looked at the audience with a wide-eyed glance of wonder, her ass completely exposed. (Him)They say my tongue's made of gold (Her)My twat's gone dry and grown cold (Him)My balls are drained dry (Her)Nobody eats at the 'Y' (Together)But in the end one thing is true It's hard to be a submissive When you ... get nasty with it ... the way we do She stood up and moved behind him, wrapped her arms around his chest and sang over his shoulder as they swayed back and forth. (Together)So you'd think we'd be blue (Him)Always tired (Her)Sold for glue (Together)But we find this here place (Him)Get some rest (Her)Hide my face (Together)And a collar that's built for two... (Together)Oh it's hard to be a submissive (Him)When you look (Her)When you move (Him)When you sing (Her)When you dance (Him)When you kiss (Her)When you ... do other things (Together)The way we dooo" And as the spotlights tightened in on their faces, the paper bag went back on her head. As the lights came up the applause in the surrounding area was deafening, so loud that Dominique's announcement over the sound system was barely audible. "Dominique's would like to thank Carol and Billy of House Chorale and Li Kuan of House Cornelius on piano for that number, "It's Hard To Be A Submissive", written by Carol Grimes and Billy Calhoun." When they got back to the table, before they climbed up, Carol threw her arms around Li Kuan and hugged her tightly, accepting the pain that move entailed. "Thank you Li Kuan, you were incredible." The oriental woman looked at her and smiled an honest, happy smile. "That was fun," she said. "I would enjoy doing something like that again." The three of them rejoined their tables to praise from all present. Harry lifted Billy up to sit on the table in front of the steps, and then lifted Carol helped Carol onto the table in front of himself. Nicki popped up in front of Billy, lifting his skirt, quite unnecessarily as it had ridden up. "Sir, I was right, it is pretty," she said, wide-eyed and innocent. She pushed him back onto the table. "Relax songbird, to the victors go the spoils," and with that she took his cock in her mouth and began to suck him to hardness, a task which took not long at all. Harry looked at Carol. "The girl's right, so lay back, victrix." As she did so he buried his face between her thighs. "Oh sir, this is a reward I know it's torture for you to bestow." "Sheer unadulterated hell," he said, before returning to his most delightful labors. ------- Sheila Scott, Jackie Wagner and Lisa Tischler went to their knees and asked leave to go relieve themselves, interrupting Master Laney's scornful critique of the musical number. And after receiving his permission they did indeed go to the restroom. "Are you sure? They're an unknown House!" "Not after tonight! After tonight they'll be plenty known!" "Yeah but is it the kind of known we want to be associated with?" "You want to stay where we are? I don't know about the two of you, but I'm so sick of his shit it's either find another House or leave the scene altogether, maybe try coming back in a few years." "Look, if Dominique says they'll give us a fair hearing, that's good enough for me. Let's quit fucking around and do it already!" Five minutes later they knelt with eyes downcast before Madam Grimes. Margo looked at the three of them. Sheila Scott was in her late twenties, short curly blond hair, almost no tits or ass to speak of. From her shaved cunt to her Winnie-the-Pooh tattoo, it was clear she was being groomed to play up her little girl looks. She was dressed as a pedophile's wet dream in a schoolgirl uniform no school in the world would've allowed. Her almost non-existent skirt, the bows and ribbons in her hair, her knee-high socks and sneakers, an open shirt tied off beneath her tiny breasts and gaping open to leave nothing hidden ... Margo could feel dicks stiffening around the table, nipples crinkling as well. Jackie Wagner was in her late thirties with long, straight dark brown hair that hung to her ass. She was rounded and curved, slightly overweight but she carried herself as though she were thirty pounds lighter and the beautiful woman Margo saw in the veil and pleasure silks made Margo's mouth water. Margo looked at the belt of coins, the jingly bracelets and anklets and knew that Jackie could belly-dance and do so well ... and erotically ... and seductively. As with all three of them, but especially with Jackie, Margo wondered how they'd fallen to the bottom of the sub hierarchy. Lisa Tischler was in her early thirties, medium-length curly black hair, her Levantine nose and coloration pointed to a Middle Eastern ancestry. Her breasts were large and pendulous, her ass full and magnificent, both on a frame big enough to not make her look freakish. In fact, Margo thought Lisa had the second best ass she'd seen that night. She saw that Lisa's eyes had crept up to Harry and her nipples were slowly tightening as she watched him eat Carol. The studs and chains and patches of black leather armor the woman wore gave her the look of a fantasy warrior but her face told the same tale as the other's ... the women were at the ends of their ropes. "Ladies, sit down and drink with us. You have the protection of House Chorale's name if you want it," Margo said. "What? I mean, no questions, nothing?" asked Jackie. "Not if it means pissing off Laney, no," Margo said. "And you also come with the recommendation of Mistress Dominique. So you have our name and protection if you want it. Do you?" A chorus of assents brought a smile to Margo's face, and a smirk to Madame Cornelius'. "Fine, now that that's settled, sit down, out in plain sight, where sooner or later your former Master is sure to see you. "Later tonight House Chorale will decide whether to offer you anything more than our name and protection, and if we do so you can decide whether or not to offer us your service. But for now, consider yourself honored guests of our House." Kelly crawled into Margo's lap. "I want them," she whispered softly into Margo's ear. "I want them all ... they look so tasty, don't they?" "Umm hmm," Margo murmured back, "and you're about to switch, so back off. Time for that later." Kelly whimpered but curled up in Margo's lap to be petted. ------- Hal Stallings relaxed, watching the faux-feudal politics of the dominance and submission scene, enjoying his hosts' instinctive grasp of it. Tori had relaxed considerably but hadn't considered any of the prospects that had approached them yet suitable enough to call his attention to, so he had time to kick back. The musical number'd had him in stitches, as well as surprising him with the virtuosity of the pairs' performance. They both had beautiful voices and used them well. He needed to remember to ask them about the song, when they'd written it, after they finished receiving their just rewards. ------- "So ... Julie?" "Yes Jerome? I told you it's alright to use my first name." "Uh, you're a teacher, right?" "I was, yes. Now I'm helping a member of their family raise two abused boys ... the pay's better. I can actually afford the little things like food now." "Well, uh ... I was wondering ... did you ever, like, uh ... fall for one of your students, or anything like that?" "JEROME!" "No Elenore ... fair question," Julie said. The alcohol had kicked in and the stress continued to take its toll. Her inhibitions were falling like leaves and she waved at them as they went by. "Well Jerome, to be honest, no..." her hand caressed his leg, and then moved up to the bulge his erect cock made in his leather pants, "but I did find some of them very attractive. "Why? You wanna play 'school' with me? If you do, the name's Miss Elliott." ------- Tattie and Vashti held the struggling Yuri tightly, both of them wrapped around him, trying to prevent injury to themselves as well as the tormented boy. Surrounding them lay the ruins of Tattie's extensive china collection. "Vashti, can you hold him if I let go?" "Do you want the truth or a comforting lie?" "The truth, damn it!" "I don't think so. Can you?" "Maybe ... I have longer arms and legs than you do. Maybe I can. I was hoping he'd calm down, but that doesn't seem to be happening. What do you plan to do if I can? You don't speak enough English to call 911." "No ... but I can get belts from my room, or rope, if you have any." "No, no rope." Tears flowed down both their cheeks and blood marred the carpet underneath them. They'd been asleep until Vashti heard the sounds of the china shattering and had run downstairs, calling for Tattie as he went. "If we call them," Vashti continued, "they will take him away. You know that. You may not get him back." "Vashti, he's getting worse. If something doesn't change soon, he's going to seriously hurt himself, or one of us. If we can't help him, maybe someone else can, professionals ... then he could come home to us." "And still you hold out hope ... get ready, I'm going to let go and run upstairs." Yuri had sliced open Vashti's arm with a shard of china, before throwing himself down on the jagged fragments. Vashti had grabbed him and held him, rolling on his back to keep Yuri away from the floor and its dangers. Tattie had arrived as Yuri broke free again after kicking Vashti in the groin. While Vashti groaned and rolled away, Yuri had laid on the floor, slamming the back of his head onto the knife-like pieces of porcelain. It had taken the two of them to restrain him in his fury, and both of them were cut and bleeding from numerous small wounds. As Vashti ran upstairs for belts, Tattie struggled to hold Yuri and sang to him a song her mother had sung to her, Tattie's voice breaking and sobs fighting to free themselves from her chest. "Hush little one; we are safe for the night, The wolves call to the moon in the snow. Father has built the walls thick, the roof strong, It is late, to your dreams you should go. "The morning will come, the sun will appear, Once again our good garden will grow. But tonight it is love that will hold back the dark, It is late, to your dreams you should go." She was surprised as Vashti returned and began strapping the boy's hands and feet together that he joined her in singing, his voice a clear, strong tenor. "It is late, to your dreams you should go, little one It is late, to your dreams you should go. Tonight it is love that will hold back the dark It is late, to your dreams you should go." As he finished, Vashti looked at her, "Go call them, Mother. I will hold him." He pulled Yuri's writhing body into his lap. Tattie walked to the phone, never having felt so old, never having felt so much a failure. ------- "Edward, you and I have to talk," Tamara said as she sat cuddled in his lap. "About what, divine one?" "Sir, it's alright if you want to look at other women. I won't mind." "I don't need nothin' but you, now drop it." "Edward, I didn't say you needed them, but you don't even look at them. In fact, you make a point of not looking at them." "I ... I just don't want you to think..." "Edward, I know who you come home to every night. I know where you sleep. I know where you heart resides. You don't need to constantly reassure me of your fidelity. You've spent over an hour and a half in one of the best sex clubs in existence and other than your rescue of Billy, your eyes have very rarely left me. Looking is not infidelity. "Besides, I never expected fidelity." "What do you mean?" "Edward, I've spent most of my sexual life believing that the best I could ever hope to achieve was to be someone's concubine. I'm property Edward, and no matter how much it upsets you to believe it, I enjoy that feeling. I enjoy being yours, truly yours. If tomorrow you told me you were taking another woman to wife, my only question would be if she was in addition to, or instead of, me, and I would come to accept either answer I got." "That's not gonna happen." "I know, you silly, wonderful man, but I'm trying to make a point. You're worried about me feeling threatened concerning something I never expected to have." "Yeah, but you do expect it now an' that changes things." "Yes, yes it does, Edward, it does change things, but it still doesn't mean you can't look. I don't want you coming home to me every night because you've never even seen another woman. I want you coming home to me every night because you have seen other women and I'm still the one you want to come home to." "Alright already, I'll look." "Thank you, Edward." ------- "Trish ... are you okay with me saying I hope we don't come back here too often?" "Of course I am, Liz," Patricia replied, her head on her lover's shoulder. "I understand that you're very uncomfortable here, but I also know that you promised to have Harry and Margo's back and this is where we need to be. "I also know you're not going to get anymore comfortable by not coming to places like this. And something tells me that in ways, this place is tame to some places we may end up." "And that doesn't disturb you, Trish?" "Oh God no ... Liz, I'm naked, exposed to the eyes of countless strangers, I'm being admired and drooled over and I'm doing it all under your protection. "This is heaven for me." "I don't get it." "I know ... look Liz, you have a beautiful, muscular body. Watching you move naked is like watching some powerful, sexual machine, programmed to function flawlessly, no wasted effort, perfection in motion. "But you've felt you needed to hide that body, the body you spend so much time sculpting, for reasons of business, and not to 'scare' anyone and because you think you're ugly. "That just boggles my mind, Liz. You're beautiful, in an unconventional sense, granted, your body is what you want it to be, and yet you hide it and yourself. Maybe you do need to hide it from business associates, I don't know, but you're still uncomfortable exposing yourself to our family, our friends. "That's why I had Carol change the ending of our part of the show. I want everyone here to see my beautiful lover in all her glory," Patricia leaned even closer and purred, "fucking me like an animal." ------- House St. Paul consisted of David, its Master, in his late twenties, dark-haired and handsome, dressed in Gothic finery, and his two subs, Andrew and Katie, both in their early twenties, good-looking, a matched set with sandy blond hair and clothed in ragged peasant garments. David had watched the exchange between Madam Grimes and Master Laney and not believed what he was hearing. Although his House had been too small for Laney's faction to bother with, he couldn't help but be aware of House Odessa's influence. And here was a new House, that newness being the only reason he'd approached them, pissing in Laney's face in front of everyone. His insignificant House was being treated like royalty and the most prominent House in the city was being dismissed like a slave. He knew they had House Cornelius' backing but still ... they were insane! As he and his were finding out, they were their kind of insane. "I just don't see the reason for stupid shit like that," Master Grimes said, his head resting on Carol's thigh as she lay on the table. "You were too small?" "Well, to be fair it's that and the fact that we're not interested in expanding too much, if at all," David said. "We have a pretty stable little three-way going and we don't want to mess it up, we're happy the way things are." "But that's a big part of why we were coming to speak to you," Katie began, then realizing her mistake continued, "and I'm talking and I shouldn't be so I'll shut up now." "It's alright Katie," David said, "even with so august a personage as Madame Cornelius at their table; I get the feeling House Chorale isn't all that formal." "Ain't that the fuckin' truth," Eddie said. "We wasn't even a House this mornin', tonight we're the 'Great White Hope'." David laughed, "Well, you make a hell of an impression for a rush job, let me tell you. We saw you and wondered if ... well, if we could tie our House to yours, offer you our service in exchange for no longer being a little three person House that never gets invited to anything, never gets noticed." "Madame Cornelius, what's the protocol for something like this? Is there any protocol for something like this?" "In my day," she began, an evil twinkle in her eye, "when dinosaurs ruled the earth and the world was young, it would have required a lot of ceremony and fancy words and the practical upshot would be that all the decisions concerning House St. Paul would be made by Master & Madame Grimes until such time as they felt that House St. Paul had established that it was smart enough to make its own decisions. That would have been the trade-off. House St. Paul would get the right to be under Chorale's banner, but they'd give up autonomy for a time." "But as we're Neo-Traditionalists instead of Traditionalists," Margo said, smiling at Minerva Cornelius, "you show up when we call, provided we're polite and civil and give you enough advance warning and vice versa. If we're invited to a function, you're invited ... and certainly if we're throwing one ... and vice-versa. You exhibit courtesy and gentility towards anyone and everyone not of your House and somehow completely ignore how we've treated Houses Blackpool and Odessa this evening." Madame Cornelius snorted. "Stuff and nonsense! Odessa is the enemy ... we knew that coming in and Blackpool is one of his supporters. In addition, Blackpool assaulted that poor boy. It is up to us, as Dominants, to exhibit noblesse oblige, not make enemies indiscriminately with our every breath ... as House Odessa does." "Alright, thank you for that absolution, Madame Cornelius. I'm not feeling like such a hypocrite anymore." She grinned. "For all that, you're House St. Paul of Chorale. You wear your symbol and our colors. Fair enough?" The three members of House St. Paul looked at each other with mild consternation and smiles, nodded to each other and David said, "Fair enough ... how do we seal this adoption of our House as a junior branch?" Harry looked at Minerva. "Does it have to be the whole nine yards thing again because that was ... whoa!" He looked at Li Kuan and smiled. She smiled back at him. "No Master Grimes, that was an alliance between major powers, this is an adoption. Something less is perfectly acceptable." "Kelly, go kiss Master David very thoroughly," Margo said. "Oh damn," Kelly said, grinning from ear to ear, "you give me all the hard jobs." She disappeared beneath the table and soon was clambering up between David's legs to sit in his lap. "Don't let her fool you, David," Harry said, "she's a switch and much more at home in a dominant position." David smiled. "It breaks my heart that you would choose to seal our union with such an unwilling servant-" He was interrupted by Kelly kissing him. "-but," he continued after breaking away, "I will respond in kind, two for one as we are the lesser to your greater. Katie, go kiss Master Grimes most thoroughly and Andrew, you do the same for Madam Grimes. In the meantime I will make do with this most balky serva-" The next several moments were very quiet as a union was enthusiastically sealed. ------- Hal had given up hope of Tori and him finding what they were looking for and had resigned himself to the happy task of caressing his wife's leg or breast while watching the many diverting spectacles going on around him. The most recent local development, the very attractive Miss Elliott riding Jerome for all he was worth, was very stimulating and if no suitable pets showed up soon, he was going to bend his wife over the table, hike up her skirt and have at her. "I wonder how they handle people who just come here to watch and masturbate?" he wondered aloud. "The same way they handle them in the little peepshow porno theaters," Angela said, dropping off a round. "We make money off of them and clean up after them ... and lemme tell you, when Dominique promotes you from 'clean-up' to anything else, it's the happiest day of your life." "I would imagine so," Hal said with a laugh. Angela moved on down the line and Hal returned to his contemplation of Miss Elliott and Jerome who was, if his face was any indication, about to fill a second condom. And then he heard him: "Mom? Dad?" and the voice was what he'd always imagined it would be, his son at the age of fourteen, fifteen, just becoming a man. "Hal..." he heard Tori say. He turned and blinked, blinked hard, several times. The illusion of youth was perfect. He knew from the talk with the registrar that all of their subs were of age, double-checked, no fake I.D.s, but the illusion was astounding. Both of them had dark brown hair, like Tori's, although their skin tone was closer to his, their bodies appeared to be in their mid-to-late teens ... he was dumbfounded. The young girl spoke. "Dominique sent us with her compliments ... we'd like to see about coming back home." ------- "Nick..." "Aunt Tattie, what is it?" Nick asked, alarm in his voice. It was as if a dead woman was speaking on the phone. "We're at the hospital ... Sisters of Mercy ... do you have anyone here now? We had to bring Yuri in ... they're going to start asking questions." "I'll have someone there in a half hour, stall until then. I'll be there in fifteen." For the first time, her voice showed some sign of life. "No Niccolo, you stay right where you are! I forbid it. You do not come here! I have Vashti with me..." her voice slowly started to go dead again, "and when she gets home ... I left a note for Julie." "Have you called the others?" "No, they're with Julie tonight ... we'll be fine ... I think we're going to lose him, Niccolo ... I think Vashti is right ... I think he's too broken." "I'll have a friend from the Psychiatric Ward down there soon as well. Does the hospital have a Russian translator?" "They have me..." "I'll ... I'll do something ... you need to go home as soon as you can ... get some rest..." "I can't, Niccolo ... they have one of my boys..." "You can and you will, you stubborn old woman, or I'll have you carried out." Her embers flickered back to life a bit. "You wouldn't dare, Niccolo ... I'd turn you over my knee and spank you!" "And if that's what it takes to get you home, I'll let you." "Let me ... you're ... Christ, Niccolo ... you're over forty now, aren't you? You don't look it ... never did ... just like your godfather Tony ... just like your sister, Paula." "No ... maybe like Tony, not like Paula ... Aunt Tattie, are you sure you don't want me to come?" "No ... no ... Vashti and I will be fine." Niccolo Philouma found himself listening to a dead line. Tattie curled up on the chairs next to Vashti and closed her eyes. No one in the waiting room paid much attention to the young boy crooning a lullaby to an old woman. ------- "Would you mind if I went and spoke to someone about you... ? I mean us?" David asked. "They're another tiny House, two members, they are interested in expanding but they're very selective, they've been together a long time." "Go ahead, tell them they're welcome at our table," Margo replied. After he left the tables' conversations continued and Margo leaned over to Minerva. "So, how are we doing?" "Very well, I couldn't be happier," Minerva replied. "You've managed to exceed my expectations for tonight already and the night's still young, relatively speaking." "Minerva, why did you choose us? We weren't even in the scene." "That's precisely why. You weren't in the scene, yet you're good people, with good heads on your shoulders, and you're unlikely to allow yourself to be cowed by some of the more vociferous of the Old Guard. It took me a long time to come to terms with the fact that there was no going back to the true Traditionalist style ... too much new blood and too many new ideas. It took me awhile longer to admit that some of those ideas were good ones. So I've been looking for a likely candidate to act as the spearhead in bringing back what was good in the Traditionalist style. Once I saw your family, all of them, at the hospital, I was pretty sure I'd found my spearhead." From behind her Margo heard David, "House St. Paul of Chorale would like to introduce House Franklin to House Chorale and House Cornelius." Margo and Harry turned to find an older black gentleman, late forties to early fifties, leading a younger Hispanic woman, in her early thirties, on a leash. "House Chorale welcomes you, House Franklin. Share our tables, we have plenty of room and enjoy our hospitality," Margo said, smiling. ------- Elenore was not happy ... she was having a pleasant evening talking with Jerome, they met Julie, they were all having a nice time talking together, Jerome asked one of his terribly inappropriate questions and all of a sudden he and Julie are fucking like ferrets. If she didn't know any better, she'd think she was jealous. ------- "So, House Chorale, a House of refugees and the insignificant. How fitting. Are you planning on picking up all my cast-offs? If so, I think I left a condom on the floor by my table." Laney's voice was loud and it carried. Harry stood up, motioning to Margo to remain seated. He turned to face Laney and replied in a clear and ringing tone. "When a fool lets gold fall from his pocket into the street-" Harry pulled Lisa, who had been sitting next to him, up and caressed her ass and breasts, slowly and lasciviously. She sighed with satisfaction and threw her head back onto his shoulder, inviting the neck kiss he gladly gave her. "Well then, only another fool would leave it lying there; a wise man picks it up." Harry turned to where House St. Paul and House Franklin were seated. "And when that same fool ignores precious gems, lying out in plain sight, what wise man would not take advantage of what that fool overlooked?" Harry turned his attention back to Laney and his shrunken retinue. "As for the pathetic drool of your cock, that's one of the few things of yours we don't want, Master of the Samhain Fetish Ball." Harry gave his attention to kissing Lisa, his hands exploring her body as they stood locked in an embrace. Eddie approached Laney from one side. "See that the ladies' possessions are delivered to this address no later than Sunday noon, all of their possessions, in good condition and un-fucked with. The alternative is that we come get them." Karen walked up from the left. "I'm the 'we'." The two of them stood there, glaring at him. Laney was desperately searching his mind for a parting remark, a comeback, a jibe, when Harry returned his attention to him again. "Are you still here? You ... may ... leave ... now ... you ... have ... been ... dismissed. Did that make it simple enough for you?" and with that he turned his back to him and sat down, drawing Lisa into his lap. Under the glares of Eddie and Karen, Master Laney of House Odessa slunk away, all the while trying his best to disguise a full retreat. When he was out of earshot, Harry slid Lisa back onto the bench seat next to him. "I apologize, Lisa. I had no right to do that and you have my deepest thanks for playing along. I really do appreciate it, as does my House." "No ... no problem at all, Master Grimes, no problem at all. Glad I could help. You didn't take anything I wasn't happy to give." Harry heard Carol snickering on his other side. He reached over and grabbed her, hugging her tightly to him while he dragged her onto his lap. With his mouth directly at her ear he softly said, "Have you had enough time?" "Um hmm." "And?" "Yes to all three ... Dominique was right, they are good people." "Let me tell Margo and Kelly, I'll have Margo make the invitations." Harry kissed his beloved and put her back down and then got up and pivoted to face Lisa in preparation for shifting past her. As he pivoted he felt a sharp, piercing pain in his knee. The sudden stab of pain distorted his features, his knee refused to hold him, and Carol saw something was wrong. She was up in a heartbeat. "Honey, sit down on the table here. Lisa, if I can get you to shift over to one side? Thank you, sweetie. Margo, we got a problem." "Harry," Margo asked, "what happened?" "I turned on my leg ... I'm fine..." "Harry, honey, you're as white as a sheet. You're not doing the performance tonight, isn't that right, Margo?" Carol said. "She's right, you're not. ANGELA! I need ice packs or something that will serve as them and I need them five minutes ago." "Yes ma'am." "Okay darling, we're going to get that damned boot off, then cut the pants leg-" "The fuck you are," Harry answered, "if Carmine found out he'd have me beaten." "Then I'm taking you home, we're all going home." "No, you're not. Putting on a good show is the capper of this evening, it's too important. What you're going to do is pull my damn pants off. Hell, find me a pair of 'Dominique's shorts. This is a club where half our party is mostly naked. I'll be fine." Margo hugged her husband and whispered in his ear. "You're just doing this to give Lisa easier access. Speaking of which, what did the hoodoo woman say?" "Yes to all three, we can figure out what their service entails later, but invite all three." As Margo leaned back Angela returned. "Where are those icepacks, Angela?" Margo snarled. "They're being carried upstairs where he will be soon, Mistress Dominique devoutly hopes. We have some security on the way to carry Master Grimes up-" "I'm not going to be carried upstairs like a fucking invalid." "Then you can borrow my crutches, Sir," Billy said. "Someone can run them back down to me when you're settled." "Margo, you stay down here and be our face. I'm taking the hoodoo woman with me-" "Try making me leave you, sir." "As far as the performance, there has got to be a bidet somewhere here, given the nature of the place. Have them do a double tonguing of you and the piece still works perfectly. Angela, will I be able to watch from upstairs?" "Oh yes sir, one of two ways, either live or by camera." Harry peered up into the dark rafters of the old factory. "Yes sir, Mistress Dominique's office overlooks the 'three ring circus' ... small surprise really." "You're right, Angela, small surprise indeed. Well Billy, if you'll be so kind, let's get this show on the road." He took the proffered forearm crutches, adjusted the forearm cuffs slightly and stood up. "Sir, you need to lengthen those," Billy said. "No, I'll be fine; don't want to make trouble for you." "Sir, this is my area of expertise, it's no trouble, really." And while Harry leaned against the table Billy extended the crutches, adjusting them for Harry's height. "Now sir, as I know from painful experience, operating crutches after you've been drinking can be about as smart as operating heavy machinery under the same conditions, so be very careful." "Thank you Billy ... I'll try not to bang them, or me, up." ------- Elenore had gone off and walked around the club, doing some thinking and drinking. Why should she be jealous of Julie fucking Jerome ... unless Elenore did have some interest in him that she wasn't consciously aware of? And if that was the case ... she'd been treating him badly for a very long time. ------- Margo waited, power-fidgeting until word came back, along with Billy's crutches, that Harry had made it upstairs okay. Her first priority was Eddie and Karen. "You two were perfect. I'm so glad we set that up." "Well c'mon, you just knew the fuck was gonna show up ... no way he was gonna let things lay as they were." "Now then, do we think he'll make another stab at us this evening?" "I don't know," Karen said. "He's had his nose thwapped twice, real good. If he starts eating meat and thinking he's all that, he may try to regain some face, or he might send an ally to talk some shit." "Fuck this talkin' bullshit, what I wanna know is can we get him angry enough at us to try somethin' physical!" "You are just itching to kick his ass all over that parking lot, aren't you?" Margo said. "Damn tootin' ... although the one I really wanna get up close and violent with is that little rat turd Morgan ... when you trip a guy on artificial legs, well shit, you've just announced you're cravin' a full-on ass-whuppin'." "Well, maybe he'll accommodate you, but I wouldn't bet on it. I think the little coward knows better," Margo replied. "I've got more business to attend to. We've got about an hour till show time, you two loosen up." "How'd she know I was freaked about doing the show?" Eddie asked as Margo made her way back to the other end of the table. "He did just ask that," Tamara announced, "he really can be that oblivious. You didn't imagine it." ------- Hal Stallings was lost. There was no other word for it. The two submissives, Jessie and Sam, were perfect, as far as he could tell. Tori and he had talked with them out of character, and found that their fantasies interlocked nicely. Both of them apparently found him and Tori very attractive and there was no denying the reciprocal was true. When they'd finished talking, and were about to slip back into character, Sam asked "So, do we want to give each other a trial?" "Do you mean right here, right now?" Tori replied. "Mom, now that I know you feel the same way, I don't want to wait. We could go home, but look around, there's no real reason to. Who'll care?" Hal watched Sam undo the top of his wife's dress and let it fall to her waist. "Mom, you don't know how long I've wanted to taste these again." "Daddy?" His eyes turned to find Jessie sitting on the table in front of him, her shorts gone and her bare cunt, wet and swollen. "Would you please do what we both want you to and fuck me? Please, Daddy?" Hal Stallings was lost. ------- "Seems Dominique is doing well for herself," Harry said as Carol got his boot off. They were sitting on a couch in the decadent bathroom behind Dominique's upstairs office, complete with bidet and shower. "Yes sir, this is all new since the last time I was here. She's done very well and I'm wondering what's changed." By the time they were through, Harry was dressed in one of the linen shirts. With no pants to tuck it into it went down almost to his knees. "Let's go sir, Carol Grimes, Human Crutch, at your service." Using her for support, he made his way down the short hall to the door to the office. "I don't suppose we remembered to pack one of my braces, did we?" he asked. "Yes sir, I'll send someone for it after we've iced down your leg." She opened the door, they shifted sideways and hobbled through. As Harry looked around Dominique's office a low whistle escaped his lips, followed by: "In Xanadu did Kubla Khan a stately pleasure dome decree..." "Where Alph, the sacred river, ran through caverns measureless to man down to a sunless sea," Dominique replied, coming across the room. "I am so sorry you are in pain. Here, lay down. Carol, the ice packs are over there on the bar. I hope you don't mind that I changed into something less ... confining." "Less confining is one way of putting it," Harry replied. "I don't mind at all, you look lovely." Dominique had transformed herself from a vision in leather to a temptress, ready for bed in her well-worn cotton nightdress; open in front to below her breasts and hanging down to mid-thigh. In a futile attempt to forestall his erection he looked around the office again. It was glass, floor to ceiling, on three walls, the view only impeded by a railing that ran all the way around. The floor was covered with more cushions and pillows than their own living room had and was itself covered in a deep, soft carpet. Incense burners were mounted on the back walls, soothing Middle Eastern music played softly and the liquor selection on the back wall behind Dominique's combination bar and desk would have been the envy of many real bars. There were flat-screen monitors covering about half of the rear wall, showing ever-shifting views of the club and the ceiling had numerous points where straps and chains could be fastened. "Okay Dommi," Carol said as she brought back ice packs, "quit trying to drain all my husband's blood from his brain to his cock and spill: how the hell are you affording all this?" "Husband? But I thought him and Margo..." "Her too, Kelly as well ... we've got a four-way going here." She helped Harry shift from his back to his stomach, moving him to where he could watch the table from the window, and surrounded his knee with ice packs, held in place with pillows. "JESUS FREAKIN' CHRIST ... OH SHIT ... that's cold..." "I'm sorry, sir. Hopefully it'll help." She plopped down on his other side, leaned up on an arm and looked across him at Dominique, who was sitting cross-legged on a cushion. "Now then, what rich old guy did you marry before he died?" "You're not that far off from the truth," Dominique replied. "If I remember, the two of you are drinking Mojitos this evening? Ricky, two Mojitos and wine for me! "My good fortune is courtesy of one of our regulars, back before the days when we did background checks. He was a decent guy, and not wanting to lose our old regulars as customers I sort of 'grandfathered' them in with just the medical checks. He'd had a couple of short term relationships with some girls; they said he was nice, lived in a clean little apartment, nothing fancy. He finally found a girl that just clicked for him, I mean you coulda seen it from a mile away, so the arrangement becomes permanent, I figure that's all I'll hear from them. Oh, they used to come back from time to time for the shows, have a few drinks, but that was it. "About two years later I get invited to the reading of a will. Guy was loaded, I mean seriously loaded, but he liked living a simple life, going to work at his company every day, coming home to his pet. Set up a trust fund for the corporate entity, Dominique's, not for me as an individual and it's earning enough to cover about seventy percent of my overhead a year. So with the profit margin I miraculously now have, I've made some improvements. I admit to pampering myself up here quite a bit, but what the hell, I'm a hedonist. The vast majority of the money, though, has gone into the club. Raising wages and providing medical was the first thing, then physical improvements including the one I'm proudest of ... sectioning off part of that far north area into tiny bedrooms. I can only sleep twenty right now, but that's twenty that won't be on the streets, or won't have to make a stupid choice to avoid being on the streets. I'm figuring if I can get my profits up another two percent, I should be able to convert some more space sometime next year, double my capacity. "That's where Billy was staying ... until very recently." Their drinks were delivered by a young man who might as well have not been wearing the Dominique's shorts he was clad in as his cock hung down one leg and his ball sack down another. Harry noticed the collar he wore. "One of yours, Dominique?" "Oh, call me Dommi, we're en famille up here ... yes, Ricky is one of mine. Now, if you don't mind, I'm going to be nosy..." ------- "Sheila Scott, Lisa Tischler, Jackie Wagner, House Chorale extends to you an offer of shelter beneath its roof, space at its hearth, bread and salt at its table and its collar for your neck. How do you respond?" Three women went to their knees as one and pledged their loyalty and service to her House. Margo wasn't nearly hypocritical enough to deny the wetness their act brought to her cunt. "We can discuss the details now if you wish, or they can wait until later. In the meantime, welcome." ------- "Miss Elliott! What are you doing?" Elenore asked, coming up the steps. She winked at the woman. "What are you doing fucking my boyfriend?" "Well you wouldn't," Julie snapped. "Surely you didn't think you could keep a pretty boy like this sniffing after your little teasing ass forever. Now fuck off, little girl, before I slap you to the ground and piss on your head." She returned Elenore's wink. "What the-" Jerome began. Elenore leaned down and put her hand over his mouth. "Hush, Jerome, you're about to say something stupid." And then she kissed him ... and there was nothing at all 'just friends' about that kiss. "Listen bitch, I'm going to my daddy, the president of the school board, and by the time you get out of jail for molesting a student, you'll be so old even your fingers won't want to get near your pussy." "Wait a minute Elenore," Miss Elliott said, fear in her voice, "there's no need to go getting your daddy and the law involved. What would you want?" "Get off his dick to start with, bitch!" Julie slid off Jerome's cock and sat on the table. "Okay." Elenore looked at Jerome and smiled, then handed him her panties before climbing on him, facing away from him, and lowering herself on his dick. "Oh ... Jerome ... mmm..." Her eyes were closed and she felt his arms slide around her as she leaned back into him. He slowly, tentatively, lovingly began to caress her breasts as he slid himself in and out of her. She opened her eyes and reached for a fresh drink from the table. She downed her Snakebite and looked at Julie. "Lick my clit, you student-fucking pervert." Julie swallowed hard and took a healthy swig of her own drink. "Okay." As she knelt down and put her head between Jerome's legs, under Elenore's under skirt, she still wasn't sure she could do it. She'd never been with a woman, although the idea had crossed her mind on the rare occasion, but by this point she was feeling very experimental. Jerome's cock sliding in and out of Elenore's bare cunt brought her to a standstill. She just knelt there, transfixed by the sight of them, the smells of the three of them. This was definitely the oddest night out she'd ever had. "Are you okay?" she heard Elenore ask in a soft voice. "Uh huh." Elenore's hand grasped the back of her head. "Then lick my fucking clit, you pervo slut!" Suddenly Julie had no problem with the idea at all. Her lips kissed the young woman's clitoris and she quickly matched Elenore's rhythms as she drove herself up and down on Jerome. From her vantage point she could feel it all around her when Jerome began to climax; she was intimately connected with Elenore's orgasm, which led, with the help of her hands, to her own. When Jerome's cock slid out, limp from its third climax of the evening, he held Elenore up as she propped her legs up on the table and Julie happily gave her whole cunt Julie's full and undivided attention. And when Elenore's hands pushed Julie's face away she crawled out from under and up onto the bench on shaky legs ... to applause from the people at their tables. She was smiling as Elenore and Jerome licked her face clean. ------- "I'm so sorry, I got caught up in that," Margo said to Stefan Franklin. "My sincerest apologies ... that was hot." "It was indeed, Madam Grimes, no need for apologies. Impromptu outbreaks of erotic theatre are not uncommon here. I believe you had almost finished." "Yes ... and that's what's so embarrassing. I do apologize, it was incredibly bad form." "As I said, no need to apologize, my attention ... wandered ... as well." "Alright, I don't feel so bad then. Let's see, where was I? Oh yes, you are now House Franklin of Chorale. You wear your symbol and our colors. Now, I believe it is Nicki who will seal this adoption for House Chorale." "How delicious ... Lourdes, go and seal the arrangement for House Franklin. Unless you do not engage with women?" he asked, grinning impishly. "Oh no, Master Franklin, I've been looking forward to tasting her lips since we started this." ------- "So you accepted Billy into your House, solely on a short talk with him and Carol's say-so?" "My Master trusts me," Carol said, wriggling happily like a puppy. "Always, in all ways," Harry said, smiling. "You've known her for quite awhile, you've seen how well she can read people. Wouldn't you trust her?" "Well yeah, but..." "Exactly, 'yeah'. For me there is no 'but'. Hasn't she told you how we got together?" "We haven't exactly made the time for catching up ... she just popped up again on my radar this last week." "I'll try to give you the short version," Harry said with a smile. ------- "Margo, may I speak with you somewhat as a Dutch aunt?" Minerva asked. "Uh, certainly, your advice is always welcome." "You've taken on a tremendous amount of responsibility tonight. Four submissives so far, and while what they'll require of you is still for them to decide, whether or not your House provides it isn't, at least not without releasing them and that would make House Chorale look..." "Like bumbling amateur morons who didn't know what they were doing? Minerva, that's what we are." "Maybe, but you're all very intelligent and you learn quickly. Submissives in service to a Dominant may have submissives of their own. And, although I'm not fond of the idea of switches personally, certainly they can hold submissives of their own. "Your Kelly may think she's a switch, but she has almost as much potential to be a Dominant as you. Work on her. At home, while playing, that's one thing. When out, you need every Dominant you can muster, especially those that can pull it off the way I have no doubt she can. "Nicki is another who wears a collar but can easily hold a leash as well, although not as compellingly as you and Kelly can. Get her thinking in terms of being Dominant." "I almost get the feeling you don't think Harry has any business holding a leash." "On the contrary! Harry has no true vocation as a Dominant and he knows that. But Harry can carry it off almost flawlessly now. Given some experience, someone would have to know him in private life to know he wasn't a Dominant to the core of his being. Carol can carry it off as well, but asking her to is simply cruel as she has a true vocation as a submissive. "Have your House's other Dominants see to the new subs. You and Harry as Master and Madam must focus on the bigger political picture ... and still manage to have professional and private lives somehow. "After Samhain, assuming everything goes as hoped, things will calm down considerably. And if things don't go as hoped, they'll calm down even more. But until then, probably five nights out of every week will be taken up with the business of getting your House known, forming alliances, adoptions and just plain old making friends." "Minerva, give me a call on Sunday evening, we'll go over schedules. There are three Saturdays when we won't be available. You know why for one of them." "Oh yes, and I'm so looking forward to it. Of course you realize your guest list for that one is growing exponentially?" "Minerva, earlier you said 'so far'. What do you mean?" "Margo, don't be intentionally dense. There's been a situation where you play by Odessa and their allies' rules or you don't play. Now there's an alternative. There will be more refugees ... although I suspect the majority of them will seek you out at other events, once there's been a little more time for word to spread." "Oh Christ, Minerva, what have we gotten ourselves into?" "Power politics among the deviants, perverts and freaks, my dear." ------- Margo watched with amusement as four very aroused people approached her. "Margo, Tori and I cannot thank you, your family and friends enough for this evening, but it's getting late and we need to get home-" "And fuck yourselves silly?" Margo finished. "Oh yes," Jessie said. "Daddy's promised I'm all his tonight." "And Sam has bet me that his old Mom will pass out before he does," Tori said. "I think you're in trouble, Sam," Margo said. "You go have a great evening. I'm glad you've at least found some likely prospects. Are you okay to drive?" "No, we're having a cab pick us up ... the car can wait till tomorrow." As the Stallings family headed for the door, Minerva caught Margo's eye. "You have someone coming, a young man from House Shiloh." "Odessa's ally or undeclared?" "Oh, very much Odessa-allied ... still, he doesn't look belligerent ... he looks scared." "Angela, take Kelly upstairs and bring back Carol. See if Dominique has any read on the young man approaching us." Margo reached into her husband's wallet and pulled out another hundred. "We've been running you to death tonight, please, accept this with our thanks." "For the moment, yes ma'am." "I wonder what she meant by that?" Margo said as the young woman and Kelly sped away. ------- "I don't have anymore doubt why you trust her implicitly. Goddamn girl, you're good!" "Oh no, Dommi, she's far better than good." Harry stroked Carol's thigh that he'd been using for a pillow since they began filling Dominique in on their story. "She's a miracle given human form. She transcends the concept of 'priceless'." "Hey, Carol, I think this guy's in love with you," Dominique said with a smile. Carol smiled with supreme smugness. "So, how did the two of you get to know each other?" Harry asked. Any chance of an answer was interrupted by the arrival of Angela and Kelly. "C'mon Carol, up and at 'em, you got to go to work! Time for you to give up the hubby for awhile, Boss Lady needs you." While Angela and Dominique were in conference, Carol took off for downstairs. Kelly settled in to Carol's spot, resting her husband's head on her thigh, making sure he faced her cunt. "Harry, my love, those three girls ... mmm-mmm!" Harry shifted slightly, lay back and looked at his wife. "Tell me what our little barbarian princess wants to do with them, right now." Kelly stroked his cheek. "Alright, first off, the bodacious titty woman, Lisa ... oh my ... I know you know what I'm talking about, I saw how you reacted to that little scene you and she played with Laney. "I want to be sitting on her face, watching you fuck her so hard those titties are rolling back and forth like thunder, her lips sucking on my clit and that beautiful nose of hers buried in my cunt. Harry, you watch, she's in the house, I'm gonna get me some of those titties. Day-um, that woman's incredible. And that ass, Harry! There's only one finer ass here tonight and it's on our hostess. Can you imagine having that ass to bury your face in? Oh, Harry ... I think maybe you better cool my cunt down before I explode." Harry blew lungfuls of air up her thigh bringing a smile to her face. "Better darling?" "Oh, much better, Master Smartass. And Jackie ... well, you know how I got a weakness for larger women? The way she's dressed tonight I'd set that girl to dancing for me, watching her move the way she does, you've seen her, light and confident in herself, her dancing, working up a sweat, the smell of it thick in the air ... and when I just couldn't stand anymore, I'd have her hanging while I licked every inch of that beautiful, curvy, sexy body clean of sweat, then have her part those thighs ... you want to be included in all of these, Harry?" "Why not, I had a hell of a time in the first one." "And have you lay underneath her, where I can fuck you and eat her while she's hanging there, maybe even use a spreader bar on her ankles, make it easier for her." Harry blew air up her leg again. "Thanks, it was getting a little steamy in there ... and last but not least, Sheila. Damn, talk about playing out some kinky-ass child fantasies, that girl's tailor-made for 'em. Actually, my fantasy with her, right now, involves her, you and Big Mama, and I'm either ramming a dildo up my cunt, or diddling myself, or Carol's eating me. I'm watching her, all tied up, hands behind her back, feet together, and you're pounding away into that pretty little ass of hers while Margo holds her head to Big Mama's cunt and she's just moaning "suck mama, suck mama" again and again. "Damn Harry, I don't think blowing on it's gonna work this time. I think you may have to suck the heat out the old-fashioned way." "You are a sick and twisted little bitch and I adore you. Now, is Daddy's little girl going to open wide for Daddy?" "Oh ... fuck ... you..." As Harry slid his head down her thigh and into her waiting wetness, she grabbed the back of his head and brought him in tight to her. He smiled as he heard her murmuring "suck me Daddy, suck me Daddy". ------- "I'm ... there's no one outside of Shiloh that'll have me. Not as thoroughly as Mina's let it be known that I'm hers. Not to mention the whole "Odessa's displeasure" thing. "I don't know if you can understand, Madam Grimes, but I started playing because I liked being subservient to a strong woman. I get off on it, even if there's no sex, I get off on it. I can go home and ... well, that's probably more information than you really wanted. But what Mina does ... oh, I get the strong woman alright, but I get more verbal, mental ... fuck, emotional abuse than anything else. That's not why I started playing. I'm not into humiliation for humiliation's sake. I didn't start playing to become somebody's punch line. Sure, if I earn abuse I expect it, that's part of the game. But no one earns abuse just by being there." "There's more, isn't there?" Carol said. He looked at her briefly and then his eyes went to the ground. "I have a bit of a drinking problem. It's not that I'm an alcoholic, I've been here all night and haven't touched a drop ... it's just that if I do drink, I tend to drink too much ... I wake up from their parties covered in shit ... and piss ... and cum ... and vaginal blood sometimes. I try not to drink, but they know my problem ... I get told to drink, and then told to take another, pretty soon they're not having to tell me ... and every time I get fed up with it enough to quit, to tell them to fuck themselves and face not playing at all for God knows how long, she eases up. Everything's okay for awhile ... just long enough for my resolve to weaken. "If there was another House that would have me, I'd jump out of her psycho-bitch-circus in a second. I just want to play and get what I need, just like anybody else. But now no one will touch me with a hundred foot pole so I can either do without, or put up with it. "Except now there appears to be a third option again." "Pardon me for a moment, I wish to consult our hoodoo woman." "Madam, I advise we offer him our name and protection, but that is all." "I agree. Terry Engels, House Chorale offers you our name and protection. We will not play with you, but you will be invited to our functions and it's my hope that in time another House will offer you a collar. Is that acceptable?" "Yes Madam ... very acceptable. This way ... well, you may not play with me, but I'll be free to find someone without Mina and House Shiloh hanging over my head. You have my thanks ... and a warning. Mina will be a mad, castrating hell-bitch about this." "That's alright," Karen said, "we got a few of those of our own." ------- Kelly almost ripped the hair she was grasping from his head as her third orgasm crested and broke over her. "Harry ... Harry ... you better ... stop." "Give me one good reason I should stop tonguing your beautiful cunt." "Because ... I fully expect ... my next orgasm ... to kill you." Harry pulled his head out with a grin. "Good enough for me. No more licky-licky for you, my sexy love." "You, Harry ... are a bad, bad man ... pardon me ... must go to the toilet." As Kelly crawled off, Harry was free to turn his attention elsewhere. Dominique was sitting back, smiling at him, while Ricky slowly fingered her. "Now there's a lovely sight," Harry said, grinning at her. "Why thank you, kind sir ... if your House and mine were a little better acquainted I'd be sitting on that boner of yours instead of having Ricky exercise his manual dexterity. Of course, that would've involved Kelly just flat out sitting on your face, and I get the feeling that would have been pure torture for you." "The kind of torture I could live with every day for the rest of my life. If you don't mind me asking, Dommi, with an ass as magnificent as yours, do you do anal?" She laughed. "Number one question asked by horny men around me. Oddly enough, only on the rare occasion ... now, frottage, some well-lubed dick action in the crack of my ass? Oh my dear man, that gets me hot faster than almost anything ... the sensation of sliding between my cheeks, pubic hair brushing across me ... mmm, that's good stuff. And at the end, the feeling of hot sperm, splattering on my back? Oh God ... I even like the sensation after it gets cold ... Ricky, faster with the fingers. "And it gets kinkier. I love wearing revealing, provocative clothing and putting myself in crowds, especially on trains or subways. I've had some of my best orgasms from random strangers molesting me in crowds. Umm ... I tell you what, my trips to New York City are pretty much Dommi cum fests. I get dressed and ride the subways at peak hours, just coming till I can't take anymore." "Don't you worry about your safety?" "Oh no, I'm not stupid. Two or three of my subs are always along with me, in the car, but not close enough for it to be them doing me." "That's what you think." "Ricky, you little shit!" "Maybe so, Mistress, but even knowing we do, you'll never know when we do, or if we've done you that trip." "You're right ... still ... eat me." "Work, work, work," said Ricky with a smile. ------- Eddie and Tamara, Karen and Patricia sat together, talking seriously. "Look sir, I and Patricia need to know if you and Karen are okay with this. We can do it without doing it, but that'll look a little funny. However, if you're not okay with it, that's what we'll do." Eddie looked at Karen. "Well Dykeasaurus Rex, what do you think?" "I'm jealous, Neanderthal ... I know it. And I'm not comfortable with the whole 'performing in public' thing. But Carol's idea, with the modifications suggested by our two little exhibitionists, is gonna be real erotic if we pull it off. I know I'd get off watching other people perform it. If I can say that, then I guess it's worth doing, and it's worth doing right. "Besides ... I'm working on getting better with my jealousy-" "You are getting better, Liz ... having all the girls help you when I was strapped in the chair is proof of that. This really isn't that different. Yeah, I'll be stroking and fingering and tonguing Tamara, and vice versa, but both of us are real happy with our partners." She leaned over and hugged the tiny woman. "Now, I'm not saying what would happen if y'all were out of the picture..." Tamara looked up at Patricia with big eyes. "Miss Patricia, will you take care of me?" "In a heartbeat, honey ... but neither of us is looking. So what say you, Mr. Eddie?" He looked at Tamara. "I know who she waits at home for every night. I know where she sleeps. I know where her heart resides." It was unusual to see Tamara exhibit the kind of full on sexual assault that Carol and Kelly were noted for. ------- "Madam, looks like two more supplicants," Carol said, working on the tight muscles in Margo's shoulders as the Madam of House Chorale sat on the edge of the dais. The first was a tall and pretty redhead, freckled and well-rounded, with the pale complexion that went with a natural redhead. She wore an outfit obviously meant to evoke a hillbilly image. The second was a short oriental woman of medium build who looked as if life had just about ground her under. There was nothing physical that gave the impression; it was an air that seemed to hover about her, a sense of oppression that followed her everywhere. She was wearing a tunic of shimmer-y, futuristic-looking material. Margo murmured over her shoulder, "Do you think it would benefit our image if I disagreed with your recommendation upon occasion?" "It might, but better still if you simply didn't consult me at all," Carol responded, her lips barely moving. "Catch a glance at me out of the corner of your eye. If I'm talking to Nicki, offer them a collar. If I'm talking to Billy, offer them name and protection. If I'm talking to anyone else, offer them nothing." "Damn, you're smart as well as beautiful." "Part of why you married me." As Carol gathered Nicki and Billy to her and got comfortable, within easy earshot of Margo, Margo motioned the redhead over. Margo listened to Brandy Jahnell spin out her tale of woe, how House Anwyn mistreated her, how she'd prayed for any House to show up that would stand up to Odessa and the others' chauvinist bullshit ... and from almost the first word, despite the tears and the wailing, Margo smelled the bullshit. She felt completely secure in her evaluation but turned slightly to peer into the crowd for a moment, allowing her to catch Carol out of the corner of her eye. Nicki and Billy were happily chatting together, Carol was talking to Angela. As she was about to reject Brandy's request, a messenger girl came from Dominique. "Margo, Sorry, I was ... distracted. I have no doubt that Carol at least will catch it, but kick the little slut from House Anwyn in the cunt and send her packing. Brandy has a long list of enemies, most of them good people, and she's made them all honestly, the old fashioned way, by being a rampaging bitch. I think they're trying to play on your inexperience and unfamiliarity with the players. Don't let them. Take the other woman. Period. She's a sub for a group that's so far on the fringe even Odessa and their ilk won't touch them. It's a long story and she'll probably tell it better than I. However, it's almost a dead certainty she'll need a place to stay. And if she's who I think she is ... well, she has two children, so it can't be here, for obvious reasons. If that causes a hardship, I can help with the expenses. Dommi P.S. Hurry, it's getting close to your show time." "Brandy, kneel before me, facing away from me." Propping her feet up on Brandy's back, Margo wrote her reply. "Dommi, No problem, one note though, if you were finding distraction with my husband, and you were not making sure his knee and leg remained relaxed, I shall be forced to spank that beautiful ass of yours with my bare hand, again and again until I can't restrain myself anymore and have to lick and kiss it all over to make it feel better. But really, if he doesn't keep that leg relaxed I shall be most vexed. Oh yeah, Brandy came off as genuine as a three-dollar bill. About to send her on her merry way ... wish I could implement your 'kick in the cunt' suggestion but that might cause a ruckus. As to the other woman, consider her collared. And no, you won't owe us a favor for doing so at your request. I strongly suspect she'll make the cut all on her own. As to the expense, well, we're not without funds ourselves-" Margo shifted her feet on Brandy's back, digging in with her heels and smiling as she saw the woman squirming beneath her. "-and in case you hadn't noticed, House Cornelius sits at our right hand. Funds shouldn't be an issue, but if they ever become so, your House and mine might talk about them again. While I've got this scabrous little slitch under my boots, I thought I'd bring up a disappointment. Unless you have a Jacuzzi hidden somewhere here, I really need to get Harry home after closing and get that leg into some hydrotherapy. I know I said we would visit ... would House Duvalier do us the courtesy of visiting us? We'd love to have you, if the closing of the club can spare you. And you can take that last sentence any way you want. (looks in the mirror, her fingers and hands fanning out from her face like a sudden explosion, and says "Showtime!") Margo" "Here, take this back to your Mistress with House Chorale's compliments. "Now, as to you, Brandy," she said, looking at the woman she was still using as a footstool, "you may return to your House and tell them we are neither simple, nor easily duped." Margo shoved the woman in the back with both feet and sent her sprawling on the floor. "I'm sorry; I almost fell off my seat. My apologies. Nevertheless, your request is declined. You are dismissed." Brandy scrambled up off the floor and whirled about. "You fucking bitch!" she snapped. Margo looked at her calmly. "You are correct. I am a bitch and I do fuck. You've tasted the bitch side," her hand formed a fist and Margo spit on it, "would you like to taste the fucking side?" Brandy turned and stalked off, muttering under her breath. Carol said, "I guess she didn't want no good lovin' tonight." As laughter echoed around the table slid off the dais and took the other woman by the hands. "Please dear, come sit and talk with me." "I ... I was afraid-" "No, don't be ... I'm sure you could tell as easily as us that she was full of shit. She was just here to get into our House and either start trouble or feed information back to where her true loyalties lay." Margo led the woman up and they sat side by side. "I am Kim, Madame Grimes. The people I serve ... I am a pain slut; I am not ashamed of it, but these people ... I live with them; I pay a share of the bills. But I do not make enough to pay all that I owe, and the hours I owe to them, and the time to be with my children, I have no time to take a second job. They tell me I must serve forty hours a week or they will throw me out, I work fifty to sixty hours a week at my job. They have threatened to expose me at my work. They say they are helping me buy bedroom furniture and clothes for me and my children and I end up owing them more money. The women watch my children for me during the day, and I am charged for that and when we play my children are watched by other people and I am billed for that as well." Margo felt there was something missing. "Kim, don't be afraid, honey ... is there something you're not telling me? Something they have over you?" "N-n-no..." "Kim, if you want our help, you must be truthful. There isn't anything you could tell me that would shock me all that much ... unless it's that you're really Jet Li in drag ... and you're way too pretty for that." The young woman smiled. "Madame Grimes, my name ... is Zhang Wan-Yin ... I am in America illegally. They know this. They hold it over my head. I do not want to go back to China. Please, I have seen you offer the shelter of your House to others this evening; I beg the same of you, for myself and my children." "Wan-Yin, calm down sweetie, at the very least you're offered our name and protection, as well as a place to stay for you and your children. I'm not sure where yet," Margo said, smiling reassuringly, "but we'll find a place." Margo found herself with a weeping, laughing woman on her knees before her, her arms wrapped around Margo's knees. "Honey, honey, come on, get up," Margo said, pulling the young woman back up to the bench. "It's okay. We'll find a way to make any financial hold they have over you go away ... we'll work on the illegal immigration as well." Wan-Yin curled up on the bench with her head in Margo's lap. Her hand came up and began to caress Margo's leg as the young woman looked up at her and licked her lips with a question in her eyes. "Wan-Yin, you don't have to do anything you don't want to do, out of gratitude or for any other reason. Now, if you ever decide you want to eat me just for the fun of it, or if we end up playing together and we've agreed that's something that can happen, well fine," Margo stroked her hair, "you're very lovely and I enjoy having my pussy eaten by sweet, lovely girls. But don't feel you owe me any favors. We'll talk about whether you want to give us your service later. "Eddie, got a job for you. I'm gonna want you to go with this young woman, Wan-Yin, and pick up her stuff and her two children tonight." "Now, before the show?" Eddie asked hopefully. "No, afterwards will be fine. I don't know where we're going to put them, but-" "Hold on, Margo ... Tamara, come here..." The two of them went into a quiet conference which was over very quickly. "Wan-Yin," Tamara said, "would you like to come stay at my and Eddie's house? You and your children would have to share a bedroom, it's about twenty feet by twenty-five feet, but it has a big bed in it already, a good-sized chest of drawers, a big closet and until this next weekend when Eddie's sister is visiting, its own bathroom." Tears once again filled the young woman's eyes. "Yes ... thank you." "Now, how old are your children?" "They are twins, the mixed kind, a girl and a boy, five years old ... Kimmy and Timmy. And if you all would not mind, I feel safer being known as Kim." "Not a problem, Kim. They sound adorable. Do they like anything special to eat?" As the mother and the woman who so desperately wanted to be a mother put their heads together, Margo looked up at Eddie. "I love you ... and Tamara too, very much." "Ditto Madam," he said, bending down and giving her a hug, "we love you too." He straightened up. "Hey, Dykeasaurus, wanna go help pick up a nice lady's kids and stuff tonight?" "Can we go now, before the show?" ------- "Get comfortable, we're about to start setting up the 'three-ring' for your crew's performance," Dominique said, finishing her note to Margo. "Margo, Nope, no Jacuzzi ... maybe next year, as to Harry, didn't want to make assumptions, will gladly come home with all of you tonight and from a mere Mistress to a Madam, I'm all yours. Do with me what you will. Break a leg, Dommi" Sending it on its way she lay down on the other side of Harry. Her hand slid down his back and grabbed his ass. "Guess who's coming home with you tonight?" His squeak made her glad that her office was so far from the patrons ... people were less likely to hear. ------- "So, Madame Cornelius," Eddie said, feeling like he was about to ask his great aunt Gertie for a quarter to buy an ice cream cone, "after the show, Karen and I are going to get Kim's stuff and her kids, and from what Margo's told me it could be a little interesting. I was wondering if we could borrow Li Kuan and either Andre or Hans?" "Certainly, take all three with you, and the Bentley! I insist." "Madame, how will you get home?" Karen asked. "Ms. Pinard, for someone so obviously intelligent you seem to have forgotten the existence of taxis. The boys and Li Kuan will bring the Bentley home." "Uh, yes Madame." ------- The staff placed chairs and little tables around the periphery of the 'three-ring', giving those who weren't performing a place to sit that was out of the way and giving the performers more room. The table itself was cleaned off, the pads brought in, last minute consultations with the girl on the light board. Carol was positively frenetic, scurrying to talk with Li Kuan and Puppy; running to go over the plot one more time with Tamara and Patricia, Eddie and Karen; then back to center stage where she shooed Margo off to the employee's dressing room to use the bidet, sending a messenger to fetch Kelly, talking with Nicki. And just when it seemed that nothing was going to be ready to go on time, there was Kelly, climbing on to center stage. Carol hissed her last, oft-repeated instruction. "Remember, as little noise as possible, think mime. Express everything with your bodies and faces." Kelly took her position, and the light slowly came up. ------- Kelly stood with legs spread wide, slightly bent over as she throated the translucent but glitter-filled plastic anal plug, wetting it thoroughly as she slowly and sensuously licked and sucked upon it, bending down further ever so gradually, her breasts swaying free, the plug sparkling in the light. She ran it between her cunt lips, bringing it back up to her mouth, obviously savoring the taste, and repeated that several times until after a particularly good licking, she arched her back and began to teasingly, playfully insert the plug into her ass, fucking herself with it, in and out, her tiny rosebud flexing and pouting until suddenly it was in, and her smile said she was very satisfied with the sensation. Kelly turned to point her delectable ass to the other side of the room as she reached down to pick up another toy. They were treated to the sight of the plug pulsing in and out slightly as she worked her rectal muscles on it, quite obviously loving every second of it. She had picked up and was sucking a long purple gel dildo, more and more of it sliding down her throat until she gagged on it, then she withdrew it slightly, working on it again until it gagged her once more. She removed the dildo, covered in saliva, and bending over further slid it into her cunt, holding on to it with both hands, thrusting it in and out of her, her nipples like spear tips, the anal plug pulsing much more quickly. She established a rhythm, every ten thrusts she changed her facing about forty five degrees, giving another group of the audience a dead-on view of her cunt. She was finishing her second full rotation when Carol and Nicki climbed to the stage and knocked her to the padded floor. The lights went down. ------- On House Cornelius' table, the light came up on a naked, strapped and shackled Li Kuan, chained to a rig with arms stretched out to her sides, legs pulled so the tendons in her inner thighs stood out in sharp relief, held apart by a spreader bar. She stood there, proud and beautiful, spikes glinting in the light, snarling her defiance at the crowd, craning her neck back and forth over both shoulders, her muscles flexing against her imprisonment ... an animal, half-mad, restrained for the safety of the public. The back of the rig was slowly lifted, Li Kuan's feet came up off the floor and she fell against her manacles. Out of the darkness came Puppy wearing a doctor's coat and carrying what appeared to be a crop, with a long, red, rigid body, two small prongs at the end and a large black handle. As Li Kuan was brought horizontal, Puppy stabbed at her with the crop and electricity sparked as it touched Li Kuan's body. She recoiled away from the prod, snarling at Puppy, her breasts heaving, sweat running down her skin, her muscles flexing and bunching, fighting to free herself as Puppy jabbed her again and again. She jolted her captive in the arms, the belly, the hips and the legs; she stabbed her in the soles of her feet. Li Kuan's eyes leaked tears, but only the most foolish would accuse her of crying. Puppy stood between her legs and viciously shocked Li Kuan's ass and inner thighs, Finally the small woman put it down and approached Li Kuan, as if to kiss her. When the bound and tortured beauty snapped at her, Puppy slapped her, hard and sharp, again and again. Once more she tried to approach the quivering prisoner for a kiss and once again the rabid animal snapped, so she repeated the slapping, using her other hand. Again she was threatened so she picked up the cattle prod and jammed it into Li Kuan's breast, the spark from the prod arcing to her breast spike. Puppy held it there as the lights went down, the last illumination being the arc of electricity, lighting up Li Kuan's face in its rictus of pain. ------- The lights came up on Patricia and Tamara, sitting naked together, garlands of flowers in their hair, playing together, kissing each other's cheeks as mother and daughter might, laughing and tickling each other, a beautiful scene of innocence that continued until Tamara, after being tickled on the tits, looked at Patricia, confusion on her face, and hands over her nipples. Patricia face bore an 'oh no, I got caught' look, but after a moment she gently removed Tamara's hands. Patricia began to stroke Tamara's nipple and Tamara obviously enjoyed it, sliding down and arching her back, thrusting her breasts up, offering them both to Patricia, an offer she accepted. Soon Tamara's thighs began to twitch and then rub together. She sat straight up with a look of shock on her face as her hands went and covered her naked crotch. Patricia gave out with a heavy sigh and then carefully removed Tamara's hands, spread her legs apart and began to stroke her slit and ever-so-lightly rub across her clit. Tamara's joy at the new-found sensations was evident and she lay back again as Patricia put a pillow under her butt. Tamara let Patricia play with her, wriggling like a little girl might when finding a new pleasure. Carefully watching Tamara, Patricia opened her own legs and used her other hand to play with herself, every bit the lecherous older woman or incestuous mother, reveling in her forbidden pleasures, looking over at her young charge periodically and then fingering herself faster. And then as her eyes returned to her young companion she found Tamara looking at her with an unmistakable expression of lust on her face. She rose to her knees and crawled over to Patricia, one arm wrapping around her and her other hand going to Patricia's crotch. Patricia returned the gesture, crushing Tamara close to her body with one arm, the other hand going to work on her cunt. As the two of them gazed into each other's eyes, then fell into a kiss, the lights went down. ------- The lights rose on Kelly, hung over a low, padded sawhorse, her arms and legs bound together by loop after loop of rope coiling from her wrists to her elbows and from her ankles to her knees. Her mouth was filled with an enormous ball gag and her eyes were white and wide above it. Carol and Nicki were crouching, fingering themselves while they cocked their heads slowly back and forth, and studying Kelly. Carol held up a whip, ran it across Kelly's ass as Kelly shook her head in panic. Nicki shook her head as well. Then Nicki picked up paddle, large and studded with metal, rasped it back and forth across the back of Kelly's thighs while Kelly struggled and shook her head. Carol shook her head as well, a perturbed look upon her face. She picked up a cruel looking whip with twelve tails, each tipped with a silver spike, slapping Kelly lightly on the back with it while Kelly rocked the sawhorse sideways and shook her head, tears coming out of her eyes. Nicki shook her head. She looked around them and spotted something. Joy on her face she lifted up a large, two-headed dildo. Carol looked at her, sad and left out ... until Nicki's other hand came up with another one. The two of them hopped up and began to busily kiss and lick the dildos while Kelly herself sighed with obvious relief that they were going to torture her with pleasure. Her ass wiggled and squirmed, as much as it was able, while the two of them lovingly played with the dildos, taking care of her ass with a callous squirt from the tube and a few quick fingerings. Kelly began to get nervous again, looking back over her shoulders and no longer wriggling joyously. Nicki inserted her dildo in Kelly's cunt, working it down inside her until it seemed it could go no further. Kelly's eyes were wide and it obviously wasn't from pleasure. Then Carol began to work hers into Kelly's ass, taking a little more time, but packing it in till Kelly's shaking head, trembling body and Carol's own apparent inability to cram it in any deeper convinced her to stop. The true purpose of their evil plan became apparent as both stood facing each other, a-straddle Kelly, and worked the securely held dildos into their respective cunts, leaving one hand in place to play with themselves, their other arm going to their partner. They kissed and caressed each other as slowly and passionately they began to fuck themselves. In contrast with the two lovely women making love to each other and themselves, Kelly wept from her shame and degradation. She had been reduced to furniture. Carol and Nicki bit and scratched each other, their passion rising, the speed of their hips, pistoning up and down, gradually increasing. The smell of sex flowed from the stage as the two gave in to their lust. Until from the darkness the sound of a crop hitting leather was heard. Into the light strode Margo, wearing only her boots and a black strapless corset with a pointed bust and a deep V at the cleavage. Carol and Nicki froze in place and the relief on Kelly's face was plain to see. Margo marched over to them, angry, disdainful. The crop fell on Carol's ass with a resounding crack and she quickly changed hands to bring it down on Nicki's ass a smack almost as loud. She motioned the two of them off their dildos and she removed them, tossing them down to the floor in disgust. She had Nicki and Carol lift Kelly, she pulled the sawhorse out from under her and they lowered Kelly to the floor. Margo motioned for her to be untied and as they did so she checked Kelly over for injury. As Kelly was released she sat up shakily and threw her arms around her rescuer only to have Margo look at her with disdain and force her head back down to the floor as the lights dropped and the stage faded to black. ------- The lights didn't rise on Li Kuan's stage at first. The first illumination came from five tiny arcs of lightning traveling from the metal caps on Puppy's fingertips to Li Kuan's body as she writhed in her straps. The hand of lightning played over Li Kuan's body like a storm, slowly moving over the countryside and when the storm reached one of her piercings the five bolts of lightning would gradually reduce in number until there was only one, stronger, brighter arc that danced and spat as it kissed the metal spike and Li Kuan threw back her head in silent, anguished torment. As the lights slowly came up, Puppy began to bear down, the metal finger tips scratching, at first lightly and then more deeply, Li Kuan's skin. The scratches bled and Puppy would then go back over the area, the arc from a single finger dancing along the bleeding flesh, smiling, and madness in her eyes. That evil, single arcing finger played around Li Kuan's cunt and caused the oriental beauty to shake violently in her shackles. The scratches and the lightning kissed the back of Li Kuan's thighs and moved to her nipples, back down to her cunt and they danced in her armpits. Puppy twisted Li Kuan's piercings back and forth savagely, blood running freely from them. She tortured her with the arcing electric fire on each of them and her lips curled in disdain as Li Kuan continued her attempts to jerk away from Puppy's cruelty. Li Kuan raged and snarled and snapped until finally, slowly, her head began to droop and hang loose in the straps. Then Puppy fiddled with something in her coat pocket and approached Li Kuan's face, taking her by the hair and lifting her head, preparing to kiss her. Li Kuan's eyes flew open and bloody spittle flew into Puppy's face. The little woman stood there and began to laugh, a silent, mad cackle. She dropped Li Kuan's head and from a pocket took out more metal finger caps and began putting them on her left hand as well, the look on her face beyond madness, beyond sadism, gone somewhere darker than either. And with a sudden, loud crack Li Kuan's right arm was somehow free! She grabbed Puppy and the entire rig and the two of them, Puppy struggling furiously, was quickly hauled up and out of the beams of light aimed at their stage. The last thing the lights illuminated before they dimmed and went out was Puppy's lab coat, falling to the floor, followed by shiny metal finger tips. ------- The lights came up on Patricia standing, legs spread, while Tamara tongued her. Patricia's hand wandered up and down her body, lightly touching herself, butterfly-like, soft and intermittent, while her other stroked Tamara's hair, soft and fine. She didn't have to touch her nipples; they gave ample evidence of her excitement. Her hips slowly gyrated under Tamara's oral ministrations, gradually building in speed. Then a flush rose in her chest and face, her hands clawed into her skin and her sudden and convulsive shaking, the way her knees almost buckled beneath her ... those signs left no one in the audience who'd ever seen a woman orgasm before with any doubt that that's what they were witnessing on stage. Tamara sat back and stared up at her in surprise, eyes wide, face wet and shiny. She blinked and her face took on a questioning look. Patricia slowly and carefully knelt down, ran a finger across Tamara's face and licked it, smiling at her, then took a towel from nearby and cleaned her. She helped Tamara to her feet, spread her legs and after looking around, worry plain on her face, scrunched down a little and began to tongue Tamara's cunt. The expressions on her face as Patricia licked and kissed her were priceless. She began with curiosity, periodically looking down in surprise when a new sensation went through her body with a chill, as if trying to determine what exactly Patricia had done to produce it. Then her curiosity became irrelevant as she began to forget her questions and just relax into the experience, enjoying the older woman's touch and the pleasant sensations rising from her crotch, smiling and batting her eyelids languidly. The enjoyment shifted not so gradually to lust as the sensations began to make their purpose known and her lips trembled as she bit at them lightly. Her eyes rolled a bit and her breath came in petite pants as one hand argued with itself on the side of Patricia's head as to whether it should stroke her hair or force her face more firmly into Tamara's cunt. Soon came the bliss as her head lolled back on her shoulders and the pupils of her eyes almost disappeared into her skull. Her hands caressed her body everywhere they could reach, periodically tightening into a clutching grip as she absorbed the stimulation she craved. Suddenly her head snapped down, her eyes almost seemed to pop out of her head and as her crotch spasmed her knees did give out and she collapsed into Patricia's arms, trembling. The older woman held the younger and smiled at her. She stroked the side of her face and leaned down, kissing her, a kiss that became passionate and deep. The lights narrowed down on the two of them. And then a pair of hands extending from a dark heavy sleeve came into the light and slapped a handcuff on one of Patricia's wrists. She looked down at Tamara in panic as Tamara slid to the floor and Patricia's other wrist was cuffed. As Tamara knelt and threw out her hands in a silent plea, her mouth working noiselessly, Patricia was slowly dragged out of the light. Then another pair of similarly-clad arms came out, hands cuffed Tamara and as the lights dimmed and went out she was dragged away as well. ------- After a few moments the lights on all three tables came up together, slowly. Puppy had become the prisoner, tied down as Li Kuan had been, but face up and upside down, her head between Li Kuan's thighs, her cunt at just the right height for Li Kuan to bend over slightly and treat it as a lollipop. Kelly lay on the floor, Carol sitting on her face, Nicki parked on the strap-on she now had about her hips, her wrists manacled and chained to the belt she wore about her waist and her ankles shackled and locked together. But Carol and Nicki were little better off, having their wrists locked together in front of them. And in-between the two of them, inside both the circles of their arms stood Margo, legs spread and ass cheeks spread as Nicki tongued her front and Carol tongued her rear. The third stage was empty ... until Patricia crawled back on, pulling on a pair of handcuffs attached to a pair of wrists extending from dark heavy sleeves. As her prisoner balked, she wiggled her ass, tugged on the cuffs a little and following her into the light came Karen, naked save for one of the House's new coats, and a strap-on not easily visible because of her garment. Then Tamara crawled on stage pulling on a pair of handcuffs. It took more than one ass-wiggle; it took four in fact to get her prisoner on stage, Eddie, wearing only one of the new coats. Li Kuan occasionally shifted her facing by about twenty degrees, in the same way that Kelly had earlier, the rig swinging freely, giving everyone in the audience the chance to see Puppy working at her cunt with a will. Periodically as she enjoyed Puppy's attentions as well as the taste of her cunt, wet and swollen, she would bite the inside of Puppy's thigh, almost hard enough to break the skin, and her little pet would come so hard she'd nearly pass out. The little black woman evidently produced fluid when she came, for it ran down her naked crotch and onto her belly. Margo fought to keep her hands where they were, holding her ass cheeks wide. Her hands twitched and started, their desire to touch and grab and stroke evident to anyone who saw them. She was biting her lip so hard she threatened to draw blood and the sweat rolled down her face and body as she endured the oral attentions of her wife and her sister. For their parts, Carol and Nicki were having trouble maintaining a rhythm to their tonguing as Kelly was tongue and strap-on-fucking them to beat the band, her body see-sawing up and down as she professed her love for them all with every tongue-thrust, with every hip slam. As one Patricia and Tamara removed their lovers' handcuffs and slipped the coats from them, flinging them to the side of the table. Patricia turned back over and presented her ass, saying "Fuck me like an animal, my beautiful Liz", a comment unheard by any of the audience. Karen took her from behind, a flesh and blood mechanism that plunged its cock into Patricia and then slowly, steadily drove her across the pads as she pistoned in and out of her, the lights playing across her rippling muscles. Eddie knelt before his lover, took her waist in his great hands and leaned back on his heels, picking her up effortlessly and bringing her to his face. The small woman's legs wrapped around his head and she curled her body over the top of his head, locking her hands onto her legs. Eddie let go of her and lowered his hands to his sides, slowly turning on his knees, making a complete revolution, showing off the Tamara helmet he wore as he kissed the sweetest pussy it had ever been his pleasure to know. For her part Tamara was in heaven, as her love was giving her an incredibly precious gift by his participation, almost as precious as the one he'd given her earlier when he'd agreed she and Patricia could do it for real. And Patricia was feeling the same, not having to watch, having seen what was happening behind her in the mirror so many times, the beautiful woman that was taking her, muscles flexing and working beneath the skin in a ballet so fluid it looked like magic in motion, the woman that had given Patricia her trust and her cooperation that night. Li Kuan accelerated the pace of her oral assault on Puppy and no one watching them had any doubts any longer that it was anything other than an assault. She had grasped Puppy's legs in her hands and had gone into overdrive, her rapid fire and very visible tonguing of Puppy's clit and surrounding area punctuated by the occasional long and forceful strokes of the tongue and the more frequent bite, leading inexorably to Puppy climaxing again. Li Kuan dipped three fingers in her pet's seemingly overflowing cunt for lubrication and then jammed them into the black woman's ass. Puppy seemed to undergo a minor epileptic seizure, before losing any sign of coherence or awareness and hanging insensate in her straps. Margo was in trouble as her legs tried to rebel at supporting her further while undergoing the spasmodic tonguings of her partners. That Kelly had brought them to orgasm was certain as their rhythm and focus were gone but still they remained attached to Margo's ass and cunt. Surprisingly, their intermittent stimulation didn't make the situation any easier, it instead made it harder. Margo could feel them grasping at each other's arms, shaking, saw the tears in Nicki's eyes. All that and the realization that her lovers were coming in front of a roomful of strangers combined to bring her to the painful, teetering brink of her own orgasm ... but did not drive her over the edge. For Patricia it had been easy, everything combined to bring her to climax ... several times. She had already fallen to her face and had been ground into the pads, her back arching as Karen continued to push her forward. She waved Karen off eventually, and her lover withdrew long enough for Patricia to roll over onto her back and open her legs wide. Karen remounted her and crouched low. Patricia locked her ankles behind Karen's back, her hands behind her neck and Karen came up to her full height on her hands and knees, fucking Patricia as she swung beneath her, back and forth with each thrust. In the meantime Eddie had taken Tamara off his head and had lain on his back, placing her on his crotch where she mounted him, took hold of handfuls of his chest hair and began to ride him. He was beautiful and she loved him and she gave herself to the moment, driving herself up and down upon him in a frenzy that surprised even him, her head thrown back in the sheer joy of the whole experience. Seeing her distress, Kelly stopped sucking on Carol's clit and said, too softly for the audience to hear, "Big Mama, you are so beautiful standing there in those lights, I have to ask ... marry me and be mine forever?" Over the edge Margo went, her orgasm hammering through her like an earthquake and Carol and Nicki both recognized the signs and pulled back, preparing to catch her if they had to. As she collapsed between them, her legs finally losing their fight, her lips kept forming the word 'yes' over and over. Carol and Nicki shifted off of Kelly as the lights dimmed on their part of the tables, and Kelly curled up around people she loved. It was time to wait for the others to finish. Li Kuan had been waiting for someone to finish, ending things with Puppy was remarkably easy for her. She began in-between the woman's knees, biting first one side and then the other, working her way down at a steady pace, drawing a bit of blood in places, but overall just giving her pet the pain of being bitten with her sharpened teeth. As Puppy convulsed with each bite, Li Kuan knew she was gilding the lily. Puppy had been gone for quite awhile. Li Kuan was merely giving the audience a finale. Her fingers still thrust in and out of the woman's ass as she gave her pet the final, painful kiss on the skin around her clitoris and Puppy lost all muscle control. She had been thoroughly cleaned out before their arrival that evening, so only a thin stream of urine showed that Puppy was that far gone, and Li Kuan had blocked that with her face. It was a dynamic of Puppy's that she was very familiar with. As she began to unfasten her pet's restraints, the lights dimmed on her part of the tables, but there was still more than enough light to see her cradling Puppy once she was free, the woman's body limp and apparently lifeless. Patricia knew she couldn't hold on much longer, so she whispered, "How you doing, Liz?" "I smell her on you." "Liz, I promise you this. Submissive or not, I'll never do anything with anyone that you don't give me permission to." "I know." And with that Patricia let herself fall to the pads. Her change in position didn't even break Karen's pace and the muscled machine, covered in sweat, drove in to her until Patricia found herself unable to take anymore and whispered. "Stop." Karen slowly came to a halt, withdrew and lay beside her lover protectively. Patricia curled up in her partner's strong arms and watched the final players in the scene. Tamara was in a place she'd only dreamed of being. She was free. Her complete and total servitude to Eddie, his ownership of her from the tips of her fingers all the way in to her soul, those were the foundation of her freedom, but for the first time she felt it, deep inside her, the realization that there would never be another 'Family' man; there would be no more nights huddled in a corner, sleeping hunched over, praying no one struck her in the night; she was loved and safe and cherished as the most precious possession in a remarkable man's life. Her past didn't matter to him, only her future; what she wanted mattered to him, she had value beyond her role as a servant and a fuck toy; he trusted her, before Harry, with knowledge of his sister; and Edward was secure, at least for that night, in the knowledge of where her heart resided. She was free ... not only in those ways, but in so many more ways she couldn't even begin to conceptualize ... but she could feel them. And when she finally slumped to his chest, her little body completely exhausted by the wild and unrestrained thrashings her orgasms had wracked her body with, he pulled her up to him and she realized her hands held clumps of his chest hair, ripped from his skin. As the lights dimmed and all three tables slowly faded to black she began to cry, softly murmuring her apologies, only to hear her lover say, "Shh, there is no pain ... you thinkin' we made a baby tonight?" ------- Dominique had expected something interesting ... but what she'd gotten was beyond what she'd even hoped for. It rivaled any performance she'd seen on her stages before. She already had her people standing by with the handbills she'd had made up on her computer and printed out on the copier in the supply room. "DOMINIQUE'S is Proud to Present Three Scenes By Carol Grimes and cast Beauty & the Beast Li Kuan - House Cornelius Puppy — House Cornelius The Food Chain Kelly — House Chorale Carol — House Chorale Nicki — House Chorale Madam Grimes - House Chorale Sexual Awakening, Awakened Power Patricia — House Chorale Tamara — House Chorale Mistress Pinard — House Chorale Master Janak — House Chorale" As the lights went black, the applause started ... and it didn't stop. There were enough cries of "Encore" from the audience that finally Eddie yelled back "Give us a break, we're fuck near dead" which brought laughter from the crowd and took care of most of the calls for an encore. Another person shouted "I volunteer to help that sexy beast who ended up a dildo holder get her orgasm!" to which Kelly shouted back "You're sweet-" and Carol finished "But that booty's mine!" to more laughter. Upstairs Dominique kissed Harry and told him, "I've got to get down there, if you need anything, tell Ricky." She took off her nightgown, threw on a slinky red dress and ran down the stairs. Everyone had crawled over and converged on the center stage. "I think we're gonna have to take a bow, guys," Nicki said. They all stood up, even the still-incoherent Puppy, all of them ragged and stumbling. "Okay, one bow front, one bow back, then we try to get down and sit," Carol said. "Ready?" With a mumbled chorus of assents, she waved in the direction of the light board and the lights came up. They took their bows; even the most shy of them too tired to think about the fact that they were mooning half the audience each time, and then stumbled down and slumped into chairs. Jackie, Lisa and Sheila hurried up, handed out water, helped Karen out of her strap-on, and brought people clothes. For once that evening there was no distinction between subs and Dominants, everybody ended up wearing one of the scarlet linen shirts. Angela was there, taking orders and handing all of them Sharpies. They all looked puzzled and she just smiled. Things became clearer when the first person came up asking for them to sign their handbill. Dominique was talking with people in the crowd and slowly working her way to the table. "Ricky," Harry said upstairs in the office, "how are you at being a crutch?" "Excuse me?" "I'm going downstairs to be with my family and friends ... you helping or not?" Back at the tables, Jackie, Lisa and Sheila continued to make themselves very useful, sorting out equipment, wiping it down, packing it up in the duffel bag. "Have y'all done this before?" Eddie asked after slamming down a double shot of vodka and preparing to chase it with a tall glass of water. "Pardon my impertinence, Master Janak, but who do you think had to clean up after House Odessa's pitiful performances at this table?" Sheila asked. "And she was doing clean-up after performing, nine times out of ten," Jackie said. "Ain't no room for old broads like Lisa and me when you're tryin' to recruit, but Sheila, Sheila got the shitty end of the stick coming and going." Kelly reached out and grabbed Jackie as she went by and dragged her closer, threw her arms around the woman's neck and gave her a passionate kiss. "I've got lots of room for 'old broads' like you and Lisa ... right here on my face ... and between my legs ... and in my arms..." "Until we work out what you want from us and vice versa, if Kelly steps over the line, let me know," Margo said. "I'll gladly have her restrained and whipped with a crop." "And in my ass..." Kelly continued, her hands roaming over the woman's body, "and on my strap-on ... and between my legs again ... and in my mouth ... and on my lips..." "No ... Mistress," Jackie replied, "she's not ... bothering me ... at all." "Unless you call Jackie wanting to tongue bathe her right here, right now a 'bother'," Lisa said with a laugh as she brought Karen her pants. "I'm sorry to see you dress, Mistress Pinard, if you don't mind me saying so ... you're beautiful." "See, I tell her that and she doesn't believe me," Patricia said. Karen had gotten her pants on and buttoned up when Harry and Ricky arrived. She was the first to see them. "Margo, Kelly, Carol ... your husband is here," she said. "Although what he's doing on his feet I don't know." "I'm not on my feet, I'm on my foot, with the help of Ricky here," Harry answered. "First off, my God, y'all were great ... all of you. Of course, it left me with a bit of a problem that somebody will just have to help me deal with when we get home and y'all've recovered, but day-um, y'all put on one hell of a show. I fuck near humped a hole in one of Mistress Dominique's pillows." As everyone murmured their thanks, he continued. "And now that I've finished giving your egos some very well deserved stroking ... Madam Grimes, where did you get that corset and why haven't I fucked your brains out while you were wearing it?" "Well my love, it was supposed to be a surprise, but then it kinda got drafted into service for tonight." "Okay, just as long as you know that somewhere on your schedule, very soon, is 'Harry fucks me senseless while I wear my new corset'." "I've put you in the day planner in ink, beloved husband." As the group sat and talked, signed autographs and recovered, Kelly saw Elenore, Jerome and Julie and slowly walked around to them. "Kelly, are you okay?" Elenore asked. "Yeah, just even with Nicki and Carol holding those dildos tightly so I didn't get hurt by them getting jammed in too far ... well ... I'm a little sore." "Well, if it's any consolation, I couldn't tell that they were holding them in place," Julie said, "and I had a ring-side seat." "Good ... that's something our little stage manager was worried about ... a lot ... incessantly ... repeatedly ... I mean, I appreciated the concern, but I was gettin' a mite snappish earlier in the evening. "I came over to tell y'all that I really enjoyed your show earlier ... that was some damn hot sex. And Jerome?" "Uh ... yes?" "Evidently, those are two pussies you can touch." He grinned, his handsome face never looking more boyish. "Yeah..." Madame Cornelius had enjoyed the performance and was quietly, with no outward sign, reveling in her protégé's success. She had just given Angela an order for a Benedictine and brandy when Margo slowly walked over. "May I sit with you, Minerva?" "Certainly my dear, good God, you shouldn't even bother asking. Sit!" "Oh thank you." "Your company did very well tonight, by the way." Margo's face brightened. "Thank you ... yes, it seems Carol's little troupe of thespians was equal to the task ... something I very much doubted where I was concerned." "Nonsense, I never had any doubts about any of you." "Minerva, I have a favor to ask ... or I might have a favor to ask." "Go on." "Kim, the Chinese woman we accepted just before the show ... she's into pain, apparently in a major way, and no one in Chorale, St. Paul or Franklin plays that way, at least not to the degree she'd want..." "Yes Margo, my dear, Li Kuan and I will take care of her, provided she agrees to the arrangement." "Oh God ... thank you again, Madame Cornelius." Margo took her hands and kissed them. "I find that it's becoming very important to me that our obligations to our people be fulfilled as thoroughly as possible." "And that is as it should be. If the Dominant side is not holding up its obligations under the social contract, it is purest vanity, arrogance and foolishness to think that the submissive side is obligated to them in any way. Something some Houses have been ignoring ... to their detriment, it now appears." "One other thing, Minerva ... I feel rather bad. Poor Li Kuan, never coming once in the entire show..." Margo was startled by Madame Minerva Cornelius' throwing her head back and laughing from deep inside her, side-holding, belly-aching laughter. As the grand dame slowly wound down, wiping the tears from her eyes she looked at Margo, still chuckling uncontrollably. "Are you ... mad, dear woman ... she was coming ... through almost all ... of the first two acts." Margo took a long pull on her glass of water and reflected that she was probably happier not understanding the ways of pain junkies. Tamara, several tables over, found herself incapable of being out of touch with Eddie, something he seemed to instinctively understand and accept gladly. They had held hands or touched in some other way ever since the end of their performance; they had stood with legs touching while slipping on their shirts. When Eddie had sat down at a table she had hiked their shirttails up, climbed on his lap and made herself at home, his limp cock resting between her cunt lips. Together, almost as a single unit, they chatted and signed handbills, drank and laughed. Eddie had never seen his love so... 'happy' wasn't the word, it wasn't big enough. "Theresa," he murmured, "something has happened, something's changed for you, hasn't it?" "Oh yes, Edward," she whispered. "I'll explain later, but don't worry, it's very, very good ... the only thing that could be better would be if I got pregnant." "Then it's good," he replied, wrapping his arms around her, the light from her soul driving his darkness a little further back into the recesses of his own. Karen and Patricia came over, pulled up chairs very close and sat down. "I wanted to tell the two of you 'thank you'," Karen said. "Tonight, for a lot of reasons, meant a lot to Patricia, and it meant a lot to me ... a lot I didn't think ... well ... thank you, both of you, for your parts in it." She kissed Tamara's cheek, then leaned over and put her arms around Eddie's neck. "You know I love you, right? I don't have to say it?" His arms went around Karen and held her gently, his large hand cupping the back of her head. "Yeah, and you know it so I don't have to say it either, right?" They let go of each other and she kissed him on the lips, softly. "Yeah, I know." "Good," Eddie said with a big grin, "now get offa me before I get dyke-cooties on me!" "Are they ever going to grow past the playground?" Patricia asked as she hugged Tamara before kissing her warmly. "God I hope not," Tamara replied. Patricia took Eddie's face in her hands. "You are precious and golden, Edward Janak ... and if you ever forget it I will kick your ass." She kissed him almost as warmly as she had Tamara. When the kiss was finished and Eddie's eyes returned to a normal size he said, "Okay, I can live with your dyke-cooties, Patricia." Carol tottered over to Li Kuan. "You know, I think I could learn to like you." Li Kuan smiled at her, a simple, tired smile with no pointed teeth or angry snarl. "And I am beginning to think of you as a person ... it seems even sex-slaves and boogey-men have two sides." Carol threw her arms around Li Kuan and hugged her, whispering "Oh, I think you have a lot more than two." To her surprise, Li Kuan hugged her back, gently. Julie Elliott looked at her two young lovers and smiled. "Believe me you two; though it pains me to say it, I need to head home. When I have to deal with the boys in the morning, no one will care that I'm tired because I stayed out all night. Elenore, I'm ... I didn't mean to..." "Don't worry, you didn't ... or rather, you did, but I didn't know it, and he sure the fuck was clueless. We owe you for kinda accidentally making me realize that while he was a social retard, he was MY social retard." "Well, thanks for sharing him ... I really needed the stress relief and the two of you sure provided it. I feel more relaxed than I have in quite awhile." Elenore took a card out of a bag she wore around her neck, grabbed Kelly's Sharpie and wrote something on the back. "Listen, here's my card, it has all my contact info, I put Jerome's number on the back. Anytime you need a little tension relieved, you just call. You're welcome in our bed." "Our bed?" Jerome said. "Yes, our bed," Elenore said. "Now shush darling, you're about to say something stupid." "Have you got another of those cards?" Julie asked. "Sure." Julie wrote her number on the back and handed it to her. "I don't know how things are eventually going to work out schedule-wise, we're all still getting a feel for things, but anytime you're in the mood, gimme a call, maybe I can get free." "You've got it." They all kissed and Julie headed for the door. Dominique walked up behind Kelly and leaned over, exposing her breasts to Elenore and Jerome while she nibbled on Kelly's neck and caressed her tits. "Tell me Kelly, how the hell do you go through that scene and come out with your body makeup still looking great?" Kelly's arm snaked up and brought Dominique's mouth to her own and kissed her. Dominique seemed surprised for a moment and then went with the kiss, returning it every bit as passionately. When it was finished she said, "You better quit pretending, girlfriend, and start holding a leash instead of wearing a collar. You do that to someone not as forgiving as me ... well, Mistress Kelly, I just think you'd be better served wearing your true colors." "I'm thinking I will be from now on, Mistress Dominique," Kelly said, "and to answer your question, he's sitting right there, watching your beautiful titties dance around." "Actually ... I'm watching a lot of them..." "Well here," Elenore said, pulling down the top of her dress, "watch one of these with your mouth." She extended her hand. "We've met but for the moment ... umm, that's very nice, remember that, do it often ... for the moment, I'm acting as his artistic manager." Dominique smiled. "Well I'm glad he has someone so devoted to his well-being looking after his interests. Do you think your client would be willing to do make-up and body paint on my club's performers, Friday and Saturday nights? Nothing too elaborate, and his creative input would be limited until he got used to the way we work around here, but after awhile, if the jobs he did on these ladies are his own design-" "They are." "I see him having the chance to exercise a lot of creativity." "I'd have to consult with my client," Elenore said, ignoring the fact that he was nodding his head furiously as he sucked her tit. "Oh, certainly," Dominique said, her eyes twinkling. "And I doubt I'd be able to afford his individual price. We are a business; we do have t watch the overhead. But perhaps some sort of discount on his work, of course an employee discount on drinks and such for the two of you..." "I'm sure we can come to some sort of arrangement, should Mr. Hackler be interested in your proposition." The two women smiled warmly at each other as Jerome continued to suck at Elenore's breast, his head nodding up and down. As the appreciative audience members finally either moved on or settled down to visit and drink with them, Terry found Margo and said, "Don't look now, but a drunken, mad, castrating hell-bitch named Mina of House Shiloh is zeroing in on us." Margo looked over and spotted a tall, lean, tan woman with her pale blond, almost white hair in tight cornrows against her scalp walking their way. She was wearing a purple metallic leather skirt that didn't quite go down to mid thigh, push-up bra and waist cincher, the odd outfit festooned with belts and buckles. Her ears and eyebrows were pierced multiple times, the glint from the metal rings sparkling around her face as she walked purposefully, although somewhat unsteadily, on her thigh high buckle-up boots. "What a fuckin' pathetic show," she said loudly. "Fuckin' rug-munchin' lovefest, most of it ... but what the fuck should we expect from a House so weak-ass it has a Master that turns his ankle and has to be helped away. Talk about some pansy shit..." Eddie started to rise but Karen stopped him. "I've got this one," she said and Eddie smiled. It had been a long time since he'd seen that feral grin on Karen's face. She closed with Mina smoothly and effortlessly, her years of Tae-Kwon-Do practice showing to the experienced eye. "Well look, here comes one o' their dykes now-" and before she could get another word out, Karen was, to all appearances, kissing her. In reality, she had Mina's tongue between her teeth and was holding it firmly as she half carried the woman over to sit on the dais. The speed of it all took Mina by complete surprise, as did Karen's next move, ramming her hand up under Mina's skirt. Karen found what she expected to, multiple piercings around Mina's cunt. She grabbed hold of them and immediately had Mina's full and undivided attention. She let go of her tongue and spoke softly. "I hear you're a real tough bitch, likes to piss and shit, even dribble cunt blood on your poor drunk subs. Well I'm about half a fuckin' heartbeat away from givin' you a whole new kind of cunt blood ... from what I can feel, about six new kinds. Somehow I don't think you're gonna enjoy it much." "Get your fuckin' hands off me, you dyke! Security!" "Oh shush now and wave them off ... you think they can stop me before I hurt you real bad? I'll stick a finger up your piss hole and rip that open for ya. You think I won't fuck you up? I really don't like you and I'll rip your shit up just to hear you scream." She felt Mina wave her hand, a voice from behind Karen said "Ma'am, did you need help?" "No ... no ... I was just ... it was just a joke that got ... that got a little loud." From where she was sitting Dominique waved the bouncers away. "Good skeeze, you might make it outta here tonight without bleedin'," Karen growled. "Now lemme give you a short course in the new and improved facts of life." Karen stepped back a bit, but kept her hand on the woman's vaginal piercings, her other hand moving up to the side of Mina's head in an apparent caress that was really getting a grip on her hair. "You may be used to bein' able to talk any fuckin' shit you want, and not get called on it, cause you're used to bein' near the top of the heap. Rules are changin' and if you don't change with 'em, you're gonna get smacked. If you rude fucks insist on makin' this some kindergarten playground bullshit, then me an' some other people are gonna remind you what NOT bein' the biggest kid felt like. You play nice, we play nice. Simple, civilized, adult rules ... got that, you cum-guzzling, white-trash whore?" "Uh ... yeah ... yes ma'am." "Good, now apologize for being so rude and go have a great evening," Karen said, stepping back and smiling. "Uh ... I'm sorry ... I guess I'm a little drunk ... I was being an asshole." As everyone waved her off, mumbling "no problem" and "it's okay", Mina returned to her people, looking back over her shoulder at Karen with hatred in her eyes as Karen licked her fingers and smiled. As they walked away, Dominique said loudly, "House Shiloh is banned from Dominique's for six months", her only answer from them a chorus of raised middle fingers. "I hope you know that you just shot yourself in the ass as far as any hope of neutrality went," Margo said to Dominique. "Yeah, yeah I did ... and I'm okay with that. We can survive the loss in revenue ... if there is any. Of course, if I can talk you into holding court here every Friday night, I don't think I'll have a problem with that." "Something else we can discuss over breakfast," Margo said matter-of-factly. "House Chorale, I'm sounding an evac code. Billy, get your things packed up ASAP." "Already done, Madam." "Charlie, Mike, go get Billy's things, take them wherever these nice people tell you to," Dominique told the two bouncers. "You ready Eddie, Karen?" Margo asked. "Sure." "Yeah," Eddie said. "Y'all see that Tamara gets home alright?" "If we don't keep her for ourselves, sure we will," Harry said. With a speed that amazed the onlookers, everyone was up and moving, headed towards the door. "You need anything else for tonight?" Margo asked Dominique. "A toothbrush." "You can fuckin' borrow one. Eddie, pick her up, we're kidnapping the club owner." With a squeal and after a few hurried instructions shouted to her people, Dominique was carried out with them. Not more than fifteen minutes after Margo had announced they were leaving, they were gone. Eddie, Karen, Li Kuan, Hans, Andre and Kim were in the Bentley on their way to go get Kim's kids and stuff. Kim was trembling, frightened, until Li Kuan began to hold her and comfort her. "It is alright, little one, we will retrieve what is yours." Harry, Margo, Carol, Kelly, Nicki, Patricia, Tamara, Billy, Jackie, Lisa, Sheila, Elenore, Jerome and Dominique were all squeezed into the limo, heading for the house. While the interior was cramped, the close conditions led to more than a little friendly friction as the overloaded vehicle made its way through the city. Terry and the members of House St. Paul and House Franklin continued to visit until closing time, wondering at the strange House they'd allied themselves with. And in the foyer, Madame Cornelius sat looking regal with Puppy by her side and waited for her cab, supremely pleased with the way things had gone. "Not bad for a first evening," she thought to herself, "not bad at all." ------- Chapter 36 The interior of the limo was quite dark and the sounds of moans and giggles filled it almost as completely as the smell of sex ... lots of sex in lots of different 'flavors', with a thick under-scent of good, honest sweat. But in what light there was, everywhere anyone looked, there was something titillating to watch, even though most of it was the soft-core porn variety stroking and kissing as almost everyone was too tired for anything more vigorous. As the limo made its way home through the night, Harry asked "Anyone in here seriously object to pot?" After a chorus of 'no's he fired up the pipe, left the windows and sunroof closed and let it burn. "Ummm," Jackie said. "I gather we've pledged ourselves to an herb-friendly house?" "Oh, we're more than friendly with it," Margo said, "I'd put us down as 'seriously dating' herb, perhaps even 'engaged' to herb." From the floor Sheila hugged Margo's leg and ran her arm up and down it. She said, "Lucky herb" as she licked her lips, then began to clean Margo's leg with her tongue. Kelly leaned down and said, "Little girl, you keep messin' with Big Mama like that, you're gonna end up shucked, sucked and fucked before we even get to the house." Sheila turned towards her and gazed at her through heavy-lidded, half-closed eyes. "Is that supposed to frighten me?" she asked, before returning to bathing Margo's leg. As everyone laughed Harry noticed something odd. Tamara was sitting on the edge of the seat, next to the duffel bag which was also on the edge of the seat ... and there was something behind her and the bag. Then suddenly Kelly was in his lap. "Sweetie," she said, grinning at him, "you know how earlier we were talkin' about Lisa the bodacious titty-woman?" "Umm hmm." "Well ... uh ... I don't think she'd have any problem with that fantasy of mine at all, nope, no problem at all." His wife curled up on his lap and held her breast to his mouth. "There you go darlin', just suck on that till we get home." ------- "Kim, what can you tell me about the people you've been living with? Any weapons ... guns, knives, chainsaws, shit like that? How many of them are there? They likely to be violent?" Eddie, Karen and Li Kuan sat in the back of the Bentley with Kim between them and although it might upset the woman, Eddie needed to know. "They are likely to be angry, I'm sure Kargonk has already called from the club and told them I am leaving." "Excuse me, Kargonk?" Karen said. "Sounds like something from a bad science-fiction novel." "It is ... or rather, from a series of them. The 'Karg' series, about a future society of genetically superior men and their slave women, bred only to serve," Kim said, looking down at the floorboards in shame. "We're goin' up against a bunch o' fuckin' fanboys?" Eddie said. "No," Kim said, her head coming up sharply. "Do not make that mistake. They are not like that. They are serious people who have adopted a philosophy and world view from poorly written science fiction." "So more like B&D S&M Scientologists, right?" Karen snorted. "Exactly, Mistress Pinard, exactly," replied Kim. "As to numbers, probably no more than five or six are home at this time. I was going to warn you about weapons before we went in. There are swords and knives everywhere in the house and most of the men practice with them. I am hoping that they will want to avoid any trouble. I am not the only illegal living there and the involvement of the police might create difficulties." "Five or six? How big is this place?" Eddie asked. "Big," Kim said. "It is a fifteen bedroom, twelve-and-a-half bath house." "Make that rich B&D S&M Scientologists," Eddie said disgustedly. "Hans, y'all got anything weapon-like in this damn car?" "Two tire irons and a 6 D-Cell Mag-lite." "Okay, two pretty good clubs and one gawddamn good club. Alright, who wants what?" ------- After dropping Tamara off and waiting to see that she got in the door safely, the limo deposited the crowd at the Grimes home. "Alright, let's try to be a little quiet getting in, no need to have the entire neighborhood viewing the parade of pulchritude," Margo said, as Patricia headed home to change. As soon as Harry was in the door, Kelly hustled him off towards the bath. "I'm puttin' your butt in the Jacuzzi, Harry, y'all feel free to come through on the nickel tour, Harry won't mind." "One of these days I'm going to beat you, my love," Harry said as they headed for the bedroom and the bath beyond. "Yeah, but it ain't gonna be today, my gimpy husband." In the living room, Margo was faced with problems. "Alright there are two bedrooms upstairs, neither of them huge, but both decently sized. Sorry Billy, we'll be working on switching some stuff around as quickly as possible and shifting one of them down here, make things a little easier on you, but right now, the downstairs guest room is an office. I've got no clue as to you three ladies previous sleeping arrangements, Carol, take them upstairs and get it sorted out. Until their clothes get here they've got what's on their backs so let's see about robes, at the very least. Hope you don't mind being naked, or mostly so, from now until Sunday when Laney delivers your clothes." The three women looked at each other and it seemed Jackie was elected. She stepped forward and knelt. "Madam, we are clothed only at your pleasure, or the necessities of circumstance. Naked or robed, it is no hardship." "You'll fit in fine around here. By the way, do any of you have cars?" "No Madam, not anymore. We've been using the bus system as there's a stop less than a block from Laney's." "Good, there's a stop just a little further from here, but it's shady all the way there. You can check about schedules online and if we need to start making carpool arrangements we can. "Get 'em squared away, Carol, I'm going to go see to Harry's leg and then fire up the hot tub." The women's faces lit up as did Dominique's. "Alright, before we get started, the nickel tour," Margo said, smiling. As they entered the bedroom they found Harry and Kelly smiling as they gazed at a sleeping Galena, still in shorts and t-shirt. "Who's the tasty little angel?" Dommi asked, whispering. "Our maid-in-training," Margo replied. "I was going to keep her as a ladies-maid, but I'm thinking of all the fun of sharing her with Harry. She's pretty much off limits for another one month, two weeks and one day." Harry hobbled over to the bed and kissed her gently on the mouth. "Galena, honey, wake up. We're home and we brought company ... lots of it." "Hmmm?" she said, rubbing her eyes and reaching for her glasses. "Galena, sweetie, what are you doing here? Isn't your mother going to be worried?" "Uh, no Madam, I told her I was staying over to help prepare Karen and Patricia's for my moving in." "I told you she was a natural, Harry," Kelly said. "All she needed was to come over to the 'Bad Girl' side of the Force." "Fine then Galena, you can help Kelly get Master into the Jacuzzi. These are our guests, Mistress Dominique, Elenore and Jerome. And for the immediate future at least, these are our new housemates and ... well, the 'what else' will be determined later. This is Billy, Jackie, Lisa and Sheila." "Harry, Margo..." Dommi said, "Whose brains do I have to fuck out to get to play on the bed?" Margo smiled proudly. "That was my pre-wedding present to the family. Magnificent isn't it?" "And there's a great story behind it too," Kelly said, kissing Margo's breast reverently. "With a little artful arranging," Jackie said, "you could hang every sub in this household, every serious sub," she amended, smiling at Kelly, "and still have room for the Dominants to play with them. It'd be a little crowded, but you seem friendly enough with each other to keep that from being a problem. "And if y'all wanna try that," she added, "I'm up for it, right now." "Patience," Margo said. "Remember, things still need to be worked out." She motioned to the crowd. "Come on, the Decadent Bathroom from Hell is next on the tour." ------- "Li Kuan, if you don't mind me askin'..." "What is it, Eddie?" "All that electrical shit Puppy was doin' to you ... don't you worry about ... well ... like ... your heart stoppin' or somethin'?" The tall oriental beauty smiled. "The cattle prod is made especially for sex play. Much like Shakespeare's line 'full of sound and fury, signifying nothing'." "You mean it doesn't hurt at all?" "No, it hurts, but it is not enough to threaten my health. It is the same for the other electrical effects. Except when Puppy had the discharge down to one arc, that could burn me with lengthy exposure ... of which there were a few," she sighed happily, "it was for the most part a light show with minor pain for me." "Some light show..." "Did it turn you on, Eddie, to watch me tortured as if I were a mindless animal?" "Maybe ... maybe ... yeah, yeah in some part of me, it did, yeah." "Did you know about that part of you before tonight?" "No." "Congratulations Eddie on your new level of self-awareness," Li Kuan laughed. Eddie wasn't sure if she was laughing at him, or merely laughing. ------- In the living room Carol said, "Are you okay, you were awfully cramped in the limo?" "I'm fine; I just need to stretch a bit. Close call there but Kelly distracted him." "She's very, very good at distracting people," Carol replied. ------- It was obvious to anyone that Kim was terrified that something would go wrong, that somehow she would end up right back where she had been. Surprisingly enough, it was Li Kuan who held her and comforted her. "Wan-Yin, do not be afraid, even if I did not feel for you and your children's plight, I promise you that I would not allow you to go back to these people and stay with them." "You wouldn't?" "No, little one ... my Madame has agreed to play with you to honor House Chorale's obligation to you." She put Kim in her lap. "I want to play with you, little pain slut." Her hand reached up under the shimmering tunic and roughly pinched Kim's nipple, causing her to writhe in pleasure. Li Kuan kissed her, hard, and chewed on her lip. "I will enjoy helping to give you what you need." Kim was much calmer the rest of the way to the house. ------- When Julie Elliott got home from her much-needed night of relaxation, the last thing she expected to see was the horrific bloody mess in the dining room and Tattie's note in the middle of it all. "Julie, We are at Sisters of Mercy. Yuri had an episode and it was necessary to call 911. We were asleep when it began, you being here would have changed nothing ... nothing at all. We didn't know Yuri was out of bed until Vashti heard him down here smashing the china. There is no immediate emergency, I suspect he'll be hospitalized more for psychiatric reasons than medical, so you have time to clean up, but I would appreciate it if you came down. Do NOT call the Grimes ... let them enjoy their evening. I don't think they'll let him come home with us ... maybe not ever. Tattie" Julie wavered on the edge of calling a cab immediately, and then realized that once she hit the hospital, she might be there for awhile. Smelling of sex ... lots of sex ... might not be the best way to show up, and was not an odor she wanted to marinate in for the next however many hours. After a quick shower and change of clothes she called for a cab, having a sandwich while she waited. Despite Tattie's efforts to head off her guilt, she couldn't help but think that if she'd been there, perhaps things would have happened differently. ------- After the tour was done and Carol and Nicki had take the women and Billy upstairs to settle them in, Dommi and Margo sat in the kitchen, drinks in hand while Elenore and Jerome got in some skinny-dipping. "Margo, nobody here but us chickens, I think you're making a mistake." Margo looked up at her wearily. "I'm sure I'm making several. Do tell." Dommi laughed, "Actually, from what I can tell, you're doing remarkably well. What I see as a mistake is not settling the issue of the women and Billy tonight, as soon as possible. They've been uprooted from their lives, and in Billy's case he's not had anything approaching stability in quite a few years. The more quickly you settle them into their places, the more secure they'll feel and the better things will be for everyone. They may not see it as all that important, but they're submissives, they didn't adopt this lifestyle because of their 'take-charge' attitudes." "Dommi, does the fact that I haven't the foggiest clue what I'm doing show very much?" "No sweetie, you're fakin' it beautifully. You're doin' fine." "Oh good ... now what's in this box that Madame C sent home with us?" She opened it and looked inside. Then she picked it up and headed for the bathroom. "Harry," she said as she came through the door, "do you have any idea what that dear woman sent home with us?" She stopped short at the sight that greeted her. Harry was crashed out in the tub, snoring, the jets pounding on his leg, while Kelly and Galena talked quietly, sitting on the edge with their feet in the water. "Hey beautiful," Kelly said. "Thought I'd let him catch a power nap ... he's had a bad night." "Yeah ... I didn't like the way he looked after it went funny on him," Margo said. "I'm thinking this Tuesday I'm hauling him and Billy both to the hospital. Have them take a look at Harry's leg while the prosthetics department sees what they can do for Billy's limbs ... they're in pitiful shape." "Okay, that's it, goddamnit!" Dommi said. "Wake him up, Margo. Kelly, go get Carol and the others. We're handling this now." "What?" Margo said, worried. "Our Houses are allying and it's not going to wait any longer. I've already taken a side, might as well make it official." "Why the sudden rush?" Harry said, coming to and yawning. "Because, you silly man ... your wife is going to go get Billy's legs looked at Tuesday. You just met him tonight, you're moving him into your home and you're having his legs looked at Tuesday. "Y'all're something special. Deal with it." Carol and Nicki brought the women and Billy in, followed by Patricia. "What's going on? I expected to find y'all fucking like wild animals in the hot tub by now," Patricia said. "I know I would be." "House business," Margo answered. Carol, then the women, kneeled and Billy started to join them. "Billy," Margo said, "no. You don't kneel to anyone in this house. You bow, as deeply as your crutches allow, but you will not lower yourself down only to have to work twice as hard to get back up. That's bullshit." "Yes Madam." With Nicki, Kelly and Patricia looking on, Harry and Margo accepted House Duvalier's alliance. When all was said and done, Kelly looked at Patricia. "Not feeling too submissive right now?" "No, I'm feeling rather neutral at the moment," Patricia answered. "You didn't take to your knees either, I noticed." "Nope, not too seemly for a sub to do some of the things on my schedule this evening." "Okay, anyone interested in the Cum-Master 5000, head on out there, we'll shift you around as necessary when we get out there," Margo said. "Harry, look what Minerva sent home for us." Out of the box she pulled five different bottles of absinthe, matching reservoir glasses, absinthe spoons and last but not least, a large, heavily-compressed brick of pot. "Margo, I think that woman is determined to feed our vices," Harry said. "No," Margo replied, "she's intent on introducing us to new vices, dragging us further and further into a pit of sin and degradation ... and she'll help feed those vices as well as any we might already have had." "God bless her," Harry said. "Now then, Madam Grimes, let's put away the goodies and go hit the hot tub." ------- "How in the fuck do they afford a place out here," Eddie said as the Bentley cruised through the prestigious Crockett Heights into the more palatial River Glen area of town. "We're lookin' at two, two-point-five million average out here." "Some in the Karghold have family money, some have made it in the electronics industry or the software business ... as I told you, these people are not ... fanboys, I think you called them. They are serious. And there are many of them, living together." "How many would we be lookin' at if everybody was home?" "Ten ... and I am afraid if Mr. Andre does not drive faster, more of the men will be home by the time we get there." Li Kuan held the little woman protectively and stroked her hair. "Drive faster, Andre," Karen said. ------- Finding the two of them in the waiting room wasn't hard ... talking with Vashti was. She'd been getting a crash course in conversational Russian, but she still knew very little of the language, so the conversation was a pidgin of Russian and gestures, homemade sign language. "How ... far ... she sleep?" Julie asked. Vashti smiled, his face tired and tight. "Not far." "Leave her lonely, I be still. You two ... hurt?" "Hurt, yes. Doctored in amboolance." "Ambulance, yes. Yuri?" Vashti just shook his head, tears rolling down his face. "You cry for Yuri?" He shook his head, reached over and stroked Tattie's tangled grey hair. "For her." Julie Elliott joined him in his tears. ------- For the first time since its installation, the Cum-Master 5000 was full ... all twelve spots around the perimeter were filled. There was still plenty of room in the center. Carol and Galena stood by the side. "Why can't we get in with them?" Galena asked. Carol looked at her as if she was from another planet. "For the moment you're being trained to serve, little girl. So you're serving." "But the new girls and Billy..." "Galena, I'm only going to say this once," Carol hissed. "If you want to go over to Karen and Patricia's and go to bed, do so. But if you stay here, you'll do as you're told. Until their position in the House is negotiated and agreed to, they are guests and will be treated as such. "Now then," she said, "what may we get all of you?" ------- "Alright, ready?" Eddie asked. The five of them stood in an arrow-head; Eddie with the Mag-lite, Karen to his right, Li Kuan to his left, Andre with a tire iron to Karen's right, Hans with a tire iron to Li Kuan's left, and shielded inside the formation, Kim. The tire irons and Mag-lite were stuck in pants or belts. "Ring the doorbell Neanderthal, let's do this so I can go home and fuck," Karen replied. Eddie did so and when the door was opened by a tall, fit-looking man in his mid-thirties, they were greeted with "Come in, we've been expecting you." "We've come to get Kim's children and their things," Eddie said pleasantly, the smile on his face never reaching his eyes. "I'm sure you have. Come this way," the man said as he led them through an entrance hall, very martial in décor with crossed swords and battered shields, axes and spears as well, to a large living room where the furniture had all been pushed back against the walls, leaving a clear area of about thirty by thirty, and with mats laid down in the middle of the room. The high ceiling, about fifteen feet, gave the two men practicing kendo, their shinai slashing at each other with blindingly quick strikes met with equally quick parries, plenty of room overhead. But in a change from the standard kendo practice session where participants wore heavily padded armor, the two men were naked save for breechclouts. Eddie smiled at Karen and motioned with his eyes. The armor, called 'bogu', sat on racks against the wall and had seen lots of use. She sneered at the two men and mouthed the words 'too pretty' at Eddie. This demonstration was intimidation, the men didn't usually practice this way, their bodies didn't bear the signs of practice without armor. It was Li Kuan who started the mocking, slow clapping, her face a picture of boredom. The others joined in and the five of them stood there, slowly clapping and looking bored until the men on the mats stopped and looked at them. "Can I help you with something?" the shorter of the two asked as he wiped sweat from his steely grey hair. "You certainly may," Eddie replied, "we've come for Kim's children and their things." "And you'd be..." "Eddie." "Is there anyone among you who has a last name?" the man asked. "Yes," Karen said, stepping forward, "Karen Pinard and you would be?" "Karggark." "Oh, I'm sure somewhere you have a real grown-up name just like me," Karen said, baring her teeth. "What's that name?" "I don't give my name to inferiors. You may call me Karggark." "Alright Kargie-poo, where are Kim's children and her things?" Karen asked, her voice deceptively pleasant. "She owes us a rather substantial amount of money." "I'm sure she does, and as co-owner of the business that now employs her, you send me an itemized bill detailing those expenses she has incurred that you claim are as yet unpaid. I'll run them past our accountant, and our lawyer if necessary, and if there are no irregularities, I'll be more than happy to make good that debt." Karen pulled out a card and sailed it through the air. "There's my card. As I'm sure your records are in order, I'll expect that bill on Tuesday, bright and early. Now where are her children and their things?" Karggark caught the card and looked at briefly before letting it fall to the floor. As he did so another four men entered the room on the far side. "Karpet, my supply of polite is about to run out. Where are her children and their things?" Karen said. "I insist that her 'things' remain here as collateral on the monies she owes. You may retrieve her mewling brats and that's it." Eddie and Karen eyed each other, eyed the opposition and Karen shook her head. Eddie said, "Oh, I'm sure there are some personal effects that you're going to let her leave with ... I'm not talking home electronics or anything, but those little family mementos and keepsakes that mean so much. Other than that, we'll take them out of here naked as the day they squirted into the world if it'll make you happy." "Perfect, the little whore leaves naked, as do her brats. Kargkan, take them to the sla- take them to her room, see that they take nothing but small personal items. They may carry three pillowcases worth. Then escort them out." Eddie stood his ground. "You go ahead; I'll wait here for you. I wouldn't want Kar-park and his boys to get any ideas, think about playin' any practical jokes when we're leavin'." "Eddie, don't go starting any fun without me," Karen warned. "Won't be me who starts any," Eddie said, his eyes never leaving Karggark. The man who'd led them in showed them down the hall. Andre and Hans had to hold Kim back from running ahead. Eddie stood there, smiling at Karggark. "What's the matter?" he asked. "Didn't want to risk the cops coming here?" "It would have been ... inconvenient." "So you're really not gonna give me a chance to kick any of your punks' asses, are ya?" Karggark smiled. "Not tonight, Eddie Janak ... not tonight." It wasn't until later that Eddie remembered he'd never mentioned his last name. ------- While drink orders were being filled Margo looked at her husband. Although he was smiling, there was a drawn quality to his face and she could tell that the Vicodin he'd taken hadn't done as much for the pain as she'd hoped for. "Carol! Bring the hookah! "Harry," she said, "the girls and I got you a present ... well, since you're so good about sharing, it's also a present for us, but primarily we got it for you. Now, close your eyes." Harry shut his eyes and then was surprised to feel someone place two fingers on each of his eyelids, holding them down. "Sorry sir, orders," he heard Galena say. Among snickers and chuckles he heard "be careful" and "watch it" and then when his curiosity was close to rising up and throttling him, he felt someone warm and definitely feminine settle on his lap. Arms reached around his shoulders, pert breasts brushed against his chest and soft lips settled on his. The kiss was sweet and tentative and from what he could tell over the smell of the hot tub, this was no one in their group, no one he'd been all that close to before. His arms went around her and she snuggled close, his cock giving his opinion of the present by rapidly coming erect. Galena's fingers came off his eyes and it didn't matter, he was happy with them closed, happy with the mystery. His right hand came around and caressed her breast, sliding down her side in the hot, bubbling water to her thigh and around to her ass. The feel of her proportions, the size of her, was ringing bells somewhere in his head and for a confused moment he thought of Galena, but whoever she was she was more developed than the young Hispanic beauty. He broke the kiss and laid back, her head coming to rest on his shoulder. The loose curls added to the 'someone he should know' feeling, but still he kept his eyes closed, reaching back to find his glass. "Let me help you with that, sir," said the woman on his lap and his eyes shot open. "ANGELA?" Their waitress smiled at him from his lap. "Hello sir, your family decided to allow me to play with your House for the night. I hope you approve of your present?" "Yes but ... it was you behind Tamara and the bag in the limo!" "Yes sir ... Madam arranged it, with your other wives' help." Harry looked around the tub at his friends and family and smiled. "Thank you, my beloveds, and you're right Margo; I'll gleefully share this sexy little gift." "But first, Sir, I'm all yours," Angela said, shifting on his lap to slip his cock inside her. "My goodness, so you are," he answered as she began to work herself up and down upon him. "Alright, hopefully you're not too distracted to listen, Harry my love," Margo said, "but we have some more business to attend to. Carol, Galena, get in the tub since y'all are finished for now." Carol carefully stepped her way in-between people and half-floated in front of Margo. Galena looked around nervously, then held herself upright, stripped her clothes off and got in as well. She moved in front of Kelly but Carol grabbed her and held Galena in front of her. Kelly stuck her tongue out at her wife. "Billy Calhoun," Margo began, "you are House Chorale's. What do you want from us? What do you expect from us?" "You've promised me roof and hearth, bread and salt ... as for the collar ... I'm a submissive who enjoys serving ... not big into humiliation." His face crumpled somewhat, his ever-present smiled faltering. "I used to enjoy being a pleasure slave ... but..." Nicki left her spot and sat on his lap, facing away from him. "Pleasure me, slave," she said. "I've already tasted that pretty cock of yours, so I know it works." "Y-y-yes ... Mistress," he stammered, tears beginning to flow. "Good boy ... ummm ... ready boy," she purred. "I don't think you'll have any problem finding pleasure service here, Billy," Harry said, smiling. "Our House has eyes that look with love and compassion." "Th-thank you ... Sir." "You are more than welcome, from all of us," Margo said. "Now then, per Madame Cornelius' recommendations, our four new members are going to be farmed out, so to speak, to Dominant's, or a submissive, in Carol's case, for primary care and training. Who wants Billy?" Carol's hand shot up in the air. "Billy's mine, Madam. I'll fight for him." Margo smiled. "I'm not surprised at all, given your history. Any objections?" The tub was silent. "Then Billy is Carol's to care for and train, although he remains the property of us all." "Lisa Tischler," Margo said, "you are House Chorale's. What do you want from us? What do you expect from us?" "I'm a pleasure slut," Lisa replied. "I enjoy service, some humiliation, some pain, I love light bondage, but most of all, when playing, I enjoy being used for pleasure." "God knows you're built for it," Carol said. "Alright, I see no problem with granting your wishes in this," Margo replied, "who wants-" "Uh, you don't need to go any further, Big Mama," Kelly said, "and unless I miss my guess about Jackie, don't bother asking about her either. I want them both. I will fuck somebody up to get them." "Do either of you have a problem with that?" Margo asked. Both shook their heads and smiled. "Does anyone have a problem with that?" No one said anything. "Then Lisa is Kelly's to care for and to train, although she remains the property of us all. "Jackie Wagner," Margo continued, "you are House Chorale's. What do you want from us? What do you expect from us?" "Lisa and I are very much the same, that's why we were paired at House Odessa ... and by the way, us ending up sleeping in the same room here is fine ... in fact, it's very comforting and I think we'll feel safe. Nothing personal, Sheila." Sheila smiled at her. "I understand ... I miss Sharon and I haven't even been away for a night." "House Chorale has no problem granted your wishes concerning your service, do you agree to Kelly's hand on your leash?" "Yes, no problem with that at all." "Then Jackie is Kelly's to care for and to train, although she remains the property of us all. "Sheila Scott, you are House Chorale's. What do you want from us? What do you expect from us?" "I'm into service, and well ... sex, I mean, I'm a pleasure slut ... as long as I never have to do another cock-worshipping 'love-slave' routine like Laney put on ... and I like rope-play, a lot, and being taken while I'm bound up in rope, and the whole little girl look wasn't just Laney's idea ... I like that role." "Well, I can guarantee you're safe from cock-worshipping love-slave routines, right production director?" Margo said. "Oh yeah, I'm thinking that's a routine we'll be skipping ... sorry Harry," Carol replied. "No ... problem ... here ... never ... thought ... that much ... of cocks..." Harry said as he attempted to pull his focus away from the one he had buried in his lovely gift. "I see no problem with your wishes for our relationship, although we'll have to learn and practice rope-play," Margo said. "Who claims Sheila?" Nicki said, "Sheila, come here." Sheila responded immediately, kneeling in the tub in front of Nicki, who was still slowly riding Billy's cock. Nicki caressed Sheila's arms, and then pulled her up into a hug, locking her lips on Sheila's breast, running her hands over her body and between her legs. She kissed the young woman while she worked her fingers in and out of Sheila's cunt. Then Nicki froze, hung on to Sheila and ground her body down on Billy's cock, whimpering softly under her breath. When her breathing returned to normal, she began to ride on Billy once again and said, "The little slut is mine, unless someone wants me to beat their ass for her. I need a bed-warmer." Sheila fell to her knees and hugged Nicki, sucking on her breast and stroking Nicki's shoulder with her head. Margo laughed, "Any objections?" No one said anything. "Then Sheila is Nicki's to care for and to train, although she remains the property of us all. "Then I declare House business blissfully at an end. Now to quote my most beloved husband, I needs me some muthafuckin' dope!" ------- "Are you gonna be buying their groceries?" "What does that have to do with anyth-" "Are you going to be buying their groceries, you misshapen baboon?" "Yeah, but that don't mean-" "Then I'm covering the stop at Target and that's it!" Karen snapped. The Bentley rolled through the night. They had gotten out in one piece and three pitiful pillowcases of pictures and books, toys and memories were sitting in the trunk. Kim huddled in Karen's coat, the children clung to each other in Eddie's shirt. As they arrived at a 24-hour Target, the next argument began. "You're a woman for fu- for heaven's sake; you don't know how to buy clothes for kids?" "I'm gonna smack you, I swear to God and Sonny Jesus I am gonna beat you till your hair falls out and we're all buried alive." Andre stuck his head in back. "Kim, what is your size, what are the children's sizes? I will go get clothes." Twenty minutes later the Zhang family was dressing in the back of the car. Outside, Karen and Eddie concocted their plan. When the children and Kim got out of the car, Eddie said, "Alright kids, you ever been night shopping?" Two wide-eyed little faces stared back at him and shook their heads, awed by the large man with all the hair on his body, even after his shirt was back on and it was covered. "You haven't? My, my, my ... you've missed one of the best things in life. When you get woken up in the middle of the night to go shopping, you know what happens?" "No." "No." "Tell 'em Karen," Eddie said. "For every normal boring old 'mom' thing you pick out ... like socks, or underwear, or shoes, or stuff like that," Karen said, "you get to pick out something fun and silly just for you! Something you want, something that makes you smile!" Andre and Hans took the two cheering children's hands and began to lead them to the store. Kim threw her arms around Karen and Eddie, or as much of them as she could, tears running down her face. Karen put her arms around her. "You too, Kim ... the same 'night shopping' rules apply for you ... and as soon as we can get you legal, my company will find something you can do for us." "I'm gonna go help the kids spend your money, Karen," Eddie said as he left the sobbing Kim in the tender care of Karen and Li Kuan, "y'all come on when you can." ------- "Look, I definitely don't want you to get the impression that Odessa and its allies are pussies, okay?" Dommi said. "You caught 'em off guard tonight, nobody was expecting y'all to come off like the goddamn B&D Mafia!" She looked around at her hosts who all had very odd looks on their faces. "What'd I say?" "Nothing, beautiful one," Margo replied, recovering quickly, "just another of those stoned synchronicities." She laughed and the rest of her spouses laughed with her. Galena caught the family's discomfort, even though she didn't understand it. They all sat in the hot tub and soaked, relaxing and talking about the night at the club ... and making out, and fucking, and making out more. Galena had pestered Margo until she had agreed that once Galena turned seventeen, they'd get her in, one way or another, and Dominique had agreed that she'd get in. If nothing else, Dominique knew who made the best fake I.D.s in town. "Besides," Dominique had said, "if the worst happened, you wouldn't be the first underage I've had to hide, or the first I'd have to pay off cops to ignore." Galena didn't see where the line everybody talked about was. She understood why they were waiting, and what risks they were taking just having her there. The more she saw of their lifestyle, the more she understood just what she had been entrusted with. But there she was, naked in a hot tub with fifteen naked adults; sex going on all around her, in various low-key forms, and that was somehow okay. Yet if she was getting her pussy stroked or fingered by someone other than herself, some line had been crossed. And if she was actually getting fucked, something she and Harry both devoutly wanted to happen, well, it was a national emergency. It was Galena's firm opinion that the line everyone was afraid to cross had already been crossed when Harry kissed her clit and since they'd already gone over it, they might as well stay on the other side of it where she wanted them to be. But she was learning that there was no arguing with Margo, Carol or Harry ... they might be seduced, but they couldn't be argued with. Kelly could be wheedled or seduced into almost anything; her streak of 'bad girl' was wide and strong ... which might be why the others kept her away from Kelly when they could. Or when they weren't using Kelly to punch her buttons. Galena saw that Margo was unoccupied for the moment and waded over to her, coming to rest between her legs, but trying to be as non-sexual about it as possible. "Madam, I have a question for you." "What is it, little one?" Margo was stroking Galena's hair, and it was definitely sexual. Galena wisely kept her mouth shut about that. "Madam, well, I don't want you to take this wrong ... but you're training me to be a maid ... that's not exactly a slave ... and I'm being applauded sometimes when I show spirit or attitude. "I guess what I'm trying to ask is, when I'm with House Chorale at the Samhain Fetish Ball, will I be wearing a collar, or holding a leash, because you seem to be sort of training me both ways." Dominique laughed from two positions over. "She's a very smart one, Margo ... either position she'll be useful." The club owner came around and Galena found herself between her and Margo. Dominique hugged her from behind, pressing Galena back into her breasts. "So Margo, which will she be?" Margo sat forward, rather unsteadily. "Galena, I've been trying to discern which way you'd go ... that you can switch is almost a certainty ... but if you can pull it off we need you as a Domme." Margo came closer, stroking her cheek. "I'd like it very much..." and then she faded, her mind drifting. Galena smiled and stepped free of Dominique's hug. She brought her breast to Margo's mouth, gently coaxing the woman to kiss it. Margo wordlessly leaned forward and latched on to Galena's breast with her mouth, sucking hungrily, her arms reaching out and drawing the girl to her. "Margo! Margo, that's enough!" Carol said, coming over and shaking Margo. As Margo regained her focus, she looked at Galena and smiled. She smiled one of the smiles that Galena was already learning wasn't necessarily a good thing. "Very, very good, young lady ... the statement in full was that I'd like it very much if you were holding a leash ... and with what you just managed, whether I was stoned and very tired or not when you pulled it off, I'm thinking you will be." Dominique whispered in her ear, "Yeah, I'd say you're going to be holding a leash ... good work, kid." ------- "Hey honey, just callin' 'cause it's been awhile an' I didn't want ya getting' worried." "I was beginning to be a bit concerned," Tamara replied. "Well, getting' 'em was easy ... pickin' 'em up everything they needed from Target was hard ... but a lot of fun ... an' since Dykeasaurus insisted on payin', we went hog wild an' pig crazy." "How did you fit it all in the car with the rest of their stuff?" "Didn't much leave with 'em ... an' that's a story for another time, when I'm good an' calm ... we're on the way to the grocery and then we'll be home. Anything you can think of we'll need?" "Well I'm sure Kim will be better help than me, but there's plenty of room in the fridge and the freezer, you go 'hog wild and pig crazy' again, Edward." He heard his love sniffling, her breath catching on the other end of the line. "Theresa, baby, what's wrong?" "If I see that look in your eyes, that 'how-can-she-love-me-I'm-a-monster' look, any time soon ... I'm'a whomp you, Edward ... I'm'a whomp you so hard ... you might even feel it." "I love you too," Eddie said as his beloved beat back the darkness inside him a little more. ------- Everyone lay about the living room naked, except for Galena, who could understand why they kept her clothed but wasn't happy about it. As stoned and slightly drunk, as everyone was if she got naked she would be, as Kelly put it, 'meat for the beast'. Well, she wasn't quite alone. When she wasn't stooping and fetching, she sat with Patricia, her very-near-future housemate. But everybody else... Elenore and Jerome were so wrapped in one another that no one would have believed they'd notice an attack by rabid Nazi Hottentots, but somehow through their making out, fucking, oral sex and cuddling, they remained a part of the conversation. Otherwise, the partners had been shifting around a lot, mostly cuddling until recently, but Galena had also had plenty of opportunity to learn the meaning of the call "clean up". As she sat next to Patricia, cuddling under her arm and trying not to get too excited by it, she watched the others. Carol was massaging her old friend Dommi, which frequently seemed to involve sliding her cunt along Dommi's ass as Carol rubbed oil into her skin. It was obvious to anyone with eyes that the two had been lovers before. Galena couldn't wait to ask Carol about it later. Margo had found a whole new way to use the oral sex chair, although they were calling it the 'little Carol' now for some reason. She had slid down further in it and had Sheila tonguing her ass while Angela lay on top of her licking her cunt. Galena was firmly devoted to exploring all the options the 'little Carol' had to offer, and was very happy with the new playmates they'd brought home to help her with that project. Harry seemed the most 'out of it'. Patricia had explained to Galena that it was a combination of Vicodin, pot, alcohol and exhaustion, and that she was amazed he was still awake, but awake he was, lying back while Jackie slowly fucked him, her beautiful round hips, full waist and big, firm tits shifting back and forth in a hypnotic rhythm. Billy fascinated Galena. He hadn't reattached his prosthetics since he'd taken them off to get in the hot tub but moving around the house wasn't a problem for him at all. He just heaved himself along on his hands, tucking his stumps up and swinging along if the surface was level. He was entertaining Kelly, his mouth latched on to one of her beautiful breasts while he slid his dick between her legs, not actually fucking her, at least he hadn't so far, but definitely stimulating her. Nicki had been writhing on the bountifully endowed Lisa's face for quite some time and seemed in no hurry to let her move on. As Galena watched Nicki shuddered as another orgasm overtook her and her thighs clamped tightly around Lisa's head. It was sometime later, as Galena sat close to Patricia, enjoying the smell of the woman, that the first signs of the party breaking up occurred. "It's been an incredible evening," Elenore said, "but Jerome and I have got to get home. It's gonna be hard enough for him to face Sabbath with the family tomorrow without doing it on little to no sleep." "I'm meeting your family tomorrow? But-" "Hush Jerome, you're about to say something stupid." Elenore called a cab and as they were waiting, Nicki crawled off of Lisa. "I know the feeling ... I've got to go home and get some sleep before I go to sleep where I sit ... and that would be a hell of an insult to a beautiful slave and a talented tongue." "Thank you, Mistress Nicki," Lisa replied. "Believe me, the pleasure was not solely yours at all." "Good ... Sheila! Get your ass up and moving. You're going to have to help me get us home alive." "Sorry Madam," Sheila said, "I must go now." "Quite alright Sheila ... Nicki, you know you're welcome to stay the night," Margo announced. "No thanks ... I'm really tired. Gonna take the new girl home, run us through the shower and then curl up, see how we fit together sleeping." "No offense, Madam, but that sounds divine to me," Sheila said. "I had a long day at work followed by a most stressful, but ultimately very happy, evening." "Sheila, borrow one of my sets of sweats," Kelly said, "they won't fit all that well, but we're closest in size." "Thank you, Mistress Kelly." "Galena, we're going too," Patricia said. "We are?" "Yep, I'm getting you out of this den of sin and iniquity and taking you home for a brief lab course in "Sex By Yourself: A Horny Woman's Guide to Surviving Orgies When She Can't Play". You'll enjoy it ... there are toys." "If it helped me get rid of this rampaging case of the hornies I've got, I'd enjoy "Sex with Hamsters: the Exercise Wheel and You"." "On that note, we are definitely leaving," Patricia said as laughter rolled around the room. ------- Eddie Janak had left the bedroom, gone into his kitchen, grabbed a beer from the fridge, sat down and begun crying. He and the twins had taken to each other very quickly. They were both cute as could be, polite and very well-behaved, and they had ridden through a large part of the Target shopping trip, one on each his shoulders. It had felt so good to him that it scared him. And the voice inside him had ranted and raved and told him he would hurt them, but he'd held on to their legs and they'd grasped firmly to his hair and everything had been fine. Better than fine ... so close to perfect that his heart ached and his chest grew tight and he did everything he could to keep from bawling like a little baby. Karen had seen it and smiled at him, not a mocking smile but a smile that said she understood somehow and that it was okay for him to want something so badly when he was already so blessed. And then they'd gotten Kim and the kids home, unloaded the Bentley and sent Li Kuan, Andre and Hans on their way. Karen had said goodnight and headed home. He'd put away the groceries while Theresa showed Kim and the kids around the house and then he'd walked to the bedroom after the tour was over to find his wife in the middle of Christmas-in-September for Kimmy and Timmy, boxes and packaging all over the place as they played with the grown-up who was not that much bigger than them. And it had been 'leave the bedroom or lose it'. Eddie smiled to himself through his tears. So he'd come to the kitchen and lost it. She was so beautiful, and so perfect, and so much in her element with the children. Her open and loving heart somehow found a way to open larger and shine even more brightly with the children and it was so ... divinely beautiful ... that he couldn't look on it. Eddie knew he'd come as close to seeing the face of ... God, some Creative Force, some Divinity ... as any human ever had. Unnoticed, Kim stood and watched Eddie cry. She wasn't sure of the reason, but she could tell that they weren't tears of sadness, or tears of joy. As she thought of him in the store, his joy at examining every toy, every puzzle, every game, with children he'd only just met, she understood. He cried tears of longing, tears of yearning. "You and Tamara wish to have children?" she asked, startling him. He hurriedly wiped his eyes and regained some measure of control over himself. "Well, she'd been told she couldn't, way back when we first met, 'cause o' some stuff that happened to her, but we went to a doctor Margo told us about, an' she seems to believe Tamara could. Not that it'll be easy or nothin', but that she could get pregnant, an' she could probably carry a baby to term. An' she wants children so bad..." "And so do you, Master Janak." "Yeah," he said, smiling through his renewed tears, "so do I." "It will happen, Master Janak. One way or another, I believe it will happen." "So, if I can ask, where's the father?" Eddie said. "I do not know ... who ... the father is, much less where. I was the property of a man in Fuzhou. Slavery there is more ... open ... than it is here. I was a party girl, a party favor, and one night someone's condom broke, or leaked. And since I never know ... knew ... who used me, it could have been any one of many men." "How many ... a night?" "At a big party ... I was drunk, or drugged ... I counted as high as thirty-three once, but there were more after, I'm sure. It was better if I was not aware through such times." "How the fuck did you get away from this prick?" "When I went to hospital to have babies, I was smuggled away by a woman and her friends who were doing what they could for women like me. They got me and the twins to Taiwan and from there we were smuggled here. "But 'here' is where I made mistakes and ended up in much the same place. To me, five years ago, 'free' was 'free to enjoy the kind of sex I like', and that led me to people who gave me just what I wanted. I trusted them, stupidly on my part, and once they knew my secret, that I was here illegally, I was back in the same sort of situation again. A little better off, but still very much under someone else's control ... and I am fine with that, to a point. It is what I need, to a point. But there comes a point where I want to have my life back ... not only for me, but for my children." "Well, believe me Kim, that won't be a problem with Margo and Harry." "I know, Master Janak. I know from the quality of their friends." ------- Karen crept in the front door and saw the light on in the bedroom. "Trish, honey, you awake?" she called softly. "In here, Liz..." Patricia replied. "No, you keep right on with what you're doing," she said in a softer voice. Karen walked into their bedroom to find her wife and Galena naked, sitting on towels on the bed across from each other. Patricia had her favorite dildo buried in her cunt and Galena had vibrators in both her ass and her cunt. She was blushing deeply but moving the one in her cunt back and forth nonetheless. "What the hell are you two up to?" Karen asked. "Well honey, it was an orgy scene over at the house, no big surprise there, and Galena and I were the only two who couldn't play. So, when I'd had about all that I could stand, I brought her home and have been teaching a lab course in self-satisfaction." "Uh ... yeah. I'm going to go get a shower. I'd like my side of the bed back when I get out." "Um ... yes ... Karen ... certainly ... almost ... finished," Galena said. "Yeah ... make sure you teach her the part about cleaning toys after use." "Oh yes dear, don't worry. Enjoy your shower." Karen walked into the bathroom shaking her head. ------- After everyone who was leaving had left, Margo had Carol make the living room as dark as possible. Everyone scooted closer towards the center of the room and it was hard for anyone to tell who they were with at first. Except for Margo and Carol ... Margo had intercepted Carol on her way to the pile and taken her quietly, crawling on hands and knees, into the bedroom. "Baby Girl," Margo whispered, "I need to know that you're okay. I used you very callously at Minerva's ... I let you wait while Li Kuan was seen to ... I let you ... offer yourself..." "Margo, no, don't even begin to go there. You bear no guilt for that. You were ready to offer yourself and while Madame Cornelius would've taken it in the spirit it was offered, a compassionate Madam performing a necessary duty that she could not ask any sub of hers to perform against their will, there will be others who will not see it that way, and you can never be seen to be subordinating yourself to them. Better to never let it happen with any other Dominant. "Kelly, Nicki ... neither one of them is as fond of pain as I am, not that that was anywhere near the kind of pain I do enjoy, and neither of them can handle pain the way I can. And as they're soon to be holding the leash, best not to set precedent. The new girls ... they might in time. Billy would take the duty right now for this House ... and I do not intend to let him. Not ever. He's taken enough pain and as this is my House as much as anyone's I will not tolerate that. I want what we're working for. I want it badly enough to do what tradition requires. Don't cheapen my willing sacrifice by trying to take the blame." "So..." "We're okay, I'm okay. You're doing so well ... I'm so proud of you, you and Harry both. I love you both so much. You and I are fine. You've done what needed to be done all the way down the line ... and listen to me, wife. You ... will ... continue ... to ... do ... so." "Yes, Madam." "I'm no Madam." "You are if I say you are ... and you are." "So, wanna go join the fun?" "Yeah, I think so ... and tomorrow night, just the four of us ... you know, the ones married to each other." "I couldn't agree more, Margo my love ... but tonight ... orgy." "Right." ------- As Margo and Carol crawled back into the pile, Kelly pulled Angela up from bringing her to another orgasm, somewhere on the periphery. "Come up here, bitch, let me lick you clean." "Yes Mistress ... Kelly?" "Yes, that's right; it's me you've been driving mad with that tongue of yours. So," Kelly said, cuddling with the delectable waitress, "how's your evening going?" "Oh, I'm a little tired, full night at work, long evening at play, but the company is keeping me very ... very ... interested." Kelly began to lick her face clean, her hands roaming over the woman's body in the dark. "Mistress Kelly?" "Mmm hmm?" "What would it take for your House to seriously consider me as a sub?" Kelly stopped and thought about it for a moment. She didn't have the hoodoo woman to rely on, but her own feelings were pretty clear on this subject. "Angela honey, you can see that we've started some shit tonight." "Uh huh." "If we had, or have again, room to consider taking on subs for fun, which you certainly are," Kelly said, tickling the girl's nipple, "then you're number one on the list. But right now, we're taking in refugees." She kissed Angela, finding her willing and eager, instead of pouty as she feared she would be. "And between you, me and your hungry little snatch, do you think we're going to run out of refugees or room first?" "Room." "Exactly ... now, we get things settled down, have it where not supporting the Houses in power doesn't make you an outcast, then refugees can move on, find places where they'll be happier, and we'll have room for fun again. That answer your question?" "Yes, Mistress Kelly." "Any reason you asked me instead of Master Harry or Madam Margo?" "Well ... you were here ... and they ... I wanted to know my chances before I put myself out there ... I've been looking for a place to serve for a long time. I have pretty high standards." "Well then, thank you for considering us," Kelly said, smiling at the young woman. "Anything else I can do for you?" "Well, I've been told that I have a very tasty pussy..." "A rumor I feel honor-bound to investigate, my dear, now lay back and let Mistress Kelly drive." "Yes, Mistress." ------- The two women lay naked in Nicki's bed, a comfortable cotton sheet their only cover. "Mistress Nicki?" "Yes, Sheila." "Tell me a story." "I'm tired, honey, and I can't think of any stories tonight." "Then lemme tell you a story." "Okay..." "Once upon a time, there lived a beautiful lady," Sheila said, stroking Nicki's face, "who lived on the other side of a deep chasm from a pair of mountains." Her finger traced a line from Nicki's nose, hopped across from her chin to her chest and then wandered between her breasts. "I'm liking this story, Sheila." "I thought you would, Mistress. Now one day, the beautiful lady sent out an expedition to seek for treasure she'd heard was buried far to the south. They walked through the mountain pass," her fingers traced a line down Nicki's chest, "to the well on the plains," her fingers tickled Nicki's bellybutton, "and finally came to a jungle." Her fingers stopped at the beginning of Nicki's pubic hair. "So they entered the jungle, looking for someone who could tell them where the treasure was buried and you know what they found?" she asked, her fingers gently massaging Nicki's clit. "No." "A man in a little boat, sitting at the beginning of a river canyon, and he told them that the treasure was at the source of the river and that they should check back with him every so often for further instructions." Her fingers slid into Nicki's slit, finding it wet and ready. "Sheila ... I don't think those men the lady sent can do the job ... they're gonna need some earth-moving equipment." "I'm sorry Mistress, I don't know what you mean." "Swing your legs up here, I'll show you." She parted Sheila's legs. "Let's see, find the man in the little boat, follow the canyon, now, now I start using the big equipment." Her tongue began to lick and lap at Sheila's naked cunt, sliding into her, and periodically 'checking back with the man in the boat'. "See what I mean, little girl? Now we're digging for treasure!" "I see ... like this?" "Oh yeah, exactly like that ... let's just both keep digging, okay?" ------- "My love, you look tired. It's time to go to bed." "You're right, Theresa, it's past time ... tomorrow I've got ... well ... it'll be interesting." "Yes it will." As she watched him undress she said, "My God, Edward, you're muscles, they're tight as steel bands!" "How can you tell?" "Edward, I have eyes. I'm watching them barely move as you flex and twist. Normally they move and dance beneath your skin ... one of my favorite things to watch, actually. Get your butt on that bed, face down, Edward." "Yes ma'am ... bossy little slave girl, aren't you?" "Yes I am ... and just for that remark, I shall punish you by massaging your back ... NAKED!" "You bitch! You are so evil, so vile. I don't know why I put up with this abuse. I should get up ... oh God, that feels good ... this very minute and go to Karen's. She'd let me sleep on the couch." "You're helpless beneath the power of my magic thigh lock, foolish mortal. I shall continue to torture you ... what happened that has you this tense, Edward? I shall continue to torture you until you are relaxed." "Well, your evil designs shall fail in one respect ... I know something your ... oh ... UMM ... damn, when did I get iron inserted in that muscle ... your foul efforts upon my back shall not relax. Can we talk about it in the morning?" Tamara lay stretched out upon his back. "Of course, my love. You do, do you? And what is it that my magic fingers cannot relax?" Eddie rolled over, spilling her on to the bed. "See for yourself, devil woman." "Oh my, that is a problem. Well, I think my magic fingers could ... but I have something that will work much better." "And what is that, foul woman?" She climbed on top of him, lowering herself on his erection. "I think I have encased that tense part of you in the magic chamber of relaxation ... now if you would truly lose that tension ... say the magic words..." "Let's make a baby, Theresa." "Ah, got it right the first time." ------- Lisa crawled along the edge of the pile, hoping to find one participant in particular and after a bit, she lucked out. Harry was having his cock stroked, by whom he had no idea, as his mind slowly refocused and he gained his second wind. He hadn't actually orgasmed any time recently, he'd just floated in a sea of sensuality and warmth. A lot of the preceding hour-and-a-half to two hours he'd been out of it, to a great degree, an effect of the Vicodin that he was not overly fond off. As he lay there, enjoying the sensations and wondering what the odds were of finding a water bottle floating about, a hand bumped into him, moved across his body examining him, and then lightly held his cheek as someone shifted next to him. "Master," said Lisa, her breath warm and husky in his ear, "I beg a favor from you." "Um hmm?" Harry replied as he tried to ignore the effect that voice and breath were having on the cock someone else was stroking. As it twitched under that someone's grasp, a wet and willing mouth closed over it and began to suck him off. "You started something at the club tonight when you embarrassed my former Master in front of everyone. I was hoping you might want to finish it." "I gather ... UM ... you would like that?" "Oh ... very much..." The combination of her breath in his ear and the mouth on his cock was making an orgasm in the near future a rapidly approaching certainty. "Well ... Lisa ... either you need to stop ... whispering in my ear ... or whoever's blowing me ... needs to stop ... and you can drag me away ... and I'll be happy ... to finish what I started." He felt her move down his body, heard her kiss someone, then, "Sorry Billy, I'm dragging him off into the bushes for a bit." "Okay, have fun." Harry waited for himself to have some sort of reaction ... and was rather pleasantly surprised when he didn't. True to her word, Lisa dragged him off to a corner of the room and curled up next to him. Harry shifted some pillows around a bit and lay there beside her, stroking her thigh, remembering what she'd said about her likes and needs in the hot tub. "So, slut, tell me about Lisa Tischler and sex..." "Uh ... Master..." "Look bitch, I can go into this blind, so to speak, and ham-handed and take what I want and while that will please a part of you, you getting all that you can out of the experience otherwise is a crap shoot. "Or you can tell me what you like, what you want, and I'll still use you for my pleasure, but I'll also make sure you're taken care of, because it pleases me to do so. Got it? I'd also like to know how it's safe to humiliate you. Has the minor name-calling so far been acceptable?" Harry suddenly found himself being full-on kissed and smashed back into the pillows by Lisa as she hugged him. "Sir," she whispered into his ear, "I like being referred to by degrading names, but I don't like my body or my looks being demeaned, that really hurts me." "I couldn't do that convincingly, Lisa dear," he said, hugging her. "You're too beautiful and even I can't lie that well." "I like being told, and occasionally shown, that I have no choice in what's going to happen, once we're playing. I like being told and shown that I chose to be a slave and that's the last choice I was free to make. Anything further is all in someone else's hands. "After that ... well, I like being used. Before Laney got all wrapped up in his bullshit, I used to end up with my tits covered in cum, from lots of his friends, and I was okay with that. I'd given them pleasure, and it had pleased them to decorate me that way. I've spent hours tied to a sawhorse getting fucked mindless ... and then they walked away and left me there, cum oozing out my cooze and I was fine with that. I'd been used and used well. But it's important for me to know that my Master and Madam ... and that's going to be a new experience, having a Madam, respect me as a person and care about my needs. When we're playing, that's one thing ... but playtime is playtime and it doesn't last forever." "You've never served a Mistress before?" Harry asked, stroking her cunt as they talked. "No ... neither has Sheila, although Jackie has, way back before Laney drove them away." "Drove them ... away?" Harry asked, sliding down to suck one of her nipples into his mouth. "Oh yes ... you may suck that all day, Master ... that's when things started to go screwy, from what Jackie's said. I need to tell you, like a lot of large-breasted women, my tits aren't that sensitive, so you either have to really work them over, which I'm okay with ... I'm okay with anything that doesn't involve too much pain, or just accept that I'm not going to react like some other women might. I'll still enjoy it, and I'll get off on pleasing you with them, but they're not really a prime erogenous zone ... still, that feels very nice." "I'm happy it does, slut ... but about driving the Dommes away from the House?" he said before returning to her nipple and gently biting it. "Umm ... much more ... than what I've told you ... you have very nice fingers, Sir ... you'd have to ask Jackie about ... but could you please wait awhile on that?" "No need to worry about that, fuck-beast ... I'm not going anywhere at the moment but between your thighs. "What do you do for a living, cum-slut?" "Uh ... I'm a ... legal ... secretary..." "What a fucking waste ... not of your mind, you're a very intelligent woman," he said, working a third finger into her wet cunt, "but of your body ... hours every day that this magnificent body, born to be a fuck-beast, chained to a bed bringing pleasure to anyone who wanted to use you, isn't naked and doing just that. God, what a waste of such a treasure." "Am I ... to understand ... my playtimes ... might be a little ... busy?" "Dear, the Mistress overseeing your care and training is just a little this side of insatiable when she gets interested ... and as you saw earlier, she's very interested in you and Jackie. Margo's just coming into her own as a Domme and will need practice ... not to mention being almost as insatiable as Kelly. Carol's a little fuck-beast, very much like you." "Well Master, on the flip side of that, you have me, born to please, born to serve. You have Jackie, very much in the same kind of head space with an attitude that pretty much says 'I could be fucking or doing almost anything else ... fucking wins' ... and you've got Billy. "Thank you for not freaking out when you found out he was the one sucking you off." Harry sensed a change in mood and slowed down a bit while he snuggled up to her. "Why do you say that?" "Sir, service is all he has ... and without his legs and his prosthetics in the shape they're in, there's not much he can safely do as a servant. He gets around okay, but manual labor's very hard for him and Billy is sweet and very intelligent, he's just not educated. He didn't finish junior high before he was out hustling ... and his childhood was so fucked up that selling his ass on the streets wasn't a step down, it was a step up. It was something that gave him self-esteem. I've seen his pictures from back then. He's still pretty to look at but back then, he was gorgeous. He was pretty, he was charismatic, he was witty, and he could work either side of the street or both at once. He got kept for long periods of time by some very rich people, as a slave, a servant, a sex-toy. "Then came the accident ... and he wasn't capable of labor-type service anymore ... and nobody wanted him for pleasure. You and your House did a very good thing, taking him in, and a very special thing letting him know he was to be used for pleasure. "But still, Master, he only really has one thing to give, and one way to give it ... at least in his mind. And when you didn't freak out, you told him his offering was acceptable. He was accepted." Lisa slid down and took his cock in her mouth, gently working it around, not blowing him for sex, but blowing him for sensation, for sheer pleasure. "How do you know him so well?" Harry asked. "Sir, everybody in the scene knows Billy. And if they've been it as long as I have, they know Billy since before the accident. Plus, outcasts tend to stick together, and the three of us were well on our way to being outcasts." "Remind me to have you tell me about that later ... as for Billy, I was a little ... amazed ... that I didn't freak. I don't know what I'll do if ... no, when he and I getting physically intimate comes up again." "May I make a suggestion?" Lisa said, his cock sliding into her hand from her mouth. "I suppose." "Look at him with eyes of love and compassion." ------- "Tattie, wake up, we're going home." "Huh ... Julie? No ... no, I'm not going home. I'm staying here till they're through with Yuri." "Tattie, I just got through talking with Nick's ... associates ... on staff. They're keeping Yuri for seventy-two hours of evaluation. But honey, in the couple of hours you've been here, he's had two more episodes. It's not looking good." "Julie ... I can't ... I can't leave him here alone..." "Tattie, you can't see him, you being here makes no difference, and you need to get home and rest. I've got a prescription for you from one of Nick's doctors. You're grey, honey, your skin looks grey. You need rest. You're sixty-some-odd years old and this could kill you. Now Vashti and I are taking you home. "Please, don't make me call Nick and have him send men to make you go home." "You'd do that, wouldn't you?" "Damn straight. This is the best paying job I've had in years and I'm not gonna see it end because you worried yourself to death." "Alright ... let's go home." ------- Zhang Wan-Yin lay in bed in a room that was over twice as big as the one she and her children had been crammed into at the Kraghold, Kimmy on one side and Timmy on the other and simply breathed. She breathed without the constant pain that the tightness in her whole body had had her in for the first time in over a year. It had felt like she was moving and breathing, doing everything wrapped in wire, wrapped so tightly that she always hurt. And it had been the kind of pain that made her look at razor blades and her wrists, not the kind that had her writhing in pleasure. She laid in the darkness, safe, her children safe beside her, and she relaxed. These people would protect her, they would help her. She would get her Green Card and live openly and the Karg would have no hold on her anymore. Although the bedrooms were at opposite ends of the house, and it was a very well-built house, she could faintly hear her two new friends making love. It did not bother her ... in the Karghold she and the children had learned to sleep through it going on in the same room, sometimes on the same mattresses. And the weeping of a slave was much more disturbing to sleep than the honest joy of a woman being loved. ------- "Harry ... Harry you're fucking my bodacious titty woman!" "No ... Kelly ... I'm fucking... our bodacious ... titty woman." "Harry, honey, if you don't share ... I'm gonna tell Margo you're up and using that leg." "You ... are ... a bitch ... hop on." Kelly settled her cunt down on Lisa's face ... the woman's nose felt just as divine resting in Kelly's cunt as she'd thought it would. "Hey, how am I supposed to breathe?" Lisa asked, her smile evident in her voice. "Fuck-slut, breathe through your mouth, fuck your Mistress with your nose and let my husband pound that luscious cunt of yours. "Oh, and shut the fuck up." "Yes Mistress." "Good little fuck-slut." Kelly reached down and began to massage Lisa tits. "Harry, does this little slitch know that the four of us are gonna wear that pussy out ... Jackie's too?" "Are you kidding? The little whore is looking forward to it. I think she's a bigger pleasure slut than Carol." "How does she feel about us puttin' it to that ass of hers? 'Cause Dommi not doing anal all that often is one of the biggest disappointments I imagine you've had tonight." "Flip me right now and find out." "Shut up, slut. You wanna, Harry? 'Cause she's gonna be eatin' my pussy for awhile whether she's on her back, on her stomach, on her side or on American Idol singin' 'Love Hurts'." "I'm fine ... right where ... I am..." "Good," Kelly said, readjusting herself to take some of the weight off of Lisa's face. "I'm gonna start rubbin' backwards and forwards on you, slut, just so you know." "Can you believe ... her owners have let ... this beautiful bitch ... out of a bedroom ... to go do something ... as mundane ... as work?" Harry gasped. "Umm, that's it Lisa ... oh, you're making me very happy ... well, I tell ya what, Harry my love ... when I make my first million, I'll take her out of the workforce and put her on the ... oh ... my ... mmm ... on the house slave staff ... okay?" "You're ... on..." "Harry, what the fuck are you doing on that leg?" Margo asked as she crawled close enough to see what was going on. "Doctor Wife, do you see what I'm doing, and who I'm doing it to?" Harry replied. "Yes, yes I do, and she's as delectable as they come, but if you don't get off that leg I'm going to end up having to haul your idiot ass into an emergency room at some inconvenient damn time." Margo dragged Harry off of Lisa and rolled him onto his back, swinging her leg over his face. "Here, lick on this for a moment. Kelly, off!" "Yes, Madam." She pulled Lisa up and to her. "Lisa, part of your responsibility to this House and its members is to make sure they don't do anything stupid ... like your Master was just doing. While you don't have the 'authority' to make him do anything ... you like that taste, Harry? Remind me to tell you about that. You do have the authority to invoke my orders on a subject." Margo whispered to her "How do you feel about being struck in the face?" "As long as it's a slap and I deserve it, fine ... and I deserve this." SLAP! "I ... understand ... Madam..." Lisa said through the tears that were beginning to flow down her cheeks. "Now get on top of his cock, slut, and finish it ... and let me taste those tears ... and those lips ... and those tits." "Yes ... Madam." "Are you alright, Lisa?" Margo whispered. "Oh yes Madam ... and I am sorry ... I should've thought, but I wanted to feel him over me so bad ... I didn't think." "It's okay sweetie, it's obvious that neither did he." Then, in a louder voice, "Kelly? Come here." Kelly crawled over and knelt in-between Margo riding Harry's face and Lisa riding his cock. "Yes ma'am." "Why did you allow our husband to continue to be up on that knee fucking this little slut instead of putting him on his back and letting her do the work?" Kelly mumbled something too low to be heard. "What was that, Kelly?" "I said I wanted to ride her face and I couldn't do that if she were sitting up." "So you allowed our husband to risk hurting his leg further for the immediate gratification of a desire you could have easily gratified a little later?" "Yes Madam." "Do you accept me as Dominant in this matter, Kelly? Harry? Do you trust me to handle the issue of punishment or do you want a family council?" "Yes Madam, I'd fine with you handling it," Kelly said. "Same here, Margo," Harry replied. "I'm very disappointed in both of you, Harry, Kelly. You both were thinking with your little brains instead of your big ones. Lisa, you've been punished and we'll speak no more of this. The two of you ... I shall work on something appropriate." She got off Harry's face while Lisa continued to ride him and lay down close to him. "Harry ... I know ... no, I don't know ... I can maybe imagine how frustrating it is to have your life and your desires hobbled by your leg right now ... but please honey, take it easy." "I ... know ... I'll do better. Tomorrow's gonna be hard. The picnic ... everything..." "I know, but it'll be okay. Now do me a favor ... think about the fact that you were eating me and Dommi ... while you were over here with this sweet, beautiful, sexy slave, she and I were rubbing our cunts together like we were trying to start a fire. Damn that woman is hot," she said, her voice dropping to a whisper, "and she likes us, Harry, she wants to come back and play again. Oh, and after she took a little cleansing visit to the bidet, I tongued that ass for all it was worth." Her lips brushed his. "Wanna taste? Wanna taste of nice, fresh Dommi ass?" "OH, Oh, oh my GOD ... I don't know what you just told him ... but he's ... OH ... umm ... uh ... yeah ... UMMM ... Madam ... uh ... OH, OH, OH ... he's ... ah..." Lisa rode out her orgasm on top of Harry's madly spurting cock as he and Margo kissed furiously. "I'll just ... mmm ... uh ... damn ... I like it here ... Kelly ... Mistress?" "Yes, fuckable?" "If you'll ... help me off ... of him ... I'll gladly ... damn ... I'll ... uh ... finish ... you..." By the time all was said and done, Kelly and Lisa had locked themselves in a sixty-nine and Kelly found her ride on Lisa's face to be even better than she'd fantasized it would be. ------- Galena lay in bed, her aching horniness assuaged for the moment. She liked Patricia a lot, her sense of humor, her gentle ways. She liked Karen, even though she was a little scared of her. And in two more days, one and a half really, she'd live with them. Live away from her family for the first time in her life. She thought she should be scare, but instead she just felt joyful. ------- Tamara went to sleep on top of Eddie and he lay in bed for quite some time, thinking, letting her sleep there. His encounter with the Karg morons had disturbed him and he wondered just how much trouble their adoption of the little Chinese woman and her family might bring them. And he wondered how many more women they were taking advantage of in exactly the same way. He needed to come clean with the family about losing track of Angie ... but the thought of failing twice in such proximity to each other was eating him inside. The only saving grace was that Margo might beat the shit out of him ... that would make him feel better. ------- "Alright, subs, you know where the kitchen is, we're heading to bed, we will see you in the ... well, the very late morning or early afternoon," Margo said. After Angela helped Carol wipe off her body paint, and the two of them helped Kelly, it was a mass shower for everyone except Harry, who was of course in the tub, jets of hot water working on his leg. "I cannot fucking believe this," he muttered. "Five incredibly sexy women; three wives, a present for me and a visiting Mistress in the shower and I'm all alone in the tub." ------- "Damn bitch, you were supposed to warm my bed, not set it on fire!" Sheila smiled. "Does my big sister approve of how I tell stories?" Sheila would go to sleep that night not understanding the strange look on Nicki's face, or why it was followed by side-splitting laughter. ------- Harry and Angela curled up and went to sleep spooning with each other. Then Carol curled up next to Harry and Kelly crashed out hugging Angela. Margo and Dommi lay in bed and talked quietly, seeing the sun well and truly up before they drifted off to sleep. ------- Chapter 37 "Harry ... Harry, it's time to wake up," Karen said as she reached into the jumble of arms and legs to gently shake her business partner awake. "Mmflegmph..." "Harry ... this is not a bad dream ... if you're not up soon, I'm going to go get Eddie and have him give you a proctological exam." "You wouldn't ... he's not here ... go away." "Harry, he's in the kitchen, and unlike me, he hasn't had coffee yet." Harry's eyes shot open like window shades that had been pulled down too far and then released. "We gave y'all keys to the house ... what the fuck were we thinking?" "I don't know, but you did it and now it's time to start paying. You got your brace on? Good. Let's get you out of there," she carefully disentangled Harry from the arms and legs that lay across him and helped him to slide off the end of the bed. "Now, here's your robe ... smells like you bathed last night before bed ... good thing ... do you need to go to the bathroom?" "God yes." "Alright, come on, you're still unsteady. I'll help you." As Harry sat on the toilet having a morning piss, his business partner standing by him, her back to him, he said, "I love you, Sappho." "Harry, that that thought occurred to you while you were takin' a piss worries me ... want I should sit down, take a pee and return the sentiment?" "If you wanna, Sappho ... won't bother me." "Think I'll pass ... and I love you too ... now if you're through-" "Must ... have ... mouthwash." "Okay." Karen waited not-so-patiently while Harry gargled. "Now then, let's get you in there and making coffee. Once that's started I'll be in here getting your wives up. Eddie's got something he wants to talk to the family about." ------- The family sat around the table and looked at Eddie once he'd finished. He'd started with the news about the Karg, and 'Karggark' knowing his last name, saving the really bad news, the Angie news, for last. "Margo ... if you wanna beat the shit outta me, I won't raise a hand to stop ya ... neither will Tamara," he said, looking at her pointedly. "Hell," he continued, looking miserable, "I'd feel fuckin' better if ya did." "Eddie ... if it turns out that this bites us in the ass, I'll hold you to that," Margo said, rubbing her face wearily, "but not until then. You've done more to protect this family than anyone has a right to ask, and we love you for it." "How long do we have before we have to be ready to leave for the picnic?" Carol asked, yawning as she leaned on Kelly's shoulder. "About two hours till we need to leave," Harry said, blearily looking at the kitchen clock. "Baby Girl, start breakfast, let's get people fed, our guests taken care of, our subs taken care of and some house rules laid down before we have to go. I'll get another couple of pots of coffee going." "Thank God we're having everything catered," Karen said. "Remember when we used to do all of it ourselves?" "Yeah," Harry said, "and if that were the case today, the shit wouldn't happen." "Yes it would ... remember our third picnic?" "Sappho, fuck you! I can't handle that much psychic scarring this early in the day." ------- As everyone sat around the table, and along the counters, eating, the story of the third G & P Picnic unfolded. "So we'd finished a job for Parson's Pest Control and all they had to do was pay us in something approaching a timely manner, and we'd have the money to put on a good picnic for the troops," Karen said. "So we'd promised the staff a good picnic." "Now remember," Harry said, picking up the tale, "this was a staff of five, seven if you include us ... to make it a good picnic, we aren't talkin' more than three hundred and fifty, four hundred dollars, and that includes what were nice company bonuses for us at the time. But come the Friday before, it's 10 AM, we've been expecting the check for three weeks, it's been 'in the mail' for three weeks, and we got nothin'. Sappho and I are lookin' at another month of Ramen so we can make payroll and we might have enough Ramen to let everyone have some at the picnic, but that's fuckin' it. "We're sittin' in the office, getting' madder and madder, and Karen says 'Fuck it, let's go get our motherfucking money!' and off she charges. Well, I knew better than to let her go by herself, no tellin' what lawsuits we'd end up with, so I hop in the car with her and away we go down to Parson's Pest Control, making a fifteen minute drive in about five. She storms through the office doin' her best 'Fist of Righteous Fury' move, I'm runnin' to catch up with her. She bulls her way into old man Parson's office and bellows 'Give us our money' so loud they heard her three states away. "Oh, the piteous mewling bullshit began to get slung! 'Check is in the mail'..." "Accountant's out of town with the company checkbook..." Karen added. "No funds in the account until the following week'..." Harry continued, "you name it, the old man was slinging it. Karen's not buying any of it. Tells him about the picnic, tells him what we're already down to eating to make payroll, and tells him that he either writes a check or..." The silence was painful. "Go ahead Sappho, tell 'em." Karen sat at the table, looking at her plate, her lips tight. Harry came up behind her, hugged her and kissed her on the cheek. "Come on ... tell 'em what you did..." She muttered something completely unintelligible. "Do you want me to tell them?" "NO ... no ... I reached down, grabbed his dick through his pants and told him I would rip it off and skull fuck him with it." "Well, there went one of G & P's clients," Galena said amidst the laughter. "No ... actually no," Harry replied. "Once you got it straight with the old man that you couldn't be fucked with, he was pretty easy to work with. But we were a small company, and he thought he could delay payment till he saw just how much more business he got over the life of the campaign. Karen let it be known that shit wasn't going to fly. "So he writes us a personal check for the full amount, adds a little bonus, a hundred, if I remember correctly, we go deposit it, and head back to work. Then that night, while Sappho and I are grocery shopping for things that were not Ramen for the picnic and our own larder, she has a brilliant idea. 'Let's get some tequila' she says." "Yeah, brilliant fuckin' me ... next morning, it's 4 AM, we're sittin' on the patio, each of us with a damn near empty bottle of tequila ... we'd propped our feet up on each other's chairs, playin' footsie with each other's crotches ... I think that's the closest I ever came to forgettin' Harry was a guy and draggin' him off to bed." "Why the fuck didn't you?" asked Patricia. Her lover looked at Patricia sadly and said, "Harry's a guy ... I don't do guys." Harry looked at his longtime partner and smiled. "Next day, the Terminatrix there has her sunglasses and bein' a drinker not a stoner, she's a lot more used to the hangover than I am, she's organizing games and such, having a grand ol' time." "He neglects to mention I had hair of the dog in me ... I finished what was left of both bottles when we got up," Karen interjected. "The malevolent bitch leaves me with grill duty. I'm standin' there, no sunglasses, bleedin' into my brain cavity, havin' to grill food," Harry continued. "Every time the wind shifted, Harry'd go run into the bushes and hurl," Karen cackled. "I don't think he had anything left but his toenails by the end of it." "Nope, didn't even have them. And you're right Sappho; this ain't nowhere near as bad as that day ... I'm not hung-over, I'm just tired." "Well, you get to sit on your ass today, beloved," Margo said. "If you're up on that leg too much I'm gonna slip something in your drink that'll put you out for the rest of the day and most of the night ... got me?" "Yes ma'am ... I'll be good." ------- The House members sat out on the deck, enjoying the morning and sipping coffee. "Alright Dommi," Margo said as she lay back, resting against the deck chair Harry occupied. "I gather that from your earlier comments that you'd like it if we 'held court' at your place every Friday night." "You bet I would. And don't get me wrong, I'm not talking performing every week ... of course, the 'three-ring' would only be yours those nights you did, but there's a section right next to it where I can put together a very nice lounge area for you and our Houses, lots of room for guests, plenty of space to have fun and almost as visible, when we get done rearranging, as the 'three-ring'." "I don't know ... the thought of having to watch Laney and company's performances is enough to make me strongly consider throwing our own show every week," Carol said, caressing Dommi's leg. "Oh, something tells me, and I'm very psychic this way, that it'll be a cold day in hell before Laney or his friends get a reservation for any table-stage at my club again," Dommi replied. "Darlin', are you sure you wanna draw that big a line in the sand?" Harry asked. "I mean, so far all you've done is ally yourself with us and, justifiably, ban Shiloh for six months. You make a move like that ... you're declaring war." "Yes I'm sure, silly man. Now then, as far as your bar tab, yours will be at employee discount, which means at cost, so don't worry about me losing money on you. And feel free to pick up as many guests' tabs as you like. I may not make quite as much money, but we've got very little time to get you known and visible before the Fetish Ball." "Dommi," Margo said, "why are you asking for Friday instead of Saturday? Saturday night would seem to be a much busier night, better for our visibility and your business." "It would, but you've got a lot of other people to meet with, and to deal with, and Saturday night's a very good night to do it. I certainly won't object if you're able to schedule any get-togethers you can for Saturday night at my place, but you need the busiest social night of the week free." "We would give it to you if you asked," Kelly said. "I know ... and that means a lot. But for you to pull this off in just barely over two months is going to require a lot of schmoozing, and you're going to need that open Saturday night. Besides, you make some unannounced pop-ins during the week, life will be even better." "So it's settled," Harry said, "we're at your club on Friday nights. Any particular time you want us to show up?" "Nah, keep it random, sometime between 8 and 10 PM, give me about thirty minutes warning so I can prep a few things. "And of course, any night you do want the 'three-ring', just let me know. People are going to be talking about last night for quite some time." Carol patted her leg somewhat absent-mindedly as ideas were already forming in her head. ------- After seeing Dommi and Angela off in a cab, the family sat the new housemates down for a talk. "We put up a twelve-foot fence for a reason ... but if you're using the pool during the daylight hours, don't get so loud as to give people a reason to try to see over it," Harry told them. "As far as the house itself, our bedroom is off-limits unless you're invited. That's our marriage space. I hope you can all respect that. If the bedroom door is closed, do not disturb, except in case of emergency ... and remember, we'll be deciding if it was really an emergency after all is said and done. I wish we had clothes for you ladies so you could come along, if you wanted to, like Billy is, but we don't have time to shop ... and really nothing for you to wear while we did." "Oh you can get around that, Harry, trust me," Eddie said. "It's okay, Master, we have a beautiful house and a pool and a hot tub all to ourselves," Jackie said. "I think we can find some way to entertain ourselves." "One question, I was just wondering," Lisa said, "Carol, what room are you thinking of switching the office downstairs with, our room or Billy's? Just if it's ours I don't want to get too settled." "I was going to switch it with Billy's, that'll leave the two of you the bigger of the two available rooms." "Well then, I guess our boy Billy shouldn't get too settled," Jackie said, smiling at him. ------- Hal Stallings woke up, his eyes surveying the devastation of their bedroom. He and Tori had a good sex life. Objectively, they both agreed, it was good. They tried something new every once in awhile, got a little kinky from time to time, and things were great. They had never had a night that even came close to the night before. Hal figured Margo knew why he was so relaxed about her dope-smoking ... he and Tori smoked recreationally at least twice or more a week. So when they had all gotten home the night before, clothes were left on the way from the front door to the bedroom, they had all gotten very stoned and things went beyond ... just beyond. With their inhibitions so low, they had slipped into their fantasy deeply, more deeply than Hal would've imagined. He remembered Jessie crying as he made love to her, recalling how hurt she'd been when he banished her from his lap because she was 'getting too old for that' ... and how he'd cried with her, explaining why. The two of them laughing together, so happy that it would never be a problem again. Of course she'd give Daddy an erection when she sat in his lap ... what was wrong with that? The psychodrama had gotten deeper as Jessie and his wife had talked about their feelings of competition with one another for Hal's affections, while they made love with one another. He had been watching the two of them exploring their mutual feelings of jealousy; Tori for Jessie being Hal's little girl, Jessie for Tori being the woman who had the part of Hal she could never have, even when she was too young to know what it was. Hal had gotten up to grab another bottle of wine and when he returned he had curled up with Sam, watching mother and daughter love each other. Sometime in all of it, he and his son had begun to do the same ... at first tentatively, each of them ready to pull back and run at the slightest provocation, but after awhile it had been mother and daughter watching the two of them, Hal and Sam, exploring each other's bodies and ever so slowly becoming more comfortable with each other as lovers. When Sam's internal dam broke and his rage over the thousand little unthinking and unnoticed injuries and neglects Hal inflicted on Tori flowed over the two of them, Hal had held him as he tried to break free to hurt Hal, held him as he cried, kissed him tenderly and told him that some day Sam would do better than Hal ever had as a husband. Then he and Tori had made love while watching their children do the same and in the moment, each of them remembering their time with each of their children, it seemed as though there was no more perfect beauty than the products of their love for each other loving each other. Finally, Jessie had asked her mother if Tori would mind sharing Hal with her, and Sam had asked him the same about Tori. As Tori kissed Jessie and told her she was happy to share, Hal had kissed Sam and told him the same. Then they'd all curled up together in the bed and fallen asleep. And now it was morning ... time to come back from fantasy-land. "I see your eyelids are open Dad," Sam said. He looked over to see the young man from the club lying on one arm, looking at him. "Whoa, never slipped so deep into character as I did last night. How about you?" "Last night was ... I've been in psych wards where we would have all felt at home last night." "Dad, don't do that, don't make it something crazy or something bad. Nobody last night went anywhere they didn't want to go. Having had a bit of experience with this kind of thing let me tell you, being comfortable enough, feeling safe enough, to sink that deeply, play with someone that intently ... that's rare. Don't cheapen it, don't demean it. If you decide you don't want that in your life, that possibility, then simply refuse it, but don't make it less wondrous than it was. I've been paired with Jessie for three years now and we've never been that raw, that open with each other. The four of us together are something special. "And I'm not just saying that because I want to be adopted. This kind of fantasy before has always been naughty and kinky and lots of fun and dirty laughter and ... last night was ... something else. I have to fight to not think of the two of you as my parents and that's more than a little freaky." "He's right Daddy," Jessie said from behind Hal on the bed. "If you don't want to adopt us as a permanent part of your lives ... well, that'll suck, because that's what we're looking for, but that's your choice to make. But if you don't, please ... please let us come play with you on occasion ... I want to go back to that depth ... that place. Not all the time ... come on, it'd kill us all ... but I do want to go back there again." "So honey," Tori said from the far side of Jessie, "what's it going to be?" Hal Stallings was lost. And he wasn't too hypocritical to admit he loved being lost. "After so long, how could we refuse to let our own children move back home if they want to?" ------- The site that had been chosen for the G & P Picnic was a privately-owned ranch by the river with various small historic buildings the owner had relocated from different spots and remodeled, creating a semblance of a small western town. It had all the facilities the party would need, and in addition there was swimming in a pool created in a large, natural-looking hollow, fed by a spring. The place was perfect, except for its distance from the city and after the committee had taken their recommendations to the employees, that proved to be not nearly as much of a drawback as they'd feared. The two carloads pulled up; Harry, Carol, Margo, Kelly and Billy, followed by Karen, Patricia, Galena, Nicki, Eddie and Tamara. A lot of the employees and their families had already arrived and the parking lot was full enough that they had to park further back than Margo would've liked. "Okay Harry, Billy, the two of you take it easy. I'm already hauling your asses in on Tuesday; don't make me have to do so sooner." As they made their way from the parking lot to the 'town square', Rhonda, the G & P receptionist, fluttered by in a hurry and tried to give them door prize tickets. "Rhonda, honey ... we don't get these," Harry said. "Is it time to put you back into the hospital?" "Oh, I'm sorry Boss ... no, although..." she crept closer to them and whispered, "I've been looking at home electro-shock kits." Her playful sobs sounded most convincing. "I miss it so." "Well, maybe if you're a good girl, Santa will put one under the company Christmas tree for you," Harry said as they all laughed and continued on into the site. Harry was in his element, he liked his entire staff, they were people he loved working with, and people whose loyalty and respect he'd earned the old-fashioned way ... by treating them like the valuable members of the team that they were. Margo set him up under a shade tree where he could see the games so he sat and visited with people for a good part of the early afternoon, watching the contests and silly sports they had arranged. He was watching the Goofy Pentathlon, popular because of its vacation-to-Bermuda prize for the first place winner's family, when Dot from their video department pulled up a lawn chair and sat down beside him. "Beer, Boss?" she asked, holding out an icy Corona with a slice of lime in the mouth. "Sure, thanks ... so how's it going?" "Pretty good ... y'all're looking good. Thought y'all might be dragging ass after last night." Harry froze, then slowly turned to look at her. "Excuse me?" "Hell of a show your House put on ... side of Karen I hadn't seen before ... it was nice. Not my taste, you understand, but incredibly erotic to watch. It all was. And your friend Eddie over there ... he IS my taste. Damn ... we went home and I wore some ... well, my husband and my other two subs were very tired, let's leave it at that. "Mistress Dorothy Mallon of House O'Shaunessy, pleasure to meet you, Master Grimes of House Chorale." "I do not fuckin' believe someone from my office was there last night." "Boss, why are you surprised? Y'all've made G & P a pretty freak-friendly place to work. Don't be shocked that some of us are 'that' kind of freak." She smiled. "You're lucky we were the only ones there." "You're kidding." "Nope, Thad from Accounting ... I'll let you form your own opinion." "You don't sound like you like him much." "I like him, like his House ... we just have ... philosophical differences. I'll make introductions later this afternoon, maybe we could all meet somewhere a bit more private later on for drinks." "So Dot ... how long have you and Bob..." "Oh, since before we got married and we just celebrated our tenth anniversary not too long ago." Harry studied the tall, slender woman. "Dot, if you don't mind me asking, how do you and Bob keep it ... your marriage ... I mean..." "I know what you mean. Look, everybody's different. From what I've seen watching the four of you, you're pretty much three Dominants and a submissive. Are you all committed to each other?" "Oh, more than I ever could have imagined ... but how did you ... I thought the office only knew about Carol." "Okay, number one, y'all's relationship is the worst-kept secret at G & P. You've undoubtedly noticed by now how much of a problem it's causing among your employees. Two, the mutual commitment clarifies things somewhat. Bob and I are married, the other two are just subs, not part of our marriage ... like I hope, for your sake, the five you took in last night will be. Always remember ... your marriage has the primary demand on your time, and your attention. If a subbie can't understand that, then they're trouble and you need to work with them on it, or get rid of them. I made a..." she looked down at her beer, "I made a mistake, early in our marriage and our time in 'society' ... I got real focused on a sub, and he was a pretty boy, very energetic, very eager to please ... big ol' dick ... and I started taking my husband for granted. He was my sub, he'd put up with it because I said he would ... yeah, I was that stupid ... and all of a sudden one evening I found myself having a conversation where I found out that submissive or not, Bob was not and never would be my bitch. I was facing a divorce and I got told that his and my sexual identities and roles were not involved. That was 'playtime' and our marriage was the real world." She looked down again. "I got told that just because he needed to treat me, and it pleased him to treat me like my twat was made of gold didn't mean I should start thinking it was made of gold. "We went and got some counseling and I ended up letting that subbie go because the way I'd behaved had caused some hard feelings with Bob. It was just fucking unfair to expect Bob to be able to let go of those feelings easily so we moved on. But it taught me ... taught both of us I think, that our marriage is what's important. The rest, it's fun and I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world ... except my marriage. "So keep your marriage foremost at all times. If it needs attention, tell your subs and if they're the right people for you to have in your household, they'll understand. "The next most important thing is your subs. You do owe them time and attention. And if they live with you, like ours do, like I gather some of yours do, then you owe them even more. I can't really advise you how to handle yours, everyone is different, but Bob and I have our nights, our nights alone, and then we have regularly scheduled nights where either Jamie or Saul is in bed with us and it's not 'playtime', it's 'us' time. They're still subs, that's the way they like to view the world, but it's a kinder, gentler, more loving time. "A lot of making it work is really just common sense, Boss. They're people. If they live with you, then they're at least roommates, and since you're involved with them on an emotional level, albeit an odd one at times, it's something deeper than that, but still not deep enough to make it as important as your marriage. "From what I know of you at the office, unless you either turn into a complete moron or a total asshole when you leave work, y'all will be just fine. ------- Julie and Vashti had woken up at pretty much the same time and run into each other as they both headed to check on Tattie. She was still asleep, thanks in part to the prescription Julie'd brought home with them, and so they left her and had a companionable if somewhat quiet breakfast. Afterwards Vashti went into the dining room and began to slowly and carefully clean up. Julie joined him not long after and as they worked on finding every shard of porcelain, he rattled off a stream of Russian at her. "Not ... so ... quick, Vashti. Make slower." "Sorry, not thinking. You have good time last night?" "Yes, yes ... much ... good time." "You have sex last night?" Julie was slightly shocked, but remembered her and Tattie's promise to always be truthful with the boys, as well as what this young boy's life had been up to this point. "One, that ... not question ... you ... ask ... someone. Two, yes I did." Vashti looked at her and smiled, the happiest she'd seen him in awhile, certainly since she'd shown up at the hospital. "You are not 'someone', you are teacher and friend. It is good. You have boyfriend now?" "No." "Girlfriend now?" Julie looked at him to see if he was being judgmental but he was brushing up bits of porcelain, just as before. Again, not surprising considering his past. "No ... nosy boy." She looked at him and smiled as he sat back on his heels and smiled at her in return. "Young man ... and woman ... maybe ... five ... six ... years ... younger ... than me. We not ... together ... we ... just ... friends." "Friends who fuck." "Yes ... friends who fuck." "It is good." And he went back to cleaning up the dining room. After a moment, so did she. ------- "Madam?" came Jackie's voice from the phone. "Yes Jackie," Margo replied. "The good news, Laney had our things professionally packed and delivered to the house today. The bad news, they won't unload unless we can pay and between the three of us, we don't have enough to cover it. Mine and Lisa's checks don't hit the bank till Tuesday, first working day of the month, we got Sheila on the phone and she came over, she has some, but it's still not enough. "I am so embarrassed to be coming to you with this." "Hand the phone to whoever's in charge, I'll handle it." Five minutes later Margo was back on the phone with Jackie. "It's been taken care of." "Madam, thank you so much. We'll be able to pay you back on Tuesday evening when we get in from work ... I figure that might be a good time to discuss things like rent and bills and such." Margo smiled at the uncertainty in the woman's voice, her worry over finances evident. "It would be, but I think we'll discuss them tomorrow over breakfast instead. So how is your day going?" "Oh, well, it's about to be a little busy, but other than that, uh, very relaxing, not doing much o' nothin'." "Well, hug each other for all of us; we'll see you when we get home tonight." ------- "Shit," Lisa said after Jackie hung up the phone, "this is gonna screw up our plans. I guess we'll just have to work harder. Alright, we can't do much while they're unloading ... let's let them get finished, Jackie and I can get into some appropriate clothes, then we can finish what we originally started, and then tend to our stuff." ------- "Kissie darling, did it ever occur to you that hauling up stakes and moving in such a short time, at our age, might not be the smartest thing we've ever done?" Earl asked as he finished packing the last of the bags they were taking with them when they flew down. "Every time you've complained about it, sweetheart," she replied as she read over their hotel reservations information, printed out on her Braille printer. "We could just tell Kelly and the family we're coming ... they're nice people, I'm sure they'd put us up." "Earl, you're going to have plenty of time for snooping soon enough. Be patient. For heaven's sake, you'll only be living about a half mile away from them once we close on the house." "Well, I'm as ready as I'm gonna get. I'll go call a cab. Thank God we're going to have tomorrow and Monday to relax before classes start on Tuesday." "Amen to that, Earl. Amen to that." ------- Eddie had a rough afternoon. Tamara had gravitated to the children's activities in a heartbeat and spent her time helping with them, the organizers thrilled to have such a pleasant assistant materialize, seemingly out of nowhere. Every time Eddie looked at her, so happy that he couldn't imagine her happier unless some of them were their own, all he could think of was that they might not have that chance. He knew she'd be happy if they adopted ... but for her, he knew having their own would be ecstasy, and mere happiness couldn't compare. He forced himself to stay away from the children. Seeing Tamara with them was hard enough on him. He thought about what Kim had said the night before. He spent a lot of time sitting under a tree, watching his love and thinking. As much as they'd been trying, not that that was any great burden at all for either of them, perhaps it was time to consider a fertility specialist. He decided to broach the subject with Tamara that evening after they got home. ------- "Madam Grimes, House Chorale meet Mistress Mallon of House O'Shaunessy." "Greetings Mistress Mallon ... you've got to be kidding ... I feel like running around in circles screaming 'they everywhere, they everywhere'." "Better make that 'we everywhere' Madam Grimes," Dot said, smiling. "Good point. So, where do you and your House sit politically?" "Straight and to the point. Do you know, your husband hasn't even broached the subject yet ... not sure whether it's because he assumes he knows my answer or it just didn't occur to him." "It didn't occur to him, trust me. He has a prior relationship with you and good, bad, or indifferent, that will color his overriding view of you and yours, at or away from work." "He needn't worry ... neither should you. We'll be eating sometime soon so I shan't tell you what little-Dick Laney can do as far as I'm concerned. On the other hand, the Traditionalists and I have our points of contention as well ... although we're much closer to a meeting of the minds than Laney and I will ever be. Can't speak for my House's leadership, at least not with absolute certainty, but they haven't allied us with Laney yet." "Fair enough and more than I could ask for." "I've set up a little get-together, drinks, discussion and an introduction to the other employee family that plays after the picnic. Figured to hit the city and stop in at Mickey & Miguel's." "Sounds wonderful, I'll be looking forward to it." ------- "I don't know about you, but I'm starting to get a little hungry," Sheila said. "You want me to go in the kitchen, see what I can rustle up?" Jackie asked. "No ... I've got some money ... I remember seeing a menu on the fridge..." Sheila went into the kitchen. "Ah, here it is ... Lotus Hunan. Everybody up for Chinese, I'm buying?" ------- "Okay, and you're sure every employee has won a door prize of some kind?" "Harry, how fucking long have we been doing this? Yes I'm sure," Karen said, smiling at her partner. "Everybody's going home with something ... in addition to the bonus. And if Weltruf doesn't pay us soon..." "I know, we'll be back to Ramen and Mac 'N' Cheese ... luckily for my family, I'm married to a rich woman. How rich are you, Margo?" "Won't know exactly till we're through with the legal shit and that's this Thursday. I've been keeping a distance from the whole thing." "See, if things go really bad, my family won't be eating pasta ... but the lovely Patricia doesn't work, do you darling?" "Nope, I'm a housewife now, that's the way Liz wanted it. You better be bringing home some bacon, Liz." "Yeah," Galena added, "or we'll have to live off what G & P pays its new galley slaves ... I don't know if we'll be able to afford pasta ... may be time to think about your favorite flavor of dried dog food." "Well, if worse moves to worst, we'll take in Patricia and Galena ... I wouldn't think of wounding your pride, Sappho, by offering you charity like that," Harry said. "Harry ... Harry ... you better be dressed for getting muddy because after I beat your champion, I'm going to come back and carry you to that muddy spot and put you in it," Karen said, hugging him. "What I was going to say is that if Weltruf doesn't pay us soon, we might have to cut back on random bonuses until they do." "But we're still good on the holiday plans?" "Yeah, no problem there at all." ------- Billy made his way around the picnic in a sort of heaven. He had lived so long in the scene, and then lived so long as an outcast from the scene, the only life he knew, that what most of the population considered 'normal' was foreign to him. He hadn't been to a picnic in years, and never one like the company picnic he was at. Although they were ineligible for any of the serious prizes, he and Carol had participated in the wheelbarrow race and taken second. Carol had held on to his stumps and away they'd gone. It had been a little awkward, but they'd done it. They had been shifted down to seventh place, where the silly prizes began, which was how he'd ended up wearing a G & P t-shirt with the logo 'You'd have to be crazy to hire us, and even crazier not to' and a G & P gimme cap. He'd tossed horseshoes for an employee-sponsored prize. The man's wife was trying to start up a massage therapy business and had donated hour-long massage coupons as prizes. He'd lost, but he'd enjoyed the competition. Billy'd wandered around snacking, periodically being warned by people he'd never met before not to spoil his appetite because supper was going to be fantastic. From what he could smell when the wind blew over the grill, they were right. He'd sat down and let the face-painter's seven year old daughter paint his face, which explained why he had a bright, almost glowing, yellow shape that he was assured by her was Spongebob Squarepants on the right side of his head. Nicki had grabbed him and they'd gone canoeing on the river ... well, he'd done most of the paddling once she'd realized just how mismatched they were in arm and upper body strength. He hadn't minded too much ... once they were out of easy sight of everyone she'd slid her shorts and panties to one side and given him a nice show, masturbating as she lay back and let him take them all around the immediate area. He and Kelly had hung around together and Kelly had won him and the girls a basket of handmade soap and bath products from another employee's spouse in a ball toss competition. He never wanted that woman mad at him when there were things handy for her to throw. And on second thought, he never wanted that woman mad at him period. He felt like he was human, just another of God's children walking the face of the earth ... just like everybody else. He didn't think he'd be able to explain to any of them how much that meant to him. ------- Jessica hadn't even looked at the address on the order when she grabbed it and headed out the door at a run. Students were moving back for the next semester and she was the busiest she'd ever been in her life. And when she did look at the address ... she knew it was bound to happen sooner or later. She pulled up to the house and steeled herself for the confrontation to come. When the door was opened by a woman she didn't know, Jessica blurted out "Who are you?" Jackie looked at her oddly. "Not exactly the greeting I'd expect from a delivery driver," she said. "Uh, I'm sorry ... it's just ... I used to live here." "Oh, you're Jessica," Lisa said as she came to the door. "We're sorry ... we've heard about you from the Grimes." Jessica eyed the three women and the piles of boxes. "And you would be ... never mind. Not my business. Here's your food, sorry for my rudeness, that'll be $32.50." Sheila handed her two twenties and told her to keep the change, then the three of them watched the young woman walk back to her car. "So that's Jessica," Jackie said. "Can you imagine anyone giving up a relationship with Kelly, hell, with any of them, because you couldn't deal with their lifestyle?" "No," Sheila said. "From what I've seen so far, other than the whole group marriage thing, they're some of the more normal people in the scene." ------- Jessica drove away, surprised by how much she hurt, she'd thought she was more over it than that, and oddly enough by how little she hurt, as she figured if she wasn't over it, it would hurt much worse. She knew Kelly was probably all over the two older women, and Jessica could see why, they were lovely and sexy. That Kelly had moved on, that she'd found her place with Harry and the others, a part of their marriage, and that she was still able to play outside of it ... it all left a bitter taste in Jessica's mouth, and an ache in her heart. On the other hand, she thought about what she had, two people for whom she was their only one. She thought about the friction as she and Quan sparred for dominance, the abject worship Wendy gave her, the way she felt about both of them. She was happy. Nobody ever said happy couldn't have a bittersweet taste to it as well. ------- "Alright, now for the event you've all been waiting for," Harry said to the assembled attendees, "the Annual Harry & Karen Wrestling Match. As it's obvious I won't be wrestling Sappho this year, you're actually going to have someone to bet on against Karen, as opposed to it being a pool on how long I last before I get my ass handed to me. Please remember, the betting you're about to do is illegal, so don't get too stupid. "This year, acting as my champion, my childhood friend, Eddie Janak!" Eddie stood up and the bookmakers among the employees began sizing him up. "Eddie and Sappho have a long history of physical contest, with the outcomes ... well, they've been about even, fifty-fifty, haven't they?" Harry said, tossing the question to the two of them. "Yeah." "About even." "Alright then, give y'all time to get your bets in, the match is gonna be held down near the river in that big ol' muddy wallow, and if Karen wins she's already told me I will get dumped in it, all of y'all are expected to attend and jeer at me yet again." ------- Kim and her children had been invited to go to the picnic, but Kim had been far too self-conscious and shy to even consider it, so she'd opted for a quiet day at home with her children. A day like she'd never had before. There were no demands on her time, other than theirs. She saw the Janaks off, then crawled back into bed with her children and lay with them, holding them, cuddling them. Kimmy and Timmy were used to living in a very restrictive environment where a lot of noise and running around were forbidden, so they'd developed into very quiet and reserved children. When the three of them were hungry, she got up and fixed breakfast, enjoying their excitement as they saw the pool outside. After assuring them that they could go swimming later, they sat in the sunny breakfast nook and ate together, without the demands and derision of masters and mistresses, and Kim found herself crying. When the children asked her why, she replied, "They are tears of happiness". For the first time in her life, it wasn't a lie. ------- "Eddie, I don't want you to take this the wrong way or nothin'," Harry said, "but I'd really, really like my side to win for once." "Little crushin' to your manhood to be beaten every year?" "Not really ... just boring. Besides, you know that isn't how I measure my manhood. I'm outmatched by Karen and it'd take a blind man with a lobotomy not to recognize it ... I'm just tired of always losing." "I'll do my best, Harry, but all macho posturin' aside ... I ain't sure I can take her, not unless I go all out and I ain't even sure then. Only advantage I'd have there is if I got in a good an' really underhanded first strike an' pretty much finished it right then. "But I'll do what I can." "I appreciate it." "Oh, it ain't all for you ... Tamara's put some decent money down on me to win." ------- Karen was in biker shorts and a sports bra, Eddie wore a pair of swim trunks. There was almost no circling, sizing up of each other as an opponent ... they'd been doing that off and on for years. There was a brief conversation, though. "Rules?" Eddie asked. "I don't use Tae-Kwon-Do and you don't use that nasty back-alley shit ... let's keep it friendly and entertaining." "Fair enough." "First of us down for a ten-count or whoever slaps the ground, well, the mud, three times in surrender." "You got it." And then Karen was low, and moving, coming up almost between his legs, but a little forward, she erupted upwards, head down, and lifted him off the ground, almost perfectly balanced, but he slid off to one side and fell into the mud. As her momentum carried her up, off the ground, she tucked and curled and came down on top of him, a ball of woman and as she drove the breath from him she began to extend her limbs again, hoping she'd gotten lucky and he might be down for the count. Wet and covered with mud Eddie said "I think ... you made ... me piss myself" before launching himself onto his side, throwing her off in the process. "Overshare!" she cried as she scrambled to get to her feet. She got them back under her just in time to dodge Eddie's lunge at her. "Goddamn, the boy is fast!" Margo exclaimed. "That's right; you've never really seen him fight, have you?" Harry said. "He's big and that means 'slow' in most peoples' minds. He works very hard to surprise them." "He damn sure surprised me," Carol said. "I never would have guessed he was that light on his feet." "Then you weren't paying enough attention when you were dancing with him," Tamara said smugly. People started getting comfortable on the grass around the wallow as it became evident that this year the match would take awhile. At around fifteen minutes, Harry finally called for a break. "Get 'em some water, let 'em breathe for a minute," he said. As the two competitors stood calming their breathing, Karen nodded to Eddie. "Thanks for not taking ... the cheap move ... and pulling my bra off ... that couple of times ... you had the chance." "No prob..." Eddie replied, "you ain't taken ... a nut shot yet ... and God knows ... you've had the chances." "You're welcome." And then after their short break was over, they were at it again. It had become obvious to most of the observers that Eddie's size and upper body strength were being counterbalanced by Karen's lower center of gravity and lower body strength. Several times Eddie had discovered the folly of letting her get the hydraulic pistons that were her legs under him where she could use them to lift. As the mud thoroughly covered both of them, getting a grip became difficult and it showed in their maneuvering. Both of them started to go for full grapples which became deadlocks that lasted until one or the other slipped and was pinned in the mud on their backs. But Karen's weight wasn't sufficient to keep Eddie down, and Karen's leg strength proved equal to the task of levering her up so neither side gained advantage. At around thirty minutes, Eddie called another break and the two of them stood facing each other, the strain showing clearly in both their faces. "Gawddamn woman ... what's it gonna take ... to put you down?" "Maybe more'n you got ... Eddie ... maybe more'n you got." "I won't argue that." "Then again ... you big gorilla ... I've got the same question ... shit, the number of times ... I've bounced you on the ground ... shoulda had you movin' a lot slower ... by now." "Built to take it ... built Neanderthal tough," he replied, smiling. "You Cro-mags didn't wipe us out ... cuz you were better killers ... you were better thinkers." Harry interjected, "Actually, a current theory suggests the Neanderthals disappeared by interbreeding with Cro-Magnon man." "Shut up, Harry!" they both said simultaneously. "Shutting up," he replied with a grin. When they went at it again, there was no doubt in anyone's mind that they were both very tired. As the two grappled with each other like two great prehistoric beasts wrestling in a tar pit, it ended as suddenly as it had begun. Eddie feinted, Karen went with it and while she was distracted he got his legs around her waist, locked his ankles and scissored her to the ground. Using his longer arms, he kept his weight above her as she pivoted and squirmed, trying to break free. "Face it ... you're gonna have to take ... the nut shot to get free ... you ain't got enough left ... otherwise to do it," he said, no gloating in his voice, just weariness. After several more abortive attempts to break free, Karen slapped the ground three times, and the match was over. Harry stood up, pulled off his shirt and pants, revealing a pair of shorts underneath, and hobbled down into the wallow with them. "What the fuck are you doing, Harry?" Karen asked. "It wouldn't be a picnic if I didn't end up in the mud or the dirt. Help me down, would you?" As Karen and Eddie lowered him carefully into the mud, Harry said, "Winner of this year's Harry versus Karen Wrestling Match, my Champion, Eddie Janak. "It's time for supper, y'all start diggin' in." The crowd cheered as Karen and Eddie both smeared mud over Harry, then the two combatants helped him up and all three headed for the ranch's showers. ------- Julie and Vashti had all the mess cleaned up, had moved the table and chairs, rolled up the carpet and were out on the patio resting while Vashti had a smoke. She had found a cleaning company that would be by to pick up the carpet that afternoon. They hoped they'd be able to get the bloodstains out, but would have to look at the carpet and its age and condition before they'd make any promises. "Y'all've done a good job in the dining room," Tattie said as she came shuffling out in her nightgown and robe, repeating the same to Vashti in Russian. "And you're looking better," Julie replied. "I'm no longer quite so worried you're going to have a coronary any second." "I feel better ... physically. Any word from the hospital?" "Yes ... and none of it's good. Details can wait." Vashti watched the tears slowly start to run down Tattie's cheeks. He stamped out his cigarette and went to her, holding her tightly. "I know you hurt, I know you're sad, but please do not go away again. I still need you, just as you still need me." "I know, my boy, I know." She hugged him back, hard. "Until there is something I can do for Yuri, I have to remember that I have a life to lead, a son to care for, friends to support and who care for me. Even in the bad times, there is always something good." "Mother, for once I am happy you are not quite as Russian as I," Vashti said as he cried with her. "So Julie," Tattie said as she still held tightly to Vashti, "any other calls?" "Yes ... Nick called. Wanted you to call back as soon as you felt up to it." "Well, let's see about something to eat and I'll call him ... for Nick that sounds pretty urgent." ------- As everyone relaxed at their tables, their supper finished or almost so, Harry got up for the annual address to the staff. He hobbled to the microphone, happily well-fed and still damp from the showers. "First off, as always, words can't express how blessed Karen and I are to work with such an incredible group of people. We would put y'all up against any agency in the world, person for person, and you'd win. I'd feel like that was perhaps a little hyperbole on my part if y'all hadn't risen to every challenge, met every deadline, come in under every budget ... something I'm very confident no other advertising agency in the world can say. And there's no doubt in anybody's mind how G & P did it. Karen and I are good, but we're nowhere near good enough to pull off a hundredth of what G & P has done this year. "That means it had to be you. "Now then, a last bit of business before Karen comes up and starts to deal with the all important business of door prizes. At this point, three-and-a-half months ahead of time, we're projecting that unless a job comes up that's so sweet and juicy we can't say no, or one of our existing contracts self-destructs or in some other way screws us over, the company as a whole will have at least the last half of December off with pay." He stood silent for a time to let the employees and their families get their applause out of their systems. "If we can manage it, and I'm thinking there's a pretty good chance we can, it'll be longer. Personally, I'd like to shoot for the first half of January as well, but I also realize we're still a quarter of a year out, a lot of things can happen. And during whatever time we block off to close the office, if something comes up, then we're going to handle it with the absolute minimum of personnel we can, volunteers from the departments affected, bonuses equivalent to double time for anybody who comes in. "All of this is the least we can see doing for the people who make this whole thing work. Now then, Karen's going to come up and handle the door prizes, The winner of this year's darts tournament took her shot at the 'Balloon Wall O' Bonus' and scored the highest bonus we had up there, so the bonus checks for two thousand will be handed out with the door prizes." He waited while more applause and cheers died down. "Thank you again, all of you, for all you do for us, and for each other. You're the greatest. Now on with the door prizes." As he hobbled back Carol met him and helped him back to the bench where they'd sat eating supper. "You cheated on the bonus didn't you?" He smiled. "Oh yeah, big time ... from the very beginning ... all the balloons had two grand as the amount." "I love you." "I love you, too. And I love being me right now. The chance to show these people how much they mean to us is just about the best part of my year." ------- "And the freedom to do things like that, my love, is why G & P will never be a publicly owned company in either of our lifetimes," Harry said as they drove away from the picnic once things finally wound down to a close. "I can see how that kind of largesse would be hard to explain to your stockholders," Kelly said, "but how is it you and Karen are so ... so..." "Free from the shackles of greed?" Harry finished for her. "Yeah, exactly!" "We're not, not really. We still make more than enough money. We just realize that there's a correlation between our employees' loyalty and dedication, their willingness to do the impossible, and how much we value them. When we were first setting up the company, we thought about all the things in other companies and corporations that made us crazy, that didn't make sense, that were just damned offensive, and we worked to make sure it was hard for anything like that to occur at G & P. To keep things sane and reasonable, we decided at the very beginning that we'd never take a salary more than three times the average pay of our employees, and our open books insure the employees know that. When the employees get a bonus, we take a bonus as well, three times the bonus they got, and since bonuses are the same for employees regardless of length of employment, that simplifies that math. That's what makes things like the company picnic and such very vital ... sometimes the money just builds up. It's not going to stockholders. It's not going in our pockets. So we can afford to send an employee and their family to Bermuda for a week as a prize. We can afford thousand dollar gift certificates and weekend spa retreats." "Why not just give the money to the employees?" "We do, to a degree, and periodically we put the matter to a vote. The employees like prizes, they like winning things in silly contests. Every year we take their ideas for prizes, weed out whichever ones are undoable and then throw the revised list back to them, for them to vote on which they prefer more, 'x' number of prizes for that year's picnic. They decide what they want, we all talk about the contests and how to keep them fair. "Our company principles and policies very clearly state our moral and ethical outlook. There've been times we've been tempted to abandon those principles and policies ... especially during the early days. But we stuck with them and primary among them has always been that these are people we're going to be spending a lot of time with, a good part of our lives. It's very important that we're all happy and comfortable with each other and that what we're doing is fun, and is what we want to be spending that much of our life involved with. "I've often been of the opinion, as has Karen, that we're crazier than shithouse rats ... but G & P is still here, still thriving and we have the best co-workers of any company on the face of the earth. We may be crazy, but we're also right." ------- "Nick ... you called?" "Yes I did, Aunt Tattie, but first off, how are you?" "I'm not having one of my better months, Nick. Thank you for your help at the hospital." "There's no need to thank me ... I only wish there was some way..." "I know. So do I. How are you, dear boy?" "I'm alright, overall, but there is a small problem that I could really use your help with." "You have but to ask, you know that." "Well, I'm asking. You remember Svetlana?" "Of course, how's she doing with her new family?" "That's the problem. She called the number I'd had you help all the children memorize. She claimed her new father was molesting her. I had someone do a little covert surveillance. She wasn't lying, but she wasn't telling the whole truth either ... or maybe she didn't know all of it. The wife knew about it ... was turning a blind eye to it for reasons of her own. "The upshot of all this is that I've taken her out of their home and will deal with the problem as best I'm able, but Svetlana's back at our little hospital, all alone, and I have no one to place her with, at least not for the foreseeable future." "Of course we'll take her in." "Good ... may I have her and her things driven over this evening? I'd prefer her not have to spend another night there." "Certainly ... anything else?" "Yes, Aunt Tattie. Tuesday, when State Supreme Court Judge Sheryl Gordon's husband, Marcus dies in a tragic traffic accident, make sure Svetlana knows and tell her Uncle Nick kept his promise." "I wouldn't want to be you for all the money in the world." "Most days neither do I." ------- After their drinks had been delivered and the waitress laughed at yet again for suggesting appetizers even after they'd explained how stuffed they all were and why, the meeting got down to introductions. After formally reintroducing herself to the full House, Dot said, "House O'Shaunessy would like to introduce to House Chorale Lord and Lady Newton of Karghold Newton." No one was surprised when Karen and Eddie stood up and cleared themselves of obstacles, their hands flexing as the two of them went into subtle crouches. Only Margo's quick hand on Harry's good leg had prevented him from attempting the same. "Sit down Karen, Eddie ... we're all playing nice," Margo said, smiling. "And none of us are planning to change that in any way," Thad Newton replied. "I see you're familiar with some of those who play under the same name we do." "Yeah," Eddie said, taking his seat, "and I still got a burnin' desire to kick some ass so pardon my reaction." "I'm with him," Karen added, "I'm just wondering why we're talking at all." Thad smiled, his handsome face lighting up as he did so. "Allow me an analogy ... know any Christians you really like? Good people, live the words of Christ, shining examples of tolerance and love and charity?" "Yes," Harry answered. "Know any fundamentalist assholes you want send to meet their Maker as soon as possible?" Thad continued. "Yep," Harry replied, smiling as he saw where the analogy was going. "Both of them get their ideas from the same book. Yet if you didn't know better, you'd have a very hard time believing that, wouldn't you? So it is with those such as us, and I suspect, those with whom you've come across. Didn't happen to get a name or a good address, did you?" "Yeah," Eddie answered, "Karggark and his boys, 8572 Houston Trail, out in River Glen." "Oh, you need say no more ... okay ... their viewpoint might be valid if, and it's a big 'if', men were genetically superior and women were bred over hundreds of generations to be nothing better than mentally deficient pleasure sluts. 'Might' be valid, mind you. "But we don't live in that world, neither do they ... the difference is, we don't even pretend to." "Okay ... so what did you get out of the series?" Harry asked. "Better to ask what my father got," Thad answered. "I was raised a Kargian. He and Mom were already in the D/s scene back when the books first came out and started getting noticed. Our brand of it ... well, take me for an example. I was born and on my sixth birthday I was collared. Now, I wasn't really a slave, but I was expected to obey, and in the eyes of my family, and their friends, I wasn't an adult until I was a strong enough warrior to beat five men of the Karghold in one-on-one combat. I practiced, worked hard, probably led a life of a lot stricter discipline than most kids, but from the time when I was sixteen until I returned from the Marines, I still wasn't an adult in my family's eyes. I wasn't a child, I was what the series calls a 'nuk', from 'eunuch' ... I had not committed to a life of service by formally accepting a collar, and I was no longer a child. I wasn't allowed to fraternize with the slaves, I could have interacted with other nuks, but we had none, and none of the adult women of the 'hold would touch me-" "So women go through the same thing?" Karen asked. "Certainly," Veronica, Lady Newton, replied. "I fought my 'hand' to become an adult." "-but when I came back from my tour," Thad continued, "I defeated my 'hand', or five opponents, was welcomed as an adult, and took my place in our Karghold. And not the place of an heir apparent ... I had to earn my position, same as anyone has to earn anything. My uncle, on the other hand ... he accepted a collar shortly after Dad started changing the House's organization, has never taken it off and claimed adulthood, he's happy as he is. When he and my aunt divorced, she renounced the collar and left the House, we still get cards from her on holidays. She's happy in the scene elsewhere, but our way wasn't hers. My sister has accepted the collar and serves happily to this day." "So there's no dishonor in being a slave, or a nuk..." Kelly said. "No, it's a choice, just like the choice to be an adult or to leave the 'hold, or the scene, altogether," Veronica replied. "Everyone has a place they're comfortable, a place they should be. Happiness is finding it. It's one of the things Matthew, Thad's father, and others like him took from the books. 'All men are created equal' is poetic, but bullshit. All human beings should be treated with an equal respect for their wishes as to their treatment and recognition of what their personal dignity requires, but we are not created equal. Some people will never be adults no matter how old they grow. They'll never be comfortable taking responsibility for themselves, much less for others; they'll never understand that taking care of someone else's needs is more important than taking care of their own. To place the burdens of such responsibility on them is to invite failure. It's like taking someone who has no talent or desire concerning, oh, say ... carpentry, and expecting them to build a house. It's not what they're made to do, it's not what they want to do, it's not what they need to do and in the end, if you want a livable house, it's not what you want them doing. Our little society-within-a-society simply recognizes that. We create space in our social fabric for people to be what they are ... and always, if they find they don't like where they are, they can change it. "Thad's mother wasn't Matthew's wife, she was a slave ... until last year, when on her fiftieth birthday she renounced her collar and demanded an adult's trial. We had to search around a few days to find women of her age, or close to it, from various 'holds to make up her hand ... but we did, and she beat them and is now an adult." "So how many 'holds are there like yours, as compared to the assholes?" Karen asked. "Well, we're quite outnumbered ... you have to work at it to pull what my father and others got out of the books ... what Karggark and his type get from them is easy. And to live our way of life is hard ... we're right on the edge of being officially considered a cult by the F.B.I. Only the fact that we're scrupulously up front and open about how we do things whenever anyone comes to investigate, making sure we have nothing to hide, or at least nothing they're ever looking for, keeps us on the 'bunch of freaks' side of the equation." "Nothing they're looking for?" Harry asked, smiling openly and honestly. "Sorry Harry, I don't know you that well," Thad replied, his smile equally genuine. "Fair enough," Harry said. "I'll turn this over to Margo, the political genius of the family." "Alright, here's what Madame Cornelius envisioned for us, and here's what's happening..." ------- As they finished setting up another bedroom of Tattie's massive house for Svetlana, Julie said, "You seem a lot calmer than you were before the boys arrived." "Too tired, too sad, too worried to be otherwise, really." Julie looked at Tattie and there was no hiding the years the problems with Yuri had hung on Tattie's face ... and her body. Knowing she might be pushing too far, too fast, Julie said, "Tattie ... how can I help you get ready for the possibility that Yuri will never come home?" Tattie slumped down on the bed they'd just made, her mouth working noiselessly. "I'm sorry Tattie, I didn't mean to-" Tattie waved her away, closed her eyes for a moment and then said, "Don't ever let me forget that I have other reasons to live ... I don't handle failure well ... it's why I've spent years dealin' with vapid little gigolos instead of tryin' to find someone I could get serious with, I was afraid I'd fail ... Mama used to say I've been cursed with success ... in everythin' but love ... I honestly thought we could reach him ... that he'd come out of it ... when I fail, I retreat into my hole and wish the world away ... don't let me." The guard buzzed them to let them know the car they were expecting was on its way up to the house. Tattie got up and put a big, mostly genuine smile on her face. "Now let's go welcome our newest resident ... and tomorrow we can go shopping ... again." "Again," sighed Julie, smiling back at her. ------- It was 9:30 and they'd been there long enough to get hungry, order appetizers and have finished them by the time they left Mickey & Miguel's. "So, what do you think will happen Friday night at Dommi's?" Kelly asked. "I think we'll probably pick up an alliance with House O'Shaunessy," Margo replied. "House Newton ... I don't know. They're so different than us ... I hope we can ally, but I do want to talk to Minerva about how the two types of Kargian are viewed by the mainstream ... do most Houses even recognize a difference?" "So you're thinking of refusing an alliance?" Carol asked. "Heavens no! If they want one, they've got it. I just need to know how to spin it," Margo said. "Would you mind if we made tomorrow night our 'just us' night? I'm so tired I can hardly see straight." "Fine with me," Harry replied. "I know the feeling. I didn't do much of anything and I'm still all tuckered out." "I'm definitely okay with it ... not near enough sleep after last night and then today..." Carol said, "I'm thinking of pretending I'm a Domme tonight and ordering myself a rubdown after my shower and heading for bed." "No need to pretend, my love," Kelly said. "I'll order one for you, and Billy as well. We've all had long days." "Thank you, Mistress Kelly," Billy said. "Your kindness is as drops of rain on a parched and barren desert." "Flatterer." When they reached the house, they bid goodnight to Karen, Patricia, Galena, Tamara and Eddie, agreeing to meet around noon the next day for brunch at the Grimes house before beginning Galena's move. As they walked in the front door they were greeted by Jackie, Lisa and Sheila and a surprise. "We moved Billy down to the first floor bedroom, and moved the office up to his old room," Jackie explained. "Ladies, you certainly didn't have to do that," Margo said, hugging each of them. "Well, we were here, the rooms were here," Lisa said. "Now the office probably needs some adjusting to get it the way you want it, but it's all up there and everything's plugged in and working. The rest we leave to you." "Well, there went that idea," Carol said, smiling ruefully. "What?" Sheila asked. "We were hoping for rubdowns after our showers tonight, but you ladies have worked harder than we have-" Nicki cut short her statement as all three of the women fell to their knees, eyes down, arms crossed at the wrists before them. "It would be our pleasure to serve in any manner you desire," Jackie said. "We finished up with all of that hours ago," Sheila added, "we've spent most of the time since relaxing by the pool." "Besides," Lisa continued, "that's what we're here for." "Well goddamn, we aren't going to argue that hard," Harry said smiling. After the picnickers were helped with their showers and dried, everyone assembled in the living room. Drinks for one and all and two bowls of the hookah later, Jackie, Lisa and Sheila started working on their subjects. The living room had been decorated to serve many functions, extra crash space among them, so when one by one the tired members of that day's expedition fell asleep, the masseuses just found another blanket and covered them up. At last the three women looked over a room with six sleeping people. "Appears you're sleeping here tonight, Sheila," Lisa said. "Fine with me," Sheila said, grabbing a blanket and laying down beside Nicki. "Might as well join 'em," Jackie said, grinning. She and Lisa grabbed a blanket, killed the lights and lay down beside Sheila. Soon the living room was quiet except for a chorus of soft snores. ------- In the middle of the night Nicki woke up to go pee. When she finished, an urge hit her so she rinsed her mouth out with mouthwash, took a mouthful with her and went back to the living room and knelt next to Harry. She gently shook him awake, and then kissed him, passing the mouthwash to him. After swishing it around thoroughly he swallowed it. "Hey bro, now that we're both awake and have nice fresh breath," she whispered, "you wanna scratch this itch for me?" "Love, I'll scratch that itch any time you ask." Unbeknownst to either of them, Sheila had woken up when Nicki did and had been waiting for her to return. As she watched Nicki slide on to Harry's rapidly-hardening cock, her eyes grew wide and she shook Jackie, holding her hand over Jackie's mouth. Not long after Lisa and Billy were awake as well and all of them watched as Harry and Nicki made love. Each of them was thinking some version of "How long do these two think they can hide this from the others?" Until Nicki was unsuccessful in completely muffling her squeal when her first orgasm hit ... then they heard Margo mumble, "Oh God, they're at it again." "Goddamn ferrets, that's what they are," Kelly muttered. "I think they're adorable," Carol said before all three of them shifted a bit and headed back to sleep. Then all the four newcomers were left to ponder on was the inherent kinkiness of two siblings making love and the members of the one sibling's group marriage being okay with it. ------- With the noon brunch planned, breakfast the next morning was very light and while they were having coffee and toast, the issue of rent and such was handled. "Alright ladies-" Harry began. "What about me?" Billy asked. "I'm covering you," Carol said, "You're officially part of the housekeeping staff." "As I was saying," Harry continued, "your share of the property taxes on the house, split out monthly and then shared seven ways is fifty a piece per month. You'll also be expected to cover a seventh of utilities and such, as well as a share of groceries. I turn it over to the lady of the house." "Alright, based on what we've been seeing bill-wise, and this is a pure guesstimate mind you, I'm thinking your total expenditure for living expenses, quote-unquote rent, utilities and groceries should be around five-fifty, six hundred a month," Carol said. "Sound okay to you?" Lisa and Jackie stared at her, mouths literally open. "That's everything?" Lisa asked. "Yeah, and that's possibly a little high ... didn't want there to be any unpleasant surprises," Carol replied. "If you think it's too much, maybe because you're sharing a room, we can discuss it." "No ... no that's just fine ... in fact, it's rather ridiculously low," Jackie said. "What did Laney have you paying?" Margo asked. "Well, the room we were sharing was a tad bigger, maybe another twenty square feet, and our rent alone was three hundred each, when you added in shares of utilities and groceries, we generally ended up paying twelve to thirteen hundred a month," Lisa said. "And we aren't talking Shangri-La South like we are here." "Well, do understand, before all this is over, 'Shangri-La South' as you called it may look a lot more like a refugee camp than paradise," Kelly said. "Understood," Jackie said. "and not a problem ... it'll be for a good reason." ------- When Svetlana had arrived the night before she'd hugged Vashti tightly, Tattie somewhat tentatively and had shaken Julie's hand with grave solemnity. She'd refused anything to eat, saying she'd eaten at the hospital and while she made polite noises during the tour of her new home it was obvious that she viewed it as merely another way station. Her yawns and drooping eyelids had led them to put her to bed early, a move they soon followed themselves. The next morning, Tattie, Julie and Vashti sat at the kitchen table staring into their morning cups of coffee. "So, I figure to let her sleep until she wakes up on her own. She's had a hard time of it," Tattie said. "Remember ... slow speaker ... Russian ... use little words," Julie replied. "And you are teacher," Vashti said, smiling, "what do you teach again? Sex with two people?" Julie blushed deeply and Tattie raised an eyebrow at them both. "Vashti, that's her business, not yours ... and she speaks much better Russian than you do English." She looked at Julie speculatively. "But since he raised the issue, how was your night before you got home and it all went to shit?" "Slowly ... slowly ... small words ... but I understand question. Was nice ... met two ... not children, not adults ... do not know word ... Tattie, I tell this in English." So she told Tattie about her evening to a degree of detail that had Tattie actually laughing and telling Vashti "You want to learn English ... you would like this story". "Do you think you want to see these two again?" Tattie asked Julie. "I'm certainly not adverse to the idea," Julie answered, blushing. "Always nice to know I'm still desirable and that my virginity hasn't grown back. And they're sweet kids, both of them smart, creative ... and a lot of fun." "Well, don't worry," Tattie's face grew still and sad, "I think with ... Yuri ... gone ... well, I just think you'll have a lot more time where you'll feel okay with getting out of here. Face it darlin' I ain't payin' you enough to make this a twenty-four hour a day job." "I wasn't doing it for the paycheck alone and you know it, Tattie. But ... even with everything else that happened ... thanks for kicking me out and making me go take a night off. And Margo and her family ... g'ddamn..." "Yeah, they're a handful-and-a-half. So-" "Ms. Turov?" they heard from the kitchen door. "Svetlana! Good morning, how do you feel today?" "Hungry." "Well, I think we're in the right room of the house to do something about that. Come on Vashti, it's time we made breakfast. Julie, get Svetlana juice, please?" Tattie said. "Yes, Tattie. Svetlana, you want ... apple ... or orange ... juice?" Julie asked, helping the young girl up into a chair. "Apple please." "Apple ... yes." Julie replied. "So teacher Julie," Vashti said as he started putting pieces of bacon on the broiler tray of the oven, "is new man in your life hung like Russian bear or American mosquito?" "VASHTI!" Julie and Tattie cried together. "WHAT?" the boy replied. The two of them looked at him, looked at the giggling Svetlana, and back at him. "Ah, I understand," Vashti said, "you have forgotten that Svetlana had the same profession as I. Really, you must get used to the idea that it is entirely possible that the two of us, Svetlana and I, have seen more cocks in our lives than the two of you." "He's right, you know," Tattie said. "It's so easy to think that because they look like children they're ignorant of such things." "Tattie, this is one of those times I wonder if we have the slightest clue what we've gotten ourselves into," replied Julie. "I know the feeling." ------- After the family assembled and enjoyed a serious brunch, prepared by Karen and Patricia, everyone piled into vehicles to go to the Pessino's to move Galena. A very tearful goodbye and one partial truckload later it was finished. "That was rather anti-climactic," Eddie said as they were unloading at Karen and Patricia's. "That was rather depressing," Margo said, handing down another box. "Fuck depressing," Kelly proclaimed. "Shopping trip for Galena, all ladies invited, soon as we get this stuff into her room!" "Works for me," Nicki replied. "We were planning one anyway, no time like the present." "Harry, do you think the world is ready for what we're about to unleash on them?" Karen asked. "All of these women ... shopping ... in a pack ... for one little teenaged girl?" "Not our problem, Karen. Our problem, the way I see it, is that we might want to cook burgers and hot dogs tomorrow and I have no grill." "Harry," Karen said, her eyes alight with excitement, "are you saying that you, and me, and Billy, and the gorilla-that-walks-like-a-man are going to go grill shopping?" "I am indeed." "Harry, if you weren't a guy..." "Sappho, if I weren't a guy, I probably wouldn't have organized a grill shopping expedition." ------- Tamara had cleared it with Margo for Kim to spend another day at home with her children before showing up at the house and discussing the details of her service on Monday. Margo had assured her that Monday was fine and even later would be okay as well. "No, Kim is rather anxious to get the details settled," Tamara said, "but oh, Margo, it would have brought tears to your eyes to hear her talking about how wonderful her day had been, free to do nothing but spend time with the kids. Eddie and I both were sniffling ... well, okay, I was full out crying, before she was through." So Kim and her children had their second day of uninterrupted freedom. She drifted on the pool, exhausted from a game of ball that had worn her out long before it tired Kimmy and Timmy, who were still at it. She listened to their laughter as they continued to bounce the big ball back and forth to each other in the shallow end. She couldn't imagine a more beautiful music if she tried. ------- As the four of them drove towards Texas Grills in Harry's car, Karen said, "Pull over! Pull over right here, Harry!" as she pointed to a small restaurant. Harry pulled over and Karen leapt out and ran inside. "Has she gotten crazier over the past several months or is it just me?" "If she has, I put it down to her renewed exposure to you," Harry replied. "She used to be so calm, so sane." "Thanks jackass." A few moments later she came running out and slid back in. "Now we can go grill shopping." "What, you have to go tinkle or something?" Eddie inquired. "Or something, moron, you'll see. Now, get to driving." ------- Kelly suggested they shop for the really fun stuff first and Carol suggested a shop called 'The Tree of Knowledge'. "Sounds like a bookstore," Nicki said. "Well, it is, but it's a whole lot more as well," Tamara replied. "They also sell some of the most interesting lingerie I've ever seen, as well as a lot of New Age paraphernalia and other things. Really sort of a grab bag of merchandise, come to think of it." "Sounds like just the place," Margo said, "Carol, call Patricia and tell her where we're heading." ------- Andrea Winchester arched her back, hands on hips, and listened to her back pop as she stood behind the counter. Not that busy a day at the store, Sunday before Labor Day, no big surprise, all the college kids moving back into town and such, the normal, sane citizenry stayed the hell off the roads. She'd already sent both her salesgirls home for the day and was considering just closing the shop up and going home herself when her store was invaded by a horde of women. "Lucky for you ladies, I was just about to close up shop and head home for the day. I'm Andrea Winchester, I own 'The Tree of Knowledge', and what can I help you with?" Kelly eyed Andrea; late twenties, dark brown hair that fell to her shoulders, light golden brown skin tone, breasts that were medium-to-small and a tight little ass that had Kelly's hands curling up instinctively. Her glasses set off her golden brown eyes and round face with full cheeks beautifully, giving her face an impishly cute, but intelligent appearance. "Why Andrea, you don't look old enough to own such a lovely store as this," Kelly said, sliding forward, her every move smooth and sinuous. "My name is Kelly and we've come to get this sweet little morsel appropriate undergarments," she continued, dragging Galena from the clump of bodies that stood inside the door. "Here we go again," Margo murmured. "We cannot take her anywhere." "I'd worry but she's got good taste," Carol replied softly, "Andrea's a babe, always has been." Andrea smiled at the beautiful woman approaching her with such evident intent. She smiled openly, invitingly. "Well, let's see what we have to work with here." "Not a problem, Andrea," Kelly said. With a move so smooth and quick it almost seemed sleight-of-hand she had Galena's skirt down and blouse pulled up. "Now do you see what I mean, Andrea," she asked, pulling Galena's panties tight against her body, "can you imagine anyone dressing this divine little body in granny panties?" "KELLY!" Galena shrieked. "Quiet, girl!" Kelly snapped. "Yes Mistress." Andrea quickly evaluated the women in her shop and made her decision. "You, I'm sorry, I didn't catch your name, but you at the back-" "Me? I'm Patricia." "Patricia, pleased to meet you, would you turn the lock on the door and flip the sign over to 'Closed'?" As soon as Patricia did so Andrea looked at them. "Alright, the cocktail lamp is lit, the sun is over the yardarm somewhere in the Empire, drinks are on the house, follow me." She led them to the small salon at the back of the lingerie area and then brought out several bottles. "What'll you have?" "What are our options?" Margo asked. "Rather limited I'm afraid. Two rather decent wines from Texas vineyards, a red and a white, Jim Beam which I keep for medicinal purposes and some very good mead a friend of mine makes." After a round of introductions and drink orders, most of which were surprisingly enough for the mead, Andrea sat down on a love seat next to Kelly ... a spot Kelly had kept open for her. "Alright, although I didn't remember their names, I remembered Carol and Tamara's faces, but I don't believe I've met any of the rest of you before." She looked at Galena who was sitting at Kelly's feet while Kelly stroked her hair. "And I've certainly not met Galena before and you're right," she said, turning her attention to Kelly, "it's a shame someone has dressed her so hideously. Now, what are you looking to dress her for?" "Pardon me if I take over here, Kelly," Margo said in a voice that brooked no disagreement. "Yes Madam." "All right," Andrea said, "to save me difficulty and mental whiplash, lay out who's what, if you would please?" As everyone chuckled Margo began to do as Andrea had asked. As she spoke, Andrea examined the cast of characters. Margo sitting with Nicki on one side, Carol on the other, Sheila at Nicki's feet. Kelly sitting with Galena at her feet, watched anxiously by Carol. Lisa and Jackie sitting close to Carol, definitely deferring to her. Tamara and Patricia sitting together as friends ... something everyone else in the group was certainly more than. When Margo was finished Andrea studied her for a moment. "So, you belong to a formal House or are you just 'dwelling on the fringe'?" "Well, we were 'on the fringe' until last Friday, now we're House Chorale," Kelly replied, stroking Andrea's shoulder. "YOU'RE SHITTING ME! You're House Chorale?" "What, you've heard of us?" Carol asked in confusion. "While I don't play, I have friends who do and several of them were at Dominique's Friday night and caught your performance. No wonder your names were tickling my brain. I heard you put on a hell of a show." "Thank its author, Carol," Margo said, caressing her wife. "She was the one who believed we could pull it off." "Wow, Francine and Morgana are not going to believe you were here ... well, now that I know who's who in the hierarchy around here, I repeat. What are you looking to dress Galena for?" "She's going to be the youngest Dominant in the scene, by the time we're through with her," Margo replied, "but for now we're just looking for a nice assortment of fun and sexy lingerie, some things to go with a general remaking of her image into something a little more in line with a seventeen year old girl instead of a nun." She summoned Galena to her with a crook of her finger. "As well as some really interesting wardrobe choices for when we officially deflower her and bring her into the House on her seventeenth birthday." She held Galena on her lap, gently nibbling at her neck. "Madam ... you are evil..." Galena sighed. "Mmm hmmm," Margo replied. "Well why don't I help Galena select some items, then we can bring them back and see what all of you think?" Andrea suggested. As Andrea and Galena wandered off Kelly looked at Margo. "Bitch, I think you were being very bad with sweet little Galena ... I think I'm calling one due. You owe everybody here a nice, loving, creamy ride on your face." "Oh damn," Margo said, licking her lips. "Andrea too?" "If she wants one," Kelly said. "And what are the odds of her turning down an offer like that?" ------- "Alright gentlemen, and I use the term incredibly loosely where you're concerned, Neanderthal, we have arrived at the place of the grills. Now," Karen said, reaching into her shirt pocket, "you'll understand why we had to stop." She pulled out four toothpicks. "I have plenty more, but it's just un-American to contemplate such an important purchase without something in your mouth to chew on. As I figured blades of grass were unlikely, it had to be toothpicks or cigars. I opted for toothpicks." "You are wise beyond your years, Karen," Harry said, his toothpick already rolling from side to side in his mouth. "Vitally important these little details are ... vitally important indeed." "You said it, Harry. Good call, Dyke. You get a cookie," Eddie said, his toothpick working up and down like a hyperactive lever in the side of his mouth. Billy said, "Thank you ma'am, nothing like a toothpick when contemplating serious matters." Shunning the help of salesmen, they had spent awhile discussing whether or not Harry needed side burners, the idea of a rotisserie having already been nixed, when Karen and Eddie's phones went off almost simultaneously. A few moments later they both wandered back from where they'd gone off to find a little privacy. "Harry, you've got to do somethin' about your wives," Eddie said. "Yeah," Karen said, "this is just getting weird." "What?" "They're in a lingerie shop, front door locked, and Kelly's called some debt due from Margo," Karen began. "Yeah, she's gonna to be lickin' everyone there till they come," Eddie continued, "includin' the shop owner apparently, and Tamara wanted permission to let Margo lick her." "Yeah, Patricia wanted permission to participate as well," Karen said. A salesman who'd been hovering nearby left in a hurry. Harry laughed. "So, what did you tell them?" "Okay, if it was some guy who was offerin' to lick her till she screamed, I'd be down there bustin' heads in a heartbeat ... but it's your wife, Harry ... I know she's not puttin' no serious moves on Tamara, although I ain't stupid. Ain't a one o' y'all that wouldn't if circumstances permitted," Eddie said. "So I said sure, go ahead." "Well, you're right about that 'if circumstances permitted'," Karen said, "although we'd have a few more circumstances to work out than your group, Harry." "Yeah, Tamara is a darling," Harry agreed. "So what about you, Sappho?" "Well, unfortunately Margo is the right gender to hit my jealous button," Karen said, "but I know y'all respect our relationship. So I told Trish 'sure, have a screamer'." "Okay, so if both of you came to terms with it, don't have any real issues with it happening, why do I have to do something about my wives?" "Harry ... well ... it's interruptin' grill shoppin'," Eddie said. "Yeah," Karen agreed, "yeah ... what he said." ------- "Now see, here you go confusing me again," Andrea said as she and Galena returned from selecting panties, bras and sleepwear to find Margo on her back on the floor, her head resting on a stack of what looked to be eight or nine robes. Carol was naked from the waist down, sitting astraddle her face, obviously enjoying what Margo was doing to her. "It's real simple, Andrea," Kelly said, slinking up behind her and whispering in her ear as she caressed the shop owner's thighs. "Margo's definitely head bitch, but we take turns on top in the bedroom." "And one of Kelly's favorite games..." Carol gasped, "is making us promise ... to do things ... whatever, whenever, wherever ... she tells us ... as long as it won't get us ... arrested ... or something." "So, seein' Big Mama bein' so mean to that sweet little muffin we're shopping for," Kelly continued, "getting' her all excited and everything, I figured she needed to do some penance." Kelly found Andrea leaning back into her arms, her head on Kelly's shoulder, her neck open and exposed. "So ... that's penance? What religion ... do you practice?" Andrea asked, enjoying the feel of Kelly's hands on her breasts. "Not religious penance," Kelly replied, pausing in her oral assault on the woman's neck and shoulder, "just sexual penance ... for crimes against that sweet little sixteen-year-old." "If it's for crimes against me, why don't I get to ride her face?" Galena asked with a pout. Kelly swung around Andrea's body in one fluid motion, took Galena in her arms and kissed her, her tongue thrusting down the young girl's throat in a move that was rapidly reciprocated. When they were finished, Kelly pulled back. "Baby, would Aunt Kelly be mean like that? You're gonna ride Big Mama's face too. In fact, you can have your turn right after Aunt Carol, okay? Now leave Aunt Kelly alone honey, she's trying to seduce the sexy Andrea here." "And doing a damn fine job of it," Andrea added. "Do I get my turn?" Kelly slowly started to unfasten Andrea's jeans. "Sure thing, sugar. But let me keep it warm for her till she's got an opening." ------- "So, do you think you really need six burners or would four be enough?" Billy asked, his third toothpick dancing from one side of his mouth to the other. Three incredulous looks from three faces greeted him when he raised his eyes from the Weber Summit Platinum D6 Grill they'd been examining. "What?" Billy said. "Like I know shit about grills!" "If I might handle this one, my esteemed colleagues. Billy, more burners, arrr, rrarrr, rraaaaarrr, more fire, arrr, arr, arrr rooo, MAN STUFF," Eddie said, imitating comedian Tim Allen. "Ah ... more burners good ... I get that now," Billy said, grinning. "I wasn't thinking with my testosterone. I understand fully." "Thank God," Eddie murmured to Harry, "doin' that shit really fucks up my throat." ------- Carol had put back on her pants and settled on the love seat next to Andrea who was reclining, head hanging over the back as Kelly dreamily washed Andrea's cunt with her tongue. Carol reached over and fondled Andrea's breast, smiling as she observed Andrea's reaction. "Do you ... do this ... every store ... you go to?" Andrea panted. "No," Carol said, unbuttoning Andrea's blouse with one hand while she slid her other arm behind the woman's head to act as a pillow. "We just do it when we find a beautiful store owner who looks lonely ... and amenable ... or we really need to cheer ourselves up. Today is a combination of both." "God ... she has a talented tongue ... why do you ... need cheering up?" Carol turned her attention to Galena, who was happily perched atop Margo's mouth. The young girl was pinching her nipples as her frantic panting and short moans, rising in tone, made sweet music for all to hear. "We moved her from her family's house to live with Patricia and her partner, Karen ... it was sad ... we moved everything she owned in less than half a truck load. And most of that was books she'd bought used. We needed a little retail therapy after that. I mean even Tamara and I ... we're used to having very little, but that's a lifestyle consequence, a choice we made, not because we grew up in poverty." "You're an odd bunch ... I like you ... but you're odd ... and I meet ... a lot of odd folks ... in this business." "Thank you, pretty lady," Carol said, returning her attention to Andrea. "We'll take that as a compliment." ------- "Are you sure you don't want a rotisserie?" Billy asked. "Because I'm seeing all kinds of interesting things I could ... well ... I'm just saying that maybe a rotisserie could be handy." "What, you thinking chicken an' shit like that?" Eddie said. "No, broaden your horizons; open up your thinking ... that bad boy's adjustable enough, turkey ... brisket ... ham..." Billy replied. "Okay, I'm seeing it now," Karen said, "I've got to admit, I was just thinking chicken too and that wasn't blowing in my ear and asking me to take it home with us ... you start talking briskets and ham ... my nipples are getting all crinkly." Harry looked at the grills again. "Well then, let's rethink this a bit." ------- As Andrea settled herself on Margo's smiling face she said, "Listen, I don't want to end up sounding like a capitalist swine here, but these robes are getting a little messy." "Oh don't worry darling," Margo said, her voice only slightly muffled, "we're buying them. We did a little shopping for us before this all got started." "This is turning into a really good day ... well then, carry on, beautiful." "Yes ma'am." ------- An hour-and-a-half later, Margo had finished her task; every woman serviced, and laid on the floor while Carol cleaned her up with warm wet towels from the store's restroom. "Kelly ... do me a favor..." Margo panted, "next time you plan ... to have me do something ... like that ... make sure I have ample time ... for breaks ... God ... my mouth and tongue are sore." "Sorry Big Mama, guess I wasn't exactly thinking, huh?" "S'Okay ... was damn fun anyway. Now let's have a fashion show with our cute little Galena." ------- "Y'know, we keep dancing around it but inevitably we end up right back here at this big bitch," Harry said, looking at the Summit Platinum D6. "Seems to me I've already decided to go most o' the way to full batshit crazy, might as well finish the trip." He motioned to a salesman who'd been hovering in their vicinity off and on for the last hour. "C'mere, need one of these, to go, with a side of fries and a large Coke." ------- "I wish we got to put it together," Karen said. "Something like that coulda kept me and the Neanderthal busy for the rest of the afternoon." "Well, I tell you what," Harry replied. "While Billy and I wait at the house for the delivery, and take a load off our respective legs-" "Or lack thereof," Billy interjected with a grin. "The two of you can go hit the grocery or Costco or wherever and stock up on steaks for tomorrow ... better yet, Karen, go see if Adolph Hilscher is still in business." "Yeah, that little butcher shop we used to hit way back when ... oh, he always had some real good meat, Harry," Karen replied. As soon as they were back at the house, Karen and Eddie were off again in Karen's Volvo C70. "You realize, don't you, that this sporty little convertible o' yours is just a substitute for a penis," Eddie said as they zoomed through town with the top down, the CD player blasting Led Zeppelin. "No Eddie, this is not a penile substitute. We keep those in a big drawer close to the bed ... there are a lot of them ... different sizes ... including the 'Cock o' Doom', which neither of us has ever taken, nor do we intend to ... we just threaten each other with it." "You are so into overshare." "Oh no, you opened this can o' worms. What we're riding in I bought to make Trish happy. She likes to ride with the top down and I like Volvos. That it's almost as much fun to drive as Trish is merely a fortuitous stroke of luck." Eddie looked at Karen, smiling. "Have I told you lately how glad I am you and she are together?" Karen patted her old friend on the arm. "No, but I appreciate it. Every day I wake up beside her ... well ... you know what I mean." "I do indeed." ------- Galena had never had such an afternoon in her life. The shopping, the sex, the whole feeling that she was a part of a large, very perverse family ... all of it topped off by her trying on everything she and Andrea had picked out, which apparently involved someone in the audience grabbing her while she was modeling each set of lingerie and making out with her for a time before turning her loose to go try on something else. And it had only gotten worse during the sleepwear section, when she was trying on things the other women had selected for her. The only two who weren't making her life a hormonal hell were Tamara and Patricia. When one of them grabbed her it was generally because she was about to lose the ability to speak coherently and fall to her knees masturbating furiously, or jump someone and cram her cunt onto their face. Tamara and Patricia just held her, giving her time to calm down and get herself under control again before she continued with the show. At one point, Andrea had been feeling her up and kissing her neck when she stopped and looked at Margo and said, "I'm right in assuming that you maniacs are basically buying all of this stuff?" "Oh HELL yeah, wouldn't be letting little Miss Creamy Cunt there get it all messy if we weren't." "Okay, you folks are becoming favorites of both sides of my brain." Finally, the shopping, modeling and molesting done, Galena found herself seated on Margo's lap, relaxing, just lying back on her shoulder. "Madam, why are we even still pretending there's a line? I somehow think the laws against sex with a minor would apply to me riding your tongue till I screamed, and being felt up like I was a cheap whore hired for a bachelor's party." "I'd like to think we were feeling you up like a very expensive call girl hired for a bachelorette party, but I see your point. "Honey, we like you a lot and we're all a little out of control where you're concerned. Maybe we shouldn't be, but that's the way it is ... I want your 'deflowering' and official welcome into the House to be something, well, relatively open, but more importantly something we can openly recognize and be proud of. That has to wait until you're seventeen. "But meanwhile ... Galena, you're lovely and fun, and we're all very fond of you, growing more so by the day. So things like today are going to happen, unless we keep you away from us altogether." "Something I've suggested," Carol said. "But only to keep us out of trouble ... not because I don't want you around." "And so we continue dancing back and forth across the line," Margo continued. "Personally, other than legally, I don't see what difference a month and a half is going to make. I don't expect you to change your mind, or us to change ours. I don't expect you to be any more mature, to an appreciable degree ... or us either, for that matter. "And that's part of the problem my dear ... this is all very new to most of us ... Harry, myself, Kelly ... it's intoxicating and maddening and frustrating, almost as much to us as to you. Maybe you might have noticed that recent events are rushing forward at a pace too fast to follow ... we're all just ... well, where you and the law is concerned we're all just fucking up right and left. And I'm sorry. Would you prefer to stay away until it's time for you to join us more formally?" "No Madam ... I just ... I wish I was allowed to be one way or the other ... either untouchable or completely touchable. The in-between is making me a little loco." Galena smiled shyly. "And this in no way reflects on this afternoon, but in general, could you all please take it a little easier on me ... with the teasing, I mean? Patricia was kind enough to demonstrate the use of toys, and they help, but believe me, after a good long session with all of you making me pant and beg ... well, that's a lot of money to spend on batteries." Everyone laughed as Margo said, "Alright Galena, we will, or at least we'll try ... and that may mean there'll be times when we send you home to Karen and Patricia's ... not because we don't want you around, but because if your delectable little self is there, we're going to tease you until your life is a living hell ... fair enough?" "More than fair, Madam." "Alright then ... Miss Andrea, if you would be so kind as to tally up the damages, we'll pay and go finish the rest of our shopping for Galena. Would you like us to wait for you to close up so you can come along? Won't be as exciting as this, but I think I can guarantee we'll treat you to food at some point." "Sounds like a plan ... let me call Paul and tell him I won't be home till later." "Paul?" Kelly asked, an evil gleam in her eye. "Yes," Andrea replied, "my husband." ------- "You know," Harry said as he and Billy sat out on the front porch, beers in hand, waiting for the delivery truck from Lowe's, "I'm thinking we might want to rent some of those big industrial fans for the parties ... put them up in a roped-off part of the back yard, just to insure air movement." "Parties, sir?" Billy asked. The next half-hour was spent outlining to Billy the three parties that were scheduled, one a weekend, a mere two weeks in the future. When he was finished, Billy said, "So, one for the neighbors, very straight-laced, one for the folks we just picnicked with and Galena's family ... somewhat more relaxed..." "And one where all the freaks come out to play," Harry finished. "I'm hoping, hoping mind you, that we build up enough good will in the neighborhood that we can avoid having the cops called on us during that last party. "I know I'll need to go over all this with the ladies as well ... it's going to be rather interesting, explaining to the neighbors how at least seven, possibly more by that time, people are living in what's effectively a three-bedroom house." "Sir," Billy replied, "I think you're borrowing trouble with that ... this house has three bedrooms upstairs, a master bedroom and regular bedroom downstairs. Seven people are easy to explain with that much room, and I know that the ladies and I will be more than willing to stick to whatever story you see fit to tell." Harry looked at the handsome young man next to him. "Thank you, Billy. I do appreciate that ... part of me just rebels against having to tell any story at all. I found out yesterday at the picnic that I really don't have to hide the relationship the four of us have from my co-workers ... I still think the majority of them would rather not know about you and Lisa and Jackie ... I don't know, maybe over time, I won't have to hide the four of us from the neighbors. But for right now, I think I do, and I resent that." "Understandable," Billy said. "About yesterday, the picnic, sir-" "Did you have a good time?" Harry asked, worried. "Oh yes sir, no problem there ... if nothing else, the chance to go canoeing with Nicki, watch her play with herself for a goodly part of the trip, that would've made it worth going. "Sir, what really got to me about yesterday ... sir, you know my story. I've been playing, full-time, as a lifestyle, since I left home. Before I left home ... well, my life was far from normal. Then while I was in the scene ... well, a slave's life isn't normal. Generally the only place my owners felt safe letting me be seen was in situations full of insiders ... and that wasn't normal either. And after the accident ... well, nobody except Mistress Dominique wanted to see me at all. "Yesterday, I got to be a normal person. Oh, there were odd and kinky moments to the day, but for the most part I was just another person. And today ... well sir, no one who's ever owned me would've treated me like just another one of the guys and taken me with them for something like shopping for a grill. "When you play full-time like I do ... like I did ... you're not really treated like anything other than a slave. I'm not ... I'm not used to being treated like a person. And I don't want you to think this means I'll forget my place-" Harry reached over and took Billy's hand in his, feeling the strength of it, the roughness. He squeezed it tightly. "Billy, don't worry about it. While I'm rather lackadaisical about being a Dominant, no one else around here will be. Even if you were so inclined, and I understand that you're not, you wouldn't be allowed to forget your place in the House. "But your place is not to be just a servant to this House and its members; you have a place as a friend and companion of this family ... a person. And that's your place as well ... I trust us to never let you forget that, either." Harry continued to hold Billy's hand as they sat and drank their beers and waited for the delivery truck. And while he might not have been completely comfortable with the way Billy's fingers stroked his, he said nothing, and relaxed. Billy's feeling of acceptance was far more important than his uneasiness. ------- "Gawddamnit, Dyke, how much meat you plannin' on buyin'?" "Enough to take care of tomorrow and stock up Harry's freezer ... their household has grown by three, with probably more to come. And I think ol' Adolph is about to cut us a volume discount. How much room you got in your freezer?" "Good point. Our freezer's got enough room in it to handle ... about a quarter of what he's got on the counter already. Lemme know what my share comes to." "We ought to look at what Adolph would charge for half a cow, a pig too." "Wow, you are thinkin' big ... well, if nothing else, we got space at the house for a chest freezer, people we bought it from had one. We haven't put anything there yet. I know a guy; can probably cut us a real sweet deal." "Why do I envision a dark alley and a sale made from the back of a truck?" "Because you have a naturally suspicious and low mind ... and you've known me for a lot of years." ------- The deliverymen had come and set up the beautiful silver monstrosity in the back yard. Harry and Billy stood gazing upon it, hooting and grunting in meat-charring, testosterone-charged glee. ------- "So, of course you and Paul will be our guests at Dominique's next Friday evening?" Margo said, sipping her Cosmopolitan on the patio at Rosario's. Andrea found herself surprisingly compliant with Margo's wishes. She recognized in her another woman who had found who and what she was ... and that was attractive. "Certainly, shouldn't be a problem. Generally after a full day at work for both of us, our idea of a night out is putting on some music and sharing a bottle of wine, but neither of us is adverse to the idea of going out. Sounds like it'll be fun." "Well then, you're to consider yourself our guests ... I'll give you a call later in the week, let you know about what time we'll get there. "Oh, and if you're interested, some of our House is having a small get-together at our place tomorrow, a barbeque pool party kind of thing." ------- After stopping off at Eddie's and her houses, Karen pulled in at Harry's to find he and Billy calmly smoking pipes on the front porch. "Harry," she called, getting out of the car, "when did you start smoking?" "Uh Dyke, sniff the air, that ain't tobacco," Eddie said softly, smiling. As she blushed with embarrassment, Harry smoothly covered for her. "Not something I do at the office, just enjoy a bowl of maple and sage every so often. This afternoon seemed like a fine time for a bit of tobacco." "Well, as long as you're only smoking on rare occasions," Eddie said. "That cancer-risk got me to quit years ago." The whole conversation was carried out with straight faces and perfectly modulated tones, as natural as could be. Billy snickered and murmured, "My God sir, you people lie with such facility." "With Eddie and I, it's years of practice," Harry replied under his breath, "with Karen and I it's years of working in advertising." As Eddie and Karen unloaded the car, Harry said, "Good God Almighty, how much goddamn meat did you get?" "Quite a bit more than we're off-loading here, Harry," Karen replied. "Adolph cut us a sweet deal that got sweeter the more we bought ... we've already filled the freezers at our places." "Well then, let's hope folks show up to help us eat all that." ------- The shopping finished and Andrea dropped off at her car, the ladies returned home where after unloading Galena's haul at her new domicile they descended on the Grimes house en masse. "Harry? Billy?" "Edward?" "Liz?" The house seemed to be empty. Finally it was uproarious laughter from Kelly that drew the rest of them to the kitchen and then on to the back deck. Harry, Karen, Eddie and Billy knelt naked before the grill, worshipping it. "Well," Margo laughed, "it is a very nice grill." "NICE?" Karen said. "Nice? If this grill were a woman-" "Alright Liz, that's where I draw the line!" Patricia said. "When you start saying that about grills I stand on the brink of taking Galena home, having my way with her and locking you out of the house." "Okay ... you're right Margo, it's a very nice grill," Karen said, laughing. Nicki and Sheila went home. "We're going to go tell each other stories," Nicki said, somewhat mysteriously. Patricia collected her lover and their roommate and headed for the house, shortly to be followed by Eddie and Tamara. "Gonna go get some supper and rest up for tomorrow," Eddie said. "I expect it'll be a very busy day." After they left, Lisa said, "So, what's on the schedule for tonight?" "Well," Harry replied, "a session of 'church' and then I think we're going to go have some married-folks time." "Church?" Jackie asked. A quick explanation later found them all sitting in a circle on the living room floor, each of them communing with Whatever they believed there was beyond themselves. ------- "That's a nice ritual your family has," Jackie said when they were finished. "Thank Carol," Margo replied. "She started it ... and it's become one of my favorite times of the week. In fact, there are quite a few days when I take some time like that." Later, Margo requested some quality time alone with Kelly and they sat in the bathtub together, talking and holding each other while Harry and Carol cuddled on the bed. ------- Margo sat in the bathroom and prepared herself. "You wanted this job, Margo, you've got it," she murmured to herself before standing up and walking to the bedroom on unsteady legs. "What am I to do with the two of you?" she asked as she looked at Kelly and Harry sitting on the bed, their eyes downcast. "You're supposed to be adults. Hell Harry, you're thirty-three for fuck's sake, yet you're doing stupid shit like you were still in high school. Kelly, I know you're only twenty-two, but sometimes, even in the middle of a full-blown party, you need to be able to think like a responsible member of this family. We're all going to get stupid from time to time ... one of the biggest strengths we have is that we're all here to watch out for each other. And yet you, Kelly, admitted to me that you even jokingly threatened to blackmail Harry with telling me he was up and using his leg like that. "Well number one, I really don't appreciate feeling like I'm the goddamn wicked stepmonster that has to be avoided. That hurts. Two, if you're going to act like children then I'm going to treat you like children. I've spoken with each of you and you know, or think you know, what's coming. Carol, strap Kelly to the bench." As Carol did as she was asked, Margo stood by and dealt with her own issues ... if she took her hurt feelings out on Kelly, she'd be doing them all a disservice ... herself as well. She pulled at the shorts she was wearing, unused to being clothed in the house anymore. But there was to be nothing sexy about what was about to happen; Kelly and Harry were wearing shorts and t-shirts, just like her and even Carol was wearing a long t-shirt as a dress. The thirteen inch leather strap on its wooden handle felt like lead in her hands. "Why couldn't... ? They're going to hate me for this," she thought. When Kelly was strapped in and her shirt bottom raised and shorts lowered, Margo turned to her. "Kelly, this is going to hurt a lot ... and I'm sorry," Margo said, her voice breaking at the end. "Don't be, Big Mama, it ought to." "Kelly..." "Margo ... I spent a lot of years being a slightly naughty version of Galena ... now I'm free ... I'm taking a semester off from school, maybe longer, something I haven't done since I started kindergarten ... I let my desires take me where they wanted, and they led me here, where I belong ... but they also ... I sometimes act like I'm still in high school, doing things the way I never did back then ... and a lot of that seems to be 'I want that and I want it now' and that's not good. "Madam, I'm not a sub, to have her will broken ... but there is a wild and untamed thing in me that has to be disciplined, that has to learn to think, even if it's only every once in awhile. There's a reason why pain is still the best way to discipline someone ... it works. So discipline me." There was no play, there was no pleasure, there were only four adults crying as Margo put everything she could into laying the leather strap across Kelly's ass. When she was through there was the sound of Kelly's sobbing and the sniffling of everyone else. "Carol ... secure our husband to the bedpost." After she was finished Margo looked at her husband. "Harry, I can't beat you ... it would cause your body to tense and could end up hurting you in just the way we're trying to avoid. "So your punishment will be watching Kelly take your ten." "NO GODDAMN IT!" Harry yelled, attempting to yank himself free from the bedpost. "HARRY! SHUT UP AND CALM DOWN, I'M HALF A HEARTBEAT AWAY FROM PUTTING YOU BACK IN THE HOSPITAL!" Harry saw through his anger that she was serious. As the tears streamed down his face he sat back down on the corner of the bed. "Harry, if you will not take care of yourself then I'll have no choice. The two of us have agreed. I imagine the rest of the family would as well. "We all want you better. We want you doing handstands and somersaults again. You agreed to abide by my decision in this matter. This is my decision. "I imagine part of you wants to threaten to fuck up your leg intentionally if I do this ... I'm glad to see you haven't let that part of you say anything. You know better. You know why all of this is happening." Carol spoke for the first time. "Then I'll take them, I'll take his ten ... and don't worry, I've seen how hard you're hitting ... I won't enjoy it." "N-n-no..." Kelly sobbed. "Y-y-you d-d-didn't do ... anything ... t-t-to deserve any p-punishment ... M-Margo and I ... talked this over ... I agree with her ... now shut up ... and let her ... f-fuckin' do this..." Carol moved around to the front of the bench and put her wrist in Kelly's mouth. "You bite as hard as you need to, baby ... don't worry about it." She stroked her wife's face. Kelly's screams began with the first blow. Urine flowed down her legs on the fourth. Blood began to trickle down Carol's arm on the seventh. Harry watched it all, wrapping his head around the why of it, around his behavior and how he'd been acting like a spoiled shit who wanted his leg to be better, was ready to work to make it better ... sometimes ... but still wanted to abuse it whenever he felt the need. He saw one of the three most wonderful women in the world finish beating one of the others, drop the strap and walk into the bathroom stiff-legged. He heard her throw up, again and again. Then he watched her leave the bedroom, still walking on those same stiff legs, the face he loved so well a desolation. "Carol, un-cuff me, now," he said and as soon as she freed him he carefully moved to Kelly, lowered himself to sit in the urine, wrapped his arms around her legs and sobbed with her. When he could manage words again, there were only two, repeated continuously. "I'm sorry." ------- Margo walked out of the bedroom, closing the door behind her. In the living room three concerned subs watched her walk past them, the look on her face freezing their questions in their throats. She ended her walk under a tree in the back yard, sat down with her back to it, facing away from the house, and let go the flood of tears and horror she'd been holding in since she left the bedroom. While some of who she was becoming as she grew into their marriage, her role in it, and grew in her comfort as a Dominant she liked very much, loved in fact ... some of who she was becoming she resented and hated. And she couldn't help but believe that her loved ones resented and hated her as well. ------- They let her have an hour and then sent Carol to get her. Margo was still sitting in the same spot, sobbing softly to herself, when Carol came out wearing her loincloth with a large dishcloth in her hand and silently began to clean Margo's face, wiping her runny nose, drying her tears. "I'm to bring you back to your family," Carol said as she helped her to her feet. She led her back through the kitchen, through the living room and finally through the bedroom door to a darkened bedroom lit only by a sliver of light from under the bathroom door. Carol closed the bedroom door behind her and escorted Margo into the bathroom. Margo had no words, so she said nothing. "Would you prefer a bath or a shower?" Carol asked. "A shower, I think..." Solemnly, almost as if it were a ritual, Carol helped Margo to shower, then dried her, wrapping her hair in a towel and throwing a robe over her shoulders. She killed the bathroom lights and carefully walked Margo to the foot of the bed through the dark bedroom. While they'd been in the shower someone had put on some music, soft blues, and incense was burning in the room, Black Opium and Victorian Rose. As Margo climbed on to the bed Carol pulled the robe off of her, and helped make sure she didn't stumble or trip. When she was up on the bed she heard Carol say, "Lie down and ask your family to come to you" as she climbed on to the bed behind Margo. Margo lay on her back, quiet and still, afraid in an irrational way of saying anything, afraid she'd call and no one would come. At a quiet spot in the music she heard them around her, breathing. "K-Kelly? Honey?" Kelly crawled up from the foot of the bed, laying her body atop her wife's, holding her and laying her head upon Margo's breasts. "Harry?" From her right side her husband scooted over and cuddled up to her, his breath warm against her cheek, his touch gentle and firm. "Carol?" Carol scooted over from her left side and embraced her. She laid her cheek on Margo's shoulder and sighed with pleasure. Margo started to speak but each of them put their hand upon her mouth. "My love," Harry said, "if you think it best I go back into the hospital to keep me from messing up the leg anymore than it already is, we'll check me in tomorrow ... well, Tuesday, why put them through the trouble of checking me in on Labor Day ... but I'd like to find another way, if possible, to keep it out of commission, perhaps a more severe form of brace. To ask me to voluntarily keep from putting undue stress on it is, perhaps, unrealistic, especially with the parties coming up. Help me find a way to make it nigh impossible for me to mistreat it." "Margo, my love," Carol said, "You've had all the time to hurt yourself about this that we're going to let you have. It's over. We love you. You have a hard job and sometimes we don't appreciate it. I run the house, but you run the family. You do a wonderful job of it. Kelly herself said it, back when Harry was still in the hospital. Sometimes it feels like you're the mother and we're all your children, brother and sisters. Harry admits he's been acting childishly, as does Kelly, as do I. If these are the roles we're playing, then this is the way things happen and if we don't like it, we need to change the roles we play. But we all agree, we love you and we like you and we want you in here with us." "Big Mama," Kelly said, "first off, my sincerest apology. I didn't think how my comment to Harry would make you feel, being used as a threat. I'm so sorry I hurt you. And now I get to present you with a choice. Do you want to keep on being the mother figure, or do you want to change roles? For all this to work, we have to all be happy. If you're not, we need to work on that. So, are you happy being in charge of the family?" Their hands moved but Margo still couldn't speak. "What's wrong, love?" Harry asked. "Afraid ... I'll start ... crying..." "Then take your time," Carol said, "we've got nothing else planned for the entire rest of the night but to be with each other, just the four of us." The three of them encased her in warmth and love until she felt safe to speak. "I like my role ... I just don't want to be alone up here. Most of the time, you do okay Harry. You're not as dominant as I am, but you're a good father, household co-chair, whatever ... and the only fault I can lay at your feet is how you treat your leg. If you can get your head straight on that, we'll be fine. But for so long while you were in the hospital, I was it because you were out of commission. And now that you're home, everything's fine ... except this. And if 'this' wasn't so big, that'd be okay, I wouldn't have a problem. But it is so big, and you've alternately been such a pig-headed obsessive about working on it, or been such an irresponsible little boy about it ... it's been making me crazy. "I heard your thoughts on the issue, and I agree. It is unrealistic to expect you to not mistreat it, even if it's only accidentally, like it was Friday night. So Tuesday when we go in, we'll look at some alternative braces and methods of immobilization. We'll see if we can't find something that'll do the trick, because I want our husband at home, where he belongs. "Kelly, baby, are you going to be okay?" "Sure ... Carol tells me I could survive a lot worse than that piddlin' little spanking you gave me ... not that I want to test the theory any day soon. I won't be sitting tomorrow ... and not too comfortably the next day from what she tells me, but I'll be fine. And luckily, tomorrow being Labor Day, Jackie's the only one who's working so I'll have five people around the house to lotion my poor abused bottom and feed me bon-bons." "Fine," Margo laughed, "but I get stuck with most of the lotion duty." "No, no you don't," Harry said. "I do, that's final." Margo smiled at her husband in the dark. "Yes sir ... although if I didn't know you better, I'd say you were just looking for an excuse to get your hands on Kelly's butt." "Well, that is a powerful incentive," Harry said, "and-" "Now that's a load of crap!" Kelly exclaimed. "Don't none of y'all need any excuses to put your hands on my ass, any time you want, I've made my position on this perfectly clear, numerous times. I'm with Dommi on this; my ass is a free-feel zone! In fact, while y'all's hands, Harry, Carol, ain't doin' nothin' in particular, I'm of the opinion they should be gently strokin' my ass! Come on now, get to strok-" "Do you think if we do this she'll shut up?" Carol asked. "Not a chance, but let's do it anyway," Harry replied. "-we're talkin', that's what I was sayin', some good ol' very gentle ass rubbin'. You know, that dress you were talkin' about me getting', Harry? I'm thinkin' it should have a cut-out bottom, just like Dommi's skirt, make this kinda thing easier. I think, I start workin' on it, I bet I could have an ass like Lisa or Dommi, maybe release my own line of videos, "Mistress Kelly's Ass Plump-Up: Your Way to a Cushier Tushie in Just 30 Days", maybe make me some money-" "Margo ... baby ... please ... put a tit in its mouth, make it hush," Harry said, fake sobs breaking his voice. "Yeah Mama, make her stop," Carol wailed, "she's right on the edge of going 'urban'." "-now that's not a bad idea, more titty for Kelly, I'm all in favor of that, don't even have to ask me twice, just ... mmm," Kelly said, finally quieting as she began to nurse at Margo's breast which had been shoved into her mouth. "What am I going to do with the three of you," Margo said, laughing as tears rolled down her cheeks. "Well I have some ideas-" Kelly began but she shut up as Margo put her tit back in her mouth. "Guess you're just gonna have to love us, sweetheart," Harry said. "Either that or club us in the head like baby harp seals." "Just between you and me, Big Mama," Carol added, "I'd prefer the whole 'loving us' thing." ------- Harry and Carol were curled up together, his cock resting in her cunt, quiescent for the moment as they watched their wives make love, a beautiful sixty-nine that had been going on for over a half-hour and showed no signs of stopping. "You know, sir ... there's a part of me that wants to strap one on, and take that beautiful, swollen ass," Carol said. "Is that wrong?" "No ... not if she agreed," Harry replied softly, "I understand the feeling. After you get a spanking, that beautiful ass of yours ... oh Baby Girl, it just cries out for fucking ... I'm not sure why." "Well, with me you don't generally have to wonder if I'll agree," she said, massaging his cock with her cunt, "you have to worry more about whether or not you'll live if you don't fuck me there." Kelly paused from her pleasure. "I've got no problem with that idea at all, long as whichever of you does it remembers I will hurt you bad if you get too rough. It's very sensitive and I think skin on skin would feel heavenly ... if it was very gentle." "Well, I'm out, would have me up on the knee," Harry said. "Why don't you try out that supposedly strapless dildo we picked up, Carol? That'd keep it just you and her." "Well let me out from under and I'll go keep our husband entertained," Margo said. "You stay right the hell where you are, wife! You're part of what's so beautiful about this scene ... I stroked my cock and kept it happy for years before any of y'all came to my bed ... I think I can keep him entertained ... especially with the show we'll be watching." Carol came back from the closet with the FeelDoe Divining Rod they had picked up a week or so earlier. "Alright Kelly, I'm going to be lubing you real well, and trying to loosen you up as much as I can, so relax and take some time with Big Mama ... we're gonna be here awhile." "Oh ... damn..." Kelly said as she returned to kissing her wife's beautiful cunt. As Carol sat down over Margo's head she looked at Harry. "Sir, while I'm working on this if you could rig me some straps to hold on to, it would make doing this hot little bitch easier." Kelly's moan told them she liked being called a 'hot little bitch'. Margo, sensing her mood, chimed in with "Sexy cunt-licking fuckbeast, I beat her for being a naughty little slut, not two hours later she's ears deep in my pussy, sticking her sore ass in the air and wanting it fucked." "MMMmmmmMMM, mmmm, mmmMMmm," Kelly moaned into Margo's cunt as she orgasmed without any further ado. As Harry rigged the straps, carefully stepping over the two women outstretched on the bed, he said, "You know, maybe Minerva was wrong, maybe Kelly really isn't Domme material. Maybe, to keep her out of trouble, we should just let her stay out of school and keep her chained to the bed in here." "MMMMMM, MMM, mmmm..." Kelly continued, her condition exacerbated by Margo's return to sucking her clit and Carol's insertion of a well-lubed finger into her ass. Margo's hand came up and grasped Kelly's hair, holding her head firmly in place. "You mean leave her at home to the tender mercies of Carol and Billy?" "Oh, not just the two of us," Carol said, beginning to tease Kelly's sphincter with a second finger, "just because Tamara and Patricia don't play doesn't mean they can't tease." "MMMMM." "How long can you keep a slut on the edge of coming, Baby Girl?" "Well sir, the record with me is five hours and twenty-eight minutes, but the only reason we stopped then was that my owner had to go to work. I promise you," the second finger slipped into Kelly's ass, "on my honor as a pet, I could start ramping up this slut's motors before you and Madam left for work in the morning and by the time you came home that night, she'd be a sobbing, trembling mass of frustration so fuckin' horny you wouldn't even get your dick in her before she had the best orgasm of her life. Your cock would just barely touch those tortured lips and she'd come like she's never come before ... of course, after that long, she'd probably do a few other things as well." "Guess I'd have to just use my finger then, huh? How's that sound, cumslut?" he asked, finished with the straps and carefully lying back down on the bed. "Mmm, mmmmmm, mmm," Kelly moaned, tears seeping out of her eyes as she frantically tongued Margo. "But that kind of treatment, sir, it's really more of a slut treat than something you want to do all that often," Carol said, continuing her finger-fucking of Kelly's ass. "Generally, you just pull her on to the bed every morning before you got to work, slap Madam's tasty slit on her face, you fuck her hard, the two of you come, you wipe your cock on her hair and leave. I'd tend to the rest." "MMMMMMMMM!" "Little slut's coming again," Harry said. "Margo, baby, you gonna be okay down there? I'm worried you might drown." "Not as fast as I'm licking this little cunt's tastiness up, you don't have to worry about me at all," Margo replied before returning to licking Kelly's slit with long, slow strokes. "But we'd have to spend awhile getting her trained," Carol continued, slipping a third finger in. "I foresee several long sessions, five and six hours each, where all she does is lick pussy and suck cock. Now I know you and Billy could get a little overworked, but since we've added Lisa and Jackie to the household, get Nicki and Sheila, and oh yeah ... delicious little Galena over here, I think we'd have enough pussies to keep her occupied while y'all recovered." "MMMmmm." "Just have her moving from one to the other, eat 'em till they come, and move on. And just think, cuntslut," Carol said, her thrusting fingers picking up speed, "you'll have it a lot easier than I did living with Rick ... there all I was servicing were men, ten to fifteen, just going around in a circle and blowing them until they took themselves out of the circle. Your jaws won't hurt nearly as bad ... and we actually love you." "Mmmm, mmmm, mmm," Kelly said, tears running freely down her cheeks. "You think it's time I fuck you, little slut?" Carol asked. "Ummm hmmm." "You ask nicely now or I'll pull these fingers out, Big Mama will stop licking and we'll leave you with nothing." "P-please ... fuck me." "That was pretty good, cuntslut, but not quite good enough. Be more specific." "P-please ... f-f-fuck my ass..." Carol very lightly slapped Kelly's ass with the dildo. "UMMMM!" "Who are you asking to fuck your ass, you swollen-cunted whore?" "Please ... please fuck my ass ... Mistress." "MISTRESS WHO, BITCH?" "P-please fuck ... my ass ... Mistress Carol." "That's better ... got a lot of Mistresses around these days ... got to be clear who you're talking to." Carol continued to slide her fingers in and out of Kelly's ass while she slipped the short end of the Divining Rod inside her. "Little slut's got me wet and juicy ... gonna have to clamp down on this real tight or it'll slip out ... good thing I do my Kegels." Harry threw her a towel as she pulled her fingers out, she wiped the lube off, grabbed the straps and positioned herself. "Now slut, every time you tighten down and pull this out of me, you're gonna be blowing your Master over there and you're going to be working HARD on your throating technique so you think about that every time you want to tighten up that hot, swollen ass of yours. Every time I lose it is another time you blow him and deep throat his cock while you do. Got it?" "Ummm hmmmm." "Get ready, slut." And with that she slid the protruding long and phallic end of the Divining Rod into Kelly's ass. "MMMMMmmmmm ... mmmMMmm ... mmmmm." "Little whore just came again," Margo said before returning to her slurping. "So slut, how does it feel to be getting ass-fucked without feeling any harness scraping across that poor, sore butt of yours?" Harry said. "MMMMMMMM." "Your Master asked you a question, slut, answer him!" Carol said, letting go of a strap to thump Kelly's ass with her finger. "UMMM!" Kelly brought her mouth off Margo's cunt. "Oh God ... sir ... it feels wonderful ... you're going to love it ... I love it." "Guess what, slut?" Carol asked, evil glee in her voice. "What, Mistress Carol?" "You pulled it out of me." "I'm sorry, Mistress Carol ... I'm sorry ... please don't stop, please, please don't stop." "Who said a damn thing about stopping, slut?" Carol carefully lowered herself back on to the short end of the Rod. "That's one blow job you owe your Master." Harry's cock throbbed in anticipation. ------- By the time Kelly managed to shake her head and whimper 'No more', she could barely be qualified as sentient and owed Harry three deep-throated blow jobs. Carol went to wash off the Rod and then make another water run as they were completely out, leaving Kelly curled up in the loving embrace of Margo and Harry. As she wandered into the living room she found Lisa and Jackie sprawled out on pillows, Billy with his crotch between Lisa's legs and his head in Jackie's lap. The smell of sex was heavy in the air. "How much could y'all hear?" she asked, smiling. "Oh ... nothing distinct," Jackie replied. "But just the knowledge of what was going on ... the rhythmic moans ... damn." "Yeah, I was afraid ... I'd broken Billy ... once or twice," Lisa added. "Damn ... strong ... thighs..." Billy said, grinning. Carol walked on to the kitchen, shaking her head. ------- When she returned to the bedroom, closing the door behind her although her exhibitionist impulse was to leave it open, she found Harry and Margo still cuddling with Kelly. She climbed up and started handing out the refilled water bottles. "So it feels good to just be a slut every so often, sweetheart?" Margo was cooing. "Ummm, yes ma'am it does. I'm thinking 'fuckbeast' is a job title everybody in this bed should wear regularly," Kelly said. "Just a little mindless slut is a good thing to be ... long as when I'm through, I can come back to being a member of this family and married to all of you." "Forever and always," Harry said, stroking her back. "Isn't that right, precious pet?" Carol snuggled next to him. "Until the stars grow cold, yes sir. You're ours, darling love, no way around it." Kelly wriggled happily. "I know this might sound strange, coming from a little fuck slut like myself, but would it be okay if we cuddled and maybe napped a bit?" "But I've got this hard-on," Harry said, smiling widely to show he was kidding. "Oh, that..." Kelly replied. She dropped her open mouth on his cock, angling her head to straighten her throat as much as possible. Three long, deep throatings later and it was all over. Kelly finished swallowing the last of him, licked the tip of his rapidly wilting cock and smiled. "Sir, as long as you'd been holding that orgasm ... no time at all to take care of that. Shower, anyone, before nap?" Harry laid there and smiled as the three loves of his life sauntered off. "Wait for me!" he called. "Harry..." Margo said, her voice a warning. "I know, I know ... the tub." ------- In the end, Margo had mercy on her poor Jacuzzi-confined spouse and joined him after her shower. The two of them sat in the tub together, relaxing, while Carol and Kelly headed for bed. "You look thoughtful, my love," she said. "Am. Something from our visit to Madame C's is still bothering me ... there was a moment with Li Kuan ... not the sex. I have no problem understanding why a beautiful woman in a submissive position looking at me eagerly would get me hot. That's a given. "But when Carol was screaming her pain into Minerva's dress ... Margo, I twisted that butt spike hard, and it was feeling good to me ... too good ... and the blood I took from where it had oozed down her leg ... that tasted too good to me as well. "I've been trying to come to terms with what that says about me. Not having much luck." "Harry, how comfortable are you with hate?" "What?" "Think about it, my love ... think about hate, and how you handle it. While you do, remember that 'hate' is not the opposite of 'love', it's the opposite of 'like' ... the opposite of 'love' is 'apathy'. Ponder on that for awhile, a day or two, and then we'll talk." "Yes Madam." "Silly man." "Yes Madam." "Let's go to bed and cuddle." "You betcha, Madam." ------- Chapter 38 The phone call had awoken Eddie and Tamara in the early morning hours. Carol had been up, going to the kitchen for a drink, and spotted what she took to be a woman, skulking around the house. She'd dropped to the floor silently and called Eddie immediately. "Stay down and out of sight," he replied, pulling on a pair of pants as he spoke. "I'll be right there." As he drew on a black concert t-shirt, he began to calm himself. If it was who he expected it to be, being agitated would only make him more likely to do something stupid. He vaulted over his back fence, moving across the intervening yards at a low, stealthy pace until finally he reached the security fence at the Grimes house. Taking another slow and steady breath, he slid along the fence toward the front of the house, where Carol had spotted the intruder. As he came around the corner, down near to the ground, he saw her ... and there was no doubt in his mind. The skinny figure was Angie, the stupid slut was at a living room window, carefully working it up. The crowbar she was using didn't worry him so much as the large handgun she had tucked in the back of her pants. If she heard him before he got into position that could make things ... difficult. Quietly he crept around until he was behind her to the side. The only thing left to do was make his way over the porch railing and it would be over. His teeth were bared in anticipation of the fulfillment of a long-time desire. After he was in position, there was nothing at all she could do to stop the inevitable ... not even her swinging around and hitting him with the crowbar as hard as she could ... she might break his arm as he blocked her, but that was all. He made his move. She turned around only at the last minute, so intent was she on the window sill that she missed his reflection until it was too late. One massive arm shot around her, pinning her arms to her sides. The hand on the end of the other arm covered her mouth as he drew her away from the window. "Hey Angie," he whispered, "been waitin' for you to try something like this. Glad you finally accommodated me." He slid her to the ground, putting her on her back, his knees on her arms and sat on her midsection. He let his weight settle on her ... on her waist, driving the pistol into her back ... on her arms, watching her eyes widen as the pain grew. "I come around that corner and by God, bitch, I was so happy to see that big, bad ol' gun in your pants. I'm gonna give you one chance, one chance only, to convince me you deserve to live ... you understand me? You scream or fuck it up in any way, I'll have you dead and thrown over my shoulder before the echoes die. "You understand me?" The hatred in her eyes distracted him from her nod, but it registered on him all the same. He eased some of his weight off her belly and leaned back to take some of the pressure off her arms. Then he took the iron hand that had been clamped over her mouth away, slowly. "There isn't anything I can say that'll change what you're gonna do to me, is there?" she croaked, fear clogging her throat. "I don't think so, but I'm wrong at least three or four times a day. This could be one of 'em." He watched her face, watched the uncertainty become certain, saw her begin to draw in breathe for a scream. The only sound heard on the porch was the wet, sickening crack of her neck breaking as he torqued her head around on her shoulders far faster and much farther than it was meant to move. He watched the light fade from her eyes. "So, there are times when being a monster isn't such a terrible thing. Am I right, creature?" "Shut the fuck up," Eddie murmured under his breath. He heard the sound of footsteps in the living room, heading for the door and he quickly got up. He met Carol as she opened the door. "Honey, you don't want to come out here." "Yes I do, Eddie," she replied. "I was sitting by the window, I heard everything." She walked out on the porch, her large white shirt making her appear ghostlike. "You got someplace to dump the body?" she asked, her voice hardly more loud than a breath. "Yeah ... but you probably don't want to know the details." "You know me better than that, Eddie. Gimme the details." "Okay, guy I know runs a reptile and alligator farm as a roadside attraction. Big ol' pond full o' gators'll make real short work of her." "And he's cool with that?" Eddie looked into her eyes, steady and cold. "Ain't gonna be the first time." "Good, as long as he's okay with it." Carol spit on the slowly cooling body at their feet. "Love you Eddie ... not just for this, but for everything." "I know ... love you too, Short Stuff." "Be very careful." She hugged him tightly. "Now if you wouldn't mind, get this piece of shit off my porch." "Yes ma'am." The whole way to Hannigan's Reptile Farm Eddie was whistling a happy tune. ------- Harry awoke in the middle of the night to a sensation he was firmly convinced was proof there was a Deity and that Deity loved humanity. Someone, and by the feel he was pretty sure it was Kelly, was sucking his cock. As she took it all the way down, he became damn sure it was Kelly ... no one gagged quite like her. "Very good," he heard Carol whisper, "but try it a little slower. It's not easy re-training your gag reflex but believe me, it can be done and it is worth the effort." His cock was suddenly out in the air, cooling from the saliva coating it. "Really?" Kelly whispered. "I mean, I know he enjoys it ... a lot. Is there that much difference in reaction overall?" "Watch and learn, although he's awake now, so the results will be somewhat tainted. Harry honey, just react normally. Give me a soft hum to let me know how it feels. Don't downplay and don't ham it up." Harry began the hum as her warm mouth wrapped around his dick. As she worked on him the hum rose in intensity, but still remained very close to its original pitch and volume. Then she slid him down her throat and he let himself go into the sensations, the volume and pitch of his hum rising dramatically without him even knowing it. Her throat worked on him, saliva dripping into his pubic hair and within minutes his balls were emptying down her throat. As Carol slowly disengaged from him, milking every last drop out of him, he opened his eyes to find Margo snuggled up next to him, looking at him blearily. "Do you have any goddamn idea what time it is?" she asked. "Uh ... no," Harry replied. He turned his head and saw a faint tinge of daylight through the bathroom windows. "Way too early would be my guess." "You'd be right ... way too early. As punishment, Kelly still owes you two deep-throating practices, at some point today, and Carol owes me a screaming orgasm right now for the whole 'hum' thing." "Oh damn, Madam," Carol said, grinning. "Muff diving after sucking Harry off? My life is just one hell after another." "She's a morning person, Harry. We love a morning person," Margo said as Carol scrambled onto the bed and buried her head between Margo's legs. "I know ... it's our cross to bear. Come on, Kelly ... let's go hit the bathroom and then see about kitchen stuff." "Coffee ... if you love me, coffee," Margo said. "Beloved wife, coffee is a given ... I will always make coffee ... in fact, when we write our wedding vows, I'm putting that in them ... anything else you need?" Margo wriggled sensuously from Carol's attentions. "Nothing else, my love ... other than the hour and need for coffee, life is just perfect right now." ------- Jackie Wagner's alarm went off and she opened her eyes, momentarily confused at finding herself in a room that was still strange to her. Lisa snored softly on the bed across from her. They'd been roommates at House Odessa for over three years and she was glad the two of them had left together and ended up in the same House. It had all been fine and good to talk about leaving, and even to break away from Laney and pledge herself to this new, upstart House, but it would have been a lonely and frightening prospect without Lisa ... she was the sister Jackie'd never had. After she had returned from her shower and gotten dressed she kissed Lisa softly on the cheek and headed downstairs. She was thinking of the change of address forms and such she'd need to file for the three of them with the post office Tuesday morning when the smell of coffee hit her. Harry and Kelly sat at the table nursing huge mugs of the heavenly elixir. "What are you doing up this hour?" she asked as she walked into the kitchen. "Being inordinately unhappy about it," Kelly grumbled. "Carol woke up, woke me up to pay off part of a debt I owe Harry, that woke him up, then his moaning woke up Margo." "I suspect they'll join us after Margo has an orgasm or two," Harry added. "Do you mind if I..." Jackie said, motioning towards the coffee pot. "Of course not, you silly woman," Harry said. "But it'll cost you a kiss for each of us." "Oh damn," Jackie said, paying the coffee tax gladly. "You'll never know how different it is being here than being at Laney's." She threw slices of bread in the toaster and rummaged in the fridge for margarine. "Do we have any grape jelly?" "Second shelf, right rear," Kelly answered. "Good to know there's another jelly lovin' woman in this house." She eyed Jackie's round bottom. "Come to think of it, that jelly's givin' me ideas." Jackie wiggled her bottom. "Well Mistress, save that idea for later on, I need to catch a bus here in about a half hour." "So what's so different?" Harry asked. "Sugar, cream, light or heavy on either?" "Medium on both, thank you sir. Well, that for instance. No Dominant at Odessa would ever have gotten me coffee. The idea of dominance and submission, superiority and inferiority so completely permeated Laney's thinking, and trickled down from him to the other Doms, that after awhile there was no love, let alone like, between the two sides. We got what we needed, the Doms got what they needed, but there was nothing even remotely approaching the sense of family you've got here." She buttered and jellied her toast and grabbed a quick slurp off her coffee. "Perfect sir, remember how you did that and I'll be your friend for life." "Not a problem. Two questions I've been meaning to ask you ... well ... one I've been meaning to ask you and one I've been meaning to ask one of the three of you." "Yes sir?" she said around a mouthful of toast. "You were there when Laney ran off the female Dominants from House Odessa. Why did he do that?" "You want what I know happened and how everyone interprets it or what I think?" "Both." "What I know ... Laney'd been having a relationship with Mistress Claudette for about a year, hot and heavy, lots of really torrid orgy action. I got rode hard and put away wet a lot by both of them in those days. Mistress Claudette started showing the signs of boredom, starting bringing in male subs to their little get-togethers, within a week they were on the outs and he'd started making life a living hell for all the female Dominants of the House." "So did he get rid of them because he was threatened by subservient males or feared his own bisexuality?" Kelly asked. "Well, those are the popular theories ... I think they're both bullshit. He'd been hanging around some of the Karg and I think that's the real reason, and the real reason he and Mistress Claudette split. She wasn't having any of that Karg bullshit, and I think the male subs she was bringing in was her defiance of his attitude, in some weird way. She was looking for an out. That gave her one. I've heard him spout that female Dominants aren't the equal of males, they're merely the most dominant members of their gender and there was no way shit like that was going to go down well with Claudette or any of the other Mistresses of the House." "So where did they go? And how does someone like Mina and House Shiloh remain allied with him?" "Mistress Claudette and some of the others split off and formed their own House, House Evensong ... that's an odd one, lemme tell ya. Pagan, very much into balance and harmony ... before they formed it they had to find enough Masters to balance the four of them. Some of their playtimes are more ritual and ceremony than anything else ... from what I hear through the grapevine. The ones that didn't go with Evensong found other Houses." "Evensong might be worth looking up," Kelly said. "Not that I'd think this of you, but don't go looking for them if you're just looking for a tool to use against Odessa. A couple of Houses have tried, as part of pulling off what you're-" "What we're..." Harry interjected. Jackie smiled, walked over and gave him a warm and lengthy kiss. "Alright, what we're attempting ... Evensong don't play that shit. If you're serious, and they like you, that's fine but these assholes saw them as little more than a weapon, the whole 'enemy of my enemy is my friend' thing ... no, you have to be Evensong's friend all on your own. Then you can discuss if you might have common cause against Odessa." "Why do I think you have more contact with Evensong than you're letting on?" Harry asked, studying Jackie intently. Jackie returned his gaze. "Because I do ... we're co-religionists. I attend their Circles whenever I can. Of course, that was hard to do, living at Odessa ... going off to visit with other Houses, especially one on the outs with Laney..." "Won't be hard here," Harry said. "Of course, we'd appreciate it if you could make House functions, but if you want to attend an Evensong Circle, then we won't be too upset that you're not here. Get with Carol and let her know when their Circles are scheduled, we'll see if we can avoid conflicts." "Have I told you lately that I really, REALLY like it here?" Jackie asked, grinning from ear to ear. "Alright, as to your next question, why Mistress Mina and House Shiloh, as well as some other female-dominant Houses remain allied with them ... well, with Mina I think it's a deep-seated inferiority complex. Somewhere deep down there she feels he's right, women are inherently inferior. With some of the others like House Wexler, I think it's a matter of allying with the strength. They're not ideological matches so much as they want to be on the winning side, be in favor." "Alright and now for the question I've wanted one of you to answer ever since I first saw you ... how did you three lovely women end up at the bottom of the sub hierarchy? I saw the others Laney had with him at the club ... it wasn't because any of you were outshone by the others. None of them were more beautiful than the three of you." "Are you trying to get me to call in sick today, get me to stay home and fuck you silly? No, no Jackie you can't ... you're the only counselor there. Skeleton holiday crew ... alright ... tonight, me treat you real nice," Jackie said, smiling. "Well, I doubt you'll ever find this out personally, but the whole 'the sub is really the one in charge' thing? That can get to be real evident if you're also using them as household servants and you and they know they're free to leave at any time ... and you've pissed them off mightily. All three of us had gotten sick and tired of his shit, and yeah, with Lisa and I part of it was being passed over for younger and it seemed, dumber models. With Sheila it was mostly her sense of fairness ... watching our needs, as well as some of the others, get neglected because Laney is having a mid-life crisis. We were balky, ill-tempered bitches and although we were that way with just cause, it was still our own actions that got us in the dog house. "And speaking of his mid-life crisis, you want to know what one of your greatest slaps in his face is gonna be? Galena. He'd sacrifice one of his balls to sink his cock in something that young and tender. Then you have her show up as a Domme? Oh, he'll just go bugfuck over that shit." "Damn, you're so perceptive, I betcha you're just the most whiz-bang counselor they've got down at the VA office, ain't ya?" Kelly said, laughing. "I do alright," Jackie replied, laughing with her. "I mean, c'mon, there isn't all that much you can do with a Master's in Psychology except counseling or teaching ... not if that's all you have." "Why didn't you take it any further?" Harry asked, pouring himself another cup of coffee. "Didn't really want to, not at the time ... I'd spent all the years in school I felt I could cope with. It was time to get out into the world. These days I can't really afford it." "Well, if our arrangement works out, after October lets talk about you going back to school, if you want to." "Oh Goddess, you really do want me to treat you real nice later!" Jackie Wagner floated to the bus stop on a cloud of happiness. ------- The large pond, almost a man-made lake, covered about one and three-quarters acres. Kevin Hannigan watched as Eddie carefully cut up the body he'd brought that morning, splatters of blood sliding down the large rubber and PVC apron Eddie had borrowed for the task. "Yeah, that thing's real handy ... keeps my clothes somewhat presentable when I'm hacking up chow for the 'gators," he said as he admired Eddie's work with the hacksaw. "No shit ... you didn't have this last time and what a gawddamn fuckup of a mess that was," Eddie replied, finishing severing Angie's left leg. "Standing out here naked, burning my clothes ... and that stuff you loaned me to get home in ... shit ... I didn't buy you replacements out of the goodness of my heart. I'd popped damn near every button and split quite a few of the seams ... you're tiny." "Well, had to make do with what I had, and I don't stock clothes for old friends who happen to be gorillas ... pick up that stringy bit there, I don't want any trace of her left around." "Got it. So how's business been?" "Tolerable ... tolerable ... had a good summer, now it's startin' the slack time of the year ... with Ethan old enough to mind the store from time to time, it's been getting easier for me and Ronnie to have a life." Eddie began the cut on the corpse's left arm. "God, I remember when Ethan was born ... and he's what, fourteen now? How time flies..." "Ain't it the truth?" ------- An hour later a phone call put the residents of the Grimes house in conference around the kitchen table ... a serious conference. They got on the phone with Jackie at her office. Then they called the woman that had initiated the conference and agreed to her proposition. ------- Tamara was awakened by the sounds of Kim and the children in the kitchen. They were being very quiet, but years of belonging to Family men had left her very alert. Going back to sleep after he left was getting easier, but she slept poorly when he wasn't there. She got up out of bed, looked at the empty spot beside where she'd lain, and headed out to the kitchen. She hoped Eddie was alright. ------- Tattie had left Julie, Vashti and Svetlana at the house and gone to the hospital by herself. She was waiting for Dr. Robert Niven when he came in. "So, talk to me about what's going on with Yuri." "Ms. Turov ... maybe we'd better go have a seat somewhere. Could you use some coffee?" "Yeah, but you insult the fine name of coffee by calling the swill they serve here by that name. I'll make do, though ... need the caffeine." A few minutes later they were sitting in the hospital's cafeteria. "Now talk, Doctor." "He needs to be moved somewhere he can get constant, quality care. I'd be lying if I told you I had any hope whatsoever of him recovering. Mr. Philouma told me you were a woman who appreciated bluntness. That's about as blunt as I can be." As he watched her reaction, he wondered for a moment if he was going to have to call for help ... Tatiana Turov struck him as a woman who was dangerously close to a breakdown, either physical or mental. But she got herself under control and steadied herself, muttering something under her breath. Finally she asked, "Alright Dr. Niven, where would you suggest?" "There are two facilities in the area; the Armitage House and the Rays of Sunshine Home. Before you get to feeling too excited over the warm and fuzzy name of the second possibility, the section Yuri would be housed in wouldn't be overly sunshine-y. For the next several years at least, probably for the rest of his life, the only way your son will go anywhere not restrained is if he's drugged to the gills. We don't know what's going on in his head, and the Russian interpreter is working hard at communicating with him, but he's apparently got no interest in communicating with us, in any fashion other than trying to hurt us. And that seems to be only because we keep him from hurting himself. "From the background I got from Vashti ... Ms. Turov, most days I don't know if I believe in anything past this life, some days I'm sure I don't and on rare days I do believe. But there's a part of me that believes that no matter what, the kindest thing we might be able to do for Yuri is let him go to whatever awaits him." "Do you know how close I am to beatin' the shit out of you, Doctor?" "I have two children of my own ... I can imagine. But you want blunt, you've got it." "I'll want to go inspect both facilities before makin' any decisions ... and in spite of the fact that I think you're a son-of-a-bitch, I'd like it if you came with me, to help me understand what I'm looking for, and what I'm looking at." "Mr. Philouma has put me completely at your disposal. How does tomorrow morning fit with your schedule?" "Fine with me, Doctor ... shall we meet at Café Antoine's at 9? It's going to be a rough day, I insist on starting it with real coffee, perhaps a beignet or three." "Café Antoine's at 9 it is." ------- Sheila Scott looked at her Mistress, still asleep beside her. Nicki was sprawled across two-thirds of the bed, a leg and both arms sticking out from under the covers, hair splayed out like a fright wig, mouth open and drool slowly seeping out onto the pillow ... she was utterly adorable. Sheila got up and padded into the kitchen to start a pot of coffee. She and her Mistress had stayed up very late, telling each other stories. But that was alright, they didn't have anything planned until later in the day when there was a get-together at the Grimes house. Ensconcing herself at the kitchen counter, Sheila fired up her laptop and surfed while the coffee perked. The next week at work was going to be hectic for her. The insurance company had let go of the other secretary so she was going to be handling the whole workload until they could get someone else in. Sheila felt sorry for Candice ... in an 'at-will' state, she'd been let go for too many piercings and a tattoo that only showed when she stretched her arm and her blouse cuff rode up. Sheila shuddered to think what the office manager would do if he caught wind of her lifestyle. Well, she thought, what he'd do was actually simple to predict ... she'd be looking for another job the very next day. At least that was one low Laney'd never sunk to ... he'd never held them hostage by their lifestyle choices. She and her Mistress had also discussed rent and such the night before ... with the extra money she was going to have, her life was about to get a little easier so she decided to do a bit of shopping online. She was sure she could find an outfit or two that would let the whole House know just how happy she was that they'd taken her in. ------- The orgy had continued pretty much non-stop, except for stretches of exhausted sleep and a meal or two, at the Stallings house. Tori had crashed out the night before telling the rest of her family that she didn't care what they did with her while she was asleep, as long as they lubed her first. She'd remembered that statement with wry amusement at some point in the early morning when her son had brought her to wakefulness positioning her on some pillows and lubing up her ass. Tori had relaxed and gone with it and by the end was enjoying it every bit as much as Sam. When they got out of the shower afterwards she'd enjoyed the cuddling even more. He'd gone to sleep nursing on her breast and she'd lain there, stroking his hair, while she watched her husband and daughter sleep spooned together next to them. But as she awoke the next morning she realized the situation had become dire ... in a horny, fantastic way that Tori still marveled at ... there was almost no food left in the house, a lack of foresight on their part, and they desperately needed to stop at their favorite sex and head shop, "Dangerous Dan McGrew's" as the only lube left to them was cooking oil and luckily they hadn't had to resort to it yet. What a mess that would make! It was going to be a pain in the ass, getting out and about on Labor Day, but they really had no other choice. "Jess, honey," she whispered, "wake your Daddy up and let's see about showers and getting ready to go get breakfast somewhere ... and if he gives you any shit, roll him over and bounce your pretty pussy on that piss hard-on of his a few times ... he'll get up then." ------- Quan and Jessica had ended up having to pull a double that Sunday and both had been too tired when they got home the night before to do much of anything. When Wendy finally got off work and wandered in about 2 in the morning after helping to close the theater she'd found them both crashed out on the bed, still dressed except for their shoes and bras. Wendy had finished undressing them down to their panties and tucked them in before crashing herself. Jessica woke up in a much different state than she'd gone to sleep. In the first place, she was mostly naked. Had to have been Wendy's doing, she'd been in no shape to undress the night before. She remembered kicking off her shoes and stripping her bra off from under her delivery shirt, but the apartment had been cold and she and Quan had left their shirts on when they lay down, swearing they'd get up in a minute and hit the shower. As she looked at the clock, she realized that 'minute' had stretched into ten hours. In the second place, she felt human again ... she hadn't felt that way since two hours into her shift on Friday. She didn't want to think about the nightmare that was going to be Chinese food delivery on the last day before the fall semester began and thanks to the Cao's kindness, she wasn't going to have to. Blissfully she and Quan had the day off since they'd pulled the unscheduled double the day before. She and one of her lovers could lie about the house all day and relax ... but poor Wendy was working another late shift. Jessica looked at the two of them, sleeping on either side of her. She'd had a lot of time to think about it while driving the day before ... she still had very strong feelings for Kelly ... if she was honest with herself, she still had strong feelings for all of them, even if in Harry's case it was merely gratitude and respect. They'd come into her life at a point where, even though she didn't know it, she desperately needed a change, a reason to get away from a mother who would never believe her good enough or pretty enough or thin enough, away from a boyfriend who, in retrospect, had barely bothered hiding the fact he was always on the lookout for someone better ... away from a life that had been so joyless. The Grimes clan had pulled her out of that situation, broadened her horizons considerably and then, when she'd needed another life-jolt, inadvertently given her one through the simple kindness of inviting her and her roommates to a party. And it had all led her to where she was ... lying in bed between two wonderful people who loved her and whom she loved in return. She quietly blew her lovers kisses and slid out of bed to go begin making breakfast for the three of them. And if the smell of food didn't get her sweethearts up, well she'd just have to serve it to them in bed. ------- She found him sitting under a tree, out of view of the breakfast nook windows. "You had very good dreams last night," she said, sitting down beside him. "Good ones, but not my best ones ... you were barely in them." "I know, you didn't wake me up to help you deal with a monster erection. So what were you dreaming about? I listened to your mutterings, but I couldn't make out anything intelligible." He told her his dream, every vivid, realistic detail and when he was finished they sat silently together for awhile. Finally it was she who broke the silence. "So, is there really a Hannigan's Reptile Farm?" "Ahyup." "And you've dumped bodies there before?" "Ahyup." "And right now you're expecting me to tell you you're a monster and to leave you, right?" "Ahyup." "Isn't happening, so relax and accept the inevitable. I love you no matter what." He gathered her in his arms and held her to his chest, soaking her robe in his tears. "Before ... before we got ... Rachel ... into Rays of Sunshine ... place she was at ... real dump ... one of the attendants ... was molesting patients ... they were all ... too scared ... to say anything ... but when he tried that shit with Rachel ... she screamed for me ... woke up the whole floor ... he was arrested ... they thought they had him ... procedural error ... he walked." "Until you took care of the issue, correct?" "Quick ... clean ... better than he deserved." "That's my Edward ... I love you, sir." Kim and her children stayed in the kitchen, going about their business, carefully not noticing the sound of Eddie's tears from the back of the yard. ------- "Vashti, I do not know if I feel safe here, or if I feel like a prisoner," Svetlana said as they played with a ball, tossing it back and forth on the lawn in back of the house. "I know the feeling ... the guard at the gate, the cameras, the walls ... I know it's because ... Mother ... works with expensive materials in making her jewelry ... I'd certainly feel very threatened if the security wasn't here. She showed me what was in the workshop ... I never expected to live long enough to see such riches." "So Ms. Turov is rich?" "Very ... she's been designing jewelry for the wealthy and powerful for a very long time." He looked over at the patio and waved to Julie, motioning her over. "We're not supposed to go to the workshop without her or Ms. Julie along, otherwise we might set off the alarms and only they know how to turn them off." As Julie approached he said, "Ms. Julie, I would like to show Svetlana the showroom. Would you mind coming with us." "Yes, Vashti, I come with you." As they looked around the showroom, Vashti showed Svetlana the pictures of Tattie with various celebrities. "She knows Boris Yeltsin!" the little girl exclaimed. "Yes, although when I asked her about it she didn't have much to say ... said that the picture was taken when they were first introduced and that was him at his most sober." "I didn't know your new mother knew so many famous people." "Neither did I when I came here ... it is hard to think of her as anything other than just plain old Tattie." "And that is what I have always been, even under the airs and graces I put on meeting those people," Tatiana said from the doorway, "just 'plain old Tattie'." She smiled but it came nowhere close to her eyes and Vashti was quick to notice. He ran across the showroom and threw his arms around her in a fierce hug. "Mother, I am glad you are back. How is Yuri?" "Tomorrow you and I are going to go pick out a place where he will probably live out the remainder of his days," she said. "Svetlana, I know it is rather soon to be asking, but would you like to stay here with Vashti, Ms. Julie and me? I hate to think of Vashti growing up without someone around closer to his own age than us and I had my heart set on having more than one child here." "Please Svetlana," Julie said, "if you say no, I afraid I go back to teach children not as smart as you and Vashti." The little blond-headed girl looked at the three of them solemnly, her tongue sticking out of the side of her mouth in concentration. "Alright, I will stay, if you promise me one thing." "What is that, darling?" Tattie replied. "You must introduce me to Christina Aguilera." Everyone laughed as Tattie replied "I've never met her darling, but I'll see what I can do." ------- "My gods and little fishies," Harry said as they sat in the deck chairs, enjoying juice and coffee, "it's cooled off a little. I checked and the projected high today is 93." "Damn, that's almost Texas winter," said Carol, sitting next to him. "Come on, it's not that bad ... I'm sure we'll have a few cold spells, maybe an ice storm or two," Margo said, stroking Billy's hair as he lay beside her. "Yeah, but I'll still bet you one of my kind of oaths that at some point Christmas week we'll be running the air-conditioner because the house has gotten too warm," Kelly replied as Lisa massaged oil into her back. "I feel optimistic this year, I'll take that bet," Harry said as he sat up to so he would be better able to lotion Kelly's bottom. "I think you're going to end up owing me one of your oaths, young lady, and I'm already getting hard thinking about when and how to call it due." "Oh, come on Master," Lisa said, smiling, "you're about to be feeling all over Mistress Kelly's sweet ass ... that alone is enough to get you hard." "Good point, Lisa ... you might be right," Harry replied, grinning when Kelly started slightly as the cool lotion hit her ass. From the kitchen they heard the beeping of Margo's cell phone. Carol hopped up and went to answer it. In a moment she was bringing it out to Margo. "Madam, Tattie calling for you." "Tattie, it's good to hear from you," Margo said. "How are things going?" From the look on her face, the family could tell the answer wasn't a good one. ------- "How can you love me? How can you continue to love me, knowing what you know about me? Hell, how can you love a man who has pleasant dreams of killing someone?" "Edward ... to you it's a matter of you having killed three people ... it is just three people?" "Yeah, three so fuckin' far." "And you greatly desire to add a fourth to the list. Those three acts, and the desire for another, somehow in your eyes make you a monster. While to me, you've exacted justice three times under the nose of, and in spite of, a system where such is often very hard to find. "I can't tell you what I wanted to do to the men who attacked Harry and Carol ... well, I could, if you ordered me to, but I'd really rather not ... I don't like thinking about it. Yet you, with far more reason to hate them than I have, killed them quickly and relatively painlessly. You did the same to a man who had abused God knows how many mentally handicapped and damaged people, who'd tried the same on the most precious person in your life. You dream of doing the same to a woman who by all accounts is a human cancer. "I won't argue the legality of what you've done ... but I will argue that you acted justly. The laws of society had failed you, in the first case, and were going to fail you in the second and third cases, in all probability, leaving Harry's beating unavenged. As for Angie ... no state-decreed justice can repair the damage she's done and the more she'd do, if she wanted to. She could completely destroy the lives of our best friends. "But think on this, my most noble love ... you haven't killed her. You have more than sufficient 'probable cause' ... and she still lives." "Well, that's only 'cause Harry don't want-" "Bullshit, sir! Don't try to hide behind Harry's desires on the issue. You could easily kill her and dispose of the body and he'd never know ... and he'd never ask. You'd find a way to let him know without knowing, and he and the family would be at peace. "But you haven't ... because you are just. She got a pass for what happened previously and now you, and the family, are waiting, at considerable risk, to see if she does anything else. You've given her fair warning ... and somewhere, probably, she's waking up every day, deciding if that is the day she commits 'suicide-by-Edward' ... or is it just another day of her miserable life?" "You worry me sometimes ... little one, is there anything I could do that would make you stop loving me?" "Oh certainly, Edward ... lots of things ... but nothing that you would do." ------- "We are going over to Dr. Margo and her family's house for a cookout and swimming this afternoon. I expect you to be on your best behavior, both of you. Ms. Julie will be keeping an eye on you, as well as two other children." "Other children?" Svetlana asked, looking excited. "Yes, a pair of twins, Kimmy and Timmy Zhang. I want the two of you, in addition to having lots of fun, to be working on your English, and helping Ms. Julie with her Russian." "How old are they?" Vashti asked. "They are five," Tattie replied. "Vashti, I'll want you assisting Ms. Julie ... you've had a lot of experience dealing with children." Vashti smiled, "After the horde at Pedachenko's, three youngsters will seem easy ... until I take into account the language difficulties." "If your English was better, there wouldn't be any difficulties," Tattie said, shaking her finger at him. "Puh-playze ... moother ... do ... nut ... be ... hungry ... wif ... me," Vashti said, struggling with each word. "I ... ham ... tryking." "You've made real progress with him," Tattie said, beaming her approval at both Vashti and Julie. "It helps," Julie replied, "that he understands or can get the gist of far more English than anyone expected. And we've been working on it almost non—stop, since I can't really do much until we bridge the communication gap." "Money ... tricks ... ovear ... years ... spick ... much ... Engliss." Tattie hugged her son to her tightly. "You are so smart, so intelligent. You are going to go very, very far in this world." "And you will be there to see me do it," the boy replied, hugging her just as hard in return. ------- "You were supposed to be here two days ago and I certainly expected you to be awake before now." The young woman looked at her great-aunt disdainfully. "I don't operate by your schedule and I don't follow your orders." Three gasps and two cold smiles were her immediate reply. "No, but evidently among the things you do manage to do is spend my money, rather profligately, as well as almost ruin my reputation in certain circles. Both of those are going to stop." "Or what?" the young woman sneered. "Or I disinherit you, completely." "Bull-fucking-shit ... I'm the only family you have, who else would you leave all this to?" "Someone not related to me by blood but much more to my liking ... and I have a marvelous candidate standing by. In fact, we're going to go spend the afternoon and evening with her and her family." "You can waste your time visiting your new-found friends if you want, I'm going to hang here, get some rest." "NO ... no, you're not. Listen to me Ophelia, and listen very closely. You have three choices-" "Fuck this noise, I'm outta here!" A raised eyebrow and the young woman was knocked to the floor, her cry of outrage silenced by a strong hand over her mouth, a strong arm holding her still. "You will listen to what I have to say, Ophelia. Your behavior while on the West Coast for the past two years has cost me customers and left my reputation in a shambles. There are many who question my abilities as a businesswoman and a Domme since I'm seemingly unable to keep you from repeatedly making a public spectacle of yourself and costing this family over a million dollars to date. You were sent there to pave the way for an expansion of my business into the West Coast market, the opening of an establishment catering to high end clients. Instead you tried your best to destroy what business I was already doing in the area. My House is considered a joke among the West Coast Houses. I might be able to move merchandise if I were giving it away, but I wouldn't place money I didn't want to lose on it. The figures and customer feedback show your antics have cost me both internet and mail-order business. "To have any hope of repairing the damage to our reputation I'm going to have to travel there over the holiday season and attempt to get some face-to-face meetings ... and I'm expecting to be refused by close to half the Houses I need to mend fences with, because of you. "And you know how I loathe and despise traveling. "Had anyone not of my blood done this to my business, I would be suing them. Since you have no money without me, I'm engaging in some rather severe damage control ... you have three choices. You may submit to discipline and correction here, under our care ... privately ... secretly ... and you well know what that will entail. "You may submit to discipline and correction under the care of my associates. They are not as ... physical ... in their practices as we are. But it will not be private, it will not be secret ... I will specifically request that indeed, it be as public as possible, and if you see it through, everyone in our society will know what was done to you ... and why. "Your third alternative is that you can leave now or at anytime in your rehabilitation, or fail in the performance of whatever duties are assigned to you by whomever you end up in service to. The result will be the same either way. I will disown you and nothing ... nothing ... you can ever do will reverse my decision. You will receive nothing more from me. This is your final chance. Either succeed or never darken my door again. You're twenty-five, and I have been lenient with you for far too long. "And make no mistake, should you choose the second option, they will be warned about all your tactics. And since they do respect me and my opinions, you may be assured they won't be taken in by your repertoire of tricks. Let her loose." Ophelia struggled to her feet, glaring angrily around the room. "And how long is my rehabilitation to last?" "Until it is finished ... if you agree to undertake it, my last will and testament will be changed so that, in the event of my demise before I consider it completed, Madam Grimes will act as executor and manager of my assets until such time as she decides you are ready to take them over. If you fail to convince her that you have been or are capable of being rehabilitated, she will inherit and you ... will ... receive ... nothing." "Well then, you better live, otherwise I'm screwed ... nobody'd give up that much money once they had it." "That's where you're wrong, you vapid little cow ... you wouldn't, so you assume the rest of humanity to be as useless and self-serving as yourself." The old woman came close to her great-niece, tentatively touching her cheek. "I would trust her and her family with something far more precious than my estate ... I would trust them with you. I have failed you. Perhaps they can do better. "Do you have your test results, Ophelia? Did you at least follow my instructions concerning that?" "Yeah. They're in my bag." "Good," Madame Minerva Cornelius said. She turned and walked into the house from the balcony. "You have an hour to decide." ------- "There's something else bothering you, isn't there, Edward?" Tamara asked as she snuggled in his lap behind the tree, enjoying each other's company and the feeling of being in their own backyard. "Well, knowin' how you feel about me thinkin' I'm a monster, Theresa, I guess I'll put this as a question. Do you think I oughta worry 'cause I found the scene of Puppy torturin' Li Kuan at the club real damn hot?" She pursed her lips and her eyes focused on a spot a million miles away, an expression Eddie called her "thinkin' face". He gently stroked her hair and waited patiently. Finally she looked up at him and smiled. "Edward, close your eyes and do what I tell you. You ready?" "Yeah." "Alright ... imagine me, naked, stretched out on a bed." "Um hmmm," Eddie replied with a smile. Tamara smiled as well, feeling the stiffening erection beneath her. "Now, imagine that I'm tied down with silk scarves." "Hmmm, black ones, they look good with your skin tone," he said as she felt his erection hardening further. "Whatever color you desire, Sir," she answered, her smile evident to him in her voice. "Now, it's not silk scarves, it's leather straps." His erection didn't waver. "Change the leather straps to manacles and chains." She felt his erection begin to wilt ever so slightly. "Lose the manacles, just naked metal chains, wrapped around my wrists and ankles, biting into my skin." The look on his face was no longer anywhere near a smile and his erection was rapidly deflating. "Alright Sir, now imagine a naked Li Kuan on the bed, restrained by barbed wire wrapped around her as the chains were around me, her body all sweaty and bloody." Although he successfully managed to keep his face composed, the erection surging back to life in the lap beneath her gave her all the answer she needed. "Now then, imagine it's Margo in the barbed wire, licking her lips and smiling at you." Eddie's hard-on was going down as quickly as it had arisen. "Okay Sir, now imagine Margo being held down by the leather straps and nothing else." "Christ baby, you're getting my dick all kinds of confused!" His cock was once again hardening beneath her. "I trust I've proved my point, Edward. You find such things erotic only when the other person involved finds them so. I think most of us are person-specific in their fantasies about people we know. Of course, if I'd asked you about someone you don't like, the response could have been very different, but all three of us are women you care for, to one degree or another. "So finding the sight of someone being tortured erotic doesn't make you a monster if you know they enjoy such things, all it makes you is horny," she said, sliding out of his lap. As she lay on the grass between his legs she opened up his bathrobe and prepared to take his cock in her mouth. "And I have just the cure for 'horny'." ------- Nicki's eyes creaked open, feeling like they were hinged with rusty iron. "Coffee?" she croaked. A few moments later Sheila sat beside her on the bed, helping her to sit up and then helping her to take her first sips. "Thank you ... morning Sheila, what would you like for breakfast?" "Mistress, you're rather new to this, if you would allow me to correct you?" "Go ahead, sweetheart," Nicki replied. "The proper question isn't 'what would Sheila like for breakfast' it's 'how soon will Sheila have breakfast ready for the two of us'." "Alright, I sit corrected ... how soon will you have breakfast ready for the two of us?" "Now that you're awake, you may expect eggs and toast within fifteen minutes. If you would like sausage or bacon, it will take a little longer." "Eggs and toast will be fine, scrambled, soft, thank you." "Now Mistress, please attend to any toilet needs you might have and I'll start breakfast, unless you'd like my help, in which case let me know now and I'll help you before I start breakfast." "I can see to them myself." "Alright ... then get comfy in bed, if such is your desire, and I will gladly serve you breakfast there." "Breakfast in bed ... I could get used to having you around." "Well, there are varying degrees of service ... a happy, well-loved slave is a very giving slave ... an acceptably cared-for, content slave is an agreeable slave ... an unhappy, unloved slave is a very, very reluctant slave." "Speak a little louder, I'm heading for the bathroom." "Of course..." Sheila enunciated more clearly and at a higher volume, "in the course of the last several days I've gone from a situation where I was unhappy and treated with absolutely no respect to one where I've been made to feel like I'm not only a prized servant, but a member of ... well, not 'the family', so to speak, but an extended family. Loved, cherished ... respected ... valued. And I've ended up living with a big sister who loves me very well and very often ... oh, and now I understand your laughter when I first called you my big sister." "You do, do you?" "We were awake and watching when you and Harry made love." "Ah ... well, it's not like we were going to be able to keep it a secret from the four of you ... or were even going to try to. So," Nicki said, crawling back into bed, "what's the general opinion?" "If he was my brother, and I had the kind of good relationship the two of you have, I'd be in bed with him." "Okay ... I can't say we were too worried about y'all's opinion, but it's nice to hear it, nonetheless." "Now then, relax while I cook and then prepare to be fed in bed, Mistress Nicki!" ------- "Hello my lovers, rise and shine, breakfast is ready and the Queen Bee's serving it to you in bed, wake up and be properly thankful." "I'll be thankful ... ooooh ... if there's coffee with it," Quan groaned, rolling over. "Oh, there is ... I love you." "Yeah, I love you too," Wendy said, smiling. "You remembered juice." "So to what do we owe such treatment?" Quan asked after a healthy sip of coffee. "Just felt like showing some love ... the two of you deserve it ... and I don't say it or show it nearly often enough." ------- Galena awoke from her first night as a full-fledged roommate of Karen and Patricia to the sound of raised voices. "I'm pretty sure I told you about the meat yesterday, Trish!" "Yes Liz, you told me about the damn meat ... what you didn't really make sufficiently clear was just how much of it there was!" "Yeah, so ... there's a lot of it, what's the big deal?" "The big deal is that until some of it's eaten, God forbid we want to put anything else in the fridge! God forbid I pick up some frozen orange juice and toaster waffles at the grocery store because I've got no place to put them!" "Trish, are you likely to want frozen waffles and OJ?" "That's not the damn point, Liz, and you know it! The point is that our freezer is stuffed so full of dead cow that I'm afraid to open the damn door for fear of having my feet crushed by an avalanche of frozen meat!" Galena got up and slowly began shuffling towards the bathroom. "It's not that bad, I packed it better than that!" "Go open the freezer door, Liz." "This is silly..." There was the sound of a lot of hard objects hitting the kitchen floor and something softer besides. "OW, GODDAMN IT!" "I rest my case. The freezer is overstuffed." "Trish ... okay ... you're right ... again ... there's too much in there." She lost the thread of conversation for a bit as she used the bathroom, but caught it again after she had finished and was on her way to the kitchen. "I'm making chili tomorrow ... a really damn meaty chili ... a lot of it!" "And where are you going to store said chili," Karen asked sarcastically, "in our freezer?" "Some of it will go to Harry and his crew, some to Eddie ... hell, I may give him some extra to take to Perry and Bevy. But I will clear out some freezer space." "Well ... can I take some of it to work? Some of the folks there might like some." "I love you, Liz ... of course. And I'm sorry ... I didn't mean to sound like a shrew." "Honey-bunch, you may sound like a lot of things ... occasionally even a rampaging bitch, not that you even got close to that today ... but you never sound like a shrew." Galena walked in to find the two of them kissing. "Mornin' Galena ... how 'bout some frozen meat for breakfast?" Karen asked, grinning. "I'm sorry we woke you up, darling," Patricia said, giving her a hug. "You didn't wake me up ... well, you might have helped some, but the two of you are nowhere close to a normal morning at my parent's house ... there are only two of you, you weren't screaming at the top of your lungs in Spanish ... really, no comparison." "Would you like us to scream at each other at the top of our lungs?" Patricia asked, smiling. "We could learn Spanish, if it'd help you feel more at home," Karen added helpfully. "I live with a pair o' gawddamn comediennes," Galena grunted, stumbling towards the coffee. "Okay, now we know she belongs in this group," Karen said. "She can do a spot-on Eddie-impression." ------- "Kim, I've told you about my sister Rachel and her handicapped condition." "Yes Master Janak." Eddie shuddered to himself at the word 'Master'. "Well, I'd like to get pictures of you and the kids to show her when I go up there this mornin', start gettin' her used to the idea that you'll be here when she visits. She's never been away from a facility since the accident, my parents didn't feel they could care for her properly, and I just don't want there to be any surprises till I have a little better idea how she'll react." "Master Janak, we will find someplace else to stay. If you wish us to return when she goes back, we will." Eddie looked at Tamara helplessly. He was completely out of his depth. He was a Master simply by virtue of not being a submissive in any sense of the word. "You will do no such thing, Zhang Wan-Yin!" Tamara barked. "This is your home now!" "Yes ma'am," the woman replied, falling to her knees, arms crossed before her, head down. "Get up, Wan-Yin," Tamara said in a much softer voice. "You don't submit to me." She helped the woman up and hugged her. "Edward just wants to prepare Rachel for our new housemates. Neither of us wants you and your children to leave. It has been so good to have all of you here." "Really?" "Really, Kim," Eddie replied. "Now, if I can get a picture of the three of you by the pool, I think the light's right out there..." ------- "Ophelia ... time to let me know what you've decided." "Minerva-" "Great-aunt Minerva, if you please." "Great-aunt Minerva..." the young woman paused; recomposing her best 'contrite' face after her aunt's comment brought a flash of anger to disturb it. "I'll behave, I'll do as you require ... there's really no need for this 'submission' thing ... I'm not submissive and it just wouldn't work. I promise-" Minerva Cornelius' voice was encased in enough ice to sink a fleet of cruise ships. "You've proven by your actions that your promises are worthless and I've heard this speech before ... too many times. And that makes it partly my fault that you are as you are ... I neglected to correct the issue before now. I have failed your parents, God rest their souls, and I have failed you." The old woman wiped her tears away with a disdainful swipe of her hand. "But if you want to remain my heir and a member of this family, and this House, you will submit. I will not fail you, and them, again." Ophelia Vanderhagen studied her great-aunt carefully ... she was smart enough to see that the old woman's iron will, never before evident in her interactions with Ophelia, was firmly engaged. "I accept your terms. I will submit myself to your discipline. I would request however that Andre and Hans handle most of the actual 'hands-on' part ... I don't want to end up hating you or Li-Kuan anymore than I have to by the end of this." "I'll take your request under consideration, although you're in no position to make any request of me or mine. If you do so again, I will punish you most severely. Now prepare yourself, we're going to leave for the Grimes' in two hours." "We're still going? But they'll know!" "Yes, but no one else will. As long as you behave yourself, you'll either be treated like my great-niece in public or as an anonymous slave. If you misbehave ... you won't be seen in public. I trust you remember my basement." "The dungeon? Oh, who could forget it? You'd really lock me up down there?" The face Ophelia saw before her looked normal enough, but in her great-aunt's eyes Ophelia saw nothing but frost-rimed iron. "Yeah ... yeah you would." "Andre, Hans, help her. she is to wear the lace-up crotch leather pants, the lace-up leather bustier and the leather slave hood." "NO WAY, I am not wearing..." Ophelia looked at her great-aunt, searching for any sign of weakness. "Yes Madame." ------- Eddie Janak was a driving a little faster than he might have liked, but his morning had been busy. If Rachel was in a cooperative mood, he might make it back in time for the fun at the Grimes house. If she wasn't ... well, Eddie was sure they'd save him a few scraps. Still, even if he was left with a nothing but a glass of water and a few crusts of moldy bread it would be worth it to be fully prepared for Rachel's visit. All the years he'd lived by himself, he'd never felt able, or entitled, to have his baby sister spend time with him away from the Home. And during his disastrous marriages ... well, until Tamara he'd never been with a woman he felt was worthy of knowing his secret and meeting the most important person in his life. Eddie desperately needed this weekend to go well ... far more than even he realized. But one person in the universe knew exactly how much, and she was back at the house they lived and loved in, working hard to make sure everything was perfect. ------- The meat they had held out for their Labor Day feast was marinating, Lisa was doing the initial prep work for a salad, and Sheila and Nicki were shucking some of the last fresh corn of the season. Carol was preparing several trays of twice-baked potatoes to go in the oven when the fresh bread she and Lisa had made was finished while Kelly did a last minute clean-up around the house. Harry and Margo sat beside each other on the deck and listened to a symphony by Mahler that neither of them recognized but were both enjoying. "It sucks to be us, don't it?" Harry asked, grinning from ear to ear. "Oh, major suckage indeed," Margo replied. "Promise me that someday, when we have the time and the money, we'll all go to some nice touristy place with a beach and have people to wait on all of us?" "It's a plan," Harry replied. "Knowing the group though, it better be someplace that doesn't mind nudity, sex out in the open, dope smoking and all sorts of perverse behavior." "Good point ... I'm sure someone somewhere runs a cozy little hideaway like that." "I'm sure ... and I know who to ask," Harry said. "If any of our friends would know it would be Dommi." "Good point ... I wonder if she's coming by today ... said she might." ------- Randy Treibor watched his lover sleep ... watched him squirm and twist in the grip of a nightmare as he did so. It had been a very late night for Nick, a type of night that had become all too common. Randy had woken up when he staggered in, dead on his feet at five in the morning. He had put Nick to bed, then gone back to sleep himself, before awakening again. There was a war going on in the city, a war that only captured the public's attention when it got really messy. Otherwise it was a suspicious death here, a 'suicide' there, a case of arson somewhere else, a tragic car accident that hundreds drove past on their morning commute. And as Nick brought the Philouma family into the 21st century, battles occurred in the electronic realm as well. Nick had hired the best he could find to make computer crime a part of the Family's operations, as well as a weapon in the war. Randy was heartily sick of it, and sicker still of the way it was eating his lover alive to be in the middle of it. He had watched Nick age over the past weeks ... he'd watched parts of his lover deaden as he ordered his people, people he'd known all of his life, into situations that they very well might not survive. And he'd watched Nick die a little bit more every funeral he attended. Nick's nights were eaten by the war, his days by the necessity to run the family's legitimate businesses. He was burning the candle at both ends and Randy worried that the candle would burn down before the war wound down. So he lay in bed with his lover, watched him sleep and prayed. ------- "For the last time, Kim, relax," Tamara said as she led her new housemates to the Grimes home. "You're going to be fine, everything will be okay." Kim looked at Tamara as if the tiny woman were suddenly speaking Swahili, or some other language Kim had absolutely no grasp of. "But Mistress Tamara-" "Kim, we've talked about that-" "-Tamara ... they are sure to be very angry with me for not presenting myself more promptly." Tamara reached up a bit and took the frightened woman's face in her hands. "Kim, believe me, you're not in a House that runs anything even remotely like the Karg. It would have been fine with Master and Madam Grimes if you'd taken even more time just to settle in and be with your children, uninterrupted. You could take all the time you need. In fact, if you and the kids went home right now, and you didn't present yourself for another month, they'd be fine with it." "But that would not be right. I am theirs and I owe them this." "Then understand that that is your outlook on it, not theirs. Believe me, they're not going to be upset." "As you say, Mistress." "Kim..." "I'm sorry ... as you say, Tamara." ------- "Harry, Trish and I had a thought," Karen said as she sat down on the edge of his patio chair. "We imagine that for the first part of today's festivities, it'll pretty much be kid-friendly. But later in the evening ... knowing this crew ... it's going to get a little too risqué for children." "Damn, that's the nicest way of saying 'there will be an orgy' I've ever heard," Margo replied, smiling. "Isn't it?" Karen responded, a smile brightening her face. "I worked extra special hard to come up with that." "Good job," said Harry, squeezing his long-time friend's arm. "Thank you. Now as I was saying before the smart-ass brigade spoke up," she winked at Margo, "we need to have someplace close that the kids can go and no one has to worry about them being exposed to inappropriate behavior. "Having said that, we're volunteering our living room ... in fact, we're volunteering our house. Galena agrees. We're thinking of going and buying a video game system or two, probably a Playstation 2 and an X-Box 360, putting another television in the living room, hooking the game machines up, one in the living room, one in our bedroom. We've got movies, lots of them, on DVD ... it'll be up to whomever's watching the kids to make sure there's nothing inappropriate put on ... but it's close enough for parents and guardians to walk over and check on them. We've got plenty of room ... if parties end up getting really interesting, the kids can crash over there." "You and Patricia want kids, don't you?" Margo asked, her voice soft and kind. "Well ... we're strongly thinking about it ... yeah. But that doesn't change the validity of my point." "No, no it doesn't," Harry said. "It sounds like a hell of a plan ... a bit expensive, so you're going to have to let us help you pay for it, but a good plan to handle what will certainly be a problem if Tattie and Kim are in attendance ... and I'm sure, somewhere along the way, we'll have other attendees with children." "Alright then ... since stores are open today, in spite of it being Labor Day ... which just seems wrong to me, I'm going to go get a TV for the living room and the other stuff. I'll let you know how much your share will be." "The hell you will, Sappho my love," Harry replied, starting to get up. "I'm going with you. Otherwise you'll lowball our share to the point of making the idea of us helping you pay for it null and void." "Harry darling, Tamara should be here with Kim and her kids any minute," Margo said, sitting up, pulling her halter top up and tying the straps behind her neck. "Fine, you're the head of House Chorale, you handle her part of it, just let me know what happened when we get home. We can take the kids with us to help shop." "Why do I get the feeling the little kids are going to be riding herd on the big kids?" Margo answered, standing up then bending down and hugging Karen. "Because you know what unrepentant juveniles your husband and I are inside," Karen said, hugging her back. "Yeah," Harry said, grinning from ear to ear. He started chanting "going to the toy store, going to the toy store", a chant Karen soon joined him in. "My God ... what have I done?" Margo breathed in mock horror. "You've unleashed horror and terror on the populace," Nicki replied from where she and Sheila were about to finish shucking the corn. "I'd call the National Guard and get their mobilization started ... but I'm busy." "Oh well then," Margo said, her face deadpan, "thousands will needless die ... I'm gonna go see how things are going in the kitchen." ------- Chapter 39 "I do not understand ... I am to present myself to you, but the Master is taking my children to shop for video games and movies?" The possible slight she had just dealt to her new mistress dawned on Kim and she prostrated herself on the floor. "I am sorry, Madam, I did not mean to imply that you were incapable or unworthy to receive me, it is just after living with the Karg-" "It's just that after living with the Karg for awhile, you instinctively expect women to be in an inferior position, and men to be in charge," Margo answered her kindly. "No need to apologize," she said as she pulled Kim up off the floor, "I understand completely. Now then, wait for me here and I'll go get the others, then we'll talk about what you want from us." As Margo left to get the others, she left Kim alone, on her knees. The tiny Chinese woman looked in wonder at the bed before her. She was sure that her new owners were not into much pain play, much less blood play ... neither the bed frame nor the sheets looked to be stained and the frame hadn't been cleaned and polished in awhile, so there would be signs of such if they were. Margo returned, Carol and Kelly in tow. "So Kim," Margo began, her voice stern, "tell us what you want." "I'm sorry Madam; I do not understand the question." Carol squatted down beside her. "We know that you want pain, that pain is part of your pleasure. Do you require pain to achieve climax?" "No Mistress, but..." Kim looked down at the floor, failing in her attempt to hide her embarrassment. "But what, sweetheart? It's alright, it is our wish that you to speak freely," Kelly said. "Yes ma'am. Without pain as part of the experience, it is very, very hard for me to achieve satisfaction, requiring much work and a long time ... and the climax is ... weak." "Alright," Carol said, "can you achieve orgasm just through pain alone?" "Yes ma'am. Quite easily ... so long as it is another who is hurting me." "So you've tried self-inflicted pain," Carol continued nodding with understanding. "Let me guess, it aroused you, to one degree or another, but you couldn't even get close to coming." Kim turned her head in Carol's direction, keeping her eyes downcast. "Yes Mistress, how did you know?" "I had a friend, years ago, who was mentally wired very much like you ... she used to flog herself with a length of knotted rope, sometimes for up to an hour ... of course, she enjoyed the pain and she also enjoyed the sexual feelings it gave her, but she could never orgasm that way. If I picked up the rope, she had no problem achieving climax in a minute or two ... five at the most." Carol smiled. "We made interesting roommates for awhile. "Now then," she continued, "how do you feel about service and servicing others? Do you feel a need to be degraded? Do you object to serving women, or men? Do you like being used as a sexual object?" "I live to be of service to my owners in any way they desire." "We know that," Kelly replied, sitting herself on the floor next to Kim. "We're commanding you to tell us what YOU like." She grabbed the hair on the back of Kim's head and twisted it in her fist. "Now answer Mistress Carol's questions." "I do not like sex without much pain ... I will serve ... I will serve however is desired, sexually, but it is not my..." she hesitated again, still looking somewhat uncomfortable, "preference." "Kim, we appreciate your honesty, and your desires in this matter will be respected. You will not be required to interact with us sexually because we will not give you the pain you require. You will serve in a more conventional sense, however, at House functions," Margo said, "with the following exceptions. When your children need you, you are excused and you are expected to be with them. No matter what else is going on, they will always come first, as far as this House and its allies are concerned. Do you understand me?" Kim looked up at Margo, then at Carol and Kelly. "I ... I thank you. There is nothing more important to me than them," she said as tears welled up in her eyes. "That's exactly as it should be," Carol replied. "Now then, as I'm reasonably sure that we won't need your services for awhile, why don't you go play with your children, or visit with the rest of the 'staff'." She smiled. "I think you and the family are going to get along wonderfully." ------- "You know, you've pretty much got to make the living room system the equal of the one in your bedroom," Harry said as they stood near the 'Games' and 'Movies' area of Circuit City. Nearby Kimmy and Timmy were quietly going through the sections, and picking out, by order of the adults, anything and everything they thought might be good. "Harry ... I understand your reasoning ... but that's a very nice system in the bedroom. Very nice." "I know, Sappho, I know. But otherwise, there will be conflict. We want to avoid conflict." "You win ... you've twisted my arm to the breaking point. I ... have ... no ... choice. I must spend the money." "And I must help you." "Fine and dandy ... you'll help me buy it. But will you help me explain it to Trish?" "Of course I will. But if she makes a move towards me, I'm cutting and running. You'll be on your own." "You're a coward, Harry," Karen replied, whispering into his ear as she hugged him. "No, I just don't get into fights I absolutely cannot win," Harry said, holding her tightly in his arms. "If I do, somehow my wives end up involved and it's devastation on an unimaginable scale." "You're right ... we can't risk the three horsewomen of the Apocalypse. In those circumstances, I'll take my punishment like a ma ... well, like a butch lesbian." "I like that, 'the three horsewomen of the Apocalypse' ... what are their names?" Karen smiled and said, "'War', 'Ass-whuppin' and 'Slice-n- Dice', for Margo, Kelly and Carol. Of course, we really should add a fourth, to be faithful to the original concept." "What would you do if someone hurt me, Sappho?" "Okay ... add 'Rage' to the group and we have our four." "War, Ass-whuppin', Slice-n- Dice and Rage ... doesn't sound too biblical ... does kinda sound like a steel-cage death-match team-up, though." "If you start to compare us to wrestlers I will hurt you in ways even Kim wouldn't enjoy." "Alright then, no mention of wrasslin', let's see what the bosses have picked out in games and DVDs." ------- Patricia sat in the kitchen, watching the whirl of activity around them. With the rest of the family out or occupied, Nicki had been put in charge and had Lisa and Sheila helping her with the final prep work. Tamara had started helping and couldn't be dissuaded, explaining it was her place. Galena was cleaning the pool and Billy and Kim had taken on the task of straightening the living room, something that was easy for him to do given the rug coverage and bounteous pillows. "Nicki, really, I feel I should be doing something," Patricia said. "I feel useless." "Mistress is not being useless," Lisa replied. "You're enhancing the loveliness of the day as your beauty inspires us in our tasks." "Yeah, what Ms. English Major said," commented Sheila as she added the ice and salt to the automatic ice-cream maker Tamara had brought over. "Fresh peach ice cream ... the concept alone makes Tamara worthy of adoration as well." "Really, it was Edward's idea ... seems he has a weakness for fresh ice cream," Tamara replied, blushing. "That and ... he likes to..." "Say no more," Patricia said. "So, you enjoy being an ice cream dish?" "Patricia, have you ever had a scoop of ice cream eaten off of you, with long and careful licks to get every drop, interspersed with frequent ice-creamy-good kisses?" "Now that's just evil ... and seductive," Patricia answered, grinning. "Seductively evil ... who'd ever have thought it from such an innocent looking woman?" "Uh, anyone whose known her for awhile," Carol said as she came into the kitchen. "Much less known her a long while." Nicki kissed her sister-in-law. "You, my dear adorable one, smell like sex and taste like Kelly. What vile and evil things are going on in that bedroom?" "Wouldn't you like to know, nosey reporter woman?" Carol replied. "I just came out to get some water ... we may be awhile longer." Nicki looked around the room and sighed. "Well, we're about finished in here. Give a holler when you're heading for the showers and I'm sure bath-girls can be found to help you." "ME!" Sheila said. "ME TOO!" added Lisa. "Damn ... my life sucks," Carol replied, grinning as she gathered bottles of water in her arms and headed back to the bedroom. "Yep," Nicki cracked, "you and me both, we're just beleaguered victims of cruel fate." "Ain't it the truth, sister, ain't it the truth?" ------- The women of the Karghold crept about the house, never speaking above a whisper unless answering some demand of their Masters. They kept the children, only three since Kim's departure, even more quiet and out of the way, not daring to let them do anything but sit silently in their quarters. In an absolute fury Karggark strode through the house almost daring anyone to give him a reason to notice them, and the rest of the Karg took their cue from him. He briefly considered taking his anger out on one of the illegals, but decided against it, knowing that if just one of them was pushed too far and decided deportation was worth turning him and his men in, everything would be ruined. He had no doubt the Karg would win in court ... they had more than enough money and influence to assure that, but a lot of official scrutiny would fall on them, and continue to focus on them, no matter the verdict. He had stalked about, a gathering storm of rage, ever since Eddie and Karen had left with Kim and her children and it was Monday when the storm finally broke. After a fierce workout session that was fated to leave marks on all the participants, even through their pads and armor, he left the others and went to his office. Owen Jeffreys hadn't thought of Eddie Janak in years, and as he called in some favors he smiled, a thin, tight-lipped smile. He reflected that since Friday night, he could think of no one else. ------- "CHILD'EN?" Rachel shrieked, her face beaming like a lighthouse of joy. "Yes Schnicklefritz, children," Eddie replied, "twins, a little girl and boy, twins, five years old." "Eddie, Eddie, get me out o' bed ... EDDIE," she yelled, motioning her impatience with every inch of mobility she had in her arms. "Got to pick 'em animals. My chai', Eddie, my chai'!" It was with a profound sense of relief that Eddie brought his sister's wheelchair to the bed and lifted her up to carefully arrange her in it. Wheeling her over to the shelves that covered one wall of the room, he said, "I brought you a picture of them and their mother, would you like to see it?" "I would," she proclaimed and Eddie smiled as he pulled it out of his pocket. "See, there's Kim, their mother, and that's them, Kimmy, the little girl and Timmy, the little boy." "Eddie..." she whispered, "they bootiful. Why they live with you?" "Well Potawattamie, they're livin' with us because they needed someplace to stay and we have lots of room, even keeping a room just for you." "I tol' you you was a good pe'son, Eddie ... you should listen to me." His fears and his pain hit him like a forty-pound sledgehammer and tears rolled down his cheeks as he knelt beside her chair and said, "Sometimes I don't feel like a good person, Rachel ... sometimes I feel like ... sometimes I feel like I don't deserve anything good ... because of the accident ... and because of some other things too." Her arm slowly and carefully lifted from the chair and moved around behind Eddie's head, gently drawing his head toward her. She put his head in her lap and jerkily, but so very tenderly, stroked his cheek. "Eddie ... I love you ... mo'e 'n anybody ... you good enough fo' me to love. Tama'a loves you ... you good enough fo' huh to love." She wiped away a tear from his face, using all the concentration and control she had. When she finished, she looked down at him and said, "God love you, you good enough fo' God to love. You think we all stupid?" "No ... no I don't think y'all are stupid ... I just..." "Eddie ... you got to let go them bad feelin's that ah weighin' you down, jus' like you tell me ... you got all the 'easons in the wo'ld to fly ... I need to tell Tama'a to get you some balloons?" "No Schnicklefritz," he said, sniffing loudly, "you don't need to tell Tamara to get me balloons ... you just got to come this weekend and have a good time ... and bless Tamara's and my house by visitin' us ... we've never had an angel in our house." "You silly, Eddie," she said matter-of-factly. "You an' Tama'a ah in the house eve'y day so you got angels in you' house eve'y day." She took her arm from around him. "Now, you sta't handin' me animals ... I got to find animals fo' Kimmy an' Timmy." Eddie stood up. "Yes, Miss Janak. Which one first?" ------- Randy Treibor knew that there was a long list of things he should never do. He should never let slip to anyone that his lover was Niccolo Anthony Philouma. He should never buy heavily scented laundry detergent. He shouldn't spit into the wind, pull the mask of the ol' Lone Ranger or mess around with Jim or Slim; depending on where he was in the song. He should never, ever, even joke about the line 'you are dead to me'. And he should never, under any circumstances, contact Victor Philouma. Which meant he could write off his dialing of Victor's private number on his phone as an act of purest insanity. "Mr. Philouma, this is Randy ... your son's-" "I know who you are. Why are you calling me?" "Uh ... we need to talk ... about Nick ... now ... while he's still asleep." "There will be a car for you outside in twenty minutes." It was a measure of Randy's love for his partner that he would brave the fiercest monster he could conceive of to get some kind of help for Nick. As he wrote a note for Nick in case he woke up, Randy only hoped he survived the meeting. ------- The Grimes home was quiet; everyone was out by the pool taking a well-deserved break before starting the final stages of cleaning and preparation. Nobody was saying very much, it had been a busy day and it was time for cold drinks and a semi-siesta. Until the lightning bolt that was the post-shopping trip Kimmy and Timmy came crashing into their calm, hitting the ground near their mother, filling the air with their excited rendition of the trip ... all in Chinese. Kim's heart felt like it stopped for a moment. If her new masters were bothered by the outburst of her children, all of their lives could become so very difficult. And then she saw the faces of those around her, smiling and open, curious as to what the excitement was, but accepting. They, unlike the Karg, were happy ... happy for her, happy with her, pleasantly amused by the flurry of excitement and noise. Even so, she felt called upon to explain. "I apologize for their loud and ... boisterous ... arrival." Margo leaned forward even farther and kissed Kim's cheek. "Nothing to apologize for ... but what has them so giggly, if I might ask?" "It is the shopping trip with Master Harry and Mistress Karen. They..." She kissed both children and made an inquiry in Chinese. When they responded, she continued. "They were told to choose video games, but they know very little about such things, they tried to explain that to the Master and Mistress, but they were told to go pick out what looked good." She spoke to the two of them again, and after a lengthy response, resumed her narrative. "They wandered around, afraid to choose something for fear it would not be good ... they can read, but only a little ... until Master and Mistress finished their business and came to see what they had chosen. When they realized that Kimmy and Timmy could not read much of the boxes, they apologized to them and Master Harry took Timmy, Mistress Karen took Kimmy, and they split the game ... part ... of the store between the two ... teams ... and read most of the boxes to them." After another exchange, she apologized again. "I'm sorry, they do speak English ... I think better than me, but they are excited and I had them speak in Chinese most of the time to prevent the Karg ... well ... it was just easier that way." She kissed the two of them. "I will finish your story for them," she told her children, "but from now on, speak English around these people. They are our friends. "They say that, in the end, Master and Mistress just seemed to pick up a copy of everything that the two of them expressed any interest in at all ... and then went and found a sales helper who aided them in finding more games." Patricia was up and out of her deck chair, muttering about 'that crazy bitch, spending money we don't have', and heading inside. "Patricia, honey, is everything all right?" Margo called. Patricia stopped, turned and looked back at the assembled friends and family. "My partner has a tendency to spend before she thinks sometimes, and I'm about to go put my foot up her ass." She saw the stricken look on Kim's face, and the scared worry in her children's faces. "Kim, kids..." she forced a smile, a smile that became more honest as she saw their spirits lighten, "it's nothing you did, it's in no way your fault. Harry and ... Master Harry and Mistress Karen are just big kids themselves from time to time, and like all children they occasionally step over the line." She smiled again, a much more real smile. "And when they do, well, as you know ... Mommy spanks." She turned once again and headed through the house for the front door. As Kim and her children cuddled together, Margo said, "Fly on the wall?" "Oh you bet," Carol replied. "But there's no way..." "Of course not," Kelly replied, "wouldn't want to get caught in the blast." "Think they'll come out of it alive?" Tamara wondered. "Oh yeah," Margo finished, "Harry can talk his way out of almost anything." ------- Nick Philouma awoke far later than he'd intended ... and far later than Randy was supposed to let him sleep. He stumbled into their kitchen and noted that his lover had left the coffee machine set up and ready to go. For that, Nick thanked God. On the counter was a note: "Hello you gorgeous man, Out running errands. Sorry I'm not there with you, but even in the midst of trial, tribulation, war and panic in the streets, someone must pick up our dry-cleaning and restock the pantry. Will be home soon, hope you slept late, Randy" Nick shook his head, smiling to himself. Randy was ever the practical one ... made a good 'wife', perfectly capable of keeping the house on an even keel while Nick ... Nick slumped onto a bar stool ... while Nick ordered people killed. He had his first drink of the day, adding brandy to his coffee. Unnoticed, the message light on the answering machine blinked at him. ------- "Eddie really should be here ... it will kill him to miss this," Harry said as he and Karen rearranged the living room in preparation for the installation of their new purchases. "Yeah ... don't it suck that he ain't? Just leaves all this power tool and electronic-y goodness for us," Karen replied as she moved the old television out of the way. The front door opened and Patricia stalked into the living room. "Karen Elizabeth Pinard! The kids told me about your little shopping trip! What the hell do you think you're doing, buying all this?" "Trish ... I-" "No 'Rage', I'll take this one," Harry said, moving to intercept Patricia. "Patricia, will you slow down and let me explain our logic?" Patricia stopped, her mouth set in a hard line, her jaw clenched. "Alright Harry ... I'll let you explain." Her words were clipped and her tone let them know she'd brook no bullshit. "Alright ... think children. Think children when one place to play is visibly, quantifiably, better than the other." "Okay..." "Think about the fights, the disagreements, the tears ... think about the fate of whichever poor soul is doing children-sitting duty. Think about the extreme case where things get so bad, someone's evening must be interrupted to come deal with their offspring." Patricia's countenance had softened somewhat as she grudgingly said, "I see where you're going, but-" "Hold on, please ... now, it's true ... this all cost a lot of money ... money you might think y'all don't have because of buying the house and all the money y'all've been spending lately on the house and tons of meat from the butcher and trips to buy clothes and toys for Kim and her family. But I fronted Sappho the cash for y'all's half, since she wouldn't let me cover more of it, and there's no rush at all to pay it back. We let the kids choose anything and everything they wanted because we've got no idea what any of the kids are going to play ... we tried to think like some of the older kids and picked up some more things, got the advice and help of a very nice young lady at the store. "And finally, although it didn't take much effort, I'm the one who talked her into it, and going to this extreme. If you still need to be furious with someone, be furious with me first, and whatever's left over when you're done you can take out on Karen. Fair enough?" Patricia smiled ruefully at Harry. "You are altogether too good at this sort of thing, Harry. Are you saying that y'all's juvenile 'new toys' mind-set had nothing to do with this?" "Fuck no, Patricia, it had a lot to do with it! But that doesn't make any of the points less valid, it merely means we had reasons to go crazy ... and yeah, we giggled our muthafuckin' asses off when we realized we were at least partially justified and our butts were at least partially covered." He grinned at Patricia. "I ain't gonna lie to you about it ... but I'm also not going to lead with it either." "Besides, Trish," Karen said in a voice smaller and softer than most people who knew her would believe she was capable of, "we picked up those 'Kingdom Hearts' games that you were dying to try ... they're for the PS2 ... the one we're hooking up in the bedroom." "You're playing on my Disney weakness ... that's low ... it's a low, vile bribe ... and I'll take it. But you, Liz, owe me orgasms ... possibly while I'm playing ... later tonight." "Okay ... but I'm bettin' the controller slips out of your hand and you forget the game after a bit." "Looking forward to that most of all," Patricia said, laughing as she hugged Harry. "Okay, I'm going to go see how things are going over there. Try not to drain so much power from the city grid that we have a blackout." "Nah," Harry said, "shouldn't be more than a slight brown-out ... when we turn everything on ... at once ... okay, maybe a blackout isn't out of the question." ------- "Yeah Theresa, I'm on my way home." "You sound remarkably good, sir. Everything work out all right with Rachel?" "Oh yeah ... like I wouldn't have dreamed ... when I left she was having Hector search online for her. She must have stuffed animals for Kimmy and Timmy. None, and I mean none, we went through every one, of hers are suitable. So he's at the nurses' station, surfin' the web, an' she's right behind him, lookin' over his shoulder. "Theresa ... I didn't cry after I left ... I'm almost back in town, I haven't broken down yet ... don't even feel like I might need to." "Then maybe you're getting over that foolish notion that it was your fault." "Maybe ... or maybe it's just that she's so lookin' forward to comin' down, and so happy ... I don't think I've ever seen her this happy..." "Well then, it's going to be a wonderful visit ... when you get back, head for Karen's. She and Harry got electronics ... power tools are being used ... game consoles are being hooked up ... and probably tried out." "Alright, color me there ... after I come sweep you into my arms and hug and kiss ya." "I rate before power tools?" "My love, you rate above anythin' else ... with the possible exception of Rachel." "No rating your love for the two of us. It wouldn't be fair to either Rachel or me. I love you." "Marry me?" "Yes sir." "Have a baby with me?" "Oh yes sir." "See you soon." ------- Victor Philouma received his son's lover in the family den. Randy had been expecting some place neutral, somewhere that wasn't the family home. And when it had become clear that the house was indeed where they were headed, Randy had expected a far more formal area. The old man sat in his wheelchair at a small desk by a window, a cup of coffee at his side, reading the paper in the morning light. As Randy was shown into the room by the man who'd driven him, Victor Philouma looked up and rang a bell that sat on the desk. After they'd shaken hands, he said, "Have a seat, Mr. Treiber." As a large woman waddled in, Victor continued, "Tell Renee what you'd like to drink." "Uh ... that coffee smells very good, sir, if it wouldn't be too much trouble." "Coffee service in here, please, Renee. Cream and sugar?" "Yes sir." Randy knew better than to relax too much ... Nick spoke of his father often and Randy knew that no matter how civil and relaxed the meeting, it could still end up going badly all too quickly. He settled into an overstuffed wingback chair. "Sir, I came to talk-" "Shh, coffee first, son ... in the meantime, let me tell you a story. "Back in the late 1920's, my father rose to the position my son now holds. The Philouma family was very small, a minor family under the Maranzano family. When Salvatore Maranzano was killed and that fuck Luciano took over, my father was faced with a problem. There was a good chance that Luciano would reabsorb the smaller families into the larger, thereby strengthening the larger and putting a lot of the smaller ones in their place. This my father could not allow. His father had had to swallow a lot of pride to subjugate himself to first the Cappezio family, then to Maranzano. Our family has always been very proud ... too proud sometimes, I think. "So my father said goodbye to his family, made arrangements for his funeral and went to go talk to Luciano. 'Lucky' agreed to see him and my father marched in to his office and gave him a brief history of our family. "Then he told the most dangerous mobster in America that if 'Lucky' didn't swear on his mother and the Virgin Mary to leave our family as it was, separate and independent, my father was going to dive across that big desk and break his fuckin' neck. And while he knew he'd die, that wasn't gonna stop him, either from trying or succeeding." "Holy shit..." Randy murmured. "Oh yeah," Vic continued, "my old man was a pistol. So Luciano looks him in the eye for a long couple o' seconds, then swears by his own mother and the Virgin Mary that he would leave the Philouma family as it was. "My father thanks him and then says something like 'I know you can't have men threatening you like I did, so I figure you need to kill me. You've sworn that my family will survive, so I'm okay with it.' "Luciano laughed his ass off. Said that la Cosa Nostra needed more men like my father ... he needed men who'd stand up to him for the right reasons. He shook hands with my father and sent him back to his family. That's how we ended up in tight with Luciano and his Commission. That's how we ended up tight with the Five Families eventually ... although that was a goddamn nightmare." The old man seemed lost in thought for a few moments and Randy was scared to disturb him. Then Victor Philouma looked up at him again. "And that's where my son comes from. For the life of the Family, his own life is not too high a price to pay ... and nothing short of his life is too high a price to pay either." "Sir, I-" "Shh, I ain't through tellin' stories. But here's Renee with your coffee. Damn woman, did it take you long enough?" The woman muttered something that sounded suspiciously like 'cantankerous old fart' under her breath as she poured Randy a cup of coffee from the silver service she'd brought in on a tray. She waddled out the door as Randy sugared and creamed his coffee. "Now then, my next story I'm bettin' you're real familiar with. It's all about a guy who drops out of college in his sophomore year to take care of his mother, who was dyin' from breast cancer. He stays by her bedside pretty much non-stop up to the very end, then he buries her. He doesn't go back to school; he becomes a flight attendant and works his ass off tryin' to pay the bills her insurance didn't cover. Meets a nice young man, falls in love ... and tests negative after his partner comes down with AIDS ... a problem his partner didn't have when they got together, so this guy knows his lover was cheatin' on him. His lover owns up and admits it." Randy's anger was easy to see but he tightened his lips and jaw and stared at his coffee. "Stays with his partner through a long and debilitating series of illnesses, right up to the end and buries him. A year, year and a half later, all the drugs that make livin' with HIV possible started to show up ... that musta sucked, real bad. "Then this guy meets a man, at odds with his family, or so the story goes. They fall in love and he's been with him ever since ... standing by his side through thick, thin and his lover's ascension to bein' the Don of the Philouma family. "And that's where you come from, Randall Paul Treiber. You commit and you stay committed no matter what. You ride out the good times and the bad times and the dyin' times ... and then you pick up and move on with your life. You ain't let nothin' stop you for long ... and that's all to your credit." "But you see how where you're coming from and where Nick is coming from, they might be at odds a little?" "Yes sir..." "Now that I'm through tellin' stories like old men are prone to do, what did you want to talk to me about?" ------- Patricia sat out on the deck while Galena worked over her shoulders, trying her hand at massage. Around her the backyard, deck, and hot tub were getting a final spruce up before the get-together. From her chair next to them, Nicki was once again supervising. Billy had hot tub duty, as that seemed to require the least movement, while Kim, Lisa and Sheila handled the rest. The kids played in the pool. "So, Jail-bait," Nicki said, grinning at Galena, "how's life treating you since you moved in with the Lesbian Drum and Bugle Corps?" "Alright ... although Patricia here is far too cheerful ... nay, even perky, first thing in the morning ... not sure why Karen hasn't cured her of that by now." "Hey," Patricia protested, "I'm not that bad." "Roomie, you're not the one to judge ... as grumpy people, and at least semi-objective observers, we get to judge." "Well, you seem to be fitting in just fine ... I'm rather surprised at how ... well, 'informal' you and they have become." "I'm still not too informal with Karen ... doesn't help that she's going to be my boss as well ... but with Patricia," Galena replied, focusing her attention on a knot in Patricia's back, "you know, once you've sat across a bed from each other, naked, masturbating ... formality is kind of hard to maintain." Nicki moved around behind Galena and began to caress her back and sides. "Now see," she breathed into Galena's ear, "you should have just come and seen me ... you wouldn't have needed toys." "Nicki, I'm still, as you put it, jail-bait ... please back off." Nicki laughed and returned to her seat. "Sorry, couldn't resist." Galena said, "Really didn't want you to ... but I've got to try to be good ... and being around all of you, I'll have to try extra-hard." "Since so few of them have any degree of self-control, at least where you're concerned," Patricia added, laughing. "Understandable really ... you're quite irresistible. If Liz and I weren't in a pretty-much closed relationship, you wouldn't have been playing with toys with me either." Galena took her hands off Patricia, closed her eyes and began to breathe deep, regular breaths. "Is something wrong?" Patricia asked, swiveling around to look at her. "I think the sweet little piece of tail is trying to calm herself," Nicki said. "Am I right, sweetie?" "Um hmm," Galena muttered through tightly closed lips. "Perhaps letting her know you would be interested is a bad thing ... when she's massaging you ... and trying to be a good girl," Nicki said, giving Patricia a raised eyebrow. "I cannot understand it," Patricia said. "Not that I'm complaining ... much ... but I went through years and years where I couldn't find anyone interested in me sexually, and I didn't look appreciably different than I do today ... smallish tits, big hips, some extra pounds. Now I'm in a committed relationship, intensely monogamous ... with a few very brief but blessed momentary exceptions, and I can't get away from people who find me sexually desirable." "I know what you mean ... at least I think I know," Galena said. "All of a sudden I've got all of you people wanting in my pants ... I can put some of it down to different clothes and such, but ... well, now it feels different ... I feel different." "I think part of it is you're both happy..." Nicki said, "'happy' is very erotic. 'Happy' and 'self-confident", in your case Patricia, well, that's damned erotic. Both of you are also benefiting from the whole 'forbidden fruit' thing ... you're in a closed relationship, Patricia, in spite of occasional bits of openness. You're underage, with the lure of freshness and innocence, Galena. And it's not that we'd find either of you unattractive if you weren't 'forbidden fruit'. Patricia, if you and Karen broke up tomorrow, knock on wood, it'd be a two-way race to see which household snapped you up faster ... mine or this one. It's odd to talk of you as if you're a prize ... well you are ... but not that kind. Anyway Galena, once you're legal, don't have any thoughts that you won't be lusted over ... I think for both of you it just adds a bit of spice on top of an already very tasty dish. "And there's one other factor in the whole equation," Nicki added. "We're all very ... unfixated ... on physical appearance. I mean, I'm pretty sure Harry could make love with Tattie and have no problem whatsoever. Come to think of it, so could I. That's not to say the two of you aren't lovely ... I mean, Patricia, I could spend a lifetime with my head on those soft, smooth thighs of yours, my face buried in your crotch ... and Galena ... well, I'll try to be good and not go any further." She looked at the young girl and wet her lips. "Thank you," Galena replied. "Okay ... nice to know I'd still be wanted should the unthinkable happen again," Patricia said, smiling sadly. "I wish ... no, no I don't. I was about to say that I wished we'd all been this close when Karen and I split the last time, but if we had..." "If you had ... maybe you and Karen would have never ended up together again," Galena said. "But just supposing you did somehow end up with this crew ... I mean," she stopped, and bowed her head, returning to work on Patricia's shoulders. "How would I handle being a lesbian in a relationship with three, or four," Patricia added, smiling at Nicki, "women ... and one man?" "Uh, yeah." "I don't know ... I'm not violently opposed to the idea of sex with a man ... it's just never done that much for me. I can think of the most masculine, butch," she giggled slightly, "bull-diesel-biker-dyke taking me with a strap-on and get quite moist just imagining it ... but if the person was exactly the same in appearance, barring minimal tits and ass, and had a real penis ... but everything else was the same? It just doesn't do it for me. I know that from what I've seen, I wouldn't mind cuddling with Harry ... probably wouldn't mind some mild petting and making out, so to speak. I love him and the body will respond. But when he got hard, and I got wet, I'd want someone else taking care of him and someone else taking care of me ... someone nice and female." "I don't think Harry would have a problem with that," Nicki said. "Although I get this really odd vision of him on his back, you on your belly, wrapped in each others' arms, at a forty-five degree angle from each other, making out with each other furiously while Carol bounces on his crotch and ... well, someone," Nicki's eyes went skyward as she put on her best 'innocent' face, "doing you from behind." "Interesting picture ... although to be brutally frank, I'm not sure that Harry's gender would give me a problem ... not sure I really think of Harry as a guy ... I mean, he is ... but more importantly, he's Harry," Patricia replied. Her face took on a thoughtful expression and then she smiled. Patricia patted Galena's hand and stood up. "I need to go talk to someone, I'll be back." ------- Randy looked at the old man and gave him a grudging smile. "Didn't know you'd had me checked out so thoroughly ... although I guess I should have expected it." Victor Philouma took a sip of his coffee. "You're right, you should have ... and if you'd bothered to think about it, you would've realized it was inevitable. But you apparently didn't see the need to think on it overly much. Which is also as it should be. You're where you need to be, Nick is where he needs to be. What's there to think about? "Nick, on the other hand, does have to think about it ... hell, worry about it ... but I figure in a year, maybe two, he'll have established himself so completely that the two of you can and will end up being a very open secret ... still, I don't fuckin' envy you having to live as a secret, no matter how open." He brought his hands up in protest. "Now don't be thinking I'm trying to convince you your life sucks, just so you'll leave or something. I didn't get where I was, I didn't stay where I was, because I was stupid and messed with what worked. That ain't to say that my life wouldn't be considerably easier if Nick was straight ... but he ain't, and I also didn't get and stay where I was by ignoring the way things are and trying to change what can't be changed." The old man stared off into space for a few long moments. Randy sat and watched him, in a state of mild shock from the way their first meeting had gone. Finally the old man shook himself and returned his gaze to Randy. "I wish you coulda met Nick's mother ... she woulda liked you ... she woulda been happy the two of you were happy." The lines of his face hardened. "Now, unless we got other business to discuss, go home to my son, and unless it's something like this, where you got concerns about him, I don't ever want to see you again. It's too damn dangerous for Nick." And with that the old man turned his chair to the window and Renee motioned to Randy from the door. "Thank you, Mr. Philouma," Randy said as he got up and headed towards the woman. Victor Philouma muttered something under his breath that Randy couldn't make out, and then he was on his way out of the house, escorted by the same man who'd driven him. ------- Tori Stallings wasn't sure how they'd managed it ... she knew she'd been tempted to misbehave almost constantly ... but they'd done all of their shopping without getting thrown out of anywhere ... they hadn't even raised too many eyebrows. Well, there had been that moment in Dangerous Dan McGrew's when Jess had asked in a stage whisper "Daddy, can we get some of the strawberry-flavored lube?" while hanging all over him and licking her lips, but the staff hadn't blinked. Undoubtedly they were used to far more risqué behavior. But they'd made it home, all the same. "I don't know about anyone else, but I think I could use a break from our 'getting acquainted' fun," Tori said, gently pushing Sam away from her breast as she put away groceries. "Why don't we head over to the Grimes' place for their Labor Day barbeque?" ------- "I'm not sure why you're so eager and willing to help look after the kids, but I'm very glad, and very proud, that you are, Vashti," Tatiana said as they got ready to leave. "It is simple, really. What's the last memory you have of your mother?" the teenager asked as he finished putting the food they were taking into a basket. "Not a very pleasant one, overall... , " Tatiana answered. "She was in the hospital, dying, and she told me she loved me, then went to sleep. Why do you ask?" "I have a choice between two ... one last memory is a blank spot ... there's nothing and no memory there because I lost her when I was barely two, and was taken away to begin my ... new life ... although it was several years before I was of use in that capacity. The most recent memory of my mother is you telling me you are proud of me for being eager and willing to help with the kids ... any more questions?" Tatiana drew him into her arms and hugged him tightly. "No, no more questions. Now go see what's keeping Julie and Svetlana, would you?" "Gladly, Mother." ------- After getting his ass beaten at a game on the PS2 and handing a resounding defeat right back to Karen on the Xbox 360, the two of them proclaimed the new systems operational and ready for children. They grunted and hooted at one another as they headed back to the Grimes house. "Okay, we're through being big kids, the place for young 'un's is ready," Karen proclaimed as they walked through the front door. Other than the sound of conversation from the bedroom and the sounds of people in the backyard, the house was silent ... and dark. "It's quiet, Sappho..." "Almost too quiet," she replied, looking around with exaggerated paranoia. "We better go where there are people." "Yeah," she replied, taking his hand, "this living room ... it's the perfect place for an ambush." As they snuck through and into the kitchen on tip-toes, Harry muttered, "And you had to announce our presence with authority the minute we walked through the doors ... if we get jumped, it's your fault." "Well, if we go, we'll go together," she muttered. "Thanks for the comfort ... I wasn't planning on going at all." "God, we're silly, aren't we?" she asked, her smile more than evident in her voice. "Yup, we sure are," Harry replied as they reached the back door. ------- "Well, I hear them outside, so we better wrap this up," Patricia said as she sat on the bed, talking with Margo, Kelly and Carol. "So I'm really not crazy ... you think that would work?" "I have to say I think it will work out," Margo replied. "I'm not sure it'll work without a lot of encouragement and reassurance ... but it will work and I think you're as brilliant as you are beautiful for coming up with it." "My only worry is that we have so little time to set it up," Carol said. "I mean, four days ... counting today ... and only four days with everything else that's going on." "It's tight, but it's do-able," Kelly replied. "Besides, most of the work is going to be Patricia's." "Yeah ... and I'm praying that I'm not crazy," Patricia said. ------- After Patricia left, the three women looked at each other. "That was surprising," Kelly said. "Not too surprising, given their history together ... and trust Patricia to see it," Margo replied. "I wouldn't have thought of it. Our precious hoodoo woman might have..." "Maybe," Carol said, "but I doubt it. Or at least if I did, it wouldn't have been for quite awhile." "You don't give yourself near enough credit," Kelly responded. "I think you would've had the same idea before another couple of months had passed ... if that long." Carol grinned and waved her hand in front of her face. "Whew ladies, I think we done been havin' some sex in here ... and we need bathin'. Shall I summon the bath girls?" "No," Margo answered, "I think the three of us can handle bathing us just fine ... I'll go run the tub." ------- Patricia returned to the deck to find Harry cuddling with Sheila, Eddie curled up with Tamara, Billy and Nicki sharing a deck chair. Lisa, Kim and Galena were dangling their feet in the pool and playing splashing games with Kimmy and Timmy. Karen patted the bench beside her and motioned Patricia over. "When did you get here, Eddie," Patricia asked. "Awhile back ... prolly shortly after you went inside, from what I been told." "I'm surprised you didn't go over and play with the other big juvenile delinquents," she responded. "I thought about it ... but then I got distracted," he said as he smiled at Tamara. "I can understand the distraction," Patricia said, snuggling in beside Karen. ------- Julie pulled up to the curb and parked. "All ashore who're going ashore," she said as she got out. She repeated it in her broken Russian. Vashti smiled as Svetlana tried to stifle her giggles. "What I say?" Julie asked suspiciously as she loaded down the kids with supplies "Julie, it's 'all ashore who are going ashore'," Tattie replied, smiling. "What you said was pretty much complete gibberish." "All ashore who are going ashore," Julie repeated. "Did I get that time?" "Yes, yes you did," Tattie answered. "Although your accent ... it is horrible," Svetlana added. "You sound like Vashti ... only retarded ... and with marbles in your mouth." "'Lana," Tattie chided, "that wasn't very nice." "No 'Lana, it wasn't," Vashti said, grimacing. "But Mother, it was accurate." "Let them be, Tattie ... I learn Spanish from students when I was still a public school teacher ... these two are much more kinder than they were." "I don't know why I'm so nervous about this," Tattie said, switching to English. "From what I know of Margo, and what I've seen of her family, you've got no reason to be. Everything will be fine," Julie replied. ------- After meeting and greeting with Tatiana, Julie and the kids, Eddie grabbed Karen and Harry and took the two of them off to one side. As they sat in the grass by the pool, he told them of his dream about killing Angie and disposing of her body. "And what's really been fuckin' with me is that it was such a happy dream ... I mean ... I still get a warm fuzzy thinkin' about it ... and that's sick." "Maybe, maybe just a little," Harry replied, "but we've all known you were sick for years." "Yup, no big secret there," Karen added, smiling as she punched Eddie in the shoulder. "Brute," the big man replied, returning her smile. "You know about the ... vision ... I had the night she showed up at the house," Harry continued. "I saw myself killing her ... I was sure it was real, right up until the point I realized it wasn't. And for me, that was a sign that I needed to get away from her." "Yeah, but that's understandable, man, given where you were and what was going on," Eddie said. "Yeah ... maybe ... still doesn't seem so to me," Harry replied. "What isn't so understandable ... I've had dreams..." he sighed heavily. "Okay, true fuckin' confession time. I've had dreams about her since ... about having people do vile things to her while we all watch and applaud ... about walling her up behind a two-way mirror in the bedroom and leaving her to die of dehydration while watching me have a happy life with the lovely ones. And there've been darker dreams than that." He shook his head and continued. "I know I need to let it go, let her go, just relax ... but then one of my loves will do or say something, something perfectly innocent, and my head will seize on it and warp it and make it something sinister. The paranoia kicks in and even while it's happening I know it's because of Angie. Before her I would never have imagined such things ... it's like the scabrous bitch poisoned me ... I catch myself watching for signs of betrayal from three of the most wonderful and trustworthy women on the planet. All because of her." Harry rubbed his eyes with his fingers, as if trying to push back tears. "I hate her. And I can't stand hating her this much. It eats at me. It sickens me to hate anyone or anything as much as I do her." He smiled. "And no, killing her wouldn't help the problem." The three friends hugged each other. "Perish the thought," Eddie proclaimed. "May she live to be one hundred," Karen intoned solemnly and somewhat piously, "with painful rectal itch all of her days." "Of course, we can't know for sure that it wouldn't help until we test it," Eddie reflected. "True ... anything less shows a lack of devotion to the rules of scientific inquiry," Karen agreed. "No, no we're not going to kill Angie just to see if it would make me feel better," Harry replied, laughing. "Anyway, at the very least I hope you're not feeling as disturbed as you were before, Eddie." "Come on, you're no more disturbed than the rest of us," Karen said. "Back before Carol found you, Harry ... you were so far gone I'd given up hoping you'd come out of it. I'd resigned myself to your death. You were going to die, whether by overt or covert suicide, and all I could do was plan my vengeance." She mashed her fist into her hand, first one than the other, cracking the knuckles loudly with wet popping sounds. "Goddamn it, Liz, don't do that!" called Patricia from twenty feet away. "Sorry, honey," Karen yelled in reply. She continued more quietly. "It involved a lot of pain, a lot of really brutal blunt-force trauma. Seein' how much of her I could break before she died." She looked down at the ground and shook her head. "You don't know how glad I am that it didn't happen that way." She raised her head. "Not that I don't still want to break her ... I'm just glad the asshole is still with us," she finished, motioning with her head towards Harry. "Yeah ... know how ya feel," Eddie said. "So see, Neanderthal," Karen went on, "you've got no more reason to feel upset than the rest of us." "Shit," Eddie replied, his face brightening with a smile, "seein' what wack-jobs you two are ... that ain't much comfort." ------- Tatiana watched Vashti and Svetlana slip into place with Kimmy and Timmy ... they all played together effortlessly, despite any language difficulties. In spite of the age difference, Vashti and Svetlana were still children ... children who'd missed a lot of their childhood. She had told them they were going to have a chance to be kids, just like any other kids. She was heartened to see they apparently still had the ability. When the kids moved to the pool it worked out that Kimmy and Timmy rode on Kim and Galena's shoulders, paired off against Vashti and Svetlana riding on Jackie and Lisa's shoulders. The rules of the contest seemed to be quite fluid, and the older kids were struggling mightily to keep it an even competition, periodically throwing themselves and their riders backwards into the water in response to very light pushes from the younger two. And evidently there was a good deal of maneuvering and tripping going on from the 'steeds' as well. It was beautiful, and when the thought of Yuri crossed her mind, Tattie pushed it firmly into the background. She was resolved not to let thoughts of him darken a happy day with friends and family. She would do all she could for him ... and as things stood that meant his institutionalization. She could not let herself agonize over him constantly. That wouldn't be fair to herself, or her family. Family ... that's what the Grimes crew had become for her, just as surely as Vashti, Svetlana, Yuri and Julie. And she really needed her new family ... more than she could've imagined a handful of months earlier. She'd forgotten that rejoining the living often involved so much pain. ------- "Helen, it's Labor Day, what are you doing here?" Harry asked as he stood up, somewhat painfully, to greet her. "Physical therapy knows no holidays, Harry," she responded. "Plus ... well, I really couldn't afford to take today off, even if I were so inclined ... I need to look real good to the higher ups these days." As she rolled out the mat, Harry hobbled over and began preparing for his warm-ups. "What's going on with you and Sisters of Mercy?" "Oh, they're not happy with my tats and they don't want anyone to see them, but the nature of the job kinda dictates that they get seen ... it's a mess. Wonder how much longer I'll have a job." "Surely the hospital doesn't control all your business." "Most of it ... I mean, I could work for a smaller clinic, perhaps a place that specialized in rehab treatment, but I'd run into the same problem, more than likely. It was my decision to decorate myself and now I'm going to have to live with the consequences." "Ever thought of getting them removed, at least the ones that are readily visible to patients?" Harry asked, his face tightened up in a grimace as he went through his warm-ups. "If they hadn't become so much of how I identify myself, yeah, yeah I would have had the more visible ones removed a long time ago ... and added a lot more where they'd be concealed. But they're part of me ... and before I got each one, I examined my feelings very closely, made sure I was willing to live with the consequences of the new tat, no matter what. Not that I didn't recognize that there would be times I'd find them very inconvenient, but I resolved before each one whether or not the ink was important enough to live with, come hell or unemployment. There are a couple of designs that I didn't get, because they didn't pass that test." She fell into rhythm with Harry, mirroring his warm-up stretches. "So, I guess I really don't have any room to bitch." "I'm glad you got the ones you did," Billy said as he made his way over to them. "Sorry, didn't mean to eavesdrop ... hope I'm not intruding." "Not at all," Harry answered, standing up and placing his fists against his lower back as he leaned backwards, his back cracking and popping. "Helen McReady, Billy Calhoun ... he's a new member of the family. Billy, as you might have guessed, Helen's my physical therapist." "I gathered ... I was hoping..." Billy looked down at the grass and his face reddened. "I was hoping ... I could ... go through your routine with you. I'm woefully out of shape ... I mean, I'm nowhere near as nimble as I used to be and ... well..." "I've got no problem with it," Helen replied. "Harry, for what you're paying me I'd have no problem if the whole family wanted to join in ... and once again, thank you more than I can say. With the hospital scheduling me fewer and fewer clients..." "Helen, you've put up with me tirelessly since the accident ... paying you well is the least I could do. If I was you, I'd have probably killed me ... several times ... by now." "Nah, Harry, you haven't been that bad ... I've put up with lots more abuse from clients than you've given me. In fact, on a scale of one to ten, you're only hitting about a five-point-two-five at your worst." "Then I shall have to try harder," Harry said, smiling. "Harry, I think you'll break before she does," Billy replied, gazing at the physical therapist in frank admiration. "She's built for endurance as well as heart-stopping beauty." "Why thank you, kind sir," Helen laughed, falling out of her stretches to help Billy position himself. "For that you get the extra-special bonus therapy treatment." "What about me?" Harry protested. "You, my good sir, get an extra ten laps in the pool," she answered, sticking her tongue out at Harry. ------- Madame Cornelius had swept into the house at the fore of a procession of outfits and people Margo hadn't been expecting. She'd been relaxing in the living room, sipping a drink, when the doorbell had chimed and as Carol and Kelly were still in the bath, she'd answered it. Madame Cornelius was in a black silk robe that covered something that came up to her neck with horizontal black and white stripes holding the end of a darkened chain. It definitely wasn't her normal attire, or anything close to it. Andre and Hans were in matching white shorts and startlingly fuchsia muscle shirts, carrying large picnic baskets in each hand. Li Kuan wore a bright green sundress with yellow daisies on it, leading a bouncing Puppy, clad in red shorts and halter top. Finally, at the end of Madame Cornelius' chain there came a woman clad in lace-up crotch leather pants, a lace-up leather bustier and a leather slave hood ... all black. From even the few brief moments in the Texas sun, sweat was running down from the neck of the hood and the arms of the outfit as the hooded figure fidgeted nervously. "Good afternoon, Minerva ... Hans, Andre, Li Kuan, Puppy, I'm glad you came. Is this her?" Margo asked, disdain thick in her voice as she stared at the masked figure. "Yes it is. Do you have somewhere dark and cool to leave her until the temperature drops outside and the children are elsewhere? She is, of course, still to be in a position to be used by whomever, but I rather think she'd die if we chained her up outside in the heat of the day." Madame Cornelius jerked savagely on the end of the chain she held, causing the woman in the mask to stumble forward and fall to her knees. "Not that I'd mind that, as angry as I am with her right now, but ... well, it would create problems. And someone will have to let her up to move around periodically ... I can have Li Kuan or Puppy tend to it if you have no one available." "Oh, I think I'll give that duty to Carol," Margo said, leading the way to the master bathroom. With the help of Carol and Kelly, who gladly finished up their bathing in a hurry, Ophelia ended up folded over the edge of the huge tub, her head and arms inside it and her bottom facing the bathroom door. Between what Madame Cornelius had brought and the family's own supplies, she was firmly bound in position, and after the rest of House Cornelius examined the facilities, ooh'ing and ah'ing over the sybaritic luxury of the room, Margo took them on a tour of the rest of her home. After they were finished, the rest of House Cornelius followed Kelly and Carol outside, leaving Minerva and Margo alone, sitting at the kitchen table. "You have a lovely home, Margo my dear. You've managed a subtle mix of sadism and suburbia. I'm quite impressed. Of course, to be honest, my opinion is probably influenced by the fact that you purchased your specialty furniture from me, but there it is then. I'm biased ... so what?" Margo smiled and leaned back in her chair. "Minerva, thank you ... you and yours grace our home." She paused and the smile left her face. "But to be cruelly frank with you, I'm not sure I want any of my House anywhere close to ... her ... sexually speaking." "Believe me, dear woman, I understand completely. As far as I am concerned, as long she's humiliated, I care not what method is used. Beat her, soil her with urine and feces, use her as a sex toy, ridicule and degrade her ... in the end, the humiliation and its effect on her is all I'm concerned with. She still thinks this is about her being or becoming a submissive. In reality the purpose of the exercise is for her will to become subservient to mine because until that happens, she cannot be taught. I simply don't care if she finds a true submissive calling or not. She is too headstrong. She cannot admit when I am right, much less admit when she is wrong." "And you're really prepared to carry through with her disinheritance should she fail?" Minerva Cornelius smiled. "My dear, if she should fail I can think of no one better suited to handle my affairs, whether they be personal, business or household, than you and your family." Despite Madame Cornelius' confidence, Margo fervently hoped for Ophelia's success ... but she wouldn't be one degree less stringent in fulfilling Minerva's request for her help because of that. ------- As the early afternoon progressed, the house and backyard filled up with guests. Houses St. Paul and Franklin showed up, as well as Terry Engels, their adopted non-adoptee, who wandered around like a lost soul until Harry put him on temporary grill duty. Margo was called to the phone by Lisa, who was keeping the things moving in the kitchen. "It's Marcia of House Hurley, she called asking for Madam Grimes," Lisa said, holding her hand over the receiver. "They're allied with Odessa, but it's the result of a long-standing association, formed by the previous Master of the House, the current Master's father. They're not happy with Odessa and they've been ostracized by Dick-less for their attitude. They're good folks." "Thank you, luscious," Margo said, taking the phone and giving Lisa a one-armed hug. "This is Madam Grimes, how may I help you?" "Madam Grimes, my name is Marcia and my Master asked me to call you. He'd like a meeting with you and your House at your convenience. Word of your evening at Dominique's has reached him and he's very ... well, he's very hopeful." Margo smiled to herself. "Hopeful ... interesting choice of words, Marcia. Is he busy today?" "No Madam we're no- ... no Madam, he's not." "Fine, you're invited over here for a Labor Day cookout." "Madam, that's very gracious of you ... well ... we have children, and not to cast aspersions but I know how some 'society' get-togethers go..." "Marcia, your children are welcome. The party is family-oriented until later, when the kids go to a home across the street where there's plenty of entertainment, in a chaperoned environment. You're all welcome to come." "Thank you ... that's most ... extraordinary." "So, how many of you are there?" "Well Madam, there's my husband Master Hurley, myself, our three children and my sister, who's our live-in nanny, so to speak." "Alright, all of you bring swimsuits, if you're so inclined; we've got more than enough of everything." "Madam, you must let us bring something!" "Not at all ... yourselves and open minds are all we could ask for. What part of town are you coming from?" As Margo gave Marcia directions, Lisa smiled to herself. All the little pinpricks in the ego, and in Society, that Laney was taking weren't much, in and of themselves ... but combined together, Chorale was going to bleed Odessa dry! ------- Outside, Andrea and Paul Winchester had arrived ... something that pleased Carol less than she had thought it would. "Carol," Andrea whispered, "I'm sorry ... Paul's already been drinking and ... well, I tried to talk him into staying home, alone if he wanted or I'd have skipped the party too, but..." "Andrea ... is everything okay?" Carol asked, eyeing Paul who had made a beeline to the cooler with the beer. "Yeah, everything's ... well ... everything's fine, overall ... he's just been stressed." Carol recognized the haunted look that was hiding in the depths of Andrea's pale blue eyes. And she also knew that as deeply as it was hidden, Andrea wasn't ready to talk about it yet. "Honey," she said as she gave Andrea a hug, "you know, if you ever need to talk..." "Oh, it's nothing, really ... just ... well, just normal married stuff." "Well, you have my number regardless," Carol replied. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have something to attend to real quickly and I think you need to grab yourself something to drink." As Andrea was getting herself a soda, Carol made her own beeline for Eddie and Karen. "Okay happy campers," she said after she apologized and pulled them away from a conversation with Stefan Franklin. "We have our first potential security nightmare of the day. See the guy ogling Nicki? That's Paul, Andrea's husband. He's drunk, appears to be intent on getting drunker and I strongly suspect he's abusive. Could be trouble." Eddie scratched his hairy chest through the neck of his Hawaiian flowered shirt, bright pink with yellow, almost day-glo, bananas decorating it. "Nah, he ain't gonna be no gawddamn trouble ... oh, he may start some shit, but I think El Dyke-O Grande and I can finish anything he starts, with a minimum of fuss." "God, you're such an inbred, cousin-fucking baboon ... you do know the goal of 'bouncing', so to speak, is to stop trouble before it starts, right?." Karen growled. "Guilty as charged, li'l darlin'. And yeah, I know that's 'bouncing' ... and if the Universe cooperates and everything comes down bright and shiny, an' one or the other of us is really on the ball, payin' attention to him instead of the party AND we catch things as they're just startin' up, he'll be out the door, smooth and easy ... but I ain't gonna bet money that it'll go down that way." ------- "I know you probably don't give a shit-" Muffled sounds of protestation came from behind the ball gag as Ophelia hung face down into the tub. "-but I happen to think very highly of your great-aunt. So does the rest of my family. And while I have the Hippocratic Oath to keep me from treating you like I really want to, they have nothing inhibiting them. And truthfully, I won't even pretend to be conscientious enough to stick close to you so they won't hurt you. Yeah, I guess that makes me a Hippocratic hypocrite. Deal with it." Margo leaned down and caressed the mask covering Ophelia's face. "I counseled your great-aunt to deny you this chance of redemption ... not because I want her money or her business, but because you don't deserve it. I urged her to select a charity to leave her estate to instead of you or me. "Still, her love for you is the final bit of weakness she'll show towards you ... and if you fail to convince her before her demise, you won't find any such weakness in me." Margo brought her face down and spoke softly at the semi-circle that showed where Ophelia's ears were underneath the leather hood. "Why don't you give up? You're never going to make it." She spoke louder. "Kelly, prepare her. "Now," she continued, returning her attention to Ophelia as Kelly unlaced her pants and pulled them down to expose Ophelia's bare ass and thighs, "I'm going to try to convince you to give up this foolishness while Kelly," she nodded to her wife "adds more direct persuasion." As Kelly used the lash to raise stripe-like welts across the back of Ophelia's thighs, Margo continued to whisper sweet reason into Ophelia's ears. ------- His physical therapy was finished for the day and, gross as some might consider it, Harry was 'bathing' in the hot tub. Between the throbbing agony in his knee and the general exhaustion he always felt after a session with Helen, he considered the bathroom too far to go ... even if it hadn't contained Minerva's niece. The hot tub, however ... well, that was close and very good. As the water churned and bubbled, tugging the legs of his swimsuit one way then another, Harry contemplated his wife Margo. He watched her come out the back door of the house and, even at twenty feet away, he could feel how dealing with Ophelia had upset her. "Oh light of my life," he called, motioning her over. "Come join me in the tub of decadence." Margo sat on the edge and stuck her feet in. "I meant come in all the way, my darling one," Harry said, smiling an invitation. "Can't, beloved ... House Hurley will be here soon, I have to meet with them and would rather not do it soaked. But I will come soak my feet and gaze at the man I adore." She smiled at him. "How was therapy today?" "I hurt ... but it's that good hurt that comes with a hard workout, so I'm okay with it." He paused and looked at her, calculation in his eyes. "You know, if you want, the rest of us will deal with Ophelia and you won't have to." Suspicion crept across Margo's face, as evident as fog rolling over a country road. "Why ... do you want to deal with her?" Harry saw the suspicion that quite predictably was a red-flag of Margo's insecurities. "No, honey, I don't think any of us 'want' to deal with her ... I'd prefer it if she never got within a hundred yards of any of us, or our friends, or our associates. But it's real evident to anyone who knows you that you aren't happy about this and would rather not have to participate. Even Minerva realizes it, I'm sure, and as long as the job gets done, she won't care how large or small a part you play in it." Margo sighed and rubbed her eyes with her hand. "It's that noticeable?" "To those who know you and love you, yes." "It's just ... Harry, I have a duty. I agreed to this. I can't..." "Honey, you agreed to a marriage with Benjamin as well." Suspicion and anger flared on Margo's features. "What the hell do you mean by that?" she snapped. "Nothing, except that agreements can be changed or even negated," her husband replied calmly, his face and voice open and honest, nothing more." "I'm sorry," Margo answered, tears welling up in her eyes, "I'm being a real bitch ... it's just that dealing with her, on top of everything else ... it's getting to me more than I thought it would ... I guess ... maybe ... hell, I wonder if Hal and Tori are coming by today ... maybe I could pull him to one side for some impromptu therapy." She paused in thought for a moment, then grinned. "No, that won't work ... I don't want to know what he'll charge for a house call." "Well I know some therapy that's remarkably inexpensive," Harry said, smiling impishly. He reached over and pulled his wife into the hot tub with him. She didn't put up more than token resistance. Settling her between his legs he hugged her tightly, arms across her breasts and head buried in the hair at the nape of her neck. "It's called 'hug therapy'," he said, his voice muffled, "and we have a full and eager staff ready to provide you with as much of it as you need." There were tears in her voice when she responded. "I think I may need more of that therapy than you know." His only answer was to hug her tighter. ------- Nick Philouma had finished his brandy and coffee. It had felt so good going down that he'd made another pot and pulled another bottle of brandy from the pantry. He was forcing himself to chew on some toast when the blinking light on the answering machine finally wormed its way into his consciousness. Punching the 'play' button, he heard "Boss, this is Terry. I dunno if this is the kind of 'weird' you were talking about, but we noticed the Petrov's and the Fedoseev's moving, heading out of town, and not like down the street. Got me curious so we checked on the others. Boss, there's hardly any of the old Russki Mafiya families left in town. Looks like they all decided it'd be healthier to live elsewhere ... I know it's what we wanted, but — beep." Immediately Nick was dialing Terry's cell. "Terry, get here as soon as possible, we need to talk about your message." Something was wrong, Nick Philouma could feel it in his bones ... and whatever it was, he was no longer sure he'd be able to endure it when it revealed itself. ------- Nicki was roaming the back yard, taking her turn as hostess, when she noticed that neither Helen nor Billy were anywhere to be found. Smiling to herself, she wandered into the house, to the living room, where on the master bedroom side she could faintly hear the rhythmic slapping that told her Madame Cornelius' niece was getting some quality time with Margo and Kelly. She casually strolled over to Billy's room and leaned against the door, surreptitiously putting her ear close to it. Faintly she heard "Oh my, Billy ... that's a beauty." "Not nearly as lovely as you, fair Helen ... I knew you were ravishing, but you're even more so when considering these tats ... it's a shame you have to keep them covered, even if it's only during working hours." Nicki grinned and wandered back outside to keep her eye on the party. ------- When House Hurley arrived, Margo and Carol met them in the living room. Margo was impressed by what she saw. Marcus Hurley was of average height, lean and wiry, with blond hair and a mustache. His wife Marcia was about the same height, but rounded and womanly. Their three children, John, 13, Stephanie, 11 and Lowell, 8, were all much like their father ... Laurie, Marcus' sister, looked much like her brother as well, but with a few curves added in to make things interesting. It was obvious that Marcus loved his wife/submissive and adored his children, who were well-behaved and courteous without seeming cowed. It was also obvious that his feelings were reciprocated. Laurie seemed a little shy, but otherwise nice. After greetings were exchanged, the adults headed off to see the kids safely into the backyard. Margo and Carol stood in the kitchen watching through the window as Nicki escorted them around and made introductions. "Marcia's got it ... well, not rough I think, so much as interesting," Carol chuckled. "How so?" "She's serving two Dominants, and ... well ... Nicki and Harry are intimate with each other ... but Marcus and Laurie most definitely aren't." Margo wrapped her arms around her wife and murmured into her hair, "I love you, little hoodoo woman." "I love you, too, Margo my sweet," Carol replied, stroking her wife's arms. "How do families, let alone Houses, survive without someone like you, I wonder," Margo mused. "I have no earthly idea," she answered, kissing Margo's arm. "But thankfully, that's not a problem we have to worry about. Let 'em find their own hoodoo women-" "Because you are most definitely taken!" "-because I am most blissfully taken." ------- Tamara watched as Eddie slowly began to allow himself to get comfortable around the horde of children that were frolicking in the pool. Other than Kim's kids, he'd seemed skittish around children and Tamara was reasonably sure she knew the reason why. If it turned out she couldn't have children ... well, Eddie didn't want to become too enamored of the idea. Yes, they would certainly try to adopt, but a background check of any depth would reveal his marital history, as well as certain ... irregularities ... in Tamara's past. She wasn't proud of some of the things she'd been involved with in her life, but looking back she could see they'd all been necessary for her survival, as well as to bring her to the point she'd finally reached. Still, they wouldn't go over too well with an adoption agency. They'd talked about going black market, whether through Nick or some other illegal agency, for an adoption, but for some reason the idea wasn't sitting too well with either of them. And of course Eddie still had his demons to deal with because of the accident with Rachel. So he hung back, afraid of letting himself want too much. But the lure of innocent fun called to the child in him, she could see it on his face and in the way he moved as he fidgeted back and forth, keeping half an eye on Karen, half an eye on someone else, Tamara wasn't sure who, and one whole eye on the kids in the pool. The more she got to know him, and most especially the facets of himself that he kept hidden from almost all of the world, the more convinced she was that inside of him there was imprisoned the little boy who'd accidentally hurt Rachel. That little boy had hidden, from that terrible day forward, scared and alone, and had rarely been seen since. She thought she saw him sometimes with Karen, someone he was sure he couldn't accidentally hurt. And she was sure she saw him sometimes in the quiet moments between Eddie and Harry, when he showed that he knew and understood something the adult Eddie didn't ... that Harry would accept him and love him no matter what he did, completely and unconditionally. And she sometimes felt him behind Eddie's eyes when the nightmares and fears wracked the man she loved ... he was there and whether he was using Eddie's pain to give vent to his own or whether he was an integral part of that pain, indivisible, she didn't know ... all she knew was that she felt him in those moments, smashing his fists against the inside of Eddie's skull. And she saw him when Kimmy and Timmy called 'Mr. Giant' into the pool to help them in a splash fight. She saw that frightened child lured out, almost into the open, by the innocent invitation of two five year olds who saw Eddie as something out of a book of fairy tales, the gentle giant who was so much nicer than he appeared to be. Carol was walking by when Tamara reached up from her chair and pulled her old friend down to sit between her legs as she hugged Carol with a strength few would believe her capable of. "Is there a reason for this sudden show of affection?" Carol squeaked. Tamara's arm extended and she pointed at Eddie in the pool, apparently involved in a new game, 'All-Kids-Vs.-Eddie'. Understanding came to Carol and she sat with her old friend watching Eddie very carefully fight off a horde of seven youngsters, being gentler than would appear possible. "Thank you," Tamara whispered from behind Carol's back as she hugged her again. "No sweetie ... thank you," Carol replied as she settled in to watch the simple but profound beauty of children at play. ------- It was unavoidable that both Karen and Eddie would lose track of Paul Winchester. The party was full of people and activities guaranteed to draw their attention ... so it was inevitable. And understandably, each of them thought the other had an eye on him as the party went on. Andrea wasn't much help, as Margo had taken her into the bedroom earlier in the day and gotten her very stoned, then parked her in the hot tub to relax. So it was that nobody was aware of Paul's absence until it was time to eat. Deciding not to alarm Andrea, Margo, discussing business with Madame Cornelius and House Hurley over ribs and brisket, had Karen and Eddie search the less visible parts of the yard before moving on to the interior of the house. As they left to search, she continued her discussions. "Pardon me, Master Hurley," she said, "but do you ever speak?" He smiled sadly at her and shook his head. "Oh my God, I'm so sorry," Marcia exclaimed, "I didn't tell you ... my husband's mute." "I'm sorry ... damage from an accident of some kind?" Margo asked. "He was born with atrophied vocal cords ... his doctors say it's a genetic abnormality. Still," she said, caressing his arm, "he manages to make himself understood very well." "He certainly does. I'm sorry if I caused any embarrassment." "Not at all, Madam Grimes ... normally it's played as him distancing himself from his 'inferiors'," Marcia Hurley smiled, "but there are situations where that's not appropriate. Marcus' muteness is an open secret in the circles we associate with ... part of the reason I didn't think to tell you." After the search for Paul Winchester quietly moved into the house, it wasn't but a few moments before Karen was leaning over Margo's shoulder. "I think you need to come with me, Margo," she said and after smoothly handing House Chorale's part of the conversation over to Minerva Cornelius, Margo followed her into the house. "The stupid bastard tried to fuck the woman in the master bath," Karen murmured sotto voce, "doesn't look like he succeeded in doing much besides puking all over her and passing out." When Karen opened the bedroom door for her, Margo's nostrils filled with the unmistakable odor of alcohol-rich vomit. "Goddamn ... that's strong," she gasped. "Wait till you get in here," came Eddie's voice from the bathroom. "You ain't smelled nothin' yet." Upon entering the bath, Margo realized just how right he was. Ophelia shook as she semi-hung on the edge of the tub, whether from anger, disgust or embarrassment Margo neither knew nor cared. The upper half of her back, her head and arms were covered in half-dried and sticky fluids. Her pants were undone, her bare bottom and thighs, so recently decorated with the lash, exposed. Paul Winchester lay at the end of a thin trail of his stomach contents by the side of the tub, pants half undone and unconscious. "Well, thanking God for small favors, at least most of it ended up on her or in the tub," Margo observed, slowly walking around the room. "Useless slitch ... do you have any idea how to properly clean the leather you're wearing?" Ophelia's head nodded in tight little movements that radiated intensity. "Alright then, you worthless piece of shit ... I'm going to get someone in here to watch you while you clean this mess up, then you'll be tied back into position." Margo balled up her fist and leaned down in front of Ophelia. "And if you give anyone any shit whatsoever, I'm going to come in here and fist you. Sound like fun?" Ophelia's head shaking was most emphatic. "Alright, then be a good little slitch and get this cleaned up. Eddie ... I hate to ask..." "No need to ... I'm gonna get him rinsed off a bit, get him dressed and then stick him in a cab. You prolly need to go get Andrea." "I'm on my way to do just that ... and to send Carol in here to watch over little Miss Vomit-head," Margo replied as she strode out of the room. ------- "Margo ... God, I'm sorry that I didn't ... I mean, I checked her..." Carol looked down at her watch, "less than forty-five minutes ago ... I've been checking on her hourly ... I'm so sorry-" "My precious little one, you have nothing to be sorry about. You're performing your duties exactly as you should. It isn't your fault that he slipped through the cracks. Now go and oversee Ophelia's clean-up ... and take time out of that to see to Andrea. I have the uncomfortable feeling that she's going to go home with the idiot." "Yes Madam ... I get that feeling as well." ------- "Honey, do you really have to go home just because he's a drunken asshole?" Carol asked, clinging to Andrea's arm. "Yes ... look, you probably don't believe what a nice man, what a good man Paul can be, but if I'm not home when he comes to ... lots of things will just go smoother if I'm there. I'll be by tomorrow to pick up the car ... and thank you and your family for a lovely time. I'm just sorry..." "No more needs be said," Carol said, giving her a hug. She watched in sadness as a man she was positive was an abusive son-of-a-bitch rolled away in the cab with his wife. ------- Karen and Eddie, their unpleasant duty attended to, sat back down with their respective partners to continue eating. "That story ain't finished," Karen said around a mouthful of rib meat. "That's for gawddamn sure," Eddie replied before taking a pull on his beer bottle. "She continues to hang around this group, somebody's gonna beat the shit out o' him." "I call dibs," Karen answered, "he abuses women, a woman gets to take care of his ass." "Nope, that's where you're wrong, Dyke-a-saurus," Eddie growled. "He's a guy, we're supposed to take care o' our own." "Well your gender's been doing a really shitty job of it so far," Karen replied, the tone of her voice matching his. Patricia and Tamara looked at each other somewhat nervously as both of them could easily see the discussion going in an unwelcome direction. "Well, I never said we did a good job of it, just that it's our job to do ... I'm here and I'm gonna do it." "Fine ... but by that logic, I get to take care of Angie ... should the need arise." "Aw c'mon, Lesbolicious ... you can't ask me to give up my rights to Angie just cause o' some fucktard who likes to whup up on his poor wife," Eddie moaned. "That's just askin' too much o' me." "Then we go splitsies on both of them ... and I'm only willing to make a deal like that," Karen said, her eyes going soft as she gazed at him, "because I still owe you for two ... problems ... you took care of." She reached over and took his face in her hands, leaned in and kissed him on the cheek. "Now gawddamn it, Clam-lapper," Eddie exclaimed as he pulled away. "It's not enough you get your homosexual cooties on me," he continued as he grabbed for a napkin, "but now you cover me in rib drippin's as well." As the four of them laughed, Tamara got up and began to kiss his grease-stained cheeks. "Don't worry, my darling ... I can help you with that." "Well ... okay then," Eddie chuckled as he hugged his beloved. "Long as I get smoochies out of it..." ------- "So then, I take it our terms are agreeable?" Margo leaned back and looked at Marcus and Marcia Hurley. Marcus Hurley looked at his wife, smiled and nodded. "Oh, more than agreeable, Madam," Marcia cooed. "They're positively wonderful ... and generous, did I mention generous?" "I'll consider it mentioned," Margo replied, laughing. "Now, I do want to warn you that if things don't go as we hope at the Samhain Fetish Ball, you're going to be 'out' like you've probably never imagined before. Laney won't take your defection well, and if we lose our bid for ... well ... leadership, I guess you'd call it..." Marcus Hurley very clearly mouthed the words "No problem". Marcia hugged him. "I feel safe in speaking for our House in this," she looked back at him with a coy smile, "and I'm sure I'll be corrected if I'm wrong, but if you fail, well then ... you and all your allies may just need to make your own playground and to hell with Laney and his crew." Marcus stroked his wife's hair, a proud smile the only sign of approval he needed to give. Margo accepted Marcia's kiss as Marcus found himself with a lap full of affectionate Carol. "Good," Minerva Cornelius said, standing up and dusting off her hands. "Now that business is concluded, I think I shall go take a swim." As if caught in an overpowering wave, the eyes of the guests were drawn to the Grand Dame as she walked towards the pool and let the silk robe slide from her shoulders to puddle on the ground. Black and white horizontal stripes ran from her neck to her waist and out to her elbows. The separate bottom was a pair of only minimally billowy bloomers of the same pattern, down to mid-calves. All in all, it was an outfit of a type not commonly seen since the Victorian era when swimsuits were called 'swimming costumes'. Although smiles flickered across the faces of the watchers, the sheer dignity of Madame Cornelius, as well as the fierce furrowing of her eyebrows, kept any laughter at bay. Like some great ship leaving its slip, she moved into the water, shivering slightly, and began to swim laps, back and forth. "I don't think anyone's seen something like that in a lot of years," Carol whispered, getting up from Marcus' lap and moving to hug Marcia. "No one in many years, other than her household," Li Kuan replied, standing nearby. "She is comfortable here, with all of you." Margo moved to go to the elderly woman and Li Kuan put a hand on her arm. "Pardon my familiarity, Madam, but it would be best if you made no fuss and placed no special significance on her ease among you." Li Kuan grinned, her filed teeth glinting in the dying sun. "Except perhaps to let her know that she's welcome to swim here more often ... I've been trying very hard to get her to exercise more ... for her health." Margo looked at Li Kuan, understanding another facet of the oriental beauty's relationship with Minerva. "I'll certainly pass that invitation on to her, Li Kuan, anytime she wants to ... the same for all of you." Li Kuan took Margo's hand and brought it to her mouth, giving the hand a kiss as gentle as a butterfly's landing. "Thank you, Madam. I appreciate it more than I can say." ------- The early evening became mid-evening and meanwhile the fun continued. A survey was quietly taken among the adult attendees and it was decided that since most of them had work the next day, the 'adults-only' part of the evening would be held another day, although there would be some time for skinny-dipping. The kids were dried and hustled off to Karen & Patricia's. As the adults enjoyed some time swimming about naked, in the middle of the pool floated Eddie in an inflatable chair, with Tamara curled up on his chest and belly. "I'm so sorry that those kids just wore you out, sir," she murmured mischievously, trying to snuggle closer to him. "Oh," he replied, stroking her hair, "that must be why you and Carol were pointin' and laughin' so much while those little heathens were runnin' me ragged. Sorrow ... sorrow accompanied by laughter ... you see that a lot, you know." "Would it help if I told you it was laughter born of pure joy at the sight of you playing with them?" "Y'know, anyone else, I'd look at 'em and tell 'em they were full o' shit and I ain't near stupid enough to believe 'em. But you ... you I believe." Outside of their little cocoon of togetherness and unnoticed by the absorbed couple, other swimmers were being cleared out of the pool. "Now, I won't say that pure joy was all that ended up in the laughter, but that's how it began ... sir, even you would find the sight of you being dunked by a horde of children funny." "I suppose ... no, you're right. I sure would have ... tell you what," he chuckled, "those kids are almost as good a workout as you are ... in a totally different way of course." She brought her face up to his for a kiss, sighing to herself, completely and totally happy. Eddie gave himself to the kiss and reflected that there had never been a time when his life was so good, so full. His eyes were drawn to sudden, rapid movement. They leapt into the air, the six women, wet and glistening, hair flying out behind their heads. The rush of the breeze as they tucked their arms around their knees and began their descent caused shimmering lines of water to run up their bodies, away from their feet and bottoms which were approaching the pool's surface like ... well, like cannonballs. Differences in weight and air resistance, but more importantly in takeoff speed and timing, defeated the goal of them all landing in the water around Eddie and Tamara simultaneously, or in a perfect hexagon formation. But the differences were nowhere near great enough to spoil the effect. Oblivious to the imminent 'rough seas', Tamara was surprised as Eddie lifted her up and away from him, thrusting her as high into the air as he could. Her eyes shot open as she craned her head around and saw the oncoming assault. Kelly grinned maniacally, her mouth forming the words 'got you' in Eddie's general direction, light dancing on the beads of water streaming along her ebony skin. Carol's impish smile was unable to hide her joy in her friend's good fortune as she gazed at Tamara, preparing to close her eyes tightly. Lisa, with her bounteous breasts squeezed out at the sides as she tucked her legs in tighter, concentrating on keeping her hands locked together. Sheila spun slightly as she hurtled downwards, the words "Nicki's li'l bitch" written on her left butt cheek in Sharpie marker. Jackie had given herself to the joy of the moment, sky-clad and free, flying through the air, feeling totally at 'home' with her new Master and Madam and Mistresses. Li Kuan grimaced fiercely, her eyes glinting with amusement at the havoc they were about to wreak upon the complacent giant and his little pet. As the six of them slammed into the water, scant microseconds apart from each other, and laughter erupted around the pool. With no doubt whatsoever in his mind who the ringleader of the attack was, Eddie's only thought was "I swear I'm gonna whup that girl". ------- Chapter 40 "Head for the tree, Kelly, head for the tree," Patricia shouted. "I wouldn't, unless you want to expose yourself to the whole neighborhood," Eddie said, calmly and implacably stalking the scampering Kelly. "C'mon my little ebony vixen, you planned the crime, you did the crime ... you know what comes after that." "Yeah, yeah I do ... I planned the crime, I did the crime, it's party time!" Kelly proclaimed as she ducked around several chairs. Kelly leapt up onto a low hanging branch as Margo dove for the switch that controlled the backyard lights, turning them off just in time. The waxing half moon provided more than ample illumination for the assembled party guests to watch as she stood up, grabbed another limb and swung out over Eddie, coming down and tucking into a roll as she hit the grass. Laughing merrily she ran into the house and could be heard heading upstairs. For some of the party guests, resting their arms on the edge of the pool where they'd returned after the women had performed their choreographed aero-aquatic ballet of ballistics or lounging around it, equally wet now that they'd been doused by the splashes, this was their first taste of House Chorale at play. Eddie turned and then slowly paced in to follow Kelly into the house. Harry, noticing his slow, steady and unstoppable pace asked, "Eddie, do you ever feel like Yul Brynner in that movie, 'Westworld'?" "Nope, more like Boris Karloff in "Frankenstein"." "Oh cool!" Tamara squealed, "That makes me Elsa Lancaster!" "Wrong film, my love ... that was "Bride of Frankenstein" ... besides, she was repulsed by the monster," Eddie replied, his smile not hiding his insecurity from Tamara for a second. "Well then, you feel like Karloff in "Bride of Frankenstein" and we are DEFINITELY rewriting the script, sir ... in this version she falls in love with Karloff's character at once, and refuses to leave his side, no matter what," she answered, giving him a hug. "Now Edward, go capture that young woman and punish her." Eddie looked at his love, a solemn, stone-like expression on his face, nodded and lurched into the house after Kelly. "Very nice, how you managed to avoid referring to him as 'the Monster'," Carol observed in a whisper as she stood next to her old friend. "Yes ... although sometimes it's harder than others to avoid playing into his pain," Tamara replied, sotto voce. In a louder tone she continued, "But you, and the rest of your vile cohorts, are to be taken into the living room to await Master's passing of judgment on you. Now move ... all of you!" she said, lightly slapping Carol's butt for emphasis. A quick glance passed between Li Kuan and Madame Cornelius. Then Li Kuan joined the others in heading indoors. "Getting a bit pushy, isn't she?" Li Kuan asked Carol, smiling. "Oh, when it comes to 'her Edward', she's been pushy," Carol replied. ------- Even with the best cleaning job Ophelia had been able to manage, her leathers still reeked of alcohol-soaked vomit. Tied back in position around the tub, she was forced to endure the worst torture the day had brought her. She knelt, full of anger, and listened to the laughter and excited babble of happy people. ------- "Well, I hate to leave before we get to see what the punishment is for splashing most of the water out of your pool," Hal Stallings said, "but I've got early appointments tomorrow and the kids are pretty much demanding some play time." "We understand Hal, it was great to see all of you again, so glad you could come," Harry replied, shaking the family psychiatrist's hand. "Now Margo," Hal added, don't forget, we have an appointment sometime Wednesday ... I'm sure Helga can find some time to fit you in." "Thank you so much," Margo said, hugging her old friend gratefully. "I ... really need to talk." "I understand. Don't worry about it ... sometimes patients need three or four, even five sessions a week, if they're in crisis. Just make sure you call the office by 4 tomorrow afternoon if you haven't gotten a call from us." As the Stallings family left, Margo knelt down beside Carol, whom Tamara had positioned with the other 'cannonballers', on their hands and knees, bare bottoms up in the air. Li Kuan snarls could be heard throughout the room. "I know we've played some incest games-" Margo began. "And some of us more than games," Carol interjected, looking at Nicki across the room. "And some of us more than games," Margo agreed, "but damn ... watching the four of them together is scary. If I didn't know better..." "You'd swear they were parents and children ... albeit parents and children that swim and cuddle together in the nude," Carol finished. Margo nodded and watched out the window as her friend, his wife and... 'family' ... walked to their car. "You know ... I never would have believed a few months ago that one of my colleagues had such kinky fantasies ... of course, I never would've believed I had them either," Marg said, staring out into the night. "Well thank God you do," Carol replied. "Makes life ever so much more interesting." "Do you wonder if maybe ... well, if maybe someday the fantasy will get too real, too all encompassing for them?" Patricia asked from the comfortable pile of pillows she sat on. "No, not much worry of that," Carol answered. "Dr. Stallings is smart enough to recognize the problem if it starts developing, and even if he should get so lost in it that he doesn't, the kids will. Their fantasy is a family scene ... their reality is that they're pleasure sluts, just like me. If the dream becomes too real, too consistent, then it starts to give rise to the same problems that a real pair of siblings and their parents would have, and that's a level of play no one would enjoy too much. I have faith that they'll keep it light enough to avoid that, even if Dr. Stallings fails to do so." Tamara leaned in. "You think they'll try a role reversal?" "If they haven't already," Carol snorted. "That's something I'd purely love to see ... Sam and Jessie playing some major parental games on Hal and Tori ... damn, getting moist just thinking about it." "You, my beloved one," Margo said, kissing her, "are a wonderfully perverted little beast ... and that's how we love you best." "Oh I'm so glad," Carol replied, squirming seductively, "it's good to be appreciated." The chasing down of the ringleader had reached a sticking point upstairs. Kelly had locked herself into the upstairs bath. "Margo, I'm gonna break down this gawddamned door if she don't open up!" Eddie called down. "Edward Janak, the door you break down tonight you'll be replacing tomorrow!" Margo replied, climbing halfway up the stairs. "It could probably stand replacing. Hey, Lisa, Jackie ... y'all mind bein' doorless for a day?" Eddie asked. "Won't be exposing any secrets everyone in the house hasn't already seen," Lisa replied. "Yeah ... but would it be too much to ask you to put a sheet up over the doorway before you leave tonight, I feel kind of odd ... you know ... going to the bathroom..." Jackie answered. "Not a problem. Okay, Kelly, I'm coming through that door on the count of three!" Eddie yelled. "ONE!" "Is he really going to go through the door?" Li Kuan asked of Carol. "Don't doubt it for an instant," the curvaceous beauty replied. "TWO!" Madame Cornelius leaned down and softly whispered into Li Kuan's ear, then stood up and walked back to where she'd been sitting with Puppy. On the stairs Margo mentally prepared herself to perform first aid on Eddie ... or more specifically, Eddie's shoulder. "THREE!" "Eddie, hold it right there," called Harry. "KELLY ... DOWN HERE, NOW!" The house was quiet, out of surprise and anticipation for perhaps twenty seconds, then from upstairs, the sound of an unlocking door, an opening door, and bare feet beating a hasty path down the stairs. Before anyone knew it, Kelly was kneeling at Harry's feet. "Yes, sir," she said in a small voice. "Enough of this foolishness, my love. You did it, time to pay for it." "Yes, sir." As Eddie descended he took Tamara by the hand and the two of them walked into the corner, talking quietly. "What did she tell you, if you don't mind me asking?" Carol whispered. In the same barely audible tones Li Kuan replied, "That I was to accept discipline from your House as if it were our own." A snarl, short and soft, escaped her lips. "It isn't something ... I gave..." "It's okay," Carol replied. "I think I understand. You bent the knee to Madame Cornelius and to no one else." "Exactly," Li Kuan growled. "But ... I follow the instructions of my Madame in all things." "You're an odd kind of submissive," Carol said, chuckling. "And you and your crew are not?" Li Kuan replied. After some apparently rather intense discussion, Eddie and Tamara returned. Eddie could be heard faintly muttering "I don't know who the hell's in charge around here but it sure as shit ain't me." He stood in front of the line of women, kneeling on the living room floor. "With the exception of Kelly, as far as I'm concerned Tamara could take care of the rest of y'all's punishments an' I'd be happy. But I've been..." he turned and glared at his petite love, "convinced ... that that'd be a bad idea where Li Kuan is concerned. Might cause some hard feelings." "She would endure it because I have ordered her too," Madame Cornelius pronounced, as if a proclamation from the Lord God on High. "Yes ma'am, I'm sure she would, but it might cause some hard feelings where none are necessary." Eddie shifted uncomfortably. "So I'll be handling hers and Carol's discipline, and Tamara will be handling Carol, Lisa, Jackie and Sheila ... unless the fuckin' plans change again. An' I need to talk to you, Margo an' Harry, about somethin' suitable for Kelly." The old friends stood together for a bit talking amongst themselves. Eddie squatted down and said, "I don't suppose I need to worry about how hard I lay into you, do I?" "No, sir, you do not," the oriental beauty replied. "In fact, I reckon the harder I hit, the more likely you are to enjoy it ... am I right?" Li Kuan's head jerked around and she glared at him. "Yes sir, that would be correct." "So give me one reason why I should make you happy instead of punishing you in a way that would really be uncomfortable for you." "There is no reason, sir." "There is no reason, sir ... that's the best answer you've got for me?" "Yes sir, it is." "Well, I guess that means you're sitting this one out, forced to see it, hear it but denied what'd make you feel good." Eddie raised his voice, "Same goes for you too, little Miss Happy Butt Carol. Get over here, you and Li Kuan get to watch, but not participate." "Eddie, you're mean," Carol said. She smiled as she went and knelt by Li Kuan. "No argument there, Short Stuff, been that way all my life. Now then," he said, turning the remaining three accomplices, "did Kelly make it an order, from her as your Mistress, for you to join in the fun?" A chorus of 'no sir's filled the air in the living room. "Good, your honesty will be rewarded. Three spanks each..." "Is 'spanks' even a word? Shouldn't it be like, 'strokes' or 'swats'?" Karen asked. "It's a word now, Dyke-a-saurus. Now, as I was sayin' before I was so rudely interrupted, to hell with it, I'll handle spanking the girls myself as well. Tamara, you're off the hook." "Oh good, sir, I'm so glad you're taking advantage of the situation and laying your hands on all those beautiful bottoms!" Tamara chortled. Eddie rubbed his eyes in feigned weariness. "I am blessed with a little freak in my life." "Yeah, ain't it grand," Harry cracked as he cuddled with Margo. "We're very fond of ours ... I think everyone should have one." "No, Master Grimes," Madame Cornelius said, "only those families that deserve one and can properly take care of one." Her fingernails raked across Puppy's shoulder as they sat together. The young woman winced as Madame Cornelius let her fingers drift down and cruelly pinched one of Puppy's nipples, but the wince was outshone by the blissful pain-born smile on her face. "I sit corrected," Harry replied, caressing Margo's belly, "only the deserving and able." As Eddie very gently gave Lisa, Jackie and Sheila three swats each on their bare bottoms, amidst much giggling, Li Kuan glowered and Carol squirmed. When Eddie was finished, grinning with honest enjoyment of the task he'd just completed, he scooted over to Margo and Harry and began speaking with them in a low voice. Alone in the middle of the floor, her co-conspirators no longer around her, Kelly knelt, her head bowed to her chest, hands crossed at the wrists upon her lap. To anyone who didn't know her, she might appear honestly repentant but no one watching her in that room believed her pose of contrition. She was quietly reveling in her devilish reputation and planning the next antagonism of her large friend. Her bottom might hurt by the end of the evening, but it'd been worth it for the look on his face as the six of them crashed into the pool. "Princess," Margo called, "go into the bedroom and bring the whipping post out." For the first time, Kelly showed a measure of fear in her features. She had expected a spanking, perhaps even a cropping, but the whipping post was rarely used for anything that light. "Yo, Neanderthal!" Karen called from where she was cuddling Patricia. "That's a little extreme, don't you think? Not the whipping post..." Eddie smiled as Karen played into his plans. "Yeah, I'm fuckin' sick an' tired o' not bein' able to relax around here for fear o' some naked woman makin' my life too interestin' for words. Besides, someone coulda got hurt in that little stunt o' hers ... Tamara mighta gotten hurt an' that will just not be tolerated." "You got a point," Karen replied. "Go ahead then." Eddie couldn't help but notice that Kelly's knees appeared a little weak as she headed for the bedroom. "Margo," he muttered softly, "thank you ... will you brief the girls?" "Sure will," Margo replied, just as quietly, "and no problem, no problem at all. Glad we could help." "Well, while the Head Bitch in Charge marshals the troops," Harry said, neatly dodging a half-hearted slap from his wife, "I think I'll get ready to lend a hand." "The more the merrier, in fact, this wouldn't play right without you," Eddie answered. "Just wait for my signal." Kelly carried the whipping post into the living room, putting it down and resting frequently, using the breaks to reset her grip on the unwieldy piece of furniture. "I'm sorry, sir," she said, "I'm not trying to delay the inevitable, it's just this damn thing is cumbersome." "I understand," Eddie replied, smiling beneficently. "Once you've got it somewhere roughly in the center of the room, go get the furry cuffs and anklets ... don't want this to hurt anymore than it should, and bring out y'all's cat o' nine." "Y-yes sir." Kelly didn't see where what she had done merited such punishment but was fighting back the urge to say anything. Her husband and wives were going along with it, she knew they wouldn't let anything happen to her that she didn't deserve... "That fucking rat," she muttered as she dug through the boxes of toys and accoutrements in the closet. "He's setting me up, getting me good and scared, then he's gonna barely spank me at all. Asshole!" As she found the furry manacles, she smiled. "It worked though ... might as well give him his satisfaction and play along." Going back into the living room she handed over the requested items and once the usual manacles were switched out for the fur-lined ones, found herself facing the pole, stretched out, arms high over head, almost having to stand on her tiptoes to be comfortable. As Eddie tied a blindfold over her eyes, looking quite serious and for all the world like he was going to lash her, Kelly found herself doubting the conclusion she'd come to in the bedroom. And when he put the ball gag in her mouth, buckling it tightly behind her head, muttering "Wouldn't want the neighbors to hear you" she began to get worried again. For a moment, the entire roomful of people, everyone still at the party, looked at Kelly, tied to the whipping post, her breathing revealing her concern, and admired the sight. Her breasts seemed to hug the post, the lines of her back flowed smoothly down to the delightful curve of her hips, her legs were stretched tautly, parted just enough to expose a good-sized tuft of pubic hair, her head hanging to the right, hair down around her face like a hood. Breaking the spell, Eddie walked up to her and lightly touched her butt with the cat. "For once, I've got this little troublemaker tied down and quiet ... I wonder, should I just beat her ass," the cat moved down to the sensitive back of her left thigh, "or spread the love to here?" He ran the head around to her front and raised it to her breast. "Perhaps I should whip her here," the head slid down and around the lower curve of her ass cheek, coming back up between her legs, "or maybe here." The head crept around to her belly. "Perhaps here," Eddie moved it up the right side of her body, caressing the inside of her arm as it hung, completely exposed, "or maybe up here." Kelly trembled, whether solely from fear or from fear mixed with excitement, she couldn't say. "Oh hell, I'll just start whippin' and wherever it lands is where it lands," Eddie said, his voice cold and harsh. And with that, those in the room who had wished to participate began to tickle Kelly Culberson. Everywhere. It seemed a million fingers were crawling all over her body and the relief Kelly had felt at escaping a lashing dissolved in the space of a second or two. While she'd long before developed the ability, as many ticklish people do, to 'turn it off', that was against one or two assailants, not a room full. She cried out against the gag, tears beginning to leak out of her eyes under the blindfold as the torture turned even more cruel ... for in the tickling there were hands stimulating her as well, touches she knew and loved. She was reasonably sure that Harry was playing with her clit and gently fingering her ass ... she knew her husband's touch, and if it wasn't Margo that was playing with her nipples, then Margo had a twin. The fingers on her neck, more caressing than tickling, were almost certainly Carol's. So in the midst of the sheer hell that was the mass tickling of her body, the people who knew her, and her responses, best in all the world were doing their utmost, with only their hands, to excite her. Kelly tried to clamp her legs shut, to either trap the teasing hands where they would do her the most good or to drive them away and protect her crotch and bottom, but her legs were securely shackled and there was nowhere near enough slack to close them more than a fraction of an inch. She tried to draw away from the post enough to put her breasts, to put even one breast, somewhat behind it but there was no way she could do more than to tremble against in her chains, growing ever more tired with each passing instant. She did manage to fend off the fingers at her neck for a moment, till another hand grasped her by the hair and forced her head high, leaving her neck once again exposed. She bounced up and down upon her toes, trying in vain to shake her tormentors off, her body contracted and spasmed like an epileptic's as the torture continued. Time became meaningless as she hung on the edge of complete overload, a fate only avoided by the wonderful sensations her lovers' touches were giving her ... and although she'd never admit it to anyone but those same lovers, the overload was also avoided with the help of the feeling of complete and total exposure. The mixed feelings of shame and exhibitionistic glee as her limbs were spread wide and she was free to be touched by any and all. That sense of exposure led her thoughts down paths completely predictable to anyone who knew Kelly, and she tried to lock herself into a small corner of her mind and imagine that the fingers tickling her were really lips that were kissing her, heating up her skin with feverish touches, then the lips became cocks and cunts, rubbing up against her, poking and caressing. Kelly wondered what it would be like to be put out as a party favor, the way Madame Cornelius' niece was going to be, had sort of been ... and Kelly thought of her own body, wrapped in leather, the smell of it surrounding her, as she was restrained and open to anyone and anything. She thought of herself staked out in the yard on a chain, her family watching as Harry rammed his cock down her throat, not really caring that she was occasionally gagging on it, saliva pouring out of her mouth and bathing his shaft, Margo with a large strap-on driving in and out of her aching cunt, pulling almost all the way out with each stroke before jackhammering back in, their thrusts slamming simultaneously as her head and bottom were driven towards each other, filling her mouth with cum and pulling out of her, almost at the same time, leaving both ends drooling, to dribble down onto the grass, right out in front of God and everybody. At that thought Kelly mentally retreated even further and her body collapsed to hang against the post, insensate. She trembled in the grip of an orgasm that had her nerves a-tingle from her cunt to her fingertips, from her ass to her toes ... every sensation was pleasure, every sensation drove her harder and faster towards another climax. "I cannot believe this little bitch just came," Harry said, "and I mean came damn hard!" Kelly was jolted from her mental refuge as he spoke, her head shaking as she fought to think through her orgasmic haze, unhappy to be drawn back towards her tortured reality. "Well then," Margo replied, "I suppose we'd better remind her she's being punished. Plan B, Grimes family!" Kelly's back arched as far as it could when the hands that had been stimulating her sexually began with a different form of stimulation. Harry's fingers pinched the delicate skin around her asshole while the fingers of his other hand practiced the same maneuver on her swollen clitoris. Margo's nails gently bit into her nipples, the pressure slowly increasing. Carol's nails began to slice along her sensitive neck, feeling like ice skates ... ice skates that were gradually being enveloped in flames the more they slid up and down. All those sensations served exactly the purpose they were intended to — Kelly was completely locked out of her nice, sexual bubble of fantasy and trapped back in the living room, where she was being tortured by tickles. Eddie removed the ball-gag and let it fall to the floor, to be shortly followed by the blindfold. "God ... damn ... you." "Love," Margo said, "it's not punishment if you can hide from it ... but do be sure to share with us a little later what got you off so wonderfully." As her body spasmed in the restraints, the fierceness of her smile let all and sundry know that "Kelly the Devil Woman" was still very much present. "Oh ... I will ... and if you ... don't get wet ... I'll eat ... well ... something." "Looking forward to it," Carol said as she continued to use pain to keep Kelly from escaping into her mind. After a few moments more, Kelly blurted out "Guys ... I'm about ... to wet myself ... maybe ... more." "Alright," Eddie said, "the tickling's over ... no need for her to get any messier than she already is." Everyone backed off and Kelly allowed herself to hang by her wrists, slumped against the post, covered in sweat, pussy drooling down her legs. "What is it ... you people have ... about tickling ... me?" Kelly murmured. "Just gettin' even, darlin'," Eddie growled, smiling at the effect his punishment had had on the woman. "Besides, it works so wonderfully." "Bastard ... vicious bastard..." Kelly spit, the tired smile on her face giving the lie to her words. "If y'all ... don't mind ... I'm gonna hang here ... for a bit." "Not a problem sweetie," Eddie said. He squatted down and whispered, "you okay, darlin'?" "Just fine ... you big hairy brute..." she whispered back. Eddie turned his gaze back to the room and took in Li Kuan's condition. The woman had evidently been aroused by Kelly's punishment and was covered in a fine sheen of sweat, her inner thighs visibly trembling. He smiled to himself, happy with the unexpected side effect. "Uh, Madame Cornelius, would tomorrow morning be a good time for Kim to begin receiving her attentions from you and yours?" Margo asked, having finally caught her breath. Madame Cornelius looked at the seething frustration of her submissive. "No, no Madam Grimes, I'm thinking tomorrow evening might be a far ... safer ... time. I'll have Andre pick her up from Master Janak's at five?" "Fine with us," Margo replied. "Is that acceptable to you, Kim?" Margo asked, turning to see the small Chinese woman squatting before Li Kuan and wiping the moisture from her face. Kim took her wet finger, put it in her mouth and smiled. "That would be most wonderful, Madam ... if Master Janak and Mis ... Tamara ... would not mind watching the twins. I know what Tamara has told me, but-" "And I tell you again, Kim, we have no problem watching your adorable children," Tamara replied. "Alright then, it's settled," Madame Cornelius said, taking Puppy's hand. "LI KUAN, quit loafing on the floor and get up. It's time for us to go. Andre! Put that scratchy rope rug down for Li Kuan to sit on as we ride home. Perhaps that will help make her a little more ... tractable. Hans, go fetch ... it ... from the bathroom!" And with a few more arrangements, hugs and some kisses, Madame Cornelius and her retinue had swept out of the house, into the Bentley and were on their way home. As the family returned inside, they found Kelly chuckling to herself as she hung at the post." "What's funny, my love," Carol asked as she unfastened the manacles that were holding Kelly's arms up. "Someday ... someday Li Kuan's going to get even with Eddie for turning her on like that," Kelly chuckled. "I only hope I'm there to see it." "Yeah," Eddie said as he straightened up the living room, "and I kinda wish I could skip it." ------- A majority of the guests had made their farewells and the only ones left were House Hurley. "You're a most interesting group," Marcia Hurley said as they were saying their good-byes and getting their gear together. "Yes, yes you are," Laurie Hurley agreed as she finished the round of hugs. "It's been ... well ... it's been a wonderful afternoon and evening ... so different from a party at Laney's." While the family stood on the porch, waving to the Hurley's as they walked over to Karen and Patricia's to pick up their children, Margo caressed Kelly's shoulder and said, "Do you think Laurie could've been a little more subtle about her desire to spend some quality time with you and Carol?" "You noticed that too?" Kelly responded, slipping her arm around her wife and hugging her. "Oh, no doubt," Margo replied. "You Carol? Wait, what am I asking, of course you noticed." "Yes ma'am," Carol said, "and while it might be acceptable for me to be underneath her ... well, I'm not sure Kelly needs to 'bend the knee' to anyone not in our House." "What's your feeling on her, little hoodoo woman?" Kelly inquired. Carol looked at her wife with a frown on her face. "She's a very nice person ... and I don't get a good feeling from her." She held up her hands. "Now, I'm not saying I get a bad feeling from her because I don't ... I just don't get a good feeling either." She studied the Hurley's retreating backs as they approached Karen and Patricia's door. "I think I'll pass," she turned and smiled at Margo, "and leave it to Madam to smooth out any difficulties that might cause, should the matter ever arise." "You are too good to me," Margo replied, laughing. "Well, I know that at least Harry, Billy and I have an early morning ahead of us, so I think it's bed time." She paused, looking somewhat confused. "Come to think of it, where is Billy? I haven't seen him in quite awhile ... hours, I think." "Oh, uh ... Billy's already in bed," Nicki replied, smiling, as she gathered up her and Sheila's things. "He ... uh ... retired early." "Is he alright?" Carol asked, concern for her old friend plain in her voice. "Oh, quite alright, last I heard," Nicki answered, smirking. "And where's Helen?" Harry asked, seeing her mat bag and equipment carefully arranged in the corner of the living room. "That would be why he retired early," Nicki replied, "With all the racket we've made ... well, I think they're probably awake, but ... busy." Smiles, raised eyebrows and knowing looks filled the assembled faces as Nicki said, "My slave has something she wishes to ... give us ... some evening soon. When would be convenient?" "Is it something nasty and evil?" Margo asked, feeling up Sheila, front and back. "Oh, very," Nicki replied, laughing at Sheila's blush and obvious pleasure at Margo's attentions. "Then she can give it to us tomorrow evening at the Bangkok Inn. We're going there to help little 'Slut' there," Margo said, pointing to Carol, "pay off her oath to the Queen. The Vimanmek Palace room will be suitably private." "Madam ... I ... I can't..." stammered Sheila. "You can, and you will, slave," Margo replied, grabbing hold of Sheila's ass and squeezing hard. "Remember that while you're "Nicki's Li'l Bitch", your ass still belongs to us." The look on Sheila's face, while full of apprehension, wasn't an unhappy look at all. ------- After everyone was gone that didn't live there, with the exception of Helen, still sleeping in Billy's room, the family sat down in the kitchen and breathed a sigh of relief. Relief that evaporated as they started to contemplate clean-up the next day. "Carol, honey ... I don't feel right about you, Kelly and Billy, being left with all this work," Margo said, looking at the devastation on the kitchen counters. "Don't worry, my love," Carol replied. "If we put our minds to it, Kelly and I alone will have this finished by the time you get Harry and Billy back from the hospital tomorrow." "Yeah, Big Mama ... this just looks incredibly worse than it is," Kelly said, grinning. "In fact, if I run a load of dishes tonight, tomorrow will be a breeze." "I'll help you rinse and scrub," Carol added, getting up to help her wife. "Now then, Margo, what did you want to talk about?" "Well, Mistress Mallon of House O'Shaunessy gave me some advice about how to keep things happy in a house with multiple subs, and I wanted to get something worked out. She suggested that, aside from what ever playtimes we might have, that each of you, our submissives, have a night of the week where you slept with us, not so much for sex, although I imagine that will happen often, but as a 'together' time for you and us. What do you three think?" Jackie, Lisa and Billy looked at each other in confusion and no small degree of wonder. "You mean, just whichever one of us whose turn it is, sleeping in there with the four of you?" Lisa asked. "Just us and y'all time?" Jackie mused. "Like we were ... part of the family?" Billy wondered. "Yes, that's exactly what I mean," Margo answered. "Like you were part of the family ... because you are part of the family now." "Madam, this isn't required," Lisa said. "If you just want one of us in there for play, we can go back to our beds when you're through with us, even if all of you have gone to sleep. Really, it's no trouble." Margo motioned the rest of her spouses to silence and let their subs continue. "Yes Madam, we don't expect such treatment and we certainly don't require it," Billy said. "I agree, Madam," Jackie added, "that's a very ... generous ... offer, but are you really sure you'd want-" Margo's voice was soft and gentle, understanding dawning in her face as she spoke. "Do I take it you wouldn't appreciate that kind of treatment?" "Madam," Jackie replied, "as the oldest, albeit not most experienced among us," she winked at Billy, "I think I can speak for us all when I say that we'd love, absolutely love, to be treated in such a ... familial ... fashion ... but it's not ... I mean, we'd never expect ... it's not something we've ever..." When Margo spoke again, her voice was iron. "Well, your Master, Madam and Mistresses tell you it's what you should expect now. Work out among yourselves who takes what night. I'm thinking because of other obligations, the best evenings for now would be Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday ... probably shifting to Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays after the Samhain Fetish Ball ... when we'll no longer have such a hectic weekend schedule ... no matter what the outcome of the election." The three submissives put their heads together and murmured among themselves for a bit, then Jackie said, "If it's all the same to you, we'll go alphabetically, by first names, so it'll be Billy on Tuesday, me on Wednesday and Lisa on Thursdays. Now, unless you have some objection, we'd like you to go get undressed, lie down and get comfortable in the living room ... we're going to pamper you for a bit before bed time." Harry, Margo, Carol and Kelly shucked their clothes and threw them in the washroom, then went and made themselves comfortable on cushions and pillows, holding hands as they lay in the dimly lit room. In moments Maurice Durufle's "In Paradisum" softly flowed through the speakers, filling the room with the soaring voices of soprano singers. Sighs of appreciation were barely audible over the music as the four of them simultaneously tightened their grips on each other's hands, sinking into an almost 'church'-like contemplation of all that was good and beautiful in the world. "If you would, Sir, Madam and Mistresses," Lisa said, "please keep your eyes closed, enjoy the sensations we will gratefully bring to you. It will take us a few moments to prepare, but in the interim, let us offer this." And as they felt her moving around them, a pipe tip from the hookah was placed between their lips. When all four of them were so equipped, they heard Lisa firing up the pipe. They lay there, touching each other frequently, and smoked while enjoying the music, ignoring the sounds of people moving around them. By the time their submissives' preparations were complete, the four of them were almost asleep. Margo felt someone moving between her legs, lifting them and placing them upon their shoulders. Then that same someone's tongue was exploring her crotch, smoothly and sinuously sliding a curving, meandering path through her pubic hair and down to her lips, slithering around her clit, soft cheeks caressing her inner thighs. As the tongue got closer, and more active, Margo felt a nose begin to prod her pubis, and knew that she had the delectable Lisa between her legs. Lisa's tongue slipped down and wormed its way inside Margo as she took deep, appreciative breaths through her nose, nuzzling her Madam's cunt lips with it as she did. Kelly felt hands, strong and callused, stroking her legs and kisses interspersed with short licks moved up and down her inner thighs, inner thighs that were also occasionally brushed by slightly stubbly cheeks. She knew it was Billy between her legs and she purred delightedly as the young man, after many intentional near misses, wrapped his lips around her clitoris and began to give it tiny, soft sucks, with the occasional lick on the very end. The young man's talented tongue began to dance over her slit, darting in and out of her, teasing her towards orgasm. Carol felt someone's warm breath moving across her legs and crotch, a series of mouth-wide-open breaths that spread across her skin in little breezes, barely strong enough to ruffle her pubic hair. The breaths slowly moved back and forth and around her cunt and she could occasionally tell that a tongue or lips had ever so faintly disturbed the very ends of her pubic hair. She thrust her crotch up towards the mouth that tantalized her and as the face descended, giving her the full contact she yearned for, as the lips locked on her cunt and the tongue went to work with a will, she could feel cheeks against her thighs and knew it was Jackie between her legs. Hearing the moans of his wives Harry had some idea what was going on. His cock began to fill out, rising from his crotch slowly, until it stood three-quarters erect, when a pair of lips slowly, tentatively closed around the head. A soft tongue beginning slow swirls around the tip, and as his cock was taken deeper into the mouth, the tongue's swirls proceeded down the shaft. At just the point where most women he'd received blowjobs from stopped, Harry was pleasantly surprised to find this person kept going, taking him effortlessly down the throat. As he had no idea who this was, he had to consider it might be Billy ... and if it was, he was pretty sure he could get used to being blown by another man. The technique and style was flawless, almost as good as Carol. Still ... he'd be happier if it were Lisa or Jackie. The four of them lay back and lost themselves in the sheer joy of being pleasured, until one by one they climaxed. "Now, keep your eyes closed, please," Jackie said, her voice somewhat rougher than before. "We have just a few more things to tend to before bed." As bodies moved around them, the four spouses relaxed in post-orgasmic bliss, listening to the sounds of the shower starting up. "Alright, you can open your eyes," Lisa said. First Harry, and then Margo, was helped up by Lisa and Jackie and led away to be bathed. Billy stayed behind, massaging Carol's feet. "Mistress Carol-" he began. "Billy..." Carol replied, her voice its own warning. "Now, now, Mistress Carol, whose responsibility am I? Yours ... and that makes you my Mistress." "I suppose," Carol grumbled. "I swear, what's a girl got to do to get treated like a submissive around here?" "Billy, you may work on my feet now," Kelly said, "Come here, Baby Girl, my tits have been feeling a lack of attention. Remedy that. Now." With that Kelly took a firm hold on Carol's hair and half-drug the little submissive over and planted her face onto her Mistress' right breast. "Yes, Mistress," Carol murmured happily and began to suck at Kelly's nipple as if she could get milk out of it at any second. "You were saying, Billy?" Kelly purred as he began to work on her feet. "Ah ... yes, Mistress Kelly, as I was saying to ... your wife ... Mistress Mallon gave you very good advice and I know of several Houses that practice it ... but not many. And after the ladies' experiences with House Laney ... well, you've made them very happy. They feel very loved and cherished." "And what of you, Billy?" Kelly asked, one hand stroking Carol's hair, the other beginning to play with her wife's cunt. "How do you feel about it?" "Mistress, the way I've been treated here..." he stammered, tears seeping out of the corners of his eyes. "I never ... well ... I never thought I'd ... you know ... ever again." He paused in his labors to wipe his cheeks and rub his eyes. "I'm so far into ... well, bliss ... with the way I'm being treated that I pinch myself regularly ... I must be dreaming." Kelly felt Carol's tears running down her chest. "Stay on my tit, little one," she said, holding Carol to her with both arms. "Billy, you think Helen's left you any get-up-and-go in that poor, overused cock of yours?" After a moment of surprise that Kelly knew about his and Helen's evening, Billy smiled, "Oh yes, Mistress!" Kelly motioned him to her and leaving one arm to hold Carol, hugged him tightly to herself with the other, crushing their lips together. Kelly kissed him long and deep, feeling his cock grow hard against her leg. Then she broke the kiss and said, "Well take that boner of yours in there and find someplace soft and wet to plant it so Helen can enjoy it. Go boy ... go now." "Yes Mistress," Billy replied and levering himself up on his hands, swung his stumps out of the way and headed for his bedroom at a good pace. "Now then, little pet," Kelly said, "whatever shall we do until they're ready to shower us?" ------- After bathing and drying Harry and Margo, Lisa and Jackie put them to bed and headed back to the living room to collect Carol and Kelly. They found them locked in a sixty-nine, writhing on top of the cushions. "I swear, we cannot leave these two with nothing to do," Jackie mused, smiling. "They just fall on each other in a case of furious mutual lust." "And who could blame them?" Lisa replied. "Quite understandable. Mistresses," she continued, squatting down beside them, "are you almost ready for your showers?" A series of unintelligible grunts and groans were all the response she received. "Nothing to do but help them along," Lisa sighed. "It is a tough job, but somebody has to do it," Jackie replied as the two of them lay down, one on each side of the two women, and snuggled close, doing their best with hands, mouths and bodies to hurry along their Mistresses' orgasms. It didn't take much, or long, before Kelly and Carol were coming, hugging each other tightly and moaning into each others' cunts. When the trembling was done, they lay back, Kelly into Jackie's arms, Carol into Lisa's. "Thank you..." Carol panted. "Have you ever been ... so tired ... or so stoned ... that you were having trouble ... getting off?" "On several occasions," Lisa said, holding her and softly stroking her arms. "Glad we could help." "Yeah..." Kelly said, "y'all ... get extra ... hell ... I dunno ... brownie points ... or somethin'." "I'm sure you'll think of some way to reward your loving and faithful servants," Jackie answered, smiling. "Now then, let's get you showered and in bed." ------- The next morning found a moderately tired group of people sitting around the kitchen table as Carol prepared breakfast. "What I'm still trying to figure out," Harry said, his chin almost in his coffee, "is who was who last night?" "No doubt in my mind that it was Jackie between my thighs," Carol said, putting Margo's fruit bowl down in front of her. "And a certain rather striking nose clued me to the fact that it was Lisa making my night delightful," Margo chuckled before spooning pear and apple chunks into her mouth. "Nobody's got hands, or scratchy cheeks, like my man Billy," Kelly said, slurping down a slug of juice. "Sorry, I should have shaved," Billy replied. "No problem, didn't bother me at all," Kelly answered, munching on toast. "Well then who..." Harry began as he noticed Helen, blushing deeply, sitting next to Billy. "Well, whoever my Blowjob Fairy was," Harry continued, trying to hide a smile, "they have my deepest thanks for a lovely experience. They were wonderful, very skillful." Billy muttered something that sounded suspiciously like 'they certainly are' before coughing into his fist. Everyone at the table smiled as Harry grinned and Helen continued to glow bright red. ------- As Margo, Harry and Billy drove to the hospital, Harry couldn't resist asking. "Billy, how the hell did my physical therapist end up giving me head last night?" "Well sir," Billy said, grinning somewhat uncomfortably, "it's like this. There were four of you, and three of us, and one of you getting a handjob just wasn't acceptable, and we kind of wanted it to be simultaneous, and so we were wondering what to do, while we got cleaned up, and Helen volunteered. I figured to have her go down on one of the women, since you and she are, well, somewhat in a professional relationship, but she doesn't swing both ways ... doesn't bother her if others do, it's just not for her. So she sort of got you by default." He grinned. "Not that she seemed to mind in the least..." "God knows I didn't," Harry exclaimed. "Sweetheart, you're familiar with Carol's oral skills, I know." "Oh yes," Margo replied, "thankfully I'm very familiar with them." "Well, Helen's very close to being as good as the Precious One." "You did get lucky last night, didn't you?" Margo said, laughing. "Oh yes, I most certainly did. And so did Billy, evidently." "Oh, most definitely, sir," Billy replied, "it seems she and I find each other most attractive." Billy's face sank into a sad demeanor for a moment, unnoticed by Margo and Harry. "Well, congratulations," Margo said. "Here's hoping that works out for the two of you." "Yeah," Harry said, "it'd be real nice to have another happy relationship around." ------- Their errands at the hospital took far longer than any of them had anticipated. But surprisingly for all of them, the hold-up wasn't Billy in the prosthetics department. That had gone relatively quickly, two new, effectively 'off-the-shelf' legs, some minor adjustments and a 'trial run' in the physical therapy area that had Billy so happy and grateful that Margo was in tears. The hold-up was Harry's new brace. Dr. Lowry had come down and between the necessity of custom-fitting and jury-rigging the new brace, testing its effectiveness, readjusting, repeating ad nauseum, and Mike reading Harry the riot act (he sounded remarkably like Margo, except without the spousal overtones), the process took all morning. "If you are not in physical therapy, or in a position where you'd be willing to bet your first born child that you won't abuse it, knowing that I'd collect said child in a heartbeat," Mike Lowry stormed, "your leg better be in the brace. If your leg was not in the brace, and because it wasn't in the brace I have to see you again, I'm going to put you back in the hospital under the tender mercies of Nurse Fletcher! "And speaking of physical therapy, you're routine has changed. You're going to be seeing Helen five days a week now. I've already called her and arranged it. God knows she can use the work." "Speaking of that, Mike ... is there anything you can do?" Margo asked. "No ... it's pretty evident they're phasing her out. The hospital's hired two more physical therapists, the workload is that heavy. They're just not letting her do much of it. I know the head of her department. That cantankerous old bitch is still not convinced it was a good idea to hire women as therapists at all, much less tattooed women, who are in her eyes undoubtedly of low moral character." "Well then, I'm happy to provide her with more work ... although I may have to adjust her pay scale ... if I keep 'tipping' her at the same level I am now for two extra days a week..." "You'll do no such thing, Harry Grimes," Margo said. "Remember Thursday." "Ah, yes. Thursday ... the day I find out just how rich this rich heiress I'm marrying is." "Good ... I don't think Helen has more than another week or two before they let her go entirely," Mike replied. "And Harry, I'm as serious as I can be. You go nowhere without that brace. Period. End of statement. Or else you're bound for Nurse Fletcher's Dungeon of Therapeutic Delights." Seeing the look of agreement on Margo's face, Harry sighed. "You, Dr. Lowry, are an evil, vile, low and base individual. And I agree with you ... although it's going to be a pain in the ass getting in and out of the bathtub." "Oh, poor, poor pitiful Harry," Dr. Lowry said, grinning, "living alone, no one around to help him ... oh, wait, that's bullshit since you're married to three beautiful women! What the hell do you have to bitch about?" "Actually Doc, with the new additions to the household, add another two beautiful women to the list, although purely in a concubine roll," Billy said, from his chair in the corner of the fitting room. The prosthetics technician, whose eyes had already been wide at Dr. Lowry's comment, had a sudden coughing fit. "Are you alright, Ms. Salazar?" Dr. Lowry inquired, trying hard to stifle his grin. "This is the guy?" she asked, doing her best not to look at Harry. "This is the guy," Mike replied. "Mercedes Salazar, this is Harry Grimes, one of his spouse's, Dr. Margo ... well, Grimes eventually, and Billy Calhoun, whom I gather is a new member of the household." "Yes, yes he is. A pleasure to be more formally introduced to you, Ms. Salazar," Harry said, fighting hard to hide his embarrassment. In a lower tone of voice he said, "Doctor, I'm going to get even with you ... I'm not sure how, or when, but I am going to get even with you." Mike looked at him in feigned shock. "Why, whatever for, Harry?" Margo growled, "Mark, one day you're going to talk too much to the wrong person, or in front of the wrong person, and I'm going to have Eddie put you in traction." "Margo, as you well know, there is no place on the planet where secrets spread as rapidly as a hospital ... and no place tougher for secrets to escape from." "Perhaps so, Mike ... perhaps so ... but if they ever do..." "I know, Eddie, the sound of bones breaking, the joys of Nurse Fletcher." "Exactly, and I'm pretty sure she'll consider torturing you the height of her career." ------- They had lunch at La Madeleine's before Margo dropped Harry and Billy off at the house and headed for the clinic. After Billy showed off his new legs, Carol and Kelly decided to take him shopping, as his wardrobe was somewhat lacking in anything dressy. "You want to come with, beloved husband o' ours?" Kelly asked, hugging Harry. "No darlings, I'm going to hobble my happy ass into the office, get a little work done from home today. Give me some time to get used to the new brace. What time did Helen leave?" "Shortly after you did," Carol replied. "She said she'd see you this evening for your session ... I think by then the dear might've beaten her embarrassment into submission." ------- Andrea Winchester had never had luck with men, going from one abusive asshole to another manipulative cheater to the next suicidal whiner to another insanely jealous paranoid. She'd sworn off relationships for almost five years, using the time build her business. It started with money she'd inherited from her grandparents, and had become a well-known fixture in the city's alternative religion circles. She refused to tighten the focus of her store, instead keeping it full of varied merchandise, keeping it the kind of store she'd always wanted to shop at herself. And during that time, no matter what circle of fringe society she moved through, she found herself besieged by the same kind of men she'd always attracted. But then she'd met Paul Winchester at a small businessperson's get-together. He owned a computer game development company, eight employees, several big projects in the works, interest from several distributors in their main game. He'd started it on the money from the sale of his parent's house after they passed away, was fiercely devoted to making something of himself. He was almost too good to be true; driven, talented, within striking distance of the goal that, once achieved, would bring him financial stability ... so much like her in so many ways. Almost against her will she found herself interested in him and likewise, he was very interested in her. She knew her luck had changed. He was kind, attentive, loving and sensitive. He recognized the need for each of them to grow and was willing to leave their relationship open, something she'd insisted upon after so many controlling, jealous assholes. It had been a whirlwind romance and she'd never been happier to be caught up and taken away. Then there was the wedding, which she paid for as the deal for his company's big project hadn't quite been finalized, and the honeymoon in the Caribbean had been wonderful, he'd never even looked at another woman the entire week. He was eager to get back when their week in paradise was finished, it was time for him to get back to work and he'd pay her back for the honeymoon just as soon as the deal went through. Less than two weeks later, the truth had started to seep through his carefully constructed façade, and the changes had begun. As the weeks progressed... He wasn't comfortable with their open relationship anymore. That had been fine before they were married, but now that they were, he felt it showed a lack of commitment to making their relationship work... He felt that the time she spent with her Wiccan Circle was destructive to the stability of their marriage as most of the women were either lesbians or bisexual, and therefore intolerant of their heterosexual relationship. The few men that were involved made him uncomfortable due to the somewhat sexual nature of their religious beliefs and worship. And she shouldn't even get him started on their habit of worshipping 'sky-clad'... He didn't see the need for her to continue to maintain her ties with any of the fringe groups her store catered to. Surely the store's place in those circles was solidified and between her hours at the store and her time socializing and networking with the residents of the fringe, well, the apartment was a disaster area and he had to spend far too much time at the office to be much help with it... His big deal had fallen through and his company was in bad financial straits ... the rest of her savings, that hadn't already financed the wedding and honeymoon, he needed them. He had to save his company, his employee's jobs. He'd pay her back, he promised... With the strains put upon the two of them by their career-driven schedules, the best he felt they could hope for sexually was a quickie whenever he was in the mood and had the time. If she was late, well, the store could wait to open till she could get there... He hadn't meant to hit her, it was just the stress, the stress was killing him, and the money was gone, the project was so close, two more distributors were expressing real interest and so could she mortgage her business? He just needed a little more time... They'd hired a new art director, it was her perfume Andrea smelled, they'd been crowded together in his office, brainstorming on how to keep the project on track after the recent loss of manpower, money was so tight they couldn't afford to replace the personnel they'd lost, was there anyway she could come up with some more? Maybe let some of her people go, she could put in more hours at the store to cover their loss... He was sorry, so, so sorry, but some of his employees had quit and now they were all under the gun and he'd had a few drinks, just to relax him, it was nothing she'd done, he promised he'd never strike her again, please forgive him... Well excuse the fuck out of him, needing to stop and have a few drinks after a long hard day, hell, a bar was better than coming home to their fucking pig sty of an apartment. No she wasn't smelling what she thought she was smelling, don't be ridiculous ... when did he have time to fuck around on her... The company's creditors were threatening repossession of the furniture and equipment and if that happened everything, everything was dead in the water. Did she have any friends she could borrow money from because all of his friends were already tapped out... Yeah, so what, she caught him fucking someone? So what if it was in their bed? She'd always wanted an open relationship, he was just trying to see if he could adapt to that kind of lifestyle. In the meantime, make him a drink ... and remember that if he ever caught her cheating on him, well, with a guy, he'd kill her. With another girl could be fun, for both of them... Finally Andrea Catherine Winchester nee Collins had no illusions left. No more truth was left to seep out. She knew it all, knew the worst of it, and yet she still felt something for him. She wasn't sure why, but she did. There was the computer game company. He was convinced he knew how to create and market a computer game, simply by virtue of having played so many of them. He'd damn near bankrupted her for a dream ... a dream which had resulted in a year and a half of him and his friends farting around, spending money but producing nothing. When the furniture and such had been repossessed, she'd found it interesting that the biggest complaint she'd heard from his friends, his so-called employees, was that they no longer had a place to hang out and play video games. That led to more money issues. Things had gotten bad so very quickly. He'd begged her, pleaded with her, come close to threatening her to get her to take out another loan, and was apparently incapable of understanding that there was no bank that would loan her any more money. With the loan payments she was making, and the store's overhead, she was barely scraping by as it was ... and their quality of living was suffering because of it. As time passed and Paul no longer had his office to escape to, his mood had gotten uglier and uglier. He continued to badger her for money, he wouldn't go get a job, refusing 'to let all the work the company had done' be wasted, and why couldn't they afford this, or go do that? Then there were the other women. Eventually she got used to the women he brought home, no longer able to muster the energy or outrage to kick them out of her bed. She just told them to move over, and she'd lie down and crash out next to them. Her pussy hurt on those occasions in the night and early morning where he'd just used her like a Kleenex, something to jerk off in, when one of his sluts wasn't around. With the exception of Francine and Morgana, and her employees at the store, she'd let her friends drift away, or watched them be driven away by Paul and his bullshit. Her sense of isolation grew greater and stronger until she was afraid to interact too personally with anyone because that would merely be setting them up to be driven away by her and Paul's increasingly toxic relationship. And how could anyone respect a woman who continued to be in such a relationship with a guy like Paul? None of her old friends had said anything, they'd just stopped calling or coming by ... although, Goddess love them, Francine and Morgana had never abandoned her, just as they never stopped haranguing her about putting up with Paul's crap. Without them her feelings of hopelessness might've overwhelmed her. Then the Grimes family and their friends ... and pets ... had invaded her store. For the first time in almost a year, she'd had a wonderful time, forgetting for awhile the mess her life had become. For the first time since her college days she'd had an incredibly wild sexual experience, one she'd known better than to tell Paul about ... but tell him she had and what a fight that had caused. She thought she'd calmed him down and she'd dared to hope that her new friends were a large and interesting enough group to keep him from devolving into a drunken asshole, that perhaps he'd find some reason to remain more or less sober, more or less pleasant. She'd begged him not to start drinking before the party, to please be on his best behavior, for her ... and all her words had achieved were to anger him and start him screaming about her trying to control him ... and he'd started drinking even earlier than normal. To find him passed out in his own puke, in the midst of an attempt to rape the woman they'd had tied down in their bathroom ... THAT had been the ultimate humiliation. She understood that the woman was to be broken, to be used, and that sexual humiliation and ... well, abuse, was part of it. But still ... there was no way she could look at any of them again, after what he'd done. But when he stormed out of the house after terrorizing her all morning and part of the afternoon, demanding that she borrow money from her 'new freak friends', it was Carol's number she dialed. ------- Harry had been in the living room, setting up some CD's to play, when he heard the phone ringing in the kitchen. He hobbled in to answer it. "C-carol?" asked a voice he recognized as Andrea Winchester's. "No Andrea, this is Harry. Carol's phone forwards to the house. Is there something wrong?" "It's ... I can't ... Harry, it's Paul. He's ... Harry ... I'm sorry, I just didn't know who else to call." "Andrea, it's alright. Calm down for just a moment and tell me what's happening." "He's furious, he's ... I think he's gone to the liquor store ... I've been locked in the closet all morning ... except when he's hauled me out and beat me ... but I was able to get out and get to the phone ... my car is still at your house and besides, he has my car keys." "Okay Andrea, give me your address ... just give me your address and I'll come get you, okay? We'll get you outta there." Upon receiving the address, Harry grabbed his car keys and headed out the door. ------- Harry left voice mail for Margo, telling her what was happening and warning her that he might be showing up at the clinic with another patient. He'd reached Kelly's cell and filled her in, and through her Carol and Billy, but he'd told them to continue with their shopping trip. If Paul showed up, he wanted there to be as few people as possible involved, less chance for the confrontation to escalate. He made sure Kelly knew he was serious. They were to finish what they were doing. If he didn't see a rather large number of additions to Billy's wardrobe when he got home, he was going to beat some asses like it'd become his hobby. And then he started in with his own version of prayer, praying that he could get Andrea Winchester away from her husband, praying that no one, least of all he himself, got stupid that afternoon. ------- Paul pulled his car out of the strip mall parking lot, two blocks from the apartment, angrily gripping the wheel and muttering to himself. "Don't know what that motherfucker thought he was doing, arguing with me ... I told him there'd be money in the bank to cover it soon enough ... don't know what the fuck he was thinking, pissing off a good customer like me ... and starting to dial the cops ... fucker." ------- He was exceedingly thankful that Andrea lived on the first floor of her apartment building. When she answered the door, he was shocked. Her face was swollen, bruised and cut in several places. She moved like she'd taken more than a few body shots and he could see the bruises on her wrists from where he'd drug her. "Andrea, what have you got packed?" "Just ... just a couple of changes of clothes ... I ... I don't know ... how..." "Don't worry about it. Don't worry about a thing. Let's get your stuff in my car, and then I really, really think you need to grab whatever you're absolutely sure you cannot live without and we'll load that as well." "Well I was thinking ... I was thinking I could come back ... Harry, he's really a good..." the woman broke down in tears, slumping to the side of the door. "Harry," she wailed, "I'm so fucking sick and tired of lying ... Harry, he's a shit ... he's a fucking shit ... and I just want out!" He carefully pulled her to her feet and held her tightly for a moment. "That's good, Andrea ... don't lie anymore, not to us, but most importantly not to yourself. Now, if it was a matter of getting out of here today, or dying, what would you absolutely have to take with you?" Thirty minutes later the trunk and the back seat of Harry's car were full. Andrea was in the passenger's seat with a large bag of clothes in her lap, and they were on their way out of the apartment complex parking lot. Harry had seen the closet where Paul had kept his wife ... had seen the lock Paul had mounted on the door ... had carefully not noticed where Andrea had relieved herself in the back corner of the closet ... had looked at the signs of a struggle outside the closet. Harry gave himself full permission to get just as stupid as he could on Paul Winchester, if he ever got the chance. ------- On the way to the clinic, Harry called Tamara and Patricia, who then called their respective partners, and it was decided that if Andrea was amenable, she could crash at Karen, Patricia and Galena's, until she found herself another place, or felt safe living alone. Andrea Winchester watched the calm and unhurried way Harry arranged for a place for her to stay, and she wondered to herself if maybe, somewhere, she'd done something right, to have these people come into her life when they did. ------- Paul drove along the streets, twitching with anger as he scanned the liquor stores that showed up far too regularly on either side. "Not a problem, not a problem ... find me a store with some bitch behind the counter ... put the smooth on her, restock the liquor locker ... hasn't yet been born a cunt I can't outthink ... can't charm out of anything ... may be about time to cut An-dreary loose." ------- After the examination, Margo looked at Andrea, studied her for a moment, and then asked, "Are you going to be able to resist going back to him?" "Yes ... yes I am." "No matter what he says, no matter what he promises?" "Yes ... I think I can." "Alright, if you're ready now ... why weren't you ready earlier?" Andrea looked at her as the tears began to flow, yet again. "I'm not sure ... the combination of several things, I think ... the party ... Margo, I've never been so embarrassed in my life ... this beating ... I mean, he's hit me before, but that was it, he'd just hit me, just the once ... not beat me ... repeatedly ... maybe part ... of why I won't go back ... is that I know I don't have to ... I have options ... I have people that I can lean on ... I could never ask that of Francine or Morgana ... both of their situations are ... well ... problematical. I mean, I guess I could ... if I wanted to bend the knee to their Master ... or even just put up with him ... something I have no desire to do..." Andrea stopped talking and just sobbed, as Margo came and put her arms around her. "Andrea ... I don't mean to sound harsh or heartless ... or like I don't understand ... believe me, I do. With me, the abuse never got physical, it was mental and emotional, just like a lot of yours, and I'll be carrying its scars with me for the rest of my life ... just like you will. But I'm not going to let you drag my family through a cycle of you leaving him, going back to him, him abusing you again, you leaving him, going back to him, so on and so on, ad infinitum. I won't let you put my family through that." Andrea saw that Margo's face was all sharp planes and unforgiving angles. Her voice, which Andrea had heard soft, warm, loving, mischievous and full of laughter previously was nothing but distant and foreboding. "Know that if you're serious about this, about leaving him, divorcing him, getting him out of your life, we'll be there for you every step of the way, helping you in every way we can. But if it turns out that you're so self-deceiving, so self-destructive, so willfully blind as to continue on in this relationship that's already gone toxic, as you've described it ... we will wash our hands of you, wish you well ... cry for you when you're gone. "I will watch you die from an abusive asshole of a husband before I'll let you drag my family through hell." Looking at her, Andrea realized there was a core of frost-rimed iron in Margo Grimes that would not bend, no matter what. Margo was a lioness who had found her pride and would die defending them. And Andrea definitely didn't want to disappoint her. "Yes ma'am ... I understand. I won't give you reason to cut me loose." "Fair enough ... now let Harry drive you to the courthouse. Patricia's coming to sit with you while you go through the steps to get protection from that prick. Is the store covered?" "Yes ... I should go in tonight, but Aggie ... Agatha ... can handle it. And tomorrow ... I think I need to go meet with your family lawyer. I'm going to need to start divorce proceedings." "Is there anything you left behind that's worth my husband, Eddie and Karen getting hurt over?" "Well, I would like my car ... it's at your house, but he has the keys." Andrea smiled for the first time that day. "I don't think he remembered coming home in the cab." "Fine, we'll get you your car keys ... anything else?" Andrea thought of her life with Paul, and how stupidly blind she'd been, how he'd manipulated and used her. "No ma'am ... nothing else worth a drop of anyone's sweat." ------- Driving one-handed, the other compulsively plucking at the stubble on his face, Paul was nodding almost continuously as he wrenched the car through the turns that led back to their apartment. "Alright God, I get the message ... no bitches behind the counters, You must be thinking I need to seriously beat Andrea ... I get the message ... should have grabbed her whole fucking purse instead of just her car keys ... that's alright ... I'll go home, give her another taste, get some money." ------- Harry drove Andrea to the county courthouse and together they sat and waited for Patricia, not saying anything. Finally Andrea broke the silence, "Harry ... I ... thank you. You had no good reason to get involved and-" "Did you need help?" he asked. "Excuse me?" "Andrea, did you need help?" "Yes, but that didn't obligate you to ... get involved with all this." "You know the New Testament parable of the Good Samaritan?" "Harry, even us pagans know that one. The Samaritans were gentiles ... pagans themselves ... I think I understand your point but tell me how you mean it, just to make sure." "The whole parable starts with the question of how to attain eternal life ... not particularly apt here, but the answer is. 'Love your God with all your heart and soul and might, and love your neighbor as yourself'." Harry said, "Then, when asked to define who 'his neighbor' was, Christ told the parable of the Good Samaritan. He closed with the question of whom among those that had passed by the man, beaten and wounded and left for dead, was the man's neighbor. The answer was the one that had shown mercy to the beaten man, and helped him. Christ then instructed his followers to go and do likewise. "Now it's real obvious I'm not a conventional Christian, and I certainly don't believe the Bible is the literal word of God, but it seems to me that like most holy books, it contains some nuggets of truth. Well, figuratively speaking, I found myself on the road to Jericho, and I heard you calling for help." Harry stopped for a moment and swallowed, then looked at her and she was surprised to find a hint of moisture in his eyes. "What was I to do, Andrea? Say 'no'? Refuse to help someone who so desperately needed it? Is apathy and selfishness the best our civilization can do? Isn't it a little pathetic that you thank me for not abandoning you to the tender mercies of your husband, like it's a big deal, instead of merely thanking me for performing what should be my civic duty?" "That's the way I thought you meant it. Harry, are you trying for sainthood? Because I'll write you a testimonial..." "No, silly woman ... our household's saint is Carol. I'm just trying to live up to her example ... and believe me, that's a high goal to work toward." "Well then, is rescuing damsels in distress represented anywhere on the Grimes coat of arms?" "No, but if we ever get one I reckon it should be," Harry sighed. ------- Paul moved through his house like a small and fidgety whirlwind, knocking over lamps and hurling bowls off tables. He moved into the bedroom and saw the closet he had put a lock on for just such occasions, telling Andrea it was merely a secure place to keep work-related materials he'd brought home. The door was open. "How the FUCK did she get out of that closet? Cunt isn't smart enough to ... what's this? Shit, I should've put a better lock on the door. Looks like she took some of her shit ... probably over at those bitches' house." ------- After Patricia arrived to accompany Andrea through the process of getting an immediate restraining order, Harry went home, giving Margo a brief update by phone on the way. Once he was there, he pondered the stairs that had to be climbed to get to the office. He decided there was nothing all that important at G & P for him to deal with. "Hello Rhonda, put me through to Sappho ... thank you Rhonda, if you're this good the rest of the year Santa might bring you a big ol' jug o' Thorazine." He laughed, "Sometimes I've got no idea at all why you put up with this abuse." "Sappho, waited for Patricia ... ah ... you're on the other line with Patricia ... okay. Well, it's been an afternoon so if there's not anything ... okay you big beautiful dyke, I'll do exactly that. See you tomorrow ... oh yeah, you'll approve. I've seen chastity belts that were easier to get in and out of than this brace ... no, I don't want you to hurt me so I'll wear it like I should. Love you, too. Bye." Grabbing himself a beer from the fridge, Harry slowly made his way out to the deck and lay in the shade, watching the sunlight play on the surface of the pool. ------- Charles Mays of House Crimson-Glove looked at the man on his front steps. Paul Winchester was a piece of dung, scarcely fit to have a dick. And here he was, demanding to search Charles' home. "I don't think so, Mr. Winchester. I'm not sheltering your wife, and I wouldn't let you in even if I was. But trust me, I'm not. Francine and Morgana haven't seen your wife in several days." "How do you know? Do you think they tell you everything? Are you sure?" Paul was almost screaming in his fury. "Yes ... yes I can be sure of that, because unlike you, I have my women under control. Good day, Mr. Winchester." ------- Anyone in close proximity to Paul Winchester would quickly diagnose him as mentally disturbed. "Yeah, that's it, if she isn't there, then there's only one other place she could be ... with her new, rich friends ... show that bunch of freaks that they can't get in the middle of my shit ... I think it's time to remind my whiny little wife that we were married for better and for worse." ------- "Master Grimes, I'm Charles Mays, Master of House Crimson-Glove ... you don't know me, although I expect we'll be introduced soon enough, but I and my women were there during your show at Dominique's." "Well, to get straight to the point, I just had a most irate sack of shit named Paul Winchester at my door and upon finding that his wife was not here, he started muttering to himself about where she could be ... and he sounded pretty sure she was with your House. He's on his way to get her back." "Oh no, Master Grimes, I don't require any thanks at all. I do, however, like having your House owe mine a favor. Good day, Master Grimes." ------- Harry found himself curiously happy at the prospect of meeting Paul Winchester again. He called Patricia to check on Andrea and found out she was asleep in a chair, waiting for a judge to look at her petition. "Harry, is everything okay?" Patricia asked. "Oh, her husband is on his way over here looking for her. I figure he and I are going to have a little talk and I'd hate to have y'all show up in the middle of it." "Do I need to call Karen? Do I need to call the police?" Harry heard Kelly's car pull into the driveway. "No, my darlings are back from taking Billy shopping ... if anyone needs to be called, they'll take care of it. Just give me a call before y'all head home, and I'll let you know if you need to go have dinner somewhere." "Alright Harry ... but if you get hurt, you know Karen's going to be most upset." "If this piece of shit can hurt me, I deserve to be hurt." ------- "Now I'm serious. Baby Girl, this is an order. You stay out of it. You keep Princess out of it. If I go down, and I'm really not expecting to, you call 911. If you see me put him down, you call 911." "Harry, if you beat the shit out of this guy, won't you go to jail?" Billy asked. "No ... he came here, on to my property. He was obviously looking to start trouble. He's therefore at fault and he goes to jail, goes directly to jail, does not pass go-" "Does not collect two hundred dollars," the four of them finished together. ------- Harry settled himself into a chair on the front porch and waited. He found himself calm and confident and briefly considered if he was perhaps suffering from the delusion that because Paul beat on women, he was weak and a coward. After a bit of reflection, Harry decided that he wasn't deluding himself. He'd known some very large and scary motherfuckers who beat on women. He was just confident that Paul wasn't the physical type, wasn't someone he needed to be overly concerned about in a fight. Still, Harry thought with a cold smile on his face, he wasn't going to get too complacent. It wouldn't do to fuck up the best chance he'd had in a long while to work off some aggression. ------- Paul Winchester wasn't going to let his temper get the better of him. He'd realized that his approach at Francine and Morgana's house had been too confrontational, too combative. It wouldn't do to try getting physical with someone who obviously had money. When Paul sat down and thought about it, he had few delusions about his and Andrea's fiscal condition ... it was why he was strongly considering cutting her loose, finding some other cunt with more money than sense. If things got physical, it would be his word against someone able to afford a good attorney, instead of a public defender. He was going to keep his cool, try to sweet-talk Andrea into coming back home with him. He could do that, it would be easy ... she was stupid enough to believe him. God knew she'd put up with more shit from him than he'd expected her to. Yeah, get her home, fuck her raw and then make her pay for having to chase her all over town. Stupid cunt ... if she was going to file charges on him she would've already. ------- Harry saw Paul pull up in front of the house and watched him as he stared in confusion at his wife's car, parked there as well. Harry smiled to himself. This was going to be fun, one way or another. As Paul got out of the car and headed up the sidewalk, Harry moved to meet him, the new brace giving him a small amount of trouble on the front steps. "Mr. Grimes, I'm just here to talk to my wife," Paul said, coming to a stop and doing his best to appear non-threatening. "I'm sure you are, you malignant little dick cancer," Harry replied in a low voice. "What, decided you didn't have what it took to beat a cripple, you needed someone easier to kick around, like your wife?" Paul was having problems processing what he was seeing as opposed to what he was hearing. Harry Grimes' body language was completely passive, even conciliatory, hands slightly raised as if to ward off attack, head slowly nodding. To any observer out of ear shot, he would appear to be trying to defuse a tense situation. Yet what he was saying was anything but calming. "Do you even have a dick, Paul? Is that why you need to beat Andrea, take advantage of her? It's a substitute for the dick you don't have?" "What?" Paul's brain continued to struggle with the situation. "Oh I can guess a lot about you. And believe me, if I was as fucking pathetic as you are, I'd probably be looking for something small and helpless to beat on as well ... of course, sexual dysfunction is a well-known problem for abusive males." "Hey, listen, I just want to talk to my wife." "No, you just want to reclaim your victim, you pathetic wad of phlegm. I won't say your wife is here and I won't say your wife isn't here, you cock-mongering slime. Is that your thing, you like cock-sucking? Can't satisfy a woman but you can sure as hell gargle spunk, is that it? But if your wife is here, you can bet divorce papers are in the works because the world is full of people who'll love her and support her while she gets over the piteous bullshit you've buried her in ... help her get back on her feet and grow strong enough to reject the manipulative head-games of losers like you." Harry continued portraying reason and conciliation with his body while he tried his damnedest to get Paul to take a swing at him. "And you know what, she'll find someone and you'll be just another forgotten maggot that she flicked off her arm ... just another prancing little cock-sucking conman who tried to break her and failed, failed completely." "Fuck you," Paul snarled, "I don't have to stand here and listen to this. Where's my godDAMN WIFE?" "You think your pissy shouting is gonna scare me, boy? Why don't you just fall to your knees, right goddamn now? I'll slap you upside the head a couple of times and then if you ask real nicely, I'll let you suck my dick, you stinking white-trash cumbucket." Paul Winchester, telegraphing his move seemingly hours in advance, drew back and took a swing at Harry Grimes. As Harry twisted slightly, to let the blow land on his shoulder, he smiled as he reflected that God must really love him ... he'd sent him Christmas in September. And to make his life truly perfect, his next door neighbors, Seymour Larsen and his wife Stella, were in their front yard, watching the whole thing. The blow landed and Harry staggered under the impact. Paul was stronger than he'd thought he'd be. Still, the words that came out of Harry's mouth were calm, soft and pain-free. "Is that the best you've got, you pussy?" As Harry was bringing up his arms to block the second swing, Paul yelled something incomprehensible. Batting Paul's arm away, Harry grabbed the back of his head, lowered his own and smashed Paul's face into his own skull as hard as he could. As Paul tried to jerk back, both hands coming up to his nose, Harry raised his head, aimed his good knee and rammed it into Paul's crotch with all the fury he had inside him. The resultant impact lifted Paul Winchester a good four inches off the ground and as Harry fought to maintain his balance, Paul fell to the ground, one hand to his nose, streaming blood all over his face, the other to his testicles. Once on the stone and concrete of the front walkway, Paul curled up, trying to protect himself. Harry painfully got down on his good knee, his braced leg stretched out to one side and said, "Give me your wife's car keys or I'm going to bash your fucking brains out. Give me her keys now!" Paul fumbled in his pockets and flung a set of keys at Harry, mumbling something that sounded like "pleaddonhurdmenomore". "You're the most pathetic loser I think I've ever met," Harry said, keeping his voice low and talking fast, as he'd seen Seymour Larsen headed over. "If you ever touch your wife again, or try to get even with her or us in any way, I swear to God above that I and my big scary friends are gonna cut your fuckin' nuts off and feed them to you. You believe me?" "YEDDIR!" "Alright," Harry said, working to get back up on his feet, "Now we're going to wait for the police to show so I can press assault charges on you." He found Carol and Kelly at his side, helping to steady him. "Cops are on their way, Harry," Kelly said. "Feeling better, my love?" Carol asked softly. "Oh, you have no idea..." Harry replied. He winced, "Well ... except for my knee and my head." ------- After a flurry of phone calls the family agreed to just meet at the Bangkok Inn when they could get there. Margo arrived first, finalizing arrangements with Ms. Sukwahari for their use of the Vimanmek Palace room. She was happy to see that Chatsiree was on hand and lovelier than ever. "And please, dear," Margo told Chatsiree, "bring a bottle of that marvelous Black Krachai wine ... and you'd better put aside a few more bottles, I have a feeling we'll be needing them." Lisa and Jackie arrived next, almost simultaneously, and were shown in to the room by the beautiful Thai girl who told them she would be their server, and their room's server alone, for the evening. As their eyes adjusted to the change from bright Texas sunshine to windowless inner room, a room lit only by a few indirect lamps and some candles on low shelves along the walls, they saw that Margo was already seated, her bra and panties, garter belt and hose hanging on the corner of her chair. She was taking deep pulls from a wine bottle and looked rattled. "Which one of you wants the duty?" she asked, weariness evident in her voice. "Duty, Madam?" Jackie asked, not at all sure what was going on. "Duty, slave," Margo said, making a vague motion towards her crotch. "Uh, it would be my pleasure," Jackie answered, heading towards the table. "Fine, but the two of you lose your bras and panties, hang 'em right here," Margo said, patting the pointed spire on corner of the back of her chair. "Lisa, I want you to warm up your lips ... massage the back of my neck with them ... hurry." "Yes Madam," Lisa replied as she looked nervously at Chatsiree. "Don't worry about her, my pets," Margo snarled, "worry about your Madam, who is growing very impatient with you both." Within a few moments both of the women had adorned Margo's chair with their undergarments. Jackie's head was crushed into Margo's twitching cunt, Margo's legs wrapped tightly around her, and Lisa was kissing the back of Margo's neck, hard kisses, from side to side, using her lips like fingers. When Nicki and Sheila arrived, Nicki took one look at the situation and ducked back out to place a quick call to Harry. Then she came back into the room, escorting the very conservatively dressed Sheila, who had a small overnight bag with her. "Bras and panties on the chair, ladies, make yourself at home. Nicki, have Chatsiree get another bottle of this wonderful vintage over here." Nicki intercepted the bottle on its way from the table to Margo's mouth. "Slow down, sis ... what the fuck's going on?" "You haven't heard? Your incredibly stupid goddamned brother broke a guy's nose with his head, and then proceeded to try popping his testicles like grapes, all on our front lawn!" Nicki sat back, took a slug off the bottle herself. "Well, I'm sure he had good reason." "Oh honey, he had very good reason. It was Paul Winchester. He basically beat the shit out of Andrea this morning, she called Harry, he got her out and over to the clinic. She's going to be staying at Sappho and Trish's till ... I don't know ... but she's filing for divorce tomorrow, got restraining orders laid on him today." "And you're upset because Harry beat the crap out of a fucktard who was abusing a really nice woman that we're all growing fond of?" "No ... Nicki..." Margo ground out between gritted teeth. "I'm upset because my husband put himself in ... I'm ... Nicki ... I still ... I still have nightmares where he doesn't make it ... where he dies in that fucking park while I watch. Paul could have killed him before anyone could've gotten to him..." Jackie pulled back to say something and Margo took her by the hair, jamming her face back into Margo's cunt. "You're not through and this conversation is, for the moment, between my sister-in-law and me." "Nicki ... I don't mean to ... I can't ask him not to be who he is ... but when Carol told me what had happened this afternoon at the house ... even though I knew he was alright ... I just..." Nicki put her arms around her sister-in-law and held her, held her tightly, while the Madam of House Chorale cried out her fear and frustration. ------- It was an emotionally exhausted Tatiana Turov and a subdued Vashti Turov that returned home late that evening. They had spent far too many hours in areas of hospitals far too depressing. Afterwards Tatiana had decided they deserved a treat and the two of them had gone to Maggie Moo's and eaten an entire ice cream cake, Mint Chocolate Chip, between them. It hadn't helped much. They came trudging in through the front door of the house to be met be Svetlana and Julie. Vashti handed Julie a box with another ice cream cake in it. "If you would, please, take this to the freezer. We hope that Cinnamoo, cinnamon ice cream, is acceptable?" "Thank you, Vashti," Julie said. "I gather the day was badly?" The haunted and lost look that their indulgent supper and carefree, if forced, conversation had somewhat driven away returned with a vengeance to Tattie's face, as the whole family trooped into the kitchen. "They're both goddamned prisons, Julie. I wanted to slash my wrists at the Armitage House ... they've done their best with paint and wall decals, but it's still a maximum security prison for poor souls too fucked up to be allowed to run free." "If she is saying what I think she is, Miss Julie, she is correct. It was horrible ... there were screams..." Vashti said. "Even listening to more of my friends die ... would be easier than those screams." He straightened his shoulders, smiled at Tattie and said, "It was ... bat ... it was ... horribly ... no horribly ... horrible. It was ... hell." "Very good, Vashti," Julie replied. "That was very well doing." "I can't see putting Yuri there ... they're tryin' their best, Julie, but they're ... they're a place where ... no ... not there." Tattie dried her eyes, surprised to find she'd been crying again. "The other place, Rays of Sunshine ... not so bad. I think its name is still deceivin' as hell, but at least I could be there, wander around the area where they'd put Yuri and ... not want to freakin' kill myself. Plus their security, to protect the patients and to control the patients, was better. I saw ... someone I know ... you'd know who she was if you saw her ... she was leaving as we pulled up. If she's got someone there, it says a lot for the place." "Well, what did Dr. Niven have to say about them?" Julie asked. "Dr. Niven is a fuckin' prick!" snarled Tattie. "Unfortunately ... he's also very smart and very good at what he does ... and he was right. After we'd seen both places, he told me flat out that for Yuri's security, and the security of anyone around him, he'd have him put in Armitage House. And then he'd slit Yuri's throat the night before the transfer because it would be fuckin' kinder. "But he said that Rays of Sunshine would almost certainly be as safe for Yuri, and everyone else, as Armitage House, and that if he wasn't going to practice euthanasia, his next choice would be to put Yuri at Rays of Sunshine. Vashti and I agreed. He'll be transferred tomorrow." Tattie sat down at the kitchen table and put her head in her hands. "So tomorrow I put a poor little boy into prison." First Vashti, then Julie and finally Svetlana moved next to her and put their arms around Tattie and together they mourned one of the broken people in the world who seemingly couldn't be fixed. ------- When Carol, Kelly and Harry finally showed, Chatsiree met them at the entrance to the restaurant, smiling and looking flushed. "Hmmm, wonder what's got our little beauty so hot and bothered?" Kelly mused as they followed her back through the restaurant, carrying the bags they'd brought in. "With the rest of the family here already, you really need to wonder?" Carol replied. They walked in to Margo in the center of the other four women. Jackie reclined between her legs as Margo stroked her hair, Nicki sat to her side, snuggled in close, Lisa was still massaging her neck, although she'd started using her hands and Sheila knelt beside her, eyes downcast. "It's good to see you," Margo said, her speech ever so slightly slurred. "We were beginning to get a little worried." "Oh, physical therapy got delayed because I had to deal with the police and file a report," Harry said, "and they talked to the Larsen's, who saw the whole thing. I think Seymour was about ready to come over and kick the shit out of Paul while he was lying there." "So let me guess," Margo said, her voice a low and somewhat dangerous sounding purr, "Billy's not here because Helen showed up?" "Yes, my love, you'd be correct ... in a way," Harry replied, sensing her anger. "He was preparing to come with and I told him to stay home with his sweetheart. I didn't see the need to ask your permission, I didn't even see the need to ask Carol's permission. Do you have a problem with that?" Margo looked at her husband while anger and love warred across her face ... finally, it was clear that love, and reason, won out. "No ... no my husband, I don't. You were perfectly within your rights, I'm sorry for my inappropriate anger. I'm just ... emotionally volatile ... at the moment. "But enough of that for now ... ladies, and gentleman, underwear on the corner of my chair, grab a bottle, it's an insult to fine wine but a damn good way to get it drank." She looked at Kelly, catching her eye and then glanced at Chatsiree. As Kelly mouthed "Got it covered", Margo watched Carol help their husband with getting out of his underwear. He'd only put on sweats after his post-physical-therapy shower, but getting them off over the brace, then the underwear off over the brace was proving to be a hazardous proposition. Finally she sat him down and with much laughter from everyone, got his underwear removed and the sweats back on. Meanwhile, Kelly went and stood right in front of Chatsiree, who was grinning nervously. Kelly locked eyes with her and proceeded to slowly, sensuously pull her shirt over her head and remove her own bra. "Chatsiree, honey," Kelly breathed, watching the woman's eyes dart down to watch Kelly's disrobing, "you're going to be our server tonight ... correct?" "Y-yes, ma'am." "Oh honey," Kelly replied, "no need to be so formal ... call me Kelly ... by the end of the night you and I are going to be very close. Nevertheless, if you're going to be our server tonight, we can't have you breaking the rules, now can we?" "What rules, ma'am ... I mean, Kelly?" "Well, Big Mama has decreed no panties, no bras ... I'm willing to bet you a tongue bath that you're still wearing both." "A tongue bath?" "Yes, that you're still wearing both." Kelly had slipped her shirt back over her head and begun to shrug out of her tight fitting jeans. "Now, unless you're going to go screaming for your auntie, there's three ways we can handle this. "You can go into that nice little restroom right there, private, just for Vimanmek room customers only, and take them off and bring them out." Kelly slipped her turquoise tanga panties down her legs. "Or you can get rid of them like the rest of us, out here in front of everyone." She pulled her jeans back up, wiggling her butt as she snugged them back on before buttoning them again. "Or," Kelly said, bringing her mouth to Chatsiree's ear, her voice dropping into the breathy purr her spouses knew so well, "we can just throw you on that table and take everything off ... and none of it will be your fault ... and we probably won't put much back on you ... and you'll be passing our dinner orders on in ... whatever ... we decide to dress you in." Kelly leaned back and looked at her, an honest but very sexy smile on her face. "So Chatsiree, what's it going to be?" Without waiting for an answer she turned and flipped her bra and panties through the air to Harry, who caught them both and after an appreciative sniff of the panties, hung them on the corner of Margo's chair. It was evident to all in the room that Chatsiree had found some small measure of courage. "How about a compromise?" the lovely Thai girl asked. She carefully hiked up her brilliant orange silk skirt, to about mid-thigh, and reached up underneath with both hands, pulled down a pair of simple, black cotton panties, which she carefully worked over both her sandals and handed to Kelly. "Now I will go into the restroom to remove the bra," she said, smiling sweetly. Kelly brought a blush to Chatsiree's complexion as Kelly turned to Harry, smiled and crushed the recently discarded panties to her face. "Mmmm, sweet," Kelly moaned. "Thanks for the inspiration, my love." Chatsiree scurried to the bathroom, her face glowing in shame and seeming to raise the ambient light level of the room considerably. As Kelly sashayed to the table Harry reached out, grabbed her and drug her into his lap. "You are so bad, Kelly Culberson-Grimes," he said, nuzzling her neck. She pulled up her shirt and brought a breast to his mouth. "You, beloved husband, gave me the idea ... and just remember just how bad I am later tonight when you're ears deep in our server." "I will strive to remember your badness at that moment," Harry said, drawing back from her nipple, "but I'm afraid if I work too hard remembering how right you are, again, I might not be paying proper attention to my task at hand ... or at mouth, as the case may be." "Like you're paying insufficient attention to the nipple at mouth right now?" Kelly asked. "Indeed," Harry replied, locking his lips on her breast once more. "Now where's this gift Sheila wanted to give us?" Margo asked, putting down her wine bottle. "Well, are we going to eat supper or merely snack on appetizers the whole evening? I'm not sure if her surprise is a pre-dinner, post-dinner or during-dinner event," Nicki replied. "Chatsiree!" Margo called. "Yes madam," the young woman answered as she hurried out of the bathroom, wrapping her outer top back around her and carrying a strapless grey cotton bra, which she added to the pile hooked on Margo's chair. "We're going to pull that other table over, I'm thinking some extra tablecloths, as many as you can manage, and go tell the kitchen that we're ready for supper," Margo said. "I took the liberty of ordering for us ... I don't think it'll be a problem as you'll see here in a few minutes." When Chatsiree returned, pushing the first of the warming tray tables, full with a wide variety of the restaurant's offerings, she found the room awash in sexuality. Kelly and Harry seemed to be moments away from stripping down and going at it on the chair, Margo was being kissed to another orgasm by Jackie. Nicki and Carol made out with each other, their pants pulled down while Lisa and Sheila licked their cunts. To Chatsiree it looked terribly uncomfortable, at least for those on the floor, so she took the initiative and began having them rise up while she put some of the extra tablecloths beneath them. When she finished with that gratefully acknowledged task, she went to go retrieve the other warming tray table. Returning with the table, she saw that some of the players had changed position. Harry and Margo were sitting in the same chair. He was facing the back of their chair and Margo was sitting on his lap, skirt spread out to cover both their thighs. It didn't take Chatsiree more than a second to realize they were making love. Kelly's head was buried between Jackie's thighs, the older woman holding on to Kelly's head and hunching her butt back and forth on the chair. Nothing had changed for any of the others ... well, with the exception of the supremely satisfied look on Carol's face. Upon noticing her return, Margo turned her head around. "Eat ... but eat lightly ... we have all evening ... and I think some strenuous exercise yet to come ... the food will be here, and hot, as long as we need it to be." As the rest of the women got up, rearranging clothes and regaining their composure, Kelly popped off with "So, Big Mama, you gonna join us?" before seeing Nicki shaking her head and putting a finger to her lips. "Kelly ... darling ... I love you ... shut up ... fuck off ... leave Mama and Daddy alone for a bit..." Kelly was shocked to hear the tears in Margo's voice. She responded with a quiet "Yes Mama." And Margo went back to making love with her husband, and explaining to him exactly why she was so angry, and so terribly, terribly scared. ------- When she was finished, wound down, several orgasms later, Harry dared to speak again. "My love ... I understand, at least, as much as I'm capable of understanding. And I sympathize with what you're feeling. I sometimes have similar nightmares of what could happen to all of you when you're out of my sight ... of course, I thankfully don't have the real-life experience you do. I don't think I'm strong enough to trade places with you that night, if such a thing were possible. I don't think I'd have had the faith to keep going, keep trying, the way you did. I'm pretty sure Carol and Kelly feel the same. When any of us intimates that you're the strongest of us, that's part of our proof. And I appreciate that with all your heart, you wish I wouldn't do things like this afternoon." "Harry, I would never ask you to stop-" "Shh, wife, I'm talking now," he said with a smile, but a tone of voice that brooked no argument. "I understand that you know that to do that would be to change who I am, to change the man you love. "I and your wives will take this frustration, this pain of yours, this anger. That's what we signed on to do. And have no doubt; we're all okay with that. But you've been spreading it around, it seems to me, a little indiscriminately. House Chorale's pets and subs didn't sign on for that." She was nodding her head, tears running down her cheeks. "This is something we will work through. We will work through it together. But please, control your anger, all your other negative emotions, until one of us is available to take it." "I'm ... I'm sorry," she sobbed. "I'll apologize to them ... I will ... but first ... could you just hold me awhile ... and keep telling me that you're not dead." "Whatever it takes, my love, whatever it takes." ------- While Harry and Margo were making love and talking softly to each other, the rest of the family sat down and had a light supper of superb Thai food, eating and talking as though it were any other night, in any other restaurant ... with one small exception. Seated on Kelly's right was Chatsiree, arms tied behind her, being hand-fed, and sometimes mouth-fed, by Kelly. "Ma'am ... Kelly ... I can feed myself ... I shouldn't even be eating with you-" She was silent for a moment as Kelly forced a mouthful of Black Krachai down her throat. "-much less drinking with you ... I'm your server-" "And this, little server," Kelly said, putting a finger to Chatsiree's lips, "is how you're to serve us at present." She leaned over and whispered in the young Thai woman's ear. "If you raise too much more of a fuss, you'll be eating off of a plate on the floor ... while I hike up that beautiful skirt and fuck you like an animal ... and if you get messy while I do so? You'll be cleaning it off the floor with your tongue. Now be quiet or Mama Kelly will spank ... among other things." It was the fire between Chatsiree's thighs as well as her fear that made her answer, "Yes, Mama Kelly." ------- Owen Jeffries' mood had not improved. All day he had remembered the shame and humiliation of his little brother, Cliff. Owen remembered with disgust his brother's tearful pleading with their father to leave it alone and quit trying to figure out the identities of his assailants, as he swore he remembered nothing. It had only been years later, after their father's death, that Cliff had told Owen who was responsible. Owen hadn't believed it at first ... he'd known both of them, though they were two years behind him in school, and while he might've believed Eddie Janak capable of sporadic bursts of violence, he couldn't accept that Eddie was capable of fighting with any technique or cunning. And the thought of Harry Grimes, a stoned wimp, beating his brother was ludicrous. But Cliff had maintained his assertion that the two of them had been the ones, and as Owen turned the story over and over in his head, he began to remember details that supported his brother's tale. And as he came to believe his brother's story fully, it only strengthened his opinion that Cliff should have the good grace to die. He was obviously too weak and too stupid to live. So, they had been stoners then, they were probably still stoners. And that gave him a weapon. But it had been one frustration after another for Karggark as he'd contacted every crooked cop he knew ... he and his associates knew plenty ... and all of them told him the same thing. Eddie Janak was untouchable. His friends were untouchable. The best explanation he was able to get was from a long-time friend who told him that cops on the Philouma family payroll had made it crystal clear that Janak and his friends were to be afforded every kindness, courtesy and consideration the department could offer. This in itself wasn't unusual ... for political reasons, on both sides of legality, there were people with powerful guardian angels. The Philouma family's list was long, but the Mayor's list was much longer. As he was buried balls deep in a Guatemalan illegal immigrant's ass, the frown left Karggark's face ... while he couldn't use the police, his preferred first option, Karggark still had recourse outside the legal system. He knew people who would do anything for a dollar. He just had to hope that they didn't get caught, as he had no doubt about their ability to keep their mouths shut ... they wouldn't. Oh well, he'd just have to make sure he hired more than enough to do the job. ------- After Harry and Margo rejoined their family and pets, they had a bit to eat and talked with the others and again, with the exception of the bound Chatsiree, it could have been a normal evening at the Grimes home, with talk of work and schedules, the everyday minutiae of life. But like an elephant in the room, there was the bound Chatsiree, and as Margo and Harry finished eating, Jackie and Lisa got up and started clearing off the table. "Ma'am ... Kelly ... please untie me ... I should be doing that," Chatsiree pleaded. "Shhh, little girl," Kelly replied. "They're our usual servers and I promise you, they'll do a good job. Now then," she said, turning to the group, "who's up for dessert? We have a lovely traditional Thai dish right here and trust me," Kelly ran her face from Chatsiree's lap all the way to the girl's neck, "she smells good enough to eat." "Actually, beloved sister-in-law," Nicki said, "I brought a dessert tonight, an American dish, and if you give me, oh, ten minutes, I'll have it out here." "Alright, I suppose the Thai dessert will keep for a little while," Kelly replied, smiling. "But are you sure you brought enough for all of us?" "Well, if I didn't, we could certainly have Thai and American together, couldn't we?" Nicki asked, leering at Chatsiree. "A dessert buffet could be an option," Kelly answered. "Let's play it by ear ... but first, go get your dessert ready." As Nicki and Sheila headed for the restroom, along with the bag Sheila had brought with her, Kelly leaned over close to Chatsiree and whispered, "Darling, you've been an incredibly good sport about all this, and even though you don't show any signs of wanting to back out, I've got to ask ... are you sure you want to continue? Later on it's really going to be hard for you to back out with any measure of grace." "Are you kidding, Mama Kelly?" Chatsiree replied. "I was disappointed as hell that your last visit was so tame. I'm having the time of my life! Although, to be fair, if you don't spend some time sitting on the Thai dessert's face, I'm going to be very grumpy." The girl licked Kelly's neck. "And if Mr. Grimes doesn't spend some quality time pounding my kitty-" "Your kitty?" Kelly interjected, both amused and surprised. "You've never heard it purr," Chatsiree replied, doing a fair purr herself. "But as I was saying, if there's not some major kitty pounding in my near future, then I'm going to be very, very sad." "Would someone with a strap-on be able to fill in for Mr. Grimes, should he be occupied elsewhere?" "That would be ... acceptable, but not optimal," Chatsiree responded, diplomatically. "I enjoy pretty much every sexual exercise two, or more, women can perform ... but when I get ... fucked ... I desperately want something real, and undeniably male, between my legs." Kelly kissed the young woman's neck and moved her lips up to Chatsiree's ear. "Oh baby, I'm sure Mr. Grimes ... I'm sure Harry will be more than pleased to accommodate you." ------- "Helen, fairest of all who've ever bore your name ... why are you here?" Billy asked, lying on his bed next to Helen McReady. She looked at her new-found lover and smiled a shy smile, full of nervousness that few of her acquaintances would've believed possible. "I ... like you. I enjoy your company. I like the way you make me feel." His large rough hand caressed the brightly decorated side of his lover. "Do I make you feel like a Goddess come to Earth?" "Exactly ... that's it exactly, Billy. No one in my life has ever ... well, I've never felt worshipped before. I've been loved, don't get me wrong ... I've even been cherished," she smiled more openly, "although to be fair, never as much as I'd have liked. But even among men who said they found me beautiful ... I've always felt more like 'good old dependable Helen' ... I mean, I know I'm, well, sorta pretty, and I'm not overweight ... I'm just built on a big ol' farm tractor chassis, like Ms. Karen, and I've always felt a bit like a plow horse." She ducked her head and refused to meet his eyes. "You ... you make me feel like I'm delicate and fine, not like 'okay fine' but like I'm the product of some great artist or craftsman ... like I'm someone worthy of cherishing and worshipping." He raised her head so that their eyes met. "You are ... do not ever doubt it for even a second." She blushed and turned her head away again. "That and ... well when you and I first came in here, it was you who made the first moves, all down the line. When you look like I do ... people ... people seem to expect me to take charge. They hear me at work, they watch me ordering my clients around, and they assume that's the way I am, and ... I'm not ... not in the bedroom, anyway." "So it isn't my imagination ... you do have a submissive streak in you," Billy murmured. "I guess ... I guess I do," she replied, still refusing to meet his eyes. "I'm tired of being the one in charge, the one who initiates things, the strong and sturdy one ... I really want to be taken. You're beautiful, and you're willing to take me." "Well then, that question's answered," Billy said. "Now look at me." Her head jerked up and she looked into his face, hope in her eyes. "Helen, one more question ... from my own insecurities. Lovely lady, how do you look at ... all this," he asked, motioning to his body, his scars, his stumps, his voice breaking and tears in his eyes, "and find anything beautiful?" "You silly, silly, stupid man," she replied, grabbing him and hugging him tightly. "I work with people who are physically challenged, scarred, battered ... and they're some of the most beautiful people I've ever known. It isn't hard for me to find you beautiful ... it's only hard for me to understand why you don't." The two lovers lay in each other's arms and cried together. ------- When Nicki came back from the restroom she was leading a vision ... a vision that used to be Sheila Scott. Blond hair in pigtails, freshly scrubbed face, no jewelry, jade green skort, a skirt-like pair of shorts, and a sash of the same color over a white polo shirt. The sash was covered with identification strips and tags, her troop number '969', awards and merit badges. Jade green knee-high socks and a pair of penny loafers finished the outfit. "This is little Sheila," Nicki said, "She'd gotten lost and was wandering the neighborhood, looking for someone to help her." Nicki stroked the girl's face, chuckling at her fear, her downcast gaze, and her trembling lips. "So, I took her home. I've kept her very safe, in case her mommy and daddy came looking for her ... I took off her clothes so they'd stay neat and tidy, made sure she was comfortable in my bedroom ... tied to my bed so she didn't wander off and get hurt, or get lost again." She kissed the poor, scared Girl Scout on the neck. "I've been using her to warm my bed at night, but nothing ... funny ... has gone on. I wanted to bring you all a present that was ... unopened." "My, my, my," Carol purred as she got up and walked around the little girl, eyeing her up and down. "Kelly darling, come and look at what we got here ... just all kinds of tasty. So, which of us gets to open the package?" The young girl's fear overcame her and she looked from one end of the table to the other, hunting for a friendly, non-threatening face. Deciding that Harry and Margo were her best bet she broke free of Nicki's grip and ran to them. "Please ... you've got to protect me, please mister, please ma'am ... I don't know what that woman, that Nicki wants with me..." she wailed, falling to her knees. "I just wanna go home to my Mommy and Daddy!" Margo pulled the scared young girl up into her lap and stroked her hair. "But honey," she said, "Nicki's been keeping you safe so they could find you ... and it doesn't sound like anybody's come looking." "She's lying, ma'am ... I heard my parents out in her hall, but she put her mouth over mine, held me to her tight, and wouldn't let me call out to them. And then when they knocked on the door..." the girl's eyes filled with tears, "when they knocked on the door ... she stuffed a pair of her old panties in my mouth ... and my hands were tied ... I couldn't get 'em out ... and she lied to my folks, told 'em she'd never seen me." "Well sweetie, how long ago was that?" Harry asked, stroking little Sheila's back. "About..." Sheila sniffed, "about a week ago." "Well, have they come back looking for you again?" Margo asked, kindly. "N-n-no..." the little Girl Scout replied. "Then they've given up, sweetie ... and you've got no idea how to get home at all? No idea where you lived?" "Of course I know where I live! I live on the south side of town, on Granada Street! 1321 Granada Street." "Hmmm ... I think it's funny that she can't remember where she lives, don't you, honey?" Margo asked Harry. "Here sweetheart, have a drink of this." She held up a wine bottle to the girl's lips. Sheila drank deeply, made a funny face at the taste and said, "But I just told you where I live! Why won't you listen to me?" "Sweetheart," Harry said, "I think you better get used to the fact that you live at 8127 Trousdale, Apartment #3." "But I don't live there; I live on Granada Street with my Mommy and Daddy!" Margo stood the girl up, holding her tightly by the arms. "You live on Trousdale Street with your beautiful Auntie Nicki ... if you can't remember that," her voice dropped down into an angry growl, "then I'll have to punish you till you do remember it. Do you understand me, young lady?" "Y-yes ma'am." "Good ... now then, Auntie Carol and Auntie Kelly are going to help ... modify ... your uniform. Make you even prettier in it. Alright, young lady?" "Yes ma'am." Margo reached down into one of the bags her spouses had brought from the house and pulled out a long, wicked-looking paddle. "And little Sheila ... any more fuss from you, and I'm going to use this on your tender little bottom, do you understand?" Sheila's eyes were wide as she stammered, "Y-yes m-ma'am." "Alright ... Daddy Harry and I will be watching while you're made all pretty." "Yes ma'am." Sheila shuffled back to where Carol and Kelly waited for her in the middle of the floor, all hope of escape and normalcy ripped from her. Harry whispered very softly to his wife, "Do you think Nicki mentioned this fantasy to Sheila?" "Undoubtedly," Margo replied, her voice even softer than her husband's. "I'd worry about us if I hadn't already come to terms with fantasy and reality. I owe you for that, Harry Grimes ... for teaching me the harmlessness of fantasy. Thank you, my love." "You are more than welcome, beloved one. Oh, and I've decided how I want to see that wonderful new corset of yours ... I'm thinking it's time for you and us to play 'Perverted Teacher and her Precocious Students'." "Mmm, sounds like fun, my love ... but one fantasy at a time." "Certainly," Harry agreed and they returned their attention to the plight of poor little Sheila. ------- "Now I've got a question for you, Billy." "Alright, Most Radiant One, ask away." "It would be easier if you weren't molesting my navel with your tongue." "Ah, so it would. My apologies." "Billy, where do you see you and I going?" "You mean, do we have a chance at a happy relationship? Do we have a shot at a future together?" "Yeah, that's it exactly." He took her hands in his. "Why not? I'm an out-of-work ... whore ... pet ... gigolo ... who didn't have much of a future until an old friend came back into my life. I'm feeling pretty optimistic these days." "And I'm a soon-to-be-out-of-work physical therapist who's wanted a knight in shining armor to sweep her off her feet and..." "And what, my love?" "Am I? Am I your love?" "I think I can safely say that I love you. Are you mine?" She released the breath she didn't know she'd been holding and snuggled up close to him. "If you want me to be, I'm yours." "Then you're mine." Helen turned, grabbed Billy and held him up above her, smiling at him with tears in her eyes. "And strong, too ... have I mentioned how strong you are? My dear Helen, you've literally swept me off my ... well, side ... but feet would sound better ... it would also be woefully inaccurate. I have it; you've swept me off my stumps!" As she lowered him back down, to rest atop her, the two of them laughed for a bit before she continued. "I've waited for someone to sweep me off my feet and take charge in our relationship ... take charge of me." "Mmm, tasty little submissive." "You rat!" she cried as he nibbled on her shoulder. "Stop that! I'm serious!" "So am I, my love, and I don't think I will stop just this minute. Now be quiet and let me molest you." "Yes Billy," she sighed, happily. ------- "You know, it's a lovely sash-" Carol said. "Lots of character, lots of tradition," Kelly added. "But it serves better..." Carol slid the sash off the girl's shoulder and used it to tie her wrists together behind her, "as a restraint rather than a fashion accessory, don't you think?" "Definitely, Auntie Carol, definitely," Kelly chuckled. In a flash, Carol's straight razor was out and open. "Now then, this shirt ... nice, basic, simple ... hard to improve on something so uncomplicated..." she began to shorten the shirt, slicing it so that it hung just below where the girl's nipples should be, "but shortening ... shortening it can only help show off this beautiful little girl's skin." "I agree," Kelly said. She frowned as Carol finished cutting the shirt. "But that bra ... that hideous training bra ... it has to go." "I couldn't agree more," Carol said and with a quick, but careful, slice, the bra was gone and little Sheila's breasts were free. "Much better," Kelly observed. She leaned in and gave one of Sheila's nipples a lick. "Mmm, tastes like sunshine." Tears of humiliation and fear were running down Sheila's face as she was exposed to the group of evil perverts she'd been captured by. "P-p-please..." "Oh, you are going to please," Kelly replied. She squatted down to sniff at the front of Sheila's skort. "And be pleased as well, unless you just hate feeling all tingly good down here." Kelly frowned at the skort. "And speaking of 'down here' ... Auntie Carol?" "Yes Auntie Kelly?" "This ... this is just godawful." A few quick slices, some careful trimming, and the shorts/skirt combination had become a ragged little fringe that exposed legs, all the way up to plain white cotton panties. "Panties," Kelly said. "Against the rules." "Don't want Mama Margo getting upset, do we, Sheila?" Carol asked, slicing the panties off. "N-no ma'am." "Good girl, good girl. We like good girls, don't we, Auntie Kelly?" "Oh, yes," Kelly replied, running the tip of her tongue along Sheila's smooth, bare, slightly swollen cunt lips, "we like them a lot ... especially when they taste like desire and fear." "Give me your shoes, Sheila," Carol said, grinning as her evil sister sniffed around the little girl's crotch. "Auntie Kelly, back off for a moment and help the poor dear with her socks ... then use them to tie her ankles together, good and tight," Carol growled. Jackie and Lisa had begun to clear off the table, leaving the wine bottles close at hand, at least the ones that weren't already empty, and pile some of the spare tablecloths up into sort of a pallet. "See," Kelly said, caressing Sheila's quivering ass, "your older sisters have already started getting things ready for you, so you'll be comfortable." "What ... what are you going to do to me ... why are you putting me on the table?" Sheila asked. Carol took her arms; Kelly took her legs and swung her up onto the table on her back. "Because getting to you if you're lying on the floor is much more bother," Carol replied. "G-g-getting to me?" the scared young girl wailed. With Margo at the far end of the table, Kelly and Carol on one long side, Jackie, Nicki and Lisa on the other long side, they began to nibble, lick and kiss their restrained victim as she writhed on the table, unable to find escape in any direction. Chatsiree was confused. She knew that Sheila was not some little lost girl; she knew that the whole group was merely role-playing for the sheer kink of it, she was no stranger to role-playing in the bedroom herself, but this ... this was beyond anything she'd ever done or seen. Her new friends seemed to have sunk into their roles so completely that it made her uncomfortable, and the fear that the desires they were playing out were reflections of their true feelings repulsed her. She looked around and saw Harry sitting back, watching the proceedings with a satisfied smile. "Sir?" she said softly as she scooted over to him. "Yes, Chatsiree?" he replied, the volume of his voice matching hers. "This makes me ... uncomfortable, sir." "Call me Harry, honey. Why? What's making you uncomfortable?" "Well ... I'm starting to wonder ... do all of you really fantasize about ... well, molesting small girls?" She was startled by Harry's laughter. He slid over to the bench seat she was on and took her in his arms. "Chatsiree ... anyone in this room, including you, I'm willing to bet, would gleefully cut off a pedophile's nuts, fry them and feed them to him ... or some other part, if the molester was female. All of us prefer our women older, more mature ... although Sheila does make a quite fetching... "How old are you, little Sheila?" he called out. "T-t-twelve!" she cried. "Twelve-year-old," he continued. "For us, it's playing like kids in a very adult fashion. Didn't you play pretend games when you were a kid?" "Yes..." "Fine, what did you pretend to be?" "Well, when I played with the other girls, we were dancers and princesses and rock and roll stars ... when I played with my brothers, I was a soldier or a cowboy ... we went through a very big cowboy phase." "Fine ... how many of those things did you really, really want to be?" "Well, I wanted to be a dancer, but I wanted to be a traditional Thai dancer, not a ballerina like the other girls ... being a Princess was fun, but not something I wanted to be ... I still wouldn't mind being a singer ... and forget being a cowgirl or soldier!" "Exactly ... reality is one thing, playacting is another. We're all playing evil, kidnapping, brainwashing pedophiles, and since we know it's just a fantasy, and the object, or objects of our lust ... you should hear Carol play a child, keep your eyes closed as she's far too well-developed ... are of age, we give ourselves permission to play along. "Now then, are you going to play along as a willing participant, or as a virtuous young woman who refuses to fall prey to the evil and vile lusts of her captors?" Raising her voice, Chatsiree said, "Get your hands off me, you evil bastard, I'm going to get loose and when I do, I'm going straight to the police!" "Oh, I don't think so, bitch. I think by the time we're through with you you're going to be in so deep and be so guilty yourself, you won't say a goddamn word to anyone," Harry replied as he got to his feet, dragging her up as well. Pulling her over to the table he picked up little Sheila's legs and hung them over Chatsiree's neck, held up by the socks tied around the ankles. He jammed Chatsiree's head down into the very swollen and visibly wet slit of the young girl while flipping the Thai woman's silk skirt up and out of the way. "Lick her, or I swear you'll get rougher treatment than this little cookie-selling slut!" he growled. Chatsiree fought back, struggling to hold her head up but in the end, found that Harry was too strong for her. She was buried nose-deep in the oh-so-delicious cunt before her, and she wasn't strong enough to pretend she didn't find it exciting. Then her fear kicked in. She could continue to fight and who knew how these perverts would treat her. Harry had promised rough treatment and from what she'd seen in the bags they'd brought, that treatment could get exceedingly rough. In the end, Chatsiree lost the fight with her own desire and fear. Her horror at what she was doing was helped by the obvious excitement of the twelve-year-old beneath her. Like Chatsiree herself, Sheila could say she was horrified and repulsed and unwilling ... but her cunt told a different story ... a story that was impossible to repudiate. Slowly at first, Chatsiree began to lick and kiss all along the girl's slit, running her tongue from Sheila's tight little sphincter to her tiny clit, realizing as she licked, back and forth, that she was, deep inside, just as perverted and sick as her captors. She couldn't deny the lust in her heart, and her open and eager gash was pressed tightly against Harry's crotch, wetting his pants more with every thrust she made against him, his hard-on tight against the fabric. The speed of her tongue, the pursing of her lips, increased and she felt Sheila's ass hunching beneath her as the young girl tried to bring even more of her cunt in contact with Chatsiree's face. From deep inside of Sheila came little groans and whimpers as the girl lost the fight against her own physiology and Sheila's mind raced to catch up with her body. "Daddy Harry," Kelly said, "I see you're tending to the education of the Thai selection on the dessert menu." "Yeah, and she's fighting it less and less all the time. Look at that tongue go! Hell, if I'm not careful she'll pop the little bitch's cherry before I do." "I think it's too late to worry about that," Kelly leered. "It's penetration, not tissue-tearing, that really determines virginity and that little slut's already being penetrated quite nicely by our Thai treat." "Shit, you're right ... well, that's fine, I was never all that big on virgins anyway. Give me an experienced and eager slut any day ... and by the way things appear to be going, little Sheila will fit that bill by the end of the night. I believe that Mama Margo, Carol and I owed you a certain tableau..." ------- "Next question, fairest of the fair," Billy said, reclining between Helen's thighs. "How are you going to deal with my obligations to this family?" "You mean ... your household staff duties?" Helen asked hopefully. "No, sweet one, you know what I mean ... my sexual duties ... how are you going to deal with my reality ... that I am, very thankfully, a pleasure slave to a group of very happy hedonists?" "I..." Helen sighed, "Do we have to discuss this now? I'm not really sure how I'm going to deal with it yet." "Yes, most delectable one," Billy replied, licking the inside of her thigh, in the middle of a tattooed inscription of Psalm 4 in Hebrew, "we have to discuss it now. In a few short hours they're going to return from supper and what sounded to be shaping up into a very hot little orgy, and when they're ready for bed, I will be going with them ... not only because I'm obligated to, but because I want to, and I am so very honored to. "For you, radiant Helen, submission is something for the bedroom and matters of love. For me it is what I am, and while I can take charge in the bedroom, and am most delighted to do so, given your need for me to do so, in the end, that 'taking charge' is still only me, serving another by giving them what makes them happy." "Well ... shit, Billy ... you already know how much I admire and respect this family. I gave Harry a damn blowjob, for Christ's sake! And was very okay with it ... damn near crawled up and gave him quite a bit more than a blowjob. I guess I'll be okay with this too ... I don't seem to have much of a choice. If I wasn't sure that I'd be unemployed soon, I'd try talking Carol, and then the rest of the family, into ... selling ... trading ... whatever, you to me ... and I'd take charge of your life out of the bedroom while you took charge of mine in the bedroom. I don't think they'd stand in the way of your happiness by making your ... sale ... too difficult ... and I won't stand in the way of your happiness by being jealous of the family that you care for and owe so much to. "As for the immediate ... well, with your permission, I guess I'll just sleep in here alone tonight. I'm as uncomfortable with women as Harry is with men." "Helen ... do you really, I mean seriously, subjugate your will in the bedroom, and in 'bedroom matters', to mine?" Helen McReady pulled Billy Calhoun up to face her, laying him atop her strong and fit body. "Yes, yes I do. God help us both, I do." "Fine, then our problems are almost solved." ------- Kelly smiled when her attention was called to the other table in the Vimanmek Palace room. There, Carol was paying off the oath she'd made to her Queen. Margo was on her back on the table, skirt pulled up over her waist, blouse ripped open with her hands on her breasts, fiercely caressing them, Carol was gloriously naked, face down in Margo's cunt, making love to her wife with her mouth, her face, Carol's hand wrapped around Margo's legs, holding on for dear life as their husband slid in and out of Carol's wet and obviously excited slit, hands gripping her soft, full ass, lost in the wealth of erotic sensation that Carol had to offer. Kelly removed her fingers from Chatsiree's lower orifices and hugging their server to her, clapped delightedly. "You have fulfilled your oath to me, Slut," she said. "I am satisfied." Chatsiree turned in Kelly's embrace, dropped to her knees and looked up and Kelly. "Completely satisfied, ma'am?" she asked seductively, "or is there still room for more?" Kelly's shirt and pants went in the corner and she imitated her wife, hands on her breasts, while Chatsiree buried her face between Kelly's dark, soft thighs. Meanwhile little Sheila had given herself to her captors, body and soul. She was fucking Jackie with her face while Lisa gave her young, hairless twat the same treatment. Auntie Nicki was kneeling over Lisa's body and treating Sheila to a sensation the young Girl Scout had never even imagined as Nicki reamed her ass with a tongue like a dancing lightning bolt. The room smelt of sex and spilled wine and Thai food and sweat, and one could feel old lust and new temptation, innocence and depravity everywhere. The air was filled with wet, loving sounds and moans, growls and even tender words ... and all of it, sounds and smells and sense alike were woven into an atmosphere, a haze so thick that no mere door could block its passage. Unbeknownst to the happy occupants, Phailin Sukwahari watched through a crack in that door and smiled. She had liked Mr. Grimes and Carol from the very beginning and saw in them, and eventually their friends, a chance to engage in the voyeurism she loved so well. While their last visit to the restaurant had been a disappointment, this one was giving Phailin fuel for a hundred orgasms to come, with a partner or without. She wet her lips and sighed as partners in the room changed, but the show went on. They were all of them so very, very beautiful, each in their own, precious way. ------- Andrea Winchester lay on her bed, in her room, in what she'd been assured was her new home, for as long as she needed or wanted it, holding herself, arms wrapped tightly around herself, cursing her own stupidity and wishing, wishing hard, that she'd never gone to the small businessperson's meeting where she'd met Paul. She had to go into the store the next day ... she'd called all of her employees and let them know what was happening, but it wasn't the same as seeing them, seeing her store ... hers ... something he had no legal right to and no legal ability to take away ... to touch her clichéd "first-dollar-she'd-ever-cleared" in its cheap-ass frame, hanging in the small salon at the back of the store. It was time for her to begin to plan how to work her way out of the abyss of debt Paul had put her in ... time to become whole again ... and alone. Alone ... except for friends ... new friends, and hopefully she could reconnect with some of her old friends as well. But it was dark outside, and she was alone in a strange room, boxes and bags of stuff against the walls ... and feeling very small and very scared. She got up and went to the bathroom in the short hall with her on one end, Galena at the other and got a drink of water. She could hear the faint murmur of Karen and Patricia, talking in their room behind a closed door. She saw a light in the kitchen and assumed Galena was there, as there was no light under the door to the young girl's room. She thought about going in and sitting down at the table, just to be near someone, but she couldn't ... something in that horrible day had made her skittish, afraid to be near others out of some ultimately silly fear that they would drag her to a closet, throw her in and only let her out to beat her. Her hand went up to the bandages, gauze and tape on her face, her every move sending a rippling wave of pain through some part of her body or another. Feeling old, although she was only twenty-eight, broken and defeated, she crept back into her room, turned off the bedside lamp and curled up in a ball on the bed, crying. Mere moments later there was a soft knocking at the door... "Andrea ... Andrea it's Galena ... let me in please. I hear you crying ... I've ... I've made tea." Flicking on the light and wiping her eyes and nose against the sleeve of her long t-shirt she made her way to the door and opened it. Galena stood there with a tray bearing a teapot, two cups, sugar, milk and spoons. The delightful odor rising from the pot was orange and spices and that smell, combined with the look of trepidation on Galena's face, made Andrea smile. "I hope I'm not disturbing you," Galena said, ducking her head apologetically, "but I thought you might like some tea ... and some company." "Thank you," Andrea said, feeling not quite so old, not quite so broken, not quite so defeated. "You made orange and spice tea ... it's my favorite." "I know ... I saw how much of it you had in that box over there when we were unloading your stuff earlier. I thought the smell of something familiar might help ... you know ... make you feel at home." Andrea stepped out of the girl's way and Galena set the tray on a stack of boxes, looked around and pulled up a folding chair that looked to be older than she was. Opening it she sat down, looked at Andrea still standing by the door and asked "Sugar? Milk?" Andrea came back from remembering the first time she and Paul had had tea together, looked around in confusion for a moment and then sort of staggered to the bed. "Uh ... moderately heavy sugar, no milk." She finished coming back from the past and looked at the bed, sat down on it and turned to Galena. "Who do you know who drinks hot tea with milk?" she asked. "My Grandmother Pessino ... she won't touch tea without it ... although she drinks her coffee without milk, and strong enough to grow hair on a rock." The young woman smiled and Andrea found herself joining her. "She also was the first person who ever gave me coffee. Mama always said I was too young and Papa just laughed at me for wanting to try it. But by the time I started school, anytime my folks weren't around, I knew I could go have coffee with my grandmother." "You miss your home, don't you?" Andrea asked, accepting her cup from Galena. "Yes ... and no, not at all. I love Patricia and Karen, I do, and more than anything I love a room of my own, space for my things ... the ability to masturbate whenever I want to..." Galena blushed, but not too deeply considering her past with Andrea. "But after all my life in a house packed with people, with family and all the happiness and heartache and hard feelings and headaches ... even with you here, this house seems big and empty to me. I guess I miss the connections with people, but not the inability to escape them. You understand?" "Yes ... yes I do." Andrea took a sip of her tea, smiled at Galena, put the tea down and rubbed her temples. "I miss Paul ... well," she continued, seeing the look of worry on Galena's face, "not Paul so much as another person. I've fallen out of the habit of being alone, sleeping alone ... I'm used to having someone in my space with me. And though I don't ever, ever want it to be Paul again, even in this one room, surrounded by all this," she motioned to the boxes and bags, "I feel like there's way too much space and way too little me." "Well then, that's settled," Galena said, draining her cup. "Finish your tea, let me take the tray and such back to the kitchen." "What's settled? What are you talking about?" "I'm sleeping in here with you ... although I suppose you could sleep in there with me," the young woman said, smiling brightly at Andrea, then stared off into space, thinking. "Perhaps one night in each room, then a night off ... after awhile of that, one night in one room, a night off, one night in the other room, a night off." She looked at Andrea again, "By then maybe we'll both be acclimatized to our new lives ... if not, every night together separated by two nights alone. It'll all work out somehow." She glared at Andrea. "I said, finish your tea ... then go tend to whatever pre-bed business you might have in the bathroom. You've got work and I've got school tomorrow." Andrea drained her tea, stood up and hugged the young woman. "I sometimes forget, you're not just a teenager, you're a Dominant-in-training." The look of uncertainty that had crept onto Galena's features faded away. "Yes I am, now move!" "Yes Mistress," Andrea laughed. ------- It was a tired, smelly and satiated crew that left the Vimanmek Palace room long after the Bangkok Inn had officially closed for the night. Clothes were on, but generally misaligned somehow and Chatsiree's server outfit looked like it had been used to restrain a wild animal ... which was, as far as Kelly and Harry were concerned, not altogether incorrect, as it had served to keep Chatsiree bound while both of them used her most thoroughly. Kelly snuggled up to Chatsiree in the parking lot as they prepared to leave. "You know, little serving girl, if we come and kidnap you some night, we won't take 'no' for an answer and we won't wait around for closing time." "I have five younger sisters," Chatsiree said, kissing Kelly's hair. "Anyone of them can cover for me and it shouldn't take more than fifteen, thirty minutes for one of them to get here." Kelly licked her face, tasting her own juices upon Chatsiree's skin, as well as Sheila's ... and Margo's ... and Carol's ... and forced her hand through the folds of the girl's skirt, roughly stroking Chatsiree's cunt, feeling her juices still moistening it. "You better tell them to get it down to twenty minutes, no matter what, little serving girl ... or else we'll have you punish them ... to our specifications ... in front of us." "Oh yes ma'am, Auntie Kelly," Chatsiree sighed. "The youngest is seventeen, so if you're not pleased with their response time, well, I'll hold them down and lash their pretty little bare asses while you lick them ... or fuck them ... or whatever." "Why do I get the feeling you might tell them to take their time getting here to relieve you?" "Oh no ma'am ... I'm a greedy slut. I don't intend to share the wealth unless I absolutely have to," Chatsiree purred, feeling Kelly's breast through her shirt. She watched as Lisa and Jackie got Margo into the back of her car. "Is she going to be alright?" "Big Mama? Oh, she'll be fine. Carol will work on eliminating her hang-over when we get home and between therapy and our love, she'll be just fine." Chatsiree looked with fond admiration at Kelly. "I don't doubt that at all ... thank all of you for an incredible evening. I really, really hope to see you again soon." As Kelly crawled into the driver's seat of Margo's BMW she replied, "I wouldn't worry about that, little serving girl, I wouldn't worry about that at all." ------- Tattie was in her nightgown, almost asleep, when she heard feet padding down the hall towards her room. She tried to wake up enough to call out and find out who it was, but she found she was just too tired, just too worn out, just too old to do more than lay there and drift along on the edge of sleep. Then the footfalls entered her room and she opened her eyes, surprised to see Svetlana coming towards the bed in her pajamas, followed by Vashti, just wearing his pajama bottoms. "Scoot over, Mama Tattie," Svetlana said as she prepared to crawl into bed next to the old woman. Still not fully awake, Tattie found herself moving over in the bed, only to meet Vashti getting in on the other side. "When their children are scared or hurting, mothers bring their children to bed with them, to sleep next to their mothers and be comforted," Svetlana said. "Isn't that right," she finished, somewhat unsure of her facts. "Yes ... are the two of you okay?" Tattie asked, suddenly worried. "We are as well as can be expected, silly Mother," Vashti chuckled. "It is you who are scared and hurting. You need us to comfort you ... and our beds are too small for the three of us. Now go to sleep, Mother. We will be with you all night." And Tattie's heavy heart was eased more than she would have believed by the two warm bodies she was sandwiched in-between. ------- As the two of them drifted off to sleep in their t-shirts and panties, curled up next to each other, Galena murmured, "I still would have loved to have seen your fucktard husband's face this afternoon." "Why ... what happened to my ... what did you call him? Fucktard? What happened to my fucktard husband this afternoon?" Andrea replied, closer to sleep than Galena. Galena came up with a start. "Oh my GOD, did nobody tell you?" Alarmed, Andrea came to full wakefulness and sat up as well. "What! What happened?" "Oh Andrea, you are so going to love it!" Galena burbled as she began to tell Andrea the tale of the afternoon's visit. ------- The BMW and Harry's Volvo drove carefully and very cautiously from the Bangkok Inn to the house, as both the drivers, while inarguably the most sober of the party, other than Sheila, who was driving Nicki home, were still near the limit, or perhaps a little bit over it. Upon reaching the house, Harry was gently herding Margo towards the door, carrying bags of accoutrements, when Lisa softly called out from the back of the party, "Sir, I think someone wants to talk to you." Harry turned around to see Andrea, white t-shirt fluttering like a ghost in the night breeze, marching across the street towards him from Karen and Patricia's. Tired, sleepy and smelling of sex he stood and waited, unsure what exactly was going on. Neither bandages nor darkness could hide Andrea's pixie-like cuteness as she walked right up to Harry, took his face in her hands and pulled it down to hers, planting her lips on his and unleashing a serpent of a tongue that slid into his mouth, a serpent that used a very old form of erotic language to tell him that Andrea was willing to fuck him anytime, anywhere. When Harry's mind finally caught up with events his eyes focused again and he watched Andrea's tight little ass shift up and down as she marched back across the street to Karen and Patricia's. "Well, that was certainly exciting ... got me all hot and bothered," Carol said, smiling. "Oh, big surprise there," Kelly cackled. "You get hot and bothered by shifts in barometric pressure." "Like you have room to talk, little black Corvette!" Carol exclaimed. "Why do you call her that?" Harry muttered, still somewhat dazed. "Because she can go zero-to-oh-My-GOD in nothing flat," Margo replied. "And if the women you rescue keep responding like that, we'll never get you to stop." As laughter erupted from the group they made their way up the steps and into the house. ------- "My, my, my ... looks..." Billy sniffed the air from where he stood on his new prosthetics by the front door, "and smells, like you had a wonderful evening." "We did," Margo said, smiling tiredly and more than a little drunkenly. "You were missed. Was your evening pleasant?" "Yes Madam it was and it also revealed to me a way to handle a ... difficulty ... that loomed on the horizon." "Very good," Carol chimed in, "Billy, do you think you can stand there and be a clothes basket while we get everyone undressed? Then haul the clothes to the laundry room?" "Mistress Carol, since I don't have to be on crutches anymore, I won't have a problem with that at all." "Good," she replied, beginning to undress Margo. "Damn, I really need to be in two places at once..." "What needs doing, Mistress?" Lisa asked, stripping out off her clothes. "Well ... but you have work tomorrow..." "Mistress, it's already been proven that we get more, and far better, sleep here than we ever did at Laney's," Jackie said, "don't worry about it, please. How can we be of service?" Carol answered, "Go start a bath for Master and get the shower ready for the rest of us-" "Damn it, do you know how tired I am of sitting in that bathtub!" Harry exploded. "Don't worry, sir," Billy said, "I know of something that might help." "AS I WAS SAYING," Carol continued, "go get that started and we'll run everyone in there, get 'em washed up and headed for bed. Thank you ladies, so much ... now go. Harry, you follow them." "I bought those fucking tubs so I could watch y'all get all wrinkly," Harry muttered as he followed the naked bodies of Jackie and Lisa towards the master bath. "Didn't spend all that gawddamn money so I could look like a prune." "Have you noticed that Harry sounds more than a little bit like Eddie when he gets grumpy?" Kelly asked. "Well, they used to finish each other's sentences regularly back in the day," Margo said, "So it doesn't really surprise me." "I bet they sounded like an old married couple," Kelly chuckled. "Girl, you have no idea," Margo laughed, "and Karen too, used to give all of us the giggles something fierce." ------- "Now that you've gone and made a public spectacle of yourself ... although a delightful public spectacle to be sure ... get your butt in that bed!" Galena snapped. Andrea gave the young woman a smile and a quick hug and jumped into bed, curling up on her side facing away from Galena. "Spoon with me?" she asked, her tone betraying a hint of nervousness. "I was planning to," Galena said, crawling in behind her and snuggling up to her back. She threw her arm over the woman and squeezed her gently. "Good night Andrea ... I hope you sleep well tonight." "I will," Andrea answered. "I think we both will." ------- "You did very well tonight, little Sheila," Nicki said, washing the last of the soap off of her captive's body. "Everybody is very happy with our newest little family member." "So ... so I'm never going home ... I mean, back to my old Mommy and Daddy?" Sheila asked fearfully. "Not if we can help it, honey," Nicki replied, shutting off the water and reaching for a towel. "Of course, you'll have to be kept inside a lot ... wouldn't want people seeing you and asking too many questions?" "Will you play a lot of games with me like ... well, like we were playing tonight?" Sheila asked, hope plain in her voice. "Oh yes, sweetheart, LOTS of games like we played tonight," Nicki answered as she dried the little girl off "Good, then it's okay if I don't go out much," Sheila said. "Now, can you tie me to the bed, Auntie Nicki? I'm awful sleepy." "Certainly, my little cookie-slut, certainly." ------- "Mother-fuckin', gawddamn bath tub, almost never where the women are, it's not fuckin' fair," Harry muttered as he sat in the tub, a frown scrunching his features up. "Everybody else can fuckin' dance in and out of the shower, quick as you please, or sit there and get all soapy and rub themselves on each other, but no, I get the damn tub ... alone most of the time." "Now, now, Master," Billy said, walking into the bathroom. "It's not as bad as all that." Harry came out of his mostly fake sulk and smiled at Billy. "You are moving around so much better on those." "Yes sir, isn't it amazing what good equipment that hasn't had the shit beaten out of it can do? Now then," Billy continued, "I'm going to be handling most of your bath, but as I know you'd be a bit uncomfortable with me handling certain parts of it, may I present my lovely assistant, Helen." Helen McReady took a deep breath and came around the corner from the bedroom and climbed into the bath with Harry. "Helen will be bathing your naughty parts, Master, probably your legs as well. And as for tonight, which you and I both viewed with some trepidation-" "You, too?" Harry interrupted. "Yes sir, although not for the same reasons," Billy replied, using the small hose and shower head to wet down Harry's hair. "There's nothing of a sexual nature that the two of us could do together that would give me one second's pause." He smiled at Harry. "But you and I aren't wired the same way where that's concerned, and I understand that. I was viewing this evening with some worry because while I and the lovely ladies may just sleep, or I may be called upon for service, you would not be comfortable with me serving you in the same way." Billy gently massaged the shampoo into his Master's hair as he continued. "So, in matters both social, such as snuggling and cuddling, and sexual, let me gift you with this woman," he gestured to Helen, "to serve as my surrogate. I hope that you find her acceptable." Harry's eyebrows shot up. "Are you truly his to offer this way?" he asked. "Yes sir ... in this way I am." Helen smiled and patted his braced leg. "However, in matters not sexual I am still your evil drill sergeant of a physical therapist ... ready, willing and able to kick your ass up around your ears." She blushed, "And this works out in another way ... sir ... I'm not ... comfortable ... with women ... in a sexual sense. Somewhat the same, I think, as you not being comfortable with men in that way. So I'm not left alone while my lover goes to bed with three of the sexiest women I know, and you're not ... well..." "My dear, our situations aren't quite analogous, as I have three partners, one of which would surely be willing to cuddle up with me-" "Damn straight!", "I volunteer!", "My turn!" echoed from the shower where the water had been shut off and towels were being applied. "But I thank you for the offer and accept it gladly ... if my spouses approve." "Hell, Harry, we approved it in the living room before we came in here," Kelly said, laughing. "We'd all do her in a second, but that ain't an option ... so you'll have to tell us how she is!" "You'd ask a gentleman to kiss and tell," Harry said, feigning surprise. "No my love," Margo replied, her voice still slightly slurred, "We'll insist upon it." ------- After dosing Margo with aspirin and a large glass of water, starting a load of laundry, and wishing Lisa and Jackie a good night as they climbed the stairs to their room, Carol returned, bringing a bottle of water to put by the bedside and found everyone asleep already. She climbed in from the bottom of the bed, wriggled into place between Margo and Harry and soon joined her family and friends in dreams. ------- Chapter 41 "Tell me there's aspirin ... and coffee ... and more aspirin," Margo said as she stumbled into the kitchen. "Of course, there's coffee, my darling love," Harry said, putting down what passed for the city's daily paper and heading for the coffee pot. "And I'm off to get aspirin for you as we speak," added Carol, scurrying off towards the medicine cabinet. "Alright, thanks to one and all, I'm off to my place to shower and get clean clothes," Helen said. She walked over, kissed Harry and murmured, "You're a damn nice man to cuddle with, Harry. Therapy this afternoon at 4:30, Carol told me about y'all's appointment at 6 so we'll do an abbreviated routine, give you time to shower and make it to ... wherever ... on time. If you're late I hurt you." With that, Helen bolted out of the house towards her car. Jackie and Lisa came in, waving good-bye to Helen over their shoulders. "Damn," Lisa groaned, "going out to dinner with y'all can be hazardous to a girl's naughty bits ... I thought Kelly was going to eat me alive." "Let Carol get a whiff of you like you were when you got to the restaurant last night and you'll have a whole new definition of 'eaten alive'," Margo said, smiling. "Harry, have I told you lately that I love you?" "No ... can't say that you have," Harry replied, returning to the table with her coffee. "But as you've got the rest of your life to do so, I'm not thinking there's a need to hurry up the process anymore than you feel necessary." "I love you, silly, silly man," Margo said as she gratefully accepted the aspirin Carol had brought her. "And I love you too, Dr. Grimes, Medicine Woman." Carol wrapped her arms around her wife and hugged Margo tightly. "I love you, too, wonderful woman." Harry went back to the coffee pot and started preparing cups for Jackie and Lisa. "There's something I've been wanting to talk to the family about," he said, "and it's not that I'm begrudging us the cost, but this limousine thing is getting a tad bit expensive. Our social schedule on nights where all of us will be going shows no sign of slowing down, I mean, it seems we're pretty much going to be rolling with the whole horde of us Friday and Saturday nights ... do we want to see about buying a Suburban, or something like one ... big enough to haul us all?" Harry delivered his load of caffeine to its recipients. "While I applaud the economy of the idea," Margo replied, "especially since we damn sure wouldn't be using it for any other occasions, just when all of us were going somewhere ... I've just got one question for you, Harry my love. Who gets stuck as the designated driver?" "Hmmm, good question," Carol said. "Yes ... we pushed it, pushed it hard last night. And if I'd been a hair more in control of myself, we'd have been going and picking up all three of the cars at the restaurant today ... we would've cabbed home last night," Margo continued. "And I'm not saying that a rotating designated driver position is a deal killer. Let's just not forget to take that into account when we're thinking about this." "Well, that and something else," Billy said, sopping up a bit of egg with his toast. "A big SUV type vehicle, in black I'd assume, makes a statement ... especially when these lovely ladies start exiting. But nothing, nothing makes a statement like a limo. And it seems to me, we have a lot of 'statement' to make in a very short time." "Good point, Billy," Harry replied. "It seems to me that the designated driver question, combined with Billy's observation, settles the matter ... do we need to put it to a vote? All in favor of continuing to travel by limo?" A chorus of "ayes" and "limo" filled the kitchen. "All in favor of an SUV of some kind?" Harry continued. The only sounds were the coffee brewing and the ch-chunk of the toaster as four more pieces popped up. "Alright then, the limo's have it." Margo finished draining her cup of coffee. "Now that's settled, Harry ... we have something we need to discuss with you ... it's about Karen..." ------- "Galena," Andrea said as the young woman was about to enter the bathroom. "Yes?" "Thank you for last night ... I really ... well, having someone sleeping in the same bed really helped." "No problem at all, you're cuddly. Just don't be surprised if bedtime gets a little more interesting after the 17th of next month." "Birthday?" "Yes indeed." Andrea walked up to Galena in the hall, stood behind her and then ran her hands down Galena's t-shirted front, caressing the young woman's breasts, tummy and upper thighs before cupping both her hands over Galena's cunt. "Looking forward to it," she breathed against Galena's neck, before letting go of her and heading back to her bedroom. "You ... are ... evil," Galena said, shakily. "Yes ma'am, I am," Andrea replied, blowing her a kiss. ------- As they rolled towards the office in Karen's convertible, it being her turn to drive, Harry filled her in on the discussion concerning transportation ... and very pointedly did not think of the other morning conversation. "Like I told them, it's not that I begrudge the money ... I've had way too much fun getting tipsy and very stoned and not have to worry about driving ... and I know that unless all our predictions are completely fucked, my beloved wife the heiress will be much better off after tomorrow than she is today..." "It's just that while you don't mind spending money, you do mind spending the money if you don't have to ... and this has become a big enough expense on your radar for you to start looking for alternatives." "Exactly!" "Well, let me think on it a bit, see what I can come up with." They drove on, not talking for awhile, Jimi Hendrix blasting through the stereo speakers. ------- As Galena sat in class, her attention was elsewhere. Not really a problem as she was in Honors English, which would have been more accurately named Honors Literature, and she'd already read all the books in the course syllabus, long before, and was well on her way to having finished all the 'discussion questions' in the packets they'd received the previous day. It was going to be one of her major blow-off courses for the year. Sometimes it was very good to be as smart as she was. It gave her time to think. So much was going on in her life, so much she couldn't even dream of referring to, much less get explicit about, in her LiveJournal ... her friends wouldn't believe her and would probably be a bit frightened if they did. She was scared by the thoughts and feelings that were running loose in her head, wild and unrestrained. A few weeks before, she would never have gotten dominant with anyone, that wasn't her, it wasn't even anything she'd consciously considered ... and the night before she'd basically taken control of a situation and started deciding matters for a woman ten years older than her ... a woman who was married, but not for all that much longer, thankfully, a woman who owned her own business and had seen a lot more of the world than Galena had. "Jesu Christu," Galena thought to herself, "I'm still a virgin!" Yet there she was, 'topping' Andrea, letting the older woman know that not only was Galena in charge, but that they were going to be sexually involved as soon as Galena was 'street legal', as Eddie called it. What the hell was she doing? She'd be even more terrified than she was already ... except that her new extended family was all in favor of the changes in her personality ... and when she listened to that new facet of her personality, things worked out. The side that told her to ask everyone to back off, not tease her so much, had been right. Things on that front were getting better and she was having a much easier time of it. The side that told her to take charge of Andrea, to stick her nose in and try to make things better, had actually brought comfort and a bit of peace to the woman's tumultuous life. Still, Galena was worried that her inner voice, the voice from the part of her that now saw the world in terms of dominance and submission, no matter how minor the degree, was going to get out of control, that she was going to run into a situation where those weren't the rules. But as she pondered her final year, she knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that high school was not one of those situations she was worried about. Now that she had acquired that filter for viewing the world, high school was seemingly nothing but dominance and submission games. ------- After a department heads' meeting on the Galway account, Karen gave Star of Texas Limousines a call, and set up a lunch meeting for her and the company's owner, Phil Maginot. ------- Margo staggered out of her afternoon appointment with Dr. Stallings, trying to control her urge to break down and cry. She hadn't bothered to control her tears during her session, but she couldn't sob and drive at the same time and she had to get back to the clinic. She looked at the anti-depressant prescription Hal's partner, a psychiatrist, had written her. Smoking dope wasn't enough anymore ... nowhere near enough. And that worried her quite a bit ... it almost seemed as though her therapy was making the situation worse. ------- In the afternoons, Galena's life was completely different from anything she'd known before, and there was very little about it that she could coast through. Her 'work-study' time at G & P was incredibly busy, filled with so much to learn that she actually felt challenged again. And everyone she worked with was very helpful, and very patient, but while they had absolutely no problem with explaining something to her, completely and taking as much time as necessary to answer questions, they expected her to get it on that first explanation. The most horrifying situation she could imagine was being called into Karen's office and getting the 'disappointed" speech. Lashaundra in Video had gotten called in the previous afternoon and had been despondent the rest of the day. Lashaundra had told Galena that Harry had come in that morning and brightened up her day, which was pretty much how things went, but still, she was determined not to disappoint Karen again. And at G & P as well, she saw dominance and submission, but at work there were hardly any 'contests' ... the pecking order was well established and very plainly marked. There were the confusing ones, like Harry himself, who obviously sat at the top of the pecking order, but didn't act like it at all ... except when he did. Galena had already heard stories about that. And it generally took something really big, like a complete and total fuck-up on a major part of a project when it looked like there wasn't enough time to correct it for Harry to act like a boss ... and then he would, and the situation got straightened out in time and he went back to being the office jester and creative genius. The reason for his acting like the boss in those types of situations was simple. It seemed that in times of major stress, Karen got slower and more methodical, wanting to double, triple and quadruple check everything to make sure nothing else went wrong ... which was fine if the company had the time. Harry pulled wild magic out of his ass, and brought out that ability in others as well, which was exactly what was needed when the company didn't have the time. And Harry was smart enough to let Karen be methodical when he could, and Karen was smart enough to let Harry go wild when she needed to. Harry didn't even seem to want to be regarded as one of the bosses most of the time. There was always a bit of distance between the employees and Karen ... not an uncomfortable one, or an artificial one, just a bit of a distance. With Harry, people walked into his office all the time, talked for a bit, and then went on with their work. Or he'd pop into someone's cubicle, bringing them a cup of coffee, a soft drink or a snack, ask them about their family or friends, and remember their names, tell a funny story or three, ask if they needed any help and if they didn't, he'd make say something to make them feel good and off he'd go. If they did need help, that was fine too, he'd do anything he could for them. There was no doubt that he cared about each and every one of them ... Galena laughed to herself. Harry was the 'Mommy' and Karen was the 'Daddy' of the business ... a realization that, upon reflection, didn't surprise her at all. It was an odd relationship; one Galena couldn't interpret through her new 'dominance/submission' filter. That didn't worry her too much, though ... what worried her more was making sure she did a good job checking the photo proofs she'd been assigned. And she realized with a start that she was falling behind in that, so she stopped pondering office power structures and went back to looking at pictures of dancing penguins. ------- "If you would, please, go in, look around, but please keep your voices low. Dr. Lowenstein is meditating and will be with you very shortly. Do try not to disturb her." The receptionist gave the four of them a smile, and waved them towards a door. Dr. Susan Lowenstein's office revealed the eclectic nature of its occupant. A large retail space in a strip mall by the freeway, only the reception area/waiting room and a single restroom had been walled off. The rest of the space was open and filled with tapestries and swaths of cloth hanging down in seemingly random patterns, a riot of colors. The walls, where not obscured by hangings, had framed artwork of every possible style and school. Sculpture, representative and abstract, static and mobile, dotted the interior of the space, each with a small plaque in front bearing the words "Please Touch". Small tables with religious imagery of various types and faiths were also placed around the area, and a startlingly ordinary coffee table, with various books and magazines, sat near the center of the room. Low, neutral bell tones chimed softly through the room, pleasant sounds and far from overwhelming, it seemed as though all of them were in the middle of a giant windchime, tuned to a low octave, which was moving in slow motion. Finally, in the corner furthest from the door from the reception area, there was a small area with beanbag chairs, cushions, pillows, and two bookshelves in the corner itself. Seated on the floor in the middle of the small, intimate space was a short woman, somewhat chubby with a skin-tone that spoke of Amerindian ancestors, long brown hair braided and looped about at the back of her head, held up with antique ivory hair pins and combs. The dress she was wearing appeared to be the product of a time-warp from the Haight-Ashbury in 1969. Her pretty face, full of smile and laugh lines, was calm in repose as she softly hummed to herself in a monotone and the very sight of her, bare feet sticking out from beneath her dress, looking like a benevolent little earth mother sitting in lotus brought a smile to the four Grimes family members' faces ... not smiles of ridicule or sarcasm, but smiles of joy and acceptance. The four of them wandered the space, examining what they found interesting, feeling a little awkward at first, due to the presence of the meditating Dr. Lowenstein, but as they went on, slipping comfortably into the ways they usually interacted. The room was interesting enough for them not to wonder too often when their therapist would finish her meditation and their session would begin. The session already had. Through slit lids, Dr. Lowenstein observed her new patients, noted what each of them found interesting, watched how they interacted, interpreted their body language and got an interesting, and amazingly thorough, first impression of the four of them. ------- "Alright, now that we've talked together, we've prayed, by whatever name you choose to call it, together, there's something I need from the four of you ... it's temporary, it can be revoked at anytime, but I'd really like you to give it an honest try," Susan said, sitting on the floor with her patients. "I need you to agree to honestly and sincerely try the exercises I'm assigning you. I need you to agree that for the purposes of this therapy, I have the right to issue instructions to you, and you, for the purposes of this therapy, have an obligation to carry out those instructions." She smiled at them all, a warm and accepting smile. "I know that there may be things I'll ask you to do that you'll balk at, and here, in session, when we're all together is the time for you to voice those doubts, and we can discuss them, and if at the end of the session you're not convinced, then we table that exercise for awhile and come back to it later. But I do need you to commit to working with me and giving these exercises your all." After a chorus of assent, Dr. Lowenstein sighed and continued. "You're one of the most complex group relationships I've ever dealt with, and that makes this some exciting, and somewhat scary, territory for me as well. So for all of us this is going to be a process of learning how to communicate and work with each other. But I can see that you're all devoted to each other, and to making this relationship work, and that's what assures me that you will succeed." Lighting another stick of the sandalwood incense they'd all agreed on as the scent of their first session, she said, "So, here's your first exercise. This Friday night, you've explained that you'll be 'holding court' at Dominique's. I want you the four of you to switch roles ... we've talked about and agreed upon what your commonly perceived roles are ... I want you to switch them. Margo, I want you to let go and be irresponsible, a complete and total, blown out of all proportion version of Harry. I want you, Harry, to take on Margo's role, be in charge, be dominant, not necessarily in all the ways or the same ways that she is, but you're going to be the adult, you're going to be the one who has the final say. Carol, I want you to be the wild and uncontrollable lioness, stalking and getting whoever strikes your fancy. Kelly, I want you to be the domestic goddess, the little nurturing mother figure that worries about everything and everyone and never lets anyone see her doing it. "This is going to continue for the next two weeks as well, you're all going to be trying on everyone else's roles, and we'll be talking a lot about your perceptions of each other when you're finished." Dr. Lowenstein took a deep breath, shook herself all over as she released it and said. "By the way, since I gather that you frequent Dominique's, you should be seeing my daughter, Rose, there in the next few weeks. She's a member of a group that's been contracted to perform for the foreseeable future, although they're still organizing their act. The group's called 'The Psychosexual Circus' ... please make their acquaintance; I think they and you will get along just fine." She hugged each of them, something they found they enjoyed far more than they expected, as Susan Lowenstein put all of herself into her hugs. When she was finished she said, "That's all the time we have, as I believe you have an appointment this evening. Go in peace." As they wandered out to the car, Harry said, "I like her ... I can see why Hal recommended her." "Yeah, there aren't many people who could even appear non-judgmental and open to our situation," Kelly said, stretching her back out as they walked. "She not only appears accepting, I believe she is ... completely." "I think this is going to all of us a lot of good, above and beyond what it does for our relationship," Margo observed, getting behind the wheel of her car. "Aw Big Mama," Kelly replied, "You're just saying that because this Friday you get to go completely off the hook." Well, I must admit I'm looking forward to it," Margo said. "Now everybody, in the car ... we've got to hurry or we'll be late for our appointment with House Edwards. And I gather from Minerva that would not be a good thing." ------- Lisa, Jackie, Billy and Helen were surprised when the rest of the household, and Madame Cornelius, strode into the house much earlier than expected. None of them looked happy. Margo stopped in the center of the living room, held out her arms and Lisa hurried to undress her while Jackie undressed Kelly. Harry went to the kitchen and started a pot of coffee, pulling out the blackberry brandy at the same time. Carol, shedding clothes like falling leaves, headed for the bedroom to get robes for Margo and Kelly. Madame Cornelius smiled coldly as she allowed Billy to take her shawl, her fury an almost palpable thing, hanging around her head and shoulders like a halo in a medieval religious painting. Billy didn't know who had pissed off the Grand Dame, he was just very, very glad it wasn't him. As soon as Harry had the coffee started, he stumped into the bedroom where Kelly and Carol got him undressed and into a robe as well. When they came out and joined the family in the kitchen, he was carrying the hookah. Billy stood while the rest of the submissives knelt on the floor between the four Dominants of House Chorale and Cornelius. Helen stood quietly by the door and watched, unsure of what was going on. The pipe was loaded and coffee laced with brandy distributed, then as if by silent common accord, everyone smoked and drank, no one saying anything as the anger levels in the room dropped with the levels of coffee in the cups. At last, when the sound of grinding teeth was no longer audible, Harry broke the silence with "Well, we wondered how Laney was going to fight. Now we know." "I have never, in my entire life in this Society, been insulted as I was this evening," Madame Cornelius snapped. Kelly responded, "And it was all so polite it made me want to start breaking things ... preferably on that bitch Rowena's head." "So, he's selling himself as the guardian of Traditionalist values against the onslaught of ... whatever names they're slandering us with," Margo said, suddenly overcome with weariness. "So, how do we fight back?" "By not fighting," Harry replied, smiling a cold, tight-lipped smile that few who knew him would have believed him capable of. "We're going to have to prove we're not the uncultured barbarians he claims we are, we're going to have to be such paragons of politeness and proper behavior that the undecided's cannot find fault with us. And we're going to have to provoke Laney, without seeming to, into revealing just what a walking colostomy bag he is. Amazingly similar, in fact, to what I did to Paul." "Indeed," said Madame Cornelius. "And after tonight ... after this humiliation, we will wait and see how many of our other appointments cancel. That will give us an idea of how many newly free evenings we have to work with. House Palisades has already left word that they will be unable to grant us any time at any date in the near future, so that leaves tomorrow evening open for me, I understand that you and yours will be busy. I think I shall put in an appearance at Chains of Desire. If I might borrow young Kim tomorrow, she, Li Kuan, Ophelia and Puppy should be able to put on quite a demonstration." Carol was already up and running for Margo's cell phone. "Planning to do some wooing?" Kelly asked. "Most certainly," Minerva replied. "Chains' is the oldest serious S&M club in the area. Unless Laney is willing to go several extra miles, so to speak, he'll have a hard time convincing any of its patrons that he is anything at all to get excited about. A lot of the more hardcore players ignore the whole political arena. So long as they are left alone to play as they like, they could generally care less what the rest of the scene does." She sighed. "And I am going to try to politicize them. What did I do to deserve such joy?" "We started a fight, if I remember correctly," Margo replied, smiling honestly for the first time since they'd gotten home as she called Eddie's to talk to Kim. "Oh yes, that must be it," Minerva Cornelius replied, returning Margo's smile. "Well, let's see if we can finish one." ------- "Can't sleep?" Jackie whispered as Harry got up out of bed. "No ... not sure why. You?" "No ... kind of freaked out." "Well, so we don't wake the lovelies, let's go talk elsewhere." The two of them padded into the kitchen, grabbed water and headed out into the cool darkness of the back yard, settling on a pair of lounge chairs. "So, since you at least have a clue as to where to begin, let's start with you," Harry said. "Why are you 'kind of freaked out'?" "Shouldn't be too hard to figure out," she lay back in the lounge and stretched out, beautiful and naked beneath the stars. "Less than a week ago I was desperately unhappy with my situation, feeling so trapped as far as where I was and what I could do that I was considering giving up playing, which is a really big part of my life, just to get out of Laney's group." She leaned her head over and smiled at Harry. "Now I'm in a pleasure slave's wet dream ... lovely people, both physically and spiritually, a happy, hedonistic pleasure dome of a house, lovers who find me attractive for my size and my age, instead of in spite of them, my friends are here too, I'm going to have the freedom to attend my religious services, all of us are..." her voice choked slightly, "all of us are treated like human beings, our value is recognized, but we're still submissive ... it's like the difference between being a slave and devalued and being a submissive and nurtured." She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. "It's been an amazing, wonderful, blessing-filled five days." She looked back at him. "Understand?" Harry smiled, "Yeah, I get it now. I imagine I was pretty much as freaked out as you after Carol came into my life, and everything started turning around and getting so much better so quickly ... in just a few days I looked at where I was, and where I'd been, and I couldn't believe how much my life had changed in such a short amount of time." "From what I've seen and heard, you're all very lucky to have found each other as you did," Jackie observed. "And Gods know that luck has flowed down to your friends and to us." She took a swig of water, sat up and looked at Harry's lounge chair, raising her eyebrows. "Jackie, if you come cuddling with me on this chair, I'm thinking things might get a little interesting." "I'm planning on it, sir." "Well then, run in and get my brace from beside the bed." A few moments later Harry was sighing in pleasure as Jackie lowered herself on to his erect cock. The two of them made love, their sweat almost instantly drying in the cool breezes, Harry fighting hard to keep his leg loose and relaxed, a difficult job given the voluptuous woman riding atop him. Jackie matched her rhythms to his, adapting herself completely to his physical needs and limitations. She only misread the situation once, and that was when, after several orgasms herself, she felt him starting to tense up in preparation for his own. She rose off of him, slid down and took his glistening cock in her mouth, taking him all the way into her throat, only to have Harry pat the side of her head and motion her back up. As she settled once again onto his lap, enjoying the hungry feel of his hips, twitching beneath her, trying to bring his cock fully into contact with her, he smiled at her and said, "Kiss me ... I almost always ... have better ideas ... on how to use a mouth ... than a blowjob." She lowered her body to his and their lips met, tongues colliding and sliding off each other in their race to the other's mouth. She held him and reveled in the feeling of him shuddering beneath her, the warmth of his cum filling her inside. After his trembling had subsided, they lay there without talking for quite some time, until she felt it time to break the silence and ask a question that had been nagging at her. "So sir, if you don't mind me asking, and this is going to sound strange, especially given our current ... situation ... why are you so accepting of my religious beliefs? I mean, to me, it seems that yours are so very different than mine ... and I'm not used to tolerance from those of your faith," Jackie asked as she cuddled on his chest. "Well, I'll agree that a discussion of theology isn't usually where my mind goes, other than in the whole "Oh God, Oh God" sense, while I'm in an intimate situation, but okay, you asked. "Your beliefs are different than mine, but I wouldn't say 'so very different'," he continued, dipping his head slightly to nibble on her ear. "But the key word in your entire question is 'belief'." He motioned her to sit up and he gazed at her, rising above him in the darkness. "The way I understand it, 'faith' is required for things that are not known, and by 'known' I mean provable. I don't have to have faith that the sun will appear to rise in the east tomorrow morning, I know it will, barring some cosmic catastrophe. I don't have to have faith that my car will run on gasoline. It does. It's proven and repeatedly provable. The chemical and mechanical processes are well-known. "But matters of higher powers and such ... they can't be proven and therefore can't be 'known'. They require faith. And to my way of thinking, if I can't prove it, I could very well be wrong. I assume you and House Evensong would consider yourself Wiccans?" "Yes sir, either that or for general use, simply 'pagan'." "Alright, maybe you Wiccans are right. Or maybe some other pagan group is. Or perhaps the Muslims or the Mormons or the Hindu or the Buddhists have the truth. I'd say even the Scientologists have a shot at it, but I couldn't keep a straight face if I tried. Since it cannot be proven, nobody 'knows' the truth. Maybe the only one who's right is the old man who believes that rubbing blue paint over his chest in a spiral pattern is the one true way to worship ... and he worships the Flying Spaghetti Monster ... and I'm saying he could be right about everything, including the noodley nature of God. I can't know, so I don't discount anyone's beliefs out of hand. Now, I have a real strong feeling that the Deity is good, so I have moral and ethical problems with beliefs that are hurtful or hateful to others ... which has for many years put me at odds with the more vocal Christian contingent. But as I seem to remember that the Wiccans generally believe that anything you do comes back to you three-fold, I have less of a problem with y'all on that account than a lot of other religions. Y'all've got real incentive to act morally and ethically." "Yes sir, a lot of us find the 'three-fold-return' gives us pause in our daily interactions. Many's the time I've smiled, or performed some kindness, when what I really wanted to do was the opposite, in hope of the universe paying me back in kind. Seems to me it does, most of the time." "See, real incentive to behave with kindness and gentility," Harry replied, smiling up hat her. "Maybe more of us should take that attitude. "For my own part, since it's gotten so hard to tell Christians apart without a scorecard, I try not to make any assumptions about a belief system until I know what its basic principles are. I also try to avoid judging people by the label of their religious beliefs, as you could hardly judge the reality of me by the commonly accepted label 'Christian'. I think of myself as a 'Christian' ... but if you approach me expecting me to reject evolution, view women as inherently inferior, believe the Bible is literal in every regard and believe abortion is murder ... well, you're in for one hell of a surprise. "Some days I find it hard to believe in any Higher Power ... and if indeed there is one, I expect to have a long conversation with it about the way the universe is run ... I have issues with pain and suffering and evil, especially when they're inflicted on the innocent. I realize that religion has been responsible for a lot of that kind of thing ... which is one reason why I refuse to get too close to any organized brand of it. Anyone can commit small, petty evils but it takes organization to do it on a really large scale. And if there is nothing after this life except the Big Dark ... well, my religious beliefs allow me to focus on doing good and I figure if I can live up to those precepts, my life won't have been wasted, no matter what comes after it. "But most importantly, since I could so very easily be wrong ... my religious beliefs aren't worth persecuting anyone for ... or hurting them for ... or going to war over. And to my way of thinking, no one else's religious beliefs are either. The only thing about any religious belief system that's worth fighting for is the freedom to believe whatever you choose to believe. "Damn ... guess I better get off my soapbox ... sorry about that. But I hope I answered your question?" "Oh yes sir you did," Jackie purred. "And in the spirit of my belief that anything you do returns to you three-fold, about those delightful orgasms you gave me? I think the cosmos owes you a few. Damn lucky for me that I'm in position to be an agent of that. Prepare to have what I hope will be a spiritual experience." As Jackie braced herself against his chest and began to move up and down, Harry sighed. "Oh, I'm quite sure it will be spiritual. Worshipping at the fleshly Temple of Woman always is." "Alright, next question ... umm, very nice sir," Jackie said as he slid back into her. "How do you view your lifestyle through the lens of your faith?" "Damn you woman, you ask the really hard questions after distracting me like this?" He placed his hands on her hips and motioned her to be still. "Well, to answer both flippantly and truthfully ... I recall a bit of silliness from a fellow stoner in college. "If it's right you know it, if it's good you feel it. If it's a banana you peel it." As Jackie laughed, her tits bouncing delightfully, Harry continued. "And there's never been any doubt in my mind as to the rightness of the feelings my marriage gives me. The feelings about the rest of my lifestyle ... well, they're not quite as clear cut, but believe me, I examine them every so often ... they still feel right. "Polygamy has a long historical, as well as biblical, heritage. So does the practice of taking concubines ... as does, for that matter, the keeping of slaves. But since none of you truly qualify as slaves in even a semi-literal sense of the word, that's immaterial. And even though I am the only male in my marriage, one of two in the household, I try not to scream the 'harem' word too loudly in my mind, but it the concept of 'harem's has a long cultural association, perhaps incorrectly, with middle eastern cultures, from whence my religious beliefs spring. I'm helped in that by the fact that the women in the household don't require my presence to have a sexual experience. That leaves the societal bugaboo of homosexuality. The bible doesn't really mention the secret sexual practices of the women in the marriages and such that it describes and there's no mention of it being sinful for a woman to lie with a woman. Somehow in my heart of hearts I suspect the authors would find it a turn-on. So unless I broaden my sexual horizons to include my own gender, I'm okay on that front, and even if I did ... well, I accept that my particular holy book was written by a pack of homophobic old men. I can accept that with the same ease as I accept that its story of Creation is not a textbook, but a vastly simplified story, geared to the mind-set and lack of scientific sophistication of the original recipients. Both homosexuality and bisexuality occur in nature ... that's a fact. Therefore they are natural. I may still feel more than a little uneasy about same-sex intimacy where I'm concerned, but that's because it's my head space, my societal meta-programming and my problem, not because it's some violation of Cosmic Law. I may, on occasion, look at my wives as they love each other and wonder what the hell they need me for? That's just paranoia, not the effect of some violation of Cosmic Law." He motioned her to continue with what she'd started and as her body began to move, his cock sliding in and out of her, he grinned from ear to ear. "And as for the smoking of dope, bodacious one, well, the Creator made it; I use it, that settles it." "You, sir, are dangerously close to the Wiccan Rede's 'An it harm none, do what ye will'." "Um ... yeah ... yeah I am ... truth is truth ... no matter where it's found ... and the truth is, my lovely one, you could do that a little faster." "Yes sir ... as you will." ------- When they were finished, the two of them lay in each others arms and talked a bit more. "So, how'd you end up Wiccan?" Harry asked, enjoying the cool night air on his skin. "Well, didn't start out that way, that's for sure," Jackie said, preening under his caress of her hair. "Was raised Southern Baptist ... not fanatically so, but seriously enough that when I hit puberty I started questioning, and then questioning why it was wrong for me to question. I got tired of being told to praise God for the brain he'd given me ... and to turn that brain off when it came to the subject of that same God." "Ah ... so you'd be real familiar with the whole 'Bible is the inerrant Word of God' argument?" "Oh yes ... far more familiar than I'd like ... as well as the most-of-the-time-unspoken belief that women are inherently inferior. We didn't discuss abortion much when I was growing up and homosexuality was likewise not much mentioned ... polite society, don't you know, but we had three female couples that were 'companions'. If you scratched that façade too hard, you figured out they were lesbians. Of course no male couples like that ... but I'm reasonably sure some of our male congregation members were as queer as a three-dollar-bill, and their wives were 'beards'. Still, as long as everyone was willing to turn half a blind eye, it was just another hypocritical illusion in a church and town that were full of them. That was another part of my dissatisfaction with the church ... there was stuff going on, stuff the church condemned, but as long as no one said anything and everyone played along, everything was just fine. I know the whole 'it is between the person and God' argument, but that only holds water for so long. After that, all the mealy-mouthed protestations of 'tolerance-through-blindness' started to ring more and more false. "That was then ... since I've grown older I've come to realize that some days, you just do whatever it is you need to do to keep your world running along relatively smoothly ... and if that means you turn a blind eye to some stuff that otherwise would cause a whole heap of hurt feelings and angry people ... then maybe it isn't quite as hypocritical as I once thought it was. It's just poor, fallible people trying to make their way through life as happily as they could. "Boy, did I get off the subject," Jackie said, blushing. "Guess I found my soapbox as well. "As to how I ended up Wiccan ... well, I give college the credit. Lots of new people, lots of new ideas ... I was searching for something, spiritually, something that felt alive and connected to something larger than me. The very same something I really couldn't find in the church anymore. So I got invited to a Circle by some friends, went out of curiosity and tried to keep as open a mind as possible. They were a nice bunch of people, both women and men ... I liked the focus on balance, on equality ... even though it was clearly slanted more towards a feminine viewpoint, they were trying, really hard, to make it all-inclusive and to stay away from the occasional Wiccan tendency to minimize and marginalize men, just as women have been minimized and marginalized by mainstream religion. And yeah, they were just as flawed and fucked up a bunch of people as the members of First Baptist Church of Van Alstyne, but they tried to admit it when they were. In fact, from that group I got a real sense of struggling towards their goals. They weren't sitting there, smug in their salvation. They had goals, both as a coven and as individuals and the majority of them were really trying to move beyond where they were at the time. They were involved in their communities, in the environment, in charitable works. Church wasn't something for one day a week; it was something for every day, sometimes several times a day. "And most importantly to me at the time, there was a sense of connecting to a higher something ... whether it's the Goddess or the God, I still don't know, but I feel it in a good Circle like I've never felt it in any conventional church. I found what I was looking for. I don't know, maybe someday I'll have to hunt elsewhere, but for now, I've found what I'm looking for." Harry smiled at his lover and replied, "I know the feeling ... but for now, we're where we need to be." "Indeed sir, indeed. Now, shall we get our happy selves to sleep? Morning's gonna come way too early." They took a very quick dunk in the pool to wash off the worst of the mess, then dried off in the kitchen and headed back to bed. Within minutes both of them were asleep. One pair of eyes on the bed, however, had noted when they left, and when they returned. ------- "So, when did you two start sleeping together?" Patricia asked, grinning at Galena and Andrea as they staggered into the kitchen. "First night I was here," Andrea said, yawning. "Yes, we're both suffering from a bit of environmental shock, so we're keeping each other company for the foreseeable future," Galena said, putting her arm around Andrea's waist and kissing her cheek. Andrea preened with the attention and Patricia's eyes widened slightly before she put a neutral expression back on her face. She couldn't detect the smell of sex, but she wondered just how long it would be before Galena's, and apparently Andrea's, desires took over and the two women became lovers. They'd both undergone some major life changes in a very short period of time ... falling into each others arms was perhaps predictable. "So, dinner tonight for the whole group at Ironworks BBQ. We've got a big chunk of the porch reserved." "I don't know," Andrea said, "I mean, I'm glad to come along, I guess, but I've just met you and Karen, you've already been so nice to me and I don't know-" "She'll be there," Galena interjected. "You will, Andrea, it'll be fine." Galena hugged the older woman. "Don't make me come to the store and drag you out of there to come have barbeque and beer." "Galena, I don't have anything for Karen for her birthday and I'm just not sure-" "Andrea," Galena said, leaning in close and lowering her voice. "Last night all you could talk about was needing to get out, not hide in your shell and hope everything bad will go away. Well this is a chance to crawl out of your shell and be with people, a lot of whom you already know or are acquainted with. And don't worry about a birthday present; I've already put your name with mine on my card." Patricia listened to the exchange between the two women and smiled. The universe had an odd way of meeting needs sometimes. Andrea and Galena were just what each other needed at the moment. She was just happy they had each other. ------- "Sappho, my love," Harry said as he drove them to work, "it's so good to have you living nearby. I'm really loving these morning drives to work ... chance for us to get started on the day, spending time with one of my oldest, dearest friends. Happy Birthday, sweet thang." "Thanks, crazy man," Karen replied, leaning backing the seat, eyes closed. "God, it's gonna get messy tonight. All of us, big ol' ribs ... I may have to stop at the house and change clothes first ... don't think I want this," she patted her grey linen suit, "to look like I'm a victim of the St. Valentine's Day massacre. In fact, tell you what. We'll head back, both of us change clothes and I'll drive us to Ironworks." "Works for me ... you know, all this talk of getting greasy gives me an idea..." Harry said, "some point you and I need to fire up that big ol' grill and we can have a naked ribs feast ... just get as messy as we wanna." "You're just thinking about licking rib drippin's off that passel of pretty women you got at your house." "Tell me you aren't thinking the same thing about Trish ... go ahead, I dare ya ... lie to me!" "Can't do it, Harry ... it was the first thing that popped into my mind when you said naked ribs feast." "Although you know," Harry said grinning, "I'm not sure I want to see Kelly get that primordial ... ripping into meat with her teeth and hands, naked ... she's liable to start gettin' into it too much and go hunting in the neighborhood armed with a rib bone and her own bounteous charms." "Yeah, with Carol coming right behind her ... the only question is would Carol be playing nursemaid or hunt partner?" Karen wondered. "Depends on the day and just how primordial Carol is feeling ... I mean, for fuck's sake, if she'd gotten a whiff of well-marinated woman beforehand, Kelly'd be trying to keep up with her." "Y'know, I sometimes wonder if your crew is a bad influence on Patricia ... I mean, so far, it's been pretty positive-" "Aw c'mon Sappho, I've seen some o' the lovin' you been gettin' ... it's been real positive!" "Okay, I'll admit that, it's been real positive," she looked at him and imitated a little old woman's voice, "but you an' that group o' yourns, ye'r peculiar." "That we are, darlin', that we are." Harry paused for a moment then decided to take the bull by the horns. "Sappho, I'm going to be out of the office for most of the afternoon." "I hope it's not to be working on a limo deal 'cause I already got us one." "What?" "Yeah," she said, turning down the volume on the car CD player. "Talked with Phil Maginot at Star of Texas Limos ... we're handling all his advertising and we're doing it for nothing." "Excuse me?" "Well, we're doing it for the use of a limo and driver, Friday and Saturday nights, and one night during the week. He has to be given two days advance notice of what weeknight we're going to want it, but other than that, it's ours from whenever to whenever." "I feel real funny about having the company employees working on a deal that's only gonna benefit us," Harry replied, hitting his blinker to switch lanes as they neared their exit. "That's the good part ... if we don't need it during the week, then it's up for grabs among our employees. And after the fetish ball, I doubt the family will be using both weekend nights, so the 'unused' evening will also be up for grabs. Plus he's cutting us a hefty discount on any additional rentals, and those rates are available to the employees as well." "Fuck, Sappho, who'd you blow to get that sweet of a deal?" "When you see the campaign he wants, and the time it's going to take ... Harry, I won't be surprised if you end up asking me if I got kissed before we got fucked." "That bad?" "Yeah, he and I crunched numbers till I was thoroughly sick and tired of crunching ... he's saving about forty per cent off what he'd normally pay ... and that's if we use every night, or day, of service available to us. If we don't, his savings start climbing. For us, in pure dollar savings ... well, I made us a very good deal on our limo service." "Have I told you lately that I love you?" "No, I'll take it as said and what are you out doing this afternoon?" "Uh ... what day is it?" "Thursday." "And..." "September 7th, 2006." Harry looked exasperated. "AND..." "Oh ... my birthday." "Yes, your birthday. Don't be asking too many questions on your damn birthday." "Right ... okay, you'll be gone most of the afternoon." ------- Tamara was in heaven. The house was already completely prepared for Rachel's visit, she was getting to spend a lot of time with two wonderful children, Kim was doing her utmost to be of help around the house and Eddie was happy. Until Eddie called her from work and told her the plans for Rachel's visit were hanging by a thread. ------- Margo had scheduled her visit to the lawyer to coincide with lunch, so that hopefully she missed as little time in the clinic as possible. And certainly, her business concerning the disposition of Nelda Sapperstein and her son Benjamin's estates took her less time than she had allowed. She was in and out of the lawyer's office in about forty minutes. She thought about calling Harry ... or Carol ... or Kelly ... but decided some news needed to be shared in person ... and besides their afternoon was going to be interesting enough. So Margo Grimes, although for legal purposes she was still Margo Wohler-Sapperstein, saw patients all afternoon, giving each her full and undivided attention. And as soon as each was out of the door she couldn't have relayed a single scrap of information about the person she'd just seen. ------- "Okay Eddie, I've called and given Hector and Janelle all the ideas I could come up with ... I don't know what else to do, sir," Tamara said, a small tinge of panic in her voice. "Are you sure there's no way-" "Trust me, beloved, if this problem ain't solved, and solved right sprightly, there ain't gonna be no visit." "Let me give Carol a call then ... maybe she'll have some idea nobody's come up with yet." ------- Carol took the call as she and Kelly waited for Harry. His appointment was at 2 and given how nervous he was, they'd figured he'd need all the moral support he could get. "The best advice I have, honey, is to make absolutely sure of what you're looking for, and then you start making calls, see what you can find. Online is easier, but from what I've seen, stock tracking isn't always a strong suit for an e-tailer." Kelly heard murmuring from the phone. "And this is a deal-breaker, right?" Carol responded. Tamara's voice could be faintly made out. "Well, bless her heart. I can't wait to meet her," Carol said, scanning the parking lot. There was more murmuring from the cell phone. "No, I am going to meet her; I have faith in your abilities." Carol saw Harry parking his car. A few short unintelligible syllables made it to Kelly's ears. "Love you too ... here comes Harry, talk to you tonight ... good luck." "My God, he looks like a man on his way to the gas chamber," Kelly observed. "Harry," she continued as he came through the door, "it's not going to be that bad. Come on, darling; quit acting like a big baby." "Dammit, do we even know this is going to help? Maybe it won't have any effect at all, one way or another." Harry sighed, shaking his head ruefully. "I hope Sappho knows how much I love her." "Harry, I'm pretty sure she will after this," Carol replied. "Now come on, let's let the cosmetologist get started on your body wax." ------- Billy had signed for the delivery ... Billy'd been warned about the delivery ... but everyone had expected Kelly and Carol to be there when it was delivered. Plans had changed. "Andre, would mind very much delivering it across the street? It's a gift for Karen, well, and Patricia ... I hate asking..." "Not a problem, Mr. Calhoun. Madame Cornelius put us at the family's disposal. We're also available to help assemble it." "Whew ... that is a load off my mind. Then let's go see about surprising Ms. Trish, shall we?" ------- "Harry, Harry honey, that's why we started with your naughty bits first ... because if we'd done any other part before them, you would never have allowed a wax job there ... it gets better," Carol crooned, "trust me ... once she's through with your crotch, the rest of it isn't going to hurt nearly as much." Harry answered in a voice several octaves higher than normal. "Alright ... I'm going to trust you ... and if that trust is betrayed ... I'm going to beat you." "Harry, if it's not better I'll help you beat her," Kelly said. "If it's not better, I'm beating you as well," Harry moaned, his voice slowly returning to its normal timbre. "There will be weeping and wailing and gnashing of wives teeth and great will be the desolation-" "Should I continue?" asked Rebecca, the cosmetologist. "Go ahead, this is him coping," Carol replied, holding her husband's hand. "AND THE DOGS SHALL FEAST UPON The flesh of the iniquitous-" "Oh, 'iniquitous' ... good word," quipped Kelly. "And the scorpions shall make nest in Their EMPTY SKULLS, LYING IN THE SUN And serpents shall hide in the shadows to sting the heels of those that had me Agree TO THIS TORTURE SO I'D WEAR Boots when I went walking in the desert if I were you two." "Okay my love ... that was the worst of it ... after this it's much easier," Carol said, wiping his forehead with her sleeve. "Please ... please tell me we're not doing this to my face," Harry panted. "No ... no Harry," Carol said, smiling, "for your face we're going to visit Tony's old barber ... hot towels, shaving soap, straight razor ... a real old-style shave. Tony used to say he felt like a million dollars after Neville'd shaved him." "Oh ... good... 'cause I'm feeling like about a buck-twenty-nine right now." ------- "Margo? Yeah, it's Patricia. You darling, darling people! I've got Andre, Hans, Billy and a most wonderful chair over here!" "Yeah, for the moment I'm putting it in our bedroom. Liz and I may decide to put it in the living room, like y'all's but for now..." "Well thank you again, Margo ... I love all of you." Patricia paused and then went with her instincts. "Margo, is something wrong?" "Okay, you just sound a little distant and kinda spacey ... I'll understand tonight? Okay, till then." She turned to Billy, Andre and Hans. "Well gentlemen, I can't find the words to express how much I really appreciate this, so you'll just have to accept my eternal thanks and an offer of ice tea in the kitchen." "We would be delighted," Andre replied. ------- "If this doesn't work," Harry said, walking carefully to the car, "hell, even if this does work, I'm going to probably exact some vengeance on the two of you." "Harry, quit being a big baby, women go through that all the time," Kelly replied, getting in her car. "This is just part of our gender's revenge upon the males of the species." "Have I ever asked either of you, or anyone, for that matter, to go through that?" Harry answered. "Uh ... no ... not that I'm aware of," Kelly said, lowering her eyes. "Then don't hold me responsible for the crimes of others," Harry replied, waving at her as he and Carol got in his car. "See you at the barbershop." ------- "WHERE?" Eddie roared over the phone. "You heard me the first time, sir," Tamara replied. "And yes, I'm fully aware that it's a three-hundred mile drive, give or take a little." She sighed. "But as you've pointed out, it is a deal-breaker for Rachel's visit, sir." "I'm sorry, beloved woman ... I didn't mean to yell at you. It's just..." "It's just that you're going to completely miss Karen's birthday party, you're already tired and you're looking at about a six-hour round trip." "Yeah ... yeah that'd about sum it the fuck up." "Would you like me to come with you, sir?" "No ... well I would, but you need to be at the party ... I mean, one of us should make it, and while I'd appreciate the company..." "I understand, sir. Edward?" "Yes Theresa my love?" "Do I have to give her your present?" Tamara sighed. "It's just that ... oh, never mind. She'll know it's not from me." "That's my girl. Alright, I'm heading out of the office, get started now, maybe make it back before things draw to a close at Ironworks ... if I'm lucky ... and hit absolutely no traffic ... and break the speed limit a lot." "Luck, sir ... I love you and please be careful." "I love you too ... and I'll be as careful as a church-mouse, my darlin'." ------- "Mister Tyndall used to teach barbering at Huntsville Prison," Carol said. "Really?" Harry replied, his voice muffled by the hot towel that was swaddling his face in comfort as he lay back in the barber chair. Neville Tyndall was working some shaving soap up into a fine lather behind the chair. "Yep," he said. "Taught there for thirty-five years ... let convicts shave me, trim my hair ... such as it is." Harry and Carol giggled slightly. Neville Tyndall's hair was very sparse, an obviously-dyed jet black and lay close to his scalp in thin rows of Vitalis-augmented perfection. The old man slowly wound the towel up and off of Harry's face. "Yes sir, never felt my life was in danger a single day I was there. I called them "Mister" and their surname, they called me "Mr. Tyndall" or "Sir". He craned his head back and forth, getting a good look at Harry's face. "Little Carol, I'm surprised you let this man go out with this uneven a shave ... I can understand people not having a professional shave them every day, but this..." He turned, grabbed another hot towel and applied it to Harry's face. Then he spent a minute or so rummaging through the drawers behind him. "Something I wanted to give you, if I ever saw you again," he murmured, "now where did I put it? Something no one else would show the least interest in but I knew..." He pulled out a small oblong silver case. "Aha, here it is," Mr. Tyndall said, turning and handing the case to Carol. "It's-" "It's Tony's straight razor, the one he brought for you to use on him," Carol said, accepting the case with wide eyes. "Are you sure?" "Never shaved anyone else with it ... it was his and his it remained until I could hand it off to you ... if ever. Now I have." "Mr. Tyndall," she said, opening the case and gazing at the beautiful razor, the acid-etched stainless steel blade, the rosewood handle with inlaid silver curlicues, "thank you ... you don't know what this means to me." She handed it to him. "And I'd appreciate it if you used it to shave my husband-to-be. I think Tony would have liked that as well." Without a word Neville Tyndall took the razor and began to strop it. "It's a beautiful razor, Harry, wait till you see it," Kelly said. "I can't wait," Harry said, his voice muffled, "but can we shave me with it first?" "Yes my love, I think that's the plan," Carol laughed. "I always had the impression that you'd inherited your straight razor from Tony," Kelly said as she and Carol sat back down. "No ... he bought mine for me ... had one of his boys train me how to use it," Carol replied, smiling at the memory. "Takes a lot of skill to use a straight razor effectively, either in shaving or fighting ... that hollow-ground blade is very easy to snap a chunk out of ... it's a slicing weapon, not a cutting weapon, certainly not a chopping weapon." She absent-mindedly bent over and caressed the boot where her razor rode in a small inner pocket. "Never could get a straight answer out of him as to why he didn't have one of the boys teach me to use a knife, or a gun ... or maybe I did and didn't know it. He always said when he dreamed of me, he dreamed of me with a straight razor. I was sure he was joking, but since then ... well, it's come in damn handy more than once and I'm now of the opinion that maybe he wasn't kidding ... maybe he was a bit of a prophet. It just feels right to me, you know?" As Neville Tyndall finished stropping the razor he looked at his bowl of shaving suds. "Well, they've gone cold ... have to work up a new batch. Hopefully you won't mind the wait, Mr. Grimes?" "Not at all, I'm loving the hot towel treatment," Harry replied. "This is the first time I've ever had a professional shave ... I could get addicted to this." "Yes sir, shaving practice was always one of the students' favorite parts of the lessons," Mr. Tyndall said, frowning at some minor issue with the shaving soap. "It was the same when I was in barbering college myself. Of course, it was very important that we learned how to do it correctly. Getting a shave at a barber shop is a luxury for most men, you couldn't have us performing them in any old slapdash fashion." He chuckled, "Yes sir that was a pretty good excuse. That it happened to be quite accurate was a pure accident." "So if you don't mind me asking, how did you end up teaching barbering at the state prison," Kelly asked. "Doesn't exactly seem like a normal career move." "It isn't," Mr. Tyndall replied. "You can blame one of my teachers from barbering college. He'd held the teaching position at the prison for a number of years and when he was ready to retire, he recommended I apply for it. Told me that as much trouble as it was, since it wasn't a full-time position and you had to take time off from your regular chair to go work with convicts for minimal pay, it had all been worth it the first time one of his students had contacted him and told him how he'd gotten a job and his life was straightening out. It gave them a future, or at least the chance of one, that didn't involve ending up back in prison." The barber removed the towel from Harry's face and started brushing on the soap. "Wasn't long before I understood exactly what he meant. Got a letter from one of the boys that had started the course under him and finished under me. His girl and their little boy had been waiting when he'd got out; he'd taken them all back to Ohio and was working in a shop in his home town. I still get Christmas cards from him ... get them from a lot of my ex-students, actually. He's still a barber, never been in trouble again in his life." The barber frowned at Harry's neck and applied more soap, swirling it over his jaw line. "Never made sense to me, ask a man to pay his debt to society, put that big old social stigma of being an ex-convict on him, and leave him with no way to make a living when he got out. Seems like we're just setting them up to fail ... and it has to be a good way to make a living. Any man would be tempted by crime if his choices were a janitorial position or taking someone else's money. Now, being a janitor is an honorable profession, and if he belongs to a union, a man can make pretty good money at it ... but the unions aren't real quick to enroll ex-cons. So what's he to do, work at a Dairy Queen the rest of his life?" He carefully, with the precision of years of practice, began to shave Harry. "Mr. Grimes," he said, "you know, it goes against my business sense to mention this..." Neville Tyndall carefully moved the blade along Harry's jaw line, "but I visited Mr. Juliana in the hospital during his last days-" "Mr. Tyndall..." Carol warned. "Hush, young one," he replied. "He had pretty much as close and clean a shave as I ever gave him ... and the woman who kept him looking that good is sitting over there being embarrassed. You decide you want to give me your business from time to time, that's fine with me. But I realize this shop is out of your way ... it's pretty much out of a lot of people's way ... and that little lady over there can save you a trip to the south side of town." "Hmmm," Harry murmured, careful not to move his face. After a few moments of silence as Mr. Tyndall concentrated on his work, the barber continued. "Yes sir, after the kids were grown and my Mary Lou passed, I moved here and bought this little shop. Not too far from downtown, and I still have plenty of customers willing to make the trip, but the city's passing me by." He maneuvered the razor up the right side of Harry's face. "I'm happy with the drop in business, actually. Once I got past seventy-five, I felt the need to slow down." He grinned. "Don't really need the money ... just can't stand sitting around the house all day." He finished up with a final run of the blade up the left side of Harry's neck, patted the few remaining hints of shaving soap with a towel and looked at his client's freshly-shaved face with a critical eye. "Yes sir, that shave's worth what I'm going to charge you," he pronounced. He brought out a mirror. "Now let's see if you agree." ------- A party planned to take up part of the L-shaped balcony of Ironworks Barbeque had spread to the whole balcony and several tables inside. Friends, co-workers and acquaintances came and celebrated with Karen, finding her laughing, covered in rib grease, with a slippery bottle of beer in one hand. Laughing, that is, until someone asked about the faint tracery of scars on her hand and Harry started to tell the tale. "You are so not going to tell that story," Karen said, glaring at Harry. "Oh, I am so going to tell that story. C'mon Sappho, it's your birthday, nobody would dare try to give you your birthday spanking ... how else are we to embarrass you?" "Harry," Karen replied, "if I didn't love you ... fine, tell the story, but make sure you tell it right." "I'll do my damnedest. Anyway, so we're at the university together, and we're friends, not sure how we first ended up meeting, probably over alcohol at some party-" "I'd be insulted if I didn't already want to beat you," Karen interjected. "We met at the Gamma Lambda Beta party the third weekend of our freshman year. You were baked out of your gourd, you stumbled going down the front steps of the house and when I caught you, you didn't say thanks, you just said 'Goddamn, you a big ol' girl, ain't ya?'. Got me to laughing and so we sat and talked." "Oh yeah ... I remember now," Harry said, smiling fondly at the memory. "Please forgive me ... I was, as you said, baked out of my gourd." "Forgave you a long time ago ... just plain silly to ask a stoner to remember things that happen when he's stoned," Karen replied, patting his hand. "Thank you, Sappho ... anyway, Sappho and I are double-dating, I've finally lost my virginity to Cathy Breeden, she's dating this little old girl, Kristen Gilhooley-" "Of the Kansas City Gilhooley's," Karen added, laughing. "Yes, of the Kansas City Gilhooley's ... and we all end up at Cathy's house, making out, very, VERY quietly, in her living room... 'cause I've got roommate issues, as does Karen, as does Kristen-" "Oh boy, did Kristen have roommate issues," Karen said. "Her roommate Mai had a boyfriend, they were humping like bunnies every time you turned around ... we used to wonder when or if they went to class. So it was rare Kristen was even in her dorm room, except to sleep and dress and such. She pretty much lived at the student union building." "And so Cathy's living room is the best option we have, outside of going parking somewhere or renting a room. Cathy's parents are pretty light sleepers ... as are her three little sisters ... and I didn't know it at the time," Harry continued, "but Kristen could get ... loud. Would you put it as 'loud', Sappho?" "Loud ... yes ... that works ... if 'loud' is defined as 'an ever-escalating siren of cries spiraling upwards towards the hyper-sonic with her level of excitement' ... but that could get a little long ... why don't you just stick with 'loud'." "I think I'll just stick with 'loud'," Harry laughed. "So things advance from making out to heavy petting, and from heavy petting to people getting partially naked and I start noticing these little high-pitched yips, like little barks or coughs, so I kinda slide my face sideways, lookin' over at Karen and Kristen-" "Oh, that's just too cute," Rhonda giggled. "Karen an' Kristen sittin' in a tree-" "Finish that ditty at your own peril," Karen growled, smiling to show she wasn't completely serious. "Okay, no more childhood rhymes," Rhonda replied, "wouldn't want to lose my electro-shock privileges." Calvin, one of the layout artists, spurted, "She gets electro-shock? On the company dime? I want electro-shock benefits as well!" In no time at all, the building was shaking with "ELECTRO-SHOCK FOR ALL!" chanting and the staff had closed the doors between the rest of the restaurant and the rowdy employees, friends and family of G & P's co-owner. After the group wound down their chanting, Harry continued, "As I was saying before I was so rudely, and psychotically, interrupted, there's Karen and Kristen — do not start, Rhonda — and Kristen's head is kicked back, eyes closed, mouth open ... she is, in short, excited ... making these noises. Karen, on the other hand, is not looking blissful, she's looking around, as close to panic as I've ever seen her, trying to figure out some way, any way, to keep her girlfriend quiet without putting a damper on the mood. "Now even then," Harry said, taking a deep swig off his beer, "Karen wasn't too good with public nudity, so there she was, face down in ... well, orally occupied, shall we say, she'd lost her shirt, Kristen is completely naked, except for her pants which are down around her ankles, and I think she still had her sandals on, and I know what's goin' through Sappho's head is how that's gonna look when the parents come in, because if she didn't do something quick the ever-increasing sounds of passion were going to start waking folks up." Dan adjusted his glasses as he interrupted, "What about, uh, you know ... stopping? I mean, why risk getting caught?" Although Harry sometimes had the sneaking suspicion that Dan was still a virgin, he gave the socially-inept young man the benefit of the doubt. "Dan, last time things were getting real interesting, sexually ... what was the likelihood of you or your partner willingly stopping?" "Uh ... I retract the question," Dan replied, blushing and looking down at his feet. "Besides," Karen interjected, "we were young, we were stupid ... okay, we were stupider ... the thought really didn't occur to me." "And from what I could see," Harry continued, "it sure as hell wasn't occurring to Kristen, either. So Karen takes her ... well she refocuses her attention, tells Kristen to chew, not yelp, and jams her hand into Kristen's mouth, right between her thumb and index finger. Just rams that bad boy ... bad girl ... right on in there ... and returns to her previous task." "Oh, trust me Harry, it wasn't a task, it was a joy," Karen proclaimed. "Alright then, returns to her previous joy ... and things are going very well between Cathy and I, we're edging to upwards towards seventy, if you know what I mean and I think you do, and Kristen's making no more noise than you'd expect, but in a moment of quiet, I hear whimpering-" "HAROLD ELLSWORTH GRIMES, YOU DID NOT HEAR WHIMPERING!" Karen bellowed. "Quiet, birthday girl, I heard whimpering ... and I will get even with you for revealing my full name ... it'll take me years to live down my middle name ... but, as I was saying before the Bull Moose was hit in the rump, I heard whimpering. "I look over, shifting my attention from the lovely feast for the eyes and tongue in front of me, to see Karen ... busily engaged, with tears running down her face in streams," Harry paused, listening to the sounds of disbelief and sympathy from the audience, "well, as much of her face as I could see ... Kristen was a bit ... hirsute ... in the pubic area, and Karen's just buried ... well ... it was hard to see much of her face. "The tears were disturbing enough, but then I saw something dark running down her left arm, from her hand, and there are dark drops visible on Kristen's..." Harry sighed and smiled angelically, "lovely, heaving bosom ... and I start to get a little concerned. Well, Princess Iron-Woman over there catches my eye, sees my consternation and shakes her head slightly, indicating I shouldn't worry about it. So, being delightfully enticed to turn my attention elsewhere, I did so and the rest of the evening passed as one might expect. Karen and Kristen cut out, Cathy and I ... finished up, said our goodnights and headed home. "Next day I see Karen in the student union building, hand wrapped up in bandages, showing some signs of bleeding as the idiot woman wouldn't let it rest, but had hit the gym that morning, lifting weights and such. Seems dear little Kristen had chewed the shit out of her hand, bruised the muscles underneath, perforated the skin on both sides and abraded it to the point where when I saw it, later in the day, it looked like two curving strips of hamburger." "My God, Karen," Patricia said, "so that's the story of those scars ... was it worth it?" "Well, she doesn't hold a candle to you," Karen replied, smiling, "but at the time, oh yeah, you bet it was worth it ... she was most apologetic and very happy to make it up to me. The most interesting part of the whole affair was explaining it to the campus doctor, who was sure I was the victim of some sort of sexual assault-" "Well you were," Harry laughed. "Yes, yes I was, but not the kind he suspected. He was pressuring me to file a report until I assured him to his satisfaction that there was no way it was what he suspected." "How'd you do that?" Margo asked. "Took him to the gym with me ... after watching my daily workout, he had little doubt there was anyone on the campus that could've assaulted me and gotten away with it ... he said they would've ended up in the hospital or the morgue. "He was right, the incident was concluded and Kristen dumped me three weeks later." "And you still say it was worth it?" Patricia asked incredulously. The smile on Karen's face said a multitude of things, at least one of which caused several members of the audience to blush. ------- The weather reports said there was a good chance of rain along Eddie's route for the evening, so he put the camper shell on the back of his disreputable pickup and headed out of town, uttering a steady litany of curses at the conditions that had come together to necessitate the trip. ------- "So Margo, what has you so spacey?" Tamara asked quietly. "Too many people..." Margo muttered. "The crowd is what's bothering you?" "No ... too many people here to discuss it ... it'll need to wait till we get home." "Are you sure, because if it needs to happen now, you and I and whoever else you want to be there can adjourn elsewhere and talk about it?" "No ... no, it can wait." ------- "Fine, if you get to talk about that scar," Karen said, sending for another round of beers, "I get to talk about the one on your-" "No, there's no reason whatsoever to mention that scar," Harry interjected. "It's not my birthday, no one's asked and if you tell that story, we get to give you your birthday spanking." As calls for the story were heard around the tables, Karen looked at her business partner speculatively. "Alright, twenty birthday spanks for the story." "Bullshit, remember I know exactly how old you are." "Same age as you, but twenty's what I'm offering," Karen replied. Harry's eyes rolled up in exasperation. "Deal ... and I'll even wait till after the story to take my price." "Done ... but you'll wait till we get back to the house." ------- Through the highway noise and the rain beating down on the truck, the muffled "blowmf" might have been missed ... but the way the truck suddenly attempted to go its own way, courtesy of the tire that had just blown out was impossible to ignore. Eddie fought the truck, cursing and hollering, until he eventually won, bringing the speed down gradually and pulling to the side of the road. Standing out in the pouring rain, looking at the shredded tire, a stream of obscenities left his lips. He looked at his watch and the volume of the stream increased. There was no way he would make it in time. Sliding back into the truck he pulled out his cellphone and called the store. "Yes ma'am, I'm the one you're holdin' the big white ... yes ma'am. Well, there's been a problem. I'm about ... oh, twenty miles past Amerigo, I've had a tire blow out and there's no way in he- well, there's just no way I can make it in time. "Thing is ma'am, I've got to have it, I've got to have it tonight, and I'm willin' to pay extra for you, or someone, to wait there until I get there, pay for it an' get it loaded in my truck. "No ma'am, I insist ... I know your company reputation is built on customer service but this is above and beyond the call. No ma'am, please believe me, this is not a hoax ... in fact, here's my credit card information." As he read the numbers and information off to her, praying no one else was intercepting the call, he realized that if it all worked out somehow, even that was worth it. "Yes ma'am, I will. Oh, thank you so much ... you have no idea how much this means to me. Alright, I'll call if there are any further delays, and I'll go start changin' the tire right this instant." ------- "Look Nick, I know you're feeling funny about getting so involved with these people, putting them at risk ... but Dr. Grimes' request for help for this Chinese woman ... Nick, it's something you have to do and you know it." Nick Philouma looked at his lover across their dining room table. "Randy ... I know. But every time I have anything, anything at all, to do with them ... if they end up with fucking Russian bullets in their heads, all my good intentions won't mean a thing. And this latest news ... I like these people. If I help, I'm risking their lives, if I don't..." Nick put his head in his hands and for just a moment Randy was happy not to have to look in his lover's haunted eyes. "If I don't ... I risk my soul ... and some of their lives." He got up from the table and moved to the window, looking out at his city through the subtle distortion of five layers of vacuum-sealed bullet-proof glass. "It would be so much easier, in so many ways, if I'd never met them. If there was no one close to me ... no one I could call a friend..." "Or a lover?" Randy asked, his voice deceptively calm. "Or a lover. I'm sorry, darling ... it would be easier." He threw his arms around himself and held himself tightly, as if trying to keep from flying apart. "If there was no one but me, I could do what I have to do and not worry ... either succeed or fail and the Family would be my only concern. With them, especially with you ... if anything happens to any of you it'll almost certainly be my fault and I probably won't even be able to attend your funerals ... and through all that, I'll still have to keep going." He banged his head slowly and methodically against the glass separating him from the world. "We're so close..." "Nick, what do you mean 'so close'? From what you've told me, this war has turned into an unmitigated disaster for the Family ... you make it sound like you're close to winning. Look, I've known there's a lot you're not telling me..." "Maybe ... maybe when this is all over, maybe I'll feel it's safe to tell you then ... maybe I'll be ready to face the horror I think I'll see in your eyes. For now ... I make the call to Eddie ... I'll ... I'll call him in a little while." ------- "So once again, it needs to be said that we were younger and much stupider," Karen began, "and we're on our way back from a business meeting in Baton Rouge, back in the days when the company couldn't afford for us to fly, so we drove ... in Harry's ratty old Chevy Lumina ... somebody had painted this P.O.S. a horrible burnt orange color-" "Hey now," someone in the crowd warned. "I'm sorry, but it was horrible. It wasn't the burnt orange you're thinking, it was "piece of fruit in a flamethrower" burnt orange ... wouldn't have been much better if it had been the burnt orange you're thinking of, but that's just my opinion." Amidst the growls of those present that had graduated from the University of Texas, she continued, "But the car was a rolling deathtrap and years of Harry's so-called maintenance hadn't helped it any." "Why don't you tell them why we weren't in your car," Harry asked, grinning. "Alright," Karen growled, "we were in Harry's P.O.S. because mine was in the shop ... again ... once the company was making a little money, I'd indulged a dream of mine and bought a used 1974 fuck-me-red Jaguar Series 3 E-type. Got an incredible deal ... which its monthly trips to the shop soon explained ... that car ended up breaking my heart. Had to sell it because I simply couldn't afford to keep it running. That's why we were coughing our way through East Texas in Harry's P.O.S. instead of flying down the freeways in my Jag." "Oh yeah," Harry said, "I loved that car ... when it was out of the shop. Riding down the freeway was like flying in some exotic fighter plane. I'm sure some of our senior employees remember those days ... and how often I had to leave the office and go back to the apartment to get you." "Anyway, Harry," Karen snarled, "that's beside the point. Back to the story ... the meeting had been a success but we'd been later leaving Baton Rouge than we'd thought we'd be, it was getting late and we were tired. We were taking back roads because my beloved asshole of a business partner believes highways are just too boring We'd decided to pull in to this little roadside bar, honky-tonk really, and see if their bar coffee was any good. It was the only place we'd seen open at that hour, and if their coffee blew chunks, we'd find a hotel and hole up for the night, or sleep in that godawful Lumina if nothing else. If the coffee was okay, and we could get some to go, we'd drive on. "Well, Harry was, as usual, pretty oblivious when we walked in, but I wasn't and I couldn't help but notice that we were ... not their usual brand of customer. I've been in some hardcore C&W bars, places where the smell of Lone Star and Copenhagen was so thick it'd knock the wind out of you, places where the Princesses of the Aqua-Net Prairie held court and woe be unto them who did not pay them homage. This place, well, it wasn't some big city wanna-be honky-tonk, and it wasn't some friendly 'good old boy' beer joint, it was the local shit-kickers' club house and we'd left our membership cards at home." "I wasn't quite as oblivious as she makes out, just almost," Harry interjected. "I'd noticed there wasn't a lot of love in the room, so I was pretty much focused on getting coffee and getting out." "So the bartender kinda growls at Harry's request, says they have a coffee maker but he'll have to go dig it out, warned us that they didn't have any sugar or milk, and he wasn't sure they had any coffee to brew, and the whole time Harry's just beaming at him, assuring him that was okay and we were willing to pay extra, but we'd been on the road a long time and just really needed some hot coffee. "So while the bartender's in the back room, rummaging around for the coffee-maker and some grounds, this little woman comes up, looking like she's been rode hard and put away wet nightly for about the last thirty years, dressed to the kicker-shit nines and sporting a big enough hairdo to qualify as Queen of the Aqua-net Prairie. I notice Harry going a little pale ... I'm wondering why when this bitch smirks and pours her beer on Harry. I don't mean she bumped him or anything, she just flat out pours her beer down his back." "Yeah," Harry said, his expression an apology for interrupting, "evidently I was wearing a big ol' 'I ain't from around here' sign on my back and it pissed this skank off something fierce." "Yeah, yeah it did," Karen replied, grinning. "So she's still smirking, just a little bit of tension in that leathery face of hers, in case Harry did something incredibly stupid-" "What, like knock the bitch the fuck out?" Patricia exclaimed to general sounds of agreement. "He should've put her ass on the floor!" "Oh no, precious one," Harry answered, smiling ruefully. "You obviously were raised in a kind and civilized land where 'lady' is an earned title and a woman is just another member of a fair and equitable society where the sun shines on the just and unjust alike and the rain falls on both men and women equally. "This is the South where you ... don't ... hit ... a woman, unless you're married to her, or related to her ... period ... end of statement. This bitch could've kicked me in the nuts, for no reason at all, and it's a rare Southern country feller who would say anything at all about it ... and pretty much no matter what my reaction was, other than passive acceptance, I'd be in the wrong. Now, that's much less prevalent than it was, but there's still the perception that a real man doesn't hit a woman, no matter the provocation. It's part of the 'woman on a pedestal, enshrined as a second-class angel' mindset that's a holdover from the Victorian era, if not even earlier than that." "Yeah," Karen growled, "that 'second-class angel' thing really about sums it up ... so Harry puts this smile on his face, turns to her and says something like 'I'm sorry, did I jostle your arm? I apologize.' And he offers to buy this skank ho another beer. I'm sitting there grinding my teeth into dust when this pond-scum cum-guzzler tells Harry that he and I need to leave." "Lemme take it from here for a bit, Sappho," Harry said. "I remember it all too clearly. "I respond that we'll be leaving as soon as we get some coffee, after all, she wouldn't want us out on the roads, drowsing off and accidentally hurting one of her friends or neighbors. "That seemed to give her a small measure of mental pause ... probably while the advanced concepts tried to find what part of her pickled brain still functioned ... but eventually she responded with an oh-so-elegant "I can kick your ass". "I told her 'Yes ma'am, I know you can and I really wish you wouldn't'. Once again, her brain seemed to seize up for a bit and she wandered off, apparently confused by my reactions." Karen continued, "Harry says she wandered off ... I was watching the bitch and saw that she didn't wander anywhere. She went straight to one of the big beefy men she was leading around by the dick and played the weak and put-upon card, with frequent pained looks back in our direction. I'm about ready to jump over the bar and help the damn bartender find the coffee machine, or else cut our losses and leave at a sedate and dignified pace, when I notice a couple of her pack of pussy-whipped pudknockers moving towards the door. I leaned over and told Harry 'we're gonna get jumped' and smartass there responded with 'you just now figuring that out?" Harry picked up the narration. "This big-ass good ol' boy, looked like King Kong with a shave, and not a very good one, comes staggering over and tells me it's time we got our asses out of there or him and his friends were gonna beat the shit out of us. Now, being the natural smartass that I am, I had to bite my tongue damn near in half to keep from opining that it'd be a damn sight easier for us to leave if they weren't blocking the door, but I figured maybe, just maybe, there was a way to get out of there with no bloodshed, so I held my tongue and tried the whole friendly 'look, can't we all just get along' stuff, talking about getting our coffee, then leaving them, hell, even buying a round for the house, no need for anyone to get hurt or upset' routine. "No dice ... this ol' boy was havin' none of it. He responds with "I don't think you understand, you two need to get the hell outta here". So I look at him, smiling my best winning smile and try explaining, one more time, absolutely no condescension in my voice, that as soon as we get some coffee we'll be out of their lives forever and ever, amen. "He looks at me like a monkey that's just been given a math puzzle and wanders back to her and his friends. Obviously these routines work much better on drunks and our polite, logical responses were confusticatin' to 'em. "So the Queen comes back, tries the whole 'I can kick your ass' routine again. I'm smiling and agreeing with her, begging her pardon and assuring her in no uncertain terms that when we have coffee, we're out of there. I'd have volunteered to just leave but I'd noticed Tweedle-dipstick and Tweedle-dipshit standing by the door and was hoping if I kissed her old Marlboro-and-Lone-Star-flavored ass enough, things might chill enough for our exit to clear again." "Boss, didn't need that mental image ... ever..." Rhonda moaned. "Hey, y'all knew listenin' to me tell stories was a dangerous job when you took it, no apologies ... well, okay, that was pretty damn gross, so one apology. "Anyway, I'm just obviously not reacting in any way she's familiar with, so she ripostes with a scintillating 'I can kick your ass, punk' ... which failed to do the job as well. So she followed it with 'I said, I can kick your ass, you fucking punk' ... I just kept smiling and agreeing with her." "Harry," Tamara asked, "how do you deal with something like that ... I mean, she and her friends were asking ... begging ... they were demanding a fight and the two of you kept refusing. Isn't that really ... well ... emasculating?" "Sweetie, it would be if I let it be. And there's a certain amount of it that hits you that way, no matter how much you tell yourself that getting the shit beaten out of you in a fight you clearly cannot win is stupid ... and there are fantasies of the satisfaction you'd have gotten out of just doin' your damnedest to break her fucking jaw, probably breaking your hand as well. And later on, Sappho and I strongly considered getting enough of our friends together to make it a fair fight and going back there, just to reclaim both our 'manhood's, so to speak. But if you let your enemies frame the debate, you lose, every single time. It would be stupid for me to let them affect my opinion of my masculinity in any way. I know that in a fair fight, Sappho and I could have probably taken any four of them in there. We woulda been limpin' away at the end, but we'd have taken them. But there wasn't going to be any fair fight and we both learned the hard way earlier in life that you have to pick your fights ... there are some you just hike your skirts up and run away from at full speed." He smiled at Margo. "And there are some you don't ... but this bitch kept this kind of shit up for awhile, and I got the distinct feeling that the bartender was staying the hell out of the way in his back room, not wanting to get involved." Karen began, "It was about this time that God proved He looks out for fools, idiots and Harry ... although mentioning Harry by name might be redundant." Harry let out a loud raspberry in her general direction. "Don't give me that, God also proved He looked out for your friends. This guy at the end of the bar, thin and rangy, looked to be in his late fifties, early sixties, snow-white beard and long grayish-white hair, voice that came from the bottom of the local gravel pit, says, to the best of my memory, "Rayleen, why don't you and your boys get fucked. These nice people ain't done nothing or said nothing to have you in a PMS shit-fit frenzy." And he says it real slow, real dignified, heavy with authority, sounding like he was the law or something. "By their reaction, it was pretty plain he wasn't the law. All of a sudden one of pudding-ass' boys is heading for this old guy like a torpedo, fist already drawn back ... hell, I blink once and there's fists flying all over that bar, and some damned unfriendly types headed our way. "You heard Harry talking about 'hiking up your skirts' and running away at full speed ... well, this was the time to do just that. I bet our asses that we couldn't get out the front door, but that there was probably a bathroom window we could shimmy out of. I told him 'Bathroom' and he understood, so we threw a few punches, I damn near broke my hand on this good ol' boy's head and I ducked down, got on my hands and knees and started crawling at full speed towards the restrooms." "Allow me, for the next section," Harry said. "So Sappho hits the floor and takes off, I'm about half a heartbeat away from following her ... God and Sonny Jesus know it wouldn't be the first time we'd exited somewhere in that fashion, when dear ol' Rayleen the Aqua-Net Queen sees what's going on and makes a beeline for me, just salivatin' at the thought of getting me ... still not sure why. "Well, I intercept her, as gently as I can, truly, and shove her off to one side, giving me time to duck down and head off behind Sappho. I get down, I hear this scream of rage, the sound of something glass breaking, and then I feel this real sharp pain ... in my right ass-cheek ... and more glass breaking. Now I sure as shit ain't gonna stop what I'm doing to see what's going on, so it was full speed ahead, time to get out before the law showed up and we got to spend some time explaining, or cooling our heels in a cell. And since they were all local and we weren't, I was betting on the jail cell." "My turn now," Karen said, taking over. "So I got to the bathroom door, probably all of five tables from where we'd been a minute, maybe two, before ... but I swear to you it felt a lot longer. I turn around, still on my hands and knees, and spot Harry, dodging random stomping and kicking feet, and suddenly he's there, I'm helping him up and we turn ... to see the bartender, guarding the bathroom doors. "Harry goes into power-bullshit mode, he's just talking a mile a minute, trying to convince this backwards ass country fuck to let us get out of there, we really didn't want to start any trouble, surely he'd seen that, this wasn't our fight, we just wanted to get back home, we had work the next day, so on and so forth, smiling and being just as charismatic as any televangelist you've ever seen. "I look down for some reason, I'm not sure why, maybe to see if Harry had a weapon or something to hit this old boy with, and I see that he's got a big chunk of curved glass, dark brown so it was part of a beer bottle, buried in his ass cheek. And it was buried in there real good too, because he'd already bled down to his knee in back, and it didn't appear to be stopping. So I just reached over, grabbed a-" "Please Sappho ... let me. I'm standing there slingin' the shit as fast as I can, this ol' boy don't give a damn about any of it, I'm in a considerable amount of pain when this heavy wood chair, good and solid, comes out of nowhere and slams into his shoulder and head like a goddamn meteor and he just falls the fuck over, hits the floor and Sappho is draggin' me into the bathrooms. "Well, the men's room didn't have a window, but the women's did so she's up and out, shimmying that big ol' muscular butt o' hers out, I hop up and get my arms through, she looks at me and says 'Harry, this is gonna hurt ... a lot' and yanks me through, which causes what's left of the bottle in my butt-cheek to catch on the window frame, I let loose my famous 'scream of the dying cow' and all of a sudden I'm facedown on Sappho, she's on her back on the ground next to the garbage bin and I'm hearing sirens in the distance ... still far, far away." Karen picked back up the narration. "I get him off me, get him up and moving, he's on his hands and knees in the back seat of that damn Lumina, butt up in the air, while I try to casually speed away on down the road to the next town, hoping to hell they had a hospital with an emergency room ... because the glass had fragmented and splintered and he was still bleeding. "Sure enough, we were still in luck and the ER nurse, doctor and I got to make crude comments about Harry while they were fishing shards of glass out of his ass. Wound up needing eleven stitches, all told. Neither of us were at the office the next day and for the next two weeks, any time I complained about anything, Mr. Stoic there would answer me with some variation of 'at least some psychotic country bitch didn't stab you in the ass'." "So ... that's the story on that scar," Margo mused. "Jesus honey, I didn't know it was still that visible," Harry replied. "It is ... especially in certain light conditions," Carol answered. "Of course, now I won't be able to look at Harry's ass and not see it," Kelly chimed in. "Thanks a lot, Karen." "Oh, somehow I don't think it'll detract from your enjoyment too much," Karen said with a smile. "Okay ... you got me there," Kelly replied. "And now I can chase Harry around with a beer bottle screaming 'Rayleen is coming to get you! Rayleen is coming to get you'!" As the audience laughed, Harry pulled Kelly into his lap. "Do you really want that bad a beating, my love?" As Kelly snuggled into him, she put a contrite look on her face ... and no one there was fooled for a minute. ------- As Eddie sped towards his destination, still soaked from changing the tire in the rain, his night achieved perfection as red and blue lights began flashing behind him. The string of profanity was impressive, even for Eddie. ------- As Tamara was assuring Karen that she had no part in the choosing of Eddie's gift, Margo snuggled up to Harry, wrapping her arms around both he and Kelly. "Harry, love... , " she said, nuzzling his neck, "I believe in positive reinforcement. Therefore, you did very well last night. I sorta kinda woke up when you and Jackie left the bed, and I was pretty sure I remembered her coming back in to get your brace. But I certainly noticed that you were wearing it when you came back to bed, later last night, and I needed to tell you that I really appreciate the effort." "Yeah honey," Kelly said, "although I wasn't awake, I'm happy to hear that you're taking care of yourself. I'm pretty sure we can think of a way to even more positively reinforce such behavior some other evening." "Yes, yes we can," Margo purred, kissing her husband's neck. Suddenly a loud exclamation erupted from Karen as she finally finished unwrapping her present from Eddie, a wrapping job that had been made as complex as possible with fiendish glee. "I'm gonna kill him," she bellowed. "Not you, little one," she added, hugging Tamara, "your present was sweet and incredibly thoughtful. But him ... he's gonna die ... painfully ... slowly ... begging for mercy." "Oh Liz," Patricia said, laughing, "it isn't that bad ... in fact, given one of his favorite nicknames for you, it's perfectly appropriate. And it shows a lot of thought." "Yeah, a great honking fuck-ton of evil, perverse, and sadistic thought. Well, at least I don't have to wear it." "Oh yes you do, Liz darling. I want to see you in it. I like it," Patricia pronounced. "Goddamn it Trish..." Karen spluttered and then her tone changed to more a more pleading tone ... almost a whine. "Do I have to?" As the crowd gathered around, the laughter began and once started was impossible to stop. Out of the huge box came a costume. There was a pink satin corset middle, leaving breasts, pubic region and bottom exposed, pink leather chaps down and around the legs, pink leather sleeves extending from the hooded head and neck piece. Out of pink leather as well was the strap on rig, and the pink gel dildo that attached to it was full of sparkly rainbow glitter. The tail piece could be attached to the back of the harness or the end of a butt plug. The tail was thick pink leather and filled with some sort of stuffing that kept it reasonably stiff. At the ends of the sleeves and legs were pink leather gloves and moccasin boots, fitted with foam claws. The pink leather hood bore a stylized representation of a snarling prehistoric reptile, foam teeth fitted to the edges of the open face so that the wearer's face would be seen inside the open mouth. "Oh my god ... Sappho, he had someone make you a Dyke-a-saurus costume!" Harry laughed. "I MUST have pictures of you in this ... perhaps we could hang some very tasteful prints in the G & P lobby." "Not in this fucking lifetime Harry and probably not in the next as well," Karen growled. "See, his fiancé gives me a lovely bath-set from Soapy Hollow, full of my favorite soaps and oils ... wonder how she knew which those were," Karen asked, looking suspiciously at Patricia, "and Eddie gives me this overblown gag gift." "Uh, Karen ... I hate to tell you this, but that's a really beautiful costume ... I recognize the workmanship on part of it," Carol said. "He did ask me who I'd go to for leatherwork ... Mr. Antiquity made that. I figure it was way too expensive for a gag gift ... granted, the whole ensemble is rather ... well, fucking hilarious actually ... but the hood and sleeves, the chaps and moccasins ... not to mention the tail ... you can leave those off, and you have a beautiful corset and strap on harness. I'd ... uh ... I'd love to see you in them..." "Liz ... there's more in the box," Patricia said, digging through the paper. She held up a large brown foam club, made to look like wood and what appeared to be a few scraps of leather connected by straps. As Patricia sorted them out they were revealed to be a leather loincloth and almost non-existent halter top ... a 'cave girl' costume for Patricia. "Okay, now there's a costume I can appreciate!" Karen said. "And you'll get to see me in it about as often as I see you in yours," Patricia responded, blushing deeply. "If I'm going to wear this, you can wear that." "You know, as roommates, I think we're entitled to see at least the opening rounds of the great Dyke-a-saurus & Cave Girl match," Galena said, trying to avoid Karen's glare by focusing her attention on Patricia. "Yeah, as close friends of the family, I'm pretty sure we're entitled to see some of that action as well," Carol said. "In fact, next time we perform at Dominique's..." ------- " ... and that's the whole story, Deputy Wallace. I can give you the phone numbers of Rays of Sunshine and the store I'm heading for ... I mean, c'mon ... who'd come up with a story like this just to get out of a speeding ticket? Hell, I wouldn't even mind a speeding ticket, as long as it's quick. I won't lie to you either ... I'll be breaking the speed limit all the way out of your jurisdiction and beyond. I've GOT to get to that store as soon as possible." Two quick phone calls later, Deputy Sheriff Craig Wallace was roaring down the highway providing an escort for a man who was on the oddest mission Wallace had ever heard of. ------- "C'mon Karen, you might as well give in now," Harry said as the two of them led the horde of people leaving Ironworks and heading to their respective vehicles. "Carol and Kelly are going to work on Patricia, not that it'll take much convincing, and she'll work on you, you'll end up doing it because you love her ... better to just skip to the chase now, and give in." "Why haven't I beaten those two wives of yours?" Karen grumbled. "Well Sappho, because Carol is almost directly responsible for you and Patricia getting back together ... as to why you haven't beaten Kelly ... damn, that's a real good question. Why haven't you beaten Kelly?" "Because she's cute, runs very fast and could probably rally the support of your immediate household to her defense ... remember Harry, I sit in the 'crazy', not 'stupid' section." Karen smiled as they reached her car, walking arm in arm as they often did. "So, what's on your agenda for the rest of the evening?" Harry was startled out of his contemplation by the question. "Uh, I tell you what, Sappho my love, why doesn't Patricia ride home with the ladies and you and I talk..." ------- At the county line, Eddie was handed off to a new County Deputy Sheriff who escorted Eddie at high speed across the county. After a lifetime where unfortunate encounters with the law outnumbered the positive ones, Eddie reflected that he'd never had a law enforcement escort with lights and sirens that didn't involve him sitting in the back of the cruiser, handcuffed. "I could get used to this shit," he muttered to himself. It was then that his cell phone rang. ------- "I don't care what you went through; we are SO not having sex tonight!" "Karen, I understand, believe me. The idea doesn't revolt me the way it does you ... doesn't revolt me at all, quite the opposite ... but your partner has heard so many stories that have the line 'if Harry wasn't a guy', or some variation thereof, in them that she thought this would be a suitable gift ... I mean, they'll be standing by to take care of our ... our private parts as it were, so they're thinking we'd have the emotional aspects of making love with each other without, for you, the physical ickiness." "My partner is fuckin' certifiable," Karen snarled. "And it's not you ... hell, if I was to ever make love with another man in my life, it'd be you or that big goddamn Neanderthal motherfucker ... it's just ... I don't do men. I haven't done men in a very long time." "You mean you've actually had sex with a man?" Harry asked, truly surprised. "Well, I wouldn't call him a man ... we were both fifteen at the time. But yes, I have had sexual intercourse with a male of the species!" Karen laughed. "I'm sorry ... I don't mean to sound so ... I just ... you just always came across as "Lesbian she was at the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without men, amen". I guess I assumed..." "Really Harry, it's okay ... I certainly work hard to project that image. I felt I had to give your species a fair test, Neal Deacon was my best friend from the time I was four ... he was another one like you ... if ever there was a man ... but at the age of fifteen I was pretty sure which way I leaned, and leaned severely. We tried ... we succeeded ... it was real sweet and loving ... and I never, EVER want to do that again." "What happened to him?" "Deke, he hated the name Neal, and his family moved away a year later. We kept in touch for awhile, but then college happened and life got real busy ... we haven't talked since a phone call around Christmas of junior year." "Do you still have some way to contact him?" "I have what was his parents' number, not sure if they're still there." "Okay, tell ya what, since an evening with me holds no charms for you-" "I didn't say that." "Yes you did." "Harry, what I said was that we were not having sex. To tell you the truth ... sometimes I get a bit nostalgic for the bad old days when we were struggling to put food on the table and sleeping in the same bed with that gassy goddamn dog of yours not more than three feet away, farting all night. "I may not want to make love with you ... at least not in the physical sense ... but I really wouldn't mind spending the night cuddled up with you." "What is it with women enjoying cuddling with me?" Harry asked bemusedly. "You're complaining?" "Oh God, not at all," Harry replied. "Sounds like a lovely way to spend the night ... although the thought of you waxing nostalgic for my morning hard-on in the crack of your ass ... that's kind of unbelievable ... or remembering fondly Chipper's farts." "Okay ... those parts I don't miss so much. But the rest of it..." "So, next question Sappho. You gonna tell Patricia now, or later?" "I think I'll let it wait until tomorrow, probably over breakfast. I say we just go home, visit for awhile and then you and I head off to bed ... tell our respective ... helpers ... that their services won't be needed for the evening." "Sounds good to me ... but don't forget to schedule in your birthday spanking ... and decide how you want to get it, who you want to give it to you." "Goddamn, did you have to ruin my good mood by reminding me of that, Harry?" "Why yes Sappho, my old and dear friend, I did. Now as I was saying, why don't you try to track Deke down tomorrow? At least catch up on where you've gone with your lives. Good God woman, he doesn't know anything about your success, both in business and life in general, how things have turned out for you. And I KNOW you're curious about him, way down deep in your furry little heart. Find him." ------- After a short conversation on the cell phone, it was a mystified and worried Eddie Janak who pulled into the parking lot outside F.A.O. Schwarz, the upscale toy retailer. He put that worry aside and focused on the task at hand. It was 10:13 PM, he was very late, but after all the time the County-Mounties escort had bought him, his search for an ATM had been a nightmare. Running up to the door he peered inside, relieved to see someone he assumed was Ms. Twinnings, the woman he'd talked to on the phone. For her part, Anastasia Twinnings was amused to watch a man acting out in mime the message "I'm the one who called about the big bear" ... a large man, who looked more than a little like a bear himself. Fifteen minutes later Eddie had signed the credit card receipt and carefully loaded the plastic-wrapped, seven-foot-tall stuffed polar bear under the camper shell in the back of his truck. And Ms. Twinnings found herself two hundred and fifty dollars richer, in spite of her protestations that no such gratuity was required ... and she was even more stunned by the tears in the eyes of Eddie as he thanked her again and again for her help. "Someone is very lucky to have him in their life," she murmured as she waved goodbye, watching him drive out of the parking lot. ------- "Alright, I'm calling from a land line, just as you requested. Now who is this and why am I calling?" "This is Eddie? Hold on, let me get him to the phone." Eddie stood at the pay phone more puzzled than ever while he waited. "Eddie, this is Nick Philouma. I have some news for you that I really needed to pass on as soon as possible." "Hello Nick..." Eddie was startled by the sound of Nick's voice ... it was as if he had aged twenty or thirty years. "I'm listening." "Someone is hiring muscle to come to your home and..." "I see ... how serious, how many ... and you wouldn't happen to have a time-frame, would you?" Eddie growled through gritted teeth. "Well, they're far from top-flight talent, but they're pretty good leg-breakers, eight of them, Saturday night, Sunday morning ... my contact's best guess would be around 3 AM." "How far are they supposed to go?" "Nobody's supposed to die. Just a beating for you and Tamara, they're going to trash your house, leave the two of you tied up. Of course, if anything goes horribly awry..." "Then we die ... who's behind it?" "Owen Jeffries." "Who?" "Owen Jeffries, otherwise known as Karggark of the Karg. Silly goddamn idea, modeling your life after a series of crap novels..." "Owen Jeffries ... Owen Jeffries..." Eddie mused. "Why does that name sound so familiar?" "Do you want help with this?" "No ... I think we've got them taken care of ... what I would request is some help when we pay a visit to Owen and his boys. I plan to hurt him ... very badly ... and then I'm going to want him and his people out of town forever. There are going to be some women and children there that we'll be ... liberating ... and just like Kim and her kids, they'll eventually need to have papers. I'm sure you know that we'd all appreciate your help with that, as well as making sure these women don't end up on the streets or hooking for someone." "I'll do what I can. Anybody ever tell you that you can speak very well when it suits you?" "Yeah, from time to time ... don't let it get out; it'll spoil my fuckin' reputation." The laugh Eddie heard over the phone was the first time he'd heard any shadow of the Nick he knew. Eddie was very thoughtful as he began the long drive back home. ------- "THIRTEEN POINT SEVEN MILLION?" Kelly exploded. "Yes dearest, thirteen point seven million," Margo said. Everyone was kissing her and hugging her and caressing her, Karen and Patricia broke out a bottle of champagne, the subs were scurrying about serving that and drinks and snacks, although almost everyone was still far too full to eat anything. But when it all calmed down a bit, Margo found herself in the midst of her greatest wealth. Harry, Kelly and Carol surrounded her, holding her tightly and bringing her back from the edge of hysteria that she'd been dancing along ever since she got the news. "Without the three of you," she murmured, "I would be poverty-stricken no matter how much I have in the bank. With the three of you, I would be wealthy no matter how deep in debt I was." "Well my love," Carol said, "damn good thing you have us, huh?" ------- Chapter 42 The stuffed polar bear completely filled one corner of the living room, the largest room in the house. Eddie couldn't have fit it into any of the bedrooms, even the master bedroom, without having it eat so much of the floor space as to make the room unusable. But in the living room, he figured the kids could use it as a television chair ... the legs and arms were arranged for children to snuggle into, sturdy enough to support them for long periods of time. Rachel had chosen a perfect gift for Kimmy and Timmy ... provided there was a barn-sized room available. Eddie smiled to himself, happy that such was the case. Kim came in as he finished filling out the glittered and brightly colored card. It had a hole already punched in it so he could attach it to the bright blue ribbon hanging down from the huge mylar balloon that accompanied the stuffed animal. After taking in the enormous bear, the card and the balloon, Kim said, "Master, you did not have to do this! You have already been more than kind to my children and me. This is too much!" He turned and took in the sight of this new addition to his household as she stood there, embarrassed and worried. "Kim, number one, don't call me 'Master'. Number two, yes I did have to do it, but not for me, not for you, not for the kids." He sighed, "My sister is alright with ... well, you might call it 'imposin' on Tamara and me. I'm her brother, she feels it's okay to come into my space, and the space of my fiancé, as a guest. She knows us and we've done everythin' we possibly can to make her feel welcome. "But you and the kids ... she's coming into your space as well and while she figures that with a lot of apologies to you for the imposition, and I do mean a lot of apologies, everything will be okay ... she expects that kind of reasonableness from adults. With the kids ... well, she needed to make it right, to find the perfect gift to smooth the way with them." "There is no need, the children realize that-" "Kim, they do. I'm sure they're fine with her visit. God knows you've told me they are often enough. This is to make it right for her and my sister has her own very strict set of rules for herself. If Hector or Janelle hadn't located this on the internet, I have no doubt with her hoverin' over their shoulders and pesterin' 'em the entire time, if I hadn't been able to pick it up and get it here today ... she wouldn't have come. Even if we somehow convinced her to come, it would've been a really lousy beginning to a really lousy visit. So, much as I like you and your kids, I ain't doin' this for y'all. I'm doin' it for her." "Does your sister know how much you love her?" Kim asked, smiling in acceptance. Whereas before the last several weeks the question might have brought Eddie distress, now he was able to smile and honestly reply, "Yeah ... yeah, I think she does." ------- "Mornin' sleepy-head," Harry murmured as Karen stirred beneath the covers. "Harry ... you're been ... you've been awake ... for awhile." "How can you tell?" "The absence of a hard-on in my ass-crack." "Good indicator, as indicators go ... yeah, been up awhile. Went and pottied ... came back and cuddled." "This feels really good, but lemme up ... gotta go facilitate." Harry watched his long-time friend and partner stagger to the bathroom, bumping into the door facing, and then the door. "Harry," came a whisper from outside the bedroom door, "tell my darling that I'm on my way to start the coffee." Harry got up and padded to the door. Opening it he said, "Patricia, how long have you been out there?" "Oh about a half hour ... just reading and waiting for signs of life ... I recognized Liz's thumping and thudding. So, how'd it go?" "Not at all like you planned, but very well ... very well indeed. I'll let Sappho tell you all about it. I need to get dressed and get home." "Sure you won't stay for breakfast?" Karen asked as she came out of the bathroom. "No, you and your love have things to discuss and I need to get back. It's going to be a busy, busy day." He turned and hugged Karen, holding on to her tightly, letting his love for his longtime friend flow through him. "Thank you for a wonderful night and if you ever feel the need to do it again, you know where to find me." "You too," she said, her breath warming his neck. "If not sooner, and I suspect it will be sooner rather than waiting that long, I've got another birthday coming up in a year." ------- "Thank you ... thank you more than I can say," Andrea whispered, hoping not to wake Galena but unable to keep silent any longer. She lightly caressed her bedmate and was only slightly startled to hear Galena's murmured "You're welcome" as she did so. "I'm sorry, didn't mean to wake you." "Need to get up anyway," Galena grumbled. "You may be a lady of luxury who doesn't have to be at her business till later but high school and the morning bell from hell waits for no woman." ------- Lisa and Jackie were having breakfast when Harry came shambling in. "I smell coffee ... I know I do ... please tell me there's some left?" he said, giving each of them a hug and a kiss. "Of course there is, silly man," Lisa replied. "It's passable, not really close to your standard, but drinkable. Although I'd like to make a suggestion if I might ... why don't you go crawl into bed with the lovelies? It's y'all's day off and I'm not aware of any reason whatsoever for you to be up quite this early." "Well," Harry said, eyeing the coffee pot with desire, "we do have errands we need to run and we have to have plenty of time to get ready for Dominique's tonight ... still ... to hell with it. That's a remarkably good idea. I'm going to go to bed with my spouses." "Good man," Lisa said as she and her friend hugged their Master and sent him off to bed. ------- The two lovers sat the kitchen table, looking at each other over mugs of coffee. "So you and Harry didn't do anything?" Patricia asked in a voice that was deceptively calm to anyone who didn't know her well. Karen knew the owner of that voice was mere seconds away from sobbing tears. "No Trish, we didn't. And it was a wonderful, glorious night and I can't thank you and the other women enough for it." Patricia looked at her partner with stunned incomprehension. "I'm very confused, Liz." Karen patted her lover, no longer near tears, on the hand and explained to her that not all acts of making love involved sex or gender preferences. ------- It was almost noon when Harry's wives convened a council over his crotch. "He doesn't smell like sex," Kelly whispered, sniffing around Harry's cock. "Doesn't smell like anything but normal sweaty husband." "You think they did it, maybe he cleaned up afterwards?" Carol asked softly. "Might've," Margo answered in a murmur, "but no matter what," she smiled down at his waxed crotch, "doesn't it look pretty that way? All that hair gone?" "I don't mind hair," Kelly said, pulling her head back. "Well neither do I," Carol whispered, "and neither does Margo, but it is awfully cute that way. Think he'll keep it waxed?" "Not a snowball's chance in hell," growled their husband, opening his eyes to glare at them. ------- "Eddie," the blonde angel said as the truck rolled through the countryside, "it bootiful." Her eyes were wide and filled with light as she looked out at hillsides and pastures, fields and creeks she hadn't seen since her transfer to Rays of Sunshine many years earlier. "Not nearly as beautiful as you, Schnicklefritz," Eddie chuckled as they rolled along. "How you doin' over there, you okay?" "Not 'Schnik'fitz', 'ache' ... I mo'e than okay, I's goin' somewhe'!" Her excitement was plain to see and wonderful to behold. "So Eddie, you got bea'?" "Yes, Ratbottom, for the eighth time, I got the bear. He's sitting in the living room at the house and I think we're going to have problems prying Kimmy and Timmy away from him. They watched morning cartoons sitting in his arms this morning." "Not 'atbottom, I'm 'ache' an' you don' count good, only been seven times. Has he to'd them his name yet?" "Eight cause I bet you forgot asking me while you were going to the bathroom before we left. They said his name is Wei Shi Li." "Is seven cause you jus' count wrong. What kinda name that?" "It's seven because you're my angel of a sister. It's Chinese, the language their mother grew up speaking and taught to them when they were very young." "Chinese? They don' speak like us?" "Oh, they speak English, better than I do most of the time. They just speak Chinese as well." "Then what name mean? What Way She Lee mean?" "Means "beautiful protector"." "Bootiful p'tecto' ... thas good bea' name." "I think so too, Rachel, I think so too." ------- As Eddie pushed her chair up the sidewalk to the ramp leading to the porch and the front door beyond, Rachel frantically motioned for him stop. Eddie put the brake on and rushed around front, knelt before her and asked, "Sweetie, what's wrong, you okay?" The fear in her eyes was unmistakable. "Eddie ... is it gonna be al'ight?" "What, what gonna be alright?" "This ... my visit ... Kim an' he' kids ... Tama'a ... is me vistin' gonna be al'ight?" He took her face in his hands, fighting back the tears behind his eyes. "Rachel, it's going to be better than alright ... you have my promise. Now relax ... calm down ... Tamara and Kim and the kids had to have heard the truck, they're probably wondering where we are." "Can we ... would you ... push me a'ound bit mo'e ... I still ne'vous." "Okay, let me dart in and tell them what's happening, I'll be right back." A minute or two later Eddie was back beside her. "Can Tamara come walking with us?" "Yeah ... I know Tama'a." After a moment more, the three of them were strolling down the sidewalk, Eddie pushing his sister's chair with Tamara walking beside her. They made a circuit of the block, enjoying the sun as it shone through the shade trees that lined the route, Tamara holding Rachel's hand. As they neared the house again, Eddie said, "So, are you ready to go in yet, Bartlesby?" "Not Ba'tesby, 'ache' ... could ... could we go around b'ock again?" "Sure angel ... would it be okay if one, just one, of the kids came and walked with us?" Tamara asked. "Uh ... I s'pose." "Alright, be right back." A few moments later Tamara walked out with Timmy. "Timmy, this is Eddie's sister, Rachel. Rachel, this is Timmy." The two of them looked at each other shyly, then Timmy held out his hand, smiling encouragingly at the woman who was so much older than him physically, yet roughly the same age mentally. She took it and together the four of them walked around the block again, smiling and silent, till they reached the front of the house. Rachel dropped Tamara's hand and motioned Eddie down to her. "Cou'd you jus b'ing out Kimmy?" Resigning himself to at least two more trips around the block, Eddie went inside to bring out the little girl. In silence they walked around the block again, Kimmy and Timmy both holding on to one of Rachel's hands as Tamara walked beside Eddie, proud of her sister-in-law-to-be, proud of their roommates and most of all, proud of her lover. After collecting Kim, the six of them made the circle again, each bump and uneven sidewalk section familiar to Eddie as he smoothed his sister's way as much as possible. A neighborhood dog, perhaps awakened from its nap, thought about barking at them as they passed his yard. A short but authoritative yip was heard from behind the fence, but no one seemed to mind and no more was heard from the dog. "This was a very beautiful idea you had, Miss Rachel," Kim commented as they neared the house again. "If you decide you wish to take a walk again tomorrow, might I be allowed to help you by pushing the chair?" Rachel's twinkling eyes and shy "Yes ... thank 'ou" brought a kiss on the cheek from Tamara. "Rachel, is it okay if we go in now?" she asked softly, her mouth close to Rachel's ear. "It okay, we go in now," Rachel replied somewhat imperiously. "It a 'itt'e hot out he'e." ------- An afternoon of errands left the four spouses more than ready for cocktails in the living room as they began preparations to go to Dominique's that evening. Lisa and Jackie arrived home on the same bus. When they walked in the door, they were greeted by the sight of Harry, Margo and Kelly, wrapped in towels, reclining on floor cushions while Carol delivered drinks and Billy painted the ladies' toenails. "Madam, if you will give us a brief time to get undressed, we will be down to help Carol serve," Lisa said, dropping to her knees. "Nonsense," Margo replied. "You just got home from a hard day at work. Go catch showers then feel free to join us for drinks. Billy can do your nails, if you so desire." "Yes," Carol added, "and if you'll let me know what you want to drink, I'll have it ready. You've been at work all day. We slept in till around noon." Lisa Tischler and Jackie Wagner left their drink requests and went upstairs to shower, their heads shaking as they pondered the difference in attitudes between where they'd been and where they were. ------- Minerva Cornelius and her House arrived shortly thereafter. The Grand Dame swept into the living room dressed in a rather plain outfit. In style it was very similar to what she usually wore, but it a rather dull blue while the rest of her House was adorned in new costumes of House Chorale colors. "Don't worry, Margo," Minerva said, exchanging hugs with her, "I'm not coming this evening. Events during our visit to Chains have necessitated that I spend some time bringing myself under control again and I think it would be best if I did that while dealing with ... her." Margo had no doubt, given the look on the elderly woman's face that Ophelia was in for a most unpleasant evening. "Minerva, what happened to upset you so?" "It is quite simple, Margo darling," Madame Cornelius replied. "Laney is not only portraying himself as the guardian of Traditionalist values, but of 'hardcore' values as well. A show he put on at Chains the night before my House and I showed up there was evidently quite spectacular. He was most generous to those in attendance." The woman's voice dropped from her normal rarified tones of complete control to an angry growl, more suited to Li Kuan. "Apparently he dropped over five thousand on rounds for the house and poisoned the well where we are concerned quite completely." Her voice returned to its normal somber and restrained quality. "He's depicting you as complete novices and dilettantes to the traditionalists and as lightweight dabblers to the more hardcore." Her lip curled up into a sneer of disdain that would freeze rabid animals in their tracks. "Unfortunately, by both camps' standards, he's very much correct." "I'm sorry, Minerva ... perhaps we should have spent time becoming established in the scene before starting this fight," Margo said, taking Minerva's hand in her own. "Nonsense, let us speak no more about that option," Madame Cornelius proclaimed, "I knew the risk when this began. There is, however, a positive side to this ... several, possibly." She paused and worked back and forth, forcing herself to calm. "He will have given up on such "half-assed, poseur clubhouses like Dominique's" to quote Simon Glaum." "He would be... ?" Harry asked. "The oldest and most respected of the serious S&M contingent ... the hardest of the hardcore ... overall a decent man, but it's very hard to change his mind once it's been made up. I've been told that those who deal with me regularly might find that trait quite familiar." "Oh, you're not that bad, Minerva, we find you very accommodating," Harry said with a grin. Minerva Cornelius smiled, "So we can operate in any but the most hide-bound and serious circles relatively freely. The other plus is that even with him pandering to those two factions so shamelessly and profligately, there will be those who remember when he had no time nor interest in either, so once we can determine who they are, we have multiple possible courses of action available to us." "Yes, yes we do," Margo mused. "Sabotage, espionage, agents provocateurs ... this could indeed be most interesting." "Indeed," Minerva replied, "we shall have to wait and see what develops." ------- After 'ooh'ing and 'ah'ing over her room, Rachel (and eventually Eddie and Tamara as well) ended up in tears. The three of them sat together and told each other how happy they all were that Rachel was able to visit and that Eddie and Tamara were together and had a place for her to visit until nothing remained but smiles and Rachel's plaintive request "Go swim now?" Once Tamara and Rachel were in the pool, Eddie kissed them both and said he'd be right back. He walked out the back gate and headed for Harry's. ------- "So that's the story. I was wondering if Tamara, Rachel, Kim and her kids could stay over here or at your place, Karen, tomorrow night?" Karen mused, "I think the doors and such are wide enough that we can accommodate Rachel and Tamara, since I'm pretty sure she'll want to keep an eye on your sister. What about y'all, Harry? Can y'all handle Kim and her kids?" "Shouldn't be a problem but let me double-check. What about it, Mistress of the House?" Carol grinned, "You just can't stop rubbing that in, can you ... that I'm actually in charge of something, responsible for it. Uh, yeah, as long as they don't mind getting comfy here in the living room, we make up pallets, we've got plenty of blankets and pillows ... they should be just fine." "So," Harry continued, "you, me, Karen ... who else?" "I ain't said there was gonna be anyone else," Eddie protested. "Didn't have to. Matter's not up for discussion. Don't care what you think," Karen growled. "I'm in," Li Kuan said. The roomful of people stared at her for a moment, then Eddie laughed. "Of course you are, Li Kuan ... who in their right mind would expect you to miss a chance to kick some ass." "I have some restrictions," Margo said. "Number one, I'll be there as well, but definitely out of the action ... I'm just thinking you may need a doctor before the night is through ... none of the rest of us though," she added, waving down the protests of Carol and Kelly. "Even staying out of the way, hopefully, puts one too many of us at risk. Harry, well shit, Harry, you better not get hurt. I want every shotgun we can lay our hands on loaded with rock-salt. If Nick's informant is right, these guys aren't going all out and nothing says 'get on outta hyear!' like rock salt. Also it hurts ... a lot. And I'm going to have 911 on speed dial for the moment things are done ... see if we can beat the neighbor's complaints. We'll set up a card table, make it look like we were playing cards or dominoes or something ... at least give the police a reason to believe our bullshit story that we weren't lying in wait for these douchebags." Harry hugged his wife. "I lurves her, she's smaaaart!" With the outbreak of laughter, the planning of mayhem drew to a close. ------- In the limo on the way to Dominique's, everyone sprawled in the back in comfortable costumes in the House colors. The dominants wore long, loose, long-sleeved shirts with billowy sleeves and either kilts or skirts. The submissives wore the same shirts but with thongs ... except for Billy, who wore a Speedo brief so tight he joked 'people can tell my religion'. Harry and Margo cuddled together and spoke quietly. "Honey, are you going to be able to 'play me' and let go tonight like Dr. Lowenstein asked?" "Harry ... I don't know. I'm not sure it's such a good idea, even if I do. I'm not sure I can relax enough to 'be you'. And even if I do manage it, I'd hate to get stupid and do something that would harm any of us or the House's reputation, but I don't want to have one of you watching me every second to make sure I don't. It would ruin your evening and make the whole exercise kind of moot, in my mind." "Well, you can just say thank you to me right now," Harry replied, beaming. "Figured we might have an issue, called Dommi and got her help. Angela and another employee, a very nice young man called Papa Stripper are going to be escorting you through the evening. They'll keep you away from anyone unsavory or dangerous, make sure you get whatever you want that's available and worth having ... basically, they're going to be completely available to you as well as play ground control for you tonight." "Ground control?" Margo asked suspiciously. "Yes dear, I plan on you smoking a lot of dope, under the right stimulation. That should insure that your focus is on pleasure and relaxing, I'm thinking it should work and they'll be there to make sure you're okay." Margo thought about the effects pot had had upon her libido in the past. "Good plan, my genius husband. I love you. And if someone will pass me the pipe, I can get started on the smoke." "Done," Harry replied, passing the pipe to her, "and now to get you in the right headspace..." As Margo took her first hit, Harry slid down between her legs and began gently nuzzling her cunt while Carol, Kelly, Lisa, Jackie and Billy caressed and massaged her, doing their absolute utmost to turn her on with every touch. Nicki, Sheila, Karen, Patricia and Helen watched, smiling as Margo quickly made the passage from 'worried' to 'aroused', from 'uptight' to 'completely loose'. "You know, if she's not careful," Karen observed, slipping into an unmistakable true East Texas accent, "that ol' girl's gonna get fucked good afore we even get there." Hans, Andre, Li Kuan and Puppy were in the Bentley following them wearing their own variations on the theme. Hans and Andre were in matching skin-tight leather pants and rather looser fishnet t-shirts. Li Kuan was in a crimson-and-black leather strap outfit that hid only the bare essentials, showed off most of her scars and piercings and Puppy was naked except for ribbons in the House colors tied to the rings that had been put in every piercing, just for the occasion. "Is everyone really going to be free to pull any of my ribbons tonight?" Puppy asked Li Kuan as she cuddled next to her. "Well, anyone allowed near our table, little one," Li Kuan replied. "Any stranger that tries it could lose a limb. I won't stand for that kind of thing." Pleased by her Mistress' possessiveness, Puppy writhed and wriggled in pleasure. "However," Li Kuan added sternly, "you are not to come until I give you permission. I don't care who pulls how hard, or who violates you where, you come without my permission and I will make you scream for a very long time." Puppy hung her head, knowing just how severe that punishment would be and just how far past the limits of her ability to enjoy pain it would go. ------- Instead of the almost formal march they had performed attending Dominique's the first time, they casually strolled in that evening, allowing themselves to be led to a large bank of tables and seats. Within moments Dommi showed up with Angela and Papa Stripper, a beautiful young man of Caribbean descent. After a round of hugs, she presented them to Margo and told her to go do whatever her heart desired as the two of them would keep her from getting into any real trouble. With kisses all around, Margo wandered off through the packed club, her two minders in tow. "Harry, as I understand you're in charge tonight," Dommi said, sitting in his lap and laying his head upon her chest, "I thought you should know. Quite a few minor Houses showed up tonight ... oh, that feels good, you can do that as long as you like ... to make contact with you, and Houses Hurley, Franklin and St. Paul have already called, asking me to reserve them space at your table or near it for the evening. I expect them in sometime in the next hour, half hour." She pulled Harry away from kissing her breast. "Sweetie, do I and my House get something special for acting as your social secretary?" she asked teasingly. "Name it and it's yours," Harry replied, his face and voice leaving no doubt as to the sincerity of his words. "You are much adored by us and our House and there is little you could ask that we would not readily give." Dominique was taken aback slightly and there was no disguising it. "Harry, you do this 'being in charge' thing real well ... you sound ... regal." "Well," he confided, dropping his voice and grinning, "don't let on, but crazy Ms. Kelly has us occasionally acting and speaking like we're characters in some Arthurian drama ... I just fall back on 'playing' Arthur. Seems to work." "Seems to work indeed, my Lord," Dommi murmured, leaning down and kissing him about the ear. "What I want, at some point this evening, is you and Billy up in my office." "Didn't you play enough with Billy when he lived here?" Harry asked, amused. "Oh no, Harry, never with an employee ... Ricky wears a Dominique's outfit more to be invisible here among the crowd than because he works for me ... I keep my House and my business very separate. I haven't availed myself of Billy's talents since before he came to work and live here." "Fine, we'll be there ... is that all?" "For now, Harry ... for now." ------- Margo walked through the club, looking at people — although never staring — and her mind naturally fell back into the way Margo generally looked at the world. "Angela," she said as they strolled back towards the rear of the club where small bedrooms had been put in, "I don't think I know how not to be me ... I mean ... how not to act like ... or think ... I don't know." "Madam, your confusion is perfectly normal. It's a hard thing to act against your nature, or your normal way of acting ... so, you're supposed to be Harry this evening, right? "Yes, a blown-all-out-of-proportion version of Harry ... taking risks and doing stupid things and charming my way through it all ... although how I can fake that last part I've got no idea ... I'm nowhere as good at that sort of thing as he is." Margo frowned, a sigh of exasperation escaping her lips. "I'm not even sure I can manage to be as 'happy-go-lucky' as he really is, much less a, well, super-sized version of him." "Well, in that I feel we can be of assistance ... we can help you choose ... easy targets. But right now you're thinking too much, not acting on impulse and desire. Come on," she said, taking Margo by one hand, Papa Stripper by the other, we're going out to the parking lot and getting severely lit up." ------- As they strode back through the club, heading for the entrance, Carol came up. "Can I borrow Angela for just a minute?" As Carol drug Angela off, Papa Stripper said, "She loves you very much, your little wife." "Ah, you got the same feeling I did," Margo replied, "that she's giving Angela care and feeding instructions along with threats of dire punishment should something unpleasant happen to me?" "Was dere ever any doubt," he said, laughing with a deep bass rumble. "She had a look about her dat no one could have missed. As I said, you are very precious to her." "Yes I am," Margo murmured, resigning herself to waiting a few more moments before moving on towards the front doors. As they resumed their process through the club, stopping briefly at the bar for shots, Margo couldn't keep her amusement to herself anymore. "So Angela, did she give you the 'one drink, one water' speech? Threaten you with a slicing courtesy of her razor?" Angela turned and looked at the woman like she'd just come from outer space and had asked Angela to drive her to KFC. "Don't you ever, ever let me hear you making light of her concern for you again or I'll forget I'm a happy little sub who'd kill almost anyone to be a part of a family like yours. I'll reach up and hit you so hard you'll become one with the floor, I mean bond with it on a molecular level and forget what fucking century it is," she spat. "Then when you can pick your ass up off the floor, I'll do it again." Angela looked away, embarrassed by her outburst ... but not too embarrassed. "Pardon me, ma'am, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have ... every day people pass through this place either looking for a home or looking for someone to share their home with. We place quite a few, sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn't, then we try again. Some of the people here tonight would do anything to have a tenth of the happiness and security your group has found. I ... I imagine it's difficult sometimes, living with a group of people who care about you and stick their noses in where maybe you don't want them. But around here, we live with too much loneliness to listen to you treat what you have so cavalierly." She sighed. "I'll go have Dommi assign you someone else as escort this evening." Margo grabbed her arm. "You'll do no such thing, young lady. You and I and the pretty man with the exotic accent back there are going to go to the limo and get very stoned ... and if I cry on your shoulder a little it's because you're right." In the front foyer, Angela pointed to one of the attendants. "Shanika, get us a locker if you would, please?" "What do we need a locker for?" Margo inquired. "We're leaving our clothes here and streaking to the limo." "WE'RE WHAT?" "Would Harry do it, just for the fuck of it?" "Well ... yes." "Then naked we shall go. C'mon." As they piled into the back of the limo, the door hastily unlocked by a very surprised driver, there were no words from the naked trio, just non-stop giggling and heaving breaths. After a time, Margo grabbed the limo's phone and dialed a number from memory. "Hello, Tattie? Yeah, is Julie there? "No, no I don't want to speak to her, I want to know if she's there to cover for you ... well, get some comfortable clothes on, preferably in red and black. "We're coming to get you, expect three naked people in a limo to kidnap you in the next half-hour." After giving the driver his instructions, the limo pulled out into traffic and headed for an area west of downtown. Inside the limo, the smoke was already growing quite thick. "That's got to be one of the more unusual calls I've ever received," Tattie commented as she hung up the phone. "What? What was so unusual?" Julie asked from the kitchen table. "It was Margo, telling me to get dressed; three nekkid people were going to kidnap me." Julie clapped her hands together with glee. "Oh, they're taking you to Dominique's!" ------- "Hey darlin', it's Margo ... yes, we've missed you too. I was wondering, you at work tonight? Cool, we're going to be swinging by the restaurant in the next twenty to thirty. Keep an eye out for the limo and come on out, I need to talk to you. Well, it might be a little while, so you might want to get one of your little sisters in to cover for you ... alright Chatsiree, see you in a bit." ------- House Franklin arrived at Dominique's and was shown to the table. "Stefan, so good to see you again," Harry said, rising to shake his hand. "And your pet as well ... what can we get you to drink?" "Master Grimes-" "Please, call me Harry." "Harry ... you really don't have to-" "You're right, I don't. But it pleases me, so I will." As Stefan gave his and Lourdes' drink order to their waitress, Harry found himself enjoying being 'in charge'. "So, Master Gri- Harry ... where is Madam Grimes this evening? For that matter where are Master Janak and his lovely little Tamara?" "Stefan, you know she'd stick her tongue out at you to hear you refer to her as Madam Grimes. Courtesy of our family therapist, Margo's spending the evening being me, I'm spending the evening being her, Mistress Kelly has switched ... well, not roles, in the D/s sense of the word, but attitudes, shall we say, with Carol. I expect to see Margo at some point this evening making a total spectacle of herself, as is my wont. "As for Eddie and Tamara, they have a dear relative visiting so are otherwise occupied." Carol tugged on Harry's sleeve and he bent down to let her whisper in his ear. He rose back up, grinning at the other dominant. "Stefan, since Carol is being the voracious hunter ... but doesn't want to upset you, she'd like me to ask you about Lourdes?" Stefan Franklin returned Harry's smile. "Certainly ... Carol, do as you would." "Oh God, Stefan ... we could both regret your choice of words there," Harry laughed. Carol moved on the older Hispanic woman like a panther, eyes never leaving Lourdes' face, stalking back and forth, each pass a little closer. For her part, House Franklin's submissive seemed lost in Carol's unblinking stare, Lourdes' head slowly swinging from side to side as she watched Carol approach. There was a pause in the air, Lourdes' tongue moved between her lips and Carol was on her in an instant, mouth to her neck, one hand caressing Lourdes' side, the other sliding through the slit in the front of her skirt, on her inner thigh and moving upwards. "My my my..." Carol murmured into Lourdes' neck, "what have we here? Mmm, moist ... twitching ... just the way I like them." A second later she and Stefan's pet were locked in an embrace and a kiss that showed no signs of stopping. "No big surprise there," Kelly said, sidling up to Harry. "Remember the night you met me? She put the full court press on me so hard and heavy I could barely breathe." "And thank God she did," Harry replied, kissing her hand. "Oh, I don't know ... I like to think the Universe has a way of putting people where they're supposed to be," Kelly answered after returning the kiss, "I would have ended up in my family's arms, no matter what." "Yes," Stefan said, taking his drink from their waitress, "I know the feeling. Lourdes was in one of my classes and although nothing happened, we both felt that something should have. After her graduation, she and her boyfriend-at-the-time moved to Charleston, South Carolina. Her job and her relationship both went to absolute and complete hell in nine months. She was having no luck finding work but there was one headhunter who was interested in her if she'd be willing to relocate. Meanwhile I'd fallen prey to the folly of older men and gotten involved with a submissive that was much too young and unsettled for me. She yearned for clubbing, party drugs and dancing all night ... I did Ecstasy with her and tried to keep up but I was unhappy if I succeeded and she was miserable during evenings I considered ideal. We were only simpatico while we were playing and she could no more live in her play personae than I could live in mine. "So, one day Candice left after an enormous fight during which neither of us were at our best or kindest ... two nights later I looked up from my chair at Chains and there was Lourdes with a wild story about the only job she could find requiring her to relocate here. Needless to say, we've been together ever since." "And you'd trust her with our little pack of cannibals..." Harry mused. "Oh, I know she'd have a good time, no matter what," Stefan chuckled. "She's raved about Margo all this week. Your family tends to make an impression." "We do at that," Kelly replied, studying the two submissives as Carol removed Lourdes' dress and pushed Lourdes down onto the bench seat. "If you'd like I can call our beloved animal off." Stefan looked at Kelly and took her hand. "My dear Mistress Kelly, it's so good to see you where you should be ... on your feet instead of your knees. Not that I have anything against switches but you are so clearly capable of shining in this role it would seem a waste to have you in any other. My little Lourdes will be fine ... she's quite able to take care of herself." Behind him Lourdes had grabbed Carol's head and was holding it to her crotch, grinding her cunt into Carol's face. ------- Tatiana stood by her front door, nervously twitching as she waited for the gate guards to buzz her saying someone was on their way up. Julie had assured her that she had no problem staying at home with the kids while Tattie went out. Not that Tattie had any real worries on that account anyway, but it was nice to be reassured nonetheless. No, Tattie's concerns were more for herself ... going out to a club was not something she 'did'. It was something she endured. But there was no doubt that she needed to get away, needed some time out of house and free to be an adult. Children, especially hers, were wonderful but adult interaction was a necessity as well. Julie was a great help but she saw Julie all the time ... maybe it was a night to just go get good and stoned. ------- Chatsiree shrieked as she was pulled into the limo, the door closed behind her and it sped away into the night. "What the-" "Honey," Margo said, handing her the phone, "you're being kidnapped for the evening. You might want to call your aunt and tell her not to call the police, especially after that lovely scream." Falling back into character, Chatsiree smiled seductively. "What happens if I don't call my aunt?" Angela moved up behind her in the rocking interior of the limo, grabbed her hair and pulled her head back. "Then Madam Margo calls her for you and things get very interesting when we get back to the club. So unless you have some deep-seated desire to spend time dancing naked on a table and being used as a fucktoy for anyone Madam feels like giving you to..." Chatsiree relaxed and ceased her minimal struggling. "Give me the phone." ------- "Miss Tatiana, a limo is coming up the driveway," the gate guard said over the intercom. "There's ... there's a naked ... well, at least topless, oriental woman standing up through the sunroof ... and I could have sworn there was smoke coming out the sunroof as well." "That's my ride, Mark. Thank you." She waved good-bye to Julie and closed the front door behind her, sighing deeply and strengthening her resolve to have a good time. ------- "Margo, what the hell is — oh, thank you," Tatiana said as she accepted the pipe that was shoved into her hands, "what the hell is going on?" Margo took her face from between the thighs of the beautiful young oriental woman she'd been licking. "It's really very simple, Tattie ... I'm being Harry for the night, he's being me, and Carol's being Kelly and vice-versa." "Rather more 'vice' than 'versa', I'd imagine," the older woman said with a hint of sharpness in her tone. "Miss Turov, if I might be so kind," said the naked man in his slightly lilting Caribbean voice as he moved to light the pipe for her. "What? Oh, certainly." She took a deep drag from the pipe, coughed at the unexpected strength of the smoke and shook her head. This dislodged one of the hairpins she's used to fasten her hair and allowed a stray lock of iron gray hair to fall down in front of her face. She gasped, "Is it just me ... or is this weed really mellow? And just who the hell ... is Adonis here ... how'd he know ... my name?" "I told everyone that we were coming to get you and yes, very mellow, grown in a little hydro farm out in the hill country." As Margo proceeded to make introductions all around, Tattie found herself relaxing. She was in the arms of her family ... or at least one of them ... nothing was going to go too seriously wrong. That was when beams and reflections of red and blue lights began to decorate the limo, its interior and parts of its occupants. ------- House St. Paul had joined the group at the table. Master Wilcox had gone rather plain in style for the evening, skin-tight dark gray leather pants and a red dress shirt. Andrew and Katie were dressed in black loincloths and short t-shirts. When they had come through the club, they'd elicited stares and sighs of envy. When House Hurley arrived, they gathered much the same reaction. Marcus was dressed in loose and flowing silk pajamas of brilliant, vibrant scarlet. His sister Laurie was in form-fitting black leather jeans and long line bustier. At the end of Laurie's heavy chain leash was the center of attention. Marcie was wearing black leather pants with open side lacing, locking buckle ankles and D-rings at the knees and waist. On her arms were long leather bondage gloves, tightly laced up and strapped across her chest and around her sides like the sleeves of a straitjacket. Other than the straps, her torso was bare above the waist. On her head and face she wore a leather muzzle with vertical slits to allow her to breathe. "My goodness," Kelly mused as they approached, "has someone been very, very naughty lately? Disobeyed so badly that they need full restraints?" Marcus smiled coldly and Laurie jerked the chain viciously. "Seems someone felt like being a rampaging cunt this morning, instead of doing as she was told. Tonight she pays for it." Harry would've been worried but he saw the excitement in Marcie's eyes. "So, Master Hurley was wondering if you would be so kind as to punish her, as you are our Senior House." "Certainly," Harry replied, then he drew in close to Laurie and murmured "how much is just for show, how much is serious? I don't want to cross any lines here." In the same barely audible tones Laurie answered, "Beat the living daylights out of her. The happy little wife personae is only one of hers. Another is the disobedient slave who enjoys making a scene, acting like an unholy shrew and then being punished for it. This morning after the children were off to school there was an hour of non-stop screaming and breaking dishes in the kitchen. This kind of behavior, although never demonstrated in front of the children, is so frequent that they knew not to ask questions when they came home and she was nowhere to be found." "Nowhere to be found?" Harry muttered. "The children aren't allowed in certain rooms of the house ... the doors are locked and my brother and I have the only keys. Marcia was hanging upside down on a punishment cross, having had her cunt whipped quite thoroughly." Laurie sighed happily and continued, "My brother's marriage is open, within certain bounds which this situation is certainly covered by ... if you wish to take her. No reciprocation required or expected." Harry was relieved that Carol had finished her ravishment of, or ravishment by, the lovely Lourdes and had been cuddling up to his side, close enough to hear. His eyes slowly drifted down as in thought, to see Carol looking up at him as she rubbed as much of his knee as the brace allowed. She nodded very slightly. "Mistress Kelly," Harry called, "get out the crop." He turned to Mistress Laurie. "Any form of address you'd prefer I use?" "I prefer to address her as 'cunt'," Laurie responded, smiling at Harry's considerate request. He walked over to Marcie. "Cunt, I'm going to have you thrashed ... slowly ... on the backs of your thighs ... by an absolute demon bitch who really enjoys punishing disobedient children, no matter what their age. My cock is going to be down your throat the entire time and for every slightest bit of pain you inflict upon my dick, I'm adding five more lashes. You start at twenty. One way or another you're going to bring me to an orgasm, whether down your throat or while I pound into that abused pussy of yours ... my enjoyment of this is not in doubt. The only question is to what degree you won't enjoy it." Moments later, a small crowd had gathered while Harry reclined on the bench seat, kilt lifted while Marcie stood, bent at the hips, her mouth around his cock, her pants down around her ankles, exposed to any and all passersby. As Kelly brought the first strike down upon the soft, tender flesh on the back of Marcie's thighs even Laurie flinched at the sound. Bright red stripe began to form as soon as the crop leapt away from Marcie's skin. Harry felt teeth as his cock slid in and out of her throat, but not enough to add more lashes ... she'd just taken a hell of a strike. As Kelly laid into the women more, Harry began to relax, until after the seventh stroke, he felt a sharp pain in his cock and he slapped her away from it. As Marcie staggered to one side, he could see her smiling. "That's another five," he watched and the grin continued, "and another five after that since the first five didn't seem to phase you." He leaned down and looked in her eyes. "You want more? Keep grinning. You're already going to be sitting very tenderly for quite awhile." Her expression sobered and he sat back down. Meanwhile Kelly leaned over and whispered in her ear. "You just couldn't leave well enough alone, could you, Cunt? I understand, I do ... when I'm playing a sub I'm very mischievous. Normally I'd say 'fair enough' ... but you hurt my husband. So I'm changing implements to a big, wide, studded belt. And when it's all said and done for, you're going to be lying on the table and we're going to be doing tequila shots off the backs of your poor, tortured thighs. So help me God, if you make us waste any booze I'm gonna strap on a cock that's big, evil and nasty and loosen up your asshole something fierce. Got me?" Tears were welling up in Marcie's eyes as she nodded. "Now if you can bring him off before I get through beating you, I might be a little more forgiving while you're our table. But getting him off ain't gonna be easy since you just bit his dick. Good luck with that, lemme know how it works out for ya." She went to the bag and pulled out a doubled-over belt with the ends sewed together, decorated with studs all along both exposed sides. "Oh this should be interesting," Laurie muttered. "Hmm?" Harry asked, trying not to tense up in anticipation of more pain. "The little slut really gets off on belts ... she should be fuck near dripping inside of three or four hits." "Good ... as long as she doesn't bite when she's excited," Harry grimaced. "She'd better not," Kelly replied, baring her teeth in anticipation, "or I swear the slut will bleed." The first strike with the belt drew even more club members to watch the excitement. A few minutes later Harry had briefly lost sentience from the power of the orgasm that seemed to suck his mind out the end of his cock and down the throat of House Hurley's submissive. He had indeed come before Kelly finished doling out Marcie's punishment and a quiet round of applause was heard around them as Kelly finished the last stroke and Marcie eased away from Harry's cock, licking her lips and smiling. "Has she let Master Grimes loose yet?" Laurie asked, turning from her examination of Marcie's whelps to look. "Good. Mistress Kelly, give her one more right across her cunt. Let her lay where she falls." Kelly wound up and one more vicious stroke was laid against Marcie's swollen and moist cunt lips. As it landed the woman's legs buckled beneath her and she fell to the floor, shaking in her ecstasy. Harry made motions to drop his kilt back down over his crotch but Kelly stopped him. She dropped the belt back into their bag and knelt before him, examining his member very closely. "I can see where she laid teeth into you ... lucky for her she didn't break the skin." Kelly gave the tip a kiss and covered him up. Master Hurley had motioned Laurie over to him where, unseen by almost anyone, his hands and fingers flew in a rush of American Sign Language. When he was through, Laurie stood. "Master Hurley thanks House Chorale for its help in punishing his recalcitrant bitch." She leaned down to Harry and whispered in his ear as if kissing it. "My brother says that should help put to rest any rumors concerning your House and its 'hardcore' status. Not enough to sway the truly serious, but he hopes enough to help sway most others. He thinks more will still be required, campaigning without appearing to campaign, more demonstrations of your House's willingness to play on the more serious end of things, but this was at least a start." She moved her lips to his, slid her tongue inside his mouth for a brief kiss, then stood again. "And he congratulates Master Grimes on being willing to put his ... well, not money, but something more valuable, where our little cunt's mouth was. Not something Master Hurley would willingly do when she is in such a mood." Kelly gently kicked at the quivering woman on the floor. "Help me get this slut up off the floor," she said, motioning to Karen. Together the two of them put Marcie on the table lengthwise and Kelly waved down a waitress. "A round of tequila for the table ... hell, for the audience too, although theirs won't fit on her thighs. Anyone doesn't want one better speak up now cause if she brings them you Will drink them." "What tequila, ma'am?" the waitress asked, looking over the crowd that had gathered around House Chorale's table. "Cuervo Especial ... and limes and salt, of course." "Yes ma'am." Harry leaned back next to Marcus Hurley. "So, Laney's lost no time in mounting his campaign, has he?" Harry muttered. Mistress Laurie sat on Harry's lap and watched the gesticulating fingers of her brother in-between the two men. "No, no he hasn't," she murmured, kissing Harry's neck. "Ours is a rather gossipy little community. Luckily the cunt decided she wanted to be publicly dealt with tonight, so she made a scene this morning." She ground her crotch against his while watching her brother's fingers again. "Marcus says things are more politicized than he's heard of them being in any House's memory. There used to be a lot more interest in the grand social play of House versus House, Laney's managed to kill quite a lot of that." She paused to watch Marcus' fingers again. "Not that that's necessarily a bad thing, but it had its uses as well ... and was quite often a lot of fun." Harry, for all Carol's caution at the barbeque, was really enjoying Laurie's attentions. "You keep that up, Mistress Laurie, you could end up naked on the table as well." She laughed, "Not a chance, Master Grimes, I'm strictly here as window dressing. You have too many women interested in you as it is." She nodded with her head towards Nicki and Sheila, standing behind him. "Does it ever make things cumbersome, your brother's muteness?" "Among those that don't know, yes ... when we're trying to keep a conversation very private, yes. Otherwise, not really." She hopped up off his lap and strolled over to where the waitress was delivering the first tray-load of tequila shots. Nicki leaned over her brother's shoulder. "Since I can't exactly jump on your dick right now," she whispered, "accept Sheila as my proxy ... her own as well. You handled that very well I thought." "Me too," Sheila said, sliding onto his lap in the position Laurie had just vacated. ------- "I cannot fuckin' BELIEVE we got out of that ticket!" Chatsiree burbled. "Let me have a hit of that," she added, reaching for the pipe. "Owe it all to Tattie the Terrible," Margo chuckled. "My God woman, when you pull out the 'old money, social register' attitude, you do it up right." "You're goddamn right I do," Tattie said, leaning back and enjoying Papa Stripper's massage of her shoulders, even though she wasn't truly all that aware of it. "Someday, I'll have to make sure Carol's there, I'll tell you about the night I hid Tony Juliana from the local pigs as well as the Feds. I wanted to beat him so bad by the end of it all, because of course I was absolutely terrified from beginning to end, but he just smiled that smile of his and I forgave him complicating my life that way." She reached up and tucked a stray strand of hair back into place. "I wasn't too good at dealing with authority figures when I was younger, but once I created the 'Tatiana Turov, descendent of Russian nobility' personae, well, I've gotten away with a lot of shit since then. You just put on the right attitude, one that feels like it's got lots of money, and have the money to back it up if need be ... hell, I figure I could skip the country while under suspicion of almost anything if I had to." She stared down her patrician nose at Margo, Angela and Chatsiree. "And if you put me in that position again, I may have to test that out by hying my bony ass hence after I kill one or all of you." "Oh, c'mon Tattie," Margo said, moving over to sit next to her. "You wouldn't kill us over li'l ol' things like possession of a controlled substance, public intoxication and public indecency, would you?" "Good heavenly days, woman! Stop that! You're supposed to be acting like your rogue of a husband, not sounding like him!" ------- The head of House Crimson-Glove sat only one table away, unnoticed, watching House Chorale and its associates. His submissives would be joining him later in the evening, but their presence would have been a problem if Andrea Winchester had come with House Chorale. Charles Mays was amused. Unlike many of the onlookers, he knew Marcus Hurley was mute and watched the charade between his sister and Harry Grimes with a smile. He knew what was coming. He had a very good idea what the House's initial response would be. He wondered if they would be smart enough to repress it. ------- Rachel Janak sat on the couch between her brother and her future sister-in-law. The warmth of their love encompassed her as did their bodies and she paid no attention to the Disney movie on the television, she just closed her eyes and bathed in the sensation. She had never told her brother that she had faint recollections of the day her life had changed. With the wisdom of a child, albeit an eternal one, she knew that sharing her memories with him would only hurt him and he had been hurt enough. But she remembered her joy at the feeling of flight and how her soul had sang as she twirled high above the ground. She still felt that when 'flying' with balloons, she felt it while totally earthbound, sitting between the two most special people in her life. ------- Andrea Winchester lay on her bed crying with shame. How had she let Paul manipulate her so blatantly? What kind of an idiot was she? Sinking into a well of self-pity wasn't something she wanted to do, but all her friends were out except for Galena, who was doing homework or something for G & P, Andrea wasn't sure which, and there was just her and the lonely room, with a side order of bruises and swellings courtesy of Paul's abuse. Andrea was so lost in her own pain that she didn't hear Galena come in the room and while some part of her knew when the young girl lay down on the bed next to her, her conscious mind didn't acknowledge it. She only became fully aware of Galena when she felt the girl wrap her arms around her and pull her to her chest. "Shhh," Galena purred into her ear, "shhh ... like Harry says, there's nothing so broken it can't be fixed. What's wrong, hmm? Talk to me." Through tears and runny nose and heaving breaths Andrea poured out her pain and heartache, finally lapsing once again into sobs. After a moment or two of confusion, Galena undressed and then pulled Andrea's clothes off of her. She turned out the light, pulled the sheet up over the two of them and held her new friend and roommate, stroking her hair and murmuring comforting sounds into her ear. As Andrea's sobbing wound down, Galena grabbed Kleenex from the bedside table, dried her eyes, wiped her nose ... and then shifted her position and brought Andrea's mouth to her breast. Cradling Andrea's head in her hand, she held the woman there until she began to nurse on Galena, retreating back to humankind's earliest remembered sources of comfort ... the breast and being touched. Galena continued to caress Andrea and hold her to her breast while she muttered nonsensical syllables and tried her best not to get turned on. Noticing movement Galena opened her eyes and saw that one of Andrea's hands was in her crotch, stroking herself ever so gently. "Andrea," she whispered, "do you trust all of us to take care of you?" "Mmm hmm," Andrea purred into her tit. "Do you trust me to take care of you?" Andrea's eyes looked up at the girl nine years younger than she. "Mmm hmm." "Then let me take care of you ... stop worrying. None of us are going to hurt you intentionally, and we'll try our best not to hurt you at all. Do you believe that?" "Mmm hmm." "Good." Galena's hand slipped down into her own crotch and began mirroring Andrea's actions. "In just a few short weeks, sweetie, I'm going to be of age and then I'm going to want to claim you in front of the entire family and make you my own. I won't always know how to help, dear, but I'll always try my best. With the rest of the family's support, we'll be just fine." Galena swallowed her fear. "Do you want me to claim you, Andrea? Would you like that?" "MMM HMM," Andrea moaned enthusiastically into Galena's breast as the older woman orgasmed. "Mmm hmm ... mmm hmm ... mmm hmm." "Then on October 17th you're going to become mine-" "Mmmmmmmm." "- and mine you'll stay until you want to leave, until you can stand up on your own feet again and not be so afraid." "Mmm hmmmmmmmmm." "Do you want me to keep you all to myself or do you want me to share you with the rest of the House?" Andrea let go of Galena's nipple with an audible 'plop'. "I think they're all wonderful people ... I don't have any problem with you sharing me ... the question is-" Andrea's hand moved to Galena's moist slit, "-are you going to want to share?" "Oh yes," Galena purred, "to see you used thoroughly and well by my fellow Dominants, I'll gladly share you. I can just imagine the tongue action I'm going to get sitting on your pretty face, you lying in straps and restraints beneath me, while Kelly makes you scream and plead into my cunt, promising her anything and everything just for a taste or the chance to come." "I like the way you think, Mistress." "Or while Margo makes you whimper and beg Big Mama to make it all feel better." "Scratch that, I love the way you think, Mistress." "Or while Harry jackhammers his cock into you." "Alright, I admit it; I absolutely ADORE the way you think, Mistress Galena." "Now then, little Andrea-slut, just to keep things a little restrained, you tend to your cunt and I'll tend to mine, hmmm?" "Yes Mistress ... mutual masturbation time ... I can't wait for the 17th of October." ------- The bait was primed and ready, the target was doing almost everything in his power to make himself visible. An arrow was aimed and turned loose. ------- Harry saw her coming, stumbling slightly, a pretty young redhead with long limbs and a classic hour-glass figure, strongly helped along by a corset. She could barely move in the deep burgundy sheath she wore and tears streaked her face as she slowly minced her way towards the table. Her long hair was hanging in strings and as she came closer Harry and the rest could she'd been beaten fairly recently. Karen moved to intercept and helped the woman to the table. "Honey," Patricia said as she took over care of the woman, "are you okay? Can we help you in any way?" "He hit me and then he cinched me in this fuckin' corset, way too tight ... I can't hardly breathe and I've got to wear it all night." "Who, who did this to you?" Patricia asked her, looking at the dress for a way to relax the corset without stripping the woman nearly naked. "My master ... Lee Grantham, House Penbrook..." Harry looked at Carol. His wife's lip was curled in disdain and she was rolling her eyes. He turned his gaze to Li Kuan who returned it and gave the very slightest shake of her head. But he couldn't just turn her away ... not without trying. "Ma'am, would you like our help?" "Can't believe he hit me again after we got here, all I did was have a drink..." "I repeat, would you like our help? Are you asking for our help?" "It was just one drink and he hauled off and laid one right across my cheek, knocked me to the floor..." Carol's eyes were rolling even more blatantly. Turning his eyes back to the crowd around them, he saw a man swaggering his way towards them. The newcomer was dressed in latex and bright silver chains, large rings with snarling animal and demon faces on them adorned his fingers and his tattoos were a collection of mystical symbols from different beliefs. "Ma'am, did he punch you or slap you?" "He punched me, right here on the cheek," she pointed to a red patch on her face. "Uh huh," Harry muttered. "Why do your people have their hands on my woman?" the newcomer asked in a loud and confrontational tone. "We apologize," Harry replied calmly. He made a curt motion that brooked no disagreement. "Release her to her master, Patricia." "Harry, how can you-" "He's right, Trish," Karen said, interrupting her lover. "Let the woman return to her owner." "But-" Karen turned to her and looked into Patricia's eyes. "Trust me, Trish, just let her go." Muttering to herself, Trish took her hands off the woman. The redhead turned to Harry and said, "He hit me!" "Apparently you've decided you're his to hit," Harry replied. "Go home with your master." She sniffed, turned tail and strode off hand in hand with the man. "Good job Master Grimes," Li Kuan said, smiling coldly. "Yes, very well done," Stefan Franklin commented. "Will somebody tell me why we just let an abused woman go back to her abuser?" Patricia demanded. "Because it was a set-up," Karen told her, lowering her voice. "She was primed to push every button we've demonstrated we're vulnerable to ... abused, treated unfairly, taken advantage of ... but you notice she wouldn't answer Harry's questions about whether she was asking us for help. If she'd done so, I'm betting by Traditionalist standards, our asses would've been covered in sheltering her. But she didn't ask, so if we'd refused to hand her over or attempted to defend her, we would have been in the wrong." Li Kuan nodded. "Exactly ... somebody played to House Chorale's perceived weakness concerning women and they lost their gambit." "Also," Harry said, "she claims he punched her in the face. You see all the rings he was wearing? If he'd punched that bitch in the face, he would've opened her cheek up to the bone. And thank you for the on-the-spot evaluations Carol and Li Kuan ... helped make up my mind for me." Harry rubbed his face with his hands. "So somebody decided to give us every chance to appear anti-Tradition ... lovely ... just fuckin' lovely ... what next?" "Sir, there are some people here who'd like to speak to you," Carol said deferentially. ------- The limo rolled through the city in a seemingly endless cruise while the passengers filled the rear with smoke and the smell of sex. Margo lay back as the nearly-nude Chatsiree licked and lapped at her cunt. Angela and Papa Stripper sat back and watched - her moist and him sporting an impressive erection. Tatiana Turov watched and smoked and drank and wished she could get laid without it feeling like a mercy fuck or a business transaction. Her face was flushed, her thighs twitching, her hands moved restlessly across her lap as she fought the urge to masturbate, knowing there would be nothing restrained about it if she did so. Her condition was no secret to the other two observers in the car ... and finally Papa had had enough. "Angela, girl," he said, his voice a musical lilt, "go help dat poor woman get undressed. It's time to take care of her problem." Tattie turned the full force of her dignity on the two of them. "You'll do no such thing, young woman. And you sir, will leave the solving of my problems, whatever they might be, to me." "Ma'am," Papa replied, "I don' mean no offense, but de truth is de truth and t'ings are what dey are. You didn't have a problem wit me layin' my hands on your shoulders an' back, relievin' your stress. Dat's all dis is gonna be, me relievin' de stress of a very handsome woman." He chuckled, "An' my own stress too." "Tattie, if I ... mmm ... if I were you, I'd let him," Margo moaned. Tatiana looked around the back of the limo, searching for any look that was negative or pitying or patronizing. All that she could see was Margo's look of concern, intermittently washed away by waves of pleasure, Angela's friendly look of encouragement ... and Papa's look of hopeful anticipation ... and his erect cock, not flagging at all as he studied her. She tossed back her shot of vodka. "Alright, what the hell! Come on, pretty boy; let's do this before I lose my nerve." "No worries dere, Miss Turov. Angela, help me get her ready and den make sure she don' change her mind," Papa said, half-kneeling to take off Tattie's shoes. Angela got beside, and then behind, Tattie and began to undress her, kissing her neck as she did. Tattie looked at Margo imploringly. "Tattie darling, you know if you don't really want this to happen, all you have to do is say 'no'." "I know ... it's just ... undignified ... getting fucked in the back of a limo thick with pot smoke by a Jamaican gigolo!" "I'm not a gigolo, Miss Turov ... if I was, den I'd be charging money. I'm just friendly." "Alright then," Tattie spat, "by a friendly Jamaican cock-monster!" As all the passengers began to laugh, including Tattie, she thought she might just be able to relax enough to make the whole ordeal enjoyable. ------- Katie, Andrew, Lourdes and Carol were all dancing to background music, threatening to ignite the surrounding area. House Risotti was a Mistress, two male subs and two female subs, all of them artistically branded and scarred. Mistress Veronika never bothered to introduce her submissives, who stood almost naked, except for small pouch-like thongs, with eyes downcast, hands crossed in front of them the entire time she and Harry talked. A black sports bra, biker shorts and Doc Martens were all Mistress Veronika wore ... those and her scars and brands. No jewelry, no piercings — at least, no visible ones, Harry thought to himself. There was nothing fancy about her dark blonde hair, pulled back into scalp-tight ponytail that hung halfway down her back. When she'd finished explaining her problems with the status quo and Laney's ideas, she and Harry sealed their Houses' alliance with shots of tequila off the quivering, red, swollen backs of Marcie Hurley's thighs, followed by a fierce hug and arm shake between Harry and Veronika. Harry had no problem accepting their support. They only wanted to be recognized, to be invited to participate in the social gatherings of the Houses. While Veronika had no problem with being different, in fact she reveled in it, she did have a problem with being ignored. Harry asked her to sit at their table and relax. He was pleased, and not at all surprised, to see she and Li Kuan talking together. House Ra was a bit of a surprise, two overweight males, both balding, both of them nonetheless handsome, one white, the other black. Master Russell, the African American, was dressed in a bright dashiki of oranges, reds and yellows. His submissive, Sunny, wore glasses and was in flowing silk pajamas of blue with a border of pink bunnies around the cuffs. "I've got a real good idea why Laney snubbed the two of you," Harry said, smiling and offering his hand to Master Russell. "It was Sunny's fashion sense," Russell replied with a laugh, his facetiousness evident. "I keep telling him the world is not ready for blue with pink bunnies, but he's a trendsetter whose artistic vision cannot be restrained. Hidebound followers of haute couture like Shrimp-Dick Laney simply cannot be bothered to see beyond what is into the realm of what might be." "Well you'll certainly not find us slaves to the runways of New York and Paris," Kelly replied, joining in the general laughter around the table. "We find that when you're naked most of the time, it just doesn't seem to matter as much anymore." "Well said," Master Russell replied. "I'm afraid we're a little too body-shy to get naked in public but in private? Let me assure you, Sunny is rarely wearing anything like his present attire ... most often I keep him dressed just as your house prefers to be." Mere moments later, Harry found himself receiving long, warm and very supportive hugs from the two members of House Ra in honor of their alliance. After an initial moment of surprise, Harry gave back every bit as good as he got. ------- Tattie surprised herself as she was able to let her fears and insecurities fade into the background and enjoy what Papa and Angela were doing for her. There was no arguing that the two of them were skilled lovers — gentle, patient, kind and tender — solicitous of her needs. Papa provided the primary stimuli ... something Tattie was happy about as she was only nominally qualifiable as bisexual. She was, however, bisexual enough to enjoy Angela's attentions to her neck and ears. The endearments and encouragements the young woman was whispering were exciting as well and for short periods of time Tattie could let the years drift away and pretend she was the young woman who's tentative first steps in exploring her sexuality had come when she'd gone to the University of Texas. Then it was all new and strange and there were men who wanted to sleep with her ... or said they did ... and there weren't years of experiences with gigolos and manipulators who wouldn't be within a thousand miles of her except for her money. And there were no years of loving Tony Juliana, longing to be with him and knowing that it was never ever going to be. Her first orgasm surprised her, coming at the gentle behest of Papa's lips and tongue, with no small assist from Angela. Her second, coming hard on its heels didn't surprise her at all, neither did her third. She knew that under such excellent stimulation, she was putty. But then Papa asked if he could penetrate her, and she said 'yes' and he slid the condom on without even pausing and then he was in her and it had been a long time since Peter and longer yet since she'd felt anything as emotionally honest as Papa's attentions. Her fourth orgasm was almost immediate but then she grew red-faced and ashamed as she felt herself drying up and the tears rolled down her cheeks, there was no way Papa could miss the sensations but before too many tears could fall Angela was adding her own saliva and when she wasn't doing that she was kissing Tattie's clit while caressing the old woman's wrinkled but firm legs. After her fifth and sixth, which piled right on top of each other, Tattie began to wave the two of them away and as she answered their questions, assuring them it had been lovely she slid down onto the floor and stripped the rubber off Papa's cock, slid it into her mouth and repaid his kindness in the only coin she could. Grimacing slightly at the taste of condom on his dick, she did a good enough job that his spunk was oozing out the corners of her mouth in rivulets down her cheeks. She swallowed and wiped and then in the haze of post-orgasmic bliss she disentangled herself and turned her mind fully back on. She looked at the two young people, with eyes like an eagle, hunting for any sign of disgust or pity, any sign of a patronizing smile or plastic expression trying in vain to hide something unpleasant behind it. She was good at finding those things, years of loveless relationships with pretty boys who, when all was said and done, fucked her for money and fucked her for who she could introduce them to, had left her able to sniff out deceit and ulterior motives like a bloodhound on the trail ... and as she looked at Angela and Papa ... all she could see were two people who'd just enjoyed themselves with her. Her reaction was strong, immediate ... the tears were flowing down her face in rivers of gratitude and somehow Margo jumped from tongue-deep in Chatsiree to holding Tattie in the blink of the old woman's tear-filled eyes. She couldn't stop saying 'thank you' and she couldn't stop crying and Margo wouldn't stop telling her it was alright but that was okay because Margo was family and wouldn't lie to her. ------- House Sandalwood seemed at first stylistically to be a mirror of House Ra, all female as Ra was all male. But there the similarities ended. The five members of Sandalwood that approached Harry at the table were merely the dominants of the House. The submissives, of both genders, had been left at the House's own table while business was discussed. Mistress Ravensclaw and her 'sisters' were all of a physical type ... rather average to short in height, as rounded as Jackie - generally speaking, endowed with impressive tits and clothed in RenFaire garb of long, loose skirts, peasant tops which showed cleavage a-plenty, sandals and boots, bangles, baubles, beads and bright colors enough to shame a rainbow. Harry smiled as they accepted his offer of drinks with orders for pints of Harp and Bass. "You don't know what a stir you've created, Master Grimes," Mistress Ravensclaw said, twirling a bit of her dark-as-night hair around a finger. "Normally we're still out on the Renaissance Fair circuit this time of year, traveling around the country, selling our wares. But Jodreaux, our sub ... housekeeper, I suppose you'd call him ... phoned us with news of you and your House and we just had to come back and see for ourselves." Mistress Dragonaria smiled, shaking her brunette bangs out of her dark brown face. "Yes, we got told someone was making a run, a run backed by House Cornelius, at leadership..." she looked Li Kuan, "and I can see by the company you keep that at least part of what we were told is true." "All of it is," Li Kuan answered coldly. "Also true is that we will succeed whether Master and Madam Grimes are elected Master and Mistress of the Samhain Fetish Ball or not ... so one way or another there is no reason not to ally with us." Harry looked at Li Kuan in confusion. "We win whether we win or lose?" "Yes, Master Grimes. After your House's triumph here last week, Madame Cornelius has been strongly considering the wisdom of something Master Franklin said. If we win, we win ... if we lose, there truly is nothing to keep us from ... taking our toys and playing elsewhere. It would split our ... group, our group of co-fetishists, but that's already a de facto state of affairs. Not much more damage could be done to our fragmented fellowship by a complete split than already exists due to the quiet abandonment by those Houses 'out of favor'. So Madame Cornelius is fully prepared to split, fail to recognize their events, deny them access to ours. Predictably enough, where various clubs and such will end up is already very evident by which faction they're supporting. She has no doubt that should such a formal split occur, Dominique's will become the new center for our faction ... Chains will undoubtedly serve the same purpose for Laney and his lackeys." "So nice of her to let us in on this..." "I'm probably speaking out of turn, she would have told you this evening if she was not otherwise occupied ... but the scene in this town is large, quite large enough to support both groups." Mistress Wolfling smiled, not at all a pleasant smile, and said, "The old girl doesn't think you can win ... she's hedging her bets by planning for it in advance." She sat back and grinned, the lights gleaming off her deep red hair. "The 'old girl'," Li Kuan snarled, "believes that we shall win! But she also acknowledges that defeat is possible ... very possible. Laney has done the somewhat unexpected and this faction has been caught with its pants down ... through no one's fault." Li Kuan glared at Mistress Wolfling, "And if you refer to her as 'the old girl' one more time I will rip off your head and shit down your neck." "Whoa, relax Killer," Mistress Marsh said, putting a hand over Wolfling's mouth and holding out a placatory hand to Li Kuan. "Nobody means to insult anyone here," she continued, looking like the zaftiga Aryan ideal with long blonde hair, blue eyes and fair complexion, "my sister just makes a point ... rather crudely. If we ally with you and there was no fallback position should we lose, then it's a much more serious proposition than allying with you in a win/win situation." The last of the five, Mistress Spyderchylde, pale to the point of near-translucence, hair dyed a blue so dark it was black, clicked her long fingernails together and spoke in a rather whispery voice. "It's not as if we've been a part of society since Laney's ascension anyway ... what do we have to lose, sisters? The only real question we face is who seals the deal with the handsome Master Grimes?" Sheila continued to rub Harry's cock through his pants as the five women argued among themselves. Harry had a headache he knew Margo would understand ... and an evil part of him couldn't wait till Kelly and Carol knew its joys as well. ------- At last Tattie was calm enough for the limo to head back to the club. The old woman kept trying to apologize for her outburst, again and again, until Margo threatened to use Papa to quiet her. Tattie glared at her, using her patented aristocratic down-the-nose stare of "You-wouldn't-dare". "Yes I damn well will, Tattie," Margo growled. "Papa's got a hard-on at the prospect already so just deal. For that matter, know this ... my husband would have no problem making love with you either. You're not this hideous aged hag that you think you are. You are an elegant, distinguished and damned handsome older woman who carries her age well when she can be bothered to. No, you're not Kelly or Carol, probably never have been but that's quite alright ... they aren't you, either. Now shut up and behave or I'm going to have Papa put his dick down your throat." "Please, Madam?" Papa asked, smiling. "Not yet ... sorry ... if she behaves herself however, I'm sure we can find someplace for you to keep that warm," Margo replied, eyeing the cock in question appreciatively. One eyebrow arched as Tattie held herself erect. "You, Madame Grimes, would do well to remember that if it comes to a contest of who spanks who in the back seat of this limo, your butt will end up the loser. I didn't get to be this age by losing arguments with crazy naked women." "Yes ma'am," Margo replied, smiling at her friend. ------- Harry was balls deep in Mistress Dragonaria, who had evidently won the discussion by nefarious means, given the number of threats and dire imprecations thrown her way as she'd come around the table, adjusting her skirts and grinning from ear to ear. She'd ignored them all as she'd skimmed a condom onto Harry and settled on top of him, filling his arms with bounteous very wet and willing black woman. As Harry felt her grip and squeeze his cock with her inner muscles, quite clearly even through the condom, he gripped an ass cheek and a breast with an iron grip due to her muttered demands of 'tighter, tighter'. "You know," he breathed into her neck, "most Houses are content with an exchange of kisses and gropes delivered by their submissives." "Mmmm, should have warned you," she moaned, "we're not most Houses in that fashion ... we believe ... in relations ... with our partners ... we're not content ... with being a junior member of the firm ... even nominally ... we want ... full and equal ... partnership." Still gripping her tightly, enjoying himself immensely, Harry said, "So ... what do you bring to the table to be worth such consideration?" "Number one," she sighed, "we're a lot of fun at parties ... we all like to fuck ... a lot ... that's why we play ... we bring enthusiasm ... we bring ... oh ... we bring ... umm ... numbers ... people out on the streets ... doing what needs ... to be done ... as far as footwork ... we have a large ... network of friends ... and associates ... damn ... and they're yours ... not many of them in the scene ... per se ... but all of them willing ... to work." "Impressive ... impressive..." Harry growled. She sniffed deeply of his hair and shirt, "And one other thing ... we also have our own grow-house ... and our smoke ... is very good ... and freely given ... since we don't believe in selling it." Harry would like to have believed that he would have come at that instant whether she'd mentioned that or not, but he was never truly sure afterwards. Whatever the case, with her earthy sensuality and obvious love of sex, he had no doubt his orgasm hadn't been too far away. As he shuddered beneath her, biting her on the neck, she joined him in climaxing and he locked their lips together in a kiss that curled her toes. "Enjoying yourself I see," Margo said from behind him, her smile evident in her voice. "Oh yes..." Harry answered, slumping backwards to kiss his wife. "Meet Mistress Dragonaria of House Sandalwood ... the third House to ally with us tonight." Margo leaned forward and kissed their new ally as passionately as her husband. "Welcome my dear ... enjoy him. Harry," she said, changing her focus, "I brought you and Kelly the delicious Chatsiree. She's bound and gagged by the table. I'm going off in search of adventure with Angela and Papa ... Tattie's looking very nervous and out of place, make sure she feels at home ... she had a rough trip over, ask her about it." "What, did Papa fuck her?" He felt the stare that bored into the side of his head and turned. "Well good for Tattie," he said, grinning tiredly. "Let's see if we can't score her some more action before the night is through." Margo twitched her barely-clothed hips. "If you do I don't think it'll be with him ... I'm pretty sure Angela and I have plans for him." "Fair enough..." Harry turned to Mistress Dragonaria, still in his arms and on his lap. "I wonder how Tattie feels about sexy little Earth Goddesses?" ------- Kelly sighed ... she was tired, nigh on exhausted. 'Being Carol' left her little time to settle down anywhere, no time at all to have any fun ... which she found odd since she'd never noticed Carol having a fun shortage while acting as the group's 'little mother'. Kelly got to Tattie long before Harry's eyes refocused and had ordered her drink, a little something from the kitchen and had helped straighten out her hair and outfit. She'd made sure Houses Ra and Risotti were taken care of and was about to go check on House Hurley when a hand grabbed her and spun her around. She found her face pressed into a barely covered pair of tits, large and unbound but by the thinnest covering of silk, a pair of breasts she knew intimately. After caressing them both with her face she murmured, "So Dommi, to what do I owe the pleasure?" "You're going about this all wrong, Kelly my love." "Mmmm, you are divine ... how so?" Dommi pulled back and looked Kelly in the eyes. "I have a full staff of people who are trained to take care of our customers' needs concerning food and drink. Let them do their job. I already have one person assigned to your tables exclusively, I can add another if you want. You need to quit micromanaging. Fixing up Tattie, that was fine, but now you should be sitting with her and talking, because she needs that too, or arranging for Carol to go suck Spyderchylde's clit till the little vampire-wannabe screams." "What?" "Exactly ... you shouldn't be too busy to make you miss things like that. Relax. You're a hostess not a waitress ... although you can function as a top sergeant for the wait staff when you need to. Now, go set up that little meeting between Carol and the object of her lust before your wife passes out from loss of drool." ------- Master Mays of House Crimson-Glove leaned back and watched the dynamics of the newest House on the scene, still amused and pleasantly surprised. The apparent switch-off of the senior dominant position looked to be functioning smoothly ... which should disturb any observers from Laney's side. The rule generally was the more effective dominants in a House, the better. Mays had seen a lot of Houses with multiple dominants that couldn't present a unified front to save their lives ... Chorale's new ally, House Sandalwood, was occasionally such. He was amazed they'd managed to agree on the alliance and knew that later in the evening there'd be some fierce recriminations and vicious little games played because of Dragonaria's selection to seal the deal. Also, the House seemed remarkably ego-and-jealousy-free. When Madam Grimes had arrived to find her husband carousing with Dragonaria, she hadn't appeared at all upset. If their base relationships weren't so solid, that would mean one thing ... that Madam Grimes didn't give a shit enough for it to matter to her one way or another. In this case however, it meant a level of trust and security between them that would make turning them against themselves very difficult ... and to add difficulty to that, they seemed to be uncommonly good judges of character. Mays would still wait to announce or act on his decision as to who his House would support, but he wasn't thinking Dick Laney could bring anything to the table to outweigh the formidability of House Chorale and her allies. ------- Once Dragonaria had climbed off his lap and slumped on to the seat beside him, Harry found Chatsiree only too happy to clean the both of them up. Kneeling between his knees, arms and ankles securely bound, she finished with his recent partner and had started licking him clean. "Interesting girl," Mistress Dragonaria sighed, gently massaging his arm with her hand. "I don't notice her wearing your costume or colors." "She's a hostess at our favorite Thai restaurant ... we just occasionally kidnap her and force her to do perverted, deviant things." Chatsiree smiled up at him from between his legs and licked her lips. "Doesn't take much forcing, sir." "True," Harry laughed, "it's not something we have to expend a lot of effort on but the outcome is stunning nonetheless." He motioned their waitress over and ordered a drink He took a long sip off the ever-present glass of water Carol, now Kelly, required for all of them and sighed, "Thank God they keep those filled. I wonder how this place keeps from being shut down?" Dragonaria laughed. "Well, it helps a little that it's a private club. The membership is generally involved in the fetish scene to one degree or another, so it's in their best interests to keep it open ... and I'm pretty sure Dominique has some friends in very high places." "As well as a lot of well-greased palms in lower places," Dominique said from where she'd been sitting and talking with Stefan Franklin. "Friends high and low, Harry, that's how you get anything done in this world." Harry was thinking about Nick and Eddie and Tattie and Madame Cornelius as he smiled, caressed Chatsiree's head and leaned back, enjoying a moment's respite before something else required his attention. ------- Tattie had found the evening to be a field trip of sorts ... she now understood so much of her family's conversations that had been somewhat foreign to her before. It wasn't that she couldn't understand the words or the concepts ... she just hadn't been able to bring herself to believe that they had any reflection in reality without actually experiencing it herself. Her jewelry had gotten her into some interesting circles, she'd attended some parties of the rich and famous that had been beyond her definition of 'wild', yet nothing had ever compared to the club she was visiting that night. And it was blatantly evident to herself and anyone who bothered to look that she was only visiting. She could close her eyes ... mentally block out some of what she was hearing ... not breathe through her nose at all ... and pretend she was in any regular club in the world ... sort of. Every time she tried to, purely as a mental exercise to amuse herself, she could succeed for short periods of time, but inevitably something would happen to jar her out of her attempt. She tired of even trying and, taking her drink, set off to wander the club, watching the stage performances with open interest. The private, or at least as private as anything in the club was, performances she watched much more covertly. ------- A table away, Margo shed her skirt, which had been in danger of falling off completely ever since she'd put it back on when they returned to the club. She planted herself on the table, legs open, facing Angela. "I get the feeling, little girl, that you're desperately trying to attract our House's attention," she purred as Angela kissed her way up the inside of Margo's thigh. "What was your first clue, Milady?" Angela asked before sliding her tongue from Margo's ass up through her slit until she tickled her bellybutton. Margo giggled, "You just seem to be spending as much time as possible with our little group." She reached down and dragged Angela up by her hair. When the two were eye to eye, Margo growled, "The last woman who behaved like you is the beautiful Mistress Kelly over there." Margo bit the girl's neck, clutching Angela's body to her own in a hug like iron. She released her teeth's grip on the young girl's flesh. "Are you trying to get into our House, little slut?" "Yes Madam ... yes ... I want a home ... I want a home where I'll be used ... I want a place to serve." "Are you trying to get into our marriage, little slut?" "No ... no Madam, I'm not ... it's not my ... it's not right for ... I am but a servant, Madam ... there is no marriage for me ... a concubine is as high as I could aim." Margo smiled inwardly at the thought, relishing the thought of the family having 'formal' concubines. Then she refocused, "First 'Milady', now 'Madam'?" "Well ... when you're not in character, so to speak, as the head of the House ... you're not really ... the same as when you are ... and you weren't acting dominant, so... 'Milady' ... a title of respect ... without any expectations of dominant behavior..." Angela's eyes shifted anywhere and everywhere to avoid Margot's icy contemplation of her. She knew that if Margo set her mind against Angela's acceptance into the household, it would never happen. Margo chuckled, cold and low in her throat. "Makes sense, little girl ... but never, ever forget that my dominant side ... and all it entails ... is just a hair's width away. I don't mean any thick and coarse hair either." She forced the girl's head back to between her legs. "I mean the thinnest, finest hair you've ever seen. So fine it's practically invisible." "Mmmm, nice side to have so close to the surface," said a voice from behind her. Margo turned her head, looked back over her shoulder and ended up focused on a deep bronze pair of breasts, held up by a shelf bra. There was no doubt the stranger's nipples were erect, and somewhat covered by a sparkling white gown that complemented the mystery woman's skin tone perfectly. "You know, ma'am, I don't often have to say this to a woman, but my face is up here," the stranger said, somewhat timidly. Margo raised her eyes from the soft and inviting vision that had so entranced her to see a heart-shaped face framed in black hair that fell to the middle of the woman's back. Her eyes were so richly deep brown that they almost appeared black. The lips a little further down from the eyes licked themselves out of nervousness or desire, Margo couldn't be sure which. Margo's eyes wandered down her body, past the luscious breasts to an ever-so-slightly plump belly. She continued over wide, generous hips that strained the dress to legs that peeked through the slit in the dress and revealed seemingly miles and miles of flawless bronze skin. Her eyes rode the curves back up till she was staring at the woman's crotch, an occasional seam of translucence revealing an inviting darkness at the junction of her legs and abdomen. "So," Margo whispered, "who are you and can I eat you?" "Pardon me?" "I said," Margo repeated, "who are you?" "Uh, Camille, my name is Camille Santiago," she stammered, thinking perhaps she'd misheard the last part of Margo's first question. "Here with anyone?" Margo's eyes had drifted back up past the divine breasts to Camille's neck. "Uh, yes..." Camille pointed to a table about twenty-five feet away. "We're here with Stan, that man there." Margo's eyes changed their focus and saw the table Camille was pointing at, where a muscular blonde man was ramming his cock in and out of a young man with the same skin tone as Camille, a young man who didn't look to be more than fourteen. "He looks awfully young," Margo observed, teetering on the edge of an orgasm. "Oh, my brother Ray is of age, a little over in fact," Camille reassured her. "It's his gift ... to look much younger than he is." Margo studied the young man, noted the look on his face. She couldn't decide at first if it was passion or pain but as she watched she became convinced it was more of the former than the latter. Margo turned back to Camille and found her staring at Stan, the blonde, with a barely disguised look of disgust. "You don't like him ... fucking your brother?" "Oh, that doesn't bother me," Camille said, turning back to Margo. "We knew he was more interested in Ray than me when we came with him to Texas from Miami. It's just that ... well ... he's a pig in many ways and worse yet when he's convinced we owe him." As Angela's tongue continued to tease Margo towards a climax, Margo smiled, thinking to herself that she was about to be more like Harry than she'd ever planned to be. She pushed Angela's head away. "Camille, sit down-" "Ma'am ... Madam, I didn't plan to disturb you, the two of you are just beautiful to watch. I'd better get back before Stan gets upset ... or more upset than I'm betting he already is." "First off, Camille, don't ever interrupt me again. Secondly, sit down or I'll have Papa sit you down." "It might be better for me if you did have ... Papa, did you say his name was ... if you had Papa sit me down." "Done. Papa, put her ass on the bench, none too gently." As he grabbed Camille by her hair and dragged her to the bench seat that ran around two-thirds of the table's circumference Camille complained, "Hey, not so rough ... you don't need to be that convincing!" "You silly little slut, I'm not doing it to convince Stan of a goddamn thing ... I'm having Papa be rough with you because you're a rude little girl and you interrupted me. You've got a choice to make and make quickly. Do you want to stay with Stan?" "Well, he did get us out of Miami..." "Yes and you're here now. You owe, or did owe, him the equivalent of bus fare." "Perhaps a little more than that, Madam." "Fine, bus fare and a fucking tip. Do you want to stay with him? Period. End of question." "I ... don't. But please give me a minute, Madam, there's more to it than that. I don't want to leave Ramon." "Does Ramon want to leave?" "No ... no, Ramon is very happy with Stan and Stan's attentions." "Ramon ever talk with you about a way for you to get what you wanted out of the relationship or how you could leave Stan and find a situation that suited you better?" "No ... no Madam, he never has. He's just been so relieved that we got away from ... that we found someone to take care of us ... and he really likes Stan." "Fine, to hell with Ramon. He doesn't appear to give much of a shit about you. Stan is local?" "Uh, yes Madam." "Then it's not like you'll be at opposite ends of the world. If he wants to make the effort, you can see each other, but I don't think your brother is the effort-making-kind. No one would be happier than me to be proven wrong, though. Now then, any other reason you're delaying giving me an answer?" "Who are you? Why would I want to leave Stan ... you know, the devil I know, for you, the devil I don't?" "My name is Margot Grimes; you will refer to me as 'Madam'..." Margo smiled down at Angela, "or if I'm not feeling quite as dominant, 'Milady'. You get to know me outside of the kink and sex, I'm just plain 'Margo'. You see those tables over there?" Margo pointed to House Chorale's tables. "That man with his dick getting sucked by the blonde is my husband ... the ravishing black woman talking with the handsome older woman is my wife ... the short, cute woman with her legs wrapped around the Goth chick's head is my wife. The rest of the folks at the tables are friends, family, associates and submissive members of our household." Camille looked at the tables full of people smiling, at ease, happy to be where they were and happy to be with each other. She looked back at Stan fucking her big brother in the ass, his ego and arrogance sprayed over the two of them like his spunk would soon be over Ramon's back. She thought about her two small boxes of personal items, the fetish gear that was her normal attire, the dress on her back and the few other outfits she had. "Madam, I don't have much, I don't ... you'd be accepting a pauper into your household." Margo reached down and grabbed her hair, pulling her face up to look her in the eyes. Although her words were softened by the kindly smile on her face, Margo's voice was still cold and severe. "You ignorant little cunt ... I didn't ask about any of that and frankly, I don't give a fuck. Your needs will be met. You will be taken care of. That's all you need to worry about. Now give me your answer, or get the fuck away from this table. If you're smart you'll never let me see you close to me again. I'm not used to having to explain myself like this to ignorant little cunts." "Yes Madam Grimes, I would love to leave Stan and come with you." "Thank God we're finally through that. Angela, get her up and bend her over, head on the table ... over there, I think. Papa, come sit beside me." As Angela hauled the dazed young woman over past the end of the bench seat, Margo pulled Papa's cock out of the pouch that had been straining to hold it. She wet her hand with saliva and began to massage his cock to full hardness. "Now then, I want you to go treat little Camille as nicely as you treated Ms. Turov. Camille's having a rough evening and it may well get rougher as the night progresses." "So when do I get to make you feel better, Madam Grimes?" "Me, Papa? Probably never. I'm the most insecure woman I know, the sight of my husband with another woman can still send me into a panic attack if it happens at the wrong time. Even so, I'm not as insecure or threatened by the sight of Harry with another woman as some men would be if they saw their woman with another man. Harry might be one of those men who enjoy watching his wife with another man ... might even enjoy watching me get gang-banged by every swinging dick in this club ... but he's never said anything, in a hundred discussions of fantasies and in countless sweaty nights to lead me to believe so. So I choose to err on the side of caution." "Hardly seems fair, Madam," Papa said, watching Harry caress Sheila's head as he fucked her face, hard and deep. "That? She's one of our family's submissives. The woman earlier? I get the feeling she was part of closing an alliance, not that Harry didn't enjoy every single moment of it. Of course he did and would happily do her again in a heartbeat ... same holds true for ... well, all of the women at that table. And not that tonight I give much of a shit even if she wasn't part of an alliance deal. He doesn't go looking for more women. As you might have noticed, the rest of us do. Trust me, Papa ... when it's unfair, I'll say something." Margo left off stroking Papa's cock rather reluctantly. "Still, that ... and you ... are very pretty ... ah well ... now, go make Camille happy and I'll have Camille make me happy." ------- Harry forcibly moved Sheila's head from his crotch and lowered his kilt. "Sorry little girl, got to keep something in reserve for Mistress Dominique. Jesus, a night in this place could kill a man." He looked over at the table where Margo had made a new friend, a lovely girl, looked South American. His wife had the new girl face down in her crotch while Papa Stripper banged the beautiful brown woman from behind. Harry admired the shaking of her ass and thighs, finding even more erotic interest in the way her lovely dress had just been hiked up and thrown on her back, exposing her to the club. A flicker of movement caught his eye, off to one side, a blonde man was cleaning his dick off rather angrily, leaving a mostly naked boy who looked very similar to the new girl lying on the table with a glint of something oozing out of his distended ass. The blonde's eyes were locked on the tableau at Margo's table and Harry smiled, exposing his teeth as he recognized the vibe. The man was about to start some shit. He got up and moved into position to support his wife should she need it. ------- Margo was oblivious, as Camille was very talented and very eager to please. Angela was otherwise occupied as she had freed Camille's breasts from their imprisonment and was amusing herself from below, licking the woman's nipples as they swung by. Papa, quite understandably, was completely focused on the beautiful round ass he had in his hands as he pounded his condom-clad cock into her velvety smoothness. None of them saw Stan Carter approaching. None of them saw Ramon watching on with obvious disinterest. None of them saw Harry casually cruising to within earshot of the group. And no one at House Chorale's table noticed any of it at all. ------- "What the fuck do you think you're doing with my property?" Stan's voice had a slight southern flavor to it but overall it gave the impression of a pot that had reached boiling and was spitting out its contents, something particularly noxious in this instance, all over the stove. Margo had found that in her dominant personae, she was much harder to startle ... or rather, she was much less likely to show that she'd been startled ... or rattled ... or angered. Camille's head had jerked away from Margo's cunt but Margo's hand swept down and firmly repositioned the young woman right back where she'd been. "I think you have the wrong table. I advise you to leave." She slowly, casually, gracefully turned her head to look at Stan as he stood with his arms crossed in front of him, glaring down at her. "If you don't leave, and insist on inflicting your unwelcome company upon us, I'd advise you to keep your tone more civil." "Or what? I don't care what you'd advise. You don't own this place, that's my property ears deep in your slit and I want her back!" "Look to your right, sir," Margo replied. "See that large group at those tables? See the beautiful woman you might recognize as the one who does own this club? Those tables are full of my friends, close friends ... very close friends as far as a few of them are concerned, like Dominique herself, who's often been ... how did you so charmingly put it? Ears deep in my slit? And vice versa, I assure you. The rest of those people include my husband and my two wives." She batted her eyelashes at him. "I think you're outnumbered and outranked, sport." "You can't steal my property!" Margo pulled Camille's head up. "Honey, do you want to stay with this walking cumsack or do you want to come home with me?" "Uh ... you, Madam Grimes." "Good ... now, she's expressed her choice and you're out of the picture, here in a few I'll be sending her back to your place, under escort, to collect her things. You may, of course, go with them if you so choose or she can leave the key on the table when she goes." "I won't stand for this. The little slut owes me money!" And then Stan made the mistake of trying to move in on Margo, to further intimidate her or strike her, Harry wasn't sure. "Yes, I'm sure she does," Harry said, sliding into the conversation and between Stan and Margo. "Hi honey," he said to Margo, then turned back to Stan. "We're going to take your former property home tonight and use her till she passes out. I'm personally very happy about the prospect, as will be the rest of our very large household. And if it turns out that she's every bit as special and wonderful a human being as I imagine she is, then we'll have a new valued and trusted friend, which is a 'win' in anyone's book. We'll have a new friend and playmate," Harry smiled mockingly at Stan. "And she'll be happier and we'll be happier. So why should we give a flying fairy fuck that you say she owes you money?" He reached into a pocket in his kilt and took out a card with his name and contact information on it. "Submit an invoice for what you say she owes you to me at this address. If we find your claims to be fair, you'll be paid. If we don't, you won't and can then seek redress in civil court. Either way, leave ... now..." Stan pocketed the card and returned to his table, grumbling and casting dirty looks in their direction. "Honey, take your time with her, I'll go tell Andre to be ready to take her to get her things once you're through. Sorry to step in on your fun, sweetie, but I'm never in the mood to see any man lay a hand on you." He caressed her clit, patting Camille's cheek afterwards. "Harry," Margo said, "when we get home tonight ... would you take charge and let me go submissive? That's a part of 'being you' as well, a small part to be sure. Most of the time I see you as kind of neutral." "Would you prefer to be neutral yourself?" he asked. "Or as I like to think of it, casually, benignly dominant?" Margo laughed, "That is a pretty good description, 'casually, benignly dominant'," She sobered, "I'm not sure that's what I need tonight. I think tonight I need to roll on my back, expose my neck and just be used." "Certainly then ... mind if I recruit some help?" "Treat me as you would, Master." "Excellent." As Harry walked away Margo thought how thankful she was for the best spouses any woman could ever have. ------- Unbeknownst to anyone at House Chorale's table, Mistress Claudette of House Evensong was in attendance, incognito, watching them from a table nearby. She kept the hood she wore pointed in the general direction of a nearby stage, while from the darkness within she watched and learned and laughed delightedly. She had been worried that Jackie might recognize her, but as the evening went on she realized that unlike her last years of service with Laney's House Odessa, Jackie was having far too much fun and was far too involved in the goings-on around her to notice much of anything outside of their tables. ------- A half hour later Harry was back at the House table with Sheila seated on the floor next to him, leaning against his leg. He was watching Karen bring Patricia off yet again, her tongue driving her partner to squirm and writhe in her seat. "Excuse me, Harry?" He turned to see Thad Newton, looking not at all like G & P's employee in leather pants and black t-shirt, but neither did he look like Lord Newton of Karghold Newton. "Lord-" "Just Thad," his unexpected guest replied. "While I am out and about, I'm not flying my colors, so to speak." "Alright, have a seat, what can I do for you?" "A bit of information for you, then a question. Here's the information first. Drifting around, feigning interest in the various stage performances ... well ... not totally faking it, if you haven't watched the two very limber girls over there," he said, pointing to the west wall, "you're missing something ... intoxicating. Sorry, I got sidetracked." Thad grinned. "Cutting to the chase, you've got four groups or individuals watching you and yours very closely tonight. Now, don't turn around and start looking. Back there," Thad inclined his head ever so slightly in one direction, "is Richard Mays, Master of House Crimson-Glove. He's not in disguise, but he is making a concerted effort to appear inconspicuous. Neither of his subs is with him, he's dressed very non-descriptly and his eyes are never far from your people. To your left," his head subtly shifted to that direction "is Mistress Claudette of House Evensong. She is in disguise, heavy hood and cloak and while the hood's angled towards a stage I'd bet my favorite slave that she couldn't tell you a thing about what's been performed there. To your right, back a ways," Thad's head tilted to Harry's right, "is Master Gregory of House O'Shaunessy. He and a few of his personal household are here, he left Dorothy and Bob behind tonight, evidently. I imagine he figured they might queer his covert observations, since you know them." Thad smiled. "The fourth individual is a rather charming rogue named Thad Newton, Lord of Karghold Newton. "Now, to the question, Master Grimes ... Karghold Newton would like an alliance with your House, but I'm very well aware of the opinion many have of all Karg, making no distinction between the various factions within. If you want an alliance, our pride won't let it be a secret thing ... if you want us you take us loud and proud. However, if you don't want us, I do truly completely understand and there'd be no hard feelings. We'd be honored to, out of the public eye, remain your friends. But we do believe in what you're advocating and we'd like to be a part of it." Harry answered without a pause. "We'd welcome an alliance with Karghold Newton. We place no conditions upon it, but we do have some requests. If you would, display your female Karg quite prominently, helping to defuse the preconceptions about the Karg and women. For that matter, bring all the Karghold that's of age, who are not required elsewhere, say ... to watch the children or things of that nature. Male and female happy, proud submissives would do a lot towards negating trouble before it starts." "Would you like elephants in the parade as well?" Thad asked, a wry smile on his lips. "Why, do you have some?" ------- Tattie had seen more sex in the hour she'd been slowly wandering through the club than she herself had had in the last twenty years. Not all that surprising given her history, but the sheer wealth of sex and deviancy around her was like a trip to some demented and perverted museum. Costumes and apparatuses and every kind of instrument of torture, although none of them were being used all that seriously, restraints and feathers ... she wouldn't have been surprised to have found the proverbial burro and midget ... in fact, she'd already found midgets, they were performing on a stage near the center of the club. It was the eternal Mardi Gras with no Ash Wednesday ever allowed to close it down, a Rio Carnivale only slightly tamed and shrunk into a large, factory-sized club. She'd received several invitations that she'd quickly refused, two that she'd very regretfully refused and had accepted an invitation to have a drink from a middle-aged woman named Monica that had quickly devolved into a high-pressure invitation to sex, sex of any stripe, oral, vaginal, anal. As Tattie had done her genteel Southern best to leave, the woman had stood up and lifted her dress to reveal a full and very excited set of male equipment. That, oddly enough, had caused her to pause and reconsider, never having thought much about transsexuals in the past. But she moved on, much to Monica's dismay as well as to her own curious sense of disappointment. Tattie was sure that pretty much anything she wished to experience of a sexual nature was available to her for free, courtesy of a giant space full of freaks of every stripe and persuasion, yet all she could do was wander and look. If she was honest with herself, she yearned as well as looked. But it all echoed of emptiness to her, an echo she knew all too well. And while she was sure that with time a lot of what she perceived as empty and meaningless could and would acquire meaning and depth and honest affection, she wasn't sure she had the patience to wait for that deepening. "Pardon me, ma'am, we have a chair open at our table, new game starting, we'd love to have you sit in..." Startled out of her reverie she turned and say three men and two women, all in their forties and fifties, reasonably attractive and dressed somewhat conservatively for Dominique's, sitting around a table. One of the women was shuffling a deck of cards. "Poker?" Tattie inquired? "Ahyup," the dealer replied. "I'm in," Tattie said as she took the last chair, motioning for a waiter's attention. "What are the stakes?" "Clothes and sex, ma'am," one of the men answered. "Clothes and happy, strings-free sex." What the hell, Tattie thought to herself. I need to stop being a tourist someday. "Sure sounds like fun, prepare to be nude-ified!" she said, smiling at her fellow players. ------- "So, next Friday night soon enough for us to put on our parade?" Thad asked. "Yeah, should be ... tell me what you think of the other folks watching us tonight," Harry replied, sipping his water and wishing more than anything that he could duck out to the limo and smoke a bowl. "Charlie Mays is a slimy little opportunistic shit who'll put off making a decision as to which side to ally with as long as possible then slide in under the wire, so to speak, and make a grab for every bit of influence and favor he can get his greedy little hands on." "Well shit, Thad, don't hold back for fuck's sake, how do you really feel about him?" Harry said, laughing. Thad was laughing as well. "Sorry, Charlie's been a bit of a sore spot with me for quite some time ... long story, may tell you later." He grinned. "House O'Shaunessy ... I like them ... a lot of that good will is built on knowing Dorothy and Bob for as long as I have. I'd recommend waiting for Gregory to make an overture and then let them into your alliance in a heartbeat. Gregory tends to think things through ... real thoroughly ... that's why I wouldn't rush the issue." "House Evensong ... well, they're very well-respected in certain circles and it's already well-known they despise House Odessa and all it stands for. If they were to ask to join, I'd say go for it ... but be aware. They're very ... balanced ... in their thinking. Big fans of duality and symmetry. They don't like the balance being disturbed, even if they're not completely sure there's any balance to be disturbed. They tend to be very cautious. I'm sure Jackie's told you some, being as she's almost an honorary member ... would have been if she'd been willing to leave Laney's without Lisa and Sheila." "Actually she hadn't mentioned that," Harry said, smiling somewhat evilly. "Okay, what's that look for?" Thad asked. "Just imagining the discussion we're going to have about that later this evening," Harry purred. "And the punishment she'll receive for not mentioning it." "Why do I get the feeling she won't think it's punishment at all?" "Because you know what a horny bastard I am?" "Couldn't be that ... you never mention anything sexual at work ... must be cause I recognize that smile ... you tend to get it when you're planning something surprising but pleasant for the staff at G & P." "Fair enough ... so, could've gone with them instead of staying at Laney's?" "Yeah ... not real widely known, but one of our slaves is a co-religionist and friend of Mistress Claudette. She was there when Claudette made the offer. Jackie couldn't leave the other two behind ... especially not Lisa ... so she stayed." "So, how should I handle negotiations with Evensong?" "Personally, I'd wander over there right now, sit down and offer to buy her a drink. Break the ice and then talk honestly with her. I'd take Jackie too." "How... 'politically correct' ... is she?" "Not very ... in many ways Evensong's like Sandalwood ... earthy, physical, bawdy. I wouldn't worry about it so long as you don't turn into a complete asshole." "Thanks Thad, you're a lifesaver. Next Friday night come in and make it the biggest parade this place has ever seen. Arrange things with Dommi." "Yes Master Grimes," Thad Newton replied, no trace of sarcasm in his voice, "It will be done." ------- Claudette Baxley knew she was probably busted the moment she saw Thad Newton sit down to talk with Master Grimes. As their conversation continued and she caught certain nods and glances in her direction, her suspicion was confirmed. The only question left for her was what Grimes would do about it? Her answer came as Harry sauntered over, leading a chastened Jackie, eyes aimed at the floor, walking behind him at the end of a very short leash. He sat down, smiling at her, while Jackie went to her knees between his legs, then slurped his cock and balls into her mouth. "Mistress Claudette of House Evensong, I'm Master Grimes of House Chorale. It seems we need to talk. Let me order you something to drink." Claudette liked the brashness of his attitude, the easy assurance and confidence that someone involved in trying to become Master of the Samhain Fetish Ball should have. She graciously allowed herself to be charmed. Pushing back her hood, she smiled, "Thad Newton talks too much." "Yes, he and I both seem to share a love of gossip," Harry replied, grinning. "Although gossip can be a destructive, evil thing, in this case I found it most helpful and enlightening." He patted Jackie's head. "For instance, he told me that this little fuckslut was offered a place in your House ... something she should have told me when we discussed the issue. I feel so violated. We gave her our trust, all of it, but she didn't feel she could do the same. I allowed her a chance to explain herself, but she just looked at the floor and said she had no explanation. I think it might be that she doesn't want Lisa or Sheila to know what she passed up to stay with them. She refuses to confirm or deny my hypothesis. What do you think?" "I think that's a valid hypothesis ... how are you punishing her?" "Nothing too severe ... she's just going to keep my cock and ballsack nice and warm for the rest of the night. Whenever they're not occupied elsewhere they'll be in her throat." "Most lenient," Mistress Claudette replied with an honest and open smile. "not too onerous, no significant amount of pain involved, except perhaps her knees..." "Good point ... perhaps some sort of knee pads?" "It would be a kindness I think. These floors are awfully hard." Harry pulled Jackie up from his crotch. "Run over and have Lisa fashion you some makeshift kneepads." He kissed her gently on the cheek. "There's no reason for this to hurt. And remind me later to invest in some more substantial pads as I'm quite sure you're not the last little slut that'll be spending lots of time on her knees." Jackie smiled at him and ran back to the table. "So now it's down to just you and me, Mistress Claudette." Harry smiled, looking her over with blatant interest. She appeared to be in her late thirties, her tan spoke of time spent in the sun, her face, rather long but very pretty with full, inviting lips, reminding him a lot of Margo, and her long brown hair hanging down over a pleasingly rounded slightly pear-shaped body. "So, is there a reason House Evensong's senior dominant is watching my House tonight? Is it as Thad and I suspect, that you're considering asking to join our little band of ... rebels ... or are you just watching the new freakshow in town?" His words might have been taken wrongly by some if it weren't for the openness of his features and the sincere laugh in his voice. "You and Thad, nosy bugger that he is, aren't wrong. Before you ask, no, I haven't made up my mind yet and I certainly can't speak for the House as a whole. But in spite of any whispered scurrilous rumors of us taking forever to make up our minds ... you'll have an answer by next Friday night. I'm thinking it'll be a positive one, but I can't promise anything. I and some of the House will probably arrange to come by and visit some evening this week." "Well, I'm happy to hear that. Let me extend you an invitation to come by our place tonight after closing. Fair warning though, it's looking to have a strong orgy vibe building up. And you're certainly welcome to come sit with us now, if you'd like, although I'm thinking you might not be quite ready to associate yourself any more openly with us than you and I sitting here and talking already has." He reached into a pocket, pulled out a card and a pen and scribbled on the back. "Here," he said, handing it to her. "This is the house address. Show up if you'd like, we'll probably be up and going till the sun rises ... and no matter what's going on, we'll be happy to see you." Harry laughed to himself. The position of being the acting senior dominant of his House put him in a very predatory headspace. He wondered if Mistress Claudette did show up at the house that evening would he get a chance to bury his head between her soft, full thighs. Jackie returned with silk-wrapped pads of cloth tied on her legs as kneepads. "Sir, I'm to tell you that Mistress Dominique has gone to make herself ready to receive you and Billy and that you should perhaps begin to move towards her office." "If you will excuse me, Mistress Claudette, I have pleasant obligations to see to. I hope we'll see you later this evening." With that he and Jackie headed towards Dommi's office, collecting Billy on the way. ------- "Make yourself to home, boys," Dommi called out from the bathroom. "Just having a nice Valium enema before we begin." Leaving Billy to arrange pillows Harry strolled into the bathroom to find Dommi with a determined look on her face as she stretched one direction then another, bending, squatting and then going through a delightful set of pelvic gyrations. "Do I want to know?" Harry asked. "Making sure I get as much exposure to the Valium, as well as the cleaning," she responded, sitting down on the toilet while Ricky prepared another enema bag full of fresh warm water. "Be a waste of good tranquilizers otherwise." "Valium enema?" he inquired, leaning over to kiss her on the cheek before sitting down out of the way on the edge of the tub. "Yeah ... are you sure you want to be in here for this?" Dommi asked, somewhat nervously. "I mean, this isn't the most pleasant thing in the world to be exposed to." "Dommi, darling, think about Carol ... think about how much Carol enjoys anal sex and how much she likes being clean. I'm immune." "Well lover, I'm not. Do me a favor, go outside into the hall, out of sight but still close enough to talk. It'd make this a lot easier for me." "Alright." Harry got up and went out into the hall to slump down and sit with his back against the wall. "Thank you, Harry," Dommi said. "Now, as to the Valium ... well, as you know, my ass is very sensitive ... more so than I'd like sometimes and apparently a lot more than most folks. That's the biggest reason I'm not enjoying anal more often than I do. It's too intense, to the point of being painful, not from the sensations themselves but from how sensitive I am to them. What would serve as a perfectly sublime warm-up for most fans of anal still leaves me wanting to run away screaming ... so I use the Valium to desensitize me." Harry heard the unmistakable sounds of Dominique Duvalier releasing the fluid she'd been holding inside her bowels. "Sorry ... should have realized being close enough to talk meant close enough to hear that as well," she muttered. "Anyway, got this idea from a gay friend of mine, Blake, who used it purely for pleasure. It leaves me nice and tingly from the waist down ... not numb or too desensitized. It just knocks enough of the edge off so that I'm able to enjoy anal ... oh ... thank you, Ricky ... mmm ... slow it down a little, the Valium hasn't kicked in all that much yet ... okay, better. "As I was saying, it makes things workable and allows me the pleasure of double penetration ... mmkay ... it's kicking in pretty well now..." Harry heard her get up from the toilet as Ricky flushed it. There was a pause of a few moments and she wobbled out on shaky legs to stand next to him. "So I keep a supply on hand. There are a lot of reasons why, like ... say for when I want to find myself getting pounded by men I adore." She smiled down at him. "I couldn't help but overhear what you and Li Kuan were talking about ... winning, whether you win or lose the election. Were you serious about my club becoming the center of your splinter group, should you lose?" Harry got up on one knee, wincing slightly as he wedged his braced leg out to one side. He opened up the front of Dommi's silk robe and gently kissed her mound as he nuzzled her through her short strip of pubic hair. "Mmm hmmm, love ... we're serious. In fact, I think you can bet that your club will have an even greater prominence among members of the scene no matter what happens in the election. You've offered it to us often enough, God knows. If we win, you'll be the center of the scene's social life ... if we lose, you'll become our home away from home ... the court in exile." Harry licked her slowly, up and down, tasting her desire. Her hands reached down and grabbed his hair, pulling him away from her. "Be careful, Harry, get me too excited and I'm liable to lose concentration." "It's a rinse, Dommi ... nothing but warm water to flush out any soap leftover from the previous bag full ... nothing there to scare me..." He pulled her hands away from his head as if she were a weak kitten. "I've licked Carol ... hell, I've licked all of my wives to orgasm while they were sitting on the toilet holding in a bag of rinse. After the same kind of initial embarrassment you're going through, all of them have grown to love it. They say it produces a knee-weakening climax. Worst thing that can happen is getting splashed with cold bowl water when you let go and a towel can block that." "You are ... my dear man ... what some might call ... nasty..." Dommi panted. "Nothing at all nasty about it as you well know," he breathed into her cunt. "Just water at this point ... a little soap ... and a nice, clean woman." "Still, most people-" "Dommi, most people aren't here wanting to bring you off before they are granted the privilege of burying their cock in your most exquisite bottom," Harry replied. "Now go sit down on the toilet. Ricky, get me a towel." Dominique stared at him, surprised by his calm tone of command and surprised by her reaction to it. "Darling, go ... sit ... down. Or I'm going to bring you off right here and you'll make a mess." "Yes ... sir," she replied, feeling the words pulled from her throat as though it was against her will to say them. "Good girl..." Harry said as he watched her totter back in and semi-collapse on the toilet. She spread her ass cheeks wide, adjusting herself on the seat as Harry awkwardly half-crawled in and took a towel from Ricky. Spreading her legs and using the towel to block any chance of splash from the bowl beneath, Harry returned to her delightful cunt while his hand roamed freely inside her robe. As he felt her resist giving into his licking and kissing, holding herself back from coming, he growled, "Dommi, relax goddamnit. This is going to happen whether you like it or not." Harry knew Ricky was behind him, ready to remove him at a word from his Mistress, but by the way he felt her body move, Dommi had shaken her head and waved him away. "Harry ... are you sure ... you're not ... really a dom?" He looked up at her, panting above him. "Of course I'm sure. I'm just pretending I'm Margo. How am I doing?" Dominique looked down at him, lust and drugs clouding her vision. "Oh God baby, you're doing fine ... don't stop ... please." "Not a problem." A few moments later her cry of sexual release mostly masked the muffled sound of her ass emptying into the toilet. And a little later still, "Ricky," Dominique panted, "you'd better ... get used to the idea ... of doing that ... yourself." Harry and Ricky helped the very weak-legged Dominique out to the cushions in front of the windows in her office-lounge. "I'm sorry, Harry," Dommi said, "this is one of the side effects of the enema ... although it seems a bit worse for some reason," she finished with a smile. "That's alright darling," he replied, as they lay down and looked out upon the club. "The day I mind having to help a beautiful woman to bed is the day I hang up my dick and become a monk." Below them in the club Harry could see the 'three-ring circus' with its performers doing a more BDSM version of 'The Taming of the Shrew'. To the left a ways he saw his own House's tables. Carol was back to molesting House Franklin's submissive, Lourdes with a slightly added twist ... now House Sandalwood's Mistress Spyderchylde sat on Lourdes' face while Carol drove the submissive mad with her tongue and lips. Kelly was finally getting some action as Sheila and Nicki double-tongued her, both of them evidently as deep inside their respective holes as they could reach. Margo was talking with Mistress Ravenclaw while Angela slowly fingered them both. Papa was buried deep in the submissive Sunny's ass while Master Russell fed his cock into Sunny's mouth. Harry smiled as he realized that the vibe at the table had evidently been enough to overcome their shyness. Karen and Patricia were still lost in each other, Karen being so uncomfortable in the club as to focus all of her attention on Patricia, hiding away from everything around her in the arms of her lover. The folks at rest of the tables were talking amongst themselves or watching the action. It seemed everything was going as it should. "Didn't know you'd seated us where you could see us, Dommi," Harry said. "My dear Master Grimes," she said, turning sideways and pulling him into her arms, "I will always have you and your House seated where I can see you." She wasn't at all surprised as he brought her face to his for a long, warm kiss. "Haven't you all figured out, Sir, that I love you happy misfits?" "We love you too, Dommi," Harry replied. "And now, speaking of love..." He turned her over to face Billy and slid down the cushions to bring his face to her bottom. "Billy," he said, "time to warm this beauty up for what's to come." Tongue buried in Dommi's ass as far as he could get it, holding her magnificent cheeks apart to give him maximum penetration, Harry almost broke out into laughter as he realized what was going on further down his own body. As he lay on his side, licking and thrusting into the most magnificent bottom he knew, Billy was laying on his side, lips locked around Dommi's cunt as the young amputee's tongue went in to overdrive. Meanwhile, both their cocks met at about the same point and with their enthusiastic attentions to their lover, were dancing around each other like epees in a fencing match, slapping each other this way then that, bouncing off each other and recoiling from their thighs. It took a concerted effort on Harry's part to get his mind back on the divine woman they were worshipping and off what he thought of as the Battle of the Bouncing Pricks. Finally, tongue tired and threatening to cramp, Harry brought his and Billy's oral devotions to an end. Rolling on his back, he spread his legs and positioned Dommi atop him. While Billy watched, he slipped on a rubber, lubed his cock thoroughly and slowly sank it into his lover, sliding past her relaxed inner muscles with hardly any difficulty at all. "Umm, Harry," she moaned, "you have a very good cock for this ... long without being too long, thick without being too thick..." "So there's an advantage to being average?" he replied. "Oh yes, baby..." her ass flexed around his cock, "very definitely an advantage." Slowly and carefully she settled in, taking him all the way in, little gasps of pleasure escaping her mouth as she nestled down on his lap while he massaged her breasts and licked her back. When she was fully relaxed, impaled on Harry, Billy rose up on his hands and stumps and carefully move between Harry's and Dommi's legs. After slipping on his own condom, he began to slowly, teasingly, slide his cock around the edges of her wet, glistening pussy ... a tactic which was brought to a quick close as she brought her legs up, wrapped them around him and pulled Billy in, his cock ramming home in her with one smooth stroke. That shifted all of her weight towards her bottom where all of it rested solely on Harry. But with a small 'oof' and a quick readjustment of the position of his hands, he was able to partially support her. "Mmm ... sorry Harry ... sometimes ... I forget ... my size..." "Ain't nothing to apologize for," Harry replied, "give me time to get myself situated right and you can sit on my dick ... on my lap ... for the rest of the night. In fact, I'd love it if you did ... you are a sexual Disneyland." Something in Harry's brain twitched, ever so slightly. The idea wasn't completely formed, so he set it aside and focused on the carnival of delights in front of him. The two men tried their best to set and keep a rhythm but finally gave it up as a lost cause. They had to admit that Dommi seemed a lot happier once their faltering attempts to move in sync with each other ceased. For Harry, the experience was everything he'd dreamed it would be ... Dommi's ass was tight without being too restrictive, for which he thanked the Valium, and the sensations of her bottom slapping his lap as he thrust in and out of her was more of a strain on his self-control than her rectal spasms on his cock. That cock had already had a very full evening, so the stimuli it was receiving were very muted. The full body erotic feast that was Dommi's body so close to his, her breath chuffing in and out, her sweat, her scent, her skin ... that was about to drive Harry's aching balls into overload. He was even getting an odd thrill from the feeling of his and Billy's cocks sliding against each other, separated by only a relatively thin layer of tissue. It was all good. When the impulses from her cunt and ass were finally able to override the slight numbness of the Valium, Dominique began to climax. With Billy at her breasts and Harry's hands and mouth wandering over her back and sides, there was no shortage of sensations to keep her going once she began. Her generous, rubenesque form began to tremble and shake, her eyes rolled back in her head and a low staccato moan escaped her lips, only interrupted by short gasps of breath. Billy and Harry kept going, each smiling to himself as her arms and legs went limp. Harry had read the signs correctly and was prepared to support her weight on his hips although that shifted his thrusts to a shorter style as he used his arms to hold and stroke the woman who lay atop him. "Billy," he panted, "can you imagine ... taking her like this ... with her suspended ... over that big o' bed ... of ours?" "Oh ... DAMN..." Billy said as he came, his rhythm completely disappearing as he collapsed on top of her, barely being held in place by the friction of his skin against hers. "GODDAMN," Harry moaned as the practically insensate Billy's weight was added to Dominique's, all on him. "RICKY ... get him off ... please," Harry managed to whimper as the two bodies restricted his breathing. As her sub gently lifted Billy off and laid him to one side, Harry rolled Dommi off to the other. With more of Ricky's help he was able to prop up her hips with some pillows and re-enter her bottom, laying most of his body and his weight atop her for a change. He was shocked to hear her speak. "Harry..." "What, sweetie?" "You know ... I love y'all ... right?" With those words, Harry shot right past the point of no return. He was going to come, he was going to come very shortly and nothing was going to stop it. "We love ... you too ... beautiful." "Yes Mistress..." Billy whispered from next to her on the cushions, "all of us ... love you very much." "No Billy..." Dommi murmured, "you weren't here ... as a sub ... tonight ... no 'Mistress' ... you were here ... as a lover ... and a damn good one." As tears seeped down Billy's cheeks, Harry's body found that one last orgasm that had been approaching. It released and Harry ground his crotch into Dommi's delightful butt as he silently cried out his ecstasy. Once his vision cleared he realized he had just let most of his weight rest upon their hostess and, slightly embarrassed, he rolled off her already snoring form. "Don't worry sir," Ricky said, skinning the condom off of Billy and cleaning him with wet washcloths. "She'll sleep till sometime after the club closes and then..." "And then ... what?" Harry gasped. "And then she'll wear me out and go back to sleep." "Damn Ricky," Harry said as the young man finished with Billy and moved over to Harry, "your life is just one big ol' bucket o' suck, ain't it?" "Yes sir," Ricky replied, fighting to keep his face solemn, "I don't know how I stand it some days." After they'd been cleaned and had a little time for a drink and recovery, Billy put back on his prosthetics and the two of them got dressed and prepared to leave. "Sir," Ricky said as they headed towards the door, "I know I'm probably out of line, but it sounds like you're going to have a wild night at your place this evening after we close?" "Sounds like it, yes." "Take these," Ricky said, offering Harry a small paper bag. Harry took the bad and opened it, pulling out one of two medicine bottles full to the brim with small, blue, diamond-shaped pills. "These what I think they are?" Harry asked. "Yes sir, Viagra ... check with your wife as she's a doctor, but I imagine you're healthy enough to take them. We have several doctors who are friends and make sure we always have a good supply. They're a life saver when you're entertaining and the spirit is willing but the flesh is unresponsive." A younger Harry might have been mildly insulted but the older and wiser Harry just gave the sub a hug and said, "Thank you". ------- Upon returning to the table the next several hours were filled with cuddling and conversation. Harry had been wondering as to the tone of the get-together at the house after closing. In the interim he was he was giving Jackie time to be ravished by Carol, while pulling on Puppy's ribbons as she mouthed his spent cock, listening to her cries of pleasure as her piercings were tugged on. Then, as Billy was describing the sensations of sliding against each other in Dommi's body as "something out of Pirates of the Caribbean, you know, a sword duel on the Good Ship Dominique" Harry's brain twitched a little more and the issue was resolved. "Oh shit," Karen said, "I know that look ... Harry, you've had an epiphany." "Yes I have." He leaned over to Karen and very softly whispered. "Think fast, you're the captain of a pirate ship, what's your name and what's the ship's name? Quick now or you're a prisoner instead." Used to his creative spasms she was quick on her mental feet and answered "Captain Cuntlapper of the good ship 'Sappho'." He smiled at her, "Nice job." Stefan Franklin just stared at him after he whispered the same question. "Fine Stefan, you and Lourdes are prisoners of a bunch of very randy pirates. If you want to avoid that fate, don't come home with us after the club closes ... because I can guarantee you we won't treat you like a dom." Stefan smiled, "Wouldn't miss it for the world." Master Wilcox grinned and answered in a flash. "Captain Longcock of the 'Big Bottom'." "Fair enough," Harry laughed. Mistress Laurie Hurley looked at Harry as if he'd grown another head. "Excuse me?" "Too late. If you come back to the house tonight after this place closes, you're prisoners of some of the most fuck-hungry pirates to ever sail the seven seas." After some whispered explanations and hurried sign language, Laurie looked at Harry with a somewhat stunned expression. "My brother says to take Marcie and I and do with us what you will. One of us needed to go home and relieve the babysitter ... and he's it. That leaves us as your prisoners." "Excellent, little Laurie ... my only name is 'the Captain', little lass ... you'd best call me 'Sir'." She swallowed, "Yes sir." Mistress Veronika's face lit up and she smiled a thousand watt smile. "Captain Vagina of the captured frigate 'Cunt of Doom'." "We're gonna have a right happy ol' time tonight, ain't we, Cap'n Vagina?" Harry whispered. "You're right about that, Cap'n Harry." Master Russell fumbled over words until it was too late. "If the two of you come home to visit with us this evening after the club closes, you'll be our prisoners." "Uh, given our orientation..." "Russell, I'm sure we can find some bisexual male pirates in this group." "You think you can find some cock-sucking, ass-licking, butt-stuffing pirates? You all have an amazing sense of play, Harry ... we might show up. I wouldn't expect us, but if we do, I'm sure we'll have fun." "We'd love to see you there," Harry replied warmly, expecting the two men not to show. Harry whispered the question to Li Kuan and for some reason was not at all surprised by her answer. "Captain Cao Li of the Chinese junk 'Drinker of Blood'." Harry hugged her and moved on. The five dommes of House Sandalwood went into conference and by the time they returned with an answer, it was way past time for such. "Ladies, if you and your House show up to visit this evening, you're our prisoners and let me assure you, no one will be following your orders with the possible exception of your subs. The rest of us will be treatin' ya as cruelly an' usin' ya as thoroughly as any band of cutthroats that ever left Tortuga bound for rape and plunder ... well, without any actual rape, of course." He smiled and kissed Mistress Marsh' hand, "But we will plunder you like the tasty morsels you are." Mistress Wolfling answered for them all. "We'll be there ... and you'd better demand a high ransom for each and every one of us." Harry grinned, recognizing a shared insanity. "Oh we will," he replied, his hand moving to her breast, "we will." Harry explained the game to Margo, as well as explaining why he couldn't go try to charm Mistress Claudette into attending, but it was the very thing he would do, so Margo should consider giving it a try. The evil grin that came to her face, the light in her eyes, the way she pushed her hair out to the side and then cracked all the knuckles in her hands was pure 'Harry'. She sauntered over to the table where Mistress Claudette had been trying to fathom what the strange "whisper and wait and then grin and talk about something in a low tone of voice" game was all about. "Hi, I'm Margo, normally Madam Grimes but tonight I'm being Harry and Harry's being me. That's why I'm here." She sat down straddling Claudette's lap and whispered in her ear, "Time to think fast, you're the captain of a pirate ship, what's your name and what's the ship's name? Answer quickly or you're a prisoner instead." "Uh ... well, I could be-" "Come on, tick-tock, tick-tock." "Hmm, Captain..." "OH, I'm so sorry, your time is up. So if you show up tonight at our place after Dominique's closes, you're a prisoner, not a domme, just another piece of meat bound for the Tortuga slave markets." Margo smiled at her as if she wanted to eat her right then and there while she wriggled closer and began to speak, so close her breath caressed Claudette's ear. "I really hope you show up ... Harry ... the Cap'n, I mean, came back with one or two stars in his eyes after talking with you." Margo rubbed her barely covered breasts against Claudette's tits. "I can see why ... you're a juicy little wench." Claudette whispered back, "I would never volunteer myself into you and your band of rogues' foul clutches. I'll be waiting to leave after your crew does, and praying to the Goddess that there are no filthy pirates lying in wait for me outside the doors. As a poor noblewoman, alone and unescorted on a secret mission for my family, I'd have absolutely no defense while I waited outside for a carriage. I fear for my safety." Margo impulsively kissed the woman, finding no resistance whatsoever. "Mmm, good ransom for you or good sales price at the markets. Either way you're going to make us a lot of money." She hopped up off Mistress Claudette's lap and sauntered back to their tables. When she did, Harry took a look at the smug expression on her face and knew Margo had landed their prey. He whispered final explanations and instructions to Carol, as Mistress of the House, kissed her thoroughly while fondling her ass and then regretfully let go of her. "Jackie, Lisa, Billy ... take the limo back to the house and follow the instructions Carol will give you in a moment. When you get home, send the limo back for us, by the time he returns, this place should be about ready to close. In the meantime, I suppose Puppy will have to continue keeping me warm under this kilt, provided you have no objections, Captain Li?" "None whatsoever, my dear Captain ... what is your name? Captain Harry?" "Actually, never worried about it before ... how about Captain Thrust ... too egotistical?" "Works quite well ... do with her as you will, Captain Thrust." ------- Tattie slowly walked away from the poker table, an attendant from the club carrying a large pile of clothes. She'd been mouthed to several orgasms, given one of the men her best blowjob as a thank you for his incredible tongue work and was leaving five very naked people at the table. "What are we supposed to do? Go home naked?" one of the men called out to her, trying to figure out what to do with his wallet and keys as he had no pockets anymore. "Not my problem, Pat," she replied without stopping. "You lost 'em, you figger out how to get 'em back ... invitations to dinner or out for drinks make excellent ransoms. Cold hard cash works too, but not as well as tickets to the symphony or a play." She stopped, turned around and looked back at them. "You're all very nice folks and I wouldn't mind seein' any of y'all again ... socially ... maybe otherwise as well ... so you can ransom 'em back with money, or, if you're likewise inclined, a bit o' socializin' will do just as well." Tattie hadn't made it back to the House tables before she had five invitations to go out. She was still chuckling over the turn her evening had taken when she got back. Harry walked up to her, gave her a hug that was a little longer and more physical than she was used to and whispered in her ear, "Think fast, you're the captain of a pirate ship, what's your name and what's the ship's name? Quick now or you're a prisoner instead." A few moments later Harry was leading their latest prisoner to the table, to be pawed by his crew. ------- About an hour, and one successful kidnapping of another poor noblewoman later, the crew of the Free Booty was on its way back to Safe Harbor, their secret island hideout, all of them crammed into the back of the limo. ------- Chapter 43 None of them were expecting trouble, none of them were expecting anything out of the ordinary at all. They'd gotten in the house, waved the limo away so it could return to the club and had temporarily changed into more appropriate attire for quickly decorating the house when they heard sounds from the back yard. "I don't think we left the hot tub on," whispered Lisa. "I damn well know we didn't," Jackie confirmed. "Who do you think it is? Andrea and Galena?" "Most likely," Billy said. "Let's go peek out the kitchen window and see." The sight that met their eyes wasn't at all what they'd expected. The hot tub was going strong, two empty glasses and an open bottle of wine beside it, Galena's head rested on the rim while the rest of her floated. Between her legs Andrea was obviously very involved in licking her cunt, helping to steady and support Galena with one hand while, it seemed, using her other hand to play with herself. Lisa glanced over and saw a look on Jackie's face that she'd rarely seen before. Still, she knew what it meant. "Out of the way, Billy ... Jackie's about to go ballistic." "Just what the fuck do you think you're doing, young lady?" Jackie asked, her voice just barely restrained. The resultant chaos was amusing to Lisa and Billy as they watched, and it would've been amusing to Jackie if she hadn't been so pissed off. Andrea jerked back so fast that she drug Galena with her. As her head went under the water, Galena began to thrash, legs flailing and pushing the scrambling and off-balance Andrea under the water. Both of them came up spluttering and wide-eyed. "I repeat," Jackie said as they both looked at her in shock, "what the fuck do you think you're doing?" While she was looking in the general direction of them both, neither Galena nor Andrea had any doubt her comments were directed at Galena. To give the young dominatrix her due, she tried her best to put her dignity on and brought up as much attitude as she was capable of given the circumstances. "Excuse me," she said, her voice barely quavering, "who are you to question me as to what I'm doing?" "Oh, don't try that shit with me, little girl. Until the family takes you as their own, you aren't in charge of me in any way," Jackie replied, smiling coldly. "All you are is a little underage girl, caught red-handed breaking the rules by drinking and engaging in sex with an older woman ... something referred to as 'statutory rape' or 'child molestation' or 'indecency with a minor' ... take your pick. As to who I am, I'm the woman, little girl, who's going to march you and Andrea into the bedroom and secure the two of you so you can explain yourself to Madam, Master and Mistresses when they arrive home later." "I don't think so," Galena countered, trying her best haughty expression and voice. "Listen you little cunt," Jackie growled. "I'm trying to do you a fucking favor. I'm going to tell them what I saw ... as will Lisa and Billy. If you're in there awaiting their judgment, then perhaps they'll show some mercy. You try denying it and given the moods I've seen tonight at the club? You'll have bought yourself a whole lot of problems ... Margo's doing only so-so at being Harry, but Madam? Why she's only about a half-inch under the surface in full raging bitch mode. Now, what'll it be?" Ten minutes later found Andrea and Galena kneeling on towels in the master bedroom, faces to the floor, asses in the air and wrists chained to bound ankles. ------- Helen McReady had begged off for the evening. Her mind was awhirl of confusion at the chaos she found consuming her life. Instead of being firmly established in a useful field that she loved, she found herself teetering on the edge of unemployment. Instead of a nice normal — well, normal for her anyhow, relationship with a fellow medical professional, as she had imagined would happen, she'd been swept off her feet by a man who had none ... an ex-gigolo who was a willing servant to a house full of some of the oddest people she'd ever met. But yet, she was in love with him, she had yielded herself and her will to him without even having to think about it, it had felt that right to her. Even as unconventional as his situation was, he made her feel safe and protected; sure that nothing was going to happen to her. She had needed to talk all of it out with someone, get some feedback and perhaps, if necessary, some perspective, so she'd gone to talk to the one person she had always been able to count on for good counsel. When she'd been just a little girl of ten, her professional aspirations had been formed by her next door neighbor, Adam Zielinski, who had come back from his second tour in Vietnam without his legs from mid-thigh down and missing three fingers of his right hand. He had prosthetic legs, but made do with just the middle finger and thumb that were left to him on his dominant hand ... which proved not to be much of a handicap as a history teacher in the local school district. When she and her mother had moved in next door to him, he'd been very gracious and kind to the young divorcee and her daughter, bringing them offerings of flowers and vegetables from his gardens, cooking for them, entertaining them with, Helen realized later in life, highly edited versions of some of his adventures overseas. He'd become a friend and confidante to both of them. Because of him she'd realized that more than anything else she could imagine, she wanted to spend her life making the lives of those injured and maimed easier for them to live. The war had left him with other wounds as well though and over the years she became used to awakening in the middle of the night, for reasons she could never quite remember, to see him through her bedroom window, sitting in his back yard and gazing up at the stars. She'd learned that meant he'd had a particularly rough night, going places in his mind and memories that he had no desire to visit again. By the time she sat in his classes in high school, she'd fallen in and out of several crushes on him and was content to just be his friend ... except for one night when she was fifteen. She'd decided she wanted him to be her first and before the determined spirit of a fifteen-year-old pretty young girl, Adam's willpower and resolve had proved inadequate. He'd talked with her a long time before it happened though, made absolutely sure she knew what she was doing and what she wanted. Only after his fears were satisfied did he yield to the inevitable. It had only been the one night, he'd treated her gently and well, setting a high bar for the men in her life who'd come after. Neither of them had ever spoken of it again. Now in his fifties, she'd kept in touch with him as she moved out on her own, even though her mother no longer lived next door to him. And it was to Adam Zielinski she went to discuss the changes her life was going through. He'd been happy to see her, less happy about the state of her career but much to her joy and inner peace, very happy about her new relationship. "Helen, you and I both know you've never been normal," he'd told her. "It's rare for a child to discover their calling in life as early as you did ... their true calling at least." He'd leaned back and taken a healthy sip off his glass of whiskey. "And it's not everyone who feels called upon to decorate their bodies in quite the way, or for quite the reasons, you do. Pretty much every man you've brought over to meet me has been a nice enough fellow, but they never particularly struck me as right for you ... they all seemed a little too ordinary and you pretty much demand someone very special." "You know that's because you're the only man for me," she replied, repeating an oft-spoken line. They both laughed together for a time and then he continued. "I'd very much like to meet this Billy ... while he probably isn't the man I'd have chosen for you, or your mother would choose for you, we're not the ones who make that decision and I get the feeling he's just the man you need for you to be happy. Now, let me refresh our drinks and let's get to talking about how to handle this work situation." They'd talked for several hours more and Helen had gone back to her apartment, wondering if it was too late to change her mind and go by the Grimes house for the evening's festivities. ------- After 'pirate play' had become such a favorite among the family, Kelly and Carol had gotten creative and made some subtle changes to the living room, rang up a lot of purchases and only told Harry and Margo that the next time the Free Booty came into port, there were some surprises. Carol had, at Harry's command, told Jackie, Lisa and Billy where she'd stashed all the props and such ... storage was becoming a problem at the house so Carol had been forced to become innovative. Seeing the wealth of goodies, the three submissives had gotten a little excited just at the possibilities ... actually setting up some of the props had made them even more so. First off, and most visibly, was the large cargo net that was to be hung in the living room. Carol had hired a crew to install the supports in the ceiling studs with a firm understanding that they'd arrive after Margo and Harry left for work and that the project and all clean-up would be completed before they returned home. It had gone off without a hitch and no one in the family had noticed the additions of the eyebolts in the ceiling. "I am so glad they got all these props," Jackie said as she hung the electric, but realistically flickering, lamps in strategic locations in the house. "Yeah," Lisa replied, "but I'm a little curious who made this cargo net thingie ... I've dealt with heavy-ass rope and while this looks the part, it ain't. It's way too soft ... not that I'm complaining as I'm hoping to be fucked while playing on it, but this is just wild!" "Oh my Goddess, honey," Jackie exclaimed as she paused to examine the rope, "that's silk! The whole goddamn cargo net is made of silk rope!" "No way," Billy said, "that'd cost a ... wait, what am I thinking? Of course it's silk ... Carol bought it." The cargo net was composed of strands of braided silk eight inches apart in a grid that filled three-quarters of the living room, and was suspended at multiple points around the edges and across its length and width from the eyebolts by more silk rope. The suspended points were at a height of approximately five feet off the floor, with the drooping sections of the net sinking as close in places as three-and-a-half feet. "Holy shit," Lisa exclaimed after she'd finished the job, "Sheila's little shibari-loving ass is gonna go crazy at the sight of this much silk rope." "Not as crazy as she would've gone a little while ago ... Nicki's been working very hard to learn the ins and outs," Billy said. "Since Laney ignored Sheila's needs in that area for so long, Nicki's been going the extra mile. Evidently had Sheila in a very nice karada a couple of nights ago, then used it to hang her from their bedroom door frame." "Nice..." Jackie replied, setting up the standing and sitting stocks along the edge of the un-netted living room space. "You know, Lisa, I used to believe we were chicken-shit for not leaving Laney sooner ... but now my faith in the Goddess where timing is concerned has been restored. We stayed as long as we did because this group wasn't ready for us yet ... and when they were, we all found each other." "Amen, Sister Jackie," Billy said, laughing as he loaded the CD player, "you can sure go tell that on the mountain. I don't think I ever would've met Helen if things hadn't gone down the way they have." "Y'all really becoming an item, aren't you?" Lisa asked, giving him a hug. "Oh God, I sure hope so," Billy responded. "That woman ... well, all of you, all of our new family and friends are lovely ... Helen ... just the sight of her, no matter how's she's dressed or whether she's all gussied up or just rolled out of bed, scratching herself ... big old bolt, straight through my heart. She takes my breath away so regularly I'm going to need an oxygen tank before long." If there hadn't been so much love behind them, the choruses of "Billy's got a girlfriend" might have miffed him a little. As it was, he joined in the singing. ------- Galena chafed under her confinement. Intellectually she understood every point Jackie had made. Her hormones and emotions, however, didn't understand anything. To add even more frustration to the entire situation, the domestics were scurrying around doing their absolute best, it seemed, to completely transform the house. As Lisa ran into the bedroom to retrieve something from Kelly's new, and already overloaded, closet, Galena called out, "Lisa, what's going on?" in as commanding a voice as she could muster. Lisa snickered a little, but not so that anyone else would notice. She knew better as dominants were capable of very long memories and sooner rather than later she'd be on her knees before the little Hispanic girl. Still, the bound and kneeling 'kitten', trying to sound like a tiger, was too amusing. She turned and knelt in front of Galena and Andrea, facing them as equals. "The family has decided to play pirate ... with a lot of friends from the club." While Galena had heard a lot of stories and understood the roles of a lot of the family, she didn't know any of the new players. She was about to ask, reluctantly, when Andrea, who had no clue whatsoever, asked for her. "Excuse me ... pirates?" Lisa laughed out loud, her large breasts, as well as equally pleasant other parts of her, jiggling merrily. "You've allied yourself with a bunch of happy lunatics," she replied. "Harry is 'Captain Thrust'-" "Captain Thrust?" Galena interrupted. "Last time I heard he was just 'the Captain'." "Recent development, don't interrupt please. Harry is 'Captain Thrust'; Carol plays 'First Mate Twat'; Margo is 'Second Mate Mounds'; Kelly, 'Third Mate Bum'. I'm 'Crewman Luscious'; Jackie 'Crewman Jizzie' and Billy's 'Cabin Boy Boner' Oh, and evidently Nicki and Sheila are affiliated with the 'Free Booty' as well in their roles as 'Blondie' and 'Crewman Slut'." "You're right," Andrea murmured, "they're lunatics." "I'll pretend, little subbie, that you didn't interrupt me with that comment," Lisa replied, grinning. "Tattie is 'Duchess Tatiana Turov'-" "TATTIE'S PLAYING?" exclaimed Galena. Lisa's irritation became visible at last. "Yes little girl, now you will be quiet or I will gag you." "I'm sorry, Lisa, it's just that..." Galena began with true contrition in her voice. "I understand, but I have much I have to get done and I'm taking time from doing what I should to fill you two in. "Now, where was I? Oh yes, so the Duchess Turov is a prisoner, as are Stefan and Lourdes of House Franklin and the members of House Sandalwood." "Pardon me, ma'am," Galena said, very respectfully and with eyes downcast, "but I'm not familiar with House Sandalwood." "True, interruption forgiven," Lisa replied. "Five Mistresses; Dragonaria, Marsh, Spyderchylde, Wolfling and Ravensclaw along with the five subs they brought this evening; Cat, Hermano, Sammy, Clyde and Boris. "House Hurley's female members are prisoners as well, Marcie and Mistress Laurie ... I think she was most surprised by that turn of events. Master Hurley just turned them over to us like they were both property and went home to relieve the babysitter. I'm pretty sure Mistress Laurie has never been treated that way, least of all by her brother. "There's the prisoners Master Russell and his sub, Sonny of House Ra, if they show up and the unaffiliated subs Angela, Papa Stripper, Chatsirree and Camille, someone Madam Grimes rescued." "Wow, she really was being Harry tonight," Andrea mused under her breath. "Oh and according to a phone call we got on the way home, the crew also captured Lady Claudette du Villiers, played by Mistress Claudette of House Evensong. "Then we come to the other pirate crews. Karen is 'Captain Cuntlapper' of the good ship 'Sappho', with Patricia as crew. House St. Paul has become the 'Big Bottom' with David Wilcox as her lord and master playing 'Captain Longcock'. Andrew and Katie are crewing for him. House Risotti, comprised of Mistress Veronika and her subs One, Two, Three and Four has become 'Captain Vagina' of the 'Cunt of Doom' and crew. Last but certainly not least, Li Kuan is 'Cao Li' of the Chinese junk 'Drinker of Blood', with Andre, Hans and Puppy as crew." "Good God in Heaven," Galena said as Lisa got up and headed back to her work, "the house is gonna be packed tonight." Back in the limo on it's way home, the salty sea-dogs continued to torment their captives, both physically and otherwise. "Don't worry, we won't be lettin' nothin' too untoward happen to ye," First Mate Twat said, holding their oldest prisoner's hands in front of her while Third Mate Bum tied the prisoner's wrists together. "You're worth a lot to us in ransom, sweetie, you'll be treated right well. So long as you don't go pissin' the Cap'n off, that is ... you do that an' it's the lash for ye, true an' sure." "Yeah," Bum agreed as she finished securing the Duchess Turov's wrists tightly. "Twat there will take the flesh off your back down to the bone at his order an' I'll be left with tryin' to patch ye up so really and for true, your Highness, try to be good ol' girl an' don't make a fuss." "You realize, don't you, that once I'm free of your obscene clutches I will make it my personal crusade in life, use all my fortune and family connections to hunt you and all your miserable kind down and make gallow's meat of the lot of you?" Twat ran her hands up and down the Duchess' sides, then moved on to caressing her breasts. "Bigger an' meaner than ye have tried, your Excellency," she said, sarcasm heavy in her voice, "and yet we're still here, gettin' rich from the likes of ye." Wrapping her fist in the captive's steel-grey hair she pulled her head back and kissed the woman deeply, feeling her up as she did so. When she was finished, Twat said, "I think we'll be fuckin' our way across these waters long after ye've given up the chase an' settled down to a long life of dreamin' about what we done to ye..." she leaned in and whispered, "an' wishin' we'd kept ye instead o' ransomin' ye back." The gob of spittle that hit her cheek just made the short and curvy First Mate smile as she used the Duchess' own hair to clean it off. "That's the way to be, your Honor ... keep up that spirit an' it'll be a race to see whether ye're fucked or beaten, but either way, by the end it's senseless ye'll be all the same." The other noblewoman that was being carried back to Safe Harbor aboard the ship, Lady Claudette du Villiers, wasn't sure what was going to happen to her. Bound and gagged she was lying across the lap of Captain Thrust, his foul member poking her belly, her skirts thrown up over her back while eager hands removed her undergarments. Surely these sea-going ruffians couldn't mean to ... she would die. She would rather die than be defiled ... and then to face the shame of returning to her life, even if no one knew, there'd be rumors, sly whisperings that she'd only hear snippets of. But she doubted she'd be given an option. Several pairs of hand, including the Captain's by the feel of them, were caressing her bare, blushing bottom, sliding between her legs and caressing her in unthinkable ways. Her life was over and she began to cry, great fat tears falling down her face as she wallowed in her shame. ------- The decoration of the house was nearing its end. The hallway and guest bath had been set up as a prison for the upper class prisoners. The slaves that had been captured were to be secured to tree limbs in the backyard. The only illumination was from candles and the prop lamps. The kitchen was laid out as the Purser's Office, where the loot and booty from the returning fleet would be tallied up and then fairly distributed between the Captains and crews. The master bedroom was set up as the Zen Room ... perhaps not historically accurate, but it was an 'in joke' Jackie couldn't help but make ... where those that wished to indulge in smoke could go and not bother those who preferred not to partake. Billy shucked his clothes and prosthetics and swung himself out onto the front porch, naked as the day he came into the world, and settled down in the darkness to play nautical tunes on his pennywhistle. It was time for him to become Billy Boner, the cabin boy. Jackie and Lisa changed into their costumes, loose flowing shirts that came down to just above their knees, with very open necklines showing bounteous bosoms and sashes around their waists. Crewmen Jizzie and Luscious were ready for their compatriot's return. ------- "Sir," Lourdes said, caressing Stefan's leg while he drove, "you realize they're completely insane, don't you?" "Having second thoughts, my little slut?" "Oh, no Sir, no second thoughts ... it's just ... they're so playful!" "Yeah, I get an image of their inner children, all tarted up and fetished out, running loose in a playground." "Exactly ... I swear, half the stuff Carol was whispering to me made me feel like I was gonna get arrested for statutory rape and I was okay with that ... the other half had me beyond thought, just purely in lust." "Yes, little slut, that's what it looked like." She watched her Master with her peripheral vision, not wanting him to know she was waiting for his reaction. "Did you mind, Sir?" "Oh hell no!" he exclaimed. "My only concern was that my balls would explode before you had a chance to help me take care of that problem." "And you don't have any problem with what we both suspect will go on at their house?" "No ... see, little slut, I have absolutely no doubt who you're coming home with," "Good Sir ... you don't ever have to doubt that." ------- "What's Harry gotten you into, Liz?" Patricia asked as the 'Sappho' sailed behind the 'Free Booty' on their way home. "That's Cap'n Cuntlapper to you, First Mate Precious," Karen growled. "And what he's gotten us into is a night of fun ... something we both need." "Okay ... Cap'n." Precious sighed. "Not that I mind, but it's gonna be real hard to just lay there in your arms with all that fuckin' goin' on around us." "Actually, I was thinkin', First Mate Precious, that we might acquire ourselves a pair o' cute young wenches to help keep things lubed up for the night." "Liz — Cap'n ... you sure?" "Precious, I don't care who gets me off, I care whose eyes I'm gazin' into." She squeezed the First Mate's hand. "Course, you may have to guide me through them shallows ... I ain't real adept at relaxin' under them conditions ... not like you are, at any rate." "Captain, I will gladly guide you through those waters, straight into my arms." "And Trish," Karen said as her lover sighed happily, hair blowing in the wind as they sped down the highway, "don't ever let me talk you into stopping going to Dominique's ... yeah, it makes me real uncomfortable, but I need to get over that and I never will if you don't keep after me about it." "Don't worry, Liz ... I know and I won't." ------- "Sir, what's going to happen when we get to their house?" Andrew asked, massaging David's cock through his pants. "Boy, we're going to be playing 'Pirates' with a bunch of crazy people ... I think we can expect a lot of sex and the kind of 'fuck pretentiousness' fun that we always dreamed we'd find. I mean, God forbid I ever end up on the wrong side of any of House Chorale's tempers, but they're so far away from the 'taking themselves seriously' end of the pool that I don't think we can see where Laney and his lackeys are anymore. Oh, and from now on, you're Second Mate Randy." "Why am I Second Mate? Why's she get to be First Mate?" "First Mate Kinky gets to be First Mate because she's the one I'm going to mate with first tonight ... anymore questions? I can always demote you to Third, Fourth or even lower Mate." "Oh, all right, I'll be Second Mate ... if Carol doesn't beat both of us to you. I swear, she's in 'full assault' mode tonight ... it's like she's carrying around Kelly's attitude and trying to outdo Kelly somehow." While Master Wilcox explained the therapeutic exercise House Chorale was undertaking, and Second Mate Randy kept rubbing his Captain's cock, First Mate Kinky pulled out one of the toys they kept in a case in the car and gave passing truckers a thrill. The 'Big Bottom' sailed on towards port. ------- Laurie Hurley had no idea what to make of the evening's developments. In the order of dominance of their House and their household, she never had any delusions that she was anything but 'beta' to Marcus' 'alpha', but he'd never treated her as ... well, as a sub before. He'd sent her home with the Grimes like she was his to command ... well, she was his to command, in a way, but ... Laurie was very confused. She should have been outraged by his treatment of her, but she wasn't really. She wasn't that upset at all ... she'd reacted instinctively, it seemed, and bowed to his wishes. And so she was a sub for the night. As she came back out of her reverie to the reality of the limo, she noted that Marcie was putting up a fight, kicking and hissing at Mistress Kelly — at Third Mate Bum as the pirate felt up her captive. "Keep that up ye stupid little cunt," Bum growled, "and we'll have your friend over there," she nodded at Laurie, "lickin' the blood off your back afore the night's through." Bum pulled Marcie's head back and slapped her hard across her cheeks. "Be still damn ye!" "Are ye gonna need help with that one," Twat asked as she pulled Laurie up from the floor into her and Mound's laps, "or can I get to breakin' this one down a bit. Seems to me she's far too haughty for someone's gonna be held for ransom." Giving in to the mutually shared role-playing fantasy, Laurie struggled in the two women's arms. "If I am harmed one iota my brother will treat you all to fire and sword!" "Wasn't that your brother who turned tail and ran while we was capturin' you an' that little slit over there?" Mounds laughed. "I ain't seen so much canvas afore the wind since the time we stumbled onto that Spanish battle fleet in the dark. Though Cap'n Thrust was gonna have us hang up our bloomers fer extra sails." "Too many holes in 'em anyway," Twat replied. "Yeah, I'm thinkin' we ain't got much to fear from little Miss Uppity's brother..." the First Mate of the 'Free Booty' started undressing her captive, "but little Miss Uppity's got a whole lot to fear from us." Bum laughed, "I think I can handle this one ... must be new to the slave pens or your high-born lady and her brother ain't much fer breakin' in their property." As Marcie struggled in Bum's grip, she lunged at the Third Mate's face, teeth snapping. "Gimme that goddamn gag," Bum said, reaching towards their bag of equipment. "This bitch bites me I'm likely to have her up on the slave block missin' some teeth!" Retrieving a ball-gag she strapped it on Marcie's head. "Now, that ought to hold ye." Her vice lowered. "If I were ye, little girl, I'd stop all this nonsense ... or I'm gonna have that big Moor over there" she gestured towards Papa "ass-rape ye without lubin' ye first. He's a good slave he is, he'll do it, he'll take the pain and afore long it'll be yer blood that's makin' it all slippery an' good. Do ye want that, cause ye're real close to it ... he can do it right here an' I'll beat ye while he does." Marcie glared at Bum while her ass twitched with interest she couldn't hide. She might not be up for a session of lube-less anal play, but Papa Stripper was certainly welcome in her ass anytime he wanted to grease his pole. Finally the slave shook her head. "Good, now ye behave yerself an' I won't have to make good on that there threat." Bum caressed Marcie's thighs and cunt, her fingers playing with the woman's clit. "I think it damned odd that ye're as sassy as ye are ... given the beatin' ye've already had tonight." Inside Marcie just smiled and preened ... House Chorale was every bit as fun to play with as she'd imagined they'd be and they weren't incapable of giving her the more intense sensations she craved as she'd feared they'd be. In the rear of the limo's interior, Blondie and Crewman Slut tasted both ends of the exotic oriental they'd captured. Chatsiree's outfit was once again in disarray and the restaurant hostess was pretty sure it was ruined ... or would be by the end of the night. She was fine with that, she had no doubt any damage would be paid for, the Grimes were scrupulous about such things, and she had to admit that nothing added to her sense of being kidnapped like their nigh-total disregard for the condition of her clothes. Blondie took a break from the captive's cunt. "Slut, I'm thinkin' this one needs to be hung up an' left to swing a bit. Think you can remember them rigs that Nipponese slave taught you?" Slut regretfully stopped fucking Chatsiree with her tongue. "Aye ma'am, I can remember 'em ... an' I think this beauty'll look even more exotic all tied up an' left to twirl in the air. Can even leave her sexual quarters exposed so she can be used as need be." The two women smiled at each other and renewed their oral assault on the young Thai woman. ------- Stan Carter was a well-known quantity and quality, or lack thereof, in the local scene. He picked up his prey wherever he found them but always brought them back home. Most of the members of the scene found him pathetic and in the end Li Kuan had been so amused by Stan Carter's hostile stares and simmering anger that she'd decreed they'd all escort Camille home to collect her things. The Bentley followed Stan's BMW up into the hills into the Crockett Heights area. Li Kuan watched Camille as they made the journey, watched the doubts rise in her, finally overflowing into vocalization. "What am I doing? I don't know any of you people?" "What you're doing, silly girl, is making one of the best decisions in your life," Li Kuan said, fighting to keep the growl from her voice. "The Grimes will treat you well ... quite probably better than you've ever been treated by any of your dominants. They will be loyal to you and honest with you so long as you are the same with them. They will stand by you through whatever comes your way and cherish you not only as a submissive, but as a person, a human being, as well." Her voice lost its battle with a snarl. "And if you ever hurt or betray them, your body will never be found." "But ... why?" "Why you, worthless one?" Li Kuan reined in her irritation. "Madam Grimes perceived that you might need rescuing. It seems to be a family trait among them. Women in distress are an apparently well-known weakness of theirs. I would have left you where you were and refused to rob you of the experience and consequences of the life choices you made ... not to mention the opportunity to grow because of them. They, on the other hand, feel differently. Madam offered you a way out and you took it. But never think, not for an instant, that her heart is soft and manipulable. My Madame is the only dominant in this city, probably in this state, that is harder and colder at her core than Madam Grimes. If you cross Margo Grimes, she will chew you up and spit you out and no amount of tears or pleading or attempting to play one of the others against her will alter your fate in the least except to make it worse." "If I may, ma'am ... why do you feel I'm going to betray them? You keep warning me against it like you think I'm planning to but I would never-" Li Kuan's eyes narrowed and a frown appeared on her face. "Do you really and truly want the answer to that, silly girl?" Camille doubted she really did but didn't feel she could back down without incurring even more of Li Kuan's abundant scorn. "Yes ma'am." The smile that curled up on the edges of Li Kuan's mouth never reached her eyes; in fact it never got any higher up her face than its own edges. It was the kind of smile that a sociopath might evince when he was trying to seem pleasant to someone he was about to torture and kill. "You're weak, silly girl. You're weak and not too bright. Stan Carter has never given a damn about you. You're simply eye candy, bait to bring in the young boys who are the ones he's interested in, the bisexual ones at least. He's used you enough to keep you thinking he's interested but in truth he was probably thinking of that slimy little brother of yours during every occasion he fucked you." "But ... don't you ... talk about Ramon like that ... and that's not the way Stan is-" "As I said, not too bright ... the only person in that house that comes close to feeling as little for you as Stan Carter is your brother. As long as Ramon's living comfortably and Stan keeps him occupied, he probably couldn't care less whether you're alive or dead. I'd be willing to bet a breast that he's used you as his meal ticket since the two of you ran away from whatever so-called horrible situation life had put you in." The young woman had broken down, weeping and muttering to herself. "It's not that you're a bad person, silly girl," Li Kuan continued, somewhat more kindly, "it's that you're weak, unaware of just how weak and vulnerable you are and too stupid to see what's going on around you ... or too deeply in denial. Either way the end result is the same." "Why ... why are you being ... so mean to me?" Camille sobbed. "Because you asked," Li Kuan replied. "A word to the wise, wasted on you: never ask a question that you're not absolutely sure you want the answer to, no matter what that answer might be. Surprisingly enough, the world does have people in it who will answer with the unvarnished truth." Li Kuan straightened her spine. "Now pull yourself together girl ... we're there, apparently, and I don't want you to let Stan Carter know you've been crying." ------- The 'Cunt of Doom' sailed along in the line of ships heading for Safe Harbor. "Pardon me Mistress Veronika-" began Trent, who was only known as 'Two' in House Risotti ... just as his fellow subs were known only as 'One', 'Three' and 'Four'. "That's Captain Vagina to you, Crewman Two." "Pardon me, Captain Vagina," he continued, "but who are these people that you would ally with them so readily and run off to play with them so quickly?" For a moment the old Ford station wagon was effectively driverless as she turned and slapped Two so hard he was knocked into his passenger window. "Who they are is unimportant to you. What's important to you is who I am. I trust that's been reestablished?" "Yes Mistress." He swallowed and gathered up his courage once again. "Nevertheless, Mistress Veronika, Captain Vagina or whatever name you wish us to call you, the question stands." "I think I'm going to have Three cornhole you royally tonight," the Captain growled. "But as you were willing to risk certain punishment to ask again, I'll answer." She shifted as she rolled her window down a bit more, making herself comfortable. "Not that any of you have the privilege of questioning me, but Two's courage and stupidity has reminded me that even though you lowly shits aren't owed an explanation, it's good for you to sometimes understand why things happen the way they do. "On the face of it, the answer is obvious. They didn't bat an eyelash at us. I sat at their table, we drank on their tab and no one raised an eyebrow. You all know what it was like the last time we attended a party with any of Laney's crew. We've all admitted we felt as welcome as blacks at a Klan rally. Most of the Karg look on me as anathema, you as completely worthless specimens for allowing a woman dominion over you. While we can find people in the body modification scene to party with ... those 'hardcore' pussies freak when we start playing rough. So I'm feeling the lack of socialization as I'm sure you four are as well. "More importantly than that, if they win this little political fight, our House will be recognized. We'll be legitimate ... extreme, but legitimate." Mistress Veronika's façade slipped just a hair and those in the car with her who were paying particular attention noticed the catch in her breath. "We won't be the complete and total freaks we've been till now." Two moved to put a comforting hand on her leg. "Two, you touch me without permission and I swear to all I hold holy that your rectal bleeding will be legendary. We'll have to get you a box of sanitary napkins just to keep you from leaving a trail everywhere you go." She cracked a smile and looked sideways at him. "But I do appreciate the thought." ------- As the five of them walked into Stan Carter's lovely home, following him and the practically prancing Ramon, Li Kuan was waiting for a chance, any chance, to cut Carter down to size. She wasn't to be disappointed. As Camille threw several dresses on hangers over her arm, Stan said, "Until I see the money you owe me, those stay here." He clamped his hand on the young woman's wrist. "Carter, she's no longer yours to touch, you've been assured you'll get any money that's owed you, take your hand off of her ... now." Only a fool would have mistaken Li Kuan's tone for anything other than deadly serious. Stan Carter was that much of a fool. All he did to prove it was fail to remove his hand from Camille's arm. Li Kuan pivoted on the ball of her left foot, bringing her right knee up very sharply, pile-driving it into his groin. Ramon shrieked and moved towards her only to be intercepted by Andre. The large German caught him with a hand on Ramon's neck and said, "You giff fags a bad name." Li Kuan bent down towards the crouching and crying Carter. "You little bitch, don't ever think you can ignore me." She smiled at him, her filed teeth visible even through the flood of tears in his eyes. "To these pitiful children, you may be something, something important. To me and my friends, you're something else ... something to be squashed like a bug. If you want to complete your embarrassment, call the police. Five to two, we say, you say, it won't go well for you and the story of tonight will spread even further than it is already going to. Now be a good little bitch and go let Ramon lick your wounds." She stood up. "Camille, if there's anything you haven't grabbed already, it's staying behind. We're leaving this dung heap." With that she herded her charge back to the car with her pitifully small amount of possessions and the Chinese junk "Drinker of Blood" sailed away towards Safe Harbor. ------- "Yes, he came when I mentioned our greenage ... coincidence? Possibly," Dragonaria laughed as the van cruised the highway on its way to the Grimes home. "But it's also very likely he's that much of a stoner ... I imagine we'll find out very shortly." "May I speak freely, Mistress," asked Cat, Mistress Ravensclaw's toy for the evening. "Go ahead." "None of us were allowed at the grown-up's table," she said, smiling, "so we're all a little unsure as to what's going to go on this evening." "True ... we've been a little busy," Dragonaria agreed. "They evidently believe in role-playing ... in a big way. We're all prisoners of several ship-loads of rather sex-crazed pirates. I've got no idea what to expect when we get to their place, but they sent some of their people home early to prepare the house." She saw a small measure of anxiety on the faces of their subs. "Don't worry, I get the feeling we're all in very good hands tonight. Your Dommes have heard nothing but good things about this House from people we trust and nothing but bad from those we don't. It makes for a compelling argument. Everything will be fine and I think we'll all have a very good night." She giggled, "And besides, I'd say there's a good chance you're going to get to see all of us treated as subs tonight ... don't tell me that won't be fun." The easy laughter that filled the van only intensified as Hermano, Mistress Wolfling's plaything, said "So you'll have no objection if we clap and cheer them on?" "Hermano, darling," Mistress Marsh replied, "we'll have no problem with it if you jump in and help." ------- Russell and Sunny drove around aimlessly while they discussed going to the Grimes' house, finally stopping at an all-night café for coffee. They were very adept at ignoring the looks their wardrobe brought them. After two cups each and a piece of passable apple pie that they split between them, Russell concluded the discussion with, "Look, they already know we have reservations ... if we're not enjoying ourselves I don't think these folks will think anything less of us if we make our apologies and leave." "Alright Sir, then let's go. Who knows, we may even have fun," Sunny replied. "I'd say it was unlikely but then I never would've believed we'd have ended up like we did at the club ... and that was more exciting that I'd ever thought it could be." ------- Angela was having the time of her life and once again wishing with all her heart that she was a part of the Grimes family. They could be as serious as anyone she knew, then turn around and be silly little children, taking immense joy in what were really the simplest of pleasures. The role-playing they were enjoying that evening was nothing more than 'playing dress up' for adults, although Angela wasn't sure many people would see it that way. Most of Laney's crew would say that it was undignified, somehow beneath them, to throw off the shackles of their own self-images and self-importance and play like children again. Yet that was what this House was doing at the drop of a hat. As for Papa Stripper, he felt comfortable with House Chorale and its friends — something that wasn't all that common. There were many people he could tolerate, service, party with, whose company he might enjoy to a small degree. The Grimes family and their friends were a different matter altogether and he found himself accepting them and their rather unusual ideas of fun every bit as easily as they'd accepted him. ------- The 'Free Booty' was the first to arrive, the limo pulling up in front of the house just as the last of its passengers got somewhat decent. "Ye know, Cap'n," Twat murmured as they ushered their prisoners into the house, "some day we're a-gonna get caught out here by our neighbors — be a little too drunk or a little too stoned — and then we'll have some hard explainin' to do." "I know, Twat. If our own cars didn't take up so much space, we could have the limo pull in the drive way and only one of us would have to get out to open the gate. Then they could let the rest out in the back far from the pryin' eyes o' neighbors." He sighed, "But that ain't gonna happen, 'specially not if some one else we end up adoptin' has a car. We've been very lucky so far." "Well sir, not as much luck to it as you might think. Quite a few pets and such tend to be like Jackie, Lisa and Sheila. They live with their owners, work outside the home and don't tend to have cars for the very reasons we're anticipating problems, too many vehicles, not enough parking. We're lucky that only the three of you have cars ... if it weren't for Kelly, I'd have had to get a car and then we'd be trying to find parking for four. Come to think of it, I probably could've made do with help from Anna and later from Patricia when she and Karen moved in across the street. Thank God we've been around to help Tammy get to and from ... she's not comfortable with a car because of her size. So, as I come back from all my digressions, we shouldn't have too much to worry about ... of course, having said that, we'll probably adopt at least another three or four and they'll all have big cars..." "Knock on wood sweetie ... now then, let's get these prisoners inside and away from the pryin' eyes of our neighbors. They might get jealous an' attempt to raid us." Once inside, Crewman Jizzie sat in the purser's office, took names and interrogated the prisoners. "It's obvious to us that a lot o' ye uppity merchants an' nobility-types use your slaves fer carryin' some o' yer monies, so we'll be searchin' them too." She looked at the prisoners. "For the purposes of the game, I need to know how much money you have on you, don't worry, we don't want it, and how many of what types of credit cards. We decided to tally them this way. Credit cards are worth five thousand, more if they're gold or platinum level, so to speak. Bank ATM or debit cards are worth two thousand five, department store cards are worth a grand and gas cards are worth five hundred. This way, in addition to whatever cash you have on you, we get an amount we can imagine we looted from you." "Uh, pardon me for asking," Laurie said, "but why go into that much detail?" "Because, ma'am, we need to know what the Captain and crew shares are so we can bid on you in auction." "Uh huh ... what happens if we lie, either claiming little or too much?" Laurie replied. "Not much ... if you lie on the lesser side, some of you won't get the ego boost you might otherwise have received from higher and more spirited bidding. If you lie on the greater side, we have more imaginary booty to spend. It's just a game and personally I can't see any real reason to cheat either way but each to their own I suppose." She shifted her persona. "Now then, quit wastin' me time, ye scurvy slut, an' gimme a fair an' accurate tally o' yer wealth!" Almost as soon as the prisoners brought home aboard the 'Free Booty' were tallied, the 'Sappho' docked as did the prisoners they claimed, Stefan and Lourdes. ------- "So what are we going to do with you?" Harry asked as the four spouses stood over the kneeling, shackled forms of Galena and Andrea. "I'll tell you one thing you won't be doing," Galena said, clear and strong. "What's that, my dear?" Margo replied, her voice deceptively kind and gentle. "You damn well won't be relegating me to the 'look but don't touch' corner!" "Why not?" Harry asked, gestured to the others to let Galena speak. "Look, you've all crossed the line with me more than you'd care to admit. So you tease me, frustrate me and then send me away. I'm supposed to be a part of this group, a part of the extended family and yet I'm not. So far I'm just ... it seems to me that I'm an inconvenience and I am thoroughly sick and tired of feeling like that! Either take me, make me a member of this group in full, or send me back home to Mama and the rest of my family, but this in-between business is making me crazy. I want to be here, and I don't care if you don't formally acknowledge me until after my birthday, but quit pretending that no lines have been crossed! Now I'm willing to accept punishment for my actions this evening ... leave Andrea out of it. She's mine and I accept responsibility for my subs and their actions. If she has any punishment coming, I'll take it as well as my own. But after that, for this party and all the parties here, in the safety of your home, let me be who you're training me to be! Let me play! Let me fuck and suck and love and cherish and everything all of us want me doing! Top or bottom, I don't give a damn just quit..." Galena broke down into sobs, all the frustration and desire mingling together into a great aching pile of pain inside her. "Notice she didn't threaten us," Margo said dispassionately. "No wild threats or dire imprecations. Just a plea to be treated fairly." "We're home, in the company of allies, friends and family, no one here, or scheduled to appear here, that Carol hasn't vetted," Kelly added. "She's taken responsibility for her sub, announced her willingness to be punished for her errors," Carol observed. "All in all, she's acting more responsibly than some of us on occasion." "Fine, we'll claim you this weekend," Harry said. "Formally it won't be acknowledged till after your birthday, but here, en famille, it'll be done. I'm also very impressed that you've decided to shelter Andrea. You do realize you're really not experienced enough to take charge of her day-to-day decisions?" "Yes sir. That's why I'm relying on the help of my House, my friends and my loved ones. I may be taking the lead by making her mine, but I know my limitations and so am rather presumptuously assuming the support of my House." "Well, if it weren't someone Carol'd already passed judgment on, that might be a problem," Harry replied, grinning. "But we all know and love Andrea so you've got nothing to worry about." Margo knelt on the floor and took Galena into her arms, hugging and petting the still-bound girl. "You realize that doing it this weekend is not going to be nearly the big production that we were planning," she said, kissing the young woman's hair. "Production be damned," Galena murmured, preening under the attention of her senior dominant. "Just let me be with you and that'll be all the pomp and circumstance I want." "In the meantime, why don't you and your submissive go back home and ... enjoy each other's company," Carol suggested, smiling mischievously. ------- Behind the 'Sappho' and her victims, the 'Big Bottom' docked, as did the 'Cunt of Doom'. And before their crews could fully disembark and make their way in, the great cargo ship carrying Ladies Ravensclaw, Dragonaria, Wolfling, Marsh and Spyderchylde arrived, its ten prisoners in all, after a short time of costuming time in the van, emerging chained one to another at the ankles as they trudged up to Safe Harbor, eyes downcast. The purser's office once again found itself very busy. The 'Drinker of Blood' had docked and the assessing of Camille's fiscal assets had been short, sweet and a waste of time so a snarling Captain Cao Li led her to the main room of the old plantation house that served as Safe Harbor's accommodations and left her there to be claimed by the crew of the 'Free Booty'. Cao Li found the pool's hot tub and began a soak. Andre and Hans had gone to work in the kitchen and pursers office, helping with drinks and food while Puppy clambered around on the great cargo net, playing like a child until with a guilty start, she remembered her duty to pass on a message to Captain Thrust and headed for the Zen Room where she'd been told he could be found. Camille stood in the living room, her eyes gleaming with wonder. Stan's house had been opulent, but very cold and sterile. The Grimes house not only managed to feel like a friendly playground, but an actual home as well. Crewman Luscious returned from the Zen Room and grabbed her by the hair. "For the time bein' you're sleepin' upstairs in me and Jizzie's cabin," she growled, "so let's get ye and yer stuff up there right quick. Then we'll get ye naked an' handed over to Mounds." "I'm ... uh, I'm no to be taken out back with the rest of the slaves?" Camille asked, trying her best to get in the headspace of the game she found herself in the middle of. "Nah, Second Mate Mounds has claimed ye fer her own, more's the pity. We'd all get a fat juicy share o' loot fer ye at the auction." Luscious used her free hand to feel Camille up. "But I be reckonin' we'll all get a juicy share all the same. Now march, ye scurvy slut, or I'll be beatin' that cunt o' yers instead o' eatin' it." ------- Cap'n Cuntlapper and First Mate Precious wandered into the Zen Room. "Sorry to be disturbin' ye but Precious here felt the need fer smoke an' a squat on yer decadent bidet," Cuntlapper announced as they strolled into the bathroom. "Cap'n!" Precious exclaimed. "There's no need to go announcin'..." In the bath tub Captain Thrust and First Mate Twat were lost in each other's bodies, Camille knelt by the side of the tub while Mounds and Bum shared a drink. When they saw Cuntlapper and Precious, they motioned them over. "We just sent two young lovers back to your place," Margo said. "Yeah, one of 'em a very young lover," Kelly cackled. "So," Karen replied, a contemplative look on her face, "y'all're finally letting her loose?" "Yeah, we'll be consummating everything Sunday afternoon, evening," Margo answered. "Of course, that's with the proviso that our idiot husband doesn't get shot tomorrow night while helping Eddie with his unwanted visitors." "Oh," Patricia said, smiling herself to remove the sting from her words and to mask the worry in her own thoughts, "it's okay if my lover gets beaten up or stabbed or something while y'all whup ass, that won't interfere. Only problem will be if Harry gets hurt." "Do I have your permission to spank your woman?" Margo asked, playfully swatting at Patricia. "You do what you got to do," Karen said, grinning evilly. "I'll do what I got to do afterwards." "That sound really ominous," Kelly observed. "I'd ip-skay the eating-bay." "Yeah, yeah I think I will," Margo replied. "Ise-way ecision-day," Karen said. Duchess Turov, Lady du Villiers, Laurie Hurley and Stefan Franklin found themselves incarcerated inside the house in the part of Safe Harbor reserved for middle and upper class captives. Crewman Slut had been given the duty of making them comfortable and seeing to their needs. As she brought them a tray of snacks, Stefan reached up and caressed her bottom, smiling lasciviously at the very young looking crewman. Carefully putting down the tray she turned and squatted down before him. "Good sir, where ye come from yer clearly used to bein' able to touch what ye like but high class or no, ransom or no, ye touch me again without me permission an' ye'll be goin' home with a hand an' a stump instead o' the two good hands ye have now. Do I make meself clear or do ye need to be losin' a finger to convince ye I'm serious?" Looking into the young pirate's eyes left Franklin no doubt of her ability and willingness to do as she'd said. "My pardon," he replied, swallowing hard, "I forgot my place." Seeing sympathy and commiseration in the eyes of Turov and du Villiers, he shuffled over to sit between them, his shackles clinking as he did so. "That's what I be likin' to hear," Slut said, standing to go bring the next prisoners in, "the jingly jewelry song o' money waitin' to be made. Mind yer manners or ye'll all find yerselves wearin' a damn sight more jingly-jangly ... the kind what's made of chains." ------- Neither Karen nor Patricia had much issue with the family taking Galena earlier than planned. They'd discussed it between themselves in bed several nights running and come to the conclusion that even though it was technically illegal, it was the kindest and most ethical thing the family could do. Galena knew what she wanted, her commitment to the idea hadn't wavered, and she was a very self-possessed young woman who wasn't likely to change her mind whatever happened. She had shown great maturity in dealing with her roommates, Andrea in particular and her part-time job at G & P, even if her maturity had sometimes been inadequate to the task of coping with the Grimes family. Ever the maternal one, Patricia knew how much of a toll the waiting was taking on Galena; the loneliness, the frustration, the emotional disconnect she felt from the family ... Patricia even knew of Galena's deeply hidden almost panic-like fear that the family didn't really care for her at all. So while it was breaking the law, fully accepting her into the bosom of the family she'd chosen for herself was the best thing the family could do for Galena. Karen's response to Patricia in private was much simpler. "About goddamn time ... was afraid I was gonna walk in and find her humping your leg, Trish ... woulda had to beat her." ------- First Mate Precious loaded the bowl of one of the smaller pipes and then settled down on the bidet to smoke and watch the fun. Cuntlapper used the opportunity to grab a quick shower in Safe Harbor's decadent facilities. The crowd in the tub seemed oblivious to the goings on around them but seemingly out of nowhere Captain Thrust's hand snaked down and grabbed the young prisoner on the floor by the hair. Pulling Camille up much more gently than anyone aware of his reputation as a sea-going devil would have believed, he kissed her and said, "Go get another o' them there pipes an' load it up. I'm thinkin' we'll all be wantin' some afore too much longer." As she scurried away to obey the fierce brigand, he returned his attention to the wriggling woman on his lap. "You see what our silliness has started?" he whispered. "A whole house full of people playing 'pirate'." Carol pressed her body to his as if trying to become one. "I know," she replied, her breath an erotic breeze upon his neck. "Isn't it glorious?" When Camille returned, a trifle late because she'd had to hunt down Crewman Luscious for a brief primer on where things were in the house, she found the Captain and Mates waiting rather expectantly. "Now that yer slow carcass has done as I asked," the Captain growled, "hop in this tub ... time to play with ye!" Camille found herself under the fingertips of three delightful Mates as she snuggled on the lap of the Captain. "Okay Camille, serious time," Harry said, caressing her golden skin. "What are your limits, your likes and dislikes, that kind of thing?" "Uh, okay ... well, I'm not into too much pain, although a little is fine and certainly more if it's for actual punishment ... I'm really not a fan of blood, mine or anybody else's ... I don't care for scat play, although water-sports can be fun under the right circumstances and ... I'm just happy to be here." "Gotta safe word, darling?" Margo cooed, hugging Camille and Harry, her breasts tight against the new girl's back before she slid back to her seat. "Yes ma'am... 'Baltimore'. It's a word no one will ever hear normally during playtimes." "Good point," Carol said as she sat on the edge of the tub, working the kinks out of Kelly's shoulders. "Now little darling, back to life as the slave of a crew of bloodthirsty buccaneers," Captain Thrust said, pushing her off his lap into the center of the huge bathtub. As she momentarily floundered to the nasty laughter of the crew around her, Thrust stood up and propped himself on the edge. "Let's see how ye do at polishin' the mast," he sneered, his erect cock leaving no doubt as to the meaning of his words. She seemed to float in the tub. In reality her body was supported by the knees, as well as the erotic attentions, of the three Mates of the 'Free Booty'. Her lips wrapped around Thrust's prick, she was pleased to see he'd left all control with her, allowing her to set the pace and depth of her strokes, making a visible and mostly successful effort to keep from moving his hips. Not that she was having much luck showing mastery of that control as the thirty fingers, as well as other parts, of the Mates made love to her body, stroking and prodding, caressing and groping, penetrating and teasing. Still, aware that she was on trial in a way and was giving her task as much conscious focus as she could rip away from the relentless assault that drove her towards a warm, happy and mindless place. The captain felt Camille's attention disappear as his crew brought her to an orgasm. Her shuddering body and cries of ecstasy around the shaft in her throat left no doubt in anyone's mind of the three lovely women's success in driving Camille over the edge. First Mate Twat leaned over and grasped one of the girl's nipples in her fingers. "Ye be usin' teeth on the Cap'n, no matter what the hell we're doin' to ye down below an' I'll be wearin' one o' yer nipples as a beauty mark on me cheek." She twisted the tender brown nipple a bit. "Now, keep yer mind on yer business." For her part, the new prisoner was happy as could be. She had expected her capture by pirates to be a horrifying thing but aside from demanding her complete and total submission, she hadn't been ill-used. How many murdering rapists worried about giving their victims pleasure? Besides ... they were all attractive and the young woman was so very tired of living the boring, restrictive life she'd known ... she figured to throw in her lot with this group of scallywags if they'd have her. She giggled slightly, her mouth wrapped around the Captain's manhood ... if they'd have her ... it was clear they were going to have her, many times and in many ways. The question was would they allow her to join their crew? She was caught unprepared for the Captain's climax, warm spunk flooding her mouth and partway down her throat as he came during an upstroke. She gagged slightly, swallowing compulsively as his cum squirted out the corners of her mouth. She pulled back, wiping her face. "Baptism by jizz, Captain," Mounds said, wiping the globs she'd missed off her face and smearing them in her hair. "Now get up ye little slut, go into that shower over there and clean up some ... we'll be joining ye in a few." She slapped Camille's ass as the new prisoner scrambled out of the tub to do Mounds' bidding. "Hurry an' don't have it too hot or ye'll get beat!" Captain Cuntlapper was still in the shower when the little Spanish slave entered. "So Camille," Karen said, smiling kindly as one of the shower heads pounded down on her broad shoulders, "you happy?" "Oh yeah, Captain ... very happy. And I imagine I'll be a lot happier by the end of the night." "Probably so ... I'm glad. It looked to me like you were in an unhappy situation where you were, here's going to be better. Be sure to take as much time as you need to get to know everyone." "Uh, I didn't think there'd be all that much room for talking tonight." "You'd be surprised ... even with this crew these parties have a lot more conversation than you'd imagine. After all, even this band of degenerate perverts can't fuck all the time ... just most of the time." Karen smiled again. "Relax, grab a shower head." Outside on the old plantation's ground the trees were seeing heavy service as slave after slave was seated beneath them, ropes from their bound wrists flung over the branches and secured. "I don't know many pirate bands that would be so solicitous of our comfort," Angela said, using the ample slack in the rope to reach over and grab a half of a sandwich from the tray Blondie had brought out to them. "Tis true," Lourdes added, sipping her drink, "they be treatin' me far better than me previous owner ever did. Although," she said, looking up at the night sky above them, "if those clouds give out with the rain they look to be carryin', the accommodations might be losing a bit o' their charm." ------- The arrival of the five slaves from the cargo ship more than doubled the population under the trees and Blondie was hard-pressed getting everyone drinks and food. "Now, any of ye out here be wantin' to smoke a bowl while ye're waitin' to be auctioned off, lemme know an' I'll be bringin' ye some," she said as she sat with them after getting everyone taken care of. "It'll be a bit afore the final tallyin' is done an' the booty split up so's each crew knows how much it has to bid on yer booties." She leered. "Of course, if ye get too bored ye can always amuse yerselves by fuckin' here under the stars, God knows I won't mind the show." Dragonaria's pet, Sammy, a swarthy looking man with Mediterranean features, muscular and hairy, crawled over to where she was sitting. "Blondie, if I may be so bold ... would you like to watch the show, or be a part of the show?" Hermano, Wolfling's toy, looking like a less ecstatically happy Ricky Martin, moved up on her other side. "Meaning no disrespect, but it's been my experience that 'doing' is almost always more fun than 'watching'." "Now ye two pretty boys wouldn't be tryin' to get the drop on poor ol' Blondie, would ye?" she asked, reaching out to caress their hardening cocks. "Because there be a houseful o' brigands in there that wouldn't be too gentle with their disciplinin' o' ye if ye were to get stupid." She wrapped a hand around each man's ball-sack. "An' tryin' to take me prisoner would cost ye dear..." The two slaves backed off as far as they could without emasculating themselves. "Perish the thought, Blondie," Hermano said, smiling thinly. "Heaven forfend, we'd never think of any such thing," Sammy said around a slight grimace of pain. "We were just tryin' to be friendly, perhaps win ourselves and our mates some better treatment later in the evenin'." "Well, wouldn't do for me to be samplin' the wares afore the auction anyway," Blondie said, releasing their testicles and letting them crawl away. "Now then, anyone be wantin' some smoke?" Russell and Sunny were split up after their loot had been assayed and it was an amused Sunny who found himself outside, comfortably reclining on a blanket and talking with his fellow slaves. "I'm glad de two of you decided to come," Papa Stripper said. "I don't be t'inkin' you got anyt'ing to be worryin' about wit dis group." "Well, you know how Russell and I can get," Sunny replied, somewhat at ease with Papa as they'd known each other through Dominique's for quite some time. "We'll over-think pretty much anything to death rather than trusting our gut instincts." "Understandable," Papa answered, "given some of de unfortunate outcome your instincts has led to in de past." "Ain't that the truth," Sunny said. "I'd have to give our instincts no more than a fifty-fifty success rate ... and there are days I'm thinking that might be a touch overgenerous." "But dey done alright wit dis family, so you got no reason to fret." "True ... not to change topics, but is it just me, or is anyone else feeling a trifle exposed out here?" The other ten slaves laughed at him, with no malice only good cheer, and Sunny blushed as he realized he had on more clothes that any of them ... especially as quite a few of them were wearing nothing at all. "Insert foot into mouth, chew vigorously, swallow and choke," he muttered, laughing at himself. ------- The Captain of the 'Free Booty' and his mates drug their new slave out of the shower where she was collared and put on a leash, the handle of which was given to First Mate Twat. "Twat, you an' Bum take her out an' get her food an' drink," Captain Thrust said. "I've got business with Mounds here." Twat's eyes twinkled as she said, "I'm lookin' forward to your new gloves." Mounds blinked in confusion but the Captain patted her head and said, "Don't worry darlin', it'll all be explained here in a minute or two ... Cap'n Cuntlapper, can I get you an' Precious' help in here?" As the two of them came in from the decadent bathroom to help, Captain Thrust brought out a set of bondage 'opera gloves', leather lace up sleeves with multiple o-rings for fastening them to each other or any other restraint gear. "Now, me darlin' Mounds," the Captain said as Cuntlapper and Precious helped lace the sleeves onto her arms, "are ye gonna be a good girl or do I need to gag ye as well?" "I'll be good, Cap'n," she murmured, her face pointed to the floor, her voice soft as a whisper. "Thank ye for rememberin'." "No problem, me love," the Captain said tenderly, taking a moment to hold her in his arms, "as in all things, ask ... and if it be in my power ye shall receive." "The two of ye are just too sweet fer words," Cuntlapper growled, the smile on her face giving lie to her words, "now can we get this securin' finished up?" While conditions out under the trees provided plenty of room for everyone, inside the mansion the space allotted for the prisoners held for ransom was proving to be a little cramped. Conditions had been eased when Jizzie and Luscious had taken those who wished to smoke to the Zen Room, providing first hand experience with the wonders of the bedroom and bath to that majority that had never been to the house before, leading to a short tour of the master suite for the few remaining who hadn't gone to smoke. Overall, however, the conditions were crowded. Stefan Franklin didn't mind, as he was surrounded by attractive women, but Russell was finding the wait rather boring. "You know, it occurs to me," Stefan said, cuddled between Lady Claudette and Wolfling, "that we've rarely had an opportunity like this ... we've all been on the 'outs' for so long, never having, or taking, much of an opportunity to socialize and sympathize. Our captors may have done us a favor." "I'm not a dominant," Duchess Turov replied. "Oh, but you could be," Lady Claudette observed. "I saw you in the limo on the way over and you most certainly could be if you chose." "I have to agree with her, dear woman," Russell chimed in. "I saw you handle your fellow poker players at the club tonight and you definitely have the style for it." The Duchess mumbled 'thank you' while blushing deeply and said no more. So the prisoners took the opportunity to get to know each other and talk frankly about their individual groups, their frustrations with the scene as it was and their hopes for the future, while their needs continued to be met by Crewman Slut's runs back and forth to the kitchen. In the meantime, an informal meeting had occurred between Captains Longcock and Vagina, where they'd bemoaned the dearth of slaves that had been left to claim once the crew of the Free Booty had taken most of them. So it was that when the Captain and senior crew of the 'Free Booty' went out back to examine the slave stock, they found themselves facing eight angry pirates. The crews of the 'Big Bottom' and 'Cunt of Doom' quickly found themselves staring into the faces of the 'Free Booty's crew ... eight to eight, with Blondie jumping on the 'Free Booty's side to give them a one 'man' advantage. Standing in between the two sides were the crews of the 'Sappho' and the 'Drinker of Blood', six more brigands all told. Captain Vagina, seeing the wind refusing to blow the way she'd anticipated, as she'd expected the crews of the 'Sappho' and 'Drinker of Blood' to side with she and Longcock, backpeddled a bit. "Cap'n Thrust, sir, we're meanin' no disrespect an' certainly no breakin' of our union, but ye've managed to corral ten slaves all to yourself, even pullin' one o' them out for yer own personal uses, leavin' ye nine ... the other four ships o' the fleet together have grabbed the thirteen that were left. The division o' spoils hardly seems fair." She turned her attention to Captains Cuntlapper and Cao Li. "Where would the two of ye be standin' on this?" As one the Captains and crews of the two ships in question moved to stand with Captain Thrust and the crew of the 'Free Booty'. Upon reflection, Vagina found this hardly surprising as the 'Sappho' had claimed four prisoners, the 'Drinker of Blood' five, leaving her and Longcock with two captives apiece, and those only because of the equal division of the prisoners aboard the cargo fluyt. "So," Captain Thrust replied, smiling with just a hint of gloating in his countenance, "do ye still think the division is unfair or would ye be wantin' to take the discussion in a more physical direction?" "No need to go that far, Cap'n," Longcock said, raising his hands in a gesture of placation. "But it still ain't fair an if ye look in your black heart ye know I'm right ... an' most of us become pirates 'cause we'd had our fill o' what wasn't fair bein' forced upon us." Captain Thrust scratched his chin and pondered for a moment, then said, "Alright, ye have a point, here's my decision an' there's either your agreement or a fight at the end of it, no further negotiations. As owner o' Safe Harbor, senior Captain an' havin' the biggest single crew, in addition to the comely Camille we take the masked one an' the Duchess Turov purely as our own. Then out o' our remainin' eight prisoners, you two take two more for each o' ye, decidin' between yerselves how to choose an' such. That gives each ship in the fleet four, less the three I took. Fair to ye or do we start the bleedin'?" Only seconds of hurried whispers were necessary before Captains Longcock and Vagina agreed to Thrust's proposal. But in those seconds the Captain of the 'Free Booty' passed on to Captains Cuntlapper and Cao Li that he would be splittin' the monies that had been appropriated from the Duchess evenly among the three of them in thanks for their support. At the end of the choosing, Crewman Jizzie announced the final distribution of slaves and ransoms: "The 'Free Booty' retains, in addition to Duchess Turov, the slave Camille, the Lady Claudette du Villiers, Mistress Laurie and the slaves Angela and Marcie. The 'Sappho' retains Master Stefan, Mistress Marsh and the slaves Lourdes and Clyde. The 'Drinker of Blood' retains Master Russell, Mistress Spyderchylde and the slaves Sunny and Boris. The 'Big Bottom' claims Mistress Dragonaria and the slaves Sammy, Chatsiree and Papa Stripper. The 'Cunt of Doom' claims Mistresses Wolfling and Ravensclaw, and the slaves Hermano and Cat. All ships should now decide which among their prizes they're putting up for auction and which they're keeping for their own amusements while I go attend to the final tallying of who's owed what loot." Deciding not to worry about any shifts in the bounties from their captives, Captain Cuntlapper traded Lourdes to Longcock for Chatsiree and Clyde to Vagina for the lithe and lovely Cat. During those negotiations, the five crews staked out their sections of the deck and pool area, with the crew of the 'Free Booty' of course claiming the massive hot tub. Slut and Luscious herded out the ransoms while Blondie delivered the slaves to their new owners. In the hot tub, Thrust ordered that the crew's personal slave, Camille, be brought out. He leaned his head back into the warm and welcoming cleft between Mounds' thighs as she sat on the edge of the tub, back to the wall, careful not to get the leather bindings behind her wet. Thrust nuzzled and nibbled his Second Mate's inner thighs for a moment then announced, "We're keeping our four captives, none of ye are going up on the block. I have very definite plans for ye, Lady du Villiers, as well as ye, Mistress Hurley." Laurie could not help but look a little frightened as her world continued its upside-down progress. "Marcie ... ye're prolly in need of another beatin' by now, perhaps a fuckin' as well. An' ye, lil Angela ... who could bear to give up such a sweet lil cunny as ye?" As the Duchess Turov stood by the tub, looking uncertain, he pointed at her. "Get the bitch naked an' in the tub with us!" As a giggling Slut and Blondie rushed to obey, Camille found herself in the clutches of the lascivious First Mate Twat. "Now there, me lovely," Twat whispered as she felt up the captive, "I'm thinkin' it's time ol' Twat gave ye a sample o' her juicy-sweet!" Twat hopped up to sit on the side of the tub and pulled Camille's head between her thighs. "Just nurse there long enough an' ye'll feel as safe an' warm as if ye's in yer mother's arms." Camille was not at all inclined to argue with the young pirate. She found herself in a wonderland of comfort and easy sensuality that was so at odds with what she'd experienced with any other owners. As the Duchess quickly got as much of herself under the water as she could, Captain Thrust pulled her into his arms. Holding and caressing her, the Captain whispered, "You okay, Tattie? Dare I ask if you're enjoying yourself?" "Harry," she replied, the volume of her voice matching his own, "I'm doing okay, I guess ... it's been a damned odd night." "Yeah, nights at Dominique's tend to be that way ... not to mention when they continue over here." "Young man," she said, her voice stern even though soft, "you need to let this old woman off your lap and get someone there who wants to be." "You don't want to be on my lap, Tattie? I'm hurt." "No you're not, dear boy ... it's a perfectly nice lap but I'd be more comfortable elsewhere." He gave her another quick hug and let her go. She moved out into the center of the hot tub. "Get that sister of yours on your lap ... God knows she's been aching to jump your bones all evening," Tattie said. At that, several sets of eyebrows in the tub were raised. Camille realized she was in a most unusual House indeed. She looked quickly around at the other three partners in the marriage and saw no signs of distress before Twat forced her back into her crotch. Claudette realized that she'd never met a kinkier, or happier, House than Chorale and that realization pretty much finished her deliberations on whether to push, and push hard, for an alliance between her House and theirs. Marcie Hurley tipped over the edge into orgasm as the thought of watching her husband fuck Laurie mercilessly finished the job the wonderful hot tub jets had begun. Laurie Hurley found herself reeling ... she was aware of incest stories and such, but she'd never thought to actually meet practitioners ... or given her opinion that it was a lower class phenomenon, nor hoped to meet them neither. Yet here was a very well-off and successful man, with three lovely spouses and a house full of attractive and willing submissives, who at least somewhat openly slept with his sister. She found the idea intoxicating, not where her own brother was concerned ... she knew him far too well, warts and all, but just the idea that such a taboo could be broken semi-publicly and no one raised an eyebrow. She knew that it was part of that taboo-breaking fascination that had first led her into the relationship she had with her sister-in-law. She knew no other House, no other 'players', where a brother and sister shared the brother's wife as a submissive and lover. Still, there was no way she and Marcus would ever ... no, not ever. Nicki wasted no time sliding over and settling on Harry's lap. "Thanks Tattie," she said, smiling. Then she slipped back into character. "Billy Boner, grab the Duchess and keep her occupied." "Gladly, Mistress Blondie, gladly," Billy replied, pulling the Duchess over to sit next to him in the tub. Laurie Hurley watched Nicki boldly and brazenly sink onto her brother's cock, her head thrown back as a deep sigh of satisfaction escaped her lips. She thought about Marcus, about watching him fuck his wife in front of her ... no, it couldn't happen, could it? There was no way Marcus would ever ... he didn't think of her ... and she certainly didn't ... did she? The crew of the 'Sappho' had settled in the hot tub/Jacuzzi that was part of the pool. "We'll be sellin' Master Stefan and Mistress Marsh off for the gold they'll bring," Cuntlapper said, "but the two of ye, Chatsiree, Cat ... me First Mate, Precious, here has taken a likin' to yer looks. Ye'll be stayin' with us." Karen's insecurities had her about to add something along the lines of "if that's agreeable to the two of you" but she found herself distracted as Cat straddled her lap, wrapped her arms around Karen's broad shoulders and kissed her deeply before she whispered "Oh thank you, Captain ... thank you for not putting me up on the slave block." Bemused, the Captain of the 'Sappho' saw that Chatsiree was showing her appreciation to the First Mate in a similar fashion. And much to the Captain's surprise, although it wouldn't have caused such a reaction in anyone else at Safe Harbor, Stefan and Marsh were looking rather disappointed at the thought of being sold off. Captain Cao Li settled the crew of the 'Drinker of Blood' on the deck chairs close to both the large hot tub where the 'Free Booty's crew lounged and the smaller version where the 'Sappho's crew had made themselves comfortable. "Captain Thrust," Cao Li called out, "later on might we visit with you in your tub?" Thrust broke the kiss he'd been sharing with Blondie, "Certainly Captain, I'll be sendin' some o' me reavers out to play hostess here afore long. That'll make it a mite less crowded in here." He pitched his voice over towards where the crews of the 'Big Bottom' and 'Cunt of Doom' had made camp, under the trees on the blankets where the slaves had been quartered until recently. "The same for ye ... if'n ye see a vacancy here in the tub, make a claim on it." The Lady Claudette had slowly made her way to a seat next to Thrust. "Wise move, Captain," she said, "showing such charity to those who almost mutinied against you." "A lesson I learned from a very good teacher," he replied, motioning with his head back towards Mounds. "My Second Mate is a hell of a diplomat ... when she's not bein' a slut in service." Back on the deck chairs, Cao Li was pronouncing her decision. "We are keeping Russell and Sunny ... it seems Hans and Andre find them not unattractive, in a soft and womanly kind of way." She smiled, her filed teeth disturbing to a small degree the relief the two gay men were feeling at their fate. "Mistress Spyderchylde and the slave, Boris, however, are going up on the block. Perhaps you will fare better among the white devils than you would with us," she said, pulling sharply on one of Crewman Puppy's ribbons which caused the little woman to whimper in pain and delight. ------- Helen finally made up her mind and headed over to the house, hoping she wasn't going to be interrupting anything too private. She'd never seen so many cars at the house before and hearing voices from around back she tried the front door and found it locked. She was about to head home, not wanting to call too much attention to herself, when the front door opened and a naked Carol greeted her. "Helen, good to see you," Carol said, pulling her inside. "C'mon, let's find you a place to put your clothes. We're playing pirates tonight!" A few moments later First Mate Twat returned from the mansion carrying drinks and bottles of water, aided by a naked and tattooed woman. "Lookie what I found washed up on our shore," she cackled, "poor little castaway who's thinkin' she's found rescue when all she's found is durance vile." "Another slave for the auction," cried Bum, grinning evilly at Billy Boner. "I'm not thinkin' so, Third Mate," Billy said, scrambling up out of the tub. "I claim her, she's mine!" "The cabin boy claims her?" Bum replied. "I'll wrestle you for her." The castaway was looking worried as she had no lust for women in her. "Oh, there'll be a wrestlin' for her," Crewman Luscious said, standing up. "But it won't be no little legless cabin boy you'll be contendin' with," Jizzie added, coming to her feet. "It'll be three fellow crewmen," Slut finished, rising from where she'd been caressing and kissing Mounds. "Fine, fine ... take her," snarled Bum, throwing a saucy wink at the new prisoner, "don't feel like havin' me insides pummeled out by the likes of ye three." Under the trees, the crew of the 'Big Bottom' argued over the fate of their captives. "I say we keep the comely negress," Second Mate Randy said, eyeing the voluptuous Dragonaria, "but sell the Spanish wench for the gold she'll bring." "We keep at least one o' the men," First Mate Kinky said, "an' no offense to the hairy Greek-lookin' lad, but I've got me sights set on the Moor." "I'm favorin' Kinky's opinion on the men. But as to the women, I dunno," said Captain Longcock, "the negress is damned desirable 'tis true, but the young Spaniard is a beauty as well. We're only keepin' one an' I'm thinkin' it'll be the Spaniard." Randy stretched out between his captain's splayed legs and began undoing his trousers, slowly revealing the undeniable truth behind his Captain's name. "I'm thinkin' ye might be open to some negotiation, Cap'n," he said before he took Longcock's swelling prick into his mouth. "Ummm," Longcock murmured, "ye know, I could be persuaded to see things differently." "So, now that we're here and we've seen how things are, all rules are off for this evening?" Two asked, staring intently at his Mistress. Veronika grinned, "Yeah, pirates were supposedly the most democratic group ever seen, Captains serving at the pleasure of their crew, everyone having a vote, everyone getting a share. So yeah, for tonight the rules are off and I promise no reprisals, no matter what." Her submissives knew her word to be her bond, as well as their law. Mistress Veronika was expecting dissension as to which slaves they kept, which they sold, who did what with whom ... she expected everything, in fact, except what actually happened. Captain Thrust was still blissfully balls deep in the lovely Blondie, the back of his neck wet with the juices of his Second Mate's crotch, when his erotic reverie was disrupted by the splashy arrival of Twat. "Oh Cap'n, you aren't gonna believe it, sir. Just wait till you see!" Rousing himself he shifted the almost insensate Blondie off his Viagra-enhanced cock and stood up to look where Twat was pointing. Coming towards the tub was the crew of the 'Cunt of Doom', carrying the bound and struggling body of their Captain between them. She'd been stripped of all her clothing and looked like some fierce barbarian warrior, finally captured by her enemies. They put her still-writhing body on the deck and one of her crewmen approached the tub. "Cap'n, if you please sir, my name is Two ... uh, my name is Jeremy ... I guess now that'd be Cap'n Jeremy, sir. There's been a change in leadership on board the 'Cunt of Doom' an' we figgered to make you a gift of our former captain, sort of as a sign o' our respect an' in apology fer followin' her in her an' Longcock's near mutiny. So, anyway, here she is sir, you do with her what you want. We'll be keepin' all our slaves to ourselves, for the moment at least, sir, so I was wonderin' if our present fer ye might have bought us enough fergiveness so's we could go inside an' borrow yer bathtub, sir?" Captain Thrust was barely able to contain his laughter. "Captain Jeremy, I appreciate yer gift an' I'd be honored if my good an' loyal fleetmates, the crew o' the 'Cunt of Doom', would use the tub in our master bathroom." As soon as the words had left his mouth, Captain Jeremy and the rest of the crew made their bows and their exits, going back to the blankets they'd been sitting on, grabbed their captives and went inside. "Now then," Captain Thrust said as he settled back down and watched his crew bring ex-Captain Vagina to him, "what are we to do with you?" As she was delivered, squirming, to his lap he lowered his voice and said, "You know you can opt out at anytime, so how do you want to play this?" "I agreed to play by the rules, Captain," she replied. "I'm no longer a captain, no longer in command of anything, even my own body. And I doubt there's anything ye or yer band of brigands could do to me that ain't been done before." She wiggled and her firm, muscular bottom stimulated his interest. "Besides," she added, eyeing his crew as she leaned back against his shoulder, "this could be fun." Thrust wrapped his arms around her, caressing her thighs and belly on his way to her breasts. "I imagine there'll be hell to pay after tonight though, when you get home," he murmured. "Oh no, sir, not at all," she sighed. "I gave me word to 'em that there'd be no reprisals for anything that happened this evenin' ... an' I always keep my word. Besides, like I said, this could be fun an' never let it be said that Captain Vagina ... I mean, plain ol' Vagina, turned down any chance at fun." Third Mate Bum, whose ego was still smarting from her failure to take possession of the castaway, approached her Captain and asked, "Sir, if'n ye don't mind, could I be playin' with our newest guest for awhile? I'm thinkin' ye might be needin' to be payin' some attention to poor Mounds afore she humps a hole in the back o' yer neck." "Thank you, Bum," he replied, handing his captive over to the Third Mate. "You're right, I do have other matters to attend to, includin' Mounds." He called out to Captain Cao Li, "Would ye switch locations with me, Captain? Let ye have the tub fer awhile ... we've got some business can only be handled on dry land." "Gladly, Captain," she replied. "And if some of your crew aren't required elsewhere, there's certainly more than enough room in the tub for them." "Thankee muchly, Cap'n. I'm thinkin' I'll be leavin' me captives with you while I tends to some business." In the master bath, Jeremy, his crew and their captives found themselves falling in love with the sybaritic decadence. The eight of them had managed to squeeze into the tub and the process, as predictable, had left them all feeling very friendly. "So, I couldn't help but notice that pretty much the first thing you did when you overthrew your captain was to take your names back," Ravensclaw said, her hands firmly massaging the shoulders of Alan, formerly known as Crewman One. "Yeah ... it's really the one thing that service under Veronika costs us that I miss," Karla, formerly Crewman Four, replied. "And I understand why, I do. When I'm down on my knees before her ... the knowledge that I've surrendered my name as well as everything else, that I'm just 'Four' ... God, gives me the chills all through my body. Let's me know I've completely submitted; everything, even my identity, exists at her pleasure." She sighed, caressing Hermano's erect cock. "But we take back our names when we're out on our own, even though that's not that often, and we damn sure took them back when we handed her over to House Chorale ... I mean, the Captain and crew of the 'Free Booty'." Jeremy removed his mouth from Clyde's cock. "I wonder, if we asked real nicely at some point this evening, borrow Veroni-, I mean Vagina, for a little fun and games. I don't regret my decision to offer her to them, but God damn, as many times as she's frustrated the shit out of me ... out of all of us ... the chance to pound her every orifice, mercilessly ... that's damn inviting." "Shouldn't be a problem," Wolfling grinned, "in case it somehow escaped you, the Captain and crew of the 'Free Booty' seems to really enjoy turning things on their ears." ------- It was rare that Minerva Cornelius drove herself anywhere ... traffic made her far more nervous than she'd ever let anyone, including herself, know. But at 3:30 in the morning, traffic wasn't an issue so she indulged herself, went to the garage and pulled the cover off the blue/grey 1955 Jaguar C-Type, slid behind the wheel and started the beautiful beast up. She needed the time away from Ophelia, away from the house and away from her staff to think and as often happened her thoughts turned to the family she'd come to cherish even more than her own niece. Not surprisingly she found herself pulling the Jaguar to the curb on Garwood Street, where she sat and thought, staring at the Grimes house several doors down. ------- "All right, Luscious, Jizzie, Slut and Blondie, time for ye to be makin' the hostess rounds," Captain Thrust said, giving the four women quick hugs before he sent them on their way. "Billy Boner, ye and ye're captive are at liberty to do as ye will. Me an' these lovelies have business to attend to. Jizzie, Luscious, would ye mind us borrowin' yer room?" "Wouldn't mind at all, Cap'n," Luscious replied as Jizzie nodded. "Can understand how hard it might be to get some privacy in yer room right now." Leading Twat and Mounds upstairs, Thrust threw back down one last request. "And if ye could, sometime in the next half-hour, some water would be nice." "Have it fer ye in a jiffy," Slut replied. ------- "I swear, slut, if you don't relax I'm going to march you back over to the Grimes' and stake you out in the backyard," Galena growled at Andrea, who lay tense and rather rigid beneath her. "I'm sorry Galena-" "Call me 'Mistress', slut!" "I'm sorry, Mistress ... it's just that ... you're only sixteen! For some reason every time I start to relax, I swear I hear a SWAT team busting through the door, bellowing at me to quit molesting the little girl! It's almost like the 'get off the babysitter' scene in 'Risky Business'." "Excuse me, what? 'Risky Business'?" "It's an old Tom Cruise movie, the film that was his breakout performance, in my opinion. It came out in 1983, long before your time." "Oh give me a break, bitch! It was long before your time as well!" "Yeah, okay, that's true. But I saw it because my parents had it on video tape ... very funny movie. We'll have to rent it at some point. Then you'll understand 'get off the babysitter'." "Fine, now that we've had today's segment of 'Andrea's Film Reviews', relax before I have to beat you into submission." "Somehow, I don't think that'll prove to be all that relaxing." "Good point, but I know what will. Get out of bed, put on that white shirt. We're going to Harry's and get you some smoke." Andrea began to hunt around for a pair of panties or at least her pants. "Slut," Galena said, her voice dangerously low and even, "what are you doing?" "Looking for-" Andrea began before turning to look at Galena and reading the expression on her face. "I was looking for pants or underwear but now I realize that was a mistake. My Mistress didn't tell me to get either, she just told me to put on the shirt." "Very good, slut. Grab that t-shirt for me. That's all the clothing we'll need." "Mistress ... the shirt covers me down to below my ass, but that t-shirt-" "Is all the clothing I'll require," Galena growled. "If you question me again, I'm staking you out on the lawn, I swear to the Blessed Virgin!" "Yes Mistress." As they walked barefoot across the street to the Grimes house, Andrea was amazed at the sense of the forbidden their actions gave her. She was mostly covered, only the occasional snippet of breeze lifting a shirt tail and exposing her to the dark night. Galena, on the other hand, was bare from her belly button down, her patch of pubic hair still blatantly visible against her dark brown skin, even in the darkness. For Galena herself it was such an act of freedom, almost as good as skinny-dipping, to be walking mostly naked across the street, out in front of God and everybody ... or better said, everybody that happened to be out and wandering the quiet residential neighborhood at a little after four in the morning. Leaving Andrea on the front porch of the house, deep in the shadows, her hands around her ankles, her lovely ass pointed at the street, Galena slipped inside the house and waved a scurrying Lisa over. "I need some smoke for Andrea," she said. "The woman has, out of nowhere, gotten incredibly paranoid about my age." "Can't imagine why," Lisa replied. "I'll get y'all some, but burn it here in the living room ... don't want y'all to start smoking up Karen and Patricia's without clearing it with them first." "Uh, living room won't work ... I'd hate to get in trouble with the family, being here when I shouldn't. I figured to go back home, smoke it in the back yard or something." "All right, that'll work as well," Lisa said, smiling. "Hell, smoke it on the front porch here, for that matter." "Lisa, are you insane?" "No honey, just think about the totally decadent thrill of smoking up out on the porch, where anyone could see, maybe even getting a little naughty with that sweet thing you left outside." "Lisa, what makes you think I might even be remotely interested in decadent thrills?" Galena replied, a smile in her voice. Lisa gave her a 'you have GOT to be kidding me' look. "Gee, I dunno, maybe you being naked from the waist down, Andrea visible through the front window, bent over, cunt pointed at the street?" "You are wise beyond your years," Galena chuckled. "Do you think there's much risk of us getting caught out there? I mean, it does sound like fun." "Honey, between you and me, you could probably grab a blanket and fuck in the middle of the street, this neighborhood, this time of night, and no one would be any the wiser." Galena paused, as if in thought. "No, I don't think I'm feeling that daring ... not yet anyhow. But I do think I'll close the shades in here, so what we do on the porch won't be too visible." ------- "You know, most precious one ... you and I spend far too little time together like this," Harry said, cuddling Carol in his arms. "Not that I don't enjoy big ol' role-playing fests like tonight, and sooner rather than later we probably need to get back out there and be good hosts, but you and I just don't get the quality time together that I think we need." "My love, I have to agree with you," Carol replied as she leaned back into his arms, cuddling with the man whose intersection with her life had changed both their futures, as well as several others, for the better. Harry ran his hands up and down her body, amazed that he could look to the side of the bed and not find the thought of Margo kneeling there in submission all that unusual. Not all that long before, he couldn't have conceived of being involved with any of the women he was married to, much less all of them at the same time. He couldn't have imagined the lifestyle they led or his involvement with their household subs. His mind would have completely shut down at the concept of a sexual relationship with his own sister. Yet here he was, and aside from the fact that the beauty kneeling at the bedside was one of the most dominant women he knew, he found nothing at all about the situation strange at all. Carol slithered around in his grip to press her front against him. "Well Harry, if we have things we need to do this evening, I suppose you and I'd better get to it." She slid up his body and then back down, deftly capturing his cock between her legs. As it slid into her she sighed, "Exactly where I want you, husband." Slowly they began to move together, lost in each other's bodies and their love for one another. Margo knelt, lost in thought and in gratitude. Her spouses has had her rub them down, and then ready them for sex, giving her no more thought or consideration than a quick fingering of her to an orgasm, a fingering that hadn't taken very long at all, given the state of her excitement. They had used her, rewarded her and were ignoring her, completely playing into her headspace that evening. Sitting back on her heels she reveled in her complete subjugation to the will of others. For the moment, she didn't have to be strong, or in charge, or worry about any of the myriad situations that faced her and her family. She could be mindless, free of responsibility, needing to focus only on what she was told to do by those she put her utmost trust in. Watching the two of them together was a beautiful thing, her spouses, her lovers, her friends. Paying her no attention whatsoever they made love with a playful urgency, grabbing as much together-time as they could given the demands of the social gathering they were hosting. She loved them so much it felt like an ache inside and everything about the situation conspired to make her even hornier than she'd been when they came into Jackie and Lisa's room ... something she wouldn't have bet was possible a half-hour earlier. Slowly the statuesque brunette hunched her back ever so slightly, very slowly, bringing her hand within range of her crotch, then gradually let her right hand creep down her belly, her fingers finding her clit and slowly, surreptiously began massaging it. In her submissive state she knew that she wanted relief, but even she could not be sure if she was playing to get caught and perhaps punished, or simply playing to get away with it. Not that she expected any punishment levied for such an act to be all that severe, but still, she couldn't deny that there was some attractiveness to the proposition. And if she wasn't caught, then she was the small child, breaking the rules and getting away with it, something that had its own set of thrills. For their part, the couple on the bed had both noticed Margo's infraction and lapse of discipline, although it wasn't until Carol raised her eyebrows and shifted her eyes ever so slightly towards their masturbating spouse that each was sure the other had seen it. Harry replied with the slightest nod of his head, his rhythm slowing slightly as he mouthed the word 'punishment' with a questioning rise of his eyebrows. Carol watched as Margo orgasmed, her posture betraying her lack of concentration, her lip held tightly in her teeth as she swayed just a bit before slowly shifting her hand back up her belly and straightening her back. Carol laughed and then gave in to her more devilish impulses and answered aloud. "Husband, for relieving herself without permission I think we should chain her up next to the hot tub and let her be tormented by any who'd choose to. Not satisfied, or used, just tormented. Later on I figure we can find someone in our household to bring her off." "Or perhaps we could strap her to the Sybian," Harry said, "just leave her there with it set to 'low', make sure Lisa or Jackie keeps an eye on the lube ... let her ride the edge for a few hours." "Oh, that's evil ... I like the way you think, husband," Carol replied, refocusing her attention on him and urging him with her body to pick up the pace a bit. Soon neither of them was paying Margo any notice whatsoever. Tears slid down Margo's cheeks at the knowledge she'd been caught, but whether they were tears in anticipation of her coming torture or tears of joy at her family's love for her and attention to her needs, she couldn't have said. ------- Downstairs in the Captain's cabin, Third Mate Bum had suspended the deposed Captain Vagina above the huge bed in what appeared to be a most uncomfortable position. Bum had posed Vagina with her facing the foot of the bed, head pulled back, her arms straight out from her body and her legs parted to a painful degree. All over the muscular and fit dominatrix muscle tendons showed as she was stretched in every direction possible, a foot above the sheets. "So, Vagina," Bum purred, "what do ye think of the accommodations? Comfy? Cozy? Want some milk an' cookies?" "No ... Third Mate. I'm ... comfortable." Kelly began running the short sharp spikes of a Wantenberg Wheel along the captive's labia, already swollen and slightly moist. The tiny instrument, almost like the rowel on a spur, left brief but tantalizing imprints on the prisoner's skin. "So, bitch," Kelly continued, running the wheel back and forth across the woman's exposed anus, "what don't you want to happen to ye while ye're in our care?" Kelly shifted around to in front of the woman, staring into her eyes. "And then what do you really prefer to not happen to you ... this is supposed to be play for all of us." "Thank you, Mistress Kelly ... there's really not much you can do to me that I won't enjoy ... well, never had much of a taste for erotic asphyxiation, but other than that, I'm bi and this is a house full of good people ... might prefer not to get involved in any scat play or water sports, but if that's the way the evening goes, I'd survive." "Not much likelihood of that from the members of our house, at least," Kelly laughed. "The others, I don't know." "And as for ye and the other wharf rats in yer fuckin' crew, well, I tell ye, it'd be absolute torture to be shoved face-down into yer cunt, ye sea-goin' whore!" Third Mate Bum grinned evilly. "Back in a bit, bitch!" Kelly found Billy and Helen cuddled up in a corner of the living room under the hanging cargo net, talking in low tones. She waited out of earshot until Billy waved her over. "Billy, Helen ... I hope you didn't take my playing with you earlier the wrong way ... although I suppose you ought to know, Helen ... you ever decide to take a stroll into bisexuality, I'll knock you to the floor and fuck you like an animal." Helen looked down at the carpet, blushing and murmured, "Thank you, Kelly." Billy said, "Don't worry, I didn't take it wrongly but I would have loved to see the wrestling match!" "Me too," Helen said, raising her face. "And everything's okay between us, don't worry, Kelly. As to the wrestling match though, of course, you wouldn't get any prize for it from me personally if you won, at least, nothing sexual. But I've been told I'm a pretty good masseuse and several hour-long massages could be put up as prize." "Goddamn it woman," Kelly muttered, "don't tempt me into getting into a fight with those Amazons ... win or lose, I'd need a massage afterwards." "Well, if you ever want to take your chances, I'd put up one hour-long as a consolation prize..." "And I could be persuaded," Billy added, "to throw in some massage as well. Imagine two sets of skilled hands working you over." "Well fuck," Kelly exclaimed, "I guess I better go tell the girls that the fight is on. Didn't imagine we'd be using the wading pool again this soon, good thing we bought more oil. But that's for later ... y'all excuse me, I've got to go find someone to help me torment Vagina." As she headed towards the back yard, Helen and Billy watched her go. "You are an evil, evil woman, my love," Billy said, caressing her breast. "She's going to get her ass handed to her on a platter." "I know ... but it's going to be so entertaining to watch," his lover replied, reveling in her mischievousness. Third Mate Bum wandered out to where Captain Cao Li and her crew were lounging. "Captain, if I might, could I ask for yer help an' that of Crewman Puppy?" "What do you need, barbarian?" Cao Li replied. "Well, I be needin' Puppy to hold me up in position so that Vagina can bury her head between me legs ... no place fer me to rest my back, ye see. As for ye, ye great demon bitch, I need ye between the prisoner's legs, workin' on her with that sharpened shark's grin o' yers. Could be yer chance to give her a few new scars. Got the feeling she might not mind when I was workin' on her with the spiky wheel." Bum held the instrument up in her hands. "That is agreeable," Cao Li replied, "but I see something I want to do first. Take Puppy and warm the white devil bitch up for me. If you have her properly rigged, let Puppy climb on her back. She should be light enough for the ex-Captain to support." "What will ye be doin'?" Bum asked. "Something called a 'shark tank', with Crewman Precious of the 'Cuntlapper' in the middle of it." Bum was disappointed that she wouldn't be helping to drive Precious wild, but she already had a full plate of deviltry before her. Taking the diminutive Puppy with her, she added a few more supporting straps to the rig holding up the captive Vagina, to help better distribute the load. Then Puppy climbed up onto the captive's back, pressing her bare cunt against the small of the prisoner's back as she ground herself against her. "Ye're in for it now, Vagina," she hissed as she rocked back and forth, scratching the helpless one with her nails. "When my Captain comes in, ye'll have a bloody shark between yer legs, bitin' an' chewin'. I'd make piece with yer white god before she gets here, I'm not thinkin' ye'll survive." She leaned forwards, biting down suddenly and rather strongly on Vagina's left ear. "In the meantime, I'll just warm ye up a bit with promises o' pain an' sufferin'." Feeling the captive's response beneath her, she added, "Or maybe just tease ye some." Third Mate Bum passed on instructions to have the pool inflated and filled to Crewman Jizzie. "Whatever for, Bum?" she inquired. "Seems we're gonna be wrestlin' after all, ye scurvy beauty." "No offense, Bum," Jizzie replied, "but you might want to be recruitin' yerself some help. Even if ye only take us on one at a time, win, lose or draw ye'll be either tired or thoroughly beaten, most probably both, by the end. Might inhibit yer enjoyment of the rest of the party." "No, me bounteous darlin'," Bum replied, "I was silly enough to issue the challenge an' I'm silly enough to take it on as is. Besides, if I'm fated to lose, the quicker I do it the quicker I gets me consolation prize." "What do we get if we win?" "That's yer own affair to arrange ... although I'm thinkin' this party has no shortage o' scallywags who'd be more than willin' to rub ye down afterwards should ye conquer me ... hell, I'll postpone me consolation prize if'n I lose an' help 'em." ------- Blind, cloth pads over her eyes beneath a tightly-wrapped blindfold, Patricia was led carefully down the steps into the center of the hot tub. With her hands bound behind her, a new twist she hadn't been expecting, she realized she hadn't felt so exposed and vulnerable since she'd been strapped into the chair in the Grimes' living room. Hands pulled at her legs and ankles, adjusting her stance until she was standing with her feet about two-and-a-half feet apart. From outside the hot tub, she heard Karen ask, "Darling, are you comfortable?" and nervously she nodded. "Have at her then," Karen replied, her voice fading as she walked away. It was better, or worse if looked at another way, than it had ever been in college, Patricia realized. The people stimulating her now were not drunken college students, unsure and nervous about how far to go or what to do — she was in the hands, figuratively speaking, of a group of serious hedonists who while chemically altered, were still very much in control of their faculties. Hands glided across her front and back, probing and caressing, while much to her surprise, two feminine forms pressed themselves against her, molding themselves to her, one on each side. Patches of gently waving pubic hair, and the vaginas beneath them, moved up and down her thighs beneath the water's surface while the accompanying breasts slid along her arms and down her sides. There was some sort of jockeying for position or something similar going in front of her and then the tip of a tongue, warm and moist, began to tantalizingly dance across the exposed portions of her face. She started with surprise when another tongue began doing the same between her legs, her cunt open and exposed as fingers slid up the insides of her thighs and the tongue flicked at her clit, occasionally breaking off to allow its owner to grab a breath, of which a goodly portion seemed to end up running across her flesh in the form of bubbles that tickled all the way to the surface. From behind another pair of hands further spread her ass cheeks and someone began to give her a very gentle, but insistent, rim job. "Uh, this is going a little further than I'd envisioned," she stammered, her hands twitching nervously behind her. "Do you want it to stop?" asked a voice Patricia recognized as Li Kuan's from behind her. "Uh ... no," she replied. "Fine, then be quiet, shark-bait," the frightening Asian woman replied. From around her there were quiet laughs and then more hands joined into the act. To Patricia, rapidly losing her composure under the sweet assault, it seemed that there weren't too many inches of skin, from about mid-calf to the top of her head, that someone wasn't touching in some way, almost of all them pure erotic torture. "What the hell are they doin' to that poor wench?" Helen asked Billy Boner as they snuggled in a deck chair. "It's called a 'shark tank', me lovely," he replied, leaving off from nibbling the side of her neck. "It's somethin' she used to do with a bunch o' other landlubbers back when they were in university. She mentioned it awhile back, sounded like fun to the rest o' this crew o' heathens. Rules are, nothin' sexual that couldn't be done by a man or a woman, so no pricks involved at all, just lots o' strokin' and lickin' ... she'll stand it as long as she can an' then they'll hand her off to her lover. 'Course, that's not the only way to play ... accordin' to her there were those who'd just take it as long as they could an' then grab someone. Whoever they grabbed, well ... ye can fill in the rest, can't ye? But mostly, it's just a way to let a lot o' people stoke the fires o' some poor soul afore sendin' 'em off to be with their lover." He grinned with the light of the devil in his eyes. "Nothing a sweet young innocent like yerself would be interested in, I'm sure." She gave him a look that had stopped cranky physical therapy patients in their tracks. "You're sure, are you?" Patricia wanted to feel nervous, wanted to resist, wanted to argue with herself about the insanity of letting a hot tub full of people, some of whom she didn't know at all, play with her body ... but in the end, the one thing she couldn't argue with was the tidal wave of sensations that were flooding her body from every quarter at once. It was so much more intense than it'd been in college ... there was a part of her that just wanted to lay back into the arms of whomever was behind her and let the crowd, no matter who or what gender, do with her as they would. If she wasn't deeply in love with her partner, she would and while any penises that made their presence known wouldn't be her first, or even her twenty-first, choice of toys to play with, in the glorious decadence and sensation-overload, she couldn't see herself minding all that much. Seconds of such torture became minutes, and the minutes multiplied. No one was anxious for their time with the sexy wench to end and after fifteen minutes, time ceased to have meaning for the object of their attentions. After thirty minutes or so, coherent thought was all but lost. Crewman Precious was finding it harder and harder to remain upright, swaying back and forth, side to side, her legs threatening to buckle from beneath her. Finally she could stand the intensity no longer, it was like running a power line's current through her, her synapses firing so fast that her head — her whole body — was filled with an almost deafening hum, every nerve-ending feeling as if it were floating three feet outside her body, each nerve-ending being lovingly stimulated by someone ... she began to fall forwards onto those in front of her, when a pair of strong arms grabbed her and held her upright. "Here, call Captain Cuntlapper ... her crewman has had enough," said Captain Cao Li as she gently kept Precious from falling against the spikes and other pieces of metal that pierced her body. Precious tried to protest, not wanting the experience to end, but all that came out of her mouth was an inarticulate "G'g'g'g-thk" and she realized it was probably for the best that she leave. She felt herself being shifted to the edge where her Captain took her from Cao Li's arms and hoisted her like a sack of grain over her shoulder and carried her inside. Crewman Precious faded out for a bit, and when she returned she found herself being carefully dried by their slaves, Cat and Chatsirree. Even their mostly impersonal attentions sent waves of desire coursing through her body and if her wrists hadn't still been bound she would have grabbed one or the other of them and carried them to the ground with her before slapping her cunt on their face and fucking their tongue as hard as she could manage while she writhed in ecstasy. As it was, once she was dry she began to slump again so her captain carried her into a quiet corner of the living room, beneath the cargo net, unbound her wrists and then re-secured them to the net above. The captain then carefully maneuvered her way beneath Precious and slowly began to nurse on the woman's clit as Precious was supported barely above the captain's neck by the captain's own strong arms. Their slaves had latched on to Precious' tits as if they were milk-starved children. Captain Cuntlapper hadn't expected Precious to last long under those conditions. She also hadn't expected the almost death-like grip her crewman's legs exerted on the captain's skull when Precious was finally allowed to orgasm. ------- Third Mate Bum could see that there was going to be some more hardware required to make the shark tank the treat it was meant to be ... they were going to need a means of suspending and then lowering a victim into the hot tub. Not too high, lest someone see them from the other side of the stockade, but high enough so that they could be hauled up out of the water for other kinds of attention, when desired. Once Crewman Precious had been removed, many of those in the tub had fallen into clinches with one another, their own libidos stimulated by their recent activities. But one participant, the Duchess Turov, had left the tub on rather shaky legs and very quickly slid into the pool where, after looking around and seeing that no one was paying her any attention at all, she'd grabbed a pool float and was laying back, floating along and trying to calm down after the events of the evening. No one noticed at all, except the wicked Third Mate Bum. She had decided that it was time for a truly epic bit of deviltry. "When you hear someone whistling 'Fifteen Men on a Dead Man's Chest', focus the digital movie camera on the pool, widest possible frame." "Yes ... Mistress? Third Mate Bum? Which are you at present?" "Mistress Bum would work just fine." After the recent additions to the house, there was only about a three foot distance between the roof and the side of the pool at one point. Courtesy of one of the trees the pool installation had been carefully planned around, she could gain access to the roof of the house quite easily. She was sure she could miss Tattie with little problem ... an important point since she just wanted to scare the dear woman, not kill her by pile-driving her into the bottom of the pool. Unseen by anyone, the Third Mate of the 'Free Booty' slid off into the darkness of the yard and carefully drew herself up into the tree. Crouching low, as even she didn't want to know what would happen if she were seen naked, crawling around the trees and rooftop by the neighbors, she made her way to the roof and gingerly stepped onto it. Despite fears she'd scarcely let herself know about, the roof held and it felt to her like walking on any normal floor. Breathing a sigh of relief she took a minute, luxuriating in the strange mix of naughtiness and freedom, naked atop the roof, in plain sight for anyone who was bothering to look ... at about 3:45 AM on a Saturday morning. She clambered to the very peak of the house's roof to hang on and look around the neighborhood. There was a waning quarter moon, so the area wasn't impenetrably dark, but light conditions were dim enough that she felt safe for awhile, just examining the neighborhood from a unique perspective. She looked down at the Larsen's house next door to the right, and over their property line to the Mackenzie's and Fielding's beyond. Those two, as well as Karen and Patricia's, were the three lots at the end of the cul-de-sac, all of them fronting on the turn-around. The three end lots might have smaller street frontage, but their back yards were large, widening out at the back. ------- Minerva Cornelius was envious ... so envious it hurt as her teeth ground together. She watched the hijinks of the two young women on the porch ... or rather, watched shadows moving in shadows, faint sounds of pleasure drifting through the mostly still night air. Once she'd seen the two of them crossing the street, and then one left on the porch as the other went inside, she'd had little doubt what was going to happen. They'd smoked together just as calmly as Minerva herself would have on her own balcony, and then they played together. Minerva had never been that free in all her life. She'd never been as comfortable with her body and its nudity as those two ... children ... were. A flicker of movement had caught her attention and she'd watched with even greater envy as Kelly moved around the peak of the roof. The girl was fearless, there could be no doubt of it, now or ever. Minerva had never been that fearless. Oh, she might sit out on the balcony, friends and clients naked and frolicking all around her, but she knew, from rigorous experimentation, that unless someone was in exactly the right place under exactly the right lighting conditions, nothing of what happened on the balcony could be seen — and even then, very little would be seen. The trees around the front of her home helped to mask sound and she'd sat, smoking hashish, victims whimpered around their gags mere feet away, while watching people walk their dogs down the street in front of her home, none the wiser. Even if she were comfortable 'in her skin' at any point in her youth, she couldn't imagine having the nerve to clamber about a rooftop naked, no matter what the hour. She knew deep inside that most of her 'daring' was a carefully controlled illusion. It was an illusion that served her very well over the years, but she was not delusional enough to mistake her image for her reality. Minerva Cornelius sat in the Jaguar and fought with herself. She was old and felt every year of it, no matter how well she hid it from others. She was tired, bone-weary, and longed to lay down all her responsibilities for good, ready to spend her remaining years indulging herself and not worrying about the business she'd created, the alliances and partnerships she'd formed. She had had such high hopes for Ophelia. When Ophelia's parents had died in a senseless automobile accident, she'd taken up guardianship of the child ... something she was more than self-aware enough to realize she had no gift for. Nannies, tutors, boarding schools, years of keeping her life and lifestyle away from her niece's eyes ... she had few illusions concerning the whys and wherefores of how Ophelia had turned out. Raised by hirelings, an emotionally distant aunt her sole living relative, in a house of locked doors, strict regulations and mysterious noises that must not ever be inquired after — in her moments of introspection she realized that she was lucky Ophelia was sane ... if indeed she was. And now she was on a course to either finish destroying the girl, or break her to Minerva's will. Minerva Cornelius was envious of so many things where the Grimes and their friends were concerned. Laurie Hurley had looked up at Kelly on the roof, gauged that she probably had enough time, and went inside to hunt for the rest of the family. She found Harry and Carol just finishing the restraint of Margo as she knelt on the Sybian, already having problems keeping upright as the machine gently urged her towards yet another orgasm. "Please excuse my interruption," she began. Carol's hand lashed out and slapped her face firmly, but not too painfully. "Please excuse my interruption WHAT?" she snarled. "Please excuse my interruption, Captain, First Mate," Laurie answered, "but Third Mate Bum is about to do something rather spectacular and I thought you might want to see it." "Fine, you are excused ... I notice you're carrying our video camera..." Harry replied. "Oh yes sir, she wants me to film it." "Ah, alright, but quick, before you go out back again, go out to Galena and Andrea on the front porch. I'm surprised the whole neighborhood hasn't woken up from the two of them moaning over each other. Tell 'em to come watch or take it back to their house but either way they're to quit playing with each other on the porch." Laurie squeaked, "But sir, I'm naked," having been stripped of her clothes at the hot tub. Carol snapped, "Did he ask you whether you were clothed or not, bitch?" "No ma'am." Laurie Hurley, felt an uncharacteristic thrill of exhibitionism as she scurried out on to the porch to do as she was told. ------- Kelly looked back down into her own back yard, seeing the various groups in all their different activities, sexual and otherwise. She smiled, seeing her target continue to float unaware of the surprise that awaited her. As thunder rolled in the distance and the faint flickering of lightning played across the heavens to the northwest, moving closer from what Kelly could see, she moved back down the roof to her chosen launching point. ------- The movie begins with a sudden jerk of the camera, the faint notes of "Fifteen Men on a Dead Man's Chest" floating out over the noise made by those around the pool. The picture steadies quickly, the wide angle shot missing much of the activity around the pool, because of its elevation, and focusing on a spot in the air just above the center of the pool. Below that spot, in frame, Tatiana Turov sits, seemingly half asleep, naked on a pool float. The scene framed by the camera shows a cloudy night sky, the quarter moon peaking out from behind the clouds, a summer storm approaching from the northwest, a few stars occasionally visible over the ambient light from the city. Entering the frame from above comes Kelly, her beautiful body naked in the faint light, her arms wrapped around her knees, head thrown back in sheer unholy glee, straightened hair streaming away from her head as she rotates clockwise through the air, spinning as she descends, as if from the heavens themselves, aiming for a spot about three feet away from the lounging Tattie. Her shriek of glee finally registers upon the older woman who fully opens her eyes and looks up just in time to take in the bizarre vision of a naked woman hurtling towards her like a meteor. From out of frame come shocked voices as more and more of the people in attendance realize what's happening. If one focuses very closely, one can see the moment that Tatiana Turov makes two very important decisions. One, she resolves to trust the young madwoman about to hit the water and not move, correctly believing that Kelly will have planned exactly where she was going to land. Two, she decides that she is going to beat Kelly Culberson-Grimes' ass so thoroughly that Kelly's unborn children will remember the event without anyone having to tell them about it, as the beating will be irrevocably imprinted upon every strand of DNA in Kelly's body. Kelly hits the water and if the image was freeze-framed, one could make out the look of pain that crosses her face as she slams into the water much harder than she ever had before. But even as she continues her rock-like trip to the bottom, before her face slips beneath the water, that look of pain is replaced by an expression of purest satisfaction as Tattie's shriek registers upon her ears. As the water flies up, any coherent image of Tattie and Kelly is lost. It is only seconds later, as the wave-filled pool calms that the women appear again, Venus-like into the shallow end of the pool, Tatiana Turov, no longer in the least concerned about her nakedness or dignity, hauling a struggling and spitting Kelly along by her hair. A hand covers the lens and Harry's voice is heard to say "I don't think Kelly wants you filming what comes now, no use you getting beaten for recording this" before the film clip ends as the camera is turned off. ------- Chapter 44 "Harry - Captain Thrust ... whoever the hell you are, don't you dare get in my way!" Tattie, the Duchess Turov, spat as she hauled the struggling Third Mate Bum into the house. "Wouldn't think of it, Duchess me darlin'," Thrust chortled. "Just try to leave me crewman in one piece when ye're through." "Oh, no worries there, Captain," she replied. "I won't do anything permanent." Her eyes snapped back to where Bum was scrambling along on all fours behind Turov's long-legged stride. "You better keep up, girl, or I will snatch you bald-headed." She faced forward again as her unfaltering march into the house continued. "Anyone planning anything involving little Bum here should best be rethinking those plans. She isn't going to be in the mood." Crewman Jizzie, looking disappointed, began hauling the great plastic roll of the uninflated wading pool back into storage. As she did so she muttered "When ye can't rely on a debauched orgy to give ye a chance to wrestle in oil, I ask ye, what's this world comin' to?" Captain Thrust led the crowd, pirates and slaves alike, into the house. He heard her comment and patted Jizzie on the ass. "Well, no oil wrestlin', but a right proper beatin', out in front o' God an' everbody ... that do fer ye in the meanwhile?" She smiled at him. "It might ... it just might at that ... long as I can be findin' someone to cuddle with. Any chance... ?" First Mate Twat kissed her in passing. "No problem there, sweetie. Ye just come an' sit with the Captain an' me when ye're through stowin' that gear." ------- Kelly, the mischievous Third Mate Bum, had become inured to the spankings her actions brought her. Not that they had become less painful, far from it, but in her mind it had become a rather simple equation: act as she felt impelled to act, get spanked. Rarely did her memory of the spankings slow her down ... except the true beating she had received from Margo — that one had stayed with her. She was able to make a mental distinction between 'beatings', which were to be avoided at all costs and 'spankings'. In general they had become a component of the total experience ... not a pleasant component to be sure, but part and parcel of the act nonetheless. Then she felt the bony and iron-strong hand of Tatiana Turov descend on her bare bottom like a thunderbolt straight from the rage-clinched fist of an ancient god. The first and subsequent lightning strikes were in no way made more bearable by the softly whispered words of her tormentor. "Little girl," Tattie murmured, "I've been working with these hands every day for more than twice as many years as you've been drawing breath. I've burned them, broken them, sliced them, stabbed them, scoured them with caustic chemicals, even had the tips of two fingers surgically reattached." The bolts continued to land like the march of some giant army, all stomping at once, the bottoms of their boots forests of white-hot needles. "Your soft little bottom is one of the nicest things I've slammed my right hand down on in decades, this is a vacation for me, like I'm sending my hand to Club Med." Kelly's resolve to make no sound was under mental review as the tears flowed out of her shut eyes; short, sharp barks of pain were fighting their way up her throat. She renewed her struggle to break free only to feel Tatiana's death grip on her hair tighten to the point that she could hear, in-between the shrieking doom falling on her bottom, individual hairs breaking or being ripped from her scalp. Instinct brought her to the edge of more forceful action before the voice of Li Kuan broke into her consciousness. "I wouldn't, if I were you." She opened her eyes and through the blur of tears saw the Chinese woman kneeling before her. "Here," Li Kuan said, her left hand lightly brushing Kelly's lips, "bite on this. It will help you-" There was a sudden gasp and slow smile as Kelly savagely bit down on the side of her hand. " — restrain yourself." From a few feet away Harry and the rest of the household watched, closer to the action than any of the rest of the audience, and were the only ones near enough to hear Tattie's soft words. Harry was finding himself of two minds as he watched the punishment of his wife. Finally, his mind made up, he was opening his mouth to protest when Carol's hand came up and covered his mouth. "Shhh, Harry ... it's just and fair punishment. Think what would've happened had Kelly landed on top of Tattie from that height." Carol curled up tighter to her husband's side. "I love her, but I often pray she doesn't kill someone, or herself, some day." Harry found himself stroking her hair. "I know ... God forbid her spirit should break, but there are times she's just too..." "I know." "Where you ever that young and impetuous?" he asked, wincing as the shock waves from Tattie's spanking ran up Kelly's back and down her legs, forceful enough to cause ripples in even the tautest flesh. "Once upon a time, maybe," Carol replied, smiling to herself. "I suspect it was much easier to cure my reckless tendencies than it will be to do the same with Kelly." Her smile wavered just a bit. "It took several sessions of being beaten till blood was drawn with a riding crop, spread out over about a six-month period. Relatively easy, as such things go." "That's easy?" "Yes Beloved, that's relatively easy ... not 'easy' per se, just 'relatively' so." "Ah yes," Harry murmured, "all things are relative, all relatives are things, my relatives took all my things." "What?" "Just a little play on words an old friend came up with while stoned out of his mind one night. It became our standard response to things being 'relative'." "Ooookay ... you have had some odd friends." "This from my darling little freak of a wife?" "Okay, point taken ... then as far as odd people in your life, I'm in good company. Better?" "Much better." Meanwhile, a few feet away, her hand shifting to new locations as needed, Duchess Turov continued to bring the thunder to Crewman Bum. ------- Hans stepped out onto the front porch of the Grimes residence more to clear his head than anything else. The combination of noise, the thick scents of pot and incense and sex in abundance, the alcohol he'd consumed as well as the dope ... it had left him befogged in more ways than one. He crouched on the steps, steadying himself with one hand while he breathed deeply of the night air in the quiet suburban neighborhood. He scratched his chest, bare to the breeze, and was considering whether to finish fastening his pants when he spotted the Jaguar parked down the street. He knew the car and had no doubt who was behind the wheel. As he finished buttoning up he slowly walked out to the sidewalk and headed towards the Jaguar. ------- Eddie Janak got up three different times in the night to go check on his sister. While normally a sound sleeper, he couldn't help himself ... the loud voice in the back of his head had been screaming at him, taunting him with the knowledge of what had happened the last time Rachel had been in his care. So he'd wake up, tears wetting his face, and carefully disengage himself from Tamara, curled up next to him, and slowly make his way to the bedroom where his sister lay sleeping. On some level he realized that Tamara woke up whenever he did, but it didn't impinge upon his consciousness so he was always surprised when he'd crawl back in to bed to find her awaiting him with open arms, eyes bright with unshed tears. "Rachel's okay?" she'd ask as he brought her close to him. "Yeah, she's fine," he'd reply as he rapidly descended into sleep, safe and secure in the arms of his love. He'd be asleep, or nearly enough so as to make little difference, by the time Tamara would murmur, "Of course she is, Edward, she has you to protect her." ------- "Madam?" Hans said as he folded himself into the passenger side of the Jaguar. "It is going well tonight?" she asked, avoiding the question. "Well enough," he replied and launched into an abbreviated rendition of the night's events. When he was finished, she murmured, "Well, if one is to make enemies, Stan Carter is certainly on the list of ones to be desired. I am somewhat concerned though about this submissive... ' "Camille?" "Whatever ... yes, her," Minerva snapped. "They deftly avoided the obvious trap this evening ... is it possible that they succumbed to a far more subtle one?" "Miss Carol does not seem to think so." "Yes and while I have a growing respect for her abilities, I am not ready to grant her omniscience ... not yet, anyway," she chuckled. "Find out what you can about this woman and her brother, but use someone not normally associated with us. Perhaps Mr. Ivey could be of use in this matter." "Yes Madam ... I assume the morning is soon enough?" "Hans, it is the morning ... but later today will be quite acceptable." "Shall I return to the party?" "Yes ... you, Andre and I will talk later today. Go enjoy yourself. I ... I will return home now." Only a complete and total idiot could have missed the regret in Minerva Cornelius' voice. ------- Galena and Andrea had been sent back home after witnessing Kelly's insanity and had made out a bit, Galena seeming very tentative and cautious. "Mistress?" "No ... no, not 'Mistress' ... Andrea ... I..." Galena stammered as tears began to well up in her eyes, "I'm not ... I'm not feeling very dominant ... right now." Andrea pulled the young woman into her arms and stroked her hair. "Alright Galena, what's wrong?" "It's all ... it's all too much ... too much and too..." "Are you regretting your decision about Sunday's festivities?" "No ... maybe ... maybe a little..." Andrea shifted around and took Galena's face in her hands. She gently kissed away the young girl's tears and then said, "Look sweetie, if you want to reschedule it, you know they'll let you and respect your decision, no matter what. Hell, from what I gather, you could walk in and tell them you want to return home, stop working at G&P, never see any of them again and they'd respect your decision ... it'd hurt them, believe me..." Andrea shuddered to herself, "It'd hurt me, terribly, but nobody's going to make you do anything you're not ready for." "NO ... no ... I don't want that ... it's just ... what if I'm wrong? What if it isn't time for me to do this, what if I'm ... I'm too young for all of it ... what if I hurt you ... or them?" She looked at her lover, fear stark in her eyes, "For Christ's sake, I'm not even seventeen ... I ... I've never even dated anyone! I'm probably about as emotionally mature as a five-year-old! And I've promised to take care of you, and be a part of their family, and not embarrass any of them and I..." There were no more words, only harsh, wracking sobs. Andrea held her and murmured comforting sounds to Galena as Andrea once again wondered at the twists and turns life had thrown at her. ------- Later, Captain Thrust lay in bed exhausted, watching Crewmen Jizzie and Luscious double-team the former Captain Vagina. Everyone had taken a turn at her, including those who had mutinied against her, and she was little more than an incoherently-mumbling shell of a human being as she slumped in the sling, her body driven this way and that by the pounding her cunt and ass were receiving. Her former crew had frolicked on the bed in absolute glee, burbling merrily over some of the more extreme possibilities of such a device, wondering if their household could afford one. Upon hearing how much it had been from the nearly insensate Mounds, they decided they would have to save up ... for a long time. The former Mistress Laurie, now referred to as 'you there' or 'cum slut', lay exhausted on one side of Thrust, a thin line of semen drying on her cheek. She hadn't realized when her servitude to the crew of the 'Free Booty' had begun that all the female members of the crew were as adept with, and as ready to use, a strap-on as they were. She'd thought she was going to have a relatively easy time of it, but she was sore, very tired and thoroughly satisfied, although she was still uncomfortable with how she felt about certain things she'd agreed to. Her scalp ached from where it felt like Marcie had tried to scalp her as she rode Laurie's face. Submitting to her sister-in-law's attentions was the biggest questionable agreement she'd given, and it wasn't that the crew had made any threats, subtle or otherwise, towards her if she didn't. She still wasn't sure why she had, but she'd found herself agreeing to the idea and enjoying it in a way she'd never conceived of. Then there'd been the anal sex, and although Blondie had begun gentle, once Laurie had relaxed sufficiently the beautiful blonde had shown little mercy, pounding her bottom with the small strap-on like a woman possessed. Again, Laurie hadn't been sure about submitting to the act in the first place, but was glad she did in retrospect ... when the soreness wasn't speaking loudly enough to make her second-guess her own judgment. On Thrust's other side laid the very pleasantly surprised Lady Claudette du Villiers. She'd figured out early in the evening, before they'd even left Dominique's, that House Chorale were ... unusual ... but after the events of the morning she knew they were most definitely far beyond merely 'unusual'. She'd spent part of the orgy cuddled up in First Mate Twat's arms while Twat and her Captain had discussed costumes for the Ball. It had been most revealing. The playfulness of the group had deceived her for a time. She'd wondered how any such child-like and carefree people ever hoped to defeat Laney in the election. They didn't seem to take said election, or anything leading up to it, all that seriously. Oh, there was anger at Laney and his political posturings, and some hurt feelings and further anger where Houses that had written them off were concerned, but she wasn't seeing any 'killer instinct', something that was probably quite necessary to win the election, and a good reason why her own House had never even considered a run at it. They didn't seem ready to buckle down and get serious. And then the Captain and Twat, or truth be told, to be more accurate, Harry and his wife Carol, began their discussion of costume designs ... and a whole other side of the House was revealed. Everything they considered was geared towards a casual but tasteful, well, tasteful for the Samhain Fetish Ball, display of style and wealth. As materials and names of artists starting floating around the bed, she'd felt compelled to speak. "Excuse me for interrupting," she'd said, "but I know a little about what you're discussing, and to do what you're proposing will take ... well, at least fifteen thousand dollars, for outfits I sincerely doubt you'll ever wear again." Twat had slapped her, ever so gently, across the face. "Shush, bitch ... speak when you're spoken to," she'd growled, grinning to show no malice as she did so. "Besides, I figure in the end, it'll run at least twice that." Claudette's eyes had widened. "Thirty thousand ... at least! I mean, your House evidently does very well for itself, financially, but that's ... that's..." Carol kissed her open, gaping mouth then leaned back. "Claudette, if Margo decides she wants it bad enough, she'd spend much more than that.' "But..." "Six figures worth, isn't that right my precious?" Carol said to the moaning victim of Sybian torture by the bed. "Um hmmm," Margo groaned, "I've ... put an upward ... limit of ... a quarter ... of a million ... for the whole thing ... not just the ... Ball ... but the whole ... campaign." She then slumped back over, lost to the surging machine between her legs. "Who the f-, who are you people?" she'd asked. "Honey, you read the news?" Carol had chuckled. "Yeah." "Then you've no doubt seen our Margo there. She's also known as Margo Wohler-Sapperstein." "You're ... she's ... oh holy shit." "Yes Claudette ... she has the money, if she wants to spend it that way. I don't think the whole thing will run over a hundred thousand, and it may run much less than that if we decide not to fight as hard as we can." Claudette looked at her as if the little woman was speaking Greek. "You haven't heard what went on at the table tonight, since you," Carol poked her cuddle-mate's breast, "were too good to come and sit with us. Even if we lose, we win. We declare victory, split off and form our own court, based at Dominique's." "Yes ... and I'm sorry to say a good part of me hopes we lose," Harry had added. "I'm not sure I want to be a member of any group that would let Laney run it for so long. Only reason I'd vote for staying the course is because Minerva hopes we can, well, redeem, I suppose, the Society." "So you may not fight as hard as you could..." "Nope, that's a topic that I imagine will get discussed a lot this weekend, this next week as well. And certainly, if things devolved into a no-win situation ... well, we're crazy, not stupid. No sense pouring money into an effort that can't succeed." "It sounds, my beloved, like you've already made up your mind," Carol chided, smiling. 'If it were up to me, darling, I would've declared victory this evening, split off our faction from theirs and thrown a party at Dominique's that would've left most of the attendees hung-over till, oh, Tuesday at least." Margo's voice had startled them all. "I'm gonna ... talk to Minerva ... this next week ... if she agrees ... then a major ... then a major ... then we suffer ... a major setback ... and that's what we'll do." While there might have been a little "then we'll take our ball and go home" pettiness about the idea, Claudette had no problem with it. Let those who wanted to deal with Laney and his asshole allies play their ugly little games with each other somewhere else. Her House, as well as many others, could play in the court of her newfound friends and be quite happy doing so. ------- Crewman Slut was monitoring Mounds' Sybian torture. The hapless Second Mate had had her position shifted several times, was kept hydrated and had even been granted a trip to the facilities, carried there and back by Slut and the thoroughly-chastised Bum as Mounds was incapable of walking under her own power. Slut had instructions to let her orgasm periodically, but for the most part she was to keep the Second Mate close to the edge; helpless, mindless and whimpering. Slut was very good at her job. Bum spent most of her time kneeling by the Duchess, slowly working over every square inch of her body with the crew's rose-scented massage oil. Duchess Turov's time with Billy in the hot tub had taken care of her sexual desires for the evening ... although she still felt some uncharacteristic twitches from time to time, but mostly the Duchess was enjoying feeling accepted, at home, at peace ... even among the scurrilous band of renegades that had captured her. It had been many years since she felt comfortable enough with anyone to just get naked and high. Although she'd never admit it, had she been in the audience she'd have found Bum's aerial assault humorous ... dangerous, but humorous. And the young crewman's penance was wonderful ... the Duchess hadn't felt so relaxed in months. Marcie was sagging in the stocks, her bottom and the backs of her thighs striped like a zebra, albeit in red, not black. With the exception of the brief, blessed time she'd spent riding Mistress Laurie's face, her mouth and tongue had been used by everyone in the bedroom, as well as the hapless Vagina's former crew. Her face around her mouth and nose were coated with a thin sheen of sticky fluids, thin trails of sweat having left vertical tracks down her cheeks. And then there had been the time Captain Thrust had spent with her ... after her caning, he'd started in her cunt and finished in her ass, the sweat between their bodies burning like lighter fluid on the welts she bore. As she'd enjoyed his attentions, he'd surprised her with his gentle questions as to her condition, and was there anything she needed. Marcus would be fucking her to stories from this evening for weeks, and in the quiet moments when she and her husband were together with no roles to play, just a married couple that loved each other very much, she'd feel safe reassuring him that the decision he'd made was the right one. These people were worthy of the trust he'd placed in them. Camille and Angela were sandwiching Blondie between them. Harry's sister had kept them both exceedingly occupied with pleasuring her for quite awhile. Camille still was still bemused at the turn her life had taken in just a few short hours. She was seeing that her life was going to be so very different at the Grimes house than it had been with Stan, and although she missed her brother, she had hope that if she told him how wonderful things were here, he'd consider joining her. Angela was once again lost in thoughts of how much she wanted to stay, wanted to belong. She'd sleep outside chained to a stake in the yard if that's what it took, although she smiled to herself as she realized that such a thought would probably not occur to these people, or if it did, it would be as a playful, short-term punishment. Blondie, when she could find a shred of coherence in the chaos her stoned and sexually stimulated mind had become, wondered if anyone in the family realized just how soon dawn would be upon them. ------- With morning came the stir of activity that was taking care of Rachel. Tamara was glad that she'd insisted on being there when Rachel's nurse, Janelle, gave Eddie the short course in seeing to Rachel's needs. He would never have asked her to ... it was a task he was willing to do by himself, but Tamara had had none of that. Rachel was, or would soon be, her sister-in-law, and mentally Tamara never bothered with the '-in-law' ... it was her privilege to help take care of her when she came to visit. The two of them quickly and efficiently got Rachel ready for her day. "Funny how well we work together," Eddie mused. "Isn't is, sir?" Tamara smirked. "That's how it s'posed to be!" Rachel proclaimed, bringing laughter to her brother and his fiancé. ------- "Now Margaret, there's no reason to call first. We'll just wait until a decent time, knowing young folks they won't be up and decent before noon, and then we'll just drop over and spring the surprise on them! Kelly will love it!" Earl Culberson's wife shook her head and set her jaw in a tight line. She was tired from the move, tired from learning the layout of a new house, a task made harder still by the fact that they were not completely unpacked, and she was, for the moment, tired of trying to change the mind of the second, or maybe third, most stubborn Culberson on the planet. Part of any long term relationship, be it marriage or friendship or employee or employer was knowing which fights you could win, and which would just exhaust you to no good end. She resolved to spoil Earl's surprise by calling before they left the house for the short walk to the Grimes home. ------- "Holy Jesus, Mary and Joseph," Tatiana Turov said, stumbling through the bedroom, trying her best not to fall on anyone. "This place looks like a porn shoot gone bad." "Thank you so, so much for sharing that with us," Harry murmured from where he'd buried his head in his pillow. "I couldn't have lived without a crazy woman telling me that at this hour of the morning." "What hour is it?" asked Margo from where she'd slept, curled up on a corner of the massive bed. "11:30," Tattie replied. "And much as I love all you freaks, I have to get back to the house ... but first, I must use your facilities ... all of your facilities." "Honey," Harry mumbled, "did she say 11:30?" "Uh huh," answered Kelly, cuddled up to Margo's back. "Fuuuuuuuuuuck," Harry groaned, "we're supposed to be at Eddie and Tamara's for brunch at noon." The resulting scramble of bodies, all of them bumbling blurs of motion, would have been funny had any of them not been intimately involved in it. Margo managed to get her hands on a cell phone, she wasn't positive whose it was, she thought it might be Kelly's. She squinted at the numbers, but eventually got Eddie on the line. "Eddie ... honey ... we're going to be a little late," Margo crooned into the phone. "Aw, that's fine, sweetie. We got a late start as well," Eddie replied. "What time did y'all get up?" "About five minutes ago. Let us get everybody cleaned and fed and out of the house and we'll be over. Y'all eat without us, but don't make any plans for supper." "Okay ... so, how did last night go?" "Uh ... it was messy ... it was an orgy ... it was..." Eddie heard the insecurity in her voice. "It wasn't as fun as you'd thought it would be?" "Uh ... no ... it was as fun as I'd thought it would be ... I'm just not happy with where my head is this morning." "Be careful what you wish for, Dr. Grimes." "Oh shut up..." she heard someone speaking to Eddie but she couldn't make out who the voice belonged to. "Oh, they had a big party last night," she heard Eddie reply. "They'll be over after they get everything squared away ... no ... NO ... you're right, I don't mean it ... dammit, why do I bother?" "What?" Margo squeaked as she accepted the aspirin Carol offered, chasing them with a healthy gulp of orange juice. "You've got probably ten minutes at best before you have Tamara in your kitchen, whipping up food for all. If I thought any o' you sexual deviates cared, I'd tell you to get dressed, but it ain't gonna bother her if it don't bother you. Oh, and it looks like she's bringing Kim as well." "Eddie, have I told you lately that I love your woman? Wait a minute, I'll tell her when she gets here. We'll be there as soon as we can, Eddie, got to go, another call coming in." Margo picked up the other call. "Good morning, Kelly, " Margaret Culberson said. "Just giving you fair word of warning, we're in town and your asshole father is planning on us dropping in on you as soon as we get out the door." Margo made a strangled noise of despair and panic. "You're not Kelly ... you sound like Margo." "Yeah ... Mama Kissie, please, as you love your daughter, hell, as you love any of us, do NOT let him bring y'all over any moment soon." "Folks not presentable yet?" Margaret asked, her smile evident in her voice. "Uh ... yeah ... lots of folks..." "Good Lord, Margo, how big of a party did you have?" "Kissie, we got dang near fifty people not presentable yet. We're feeding them and getting them out the door, because we have a get-together at Eddie's this afternoon, but it's gonna take awhile. Please..." "Don't worry, I'll think of something ... it may have to involve violence, but I'll think of something." "Uh, Kissie ... what are y'all doing in town?" "You remember I told you we'd be moving into the area? Well, we have ... about four blocks away ... I wanted to tell you, but you know Earl..." "Umm, yes ma'am, I think I'm starting to ... well, it's going to be really, really good to have y'all around ... just not this morning ... uh, this early afternoon. Hmmm, would y'all have any problem with a get-together at Eddie's this afternoon? Rather informal, he finally has his little sister visiting him, she's developmentally challenged and we're just having a low-key, family, 'meet, swim and eat' type party. Trust me, you would be welcome." "All right, if you're sure. And that gives me a way to stall Earl. Can't be popping in while you're trying to get everything together ... but I do want to hear some details about your party." "Uh ... details?" "Not too many, you silly woman," Margaret chuckled, "just enough to satisfy my prurient curiosity." As soon as she'd given Margaret the simple directions to Eddie and Tamara's, she called Eddie to let him know Earl and Margaret were coming as well. "Eddie, please tell me I haven't screwed up?" "Long-legs, you were right, we won't have a problem in the world with them stopping by, they're family for y'all, so they're family for us ... so glad we could help you avoid a big ol' "Earl" catastrophe." "Eddie, we do appreciate it." She looked at the horde of naked and near-naked people in her house. "You really have no idea how much." "Oh, I have an idea," he chuckled. "I've parties with y'all before. How many y'all got over there?" "About fifty." The silence on the other end of the line was long. "Okay," Eddie finally said. "See y'all about, oh, 4:00?" "No, smartass, we should be there about 2:00 ... if I can avoid spending anymore time on the phone." As soon as she'd hung up she yelled, "Kelly, you will not believe what your parents have gone and done!" ------- People were cycling through the bathroom in good order, and thankfully the Grimes household shower was as big as it was. For the first time in its life, its size was necessary. Margo sat on the bidet and watched as Jackie and Lisa moved people in, helped them bathe, made sure they were rinsed completely and moved them out to where Sheila and Helen toweled them off. "No sir," Sheila was telling Hermano, "you do not get to help. House Chorale is handling everything this morning." "Are you sure?" Mistress Dragonaria asked as she was bustled out of the shower into Helen's waiting towel. "We have no problem with helping out, subs and Doms alike." "Dragonaria, trust me," Margo replied, "if we need help, we'll ask. And for a party that's on our schedule in the near future, I'm thinking we'll be asking. For now, be our guests." "Not a problem, you sexy woman," David Wilcox of House St. Paul said as he too exited the shower. He leered at Sheila as she began to towel him off. "Any chance of me availing myself of this lovely creature's charms before I leave?" "Ordinarily, no problem at all," Margo said, sighing, "but we unfortunately have places to go, people to see and things to do that we're already late for. I take it our little party was a success?" "Oh most definitely," Mistress Veronika replied as she stood, slightly bow-legged and obviously sore, waiting for the shower. "I'm not planning on another like it any time soon, as I really do demand recognition as a Domme, but for one evening? It was quite nice to take another role. Ow..." "Well," Margo said as the air-dry cycle on the bidet ran, "it is so good to know our little impromptu soiree was at least moderately successful." She shifted slightly, sore and swollen from the night before. "I do, however, wonder if any of us could survive a more successful party?" "Not bloody likely," Harry groaned from where he soaked in the tub. "Anybody know where I got these claw marks on my back?" "Uh, Harry ... those are my fault," Claudette said, settling herself down on a toilet. She muttered to herself, "I don't know if I'm going to be able to do this.' Margo leaned over, "Simply close your eyes, imagine that none of us are here, no one's watching, it's just you and your bladder." A sigh from Claudette and a beatific expression let Margo know her advice had been useful. When she was finished, Claudette shifted over to the unoccupied of the pair of bidets. "Anything I can do to make up for those wounds, Harry?" "Other than ally your House to ours..." he leered, "well, I can think of some things, but we really don't have the time." Claudette sighed as the warm water gently did its work. "Of course I can't promise anything, but I'm going to give the House a very favorable report ... I don't expect there'll be any trouble with an alliance." "Good to hear," Margo said. A call came from the kitchen. "Harry, need you to perform coffee magic!" As he exited the tub into a waiting towel, Harry looked at the faintly steaming, furiously swirling water wistfully. "I knew that felt too good to last." Then he stumbled towards the kitchen. ------- Tamara and Kim were glad there were footstools and taller people around to follow orders. From her perch at the stove Tamara said, "Can someone find their keys? I need a run to Chickalicious." "What the hell for?" Kelly grumbled as she searched among the tins of coffee beans for the Jamaican Blue Mountain. "Biscuits, silly," Tamara laughed. "We don't have the time to do them from scratch, the oven is full of broiling bacon and Chick's makes the best biscuits around." Kelly's eyes grew wide, and her mouth opened slightly. "Biscuits," she breathed, her face a vision of ecstatic transcendence. She put the tin of coffee beans on the counter. "I'll find my keys." "Get dressed as well," Tamara laughed. "I think you showing up at the window naked might cause a delay in getting your order." "Good idea ... good idea..." Kelly strode out of the kitchen murmuring "I know I had them yesterday..." A few moments later, Harry limped into the kitchen, tying his robe. "Why is my wife hopping around half-dressed, muttering about finding her keys?" He hugged Tamara and went to the coffee grinder. "She's making a biscuit run," Tamara replied, checking the temperature of the griddle. "All right," she yelled, "how many fried, how many scrambled?" "Chickalicious, I presume," Harry said. "Wouldn't send her anywhere else," Tamara replied. "I'll go help her find her keys," Harry said, turning to leave. "Coffee, Harry!" "Right, coffee ... okay, I'll help her find her keys after I make coffee." ------- Mistress Veronika watched the morning's activities with interest. Her crew of subs worked together like a highly disciplined unit ... and she made sure the 'highly disciplined' part was very accurate. The subs, doms and friends of House Chorale seemed to function best in some type of holy chaos, where order was an accident ... or rather appeared to be an accident. ------- By the time Kelly got back with twenty ten-pack's of biscuits, having effectively devastated the local Chickalicious' supply for quite some time, most people had been fed something, and there was more of everything on the way. Harry had both double pot coffee makers going and wasn't managing to keep up with the demand, but everyone who needed some had gotten coffee, just not the second and third cups they'd wanted as soon as they'd wanted them. "Okay, note to self," Margo said as she sat curled up in the living room with Claudette and Veronika, "make sure we increase our serving capacity ... I hardly doubt this will be the last time we have to feed people on such a scale." She turned to her companions. "I'm sorry this is so..." "What are you talking about?" Claudette asked incredulously. "You've managed to pull something off with effectively no preparation that my House would be hard-pressed to do as well with a week's planning." Veronika tried to play nice and not sneer, since she doubted House Evensong could've managed as well with a month's notice, as she said, "True. My people would've needed at least three or four days, most likely five, to do as well. And I can guarantee you they wouldn't have been smiling as much as your crew." "Well, we're generally a happy bunch," Margo replied, preening slightly. "So, I had this idea last night. Maybe it's time for all our allied Houses to have a meeting ... a more business-oriented meeting." ------- Margo stood with her arm around Harry as the last of the party guests went out the door — bathed, fed, hugged and kissed. "I can't believe we managed to get all that handled in an hour and a half," she sighed. "Now to get over to Eddie and Tamara's." "Did you talk to everyone you wanted to about some sort of summit?" Harry asked. "Yes ... we're shooting for Wednesday night at Dominique's. I know it doesn't leave us much time to prepare, but if we're going to do it..." "No fuckin' rest for the wicked," Carol murmured. "No rest indeed," Harry agreed, "now let's go to another party." "I think this one will be far more reserved than the last one," Margo said. "God, I hope so," Kelly said, rubbing her sore bottom. With a laugh, the Grimes household began to prepare for the afternoon at Eddie and Tamara's. ------- Chapter 45 Rachel Janak had been a bright and happy child, sunshine in a blue sun-dress, a bright spot that could shine through any darkness with nothing more than the warmth and innocence of her smile. To almost anyone, from her nurses Janelle and Hector, to Eddie, to Tamara, to the new people she was meeting that afternoon, that bright and happy child, sunshine in a blue swimsuit, was still there, just trapped in a body that had grown into young womanhood, even as her mind had not. While she, Eddie, and Kim's children Kimmy & Timmy floated in the pool under the shade of the backyard's maple trees, Kim and Tamara organized the slow trickle of new people into Rachel's presence, working hard to avoid overwhelming the young woman. Each new person dropped off their towels and such by the folding lawn chairs and went to sit on the edge of the pool, close enough to be introduced and talk with Rachel, but not so close as to make her feel too crowded. Soon everyone from the Grimes household was seated on the edge of the pool, feet and legs dangling into the cool water, talking with Rachel and amongst themselves when Kelly's parents arrived. Margo saw them through the patio windows and went over to their daughter. "Beloved wife of mine," Margo said, "I'm not worried about your mother, but your father ... can be a little loud, I guess." "Sweetheart," Kelly replied, "don't you worry about a thing. Earl Culberson may be able to put the fear of God and Earl Powell Culberson into anyone and anything, but he's never accidentally frightened a child in his life, and he'll have no trouble recognizing Rachel as a child. Now, if he means to, he can scare a child out of years of growth, very easily ... which come to think of it might not bode well for any grandchildren." Harry said, "Darling, don't worry ... he's going to do worse than put the fear of, how did you put it ... the fear of God and Earl into them. He's going to spoil them rotten, every chance he gets, and then leave us to live with the consequences. He's evil that way." "I think you have a very good grip on my father's plan of revenge upon me for the indiscretions of my youth," Kelly replied, "and the indiscretions I have yet to commit." "I'd like to live through our offspring's childhoods, go easy on the future indiscretions, for all our sakes," said Harry. Less than fifteen minutes later, Rachel was riding on the shoulders of 'Missa Ea'l' as happily as if he'd been her brother. ------- Evan, the senior Master of House Evensong, was surprised at Claudette's state as she cruised in much later than anyone had imagined. "You look insufferably pleased with life in general and yourself in particular," he said as Claudette summoned one of the House's subs and requested a fresh pot of coffee. "You would be too, if you'd had the kind of night I had," she replied, her voice suspiciously close to a purr. "All right," he said, "let me get all of us in one place, so you only have to tell it once..." Twenty minutes later, with the Household assembled in the living room, Claudette began her recounting of the evening's events. "Well, as you know, I went to Dominique's last night on behalf of our House, to scout the new kids on the block, and since I called, you know that by the end of the evening my cover was blown by that rat Thad Newton," she said, smiling. "The scouting was a bit more ... interesting ... than we'd planned. First impressions..." ------- There was playing in the pool, and people splashing around, but by far the most popular activity that afternoon was relaxing — not at all surprising given the night the majority of them had had. It seemed everyone at some point ended up being either Rachel's escort, pulling her around the pool in her inner tube, or her pony, carrying her on their shoulders. She laughed, and her laugh was so beautiful that everyone laughed with her. Luckily, she was such a happy person that keeping her laughing wasn't hard at all. ------- The phone inside was ringing as Tamara came out of the bathroom. "Hello, Janak residence..." "Tamara, is that you?" Janelle's voice was high pitched and nervous. "Yes, is there something wrong, Janelle? Rachel's having a lovely time, everything's okay at this end." "Yeah, somethin's wrong all right. We had a new girl on the desk an' she didn't know, Tamara, she didn't know how things are an' how they work an'-" "Janelle, honey, calm down, tell me what happened." "Rachel's daddy came by, and Vanessa, she didn't know the history, and it ain't standard procedure, but he showed her his I.D. an' told her he was Rachel's daddy an' she ... gave him y'all's address." "So I guess he's on his way here as fast as he can go?" "That'd be the way I'd bet, if I were a bettin' woman." Tamara was thinking, and thinking hard. "Janelle, honey, go real easy on Vanessa, it was a mistake, nothing more. Neither Eddie nor I would want anyone getting fired or anything over a simple, little mistake. I'm going to try to handle things on this end, see if maybe we can keep this from blowing up into something nasty." "You sure, Tamara ... I mean, Mr. Janak's where Eddie got his 'scary' from ... an' if he an' Eddie lock horns..." "I'm going to try to keep Eddie out of this ... I have some friends here who can do 'scary' pretty well themselves — but I think we're going to start out with 'nice'." ------- Three sets of smug grins and raised eyebrows greeted Tatiana Turov as she walked into her kitchen shortly after 1:30 that afternoon. "Look what the north wind blew through our door," Vashti said as he sipped his lemonade. "I cannot tell, Vashti, does she look like a well-loved woman?" Svetlana inquired, snickering as she picked up a cookie. "Luck someone ducked," Julie said proudly. As the children laughed, Tattie glared at them and gently corrected Julie's Russian. "Somebody got lucky," she said, before switching to English. "And yes, yes I did..." She remembered that she was dealing with children who had been prostitutes and were therefore very familiar with sex. She added impishly, "More than once, and most delightfully so." "That is well," Vashti said. "You are too youthful and too handsome to be alone." Instead of arguing with him, Tattie admired his growing command of English. ------- "Kissie, I wish you could see her ... really see her," Earl murmured in his wife's ear. "She's a little broken angel and so sweet — I have to say, I'm impressed with how everyone's treating her." "They're good people, Earl, no matter what your hidebound thinking wants to paint them as," Kissie replied, squeezing his arm. "And besides, I saw her well enough. She has a child's natural curiosity and fearlessness — she asked me about my blindness, so I told her. In exchange she let me feel her face most thoroughly. My God, Earl, she would have been devastatingly beautiful, with brains to match unless I miss my guess. God and his plans, I suppose." Earl Culberson didn't have nearly the faith that his wife had, and so he remained carefully silent on the subject of a God that would allow such things to happen to little girls. But he also couldn't deny that his wife was a lot smarter than him, as well as being a better person — maybe she was right and he was wrong ... as he so often was. "Kissie ... there's something else." "Let me guess, Earl ... Kelly?" she replied. "Yeah ... yeah ... baby, she's looking and acting like a wife ... already ... it's scaring me how well she fits with these people." "Earl, they were married when they decided they were — don't tell me you don't remember how that goes," she added sharply. Then her tone softened, "I don't understand it myself, how she can be ... intimate ... with another woman. Not that I find the idea disgusting, I've just never felt even an inkling of the urge ... but she is, all four of them are married to each other and I'm pretty sure it'll take more than you, or me, were I so inclined, or an army to pull them apart." "Marvelous, my daughter is locked for life into a mistake," Earl grumbled. The elbow that tried its hardest to break one of his ribs was not unexpected by Earl, but he was surprised by the vehemence of his wife's voice. "Earl Culberson, you are dangerously close to sleeping alone for quite some time." Rubbing his side, he pushed his misgivings back in his mind and answered, "I'm sorry, dear. I promise I'll behave." "You damn well better," she growled, while patting his arm affectionately. "I don't look forward to celibacy anymore than you do." ------- John Janak pulled up in front of the address he'd been given, ready to rip his son's head off and shit down his neck. He had little doubt that the facility had called Eddie and warned him, he knew he was lucky to get the address as it was. He did hope the little nurse didn't get into too much trouble about it, though. So he was surprised when he saw that Eddie wasn't waiting for him on the front lawn ... instead there were three women — one of them very small and petite, the second merely short in comparison and vaguely Hispanic in appearance and the third, tall and long in the body, limbs and face. He got out of his truck and forced a smile on his face. He would deal with these three as politely as he could before moving on to beat the shit out of his son. Tamara could see the family resemblance as soon as Mr. Janak got out of the truck and fully stood up. Although he'd diminished somewhat due to age and the injury that had ended his working days, underneath that there was still a man who had spent his life doing hard physical labor and whose body still carried much of the strength and power that life had given him. She motioned to Carol and Margot to stay behind, and bravely marched towards him across the lawn, David to his Goliath. "Mr. Janak, my name is Tamara, I'm your son's fiancé," she began. While he and his son had never been close, not since that horrible day when Rachel was hurt, he knew some of Eddie's history through stories from cousins and such. In spite of his resolve to remain civil to the women on the lawn, his fury at his son broke through and aimed itself at the closest target. "So you're the next crazy cunt-" He never saw the slap coming - didn't see the little brown-skinned woman cross the ten feet that separated them, leap into the air and lay her hand across his face, backed by all her strength and all her weight. He merely felt like a boat paddle had broken against his cheek, wielded by an angry giant. John Janak staggered back, shaking his head to clear it and when his eyes refocused he saw Tamara holding on to the arm of her friend, pulling her away from him. He saw the small fireball's hand twitching, and saw the rounded end of a straight razor peeking from her pocket. When his assailant saw that he had shaken off her blow, she twisted out of Tamara's grip almost effortlessly, and marched up to him. "Mr. Janak, you will apologize to my friend, you will keep a civil tongue in your head or so help me God, I will fuck your shit up so bad it'll make the mortician puke." John Janak wasn't stupid and while he had no doubt he'd win a fight with the woman in the end, before that happened she would hurt him badly ... and besides, he had been out of line. "Tamara ... it is Tamara, isn't it?" he asked. The tiny woman nodded. "Tamara, I'm sorry — I shouldn't have said what I did." "Forgiven, Mr. Janak, under one condition ... let's talk," she replied, daring to feel hopeful again. The three women leaned against the side of Mr. Janak's truck; he leaned against the oak tree in the yard. "Mr. Janak, you've already met Carol," Tamara said, motioning to her, "and this is our friend Margo." "Pleased to meet you," he said, trying hard to mean it. "Sir, I'm out here because luckily I'm the one who answered the call from Rays of Sunshine and I have a pretty good idea how things will go if you and Eddie meet right now. I want to avoid that at all costs. "There are several things I have to tell you, and I don't know if they'll make any difference at all, but I have to try, for Eddie's sake ... and yours," Tamara continued. "I don't think you can say anything I need to hear." "Now, now, play nice, Mr. Janak," Carol said, looking at him like she was sizing him up for slaughter. He sighed. "Fine, have your say." "Sir, your son has been paying for his part in the accident, the accident, sir, that hurt your daughter so badly, every day of his life since it happened. I've watched him sleep, I've been awakened by the nightmares that plague him, I've heard him call out her name in the night and I know, know, sir, that he'd do anything in the world to change what happened that day. If God Himself came down right here, today, and told Eddie that he could go back and stop that horrible accident, but it would cost him his life, Eddie would go, leave me behind, leave his friends behind, leave everything behind and do it, without even thinking twice. He'd die, happily, to see Rachel safe. "And I'd let him, because if I didn't, he'd hate me the rest of his life, and rightly so." "You're talking fairytales — there's no changing what happened," Mr. Janak said bitterly. "No sir, no there's not — but now he's finally trying to move on with his life, and let go of that guilt, the guilt that only two people in the entire universe felt he should bear, and that would be you and him. He's trying to get on with his life and make his sister's life happier as well." Mr. Janak started to say something but Tamara rolled right over him. "When we decided to buy a house," she said, "he was so scared of letting Rachel be hurt that he didn't even consider the possibility of having her visit. He'd failed her so terribly once before, that he didn't dare think of it. "But I thought of it ... they love each other, Mr. Janak, they love each other so much it makes me cry. And after I suggested it to him, no house would do but one that we could have her visit, with wider doors ... well, you know what's required for someone with her disabilities, sir. And we found this house that had already been modified to accommodate someone in a similar condition. "Believe me when I tell you sir, this visit means the world to him, and to Rachel as well. We both took lessons from her nurses at Rays of Sunshine on how to take care of Eddie's 'precious angel' — he didn't ask me to, I volunteered because I've come to love her as if she were my own sister. We've done everything we can to make her visit safe and happy." Tamara shook her head. "Speaking of happy, Mr. Janak, come with me if you would." She took him by the hand and led him to the fence on the side of the house. "Now listen, sir, please." John Janak listened. He heard the splashing from the pool, the murmur of conversation, laughter ... and in the mix, laughter he hadn't heard for decades. "Is that ... Rachel?" "Oh yes sir it is," Tamara replied. "She has the most beautiful laugh — angelic, really, just like her. Mr. Janak, we hear it a lot, and love it and cherish it." She looked up at him with pity in her eyes. "When was the last time you heard it, sir?" He slumped against the fence. "Not since the morning before she was hurt..." Tamara knelt down beside him, holding onto his large hand with both of hers. "That's about what I thought ... listen to it, Mr. Janak, enjoy it. I'll let you sit here and think for a bit." The three of them watched him as he sat against the fence. "Think you got through to him," Margo asked. "No," Tamara replied, "but Rachel might." Carol looked up at her wife. "Yo, Lady Longlegs, what were you waiting for back there? Didn't you want to get in on the 'Daddy Janak Slapfest'?" Margo smiled back at Carol. "Yeah, but you had it covered ... you're younger and quicker than I am. I was waiting to see if he was stupid enough to say or do anything to you. I had your back." "Funny," Tamara said, "I was worrying about covering Margo's back since I know Carol can take care of herself." "The Circle of Sisterhood," Carol sighed. "Ain't it wonderful?" "Damn straight," Margo replied. "Darn tootin'," agreed Tamara. John Janak, in spite of all his faults, wasn't stupid, and he wasn't blind. That his son's little fiancé had been willing to stand up to him to prevent the fight that certainly would have happened had he and his son seen each other said a lot about her, all of it good. Plus, she reminded him of his poor Lillian. Tamara was much tinier than Lillian, but still ... he had no problem seeing what his son saw in her. A nice house in a good neighborhood, certainly better than John had ever been able to provide for his family, a woman ready to defend him ... Eddie wasn't doing too badly for himself. And he'd been paying for Rachel's care at Rays of Sunshine for a long time. John Janak had tried over the years, he'd tried very hard, but every time he got close to forgiving his son for Rachel's accident, he saw her lying in her hospital bed like a puppet with its strings cut. Something that terrible had to be someone's fault, it had to be, and since it couldn't be Rachel's, it had to be Eddie's. That said, how could he forgive Eddie? As always, deep in the back of his mind, a tiny voice, quickly silenced, asked "Who put up the rope swing in the first place?" But listening to her laugh ... John could close his eyes and pretend it had never happened, that she was still six - whole, unbroken, and ready to run up to him and give him a hug and a kiss. Tamara stood straight. "Want us to go with you?" Margo asked. "No ... no this I truly do have to do alone. I'll be back, just need to give him something else to think about." She walked to where John Janak sat against the fence, unnoticed tears streaming down his face. She knelt by his side and put her hands on his knees. "Mr. Janak, I need to tell you something else. Something that you'll be the fourth person in the world to know, something that if it could be proven would only exacerbate this whole tragedy, but it's something you do need to know. "I'm sure you remember the attendant who was molesting patients, the one that Rachel's screaming got arrested." "I've never understood why she screamed for my son and not me," Janak interjected bitterly. "Because Eddie is her protector — that's the way you and your wife set things up in her mind. If you or she weren't there, right there, then it was Eddie she was to go to." Tamara paused and took a deep breath. "Mr. Janak, the law let that man go ... your son didn't. That bastard's body will never be found and he'll never hurt anyone else ever again. Eddie can't be prosecuted for the crime. This many years later, that's pretty much a certainty — any evidence is long gone, but at the time, your son risked jail, or being as how this is Texas, the death penalty, to get justice for his sister, and all the other women that man had hurt. Put away your ideas about your son, please, and see him for who he is, what he has done and what he will do if he needs to again. He made one mistake, a mistake anyone could make, a mistake he'd give his life to correct — and forever after he's done his best to atone. I don't know if you're a religious man, but surely even God couldn't ask more penance of Eddie than he's paid." She leaned over and kissed his teary cheek. "Listen to your daughter some more, sir." "So, what was that about?" Carol asked when Tamara returned to join Margo and her, leaning on the truck. Tamara looked at her oldest friend and smiled. "I'm sorry, there are some secrets that aren't mine to share ... but I had to share it with him, he had to know." "And we don't ... that's fair," Margo said. "I think there's something I need to tell him as well." "Give him a bit, all right?" Tamara asked. "I'm trying not to overload him." "No problem," Margo replied, putting her arms around the women on either side of her. "This can take as long as it needs to." In the backyard, Harry and Eddie had noticed that the three women were missing. "Kelly," Harry said, "where'd Carol and Margo get off to?" "And Tamara, did you see where she went?" Eddie added. Kelly smiled. "Guys, they're taking care of some business ... they'll be back when they're done." "Business, huh? I suppose we're not going to be told what it is?" Harry said. "Oh yes sir, you'll be told in due time. Just trust in them that you don't need to know about it right now ... or I'm gonna have to whup both of you." Harry and Eddie looked at each other. "All right, we won't ask any questions," Eddie replied, "just don't hurt us, please?" Kelly gave him a full body hug. "Okay, big guy," she said, "y'all're safe." "Imagine our relief," Eddie replied, earning himself a punch in the shoulder. In the front yard, Margo returned from her talk with Mr. Janak. "Told him about the attempted rape, did you?" Carol asked. "Yes, told him the whole story ... it seemed to give him pause," Margo replied, wiping tears from her cheeks. "God damn it ... I still get tight in the chest when I think about that day, even this many years later." "Some wounds heal, beloved, but the scars are still tight and ugly things," Carol said, kissing her wife on the cheek. "I wonder, should I tell him about 'Jimmy' and 'Paulie's visit with Rick?" "Give him a bit, and then sure, go ahead ... it's hard to dissuade someone of an opinion they've held for decades, and it's about goddamn time he saw Eddie for who he is, not who his father painted him as," Margo replied. John Janak listened to Carol tell him her story, and how Eddie had helped her husband - and John didn't want to think about the news that Harry Grimes, whom he remembered from when Eddie was a teenager, had two wives — rain vengeance upon the man who'd abused her. He began to allow for the possibility that his son had atoned enough for his mistake ... if he even ever needed to atone in the first place. He thought about that, and a lot of other related issues, while he listened to his daughter playing and laughing in the pool. He was brought out of his reverie by Tamara, kneeling beside him. "Mr. Janak, I think it's time you went home and thought about all this for awhile ... but before you go, would you like to see her? We can stand in the kitchen, you'll be able to see her, but she won't be able to see you ... I really don't want her upset today." "Thank you, I'd like that very much ... and yeah, it's time I got going ... as wonderful as hearing her has been, I'm not much good at sitting on the ground for long periods of time anymore." With that he smiled and Tamara saw where Eddie's smile had come from. As they stood in the kitchen, watching Rachel ride on Karen's shoulders as the muscular woman played with her by lunging from one side of the pool to the other, the water washing over Rachel as she screamed in joy, Tamara's hand found her father-in-law's. "Sir, you don't have to forgive Eddie now, some things take time to let go of, time to unlearn ... but if you could, put aside your pain. I promise you, if you walk in to visit Rachel with a smile and laughter, that's exactly what you'll receive in return, just as sure as sunrise. If you can leave that pain at home, for just an hour or so, then get hold of us and we'll arrange for Rachel not to be sedated ... yes sir, they sedate her so she won't be upset by your visit — your pain hurts her that much. She wants to laugh with you so badly, Mr. Janak, she can't help but know you're in pain, and she's told us she wants you to let go of it." "She has?" he asked, his voice shaking. "Yes sir ... she loves you, and she wants you to be as happy as she is. She's accepted what's happened to her, and she's resolved to be happy, to give her stuffed animals to needy children, to shine as brightly as she can and to love everyone she knows. She's a remarkable woman ... please, please sir, give yourself a chance to get to know that woman, and to see her without the veil of agony you've worn since the accident." He squeezed Tamara's hand. "I don't know if my son deserves a woman like you," he said, adding quickly, "I don't know if any man does. "I'll try, Tamara ... and ... I may never be able to deal with my son as you'd like, but I will try ... and I ... welcome to the family." With that he leaned over, kissed her on the top of the head and headed for his truck as quickly as his legs could carry him. ------- An hour and a half later, when Claudette finished and all questions had been answered, the discussion began. In spite of their reputation, the four Doms and eight subs of House Evensong didn't take forever to make decisions. To the surprise of no one present, they reached a consensus to ally with Chorale in less than an hour. ------- "So what if they're Dominique's new darlings?" Dick Laney was stalking through his home, talking to himself and woe be unto the sub, or visiting Dom, who thought his questions were anything but rhetorical. But everyone there knew the long history of Dominique Duvalier's dislike of Laney and his household and the immense satisfaction he'd taken in her having to deal with him and his anyway. Now that had changed and he was none too happy about it. "The scene at Dominique's has always been far too soft core." He conveniently did a little mental dance around the fact that he found the scene at Chains Of Desire to be more hardcore than he really wanted to deal with most of, well, if he were being honest, any of the time. He was also ignoring the fact that he and members of his House regularly put in appearances at Whips & Clips, which made Dominique's look like the edgiest of the edgy. "Imagine a bunch of Dominants taking off their clothes as well as their dignity and playing 'Pirates'! That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard of." The other inhabitants and visitors of House Odessa almost universally thought it sounded like great fun — something they might like to try. But they were certainly wise enough to keep silent as they were all quite sure it was something Dick wouldn't like to try and wouldn't consider fun in the least. "It doesn't matter what they do or who they recruit, we've got the election in the bag." Laney didn't think too hard on some of the promises he'd had to make to get the support to cinch his victory. He didn't quite think of them as 'deals with the devil', but they were certainly deals he hadn't wanted to make. All because of those damn upstart son's-of-bitches in House Chorale and that evil cunt, Minerva Cornelius! ------- Rachel Janak was fascinated by Billy's artificial legs. He graciously allowed her to look closely at them, turning them this way and that so she could see everything about them. Finally, she looked up at Billy and said, "Dind't you 'ike yo' 'ea' 'egs?" Billy laughed, "Oh, my real legs were just fine, darling. But I was in an accident and they were too badly messed up for the doctors to save ... so I lost them." Tears filled Rachel's eyes. "Tha's ho'ib'e! If they was 'ike the 'est of you, they musta been 'ea' nice 'egs." Billy smiled at her. "They were, and I was very sorry to lose them ... but it's okay, I can still get around just fine, with my new ones on or off." He then proceeded to put on a brief demonstration of his skill at walking on his hands, with the stumps swung up and out of the way. Rachel's eyes were wide and still more than a little teary. "Tha's wonde'fu'!" she sighed. Then with the directness of the young she asked, "You got a gi'f'iend?" "Yes," he answered, pointing at Helen McReady sitting a ways off down the side of the pool, "that's her, right there — Helen." "She bette' t'eat you 'ight," Rachel intoned solemnly, "o' I'm'a get Eddie to whup he'!" "Helen treats me very well, little angel." He leaned in close to whisper to her. "She's the first person since my accident that I believe really sees me, and not my artificial legs. That makes her very, very special." Rachel thought about how Eddie and Tamara saw her, not just her broken body, and nodded. "You'e 'ight ... she's ve'y specia'." ------- Both his wife and his sister had come home from the Grimes' house looking like they'd been through the wringer and the stories they told him amused Marcus Hurley to no end. He was sorry he'd missed the orgy, especially given the loveliness of some of the attendees, but someone had needed to look after the kids. He was even more amused when the two of them went to the bedroom all three of them shared, Marcie in their bed, Laurie in hers, claiming extreme exhaustion. Both of their bottoms and cunts were still slightly swollen and red, so he gently lotioned his wife, leaving Laurie to take care of herself. He didn't understand the looks that one simple act evoked — a mischievous and lusty one on his wife's face, and one that he'd have called 'longing' had it occurred on anyone's face but his sister's. Marcus watched the two of them fall asleep and wondered what stories from the orgy they might not have told him. ------- "Good God, Master," Lourdes said, soaking in their tub, "I am so glad you didn't get the action last night that I did." "What?" Stefan Franklin said from the other end of the tub. "Are you asking to be punished?" "Oh no sir ... it's just ... well sir, you'd have a bloody chunk of hamburger for a cock — we women are built with more endurance where such things are concerned, and as tender as I still am, I have plans for that cock later." She shifted in the tub. "Maybe a little later this evening than I thought." ------- Camille Santiago sat on the edge of the pool, trying to read all the interlocking relationships in the large and diverse group of people around her. They were a happy lot, that she had to give them ... in fact, in retrospect, she realized that even with all his money and always getting what he wanted from her and her brother, Stan Carter had never really seemed happy. He was always bitter and cynical, just waiting for the world to kick him. These people ... they seemed to be at peace with themselves and each other. And the big man, Eddie, and his sister — well, Camille didn't think she'd ever seen a brother and sister who loved each other more. Certainly Ramon had never loved her that way. Kelly's father, temporarily free from helping to entertain Rachel, swam over to her. "So you're Harry's new conquest?" he asked, not at all unkindly. "Uh, no sir ... it was Madam Grimes — Margo — that took me." She hid her puzzled look as Earl swam off, shaking his head. ------- The boys, Li Kuan and Puppy were still asleep, which left Minerva Cornelius effectively alone, as Ophelia was spending 'quality' time in a full mask and gag. Having no customers scheduled until that evening, she took a long-stemmed clay pipe she was very fond of and sat out on the balcony, smoking a bowl of weed and sipping a rather pedestrian cup of coffee. Her own short-sightedness and lack of vision dismayed her. She'd thought to win back control of the society — instead the rifts between the two camps were being widened. They'd already grown past 'chasm' and were rapidly approaching 'abyss'. Even if Chorale took leadership, in all probability it would be a fractured and chaotic mess they inherited, with Houses leaving, Houses staying but causing trouble at every turn, possibly some Houses even dissolving as their members split over the whole foofooraw, moving on to other Houses and thereby creating more confusion. She was no longer sure any of it was worth it, and she was most definitely sorry that she'd involved her friends in it ... the Grimes family had come to mean more to her than she'd dreamed possible and they were going through a lot of trouble, and effort, and money — just to fulfill a dream that Madame Cornelius was no longer sure was worth fulfilling. She smoked and thought for a long, long time. ------- Dominique Duvalier had blasted straight through 'envious' to 'insanely jealous' the minute Angela had walked in the doors of the club, staggering like a zombie towards her tiny room in the back. Throwing on a robe, she stalked back to knock on her employee's door. When Angela answered, Dommi said, "Do you want to tell me all about it or do you want to be assigned to the tables of Laney and his allies for the next, oh, six months?" It took Angela a moment to focus on and recognize the teasing smile on her boss' face. "Okay, I'll tell you all about it, Boss ... but the knowing won't make you happy, it'll just make you more sorry that you missed it." ------- Thad Newton, Karg of Karghold Newton, was in his back yard, tossing a baseball back and forth with his son and two daughters. His wife sat by a table under a big umbrellas, sipping iced tea and watching. "Vida," he said to his wife as he fired the ball back to his daughter, Tess, "they want us as allies, openly, and I've agreed — what are your misgivings?" "We're going to hurt their chances — if we really want them to win, we should stay out of sight." "But they want us out in the open, and that's a lot of what I like about them ... their loyalty to friends and allies is more important than winning. And as we discussed, even if they lose, they win." "But I don't want them to achieve some pyrrhic moral victory, Thad ... I want them to crush Laney like a bug, burn his corpse, piss on the ashes, salt the ground, and bury it all underneath ten feet of rebar-reinforced concrete!" Thad looked at his wife, letting a ball thrown by their daughter, Roberta, whiz past him and hit the fence. "I'm sorry, darling ... sometimes I forget that you and he have history." "I'm sorry too, Thad ... in fact of all the men I've been with before you, he's the one I'd avoid like the plague if I had it to do over again. I could've so easily become one of his coterie, another dumb Domme who thinks he actually gives a shit about women..." "All right, I can see your point, and if it were up to me, we'd stay at least somewhat covert in our support. But you know how this works, Vida. We've allied ourselves to a house, under their banner, under their will — and they will us to be out in the open." "I know — I know. It just makes me nervous ... I so want to see Laney humiliated." "Well, I could always beat the shit out of him, strip him naked, take a piss on his head and leave him out in the middle of nowhere." "Thad, you say the sweetest things." Three children, waiting for the game of catch to continue, rolled their eyes as one. ------- "I'd say the get-together is a rousing success," Tamara said, hugging Eddie as they watched Kelly paddle about the pool in an extra-large innertube, Rachel sitting in her lap and laughing as they were splashed by the other attendees. "You're right, it is," Eddie agreed. "Do I want to know what drew you three away for so long?" "Sir, if you ask me I will tell you, but I'd advise you to wait awhile. You do want to know, and I do want to tell you, and I will ... but let's wait a bit, shall we?" "Sounds good to me ... my curiosity can chill until you think it's time." For a moment, Tamara was stunned by the realization of just how completely her love trusted her, but quickly that emotion turned to thankfulness and she just hugged him again, all the tighter. ------- David Wilcox, Master of House St. Paul, sat in a lounger in his living room, dozing in and out as he pretended to watch a football game. In his periodic moments of full wakefulness, he wished he had the energy to go get himself another beer. He wished his submissives were in any kind of shape to get him another beer, but they were asleep on the couch, curled up in each other's arms like children, gently snoring. As he slipped back into a doze, he considered that there were certainly worse reasons to be napping on a Saturday afternoon than an orgy the night before. In fact, almost any other reason would have to be considered worse. He slept with a smile on his face. ------- Master Gregory O'Shaunnesy of House O'Shaunnesy found himself uncharacteristically regretful. From what he'd heard from Mistress Marsh of House Sandalwood when she called earlier, he should've hopped off the fence and allied with House Chorale the night before ... it sounded like it had been a hell of a party, but even before hearing about it, he'd decided to ally with them. He just hadn't wanted to pop up out of nowhere the night before and seem impetuous ... even though he knew Dorothy had talked to Harry about an alliance before. There was a stick up Gregory's ass that everyone, even Gregory, knew and admitted was there ... a formality and sense of 'how things should be done' that frequently got in his way. Luckily, the other Dominants in his household found his other qualities redeeming enough to stay with him. Come hell or high water, he resolved to approach House Chorale the next Friday night and openly ally with them, no matter what else was happening at the time. ------- Veronika ran her violet wand over Four's twitching body. Such electrical play was her favorite way to think and luckily all of her subs enjoyed it. Not that it would've mattered much if they didn't ... they would either live with it or go elsewhere, but it was so much nicer when both sides of the equation balanced out. She was still sore from the night before, but it was a good soreness, pains that came with lovely memories attached, and she wondered if perhaps, just perhaps, in the privacy of their own home, she might enjoy allowing herself to be topped on a semi-regular basis. It had been incredibly ... freeing. ------- Mistress Spyderchylde of House Sandalwood was stretched out on her 'web', a set of suspension restraints that left her completely extended in all directions, unable to move anything, except perhaps her head, side to side, just a little bit. That she'd spent the extra time and money to build it in the shape of a spider web was pure affectation, but none of her playmates ever seemed to mind. It filled one half of her bedroom and had been painted to resemble a web in the morning sunlight, glistening silver in a room primarily done in black and deep purple. She had commandeered the five subs that hadn't accompanied them to Dominique's the night before for her own use that afternoon. While normally that would have raised a fuss among her fellow Dommes, they were all too busy trying to nap off the effects of the night before. As five mouths nibbled all over her body, like baby spiders eating their mother, she strained against the straps and fantasized that one of the mouths on her was Carol's. ------- As the afternoon continued, Rachel began to get tired and cranky, so Eddie took her in, dried her and dressed her for a nap. "Do you want me to tell you a story before you go to sleep?" he asked. Rachel looked around the room, decorated as she liked, in the home of her loving brother and 'sister', and smiled, even as her eyelids were drooping down. "No Eddie ... I a'eady 'ivin' in a fai'yta'e." ------- Harry had headed home early as all the playing around in the pool had his knee throbbing. He'd refused anyone's offer of help, telling them to stay and enjoy the afternoon. He'd just settled into the whirlpool in the bathroom when the house phone rang, and on the answering machine he heard a voice from his past. ------- Russell and Sunny, Dom and sub, spent the afternoon soothing their aching muscles, sore bottoms, and abused cocks with lotions and such while they caught up on the episodes of "America's Next Top Model" they had Tivo-ed. Aside from the periodic sounds of relief or contentment, the only conversation was the occasional "I am so glad we decided to go to the party last night." It seemed they took turns expressing that sentiment, as they seemed to take turns with everything else in their lives. ------- The party began to break up as soon as Rachel had been put down for a nap. Everyone wanted to rinse the chlorine off their bodies and out of their hair and rest a bit before they went out to supper that evening. Margo had called ahead and reserved one of the private rooms at "Chez Bubba's" for 7 that evening, warning them to expect a party of around 20. Everyone was looking forward to it, especially Earl and Kissie, who'd been wanting to go back there again ever since their first visit, when Harry was in the hospital. "Hell," Earl said, "ribs like that are enough to make moving here a good idea, all on their own." Kissie had managed to talk Earl into going straight home instead of stopping by the Grimes house on the way, and she'd only had to threaten him once. ------- Galena had been fighting her anxiety all day, and when she got home, she allowed herself to lose the fight for awhile. Andrea entered Galena's room without knocking and almost got her head bitten off. "Just what the hell do you think you're doing?" Galena had snapped. "My apologies, Mistress ... I wanted to see if you were all right." "Why wouldn't I be?" Andrea looked at her with a kind smile on her face. "Because darling, tomorrow evening is a very special occasion and I can't see any way on this earth that you're not worried about it." Galena dropped her eyes to her lap. "I'm sorry, Andrea ... I didn't mean to be so rude." "Oh don't be, Mistress," Andrea replied, intentionally using her title. "It was indeed improper of me to enter without knocking and I'm more than ready to accept any discipline you see fit to sentence me to ... if spanking me will help Mistress calm down then I gladly offer my bare bottom for the common good." "Uh huh," Galena said, looking at her submissive friend with a raised eyebrow. "I think you've been hanging around certain House Chorale submissives too much. Well, I appreciate your willing sacrifice, but I think your punishment shall be of a different sort. Come here and hold me and tell me it'll all be all right and that there's no way I can screw things up tomorrow evening so badly that they won't like me anymore." "Oh, torture me you cruel bitch," Andrea said with a smile as she moved to comfort her friend. ------- Getting Rachel ready to go was more of a trial than Eddie or Tamara had expected it to be. After her nap, she was once again bright and bubbly, but dealing with her was difficult simply because she was so excited to be going out in public, to eat at a restaurant with all her new friends, somewhere she'd never been before, not that she had been all that many places anyway ... it all added up to much fuss and bother about what to wear and how she looked and was her hair just right. As they helping her try on her third blouse of the ordeal, Eddie asked her, "Schnicklefritz, do you remember the last time you went out to eat?" "Not S'nick'f'itz, 'ache'! An' I do ... you took me to Dai'y Q'een fo' 'unch the day befo'e my accident." Eddie managed to get out of her room before breaking down while Tamara deftly covered for him. When he recovered, he returned to find that Tamara and Kim had helped Rachel decide on a blue and white outfit that looked lovely. "There's my beautiful sister," he said, kissing her cheek as Tamara and Kim went to finish getting ready. "Eddie ... Eddie ... fo' we go, I gotta q'est'un." "What is it, my angelic Ratbottom?" Rachel was so focused she ignored his jibe. "Cou'd I give Bi'y my 'egs?" For a moment Eddie Janak's brain went somewhere that he rapidly realized was damn well inconceivable for his sister. "You mean give Billy your legs?" "Yeah ... I can't use 'em an' if he wo'ked ha'd, he could get 'em whe'e he could wa'k on 'em." Eddie sat down on the coffee table next to his sister in her wheelchair, holding back his tears. "Yeah, you probably could-" "Good, then that's what I'm'a gonna do." "But," he continued, "but ... someday, maybe, they'll be able to fix you, fix your spine, and then you won't have legs yourself." She looked at him sadly, like their roles had been reversed and he was the one with a child-like mind. "Eddie ... I do all my the'apy, an' they got 'ea' good the'apy at 'ays of Sunshine ... I sti' can't move my 'egs." She smiled at him. "Besides, I might need 'em someday — if a mi'ac'e happens — he does need 'em now." "My most special angel," Eddie said, "even if you do decided to offer Billy your legs ... the operations would be expensive, he'd have to be on a lot of medicine so his body wouldn't reject them-" "What you mean, Eddie? My 'egs a'e not good enough for 'im?" "No, no sweetie ... listen, you and I, brother and sister, right?" "'ight..." "If I donated anything to you, there'd be a pretty good chance that your body, not you, just your body, would say 'You know, this part is pretty close to being just like me, but it's still not really me, so I don't want it' — bodies are funny that way, angel." "That's 'cause you'e a boy, silly." Eddie sighed, "No, because if Tamara, who's not related to you by blood, tried to donate something to you, the chances would be even bigger that your body would reject it, so it's not because I'm a boy and you're a girl." Rachel looked at her brother suspiciously, trying to figure out if he was playing a joke on her. "So if you donated your legs to Billy, it's almost certain that his body would be really confused and reject them. That would make Billy very, very sick, and he'd either have to have them removed, or he'd be on a lot of very expensive drugs for the rest of his life to keep fooling his body into thinking they were his legs." Tears were seeping out of Rachel's eyes. "Okay, Eddie ... I jus' thought ... I don't need mine, an' he does." Eddie hugged his sister and stroked her hair. "You are my angel, and I love you very much." ------- Not seeing the need for a limo that evening, it was a large and ragtag convoy of vehicles that left the neighborhood around Garwood Street for Chez Bubba's ... even with carpooling. ------- Chapter 46 The supper was excellent, the company boisterous and it was all many of the attendees could do to curb their language because of Rachel. "So," Karen said, "Harry had gone off and gotten himself invited to one of the Psi Lambda Mu "Moo Call" parties, which were generally acknowledged to be drunken debaucheries almost on a par with what any fraternity would throw. They didn't invite frat boys or other sorority sisters, these were held off campus, generally at some rented place outside the city limits, and had private security, to insure that things didn't get so out of hand that the cops got called. The Psi Mu's loved to party and depending on how their guests, male and female, behaved, they were either guaranteed a warm and happy evening, or the Psi Mu's made examples of them." "Why are you telling this story?" Harry moaned, cradling his head in his hands. Karen reached across the table and patted his head. "Because I so enjoy your shame and cherish it each and every time I see it." She continued, "Now, the Psi Mu's were not dogs, by any stretch of the imagination, but they hardly qualified as 'the beautiful people' either — they were primarily the girls without the looks or connections to get into the one of the big, important, ostentatious sororities, but they still could consider themselves better than the 'dog' houses on campus. Think of them sorta like the Delta Tau Chi's of "Animal House" but much cuter, with better hygiene, and ti- I mean, breasts. "I figured with Harry's luck, he was going to open his mouth and manage to make it on the 'example' list — which could mean anything from him being found naked, shaved and painted pink in the middle of the quad to waking up in a French maid's outfit — and nothing else — in a sister House in Chicago, or Atlanta, or Terra Haute to having embarrassing photos of him and a cow in compromising positions show up all over campus, a particular Psi Mu trademark. "So like the loving and kind friend I am, I headed off to rescue him, or at the very least, make sure he made it home in one piece. "Now the problem with that is that unless you got an invitation, there really wasn't an easy way of finding out where they were holding a 'Moo Call', so I'm running all over campus on a Friday night, trying to find someone, anyone, who'd received an invite but decided not to go. "Finally I get hold of Frannie Zemetski, who was down with a horrible sinus infection, and I made a run to the grocery store for her to pick up some comfort foods and such in exchange for the invite. Fine, two-and-a-half hours after I begin my search, I'm off. "So I'm following the map on the invite, in the dark, and I'm driving down little old country roads that can only dream of pavement, when finally I see this old house, all lit up, and I know I've reached my destination. I wave at the security folks and waltz on in. "Everybody there knows that Harry's there somewhere, but no one is quite sure where, which freaked me out at first because I thought they were being evasive and he was on his way to Portland or already on his "Mr. Bestiality" photo shoot, but after asking around a little more, someone told me that Neela Steiger had hauled him off upstairs." "Please ... please don't go any further?" Harry begged. "So sorry, dear, this train's going all the way to the end of the tracks," Carol said. "C'mon Karen, please continue." "Neela Steiger was a big girl, not the size of Marcie Delgado, but she carried some weight on her, and carried it real well, and had a reputation as a man-eater. "Now I debated just sitting down and enjoying the party, letting things take their course, once I was sure he was going to be made an example, but I was tired and I'd promised myself I'd make sure he got home okay. "I head upstairs and I hear all this giggling coming from the room where I'd been told Neela had set up, so I open the door. After the London-pea-soup fog of bong smoke got through rolling past me, I saw- Harry groaned. "-There's Harry, naked as a jaybird, wearing a party hat, big ol' joint in his mouth, fifth of whiskey in his hand, mostly empty, and he says..." She stopped and gestured to Harry. "It won't go doooooooown," he whined. As her listeners laughed, Karen glanced over to see that Rachel was still occupied with Kim and her children. "And there's Neela and a couple of other girls I didn't know, throwing onion rings at his..." she lowered her voice... "penis. No one had managed to hang a ring on him yet, but there were broken onion rings all over his crotch — I don't think he found all the fried breading till sometime the next day. "Seems that our boy had done his duty by Neela and done it well, brought her off several times, one way and another, but was left with a perfect storm of an erection, too sensitive to die away, too numb to climax ... so they'd made him a party game." Harry's head hit the table with a most audible thump as the laughter rose around him. When it had died down some, Karen concluded. "So I hauled him up, smiled at the girls, grabbed his clothes and said "Time for Mr. Bouncy-Boner to go home" and dragged him out, still naked and covered in crumbs to the car, and thence back to school." As the laughter continued, Harry added, "I got invited to a couple more 'Moo Calls', but I always found a reason I couldn't attend. I liked Neela just fine, thought all of the girls were great, but after the embarrassment of my first party, I didn't want to chance whatever might top it in my own personal hall of shame." "Harry, you selfish bas- you selfish sonovagun," Earl cackled, "depriving us of potential funny stories just to save yourself a shred of dignity!" Harry joined in the laughter, "You're right, Earl, what the hell was I thinking?" The dinner, as festive as it was, wound down early, as Rachel and Tamara needed time to get settled in at Karen & Patricia's. "Eddie," Rachel said as he loaded her into the truck, "tell me why I gotta go to Miss Ka'rn's an' Missy 'T'icia's?" "Darling, it's just for one night ... it..." he remembered his resolve, to never lie to his sister, "it wouldn't be safe for you there tonight, you or Tamara or Kim and her kids ... so I'm making sure you're safe." "If it wouldn't be safe fo' us, why you gonna be the'e?" "To make sure it'll always be safe for you in the future." Rachel thought about that for awhile. "Okay ... but you take ca'e! You get hu't, I'm'a whup you!" "Yes ma'am," Eddie replied, laughing, "I'll be very, very careful, and I'll be over first thing in the morning to collect you and Tamara, and we'll all go somewhere nice for breakfast. Deal?" "Dea'!" ------- "Eddie, have you heard from Nancy lately?" Harry asked as they all sat around, looking at the cards on the table, too nervous to do more than pretend to play. "Nope, haven't heard from her since..." "Since what?" Eddie looked at the clock. "We got time, I reckon. "It was back in the interim between wives six and seven," Eddie began. "Denise had just cleaned me out, I had the truck, my apartment and my clothes, that was about it, and I was trying to build up a life before I got stupid again," he glared at Harry, "which I did, no smart comments from you!" Eddie grinned ruefully and continued, "So Nancy shows up one evening, out of the blue, hadn't seen or heard from her in over two years. Seems she was havin' problems as well, no job, no home ... hell, she'd been livin' outta that ratty Toyota of hers, you remember it, don't you Harry?" "Oh hell yes ... she still had that godawful thing?" "Yeah ... the years 'tween y'all's ... relationship ... and then hadn't been kind to her at all. Anyway, she was trying to get something started, said she had a pretty steady source for smoke, but all her connections had dried up so while she could get it, at a good price, she didn't have access to a distribution network, could I help her out? "Well, I knew a few people-" "Imagine that!" Margo chuckled. "Yeah, Miss ... well, Mrs. Longlegs, imagine that! So I told her I'd talk to some people, she could stay at the apartment with me for as long as it took to get some scratch together ... only one rule. Smoke, maybe a little acid or mescaline, was all she could move while she was at my place. I knew that unless she was moving serious weight, it was unlikely we'd get popped, or if we did ... well, there's a reason to have friends on the force who work narcotics. On the other hand, anything harder in those days, well ... I didn't wanna face a stretch inside. I was finally getting comfortable working as a security specialist and all that would go away with a conviction, even if I didn't end up serving time. "Things seemed to be goin' pretty well for a time, she was making runs to a place out in the hill country somewhere, bringing product back, moving it on to the folks I'd put her in contact with. I was startin' to get a little nest egg of my own built up, I'd straightened up some ... it was nice, ya know, havin' her livin' with me. I mean, nothin' like that, you perverts, she was my cousin, but ... nice ... not bein' alone all the time. "One day I'm cleaning up the apartment-" Gasps of shock rose from those at the table. "Yeah an' fuck y'all too," Eddie grinned. "I'm puttin' some o' her shit back in her room an' I saw somethin' I didn't ever wanna see in my place. Right there, in front o' God an' ever'body, on the floor of her closet is some packages o' powder. I wasn't absolutely sure what kind o' powder it was till I opened it, but once I did open it ... well, I been around enough to know what good ol' Mexican brown heroin looks like. I about pop a gasket right then an' there, 'cause o' all the things I don't want in my goddamn apartment, that shit ranks at the top o' the list ... even higher than my ex-wives, an' that's sayin' somethin'! "So I'm waitin' for her when she comes home, she comes dittyboppin' in without a care in the world, an' I come down on her like the Lord God Jehovah on a pogostick! It gets ugly, I'm yellin', she's screamin', I'm throwin' her shit out the window into the parkin' lot, an' then my li'l cousin got real stupid. She knees me in the nuts, hard as she could ... I drop to my knees. I wasn't expectin' her to get physical, an' that was stupid o' me. I get up off the floor, ragin' mad, an' she's tearin' through what used to be her room, lookin' for her packages. Well that calmed me down considerable ... gave me the giggles ... told her she'd have better luck in the bathroom since I'd flushed it all. She went glory-hole-bugfuck, started threatin' me, 'she had friends, badass friends', ended up stabbin' me in the leg, nothin' too serious, but it got her little blonde butt bounced outta the apartment, along with the rest of the stuff I hadn't gotten around to throwin' out the window earlier. Cops rolled up about the time she got everything loaded into her car ... I'd lived there awhile, through two wives, so they knew me; this wasn't the first time me an' a woman had had screamin' matches. The cops and I'd dealt with each other before. They wanted me to press charges but I refused, told 'em I'd accidentally cut myself on some broken glass ... I never wanted nothin' but good for her ... wasn't about to put her in jail. "That was the last time I seen her. Not a good way to part..." "Yeah, but ... look, I dated her for awhile," Harry said, "she would've gotten caught at some point. She had a blind spot where consequences were concerned. If it sounded good at the time, that was pretty much all she was focusing on." Harry settled back in his chair and downed a slug of coffee. "Back then, she and I hit a lot of private parties and such ... folks knew her or me or both of us for one reason or another, and so we'd get invited. We spent a whole bunch of time in crowded apartments and such, drunk and stoned. Sometimes she'd be selling pot ... and probably some other things as well, I didn't look too closely, but some times she'd start chargin' for the stuff only to end up just giving it away as she got higher and crazier. Thankfully those times weren't all that frequent ... as much as we were smoking, her profit margin was thin anyway. But right there you've got an example of what I'm talking about ... running close to the bone on havin' enough to finance the next package, she's giving it away because it seems like a good idea at the time. "Anyway, this partyin' brought me to the beginnings, and eventually the end, of our break-up. I'd be talking to someone, look up a half-hour later and there'd be no Nancy in sight. No big deal ... until one of my friends would come up and tell me, or drag me over and show me, that she was making out with some other guy. "I'd try to stay cool about it, we never pretended ours was a 'love for the ages', but we were together, and ostensibly monogamous. She'd see I was upset, and then there'd be the apologies and the promises that it'd never happen again, she wasn't really sure how it'd started in the first place, it had just happened. "And it just kept happening. She swore she was happy with me, our sex life was really good — oh deal with it, Eddie," Harry said smiling as he saw his friend clap his hands over his ears. "I found her dry-humping some guy's leg at a party one night, his dick in her hands, his hands up under her shirt and ... well ... I'd had enough. When she caught up with me in the parking lot as I was storming off we had a real brief but very revealing conversation. "Nancy lived her life pretty much on automatic ... heavy on the instant gratification. If she wanted something, she took it. If she could, she'd get someone to give it to her, if she couldn't, she'd buy it, and if she couldn't manage that, she'd steal it. All of that pretty much without thinking about consequences of any sort. Same with the rest of her life ... if it sounded like fun, or a good time, she'd do it, not bothering to think about anything but her desires at that moment. She didn't mean to hurt me, she just had no idea how not to. We parted on okay terms I guess ... once it sank in to me that I'd been seeing this behavior all along, just not recognizing it for what it was, what it said about how she dealt with the world." "So Harry," Eddie said, "why you asking about her now?" "She called me at the house this afternoon, wanted to get back in contact with me ... I'm just wondering how..." "How much of a nightmarish can of worms you could be opening?" Eddie interjected. "Yeah ... exactly." Margo watched her husband's expression, an all-too-characteristic surge of jealousy taking up residence in her mind. She didn't like the idea of women from his past showing up, other than herself, she thought, a smile crossing her face quickly. This 'Nancy' sounded like trouble ... and if indeed she was, Carol would know and tell them so. It still made Margo antsy. ------- Margo stood against the wall in a small alcove off the main hallway, obscured by a coat rack with Eddie's big denim vest and an umbrella hanging from it. They'd only had one shotgun between all three houses, but it held five rounds — three rock salt, and behind them, two loaded with buckshot, just in case things got really ugly. It had been years since she'd been shooting with her father, and she'd never enjoyed it much, but at the end of the day, she figured assholes would be much easier to hit than clay pigeons. "Just about showtime," Harry said softly as they sat in the dark. "Dear God, please don't let us fuck this up." "Interesting prayer, Master Grimes," Li Kuan chuckled. "Do you always pray just to avoid failure, or do you sometimes pray to win?" "Li Kuan, I figure if the Great Whatever does its part by helping us avoid clusterfucks, it's my job to handle the rest." "Hasn't failed all that often, has it, Harry?" Karen said, patting his hand. "Nope, Sappho ... we've been blessed ... and really damn lucky." "Sure enough," she replied, then "Shhh!" Over the sounds of their own breathing, they heard the door to the patio being quietly opened. "Damn," Eddie breathed, "they're good, didn't even hear them pick the lock.' "That's because I made sure it was open," Karen whispered. "Thanks Dyke-asaurus ... well, here we go..." From the cover of the dark of the house behind them, they watched in silence as a group of forms, backlit by the ambient light from the yard, moved slowly into the house. Karen was standing by the switch for the house lights, and holding a halogen spotlight in her other hand. Like her companions, had closed her eyes tightly once all their opponents were in the house, prepping for the surprise. She kicked on the spotlight, sweeping it left to right across the room, her spirits buoyed by the cries of pain and anguish. Then, cutting off the halogen, she flipped on the house lights and she and her friends went to work. It was ugly, short and brutal. Three of their opponents had fallen to their knees, and Eddie's hammer-like fists put them all the way down. Li Kuan whirled her way through two of the others, her knees and feet flying farther off the ground than seemed proper, knocking her adversaries down and then stomping on their delicate bits. Harry was driving another one back, putting body blow after body blow through the man's disorganized defenses while Karen engaged in her favorite opening maneuver — a bull rush into the remaining two, driving them back towards the door by sheer force of mass in motion. As she did so she saw figures moving in the back yard. "Guys, they brought friends, we're so fucked," she said, elbowing one of her targets in the throat, dropping him to his hands and knees, gasping for breath. The other turned to run and made it all of eight feet, right into the arms of the figures in the back yard. A quick thump on the head from a pistol butt, and the eighth and final intruder was down. Karen stood ready to face off with the next group, when one of them said, "Stand down, please? Mr. Philouma sends his regards." Eddie walked out, rubbing his hands together. "Damn that stingles ... not that I don't appreciate the assistance, but I thought I told Nick I didn't want any help tonight." "Oh don't worry sir, we're not here to help so much as to insure no one escaped, and to deliver a warning. We'll be long gone once we're sure you have things well in hand ... excuse me, I have to ask. Stingles?" "Stings and tingles," Eddie replied, grinning. Margo walked out with the shotgun in the crook of her arm. "Li Kuan's securing the others, let's drag this son-of-a-bitch back in, let her take care of him." The four friends faced the intruders as they lay or sat on the floor. Nick Philouma's men stood behind the bound men in the patio door. "All right you slimy little fucks, my name is Al Donetti," one of them said. "I am a personal assistant to Nick Philouma. You sing the song these people tell you to sing, you do your time in county, and you get out of town. Mr. Philouma don't want you nowhere near here for the rest of your lives. Go be cockroaches some-the-fuck-where else. You do that, we're all good and everybody's happy. You don't, you will have an accident, I guaran-fuckin'-tee it. The kind that you don't walk away from. Got me?" There were general groans of agreement from the men on the floor. "Good, now you shitheads listen up to the nice people who wouldn't let us kill you, all right?" Al smiled, "Good to see you again, Mr. Grimes ... or was that Mr. Evans?" "Call me Harry, Al, good to see you again as well — and thanks for your assistance." "Eh, you didn't need it, you was doin' just fine. Tell little Carol I said hi. I figure you're about to call 911, so we'll be on our way." He looked back at the men on the floor. "Remember what I said boys, for your own good." By the time the police arrived, all the intruders were all singing the same song. They'd come to burglarize the house, had run into a late night card game and got the shit beaten out of them. They would plead guilty to whatever the police threw at them, do their time and leave the area. "Mr. Janak," Officer McCallum said, "I'll need you all to come down to the station tomorrow to give your statements." He paused, "I wonder how a group of burglars, especially this large, missed the fact that you and your friends were here in the kitchen playing cards." "They're just congenitally stupid, I reckon," Eddie replied. "If you don't mind, we've got plans tomorrow morning, so we're going to come in and give our statements tonight. Been a while since I said hello to Farnsworth anyway." "You know our sergeant?" "Oh yeah, him and me been shitfaced together plenty o' times. You go ahead and radio in when you got these boys in your squad cars, tell him Eddie's comin' in to give him a raft of shit." "Will do, sir." Three hours later saw everyone on their ways home. "You know," Karen said, "after all the worry, that seemed a bit anti-climatic." Li Kuan smiled at her as she said, "Mistress Pinard, a well-executed plan often has that effect ... and looking at the size and strength of some of those men, I'm rather happy with that outcome." "Aw, c'mon," Eddie teased, "you weren't worried, were you?" She looked at him coolly, her eyes like seas of dark ice. "Not about myself ... the rest of you — a little." She turned to smile at Harry. "Much as I admire Master Grimes, he has no illusions about his abilities - thankfully Mistress Pinard is quite formidable and Madam Grimes was well-armed ... you, however..." she teased, turning back to Eddie. "Anytime, anywhere, Li Kuan," he replied, grinning. "Sometime, somewhere," she answered. ------- Eddie watched his fiancé and sister sleeping in the guest room that had started out as Galena's, before she effectively moved in with Andrea. "Makes you all weepy, but in a good way, doesn't it?" asked Karen from behind him. "Yeah, Dyke ... pretty much every time I see them it's a toss-up as to whether I'm gonna pinch myself to see if I'm dreaming, or break down and bawl like a baby. The nice thing for the rest of you is I'm so damn fond of pinchin' myself." She put her arm over her friend's shoulder, stretching a bit to do so. "Love you, Neanderthal." "Love you, Dyke-asaurus," he replied. ------- A long day, followed by a long night, and another long day after that had taken their toll on Harry and Margo. While the rest of their household had caught naps in the early part of the night, they'd been awake the whole time and it showed in every leaden step as they made their way home. Walking in the front door about 7, they saw Kimmy and Timmy curled up in a nest of pillows and blankets, dead to the world, with no sign of their mother. They quietly stepped through the living room, opened the bedroom door and saw, lit by a wealth of candles, their wives, their family and their submissives, kneeling in a line in front of the bed. Only Billy, per Harry's instructions, was standing, but with his head bowed and his eyes averted. Carol, Kelly, Nicki, Jackie, Lisa, Sheila, Camille and Kim — naked, with arms crossed before them. "Guys, we're really too tired to-" Margo began. Carol jumped to her feet. "Madam, Master, now that you're home, let me get you something light to eat and drink before bed. I'll bring it to you in the bath that Kelly will be drawing for you. Anything else you wish, you need merely ask." Harry and Margo looked wistfully at the bed, then at each other. "All right, Baby Girl, you go get us something to eat," Harry said. "Kelly, make with the bath — hot, but not scalding. The rest of you ... I don't know, prepare to massage when we get out." "Yes Master," they all replied in unison. It had been 8 by the time they went face down and crashed, massaged even while they fell into sleep by many sets of willing hands. When Harry's left eye opened hours later, he could see the bright red numerals on the bedside clock: 5:15. He would have been just fine with that, had it not been Sunday evening, when they all had a date with Galena. He looked down at the body snuggled up to him, between him and the edge of the bed. His sister looked back at him, quite obviously wide awake. "Afternoon, love," she said. A hand from behind him reached around and began to gently rub his arm. "How are you doing, sir?" Camille asked. "If I know my wife, she'll be wanting me to start coffee," he replied. "Y'all let me out of bed; I need to hit the bathroom." "Sir," Camille answered from behind him, "we're under strict orders not to let you out of the bedroom-bathroom area without you having a screaming orgasm." Nicki added, "But as I know you must go facilitate, I'll move and let you do that." She did so and Harry swung around and sat up on the edge of the bed. Enough brain cells had come online that he noticed the rhythmic vibration of the bed. He turned and saw Margo on her back with her butt up on pillows, Lisa driving a vibrating dildo in and out of her ass in time with Billy's thrusts as he rode atop her, alternating burying himself deep in her cunt and pulling himself almost all the way out of her. Margo looked over at her husband and smiled for a second or two, before another orgasm ripped through her body and she returned her attention to what was being done to her. "I see Madam has been awake for awhile," he said, scratching the scar on his back as he stood up. "Yes sir," Nicki replied as she took his arm. "We hope she didn't disturb you?" "No, not at all ... if not for the need to pee, I'd still be in dreamland. Have you two been with me all day?" "No sir," his sister answered. "The whole crew's been taking turns and no one's been left out of the rotation on either side ... we got some lovely pictures of you asleep with Billy's hard-on in the crack of your ass. We're going to have them framed for Karen." Harry laughed to himself as he finally reached the toilet. "Make sure you put copies in the family album as well." He sat down and relaxed, feeling his bladder sigh in relief. He had no problem with the fact that their male sub obviously found him attractive, something that would have surprised him no end even five months previously. "Why am I not to be allowed out of the bedroom without an orgasm?" Nicki replied, "Well, sir, you've earned it, if nothing else. But most importantly, Carol wants to be sure the edge is knocked off before tonight. Wouldn't be very auspicious for you to ram it home into that sweet young thing y'all're taking tonight and have you spurt in two strokes." "Oh, why not," Harry said, shifting over to the bidet while he flushed the toilet behind him. "It would be a perfectly normal part of losing one's virginity." "Yes sir," Nicki answered, "but apparently there should be nothing normal or mundane about this evening, if Carol has her way." Warm water sluiced across his genitalia. "Good point ... well, who gets the duty, you or Camille?" he asked, as the water finished its work. It was followed by warm air, back and forth. He wondered how he'd ever lived without a bidet. "Well, I want it, brother of mine, but we flipped for it and Camille won, fair and square." "You didn't cheat ... imagine my surprise and dismay," Harry said as the warm air turned off and he headed for the sink. "Don't worry, I've got a special part to play later tonight ... a part I'm looking forward to a lot." "You're effil," Harry said through a mouth full of toothpaste. "Parft of what I loff about chu." Spitting out the toothpaste and following it with a rinse of water, then mouthwash, splashed water over his face and headed back to the bedroom to fulfill his pet's wishes. ------- After arriving at the house, Galena Pessino was terrified. It wasn't anything in particular, but the whole situation was scaring her, and she was unable to stop her body from trembling. Carol had come out and told them that things weren't quite ready yet, so Andrea sat in the Grimes' living room with her and held her. "Honey, it'll be okay ... first times aren't like this for everyone, but for a lot of folks, men and women alike, they're very much the same." Galena stammered something unintelligible. "Really, trust me," Andrea replied, "this is a lot smarter and a lot easier than most other ways you could have decided to cross this Rubicon. You know the people in that room love you, and trust you, and think very highly of you. You know they're not going to ... well, fuck you and tell everybody at school what a cheap slut you are or anything like that." At that Galena smiled and made a sound that might have been a chuckle. "Truly Galena, you're going to be okay. I imagine part of the problem is that this isn't going to happen anywhere near the way such things normally do. It's not like y'all've been dating, and slowly progressing through first, second and third bases, all that other bullshit." Galena made a strangled sound, something akin to a choking whimper. "Not sure ... go through with it." Andrea took Galena's face in her hands and turned her so they were face-to-face. "Honey, just give me the ... well, give me the whimper, and I'll go in there and tell them it's off, or delayed, or whatever." For the first time in quite some time, Galena managed coherence. "No, no ... I'm going through with it." "Okay darling ... I was starting to worry. You've been pretty much speechless most of the afternoon." Andrea reached over Galena's body and pulled up a bottle of massage oil. "Look what I found. Take off your clothes, sweetie." She opened it, pouring some in her hand as the scent of roses filled the room. "Lay down on your stomach, Mistress, let's get you a little more relaxed the old-fashioned way. They'll let us know when they're ready for you." Andrea began to work the oil into Galena's back and shoulders, trying hard not to start rubbing her Mistress' ass and thighs. "All right sweetie, just lay back, close your eyes and try to relax. Let me take care of everything." Galena did as Andrea bid her. She knew she was making the whole situation far more stressful than it needed to be, but she'd been raised believing that losing her virginity, her first time with a man, was a big event. She was more than intelligent enough to realize that her religious upbringing and her culture's mores where virginity was concerned had had a huge influence on her thinking, and that not everyone was raised with the same mental and emotional filters, but still it felt like she was somehow betraying her upbringing by going about this as she was. As her muscles began to relax and the tension slowly seeped from her, she sighed and realized that perhaps that wasn't such a bad thing. She thought back to when she'd developed a crush on Harry, four years before, a crush that had only faded because Harry himself had faded, and how it had come roaring back into her mind as Carol came into his life, bringing him back from the dead. She thought about how she quivered with the thought of burying her head between Margo's thighs, how much she longed to suckle at Kelly's ebony nipples, how she wanted to just lick Carol everywhere. She sighed. After tonight, she could make Andrea hers, spend the time with her the way she so wanted to. It had been so hard to wait, so hard to be good — now she was on the edge of not having to restrain herself any longer. She felt like a chrysalis, about to burst open and give birth to butterfly, and in the final fleeting moments before her transformation, she wondered if she wouldn't somehow end up missing the safety of her cocoon. "So, we ready?" Margo asked, nervously. "I just peeked out the door," Sheila said. "Andrea's giving her a massage ... the living room smells heavenly." "Yeah ... rose-scented oil — amazing how popular that is in this house," Harry chuckled. "Okay, sounds like Jackie's got the tub ready. Let's do this." Carol came out, helped Andrea to her feet and silently turned Galena over on to her back. The young girl's body was still developing, hips beginning to manifest a generous swell, breasts already past the 'handful' size, not yet through growing. The mound of pubic hair between her legs would need quite a trim to make it 'fashionable', but Carol thought it looked just perfect the way it was. Galena was going to have her mother's ass, full and round — in fact, given some time to develop, Carol was pretty sure that Galena and Camille would be able to pass for sisters ... or at least cousins. Of course, Galena and Carol herself could pass for cousins as well. Thank heaven she'd found people that liked beautiful brown women ... thinking of Kelly and Chatsirree, she amended that to thanking heaven she'd found people that liked women of any color. Hmm ... Asian ... she might have to see about acquiring a lovely Asian woman more amenable to playtime than Kim. She pulled her attention back to the task at hand. Pulling Galena up off the floor, she saw Andrea start to walk away. "Slave," she said, "attend your Mistress." Andrea, who'd not been looking forward to being left out of the evening's festivities, answered with a demure but joyful, "Yes, Mistress Carol." She followed behind them as Carol led Galena to the bathroom, restraining herself from skipping by only the narrowest margin. Carol helped Galena up and into the tub where Margo, Kelly and Harry were waiting. Normally Galena might not have required such assistance, but the poor girl's legs were visibly shaking. Margo reached out, and pulled Galena into her lap. "Sweetie, really, it's all right ... relax. Remember that at any point in the evening, you can call a halt, and we'll back off immediately ... although it would probably be better if you had a safe word, something not normally used in conversation, to let us know you really mean it as opposed to the old "don't ... stop ... don't ... stop ... don't stop" routine." "Patagonia," Galena squeaked. "That's my word. Patagonia." "Good word," Harry mused. "Not likely to come up in many conversations around the house period, much less when we're in bed." Carol had climbed into the tub and Galena found herself surrounded. For a moment a feeling of tightness flashed across her body, but then she took a deep breath and tried her best to relax. Outside the tub were the rest of the family and their submissives ... and her own submissive as well. Already Galena felt a surge of pride, responsibility and ownership as she looked at Andrea, kneeling and smiling. "Okay, first step," Kelly began, "is to learn how to relax when surrounded by people. Your little brown ass is going to be exposed to a lot of folks, and you'll be performing at Dominique's in front of even more, so start thinking in terms that allow you to cope with that. For me, well hell, I revel in it, being watched turns me on." "For me," Margo interjected, "I pretend they're not there, just long enough for my head to get into the right place — then, I'm more than okay with them being there..." She looked around at her spouses nervously. "Except when I'm not." The other three reached out and stroked Margo, touching her gently. "For me," Carol continued, "it's a whole different headspace. They can be there or not, makes little difference to me — my only consideration is what service am I to perform." Galena looked around at the seven sets of eyes watching her from outside the tub. Andrea, then Jackie, Lisa, Sheila, Billy, Camille and finally Nicki ... she jerked her head around to find Margo holding a breast up towards her face. "Relax, little one," Margo sighed as Galena shifted slightly and began to lick and kiss her nipple. "You just ... umm ... worry about what's going on in this tub, and let everything out there take care of itself." Galena couldn't have told, or cared less, who it was who first moved in closer to her and Margo, or who was second, or who was third. All she knew was that before she had time to tense up again, she was in the loving arms of not one of her friends, but all four of them; caressing, stroking, massaging, fondling, lightly tickling, petting her, making her feel that for those moments, she was the center of the entire universe. They memorized her body with their hands, running them everywhere, touching everything, and as she sank into the experience she began to do the same — first Margo, as she was still facing her, then on to Harry, then Kelly and at last Carol. The tub had become a grope-fest and there seemed to be no reason for it ever to end ... except for the growing need in her in her cunt, a need that wasn't going to be easily fulfilled in a four person tangle. "I ... want ... to ... fuck ... now..." she panted. Margo grinned at her. "It's good to want things, provides impetus to action. So let's get out of the tub, let these willing hands dry us, and we'll move to the bed." As the five of them were enfolded in huge white towels that were gently maneuvered everywhere, into every crook and cranny, Harry said, "Would you like something to drink, dear?" "Uh..." Galena stammered, "I might like ... a rum ... and coke?" Kelly chuckled, "Don't worry girl, with all that's going to happen to you tonight, underage drinking is the least of our worries. Camille, Cuba Libre for the young lady ... make it medium strength. Jackie, load the hookah." "Will you be wanting the absinthe at some point in the evening?" Lisa asked. "Probably..." Margo answered. "We'll have some on the back porch later." "Back porch?" Galena said, her voice hitting its upper registers again. "Honey, you've already smoked dope and played with your sub on the front porch, skinny-dipped in the back yard during the day," Kelly replied, laughing. "What's the big deal?" "Uh ... then it was ... daring ... forbidden ... not something you just did whenever you felt like it." "Welcome to the privileges of playing here," Harry said. "It is something to be done whenever we feel like it. Just wait till you're getting fucked in front of Madam Cornelius and her House on her balcony in broad daylight." "Eep?" He grinned at her lewdly. "Oh yes, little Mistress, that's definitely on my schedule." All of a sudden, Galena found herself incredibly tense again. A half hour later, all that tenseness had drained away. She had two drinks in her, had hit the hookah with the family through two bowls, and was sitting in the middle of a circle again, swaying slightly. "Any urge to visit Patagonia?" Margo asked. "Un uh ... not even Venezuela," she giggled. "I'm good right where I am." "Good ... now, time to put on more oil like the oil we just washed away," Carol said. The five of them lay on their stomachs, on the glorious bed that was so large each of them could have their own masseuse and things still weren't too crowded, and drifted along, quietly talking while their servants anointed them, working the oil into their skin evenly all over their backs, before gently prodding them to turn over and beginning the process again on their fronts. In a lull in the conversation, Galena's mind wandered to the flip side of her current situation. The perks and benefits were great ... but she'd have to pay for them with hard work, and responsibility, and worry, and, she was very sure, hard decisions down the road. These people gave themselves to others willingly, but not without a cost that had to be paid to uphold the contract. Her mind seized for a moment on the possibility that she, and the rest of the House that had sworn to help her, would lead Andrea to make a bad decision — she could imagine the reproach in her friend's eyes, and felt for a moment like screaming "PATAGONIA!" at the top of her lungs. Carol, ever the witch woman, looked over at her and said, "Baby, people make mistakes all the time. The way you gauge success is by why you make them and how you correct them. You're going to make them, people will get hurt, but it'll all be okay in the end." "Remember," Harry continued, "there's nothing so broken that it can't be fixed." "No matter how much effort that fixing might take," Kelly added. "Or how many tears you shed while doing so," Margo finished. Strangely, Galena found herself comforted, and looked over to see Lisa massaging Harry's cock with her breasts. "That looks therapeutic," she said, smiling. "Darlin', if you had a cock, you'd understand just how wonderful it is," Harry replied. "Sounds about right," Galena fired back, "mind if I borrow yours?" And with that she rolled over, was up on her knees and lowering herself on his erection before she knew what she was doing. In an instant, he was all the way inside her and she lay on his chest, just breathing in the scent of the oil, and Harry underneath it, as submissives scattered off the bed and his wives moved in close around them. As one hand stroked her hair and the other her arm, she murmured "You know I've had a crush on you for years?" "No sweetie, I can honestly say I never noticed." "Good, that means I hid it well..." she paused, wondering if she wanted to ask the next question that had come to her mind. "Did you ever think about me?" she forced out, praying she hadn't made a fool of herself. "No ... I don't make a habit of drooling over little girls, especially ones whose mother has been my family housekeeper for years and years." Her heart sank, which she knew was silly, he was a grown man surrounded by beautiful grown women. "Until," he continued, "I saw you naked for the first time." He chuckled and she found she liked it as it rumbled through his chest beneath her. "That was a revelation ... you weren't little Galena anymore ... you were a young woman — a very sexy one, for all your silly attempts to get where you are right now. After that first time, not knowing if I'd ever have you or not, I looked at you as a desirable woman." She breathed easier, and very tentatively began to move up and down on his cock. "Good girl ... I'm going to let you take it at your speed, until you're sure you're ready for me to start moving. No need to rush, no need to worry — we've got all night if we want it." "What about work and school tomorrow?" she asked, sitting upright in surprise. "Honey," Carol said, "he's one of the bosses, and you're in a household full of people who'll gladly write you an excuse." "Including a doctor," Margo added, "although if I have to write an excuse for you, there will be a most thorough examination of every delectable inch of you." Galena giggled and then lowered herself back down to Harry's chest, returning to her slow slide, back and forth, back and forth. The next thirty minutes were somewhat lost to Galena in a slow-motion tide of sensuality. She held herself in check, kept her passion in check, and was rewarded with small orgasms that seemed to slowly batter her mind to a place where thought was an annoying thing for some other time — she was too busy feeling, too busy acting and reacting. Without being aware of exactly when it happened, she was sitting upright, her arms wrapped around Kelly, as the beautiful black woman's were wrapped around her. They were deep inside each other's mouths, tongues slowly exploring, while Kelly ground her cunt on Harry's face. Her eyes glanced around as she and Kelly tongue-fucked each other to see Margo sipping her drink with Nicki's head in her crotch. Harry's arms and hands were wrapped around Kelly's thighs, hanging on for dear life. At some point Carol snuggled up behind her — at first Galena thought it was sexual, but then realized that Carol was sitting on Harry's legs to keep him still — he was fighting to raise his knees, dig in for traction and start fucking her back, almost assuredly harder and faster than she screwing him. Eventually, in the fullness of time and her desire, the idea seemed a good one and she rolled off, feeling her lover literally pop out of her tight cunt. She had heard of a position in her talks with Carol that sounded too delicious not to try, so she looked over to Margo and without thinking said, "Hold me, Big Mama?" The world sped up around her, people moving faster than her eyes wanted to follow and she found herself in Margo's lap, arms interlocked, Margo's legs over hers, stretching her wide, holding her open and exposed as Harry got up on his hands and knees, crawling towards her. "Hydrotherapy tonight before bed," he said, laughing, and she laughed with him even though she wasn't quite sure exactly what he meant or why he said it. He slid into her, delightful, wonderful stretching feeling, and began to piston in and out of her, ever so slowly accelerating, keeping his breaths even and deep. As someone's arm snuck in beneath him, bearing a gel-covered finger that began to probe at her sphincter, she heard Harry say, "I'm real glad my brilliant wife had me take the edge off earlier." Again, she didn't understand it, but as the tiny digit invaded her bowels, she found she didn't care, and that coherent speech was far too much trouble. The orgasms came, rolling over her one after another, Harry thrusting in and out, the finger or was it fingers, thrusting in and out, Margo whispering obscenities in her ear that sent charges straight to her cunt, even though she couldn't remember them a second after they hit her brain. She strained against Margo's imprisoning limbs, her only vocalization a series of short, sharp yips, like some annoying terrier, sensations like she'd never dreamed of pounding through her, every breath she took seeming to accompany another climax and then the world went away, leaving her behind in the darkness, and as she was happy there, and at peace. "Howdy sweetheart, you have a nice nap?" Kelly asked as Galena's eyelids fluttered open. "How long?" she croaked. "Not long, sweetie, not long. Here, drink this," Kelly replied as she handed Galena a sports bottle of fluid. A long sip and a gulp later, Galena lay back on the bed and sighed. "Damn, so that's what all the fuss is about." "That's part of it, sure enough," Carol said, crawling over. "How you doing, baby?" "Hmm ... hard to tell." Galena stretched, crossed her legs, and moved her head from side to side. Then she looked over to see Harry, propped up on pillows while Jackie massaged his leg, and Lisa's head bobbed up and down on his cock. "I think that beautiful big-breasted slave has stolen my spot," Galena said, chuckling. She rolled over to her hands and knees and got a first inkling of how sore she would be the next day due to her struggles with Margo. "Damn ... Lisa, get away from that dick ... gimme a minute ... I'll be there." "You sure you're up for this? Margo asked, coming back from the bathroom. "You don't have to shoot for the moon your first night out, there's plenty of time." "True, and Lisa's a damn fine cocksucker," Harry added, grinning at her. "Why Master Grimes," Galena replied, crawling ever closer, "are you implying that I won't be?" "No honey, I'm implying it's a learned skill. You may show incredible natural aptitude, as you certainly did earlier tonight, but in general, smoking pole is something you learn to do well, just like cunnilingus. You have to work at it, some people longer than others," he said, smirking at Kelly, who shot him the finger, "before you gain anything beyond competence." Galena crawled up beside him, and he wrapped his arm around her and held her close. "Why Master Grimes, are you saying you don't want me to suck your dick?" she asked, coquettishly. "No, not saying that at all, just saying there's time if you don't feel like rushing." "Not rushing at all, just having fun," Galena said, shifting down his body and bumping Lisa. "Move aside, bitch ... but not too far, I'll need you to help tutor me." Margo watched with joy as the whole of the household, including Billy, gave Galena advice and instruction. Harry was laughing through most of the experience, although his dick never flagged, even when Billy pushed Galena off his cock and demonstrated the twirling motion he'd been describing to her on the upstroke. After a few bobs of the head, Galena pushed him away and went back to work, mastering the move Billy had showed her, and Margo smiled in satisfaction. Harry might never be able to give Billy the attention he craved in the same way he craved it, but her husband wasn't going to treat Billy any differently, no matter what. That made her happy. "I tell you what," Harry said, "you want me to cum, little girl? We'll get you rigged out and you can pop another of your cherries tonight. I made love to you, you can return the favor." "You mean ... you want me to..." Galena stammered. "But what if I hurt you?" "Honey, you've had my dick in your mouth for the last twenty minutes, off and on. You haven't hurt me yet, and you're in a room full of experts on how to do what you'll be doing." In the half-hour it took to rig the straps and chains, everyone had several more hits off the water pipe and plenty of water. Bathroom trips were made by all and sundry and Galena learned to appreciate the bidet for a whole other function. She returned feeling much fresher and cleaner than when she'd gone in. The women showed her how to attach the harness, how to choose the right dildo for the right job, and she watched in fascination as Harry took his place the rig. He hung suspended over the bed face down, enough room below him for Nicki to slide in and take his cock in her mouth. Sheila applied great gobs of lubricating gel to his ass, inside and out, and Margo helped Galena take her position, and slowly, carefully, penetrate his bottom. Holding his hips with her hands, the raised nubs inside the harness stimulating her in all the right spots, Galena began to fuck Harry, timidly at first, but stroking deeper and faster under his encouragement, until finally he said in a strangled voice, "Stop!" She halted in place as he shook, muscle tremors running through his limbs like wind over grass. She was terrified she'd hurt him. "Harry, are you all right? Are you okay?" Laughter erupted around her. "Oh hell, honey, he's fine," Jackie said. "He's just blowing his load down his sister's throat." For a moment Galena didn't understand, and then it sank in. "Why'd he have me stop?" "I ... didn't ... want you to ... distract me ... some orgasms ... should be ... enjoyed ... without ... anything ... taking your attention ... away from them." "So I did okay?" "Oh honey ... you did better ... than okay..." Harry sighed. Nicki crawled out from under him, licking the last bits of cum from around her mouth. "Oh yeah, girl, you did much better than okay ... I thought he was gonna drown me." "Not much chance of that," Kelly quipped. "You drink cum like you drink bourbon — straight, fast, and in great quantities!" As everyone laughed, Harry added, "And with superior skill, as well." "I'll have to take your word on that, Harry," Kelly replied. "Well take mine as well," Billy said. "Mistress Nicki is most adept." "Thank you, thank you," Nicki announced, "I'm just happy to be here and happy to help." And after all the effort to rig Harry up, a mere twenty minute's fun and the subs were taking the chains and straps down again, while the Grimes family and Galena lounged on the bed and played tickle games with each other. As the house staff cleaned participant and equipment alike, Galena remembered another one of Carol's stories. "I find myself feeling a little on edge," she said. "Harry came before I could get off ... where's that little cookie-selling slut? Come eat me, work on your cunt-licking merit badge!" Sheila popped up from the side of the bed where she'd been collecting towels. "Yes ma'am." She hopped up and planted her face in Galena's crotch, throwing the young woman's legs over her shoulders. Nicki sighed happily, "She's already got that merit badge, several times over, Mistress Galena. I give her plenty of time to practice, almost every day." Andrea stood by the side of the bed, looking forlorn. "Mistress?" she said, her voice despondent. Galena motioned her over and held her in her arms. She whispered in her ear, "You're my only sub, you're my first servant, you're my favorite slave." "Then why is she between your legs?" Margo leaned up to watch with interest. "Because that's the way I want it, Andrea, and it's my decision to make. Now quit sulking and behave, or I'll have them set up the stocks and I'll give you a whipping." Andrea forced a smile onto her face and began to suck Galena's tit. "Oh honey," Margo said, "you're going to do just fine." The rest of the night was play and experimentation, and every cherry Galena had was popped save one. Even after the delightful experience of Carol's fingers up her bottom, she wasn't' quite ready for anal sex yet, which everyone assured her was fine. She licked pussy, she gave Carol a rim job that left her gasping — as the night was drawing to a close she even tried valiantly to swallow Harry's load, ending up spraying it out the sides of her mouth. Her face was quickly, and most erotically, cleaned by Jackie and Lisa, and while she didn't care for the taste in particular, the whole experience was enough to have her willing to do it again. Around 2 in the morning, they were all sitting on the back porch, sipping absinthe and hitting the hookah. "So young woman," Kelly said as she lay with her head between Galena's thighs. "Has it been everything you'd hoped?" "All that and more," Galena replied, running her hands over Kelly's breasts. She watched the faces of her lovers, her friends, and the submissives she shared responsibility for, as well as her own slave, highlighted by the flickering flame as another sugar cube was burned over another cup of absinthe. It was a good night. "Oh," Carol said, sitting upright, "I forgot, you have a present from Dommi!" She leapt up and went scampering into the house, returning in a moment with a small envelope. Galena opened it, pulling out a small card. It simply said, "Welcome". Feeling something else in the envelope she reached in and pulled out a laminated card. It was a State of Texas Identification Card that showed her age as just barely 21. "This one is very special," Carol said. "She had a friend at the Bureau of Vital Statistics alter some records. The only way you could possibly get caught was if they went and found your original birth certificate, the one your parents still have somewhere. As far as everyone else is concerned, you're of age. State of Texas computer records won't give you away." She turned serious. "Be careful, the I.D.'s perfect, but if you act like a sixteen or seventeen year old, you'll still draw suspicion we don't need." Galena smiled. "Where would I go to cause suspicion? Work? School?" "No darling, Dominique's on Friday night," Margo replied. Galena hadn't dreamed that a great night could get that much better. ------- Chapter 47 The phone rang at 9 AM and no one seemed all that inclined to answer it. As Harry rose up out of bed, he realized the reason could be that Nicki & Sheila had gone home before everyone crashed and burned, he vaguely remembered Jackie & Lisa getting up and heading off to work and everyone else was in bed with him, still asleep, or trying valiantly to stay that way. Crawling over Margo and Andrea, curled up together like children, he made it to the edge of the bed and proceeded to stumble his way into the kitchen. "What, who are you, why are you calling? Is somebody dead?" "Morning, Harry," Karen said, the grin evident in her voice. "Where are my roommates? Have you led them down the greasy path to sin and degradation, never to be seen again?" "I haven't killed you why?" "Because you love me very much and you know your wives would beat you to within an inch of your life if you hurt me." "Good points all ... but again, why are you calling? We're off today." "Because the school called me at 8:45, wondering where our little darling was." "What lie did you feed them?" "Same one I always used. She has a touch of food poisoning and is running at both ends." "Thank you for the particularly lovely visual, this goddamn early in the day." "More than welcome ... so, how did last night go?" "Very well, girl has loads of natural talent; I expect a great career for her in the majors. In all seriousness, she was very happy and I don't feel like we failed in making her first time, so to speak, special. I think we got to sleep by 4, but don't quote me." "I saw Jackie and Lisa head off for the bus stop on time this morning. How the hell do they do that?" "Don't ask me, Sappho, they've explained it to me and I still don't understand it. They're going to work a full day on maybe a couple of hours of sleep and still come home ready to do anything and everything we require of them. It's fuckin' scary I tell ya ... unnatural. I think they may be supernatural." ------- Eddie had spent a long time, the night before, just sitting in their bedroom, holding Tamara in his arms. Not sobbing, not speaking, not murmuring endearments or sharing their dreams with each other. He just held her. Finally, after more than an hour, he gently laid her down on the bed next to him and said, "I believe you when you say that this would never happen, but even if you left me forever this very moment, I would love you forever for this weekend with Rachel." Tamara started to protest and his large hand had covered her mouth. "No, none of that ... I do honestly believe that you're not going to leave me. I'm just saying, this weekend means that much to me." She remained quiet until he removed his hand. "You are more than welcome, sir. It truly was my pleasure. How soon do you want to do it again?" "Funny thing, Rachel asked me the same question, phrased slightly differently, on the way back to Rays of Sunshine. I'm thinking, first or second weekend in October. More than once a month ... I just don't want to disrupt her schedule at Rays more than that. And it's about the frequency that Janelle recommended." "That sounds wonderful, Edward. I look forward to it." "You really do, don't you?" "Of course I do, sir. She's my sister." He thought about that as he drove to work, giving himself a few moments to bask in the glow of all that had happened to make his life so wonderful, before turning his mind to his work-day, and more importantly, his visit to Owen Jeffries later in the evening. ------- Nick Philouma sat at the desk where he'd slept the night before. He'd left word with his guards that no one was to disturb him, not even Randy. He'd spent the night working out the details of his marriage. As it was purely business, that was how he treated it, and a business decision of such magnitude required a lot of thought. He'd never even met Gianetta Bruno, never spoken with her on the phone or exchanged letters or emails. Yet he was as good as engaged to her, and she knew secrets about him that only a small group of people were privy to. He hit his intercom, "Stella, have someone hunt down Al Donetti and send him in to see me, please?" "Are you accepting other visitors yet, sir?" "No." Within moments Al was shown in. "How did it go with Eddie Janak's unwanted visitors last night?" Nick asked. "Very good — they had a good plan, amazingly it didn't get fucked up and all we had to do was stop one from running and deliver your message." "Very good indeed. Have one of our boys in County remind them that the eyes of the Philouma family are on them." "Should any of them die?" "No, just remind them we're watching. Tell them that for cooperating, we're going to make their time inside as pleasant as possible. We don't kill them until they've done their time and are out of town." "Yes sir — oh, by the way, I was told to pass on thanks from Eddie and the rest of the group. They said if there was anything they could ever do..." An idea flickered into life inside Nick's tired mind. "As a matter of fact, there is. Get me a secure phone and call the Grimes household." ------- "Honey ... Margo ... wake up. Nick's on the phone." "Nicki?" "No, Nick." "Nick who?" "Nick Philouma," Harry said exasperatedly. In less than a minute, Margo was in the kitchen, on the phone, faking wakefulness very successfully. Harry had found a home for the erection created by the vista of loveliness in his bed. Carol had snuggled up to him and they were lying on their sides as he slowly and lovingly entered her from behind. The feeling of her cunt, warm and wet and welcoming around his shaft was exquisite. "Harry, honey..." "Yes Margo, what is it?" "We're having Nick and his fiancé over for dinner on the 26th." "I thought we weren't seeing Nick and Randy till after all the parties." "I didn't say Nick and Randy ... he's asked to use our home as neutral ground to meet his fiancé, Gianetta Bruno. They're going to be married, but the poor man's never even talked with her." "I love arranged marriages." "So does he. Tell you what, let me go hit the bathroom and I'll help you molest that sweet young thing." "Please ... hurry up ... Madam..." panted Carol. "I'd hate ... for you to miss ... the fireworks." ------- The events of the weekend had put a bee under Margo's bonnet, and she was anxious to have the business meeting they'd discussed Friday night so by 10:30 she was on the phone and the computer, seeing if everyone was available for later that same day. Fortunately everyone felt the need to get together as strongly as she did, so by 1 in the afternoon, the meeting had been set for 6:30, in the Vimanmek Palace room at the Bangkok Inn. Margo also requested Chatsirree as their server, but sent her a message through Mrs. Sukhawari, her aunt, that there would likely be no fun time that evening. The meeting was for the various House leaderships, and Margo was careful to remind everyone of the space limitations involved. They weren't that severe, but if even a quarter of the Houses brought their submissives, the room could get very crowded in a hurry. As there was no rest for the wicked, she spent the rest of the afternoon with Carol, going over ideas for outfits to be ordered from Carmine Landau ... which led her to call and invite Elenore to the meeting as well, since part of business was likely to be making a visual impression. ------- Galena spent the day being pampered and pawed by Harry, Billy and Kelly, and was very surprised when Margo marched in around 5 and ordered her to get ready for the business meeting as well. "We have a gathering of House heads tonight, you're a Dominant of our House, and you're going," she told the young woman, smiling. "Play time is over for the moment, time to go to work." By 7, everyone had made it to the Bangkok Inn, and for a moment, seeing them all assembled, Margo dared to hope that they could still pull it off. Harry, Kelly, Nicki, Galena, Carol, Karen, Eddie, Elenore and Margo herself represented House Chorale; Minerva Cornelius stood alone for her House, as did Dominique for hers; Evan, Daniel, Venus and Claudette were representing House Evensong; Stefan Franklin for his House, Marcus and Laurie Hurley for theirs; Russell of House Ra; Veronika of House Risotti; Dragonaria, Marsh, Ravensclaw, Spyderchylde and Wolfing for Sandalwood; David Wilcox from House St. Paul, Thad and Vida Newton from Karghold Newton. Margo had thought to eat and socialize a bit, start the meeting off gradually, but Madame Cornelius was having none of that. No sooner had food been delivered and consumed than she pounded the table with a wine bottle hard enough that everyone was afraid she'd break it. "Madam Grimes, may I have the floor?" she asked in a voice like the tramp of an invading army. "Certainly ... go ahead Minerva," Margo replied, shaken. "Thank you. First off, I propose we get over any silly business about who's in charge. I nominate Madam Grimes for Chairman of this meeting. All opposed?" The silence was eerie. "All in favor?" As everyone made sounds of agreement, Madame Cornelius smiled like an alligator submerging to wait for its prey. "Motion carried. "Now that that is out of the way, let me continue. We have lost, as of this point in time, and I see very little chance that we can change that. I have been playing these games in this town longer than most of you have been alive and all my years of experience leave me with little hope that we can turn things around. "Now some of you may not have heard of our fallback plan. Simply put, if we lose, or if the campaign itself grows too ugly or costly, with no hope of success, we split off from the Society as we know it, form our own and declare victory." A murmur rose from the attendees but died away quickly as Madame Cornelius slammed the wine bottle down again. "If that's not acceptable, if that's not something you can live with, walk away now." "Shouldn't we perhaps have a vote about something that important," Thad Newton said, smiling. "I don't know, Lord Newton," Minerva responded, smiling. "How much of your money and time has been spent on this effort?" "None so far, Madame Cornelius, but I'm new to the party. Perhaps the question should be how much of my Hold's time and money will be spent on this effort?" "Fair enough ... although my agreement in no way changes the fact that I have always considered you a pain in the ass, Thad." Minerva Cornelius smiled at him, and Margo was pleased to see no hint of anger in it. "But allow me to explain our reasoning." Thad smiled back and nodded. "Bluntly put, we know the opposition, we know Laney's history, we know his worth, and we know that Houses that should know better are allying with him. Do we really want to associate with any of these people? The scene in this city is more than large enough to support two groups — if they go play in their corner and we go play in ours, I cannot see a downside." She frowned, her years coming over her, seeming to sap her vitality as the audience watched, "Other than the dissolution of something of I've been a member of for over half a century." She stood straight again and continued. "So, do you still wish a vote?" "Not really," he answered, "although I would like some discussion on the subject. I have no problem with it — never really been a member of Society, wasn't really looking forward to having to put up with all those leprous, two-faced ass-kissers in the first place." Minerva Cornelius forced a smile to her face. "All right, let us discuss it — although I would ask for some restraint in the name-calling, as some of those — how did you put it — 'leprous, two-faced ass-kissers' have been friends and associates of mine since before you were born ... no matter how idiotically they're acting now, that fact does not change." "So noted, Madame Cornelius, and my sincerest apologies," Thad replied. "I've said my piece ... next?" Veronika stood up. "Fuck 'em and feed 'em fishheads," she said. "Of course, my opinion is colored by the fact that my House has never been accepted by the Society. I'm with Harry of House Chorale on this — if it were up to me, we'd declare victory and hold a week-long series of parties at Dominique's that would become the stuff of legend." She sat back down, and Claudette of Evensong stood. "I have a concern, or perhaps it's just a question," she began. "Will we be closing our doors and functions to members of the opposition forever or will they be welcome to come, visit and play, so long as they behave themselves?" From around the table came responses and Claudette smiled as they died away. "So I take it no one objects to leaving the door open, so long as they behave themselves?" "With one proviso," Harry said. "They don't get to come in and play by their rules. If Thad or Veronika or any other so-called 'outcast' House is there, they'll be treated with the same respect and consideration as any one of us, or said visitors can fuck off and go the fuck home. No exceptions. If we're going to stand for inclusion, then there'll be no slights and insults, other than in the friendly sense. We don't have to like the way each other play, but we should damn well respect other Houses' rights to play as they choose." "Respect ... consideration ... tolerance ... acceptance ... that is all I have ever asked of the Society," Madame Cornelius replied. "We should treat each other, and our submissives while in public, with courtesy, decency and the deference due any decent human being. "So," she continued, "any other discussion?" Marcus Hurley's fingers were flying and after a moment, Laurie stood up to speak. "Marcus feels that even if we somehow win, that miracle occurs and Master and Madam Grimes win the election at the Samhain Fetish Ball, we should split off. He feels the point of winning the election is to, in a real and graphic way, prove that there is an option, a viable alternative, to the way things have been. After that, with all respect to Madame Cornelius, they've made their beds, let them sleep in them. We will be quite happy without them, or with them, should they decide to come to us and play by our rules of social interaction. But trying to hold the Society together in such a state of polarization as now exists is a futile exercise in frustration and disappointment." Madame Cornelius smiled at Marcus. "I always knew you were a bright young man," she said, "and your thinking echoes some of my own. I still return, however, to my assertion that we have lost, barring that miracle Mistress Laurie mentioned." The room was silent for a moment and Margo looked at Minerva with eyebrow raised. Minerva nodded. Margo said, "Then it seems to me that there are two propositions, one that apparently doesn't require a vote and one that does ... but let's make both of them formal votes, just for the hell of it. "Proposition number one, generally referred to as "Even if we lose, we win" or the "Take our ball and go home" option ... all in favor?" "Uh, small question," David Wilcox said, waving his hands in the air. "Who decides when to take our ball and go home? I'm perfectly fine with it being Madam Grimes and Madame Cornelius — it's been their show so far and I've been very happy with the way they're running it, but the question does bear mentioning." Madame Cornelius sighed. "All in favor of leaving the managing of this campaign in our hands?" The response was a unanimous 'aye'. She nodded to Margo again. "Fine, as I was saying before David raised a very good question, all in favor of the "Take our ball and go home" option at my and Madame Cornelius' discretion, say 'aye'." Again, the response was unanimous and Margo grinned as she said in a small voice, "Opposed?" The assembled Dominants laughed. "The second proposition, the "Even if we somehow manage to win, we split off" plan ... all in favor?" Again the room rang with the assents of the assembled. "Opposed?" No one spoke. Margo sat back in her chair ... only then realizing what had just happened. "Holy shit," she breathed, her face showing her shock. "I've just become the co-head of our own Society, haven't I?" "Ahyup," Thad quipped. "You've gone and done it now, Margo. You have my sympathies." Margo laughed nervously and gave Thad the finger, to the general amusement of the room. Madame Cornelius walked over to her, hugged her tightly, kissing her on each cheek and whispered in her ear, "You will do fine, my dear. Now take a breath and let us continue to try to win this election." After a moment, Margo continued, "The Chair believes Madame Cornelius still holds the floor." "Yes. Now having settled those issues, let me say that while I believe we have already lost ... there may be a chance for us to turn the tide. Laney has been very clever, he has made deals and supported ideas and factions that I think he will regret ... if not now, then surely later, whether he wins or loses the election. "But before everyone's minds are made up, before the Society as a whole comes to view our loss as a foregone conclusion, I believe there is a very narrow window of opportunity where it just might be possible to change some minds and win some support. "So," she continued, slamming the bottle down on the table harder than ever, "the question becomes what are you, each and every one of you and your Houses prepared to do to win? We can make one last definitive push, this Friday night at Dominique's. Our back's are against the wall, and I believe we probably have no chance, whatever we do, but if we have any chance, it will be in four days time. What will you do? My House, and House Chorale, have already spent quite a bit of money and put forth much effort, and have been carrying on the campaign with nothing but the tacit support of your Houses. If you want to win, what will you do?" The grand dame sat down, saying, "Think and discuss among yourselves." Before those considerations began, however, there was a general mobbing of Margo, and Harry as consort, by everyone assembled, congratulating them on their new positions and de facto election. Margo kept wiping away her tears, while muttering "I was SO not ready for this!" Thad started a round of toasts that everyone had to get in on and necessitated several more bottles of wine, which led to Harry slapping the table for attention. "Unless you have a driver, as Madame Cornelius does, or a designated driver, our House is picking up cab rides home for you tonight, no arguments. We like you wackos, and don't want to see any of you hurt." That led to another round of toasts. Margo leaned over, "Still going to grab the check?" she whispered. "Nope, don't have to," he replied, sotto voce. "Already gave the card to Mrs. Sukhawari. The check will never make it to this room." "Good man," she answered, kissing him on the cheek. After awhile, everyone settled down, and Margo said, "Anyone too drunk to think? Thad?" She winked at him. "All right then, anyone have any ideas how to tip the scales this Friday night, if indeed they can be tipped?" "Well," Madame Cornelius said, "I will make every effort to have any undecided House that I have any influence with whatsoever in attendance. Of course, the whole plan will necessitate another performance in the three-ring-circus ... I trust that won't be a problem, Mistress Dominique?" "No problem at all, it was already reserved for you as far as I'm concerned. As for my House ... well, I will have all of my best staff working that night, members of our new Society, their Households and their guests will drink free ... and I'm open to suggestions as to what else I might do." Harry stared at her. "Dommi, that's too much. The loss you'll take at the bar-" "Is just for one night, and she's willing to put her money where her heart is," Madame Cornelius interjected. "Be quiet on that account, Master Grimes ... I have already tried to pick up tonight's bill and been told you are taking care of it. You have no room to talk." "Yes ma'am," Harry said, looking for all the world like a small child caught with his hand in the cookie jar. "I'll be good." Everyone laughed, including Madame Cornelius, before the protests began about House Chorale picking up the check. "Listen, you apes," Harry said in his best, or worst, Jimmy Cagney, "It's done, see? Taken care of, yah. So don't be giving me any lip, see, or I'll turn yah over to my wives ... yah." Margo smiled evilly. Kelly smiled sweetly. Carol smiled psychotically. The protests ceased. Mistress Venus of Evensong stood up. "Our House can perform ... I was thinking something sexy, but with slapstick maybe? An erotic comedy kind of thing?" "Those go over very well," Dommi said. "From past experience though, I recommend you, and any other House considering performing coordinate through Carol of Chorale — she's a genius when it comes to this kind of thing and a hell of a stage manager as well." "All right," Mistress Venus replied. "Carol, I'd like to speak with you later this week." "I am at your disposal, Mistress Venus, and the same for any others wishing to perform." Marcus' hands were flying again and Laurie called out, "We'll be speaking with you as well." "And us," said Stefan of Franklin. "Us too, us too," added David of St. Paul. "Perhaps for us smaller Houses, Carol could organize some sort of joint performance?" He grinned, "God knows we proved capable of playing together last Friday night!" As laughter filled the room, Veronika of Risotti rather timidly raised her hand. "Yes, Mistress Veronika," Margo said. "Well, I'm not sure how wise it would be, given the differences in our styles," Veronika said hesitantly, "but we'd be willing to do something, performance-wise ... if it wouldn't be seen as too hard-core, or off-putting." "Can you keep it a bit lighter than you normally like to play," Carol asked, "without losing your hard edge?" "Yeah, I'm pretty sure we can come up with something," Veronika replied. "I can even promise no screams of pain.' "Good," Carol said, "then of course we've got room for you and your pretty little subs." "Do you think we can manage a sword dance without killing anyone in the audience?" Thad asked his wife Vida. "I doubt you could," she replied, but I'm sure I can come up with a group of dancers who won't fling edged steel hither and yon." "She never lets me have any fun," Thad complained as everyone laughed. "No dear, I never let you accidentally wound our allies," Vida replied. "There's a big difference." "I assume that members of Chorale and Cornelius will be on stage?" Dominique asked, rubbing her hands together in glee. "You assume correctly," Carol replied. Karen leaned over and whispered in her ear for a moment and Carol's eyes grew wide. "Oh yes, you assume SO correctly," she chortled, evidently pleased and excited by what Karen had told her. Russell of Ra stood. "Sunny and I ... well, we're not much when it comes to performing, or anything like that," he said. "I'll welcome any suggestions, but as for now, I've got nothing." Margo replied, "Master Russell, if all you bring to the table is your support and presence that will be enough." "Thank you, Madam," he said, sitting down. "But I'll keep thinking on it." House Sandalwood had been sequestered in a corner, their heads together as they spoke, for quite awhile. As conversation continued around the table, Mistress Marsh stood and went to speak with Harry. "Master Grimes-" "You know better, please call me Harry." She pointedly ignored his request. "Master Grimes, do you have someplace secure to keep valuables?' "Yeah," he replied, "I have a safe at the house, why?" "Well," Mistress Marsh replied, "we're still working on our contribution, but in the meantime I'd consider it a personal favor if you kept this safe for us." She handed him an envelope. "Consider it secure," Harry said. "Now, can you stop being so serious and give me a kiss?" She looked at him strangely and said, "No ... not now ... perhaps later." Discussion continued for awhile longer, and then Margo borrowed Madame Cornelius' makeshift gavel and banged it on the table a few times. "There was one other issue I wanted to discuss before we closed for the evening," she said, "and that's the health of some of our fellow fetishists." She looked at Dommi. "I know you've been paying for clinic visits and such for a lot of kids who aren't even working for you, they're just subs or pets looking for a home, and as some of you might have heard," she grinned, "I recently came into a little money." To general laughter she continued, "Now I've been pondering what to do with some of it, and I wanted to ask Dommi if I could impose on her, her House and her fine establishment and maybe build on a little clinic for those of our interests who can't afford healthcare ... or even those who've managed to injure each other in ways that might raise some eyebrows in a normal doctor's office." Dominique was already out of her chair and running to hug Margo. "You want it, Madam Grimes, you've got it," she said. "Anything I can do, you have but to ask." "Thank you sweetheart, I didn't think you'd have any problem with it, given your charitable efforts, but I wanted to ask first." Margo hugged her friend tightly and kissed her cheek, and then she returned her attention to the group. "It won't be starting out too big or too involved — I may have come into money, but I can't afford to bankroll a full-blown facility. It would, however, be a start, and maybe ... I don't know ... we could raise money for it somehow." "Oh, I have several ideas as to how we can raise money for it," Dommi said as she settled back into her seat. "The first is simple — I'm going to be publicizing Chorale and Cornelius' performances Friday night, and raising the cover charge to the club ... I think twice the normal fee will work. The extra goes to the clinic." "You really think that'll raise more money?" Margo asked somewhat skeptically. "After y'all's last show? Oh hell yeah," Thad replied. "Nobody who was in attendance will bat an eye at the increase, and those who missed it, like myself, will gladly cough up the bucks just from the stories they've heard about it." "No pressure, huh Carol?" Margo asked, looking over at her wife. "No..." Carol squeaked, "no pressure ... at all." "Calm down, girl, you'll do fine," Dommi said. "She always gets this way, and she'll be nervous as a cat about to pop a litter Friday night, but it'll all come off perfectly. I'd have had her as the permanent producer and manager of all my stage shows a long time ago, if she'd have taken the job. And the offer's still open," she added pointedly. Carol shook off her panic, swallowed hard and responded, "No ... no I have a house to run now — and with this crew that's pretty much a full-time job. But yeah, yeah I have some ideas for Friday night, it'll be okay ... I guess." Eddie got up and went around the table to speak with Madame Cornelius for awhile, and when he returned he asked Carol, "Do you think there'd be any interest in a fight? Maybe, me an' Li Kuan? Would that be helping in any way?" "Hey, I thought I was your favorite dance partner!" Karen protested. "Shut up, dyke — we both already know how that match up turns out ... although I wouldn't mind givin' it another go, someday." Carol looked at him. "You do know this would mean no clothes?" "Yeah ... yeah I know. I don't got to worry, though, they'll all be lookin' at Li Kuan anyway." Mistress Claudette called out, "Au contraire, my good man, some of us will only have eyes for you!" "You ain't helpin'!" he shot back, to the amusement of all. "Well, I assume Madame Cornelius has agreed, or you wouldn't be bringing it up ... yeah, yeah I think we can fit it in very nicely," Carol said, her mind already awhirl with possibilities. "Oh, the book I could make on that fight?" Dommi chortled. Then she looked puzzled for a moment. "What the hell? We're as law-abiding as a dope-smuggling prostitute with an illegal immigrant under each arm as it is ... fine, we'll run odds on the fight, with the house cut going to the clinic as well." "Of course, that's all providin' I don't come back too banged up from tonight," Eddie said, "but I don't think that's gonna be much of a problem," he finished, smiling evilly. "Fine, then unless anyone has anything else they'd like to bring up," Margo said, waiting for a response. "All right, I call this meeting closed. Those of you who don't have outfits in Chorale's colors, or want to match what we'll be wearing Friday night, get with this young lady," she motioned to Elenore, "and discuss it. The rest of us, let's socialize a bit before we break up ... God knows I could use the chance to relax," she finished. Almost as soon as Margo banged the bottle and closed the meeting, Mistress Spyderchylde made a beeline for Carol. "Oh sweetie," she said, taking the small woman into her arms, "you don't know how much I've been thinking about Friday night." Carol was surprised by her attention, but didn't find it unwelcome at all. "Thank you, Mistress, I enjoyed it as well," she replied, stroking the woman's pale white face. "No need for formality," Mistress Spyderchylde whispered, "call me Dayna." "Dayna," Carol answered, enjoying the feel of the woman's hands on her breasts, "that seems rather..." her breath caught in her throat as Dayna's hand shifted to her crotch, "mundane." "You were expecting maybe ... Morticia?" Dayna breathed into Carol's ear. "Oh no," Carol answered, molding her body to the other woman's, "Dayna suits you just fine." Harry and Kelly sat snuggled close together, watching Carol and Dayna literally hump each other's legs. "That's damn pretty to watch," Harry said, caressing Kelly's pussy through her pants. "It'd be even prettier to join in," Kelly said, leaning over to nibble on Harry's neck. "But we haven't been invited, so I guess we're just stuck with each other." Harry looked over to Margo, who was snuggled between Thad Newton and Stefan Franklin, while talking with Master Evan of Evensong. "It looks like we are," he replied, "and that doesn't suck at all." Nothing too risqué had much time to develop, as it was growing late and several of the attendees had a date to go with Eddie later that night. Elenore was handing out cards and appointments right and left, Carol had to peel Dayna off of her long enough to set up times to meet with prospective performers, final goodbyes were being said quite physically and even Chatsirree showed up, sidling up to Harry and Kelly and asking "Would you like me to come home with you tonight?" "Alas, no," Harry replied. "I have a previous engagement this evening, work tomorrow-" Kelly said, "Hush up, husband, you ain't the only one here! Yes, my succulent little darling, you come home with Mama Kelly tonight ... we'll see if we can find you space on the bed." "Yes, Mama Kelly," Chatsirree answered, eyes downcast and head bowed. Carol had no sooner finished talking with the other houses when Dayna was glued to her side again. "Come home with me tonight, little Carol," she said in her breathy, soft voice. "I promise to have you back home ... sometime tomorrow." Carol hugged her and whispered in her ear, "Sorry Dayna, I go home with my wives and my husband. If you want to come over and play sometime that's fine, but I don't go home with anyone but them." "Oh, once you have time to think about it, you'll regret that decision," Dayna said, her hand snaking down inside the waistband of Carol's jeans. "Come on, I'm sure they won't begrudge you a night of fun here and there..." Carol knew that if she weren't spoken for, if she weren't married in all but name, she'd have gone home with Spyderchylde in a heartbeat. She also knew that the lack of formality would last only till she was firmly in Dayna's clutches, and then it would become "Mistress Spyderchylde" again, and Carol would gladly call her that as she knelt at the gothy woman's feet. But she was involved, she was spoken for and she was married in every way that mattered — and she was very happy about all of it. "Dayna, they wouldn't begrudge me a night of fun ... I could run off with you for even longer and they'd love me just the same when I came home ... although it might cause some hard feelings. I'm not going with you because I want to go home with them, understand?" "Silly little girl," Dayna whispered, "but all right — go home with them. I am taking you out to dinner some night this week though, and that's final." "We'll see," Carol said as she kissed Dayna goodbye and headed out with her family. The line of cabs all went their separate ways, Harry finding himself in the back of one with Margo and Kelly. He smiled, "Darling, if you aren't careful you're going to end up the creamy filling in a Thad-and-Stefan sandwich." She looked at him, somewhat startled. "You don't sound like that would bother you." He grinned. "Sweetie, they've both passed Carol's scrutiny and I know where you'd be coming home. If you want to play, play! God knows you've put few restrictions on me. As long as any of us come home every night, I don't see as we have any reason to get too bent out of shape. I love you, I've chosen you, I've married you, I'll spend the rest of my life with you — but I don't own you in any literal sense." "I ... I don't know how I feel about that, Harry," she replied. "I ... still get freaked out sometimes when you're up to your pubis in some other woman, some woman not in our household," she amended, looking at Kelly. "Oh, don't be lyin' now, Big Mama," Kelly said kindly. "We can tell when you get freaky about things like that, and you still do from time to time. But that's okay, you're getting better, and we love you no matter what. I'm with Harry on this, if every once in awhile you want to jump on some strange, go ahead." "I ... I don't think I will," Margo stammered. "I've noticed you don't, unless it's business, or something like Friday night, Harry. Same for you, darling," she added, looking at Kelly. "You play in public, but you don't go off with someone else and disappear, or anything. I ... I'm happy where I am, although at a party if I ended up in an intimate situation with them, well ... as long as my family knew where I was, I guess I'd be okay with giving in to my ... lustful impulses." The first trace of a smile they'd seen since the conversation began crept onto her face. "But no ... I didn't get into this ... any of it ... so I could fuck around with people who weren't part and parcel of my household. That it happens sometimes is fine, I guess ... but I married the three of you. We took our submissives into our house. They're ours. These other people ... they're not you and they're not ours so it doesn't feel right to me." Harry hugged her. "Then that's the way things will be." In the other cab, headed for the Grimes house, were crammed Carol, Galena, Karen and Nicki. "Carol," Galena began, "I've been thinking, and I know that you can cast me in any of your performances and I'll be okay, but I was wondering if I could do anything special, anything ... to show how much I really, really appreciate being a part of the House." Nicki, who had Galena half-sitting on her lap just as Karen had Carol perched on one thigh, reached around and ran her hands up and down Galena's body, finally cupping her breasts. "Well, delicious, I can think of one thing you could do ... or have done to you ... that might be worth one of stages..." Galena blushed deeply. "Uh ... I don't ... no ... no I don't think so." Carol, tired and mind still awhirl from Dayna's attentions said, "What, what are you two talking ... oh ... I get it." "Come on, precious, just think of it," Nicki said. "I even volunteer to help, either driving or helping," she kissed the back of Galena's neck, "take your mind off things." Karen was as yet in the dark. "What the hell are you little perverts talking about?" "Oh," Carol replied, "just making one of the performances little Galena getting her anal cherry popped." Karen's eyes rolled up in her head. "God, I cannot believe you people some times." Carol's eyes had taken on the hint of madness they sometimes held. "No, really, think about it! It's not like we'd be auctioning it off to the highest bid- wait, wait, we could do that, too! No, no, that would be way over the line ... but not if we did it in House, among our allies and such, no one outside would need to know, and the money would go to a good cause!" Galena had a look on her face somewhat similar to a shy and helpless doe, about to be hit by a giant, burning meteor the size of the moon. Nicki had a gleam in her eyes. "I'd bid, hell, I'm bidding! A thousand dollars, right off the bat, let's get this started in a big way." "Oh God," Karen moaned. "You know, if either I or Margo really wants to, we can outbid you all," Carol said. "That's why I think we should be eliminated from the bidding process, it wouldn't be fair. Let me talk to Big Mama when we get home, send out some emails to the other Houses, see what kind of action we can get going." The meteor was drawing closer, ever closer. Galena's breathing was rapid and shallow, and although she'd never had a full-blown panic attack, in the back of her mind she was sure that was about to change. Until she thought about some of the possible winners of the auction ... and how there was sure to be some kind of warm up before the main event. She closed her eyes, mentally practicing ignoring a whole club full of people. "All right, I'll do it," she said, thinking about any number of people, male and female alike, that she'd love to get closer to. "My anal cherry, we already have a bid for a thousand. Sure, let's do this." "I wonder if the cabbie would stop and let me out," Karen mused. "I'm not sure I want to be in the same car with any of you." The next two hours were a blur for Margo as people moved around her, talked to her, kissed and caressed her ... she was even sure at one point Harry had made love to her — all the while her mind was fixated on what had happened that night. She was the head of their Society — no election, no Samhain Fetish Ball, no anything was needed to confirm it. It had all been said and done over plates bearing the remains of Thai food and half-drank glasses of wine in the private dining room of a restaurant. She imagined it was somewhat like the difference between "you're one of the candidates the board is voting on for CEO" and "you're CEO, congratulations, here's your new office, hope you can reverse our business decline". It felt like a terrible weight had crashed down upon her shoulders, a weight she had no idea how to shoulder. She realized she was getting dressed to go with Harry, Eddie and the others to take care of Owen Jeffries and she didn't even remember getting out of bed. "Harry, you're taking this far too calmly," she said, startling him as she hadn't spoken a word since they'd gotten home. "Darling, it's going to be okay. You're going to do just fine as the Queen of Kinky Society." She ineffectually slapped at his arm without even thinking about it. "No, really Margo," he said, taking her arms in his hands and turning her to face him. "Look at me. You're going to be fine; you're going to do a wonderful job. This is not life and death — you handled the only part of this that might apply to when you decided to found the clinic, and that didn't faze you, it's what you do, you're a doctor. This? This is going to be you, doing what you do; you're a Dominant and a damn fine one. You have plenty of very smart and experienced people to help you, and you're only going to get better at this. Relax. Here, smoke this." He pressed a pipe-load of pot into her hands and held a lighter over the bowl as she hit on it. While she smoked, Harry smiled at her. "Now, let the girls help you finish dressing, I'm going to go put this," he said, waving Sandalwood's envelope, "into the safe and then we really need to head for Eddie's. He's very anxious to have this over and done with." All was quiet at Karghold Karggark. Owen Jeffries had spent the day wondering why he hadn't heard back from the men he'd hired, but figured they were busy drinking up their fees, or pissing them away in some other fashion, and he would hear from them eventually. After his evening workout, he'd decided to spend some quality time with one of the Hold's newest imports, a Ukranian woman who understood very little English, but responded quite well to being slapped across the room. He was teaching her how to suck his cock without crying, something she hadn't quite managed yet, when his associate Kargonk, whose real name was Yancey McAvoy, walked into Owen's bedroom unannounced. "Sir, there are some people here to see you ... and you'd better come down quickly." Full of rage, Owen turned on him. "What the fuck do you mean," he said, backhanding Kargonk into the wall, "telling me I'd better do a goddamn thing?" Kargonk got up, rubbing his cheek. "There's a lot of them, Eddie Janak's with them, some of them have guns, and they one number away from calling '911' and bringing the cops here." It had been a long time since Owen had truly known fear. It took no great stretch of the imagination to guess that Eddie Janak had somehow found out who hired the men sent to brutalize him and his woman. Now he had returned, with guns and threats of police involvement. For those very good reasons, Owen Jeffries was scared. He entered the living room having plastered his most insolent, insouciant face on. Kargonk hadn't been joking, or exaggerating. All of his associates, his fellow Karg, save Kargonk, were being held at gunpoint by a handful of very hard-looking men. Nearby stood Eddie Janak, a very tiny woman that Owen assumed was Eddie's, a woman he thought he recognized from somewhere, the same Oriental cunt that had come to the house before, and Harry Grimes. "Old home week, is it Eddie? Did you bring enough muscle or would you like to call in the National Guard as well," he said, sauntering to the center of the room. "Hey Owen," Harry said, "how's your little brother? He still piss himself on a regular basis?" He turned to face the tall woman. "Apparently that was part of our gift to him for you ... poor bladder control." And with that it dawned on Owen who the tall woman was. "Margo Wohler ... why, it is old home week, truly it is." He smiled towards the men with guns. "I assume these are your guardian angels, courtesy of the Philouma crime family?' Out of a corner of the room a voice said, "No, no these men aren't connected in any way with the Philouma family. They're just good citizens performing their civic duty by helping to clean up the neighborhood." A man walked into view. "I, on the other hand, AM the Philouma Family, in a manner of speaking. I'm Nick Philouma. And I'm here to run you out of town, clean up your mess and make sure you never bother any of these people again." "And if I don't feel like leaving town?" Owen said, hoping he sounded much more confident than he was. A gun appeared in Nick Philouma's hand as if by magic. "Then I get to blow your brains all over the wall." A thin trickle of urine ran down Owen's leg. "Then I suppose I'll be leaving town. How soon should I be gone?" "Oh, you and your men will be gone tonight. If you're here after sunrise, you'll never see the sun set." The gun disappeared again, just as quickly as it had come. "I'm going to call my lawyer in from the car now, and he's going to bring in a lot of papers. You could bother to read them, but the practical upshot is that this house, and all its contents, are going to be sold to me for the princely sum of one dollar, and other valuable considerations, said valuable considerations being your life, and the lives of your burly buttboys over there. The proceeds will go to cover my expenses incurred cleaning up your illegal immigrant racket, and making sure they're provided for until they can make it on their own." "And then ... we can leave?" "No," Eddie Janak said, "then you and I are going to have a very physical conversation, the kind one of us will be carried away from. You threatened me, my fiancé ... you sent hired muscle to do it like the cowardly little fuck you are. Well you're going to have your chance to take me on." Owen Jeffries felt a surge of joy — at least there would be some victory for him that evening. "I suppose you'll have Harry helping you, or perhaps that ugly Asian cunt?" "No, Owen, just me. I got all the ass-whuppin' you need, and more." "Fine then, let's get the papers out of the way and then get down to it." Harry watched Owen warming up while Eddie stretched out. Jeffries was bouncing on the balls of his feet, fast and light, jabs flying out down the length of his arms like lightning-fast freight trains. "I dunno Eddie, perhaps you should let me help you, or Li Kuan ... somebody," Harry observed. "Owen's looking real spry right now ... he's in good shape, seems to know what he's doing." "It won't matter." "You oughta take a look before you go getting all cocky and shit ... he's looking really good." "It won't matter, Harry." Something in his voice brought Harry's eyes to Eddie. The large man stood looking at his oldest friend, tears welling up in his eyes. "Harry, he threatened my little Tamara ... he didn't know it, but he threatened my sister. He can beat me to death, and with my dying breath I will put him down so hard he will have nightmares about it for the rest of his life." The big man sniffed. "Like I said, it won't matter." "Okay, but you better know that if you go down, he ain't leaving this town alive." "True," added Li Kuan, "his body will never be found." She licked her pointed teeth. "Thanks, but don't worry about it. I've already won. He just don't know it yet." Owen Jeffries was supremely confidant. The fight began, Eddie Janak started moving towards him slowly, implacably, like some great beast, and Owen danced in and out like a matador, firing off kicks and jabs with impunity... Only to watch Eddie avoid or deflect them, ducking and weaving, dodging and parrying like he hadn't a care in the world. He stopped and never moved again save when he had to, a mountain that suddenly sprang to life whenever Owen came close to it. And even on the rare occasion that one of Owen's blows caught Eddie to some degree, Eddie never flinched, never reacted at all to the pain. The same little half-smile he'd been wearing since the fight began stayed on his face, never wavering. The jabs and feints went on and on, minute after minute of exertion, and still Eddie avoided what he could, and took the hits he couldn't evade. Owen began to believe he was fighting some sort of machine, some inhuman thing that didn't feel pain. In frustration, Owen feinted for Eddie's abdomen, then set himself in position to jump up and kick Eddie in the face. It was a beautifully executed attack, as he leapt up, his body twisting in the air, the side of his foot perfectly aimed for Eddie's cheek... Eddie effortlessly reached up and grabbed his ankle, pivoting out of the way and bringing his elbow down on the side of Owen's knee like the fist of God. Ligaments, cartilage and muscles tore as Eddie said, "Now the pain begins." Kneeling, Eddie swiftly and efficiently grabbed Owen's other leg and repeated the procedure. Grabbing Owen's hands as they clawed at the air, he interlocked fingers with his opponent, and with apparent ease brought his wrists forward, forcing Owen's wrists backwards. The sound of breaking fingers was louder than Owen's screams. Eddie got to his feet, steadied Owen's writhing body with one foot, and then like a jackhammer brought that foot up and back down, squarely on Owen's crotch. The screaming stopped then as Owen passed out. Eddie stepped back and motioned Margo forward. She knelt beside Owen Jeffries and checked his vital signs. She stood and looked at his men. "He'll live till you can get him to San Antonio ... it's not that far away, and if you're lucky and drive very quickly, he might not regain consciousness and start screaming again before you get there." Nick threw Karggonk a set of keys. "You leave with the clothes on your back and one SUV. Get going before I change my mind." Some of his men seemed to think leaving Owen behind was a good idea, but Karggonk had the keys, and made them carry him out. As the SUV was fired up and began to drive away, Nick looked at one of his men. "Make sure they leave town, and escort them wherever they go. If they do what I think they'll do, call Albert Sposato in San Antonio. Tell him it's two thousand dollars per man, so long as they're dead by sundown tomorrow. If they go elsewhere, call me for further instructions." "Nick, that wasn't part of our deal," Eddie said, sitting on a couch and gladly letting Tamara and Margo fuss over his aching body. "You're right, Eddie, but it wasn't specifically not part of our deal, either. Shut up and let your lovely fiancé take you home. Margo, you help me get the women and children to our little hospital, we'll decide what to do from there. I've got business to attend to. Harry, Li Kuan, Tamara ... it was a pleasure." As they were driving away, Li Kuan said, "I am feeling most frustrated right now. Will you be fit to fight Friday night, Eddie?" "Oh yeah, I'm peachy." "Good," she replied. "I have much frustration to work off." Margo spent the night comforting and examining women and children, fifteen in all, and all of them in need of more psychological care than she could give. "Al!" she yelled, "tell the translators they're going to be working for awhile longer." She got Susan Lowenstein's number from directory assistance and called her, hoping she was right about her therapist's compassion. It was going to be another long day. ------- Chapter 48 "You know, my beloved, I'm afraid the clinic's going to have to do without you today," Harry said as he greeted Margo at the door, finally home from her long night. "Damn skippy," Margo muttered. "I'm so glad I caught a ride there with the boys. I couldn't have faced driving home and I really hate having to cab back somewhere to pick up the car." "Well, let Kelly and Carol give you a bath, then they'll tuck you in and we'll talk when I get home this evening." As she staggered towards the bathroom, her wives helping her shed clothes like a tree sheds its leaves in autumn, she told Kelly and Carol, "Don't let me sleep past 3, I've got some people to talk to this evening." Harry shook his head and headed off to work, running late, as seemed to happen so often lately. Kelly, Camille and Carol were quietly taking care of the housework, with Billy handling the household's voluminous amounts of laundry, while Margo slept. The master bedroom was off limits, the door was closed and still they felt the need to creep as silently as possible about the house. The house phone rang and Carol raced into the kitchen to answer it. "Hello, Grimes residence." "I want you, little girl," said Dayna on the other end of the line. "Hello, my creepy stalker goth, how are you today?" "Lonely, little Carol ... why don't I come over, pick you up and we go catch something to eat, maybe give some people in the park thrills with some exhibitionist fucking?" "Sorry darling, housework to do, a Madam to take care of when she wakes ... can't get away." Spyderchylde's pouty sigh was clearly audible. "How boring ... just think — housework, or my head between your thighs for hours and hours." "Tempting, Dayna, but the answer's still no." "All right, since you're busy today, and I'm so bored and you're not around to help relieve my boredom, you must let me take you out to dinner tomorrow night, or I'll come camp out on your front porch and make all your neighbors nervous." Carol took a deep breath. If it would get Dayna Spyderchylde off her case, she'd go out to dinner with her. "Fine, but it'll have to be a late dinner, I'm seeing St. Paul and Franklin about their performances at 7, I should be through by 9." "Perfect, sweet-treat — I know a great little place we can grab a bite after I pick you up. You like Korean?" "Love it, I'll see you then." Carol hung up the phone. "Well, I'll give her this, she's persistent," Kelly said. "So you're going out on a date with another Domme ... I'm so hurt." Carol grinned at her. "No, you're just jealous it isn't you she's trying to get all tied up and at her mercy." "True that," Kelly answered, laughing. Margo didn't want to wake up when Kelly came in and began licking her cunt, teasing her towards an orgasm and wakefulness, but her wife's tongue was most insistent and after a small but most pleasant climax, she pushed Kelly's head away. "I'm up ... I'm up ... God, is there anything to eat? I'm famished." "Go hit the bathroom and I'll have something ready for you when you get done ... will soup and a sandwich work?" "Sounds divine ... go to it." Margo felt a hundred times better after she ate, and pulled Carol and Kelly to the bedroom with her. "I need to look serious, but not stuffy ... like a neighbor you want to ... well, never mind about that, I need trustworthy, convincing, friendly — but still serious. Not someone who's joking around at your expense." Five minutes later they'd laid out an outfit that both of them agreed fit Margo's specifications. After helping her dress, Carol asked, "Okay, so what's all this for?" "Just going to meet the neighbors. Toodles!" And with that, Margo was on her way out the door. Kelly and Carol followed her out and watched her go up to the Larsen's house next door and knock. Shaking their heads, they went back inside. ------- Even though it was after hours, Mattie Daggett answered the phone when it began to ring at her father's office. "Hello, Attorney J. Noble Daggett's office, how may I help you?" "Mattie, is that you? This is Margo Grimes, let me talk to your father, if he's available." Knowing Margo, and having heard about her recent financial windfall, she wasted no time in transferring the call to her father's office. ------- Later that night, Billy, Helen & Camille safely ensconced in bed with the family, Harry and his wives found themselves almost too tired for anything. Camille, snuggled up on one side of Harry, said, "Sir, I just want you to know that this ... welcoming us into your bed ... I've never had this, in any of my previous arrangements." "Well sexy," Harry sighed, "I'm glad you're enjoying it, I'm just sorry you're having to share a night." "Don't be," she replied, "I suspect before the end of all this, you'll have several more people in your household. For this kind of care and kindness, they'll all share nights and be most thankful for it." "Please don't talk about more," Margo softly wailed, "the house is overcrowded as it is." "True, Madam, I'm sleeping on the floor on an inflatable mattress ... and I can't remember ever having been happier," Camille replied. "Well I'm glad you're here," Carol sighed. "Keeping a household of eight running is more work than I thought it would be." "Ain't that the truth," Kelly added. "Although, to be fair, most of the hard work this week has been prepping for Dommi's on Friday, and the party with the neighbors on Saturday." Helen found herself gently rubbing Harry's chest from her position on the other side from Camille. "Helen — what are you still doing here?" Harry asked. "You were here because I don't ... well ... and it was Billy's night. But Camille's here now, and-" Helen McReady took a deep breath, brought her mouth to his ear and whispered, "I'm here because Billy still owes you service. I'm here because Billy wants me to be. I'm here because I want to be." Harry murmured, "Really?" Helen moved his hand to her crotch and he found it warm and wet. As tired as he was, Harry rolled over and got on top of her, feeling her legs part beneath him and wrap around his waist. "Oh hell," Margo said as she got up on her side, threw a leg over Billy and began to rub her slit along his cock. Kelly and Carol shifted around, Carol putting her lips to Camille's cunt, Kelly planting her pussy on Camille's face. "Whatever her answer was, it must have been a good one," Kelly said. From beneath her came Camille's muffled voice, "It was, Mistress, it was." Later, when Harry hoped most of the others were asleep, Harry cuddled with Helen and they continued talking. "So you're here partly because Billy wants you to be?" he asked, gently running his finger around her nipple. "Yes ... sir. I am Billy's, Billy is yours ... I'm an inheritance, you might say." "But I should make no mistake; you're Billy's first and foremost?" "Yes sir, I am. There's almost nothing I wouldn't do for him." She sighed, "Luckily this task isn't hard at all, and I'm not only here for him, but for myself." "You've gotten a lot freakier since I first met you," Harry said, laughing softly. "I believe we're a bad influence on you." "No sir," she replied, poking him in the chest with her finger. "If only for Billy, just him alone, the day I met you and your crew was the luckiest day of my life ... and it was a good day for many other reasons as well." "All right, I shan't argue with you. Now snuggle up tight and let's get some sleep. Morning's going to come too damn early as it is." ------- Wednesday morning, as they had breakfast together, Tamara thought it time that she told Eddie of his father's visit. Eddie made it in to work that day, just barely on time. If any of his crew thought about mentioning his red eyes, they then thought better of the idea and got on with business. By the end of the day he had resolved how to say thank you all involved, and was much calmer. ------- The Grimes household's Wednesday went by in a blur as everyone rushed about their business. Between the performance Friday night and the party on Saturday, Carol was driven almost insane and it was with a sense of relief that she found herself waiting for Dayna to pick her up for supper. Dayna's car, a black 1976 Jaguar XJ Coupe, purred down the highway like a dream on wheels. "Uh, Dayna," Carol said, somewhat nervously, "that was Korea House back there. Where are we going?" "Can you keep a secret, little Carol?" Dayna Spyderchylde whispered. "No matter how much you might want to tell?" As they headed for bed, Margo wondered where Carol was. After hearing of her date with Dayna from Kelly, she said, "Well, she deserves a night out. She's been working her ass off. She'll creep in sometime tonight." Jackie let Harry's cock drop from her mouth. "I hope so, Madam. Part of the fun of my night in here for me is having all of you in bed to play with. I miss her." "Me too, honey" Harry said, moving Jackie's mouth back to his cock. "Me too." Later in the night, Carol came to, suspended in a shibari rig, arms behind her, her mouth less than an inch away from Dayna's moist and fragrant cunt. "I've been enjoying the feel of your breath on me, little Carol," she said. "Now then, apply some tongue or I'll be most upset with you." Still disoriented, Carol murmured "Holy ... that orgasm was ... oh shit." Mistress Spyderchylde answered her, "I thought you'd enjoy that ... it takes a bit of effort, but I think you're worth it. Do you think you're worth it?" "Oh yes, Madam," Carol replied. "Especially after all the trouble you've gone through to kidnap me, I'm worth it." "Arrogant cunt," Spyderchylde said, "you're lucky I enjoy indulging you." She sat up and kissed her prisoner deeply, tongues dueling like thrusting cocks in their mouths. Then Dayna Spyderchylde lay back, and Carol tongued her cunt with a will, as she enjoyed the feeling of the rope wound around her body. Even more though, she enjoyed the feeling of being completely at someone's mercy. ------- Thursday morning Harry was most distressed to find his Baby Girl nowhere in sight. Once he was through in the bathroom, he threw on a robe and stalked outside with his cellphone, for better reception, he called Carol's cell. When that rolled to voice mail, he called House Sandalwood. When Mistress Ravensclaw came to the phone after Harry had demanded to speak to one of the Dominants, he barked "Is my wife Carol there with you?" "Yes she is, Master Grimes, would you like to speak with her?" "Yes I sure as hell would." Thirty minutes later Harry and his spouses were on their way to the home of House Sandalwood. "Are you insane? How did you know I wouldn't call the cops?" "You didn't strike us as the cop-calling type, Harry ... a little too much rebel in your nature," Mistress Wolfling replied. All five Mistresses of House Sandalwood and the four spouses of the Grimes household were sequestered in a small room in the back of the Sandalwood home. "All our subs are out of the house running errands, and no doubt spreading the word that Spyderchylde here went batshit and kidnapped your wife, so she could play with her. That's very believable since Dayna's habit of doing just that is why we made all of our subs community property between us. Otherwise," Mistress Wolfling continued, "we'd have drummed her little ass out of the House quite some time back." "You told none of yours, I trust," Mistress Dragonaria said. "We weren't even sure we were going to tell you, until Carol convinced us you were all good enough actors to carry this off." "No," Margo replied, "they're all in the dark and I'm none too happy about it." An hour later they were home again, and Margo and Harry were on their way out the door, headed for work, late again. "Good thing our bosses love us so much," Harry quipped, grinning. "No, good thing my boss needs all the physicians she can get her hands on — I think your boss puts up with your shenanigans only because you're both one and the same person." Carol went into seclusion in the master bedroom, "recovering from her ordeal", waited on by Kelly alone, much to the frustration of Camille and Billy. They'd both been told what had happened, and Jackie and Lisa had been called at work with the short version, and encouraged to spread the word of Carol's return home through their network of friends, to help, since it was a sure thing the grapevine was already buzzing. Billy's first call was to Dominique, and he told her about the family's decision to follow old Society tradition — putting Spyderchylde, and House Sandalwood, on trial at a gathering of Houses — which meant Dommi's club Friday night, with the oldest established House sitting in judgment. Dominique had indeed already heard of Carol's kidnapping, and her only surprise at the way the situation was to be resolved was that Harry hadn't made Spyderchylde's fate a moot point by beating her to death already. Dommi still thought about doing that herself. Although Camille had no one to call, really, she still called Stan Carter's house and talked with Ramon, telling him all about her new life with the Grimes, and how Carol had been kidnapped by Spyderchylde. He didn't seem interested, but she told him anyway. She asked him if he wanted to leave Stan, and come live somewhere better. He laughed and called her a fool. By the end of the phone call, she had pretty much decided she never needed to call him again. The recent changes in her life had shown her the truth of her previous situation, and she hoped Li Kuan would be proud of her as she cut her callous, self-centered little shit of a brother from her life. Behind the bedroom door, Carol soaked in the tub while Kelly paced the floor. "I really don't like keeping this a secret," Kelly snarled. Carol was very tired, and that weariness was reflected in her answer. "Get over it already, Kelly. Goddamn, this is Dominant business! This is Heads of Household business! Our subs don't need to know! And this is what it means to play in Society games at this level ... so shut up and quit your moaning." Seeing motion out of the corner of her eye, Carol turned and saw Kelly kneeling on the floor, head down, arms over her lap. "Fine then, you silly cunt!" Carol snapped. "Get your ass in this tub and bathe me!" But when Kelly tried to bathe her, Carol pulled her wife into her arms. "I'm sorry, honey ... look, we'll probably tell them after the fact — I know we can trust all of them — but for now, they need to play their parts, and play them convincingly." "What if they don't forgive us?" Kelly asked in a small voice. "I love them, all of them, and I don't want to lose them." "Don't worry," Carol replied, turning Kelly's face to her own. "Trust me, they'll stay with us, and applaud our cleverness." She hugged Kelly tightly. "I know a thing or two about how submissives think ... we'll be just fine." ------- Thursday was primarily taken up with repeated calls from Elenore, who was struggling so hard to get all the additional costumes ordered for Friday night ready that she'd had to hire two temporary assistants and was even putting Jerome to work in whatever limited capacity he was capable of. Carol kept dodging calls from Dommi, and feeling guilty as hell about it, until she could stand it no longer. The next time her old friend called, she had Kelly give her the phone. "Hey Dommi-darling, how's it going?" A flood of invective and concern flooded her ear from the other end of the line. "No, trust me, I'm fine. Everything's okay, I've just got more on my plate than I know what to do with." Another torrent of tender solicitude came through the earpiece. "No ... no — Dommi, I'm fine, trust me. She didn't hurt me ... at least not in ways that I minded ... and I'm okay. I've had a good nap and I'm feeling just fine, really." A calmer, more coherent Dommi continued. "Are they insane, baby? Didn't they snap to what Spyderchylde was up to?' "No, no they didn't," Carol sighed. "They thought I was there of my own free will, and certainly Dayna and I had given everyone every reason to believe that could be true." "Do they have any idea what kind of judgment they're facing from a senior House?" "Oh, they know ... Dayna's probably going to be given a choice of being forced into a collar or barred from Society ... something we'll abide by if such is her decision. As for Sandalwood ... both Houses agree it'll more than probably be a ban from attendance at any function or club for at least six months, probably not more than a year. But that'll be the end of it. Hell, in the end all this might even help us in the eyes of the Traditionalists." "All right then ... listen honey, there was something I really wanted to discuss with y'all, first chance we got. What are y'all doing tonight?" "Other than last minute bullshit, probably not much. Want to get together for supper?" "Sure ... how about the Persian Gulf Surf Club? The owners owe me some favors and I'm pretty sure they could whip up some dead cow and lobster that'd bring a happy tear to the eye." "Good, let me get together with Harry and Margo and I'll call you back with a time, let you make the appointment." "Okay ... honey, I'm so glad you're okay." "Thank you Dommi," Carol answered, feeling like a complete and total shit. "I really appreciate that." ------- The Persian Gulf Surf Club was owned and operated by a trio of Gulf War vets who'd decided that serving good food and drinks in an absolute madhouse was the perfect life to make for themselves after their tours of duty. From the outside, the one-time bowling alley had been stuccoed and painted to resemble a mud brick building, complete with bullet holes, windows cleverly disguised as larger artillery shell holes, razor wire along the roof line, machine gun nests and spotlights on the rooftop corners. Above the front doors extended the club's marquee, the sign, apparently hand painted, read "Persian Gulf Surf Club", flanking the doors were two more signs — "Land Mines — Step Lightly or Don't Step At All" and "Bring Your Own Board, We're Tired of Losing our Rentals to Enemy Fire". Once inside, the décor was a bizarre mix of California surf culture, Middle Eastern war zone, and Arabian Nights fantasy, complete with artfully painted camel mannequins, a group of tables under silk tents, a bar in the center inside the shell of an M113 armored personnel carrier, and a waitstaff of lovely young women dressed in desert camouflage short-shorts and tight t-shirts. Surf boards, some of them with distinctly non-family-friendly paint-jobs and slogans, adorned the walls, and all the male employees wore fatigue pants and Hawaiian shirts. The music coming over the speakers mounted on poles was an eclectic mix, as one of the owners was a country & western fan, another listened to nothing but classic rock, and the third was into hip-hop. Still, chaotic as the club was, all three of the owners could agree on the definition of good food and top-shelf booze, refusing to serve anything less on either account. Beneath one of the silk tents sat Dommi, Margo, Kelly, Carol and Harry. The first round of drinks had been consumed, the second was on their way, and everyone was looking forward to whatever delights Dommi had arranged for them to be served for dinner. "Okay, 'cause I can't wait any longer," Dommi began, "I want to dissolve House Duvalier and petition to join your House as one of its Dommes." Four sets of open mouths and wide eyes faced her across the table. "Listen guys, it's not like I was ever that set on my own House — only reason I formed Duvalier was so I could keep my neutrality." She smiled lovingly at the four of them. "And I'm so not neutral anymore. "I love you guys, I'm very happy with the thought of being part of your House, and between y'all and my club, my life would be complete. So what do you say?" Margo looked at her spouses and then back at Dominique. "We accept your petition with glad hearts and embrace you. Welcome home, Mistress Dominique." The waitress entered the tent with their drinks to find five people crying and hugging each other. An hour later, bacon-wrapped-prime-rib and giant-Maine-lobsters-stuffed-with-scallops-and-corn-bread-dressing consumed, an empty platter that once held herb-roasted red potatoes and asparagus sitting in the center of the table, the five of them sat close to each other, sipping their coffee. A tall man with steel-grey flat-top, dressed in the club's ubiquitous uniform, stepped in. "If I'm not interrupting?" "Edgar, you ol' goat-fucker!" Dominique cried as she vaulted out of her chair to hug him. "God, it's good to see you. Come on, meet my friends, have a seat, swap spit and tell some lies. "Kids, this is Edgar Rubens, formerly of the United States Army-" "And now content to be a lowly barkeep and purveyor of victuals," he finished. As introductions were completed, the four spouses realized how much fun it was going to be, having Dominique Duvalier as a member of their House. The rest of the evening passed in good company, with a lot of laughter. "Sure we can't persuade you to come home with us, little girl?" Carol said, in Spyderchylde's whispery voice. "Don't even do that," Dommi answered. "Even with y'all telling me the truth of the thing ... God damn it, I was scared to death for you." She hugged her old friend. "No, I've got some sort of ... thing ... to get ready for tomorrow night at the club. I dunno, some group of freaks is going to be performing ... who knows what the hell will happen." She grinned at them. "Y'all take care ... I'll see you tomorrow night." She turned and added, "Oh, by the way, response has been real good to the advertisements for tomorrow night. I'm expecting a full house." "Well, save us couple of extra tables," Margo replied. "Who knows who Minerva will convince to come." "Oh, already done. And if nothing else, I'm sure there'll be some assholes there tomorrow night, just to fuck with y'all, that I can gladly throw out." ------- Margo lay on her back in bed, her head resting on Lisa's crotch. She periodically kissed one or the other of the deliciously plump thighs that cradled her, rising up on both sides of her face. Harry lay beside her, feeling like a practice dummy as Helen McReady gave Carol and Kelly tips on massaging and caring for his leg. "Why the hell is it just you two?" he asked, wincing as Helen dug in to one side of his thigh. "Because, everyone else in the house has already gotten this training," Helen replied, "Carol and Kelly are the final two. Knowing you, I needed to get them up to speed before tomorrow night." "Joyous," Harry replied, his voice suddenly an octave higher than normal. "Now everyone can bring me such pleasure." Helen took apparent savage joy in bearing down on another knot in his muscles. "No Harry, my dear, this isn't pleasure, this is pain. Even in this group of deviants and degenerates you should be able to keep the two straight." "Oh yeah ... pardon me, I get so confused," he answered through tight lips and gritted teeth. As his spouses practiced Helen's lessons, Harry suffered in silence, only wishing that his and Carol's assailants were still alive, so that he might kill them himself, slowly ... very slowly. Come Friday morning, Lisa snuck out to get ready for work, leaving the four of them in bed, sleeping peacefully. Carol awoke first, as was her habit, threw on a long t-shirt and padded into the kitchen. After the night before, it was a morning for fruit and whole grains, perhaps nutrient-rich smoothies instead ... she wasn't sure, but she knew damn well the first and most important priority would be coffee. While she still couldn't brew a pot to Harry's level of expertise, she did quite well and she set up the coffee maker for Kelly to start when she got up. Taking a pipe and a glass of juice with her, she wandered out onto the back porch. The temperature was cool, but not so cool that she didn't shuck off the t-shirt and lay down on a chaise lounge to smoke a bowl and feel the air move over her naked body. Keeping an ear out for signs of life in the kitchen, she watched the sky slowly lighten, clouds crawling across it at a slow and stately pace, while she enjoyed her high and drank her juice. Eventually, after a blissful period of apparent timelessness, the sounds of Kelly clomping through the kitchen reached her ears. She heard the coffee machine being clicked on then her wife was walking out onto the back porch, one hand rubbing her beautiful, frizzy hair, the other scratching her delectable butt. "You know, you scratching yourself is a vision of loveliness first thing in the morning," Carol chuckled. "Yeah, fuck you too," Kelly replied good-naturedly. "I don't suppose you brought out enough for me?" "Weed or juice?" "Either." "Nope - go get your own," Carol laughed, handing Kelly the pipe and her glass. "Get me a refill while you're in there." "Bitch," Kelly griped. "Damn straight, but you love me anyway," Carol replied. When Kelly returned, a glass of juice in each hand, pipe held between her teeth, she settled onto the lounge next to Carol, handed off one of the juices and said, "You do have fire out here, right?" "Nah," Carol answered. "I implored the Sun God to direct his most Holy Fire to my service, and used it to light up." "Gimme the damn lighter," Kelly said. "Ask a stupid question..." Carol chided. "Speaking of questions that might well be stupid at this point in our family's day off, where are our spouses? Still asleep?" "Not unless Harry can be balls deep in Big Mama, making her moan like a bear-in-heat while he's asleep." "I dunno, he is pretty talented." "True, but not even he's not that talented. Camille and Billy are up, I heard Billy upstairs, and the Miami Heat is sitting in the kitchen, worshipfully waiting for the coffee to finish." "Guess I better get in there and get breakfast started ... I'm thinking sourdough toast and smoothies this morning. Sound good?" "Yeah," Kelly replied, exhaling a deep lungful of smoke. "But you better hurry — you know how this shit goes. Pretty soon we're gonna need to be moving at the speed of light." When the sound of the mixer penetrated the consciousness' of Harry and Margo, they were lying back on the bed together in a tangle of limbs, delicious erotic sweat shining on both of them. "Um ... sounds like something healthy for breakfast," Harry said. "I suppose after last night, something greasy and pork-like was too much to hope for." "Quit your bitching, my love," Margo replied, "I smell toast as well." After freshening up, they shuffled into the kitchen to find the rest of the household, save for Jackie and Lisa, around the table, cheerfully chewing on toast and drinking coffee and tall, frosty mugs of something thick and fruity. Harry's eyes were still only half open when Camille put down a cup of coffee and a smoothie in front of him. "How would you like your toast, sir?" "Butter ... jam ... do we still have any of that raspberry jam?" "I'll check, sir." Moments later he was chewing on a thick slab of oven-toasted sourdough, butter and raspberry jam oozing across it like lava. "Well," Carol said, "the good news is that everything, and I do mean everything, is ready for tomorrow, so our party for the neighbors should come off without a hitch. "The bad news," she continued, "is that we're going to be pulling together costumes, performance plans and schedule of same until the very last minute." "And that's provided nothing goes wrong between now and then," Kelly added. The phone on the wall began to ring. Five sets of disapproving looks focused on Kelly's face. "WHAT?" she cried. Ten minutes later, Carol was off the phone with Dommi. She hadn't said much during the conversation, and everyone around the table could see that some of the color had drained from her face. Her lips were trembling as she said, "House Sandalwood is fucked." "As well they should be," Billy proclaimed. "What about it?" Carol turned to look at him. "No Billy ... really fucked. Dommi received an email asking her to reserve a table for House Fruehauf." Billy swallowed hard. "Okay, maybe they don't deserve that much fuckage." "What the hell is going on?" Margo demanded. "Who the fuck is House Fruehauf?" "Let me tell you a story, Madam," Billy began. "Back in the 1840's, German immigrants moved into the Central Texas area. Among a group that settled near Boerne was the Fruehauf family. Where most of the immigrants were of lower class, looking for land and opportunity, the Fruehauf's left Germany for completely different reasons. Children from farming and trade families, from Native American and Mexican families ... they had a tendency to disappear from the Boerne area. Predictably, as the area got better settled, the Fruehauf's had to settle down as well, but there was never an orphan child or unwanted bastard that the family wasn't more than willing to take off people's hands." "Did they ... molest them, you think?" Kelly asked. "Not according to any reports at the time ... they just brought them up to be servants ... in the 'slave-in-all-but-name' sense of the word. And on top of that, of course, they kept blacks as slaves, until after the Civil War. "Now, there were tales of them taking advantage of their staff once they were of age, but the Fruehaufs managed to stay just this side of the law. And I fully believe they took advantage of them ... the Fruehauf were an established House before they even left Germany. Ever since the early part of the 20th century, they've split their time between their estate out near Boerne, and their home here. They've mellowed over the years, changed with the times, but still, entering into a relationship with House Fruehauf is assumed to be for a lifetime. They brand their submissives and if a sub should decide they wish to leave the House, they'll do so with the clothes on their back, nothing else, and an almost certain blacklisting among the Traditionalist Houses ... which meant everyone up until the last forty, fifty years." "How do you know so much about them, Billy?" Harry asked. Billy looked at him solemnly. "Because among the Society, what I've told you is pretty well known ... and because after my accident, there was only one House that wanted to take me in on a permanent basis. The fact that I chose to live on the streets should tell you my opinion on the matter." He sighed, and then shook himself. "They're going to be the ones sitting in judgment on House Sandalwood — and they're as old school as old school can get. That's why house Sandalwood is fucked. They won't be a House after tonight." He fell silent. Carol said in a quiet and inflectionless voice, "Margo, you'll be lucky if you only end up whipping Spyderchylde ... depending on Wilma Fruehauf's mood, you may end up beating them all ... and their subs." "Fuck that shit, we won't do it," Kelly cried, slamming her hands down on the table. "Problem solved." Carol looked at her. "Then everything we've worked for is for nothing. We do this; we stand a good chance of picking up a lot of support among the Traditionalists. We don't, we might as well not even show up tonight." Margo said, "Get someone at Sandalwood on the phone." Mistress Marsh' voice was calm on the other end of the line. "We knew Madame Cornelius would be trying to get some of the older Houses to attend before we initiated our plan. This was not unforeseen. We will abide by the eldest House's decision, no matter what it may be." "Fine, you might," Margo replied angrily, "but I'll be goddamned if I will. Fuck this! Fuck all this and fuck the election and fuck House Fruehauf and anybody else that thinks I'll put up with this shit!" "Madam Grimes, please ... before you do anything else, go read the letter we had your husband put in his safe." Margo slammed down the phone, grabbed Harry by the arm and hauled him upstairs to the safe. "Madam Grimes, Master Grimes, Mistress Kelly, Miss Carol — "By the time you read this letter, Dayna will have made off with Miss Carol, and if we're lucky, the police haven't gotten involved. We will, if things have gone as planned, stood trial before a senior House, and we fully expect our own House to be dissolved. We find that an acceptable price to pay ... we told you we tended to jump into things whole hog when we first allied with you. We have never before found a House vying for leadership that we could respect, let alone like. We see this as the chance to bring about real change to our Society, and if that means we don't play in public for awhile, that's fine. (Not really that much different than our fate under Laney's leadership)Providing you win, the Society we want to play in will be alive and strong and waiting for us when we can return. In the meantime, we'll still have our subs and if we've read the character of your House correctly, we'll have you. - Mistresses Dragonaria, Marsh, Wolfling, Ravensclaw and Spyderchylde, formerly House Sandalwood" Margo sat looking at her spouses. She didn't like any of their options. So she determined to find new ones. She called Madame Cornelius, and the two spent a long time talking. Five minutes after she hung up with Minerva, she was back on the phone with Sandalwood. With one problem resolved, they headed into the afternoon focused on the final preparations for the evening. The costumes for the evening had been kept simple, since it was likely that so many of them, one way or another, would be shedding theirs at some point. With so many people, with such varying degrees of financial solvency, deciding to wear the same outfit, and given Elenore's limited prep time, they'd kept the designs simple. For submissives, it was an opaque black over-cape, scarlet harem pants, transparent, thong or no thong as their modesty dictated, simple black sandals, tinkling silver medallion belts, and no tops for either sex. For the Dominants, the color was black — long, loose, flowing black skirts, semi transparent, with blouses with elbow-length sleeves of the same material for the ladies. For the men, loose black cotton lounge pants and short-sleeved black t-shirts. Simple red sandals were the footwear choice. Everyone was picked up at their homes and brought to the Grimes house to consolidate traveling and have supper before the madness began. The kitchen counters were covered with take-out from Lotus Hunan, and everyone just grazed their way through. There were hurried conferences in the master bedroom with various people, numerous bowls of dope smoked on the back deck. Drinks were consumed, and more than several bouts of nervous sex occurred, before everyone was finally ready to load up and head for Jerome's. Elenore had been using his garage as a staging area to put together all the outfits for everyone, and had even put together lightweight grey outfits with red accents for she and Jerome, as they were neither Dominant nor submissive. People that came in contact with the parade of limousines that made their way through the city that night must have thought a movie company was in town, or perhaps some rock festival was being held. Twelve black stretch limos, moving serenely through the streets, finally coming to rest in front of a disreputable garage. The hordes of people, seventy-six in all, which disgorged from them, were moved inside in shifts by Jerome, while in the garage, Elenore stripped them of their mundane wear and re-garbed them. She'd been alerted to a sudden need for thongs where none had been planned for, and was ready with them as Sandalwood was shuttled inside. "Good God," she was heard to exclaim, "it's like outfitting a stage production! I'm goddamn wardrobe mistress to an army!" As they were shuttled through, Carol asked her, "Is Carmine okay with you handling this deal by yourself? I wouldn't want the best tailor I've ever known to get pissed at us ... or you." "What the hell makes you think I'm handling this one? I was merely the front man for Carmine on this deal. He didn't do much, because the order was so simple, but without his advice, his contacts? You'd be naked tonight." She stared at Carol as she slipped on the sandals, naked to the world except for the see-through pants. "Instead of mostly naked." "Thad, I cannot believe you named them Ken, Barbie and Skipper!" Margo growled, punching him on the shoulder. "Madam, they accepted the collar rather than the Hand, they're mine to call what I will ... and for fuck's sake, tell me they don't look like Ken, Barbie and Skipper!" Margo couldn't ... it was true. Through genetics and conscious effort, they very closely resembled the dolls ... or perhaps, the people the dolls were modeled after. "And Margo, the best thing is, they're ALL anatomically correct!" Thad chortled. The limousines were reloaded and the drivers in all their years had never seen so much dope smoked as they did on the short trip from the garage to Dominique's. Every moon roof was open, and the smoke billowing out of several of the limos made them seem to be afire. The mini-bars were only lightly molested — it seemed everyone wanted to keep their tempers calm. The parking lot at Dominique's was already crowded when they arrived, so the limos dropped their passengers at the front door, one carload after another. Several of the other parties arriving at the time looked somewhat put out that they had to dodge limos and the ever-growing crowd, until the realized who and what the crowd was. This Friday night at Dominique's wasn't for the tourists, the place was filling with the Society and its hangers-on and freaky friends. "Do you get the feeling it's the Samhain Fetish Ball, without the outrageous costumes and a couple of weeks early?" Harry asked out of the corner of his mouth. "Harry, that's kind of what it is," Carol replied, "except I'd actually liken it more to the smoky backrooms where the real politics happen. The election is just for show. Madame Cornelius was right. If we have any chance of winning at all, tonight will be it. Otherwise, I'd say let's just go home and fuck till our ears bleed." Kelly was chewing her lip nervously. "I'm with short-and-curvy. Let's blow this popsickle stand and go home." "Steady, children, steady," Margo murmured. "Look regal." When the last limo had driven off to try to find parking on the far side of the parking lot, Carol fluttered up and down the lines of people, rearranging, repositioning, chiding and charming. At last she showed up back at the front of the line. "Showtime!" Margo said, with a grin that somehow, magically perhaps, didn't look forced at all. Through the doors, past the front windows (where Elenore & Jerome had been handed a wad of cash and tasked with handling everyone's cover charges), the parade proceeded. Margo, leading Camille and Terry, the young sub they'd sheltered, but not adopted; Harry, leading Carol and Billy; Kelly, leading Jackie and Lisa; Nicki, leading Sheila; Galena, leading Andrea; Eddie, leading Tamara; Karen, leading Patricia. Then came Madame Cornelius, leading Andre, Hans, Li Kuan and Puppy; Claudette of Evensong, leading Gary; Venus of Evensong, leading Rebecca; Evan of Evensong, leading Alice; Daniel of Evensong, leading Wayne; Stefan of Franklin, leading Lourdes; Marcus and Laurie of Hurley, leading Marcie; Russell of Ra, leading Sunny; Veronika of Risotti, leading One, Two, Three and Four. Roughly in the middle of the procession, in their own House colors, their heads bowed, hands folded together in front of them as if in prayer, came Dragonaria of Sandalwood, followed by Boris, Clyde and Joan; Marsh of Sandalwood, followed by Catrina, Frederick and Judith; Wolfling of Sandalwood, followed by Hermano and Rose; Ravensclaw of Sandalwood, followed by Sammy and Louis — and finally Spyderchylde, her hands actually tied together, followed by no one. The tail end of the long line of House Chorale and its allies came David of St. Paul, leading Andrew and Katie; and the great horde of Karghold Newton — Thad, leading Ken, Barbie and Skipper; Vida, leading Wade, Marshall and Denise; Marie, leading Julian, Ivan and Ruby; Nina, leading Casey, Annie and Sharon. Finally, at the very end, came Elenore and Jerome, looking a little wide-eyed after having paid $3900 in cover charges. Dominique's was overstaffed, compared to their normal Friday night crew, and it was a good thing as it took almost every waiter, waitress and hostess to show the members of the Chorale parties to their respective tables. As Angela flittered off with their drink orders, Harry leaned back and looked at Carol. "Love what she's done with the place ... not." The three-ring circus table that they were seated around was now covered by multiple cameras. The other 'stages' were covered as well, albeit by fewer cameras. Large screen televisions were mounted on the outside walls around the club. "Yeah," Carol replied, "she told me about this, I just didn't want to unnerve you ... more than you were going to be unnerved when you walked in and saw them." "You are so thoughtful, darling," Harry said, smiling to show he was joking, 'tell me why I haven't beaten you yet?" In a flash, Carol was in his lap, breathing in his ear, "Because I haven't been extra special good yet today?" Harry hugged his beloved and sighed, "God, you are such a little freak." ------- Chapter 49 In the confusion of getting their drinks, and then passing Angela around the table for gropes and kisses, House Chorale's Master and Madam missed the short man, dressed in a suit, that stood close by, waiting for their attention. When Harry finally noticed him, he said, "Yes sir? Can we help you?" "Yes sir, I'm looking for Edward Janak?" Harry pointed to him and smiled. "Could I be rude and ask what for?" "Just a delivery, sir, thank you so much." ------- A few moments later, after sending a silent prayer of thanks to the Great Whatever that the jeweler had been able to finish in time, Eddie had coaxed Tamara, Carol, Margo and Kelly into telling the whole table the story of Eddie's father coming to the house and how they'd so deftly handled the situation. At the end he pulled a small case out of his pocket and turned to Tamara. "For you, for you all, but I'm starting with my darling." He opened the case and allowed Tamara a moment to 'ooh' and 'aah' before taking the necklace out, and putting it on her. A simple silver chain, with a pendant — a small silver disk with a beautiful blue topaz set in the center. Then he turned and repeated the process with Margo, then Carol, and finally Kelly. She looked surprised and Eddie growled, "Yeah, you too — you were a part of it as much as them." When he was finished fastening the necklace around Kelly's neck he went back to his seat. No one was crazy enough to comment on his teary eyes and sniffles. Margo smiled at him. "Blue is Rachel's favorite color, isn't it?" "Um hmm," he said through tight lips. "Oh God, girls, look at the rim!" Kelly exclaimed. They found that on each was inscribed "Always remembered, always in my heart, always with my thanks" in very small, but very readable letters, the inscriptions laser-engraved deep into the silver. Thankfully, when buried under four crying women, his own tears could go unnoticed. ------- Dommi was surprised ... she was happy and confident in her decision, but as she picked up the microphone, she found no trace of sadness in her whatsoever. "Attention — an announcement to all my friends and patrons in our Society. Tonight marks the dissolution of my House, Duvalier." Sounds of surprise, shock and sorrow rose from parts of the audience. "I only founded my House to give me and this club neutral ground to stand on, and I haven't been neutral since House Chorale first appeared on our scene. If you've been around lately, you know how very fond I am of them, so with the dissolution of my own, I have petitioned them to be accepted into their House, and my petition has been granted, to my great joy. As if there were any doubt remaining, I now stand with my friends and lovers." She cut the microphone and stood overlooking her club, her dream, as the applause started and spread throughout the cavernous room. She smiled. Not everyone was happy with her decision, but the positive response was greater than she had expected, and that boded well on so many fronts. ------- "All right," Madame Cornelius pronounced in a voice of weary tolerance, "I am not sure if I agree with this therapeutic mumbo-jumbo you are engaging in, but remind me who is being who this evening." "I'm with you, Madame C," Eddie grunted. "I mean, I hope it's helpin', 'cause they're all bugfuck crazy, but this changin' roles thing..." Madame Cornelius tilted her head back and looked down her nose at Eddie. "When I find myself in agreement with Master Janak, it may well be time to rethink my position." And then she winked at him as Karen almost blew her drink through her nose. "Dissed by Madame Cornelius — Neanderthal, it just plain sucks to be you!" Carol put herself in the middle between Karen and Eddie as the big man rose to his feet, aiming his ire at his favorite nemesis and the stocky woman rose to meet him. "Hold on now," Carol said, "you two sit down and save your energy, you're both going to need it tonight." "Don't remind me," Karen grumbled. "Wimp," Eddie chortled, "I'm looking forward to my parts." "Then you are misguided, mistaken, ill-informed or just possibly as dumb as a rock," Li Kuan said, smiling serenely. "You have nothing to look forward to from our interaction this evening." "Except pain and humiliation," Karen chuckled. "After years of being bested by me, he's just got to be fond of those!" Eddie got back up and Carol pushed him back down. "In answer to your question, Madame Cornelius — Harry will be trying to act like Kelly ... not that much of a stretch for him and I expect to find him stalking his prey as soon as he gets a few drinks in him. Margo will be playing me ... not much of a stretch for her either, she just has to shift from 'Big Mama' to 'little mama'. I'm going to do my best to be Harry ... which means I am looking for stupid shit to do as we speak. That leaves Kelly to take Margo's role ... and I really pity anyone who thinks she's not up to being the head-Bitch-in-charge." "These annoying role-reversals won't be in effect come the trial, I trust?" Madame Cornelius asked. "Oh, no ma'am," Harry replied. "Although I for one wish to God they could be." ------- "How long do you plan to make Madam Wilma of Fruehauf wait?" the skinny submissive asked Dominique, as he eyed her with disgust. Dommi bit back her first response and smiled graciously. "I have merely been waiting until everyone we had been told to expect had arrived. They have and we await Madam Wilma's pleasure." He scampered back to the Fruehauf table, naked except for a small pouch holding his genitals and the large Imperial Eagle brand that adorned the right cheek of his ass. The other stages were filled with performers and everything seemed deceptively normal as Dommi made her way to the three-ring-circus. "Harry ... Margo ... it's time. The cunt doesn't want to wait any longer; she's going to extract her pound of flesh as quickly as she can." ------- Dominique had done her best to have the more serious players that Madame Cornelius had managed to talk into attending all seated in the northwest quadrant of the club, close enough to have very good seats for the performances later, but not so close that whatever happened concerning Sandalwood's trial would be effectively center-stage. Harry and Margo led the five Mistresses of House Sandalwood towards House Fruehauf's table, followed by every Dom and Domme of their alliance. Where the parade into the club had been nervous, even as its participants pretended joviality, the procession to the trial was somber, with no smile on any face, no twinkle in any eye. No one was quite sure what was going to happen, but everyone knew it was going to be ugly. As they stopped before Fruehauf's table, Margo studied the woman who sat chatting with one of her House's Doms, ignoring the throng assembled before her. Wilma of Fruehauf wasn't at all what Margo had been expecting. Margo had envisioned a thin, pinched, bitter stick of a woman - like Joseph Goebbels in drag - or maybe something from "Ilsa, She Wolf of the SS" — blonde, large-breasted and armed with a riding crop. Wilma of Fruehauf was short, plump, dressed in a business suit and slacks, with brown hair in loose curls hanging down to her shoulders. Her face, rosy-cheeked and smiling, made Margo think of some hill country 'hausfrau', rather than the lead Dominant of the oldest established House in all of Texas. Granted, the almost naked submissives that sat on the floor behind her didn't quite fit that picture, and the scars and brands sent an even more sinister message, but they too were smiling and chatting among themselves and for a moment Margo dared to think things might turn out well. Then Wilma turned to face her, and in her eyes Margo saw the same coldness, the same distance, the same dancing-on-the-borderline-of-sociopath look she saw in Minerva Cornelius' eyes when she was at her most angry. But there was no anger in Wilma of Fruehauf — if Margo had to guess, such was simply Wilma's normal state of mind. "I believe we have business together?" Wilma asked. "Yes Madam Fruehauf," Margo replied. "Spyderchylde of Sandalwood kidnapped our submissive, Carol. She did not attempt to flee with her, but merely took her home, restrained her and then proceeded to use her as she would. We turn Spyderchylde over to you, as head of the most senior House present, for judgment." "No..." Wilma replied slowly, "you turn House Sandalwood over to me for judgment." "Madam, there is no House Sandalwood anymore," Margo said. "For the theft of our property, even though neither I nor any in my House believe they knew of or approved of Spyderchylde's actions, I demanded the dissolution of House Sandalwood and the submission of its members to my House. They are ours now, Dominant and submissive alike, or they are out of Society. This was my demand, and the demand of my House, and they very reluctantly agreed, knowing that we might, or might not, return their Household status to them at some much later date. We have waited until tonight to make it official, in front of all here." Wilma examined Margo like a lioness deciding whether to kill a wounded gazelle or leave it for the hyenas. "You take much upon yourself, Madam Grimes." "My apologies, but such was not my understanding. Madame Cornelius has taught me that my House is mine to run as I see fit — they insulted my House, they stole from my House, and my House, through me, demanded and received recompense for their offenses. In what way have I erred?" Wilma tried to stare Margo down. It didn't surprise her that she wasn't successful at first. Anyone that Minerva Cornelius had chosen to make a run at the leadership of their little club wasn't going to be someone who gave in easily, or was frightened of tradition and assumed power. In reality, House Fruehauf had very little actual power, especially as it didn't deign to play in the Society much ... Fruehauf's playtimes were much too perverse to be held in public, and it was a very small group indeed that was permitted to attend Fruehauf's private functions. In the perception of Society however, their age and fearsome reputation meant quite a lot, and it was that assumed power Wilma Fruehauf was used to banking on. Margo Grimes apparently didn't care. In a way, that endeared her to Wilma greatly. Margo was a throwback to the days when the opinions of anyone outside ones House didn't matter — a House was run as its leadership wished it to be, and that was the end of the discussion. She knew why Margo had taken House Sandalwood out of her grasp, and while she found it a weakness, she admired the woman's spirit. But in the end, it didn't matter — Wilma Fruehauf would simply make the one member of Sandalwood she could inflict her will upon suffer the whole of her cruelty, instead of having it spread out among the House. Madam Fruehauf looked away first. "Very well — Dayna Spyderchylde is no longer allowed to play or appear in public as a Domme — ever. If she does, the House that owns her will be disbanded. For one year, she is not to be treated as a submissive either, but as something lower — a dog perhaps — at any public or Society function. Madam Grimes is to administer twenty lashes to her tonight, in our presence, and Minerva Cornelius is to bleed her as well." Wilma looked at the sobbing Spyderchylde, who had fallen to her knees. "Unless Dayna Spyderchylde would prefer permanent banishment?' "N-n-no, ma'am." "She is now the property and responsibility of House Chorale, if and until they should decide to pass her to some other House, but as far as Society is concerned she is now and forever more property." Wilma leaned forward towards Dayna. "Unless you would like to run away from our Society?" "N-n-no ma'am!" "Fine, I trust there's a proper whipping post somewhere in this kinky Romper Room?" "Madam Fruehauf, if I might?" Harry said. "Yes?" "Madam, while it's true that my wife is senior dominant in our House, I request the privilege of applying the prescribed discipline to our newest slut. Carol was mine before there was a House Chorale and should the House dissolve tomorrow she would still be mine." "Harry!" Margo growled. "No, my dear," he said in reply, "I really do insist." Enjoying the strife between the two, Wilma replied, "Of course. As she was your property first, it is only fitting you administer the whipping." She smiled at Harry. "However, should you find yourself not up to administering a proper lashing, I will appoint one of my House to take over for you." "Thank you, your kindness is appreciated." ------- Before the assembled Houses, Margo had Carol cut the clothes off Dragonaria, Wolfling, Ravensclaw, Marsh and finally Spyderchylde, leaving them wearing the thongs Elenore had acquired at the last minute, while Kelly stripped the House submissives of their outfits, leaving them naked. ------- As they waited for the post to be brought out, Harry and Margo sat and smiled, all the while holding a muttered conversation. "Just what the fuck do you think you're doing, Harry?" "You always get the hard jobs — this one is mine." "You picked a fucking stupid time to get noble!" "Would you expect any less from me?" She turned and looked at her husband. "No ... not at all. Thank you." "You can thank me later." "I will." ------- As Dayna was fastened to the pole, facing outward, Madam Cornelius approached her, a finger-blade on each index finger. She leaned forward and said, "Girl, you know this isn't going to be enough, don't you?" "Yes ma'am ... I will talk to Harry." "All right then-" "Madam, if you would," Spyderchylde whispered. "Yes." "Cut in the shape of a spider web." Madame Cornelius' blades were wide and rough, covered with burrs, designed for scarification. Her fingers danced across Spyderchylde's naked torso, digging furrows from her nipples diagonally to her waist, and then continuing on to form the other lines that were the framework of a spider web. When she was finished, a thick sheen of blood extended from the woman's chest to her pubis. "I need water to wash her so that I can see to continue," Madame Cornelius called out, only to be countermanded by Madam Fruehauf. "Not water, grain alcohol." There were many things Minerva Cornelius wanted to say to Wilma Fruehauf, volumes of them in fact, but she held her tongue. Very, very rarely was Fruehauf able to exhibit any real power, and Wilma was determined to wrest every drop of pleasure out of this opportunity as she could. As long as Minerva and her friends played by Wilma's rules, the Traditionalists could not help but be impressed, and the more extreme Wilma got, the more she helped their cause. "Very well, grain alcohol." She turned to look at Dominique. "I do assume you have some? This establishment does have a bar, does it not?" In moments any hope of any of the people in the club missing what was going on was gone. When the bottle of Everclear was poured over her body, Dayna Spyderchylde screamed as the lines on her torso ignited, feeling to her like great wounds filled with burning pitch. As the trembling woman calmed somewhat, Minerva came close to her and whispered, "Are you all right for me to continue? We can end this all right now; say 'to hell with the elections'. I will, if you wish it. I would gladly tell Wilma Fruehauf to go to hell, give her directions and then send her on her way with my own two hands." "Continue..." sighed Dayna, "just make sure ... to get the webbing ... right." While there were many things about Dayna and her House that Minerva Cornelius didn't like, there was no denying the woman had spirit and courage. Leaning in, apparently to check her earlier work around the woman's breasts, she murmured, "No matter what else ever happens, you are a friend of my House." "Thank you, Madame ... now please continue ... before Wilma gets pissy." ------- The ten minutes of careful, painstaking work it took Minerva to finish the web were some of the longest of Harry Grimes' life. This was not what he'd ever wanted. It was not what his wife wanted, it was not what any of them had envisioned when they began the journey into their new lifestyle. He watched Dayna's face like a hawk, alert for any sign, any indication that she wanted it to stop, but while she was obviously in pain, she never signaled that she wanted to give up. Harry wondered how close he was to the point where he couldn't keep justifying the ugly things that happened in Society with the phrase "they made the sacrifice willingly" — he was pretty sure that by the end of Dayna Spyderchylde's punishment, he'd be far closer. ------- After allowing her a moment to recover, Margo cleaned Dayna's wounds, daring Wilma Fruehauf to say a thing. Wisely, Wilma restrained herself. She knew that no matter what, the next part of the evening's drama was going to entertain her greatly. ------- Harry insisted on turning Dayna to face the pole himself, giving him time to talk with her softly. "Please, please give me any excuse to end this," he implored. The chuckle that worked its way up through Dayna Spyderchylde's body sounded ancient and unhealthy. "Master, quit worrying and fretting," she whispered. "You're already forgiven. Just do it hard as hell, do it right, and get it over with. Afterwards," she continued, "loosen my restraints so I can bend down, and fuck me." She softly coughed. "Fuck me as hard as you can, cum, and then walk away. Anything less might give that Fruehauf bitch a reason to get creative." "How am I supposed to manage that? You think I'll get an erection during this?" "Sir, think about what's going to happen when I feel better. Think about me, sucking your cock any time you want it. Think about bending me over, any time at all, and taking me in either hole. Think about me naked, and always available to you or any member of your House. Think like a Master, and you'll be fine. Don't worry, I'll be wet for you ... because I'll be thinking about all that, and your little Carol riding my face as well." "All right, consider it done. Margo will take care of you when I'm finished. I think I'm going to be throwing up somewhere." The flogger that was handed to him was of moderate length, four feet long, one foot of it the handle. The falls, or lashes, attached to that handle, were plentiful, thin and rough. Harry had enough experience to know the kind of marks they'd make, and with the amount of force he'd need to use to satisfy Wilma's decree, blood was certainly not out of the question. "Dommi, a towel please, large enough to wrap around my waist?" As he waited, he made the pretence of checking Dayna's restraints at the top of the pole, murmuring an apology to her. The towel arrived; Harry got out of his clothes, no more self-conscious than if he'd been at home, and wrapped the towel around his hips. "I call the count," he said, and then he began. ------- A sea of stony faces watched Harry whip Dayna Spyderchylde, long strokes, hard strokes, alternating from left to right and right to left, shoulders to mid-back. Harry did his job. By the third stroke, Dayna was sobbing. By the sixth, blood was beginning to seep out of the bright red stripes on her back. By the fourteenth, blood was openly flowing ... and then just six strokes later, it was done. Harry calmly walked over, his erection evident under the towel, and loosened the leather thongs holding Dayna upright. She slumped down; he pulled her hips back, forcing her feet to follow. The towel dropped to his feet and he slammed into Dayna's cunt with a vengeance. The woman hadn't been lying. She was wet and ready for him. It was that which kept him going, and allowed him, with the help of some visualization, to climax inside her relatively quickly. His cock dripping cum, he pulled out and left her leaning against the pole. "If you have no further need of me," he said, bowing to Madam Fruehauf, "I'm going to clean up and get to know our new House member better." Wilma smiled and nodded graciously as Harry took Dommi by the arm and started walking her to the stairs up to her office. "Are you okay, Harry?" she whispered. "Just hurry ... I need to get to your private bath before I vomit." They took the stairs with no regard for Harry's leg, but Harry wasn't worried about that in the least. He wouldn't let it go out; there was nothing that would cause him to fall at that point. Dayna had paid far too high a price that evening; nothing would be allowed to detract from whatever her sacrifice had won them. Once inside Dominique's office, however, he slumped to one side, sank to the floor and crawled into her toilet. Dominique had never heard a man cry, scream and throw up, all seemingly at the same time. And when the vomiting was done, the screaming and crying still continued. He held the cold porcelain in his arms and gave voice to his sorrow, his pain, his disgust and his rage. His erection at the end of the lashing had had nothing to do with Dayna Spyderchylde. The dark and ugly part of himself had pictured Wilma Fruehauf in his power, choking on her own blood as he raped her ass, holding her hair with one hand and stabbing her in the back with a stiletto he held in the other, the knife's piercing of her flesh in perfect synchronicity with each thrust into her bleeding anus. As he huddled around the toilet, he killed her again and again, running the fantasy like a loop in his mind. Dominique Duvalier could understand the tears and the screams, but the fresh erection truly disturbed her. ------- As soon as Harry had walked away, Margo had slowly walked over to Dayna's slumped form. "Unless you have any objections, we'll take our property and trouble you no further," she said. "Trust me, Madam Grimes, it's been no trouble at all," Wilma Fruehauf replied. "Anytime you wish to someone to render judgment, please don't hesitate to call." Margo smiled, and in spite of herself, Wilma Fruehauf felt a chill race up her spine. Margo approached her and whispered in her ear. "Madam Fruehauf, I believe there's a special place in hell reserved for us after tonight — the difference between us is, the torment will be worth it to me, just so I can have a front row seat for yours." She leaned back and snapped, "Time to go, children." Dayna was picked up and carried her to the table by her sisters of the former House Sandalwood. Margo got her bag of first aid supplies and went to work. Kelly seated herself calmly where Margo usually sat at Chorale's table and smiled her nastiest smile at House Fruehauf. The Dominants allied with House Chorale closed ranks around the table where Margo had laid out the beaten Spyderchylde, blocking it from view. No one was to see Margo sobbing as she worked. "Get Billy ... over here..." she said. Within moments, Billy was let through the cordon around the table. Still sniffling, Margo said, "Billy, have the Sandalwood subs taken home, take the five mistresses to our house. Take my cell with you, call Dr. Mike Lowry, his private number is in the phone, ask him to get to the house and take care of Dayna. If she needs to go to the hospital, fine. Tell him I'll owe him, big. I think you can move them all in two limos. Come back as soon as you can." Having done all she could, she finished drying her tears and stood up, putting her 'Madam face' back on. "You are in disgrace," she said loudly. "Throw back on your rags and leave. I'll deal with you all later." After they dressed, Billy escorted the dejected former members of Sandalwood out of the club. Margo walked back to their table and sat next to Kelly, in a subordinate position. ------- "Madam Grimes, I was wondering if I might speak with you," said a voice from behind her. Margo turned around to see a dark-skinned woman, who couldn't be older than twenty-five, well-rounded but with obvious muscles beneath her curves, long straight black hair hanging down to mid-back. She was dressed in a set of black, rough leather chaps that covered very little except the fronts of her legs, a pair of biker boots and a black mesh-t-shirt that came halfway down her torso, revealing a moderately sized set of breasts with large, dark nipples. She was somewhat square-faced, reminding Margo of Karen in a way, but more conventionally pretty. "Yes." "I'm a present from House Thacker." "Then you need to speak with Mistress Kelly, she's in charge for the evening," Margo said, hiding her smile. She was anxious to see how the 'Queen' handled such things. For her part, Margo realized she was falling behind in her duty as the 'little mother' of the group, and after checking out her compatriots at her table, she moved off to the tables of their allies. She walked off to Kelly's leering inquiry, "Are you a real present or just a loaner?" Before she could answer, they were interrupted by other events. ------- Carol had run away, in a manner of speaking. She was supposed to be Harry but couldn't be as her soul was sick with how House Fruehauf had handled Dayna, so she had thrown on her cape, wrapped it around her and gone to their limo. Once safely ensconced inside, she'd told the driver to head for Pine Forest Cemetary. ------- In the midst of all that was going on, no one saw Stan Carter heading up the stairs to Dommi's office. ------- Harry had recovered somewhat, cleaned up a bit and was seated at Dommi's bar, sucking down his third bourbon. If they hadn't won by the end of the night, he no longer cared. New Society, old Society, he wasn't going to play anymore sick, sad games for something as ultimately meaningless as the Fetish Ball election. Let people play where they liked, let them do whatever, but the whipping of Dayna Spyderchylde had been the last straw for him. There were parts of the scene that Harry enjoyed more than he'd ever thought he could, he'd done things he'd never even dreamed of, but when it came right down to it, fetish society was sick. It wasn't sick because of the fetishes themselves, or the dark desires of those who played in it, the fetish scene was sick because anytime people had power, real or perceived, they used it to hurt others and the scene was all about power. All the problems in the Society were fixable, taken on a per-case basis, but taken as a whole — Harry no longer believed anything they ever did would really and truly make a difference. Even if they fulfilled all of Madame Cornelius' dreams for a fair and egalitarian Society, animals like Wilma Fruehauf would still have power because she wasn't some sort of freak, she was representative of a group of people with similar attitudes and practices. They hurt people because they enjoyed it, and they didn't care if that enjoyment was reciprocated. His musings were disturbed by Dominique. "Harry, Stan Carter is here to see you." Harry's spirits sank. Stan was a perfect example of the kind of human animal he was thoroughly sick and tired of. Dominique showed Stan in while Ricky poured Harry another bourbon. Harry turned around on his stool and eyed his visitor. "Carter, I'm having a really bad night, what the fuck do you want?" "Well boo hoo for you, Grimes. I want Camille back, and a hell of a lot more." Harry began to laugh, a laughter that came from the ragged edge of shock and a sick heart. "Carter, what do you think would ever convince me and mine to give you back Camille? You don't really even want her, you're just trying to soothe your ego." "Grimes, did you know there are two-faced secrets?" Carter answered. "Secrets that in one place, say, here in Fetish-land, are worth a lot of good will — used correctly, they might even be worth a lot of political capital. But in other places, like the real world? Same secret could destroy your career, your reputation ... pretty much your whole damn life. Funny, isn't it?" A coldness crept over Harry. He knew the answer before he asked the question. "What are you talking about, Carter?" The smirk on Stan Carter's face was a poisonous mixture of vengeance and joy. "So Grimes, banged your sister lately?" ------- Karen had Patricia on her lap, just holding her, smelling her, face buried in her lover's hair, letting the odors of soap and sweat wash the stench of House Fruehauf out of her nostrils. Eddie was hugging Tamara tightly to his left side, while with his right hand he arm-wrestled with Li Kuan. Both of them had anger to flush out of their systems, and being who they were, the physical contest was helping them to do just that. Ricky came running to the table and spoke urgently in Kelly's ear. "Eddie, Karen — Dommi wants you in her office right away." Something in Kelly's voice scared both of them to their cores. "Hurry." ------- Kelly sat at their table, wanting to go upstairs so badly that if she let her self-control slip in the slightest, she'd be halfway there before she could stop herself again. She didn't know what had happened, what was happening, but she trusted Dommi enough to have faith in her judgment. The message Dommi had sent was simple. "Send Eddie, Karen, and absolutely no one else to my office immediately." There were a wealth of possible reasons for that message, and the frightened voice that Ricky delivered it in, and none of them, not a single one, was good. ------- In the chaos of Dominique's, a lot of things could happen and be missed by the majority of the attendees. Karen and Eddie charging upstairs at full speed wasn't one of them. ------- Patricia, left so suddenly by her love that she'd actually bounced as she landed on the bench seat, didn't know what was happening, but she knew it was time to pray, so she did. Naked save for harem pants and sandals, Patricia implored God for strength, grace and forgiveness for her friends, her family, her lover and last of all herself. ------- Eddie and Karen had considered smashing through the door rather than opening it, but they'd restrained themselves. Once they heard the noise from inside the sound-proofed room, they were very careful to close it behind them. Inside, down the short hallway and past the bathroom, they came to a stop, their brains trying to comprehend the tableau before them. Dominique was trying to hold Harry back, her hands gripping his arms so tightly that her fingers were white all the way to her palms. Harry was splattered with blood — it oozed out of his mouth, was matted in his hair and coated his hands. He was screaming incoherently at the top of his lungs. She was losing the fight to hold on to him, the combination of his rage and the blood and sweat that seemed to be everywhere, working to defeat her. Stan Carter was slumped in the farthest corner, looking like hamburger meat in a suit. Neither Karen nor Eddie had any doubt how he'd gotten that way, but the reality of it still didn't register with them. The only thing that brought them out of their paralysis was Dominique screaming "Help me!" Karen started to move towards Harry, but Eddie stopped her. "No, go deal with Stan, I got this." Her best friend needed her, but his bond with Eddie was older and deeper. She went to Stan Carter. Eddie planted himself in front of Harry, held open his arms and said, "Let him go, Dommi." Harry smashed in to him like a frenzied chimpanzee — scratching, screeching, crawling, jumping, climbing and he was strong, rage-born fury burning through him like high-octane fuel — trying with everything he had to get to Stan Carter. Eddie closed his arms around his oldest friend and locked his hands together. He fell to his knees, limiting Harry's movement with every part of his body. As he did so, Harry continued to batter him and although Eddie felt the blows and the pain they brought, he didn't let it faze him. "Harry, what's broken, what's wrong? We can fix it, whatever it is." Eddie kept repeating those words, hoping that his friend could hear him. Stan Carter was fucked up, and Karen took great joy in telling him so. "Stan, you're all fucked up." "He'd's tryding to killd me!" "Yes indeed he is. Night's still young, we may let him. Question is, what did you do to set him off?" "Noding, noding — he'd just wend cradzy!" "Bullshit," Dommi said as she staggered across the office towards them. "He as much as threatened to leak word of Harry's relationship with Nicki out to the real world." Stan Carter didn't see the fist that slammed into his face, right on his already broken nose. When his vision cleared, he was looking up from the floor into Karen's face. "Lemme ask ya a question, Stan, then lemme 'splain some things to ya. First the question — if we beat the shit out of you, more than Harry's done already, downstairs in front of God an' everybody, would there be one friend, one blood-brother, or blood-sister for that matter, that would come to your aid?" Stan Carter shook his head. "And there's your problem, Stan. See, without thinking hard at all, I know of six people, right off the top of my head, that would gladly kill you for threatening Harry like that. They'd do the time for it as well, if they had to, for no other reason than the sure and certain knowledge that Harry would do the same for them. You know that old joke, 'Friends help you move, real friends help you hide a body'? Harry's got plenty of those kinds of friends, and you apparently don't have any. "Whatever you know, whatever you think you know, whatever you're thinking about telling people? I'd forget it if I were you. I'd walk away, and never, ever even think about it again, for fear if I thought about it, I might say something, and if I ever said anything, I'd be a rotting corpse before another day passed." Karen shook her head sadly. "I feel for you, Stan, I really do. I walk through my life with the knowledge that I'm not walking alone. I have friends, more than friends, they're family, and they have my back no matter what. Anything happens to me, there are people who care, and will avenge me, bail me out of jail, let me move in with them, take care of me if I'm sick or injured — they'll love me, no matter what, even if they don't like me all the time, and defend me to their dying breath. "And you don't have anyone like that in your life. So if I were to crush your fuckin' skull like a melon ... well, Ramon might shed a tear, till he found his next sugar-daddy, but other than that? You'd die unnoticed and unmourned." Karen looked at Dommi. "You got some way to sneak him out the back door?" "Yeah." "Okay Stan, I'm going to let you go, but you think about everything we discussed, all right?" Stan Carter nodded, his eyes wide. "You go to the emergency room, you get yourself looked after. It's sad when you can get mugged and beaten and never see who did it, isn't it?" "Uh huhd." "Good boy. Dommi, get him out of here." "Ricky," the club owner barked, "take Mr. Carter down the back stairs, have Terry drive him to the emergency room and leave him there. And Stan? Never show your face here again." Karen sank back onto the floor. The night had been exhausting, and it hadn't really even begun yet. Behind her, she heard her best friend crying. She turned and saw Eddie holding Harry gently against his chest as he wept. "Is he gonna be all right?" "I dunno, Karen ... right now I just don't know." "Well, let's get him in the bath. Dommi, I think it's safe to send for Margo now, we're gonna need her." ------- "Tony, you remember how I used to tell you stories about the Houses, and the politics, and all the hateful bullshit?" Carol had removed her cape, the harem pants and her sandals, and knelt atop Tony Juliana's grave, naked save for her collar and her blue topaz necklace. Her cell phone, whistle, and straight razor were in a bag at the club. She brushed off his tombstone as she talked and straightened up the Philouma Family's weekly flower offering. She wasn't surprised that there was no flowers from Tony's family — there never had been. Only she and the Philoumas remembered him anymore. "It's all still there, Tony, it's all still there and it's worse now. I've gotten my family all twisted up in the crap and the games and the power trips. They haven't changed, Tony, they're still the good people I told you about, but ... this shit, it's got them doing things they really don't want to do, and they really shouldn't have to do. I wish to God you could tell me what to do, Tony. I feel like they're all hurting, and it's because of me. Not that I meant for any of this to happen, but I came into Harry's life, and then Margo's, and they met Minerva through me, and that led to elections and beatings and blood and pain... "I don't think it would be better if I'd never met them or anything, it isn't like that, it's just ... how am I supposed to deal with looking at Spyderchylde and not hating myself?" She lay down on the grass on her stomach, spreading her arms across his plot. "How am I supposed to look at any of them ever again?" ------- Margo returned from the ladies lounge feeling much better. It seemed that everything she'd drank the entire day had hit her bladder all at once and bounced with a vengeance. When she'd finished, she'd sat at one of the vanity tables and talked for awhile with a very nice woman, Nancy Velacourt, who, while dressed rather kinkily, Margo figured to be one of the few 'tourists' in attendance that night. She'd inquired about what had gone on, and Margo had explained it to her, not from House Chorale's viewpoint, but from a more neutral stance — Margo never knew who might be listening in, and she'd have hated to have voiced her real opinions of the Traditionalists in general and House Fruehauf in particular, only to find out the wrong people had heard her. Margo had finished the conversation with an invitation to their table for drinks and walked out. As she approached their tables, she could see that something was wrong. While everyone had done their best to appear calm after the trial, there was no hiding the anxiety that had blanketed them in her absence. Angela saw her and ran to her. "Madam, your supplies are already upstairs. Come with me to Dommi's office - calmly. Your husband has been hurt." ------- Walk, nod, smile ... Margo proceeded at as calm a pace as she could manage towards the stairs. She caught Kelly's eye and as her wife turned to her, Margo could see the fear beneath Kelly's calm. Margo waved at her and blew her a kiss. Kelly nodded in return, her face grim. Walk, nod, smile, walk, nod, smile. She had Angela's hand in a death grip but the young waitress was hiding her reaction as well as Margo was hiding her fear. "How badly hurt?" Margo asked softly, her lips barely moving. "I don't know — but it was bad enough that Ricky came down to get your bag," Angela replied, raising Margo's hand to her mouth and kissing it in apparent lust. Walk, nod, smile... ------- Once they reached the stairs, they could talk more freely. "Virgin was about to check the ladies lounge — if you weren't there we were going to have to break down and page you over the house address system," Angela said. "Do you know where Carol is, Madam? No one's seen her since that Fruehauf cunt — nobody's seen her since the trial. Shanika says she might've left the club, but she's not sure." "No, I've got no clue where she is ... but finding her will have to wait." ------- When Margo walked in the door to Dominique's office, Dommi greeted her at the door. "In there," she said, pointing to the bathroom. A trail of blood led from somewhere in the office to the tub. The shower was running, the curtain pulled back. Harry's naked body was being held between Eddie and Karen, naked as well. Her husband was quietly sobbing, mucus running down his face and Eddie's chest. His gimpy leg was drawn up, foot not touching the floor of the tub. The water was slowly washing blood out of his hair and she could see it elsewhere on him as well. Her bag sat on the counter nearby. She smiled a bitter smile. As much as she loved Dominique's, the place seemed cursed to bring drama into their lives ... or maybe it wasn't the club, it was the whole damned fetish scene that cursed them. "Dommi, call my cell, find out if Billy's still anywhere near the house. Tell him I need Helen here as soon as possible and to pick up something loose and comfortable for Harry to wear. Karen, Eddie, can you get him down in the tub?" As they eased him down, she continued. "Anyone care to tell me what happened?" Eddie and Karen started talking at once, but it was her husband's voice that got her attention. "I tried to kill Stan Carter." Motioning the others to silence she approached the tub, stripping off her clothes as she went. She took the shower head out of its mount and knelt on the thick bathmat. Harry was sitting in the tub, arms clutching his knees close to his chest. He was shivering, even with the warmth of the water. "Okay my love, you're a little shocky, so let's take this slow. Why did you try to kill Stan Carter?" "He knows about Nicki and me. He threatened to..." Harry's voice trailed off. "He tried to blackmail you with that? The fucker's still alive?" "Only because Dommi wouldn't let Harry kill him," Karen replied. "I can see her point," Eddie said. "Stan didn't look real good though ... kinda like he had an accident with a meatgrinder." "Any idea how that slimy little fuck found out?" Margo asked, moving Harry's hands and letting his legs straighten out in the tub. "Nope," Eddie said as he grabbed a towel, handing one to Karen as well. "Didn't seem like a priority at the time." "You were right," Margo replied, "it wasn't — although I have a pretty good idea as to the most likely way he found out. Hand me the penlight." Eddie dug around in her kit and passed it over. She shone it in Harry's eyes, watching his pupils dilate, then examined the growing lump on his head. "Harry my love, you may have a mild concussion. I don't see any signs of it, but after the hit that gave you that, it's possible," she said in a soft, soothing voice. "How did that happen, do you know?" Harry shook his head. "Don't remember." "All right ... let's see," she examined his scalp, moving his wet hair around. "You've got a nasty gash here ... no idea how that happened either?" Harry's head shook again. "I can tell you," Dommi answered from the doorway. "And Billy was still at the house. He and Helen are coming straight back." "Dommi darling, you sound pretty shaken, why don't you have Ricky get us a round of drinks, something non-alcoholic for Harry, and you tell us what happened." Margo continued to examine her husband. As the drinks arrived, she sighed, put the stopper in the drain, and switched the water from shower to faucet, climbing in behind Harry and holding him in her arms. Dommi sat on the toilet, while Eddie and Karen got dressed and leaned against the counter. "Margo, Stan asked if Harry had banged his sister lately-" Dommi began. Harry twitched in her arms and Margo whispered soothing noises in his ear. "And Harry just exploded at him. He rammed his head into Stan's face so hard I could've sworn I heard bones breaking. Stan fell back and grabbed that big glass ashtray I keep on the bar and smacked Harry in the head with it. Then Harry just went berserk on him. He was hitting, clawing and biting Stan like some kind of animal. I yelled at Ricky to go get Karen and Eddie, grabbed onto Harry and after quite a bit of struggling, pulled him off Stan before he really killed him-"l "Why?" Harry asked, his voice hollow and empty. "Why what, honey?" Dommi replied, not understanding. "Why'd you stop me?" Dominique looked at him, her eyes wide and her mouth gaping open. Karen made a 'shush'ing motion at Dommi and said, "Harry, Stan isn't worth killing ... he's worth beating the fuck out of, though. We can fix that, and we did. But killing him is much harder to fix, and he isn't worth that effort. You've had a real bad night, and he picked the absolute wrong time to try that shit with you, but trust me, after you've had some time, you'll know — Stan Carter isn't worth killing." "Okay," Harry replied, still staring at the faucet as water rushed into the tub. Margo turned off the water and said, "Eddie, hand me the alcohol and my suture kit." "Harry, can you tell me how you hurt your leg?" she asked as she began to clean his scalp wound. "He was down, I kicked him ... hard ... more than once. I remember that, sorta ... I just don't remember the first part." "Okay, that's good enough. Dommi, have Ricky go downstairs and tell Kelly the short version of what's happened. I don't know if she can wait much longer before charging up here with everybody behind her. Have him bring back Harry's leg brace as well, should be in the other bag." Dominique nodded and Ricky headed out the door. As Margo began to stitch up the gash in Harry's scalp, she continued. "Okay, slight degree of shock, no apparent concussion, I've got no fucking clue about his leg, other than it's not broken, as I haven't had time to examine it all that closely and I really want Helen's input. He's got some nasty abrasions on his hands, bruises are already starting to develop all over his body, that knot on his head that I'm sure is going to give him a hell of a headache, I think he might have swallowed part of Stan, as there's tissue in his teeth-" "I did," Harry interjected. "He tasted like asshole, and not in the good sense of that phrase. And by the way, Dr. Wife, Medicine Woman, the headache's already there with a vengeance." Margo heard a shadow of her husband's grin in his voice. "Harry, how nice of you to rejoin us," she said, smiling, even as she pulled tight another stitch. After he winced in pain, he closed his eyes and sighed deeply. "Possibly the worst case of timing in the history of bad timing," he said, tears seeping from the corners of his eyes. "So not the night to threaten us ... not after Dayna ... not after..." Harry fell silent again. "Well if it's any consolation," Karen said, "I sincerely doubt he'll threaten us again. Hell, I doubt he ever wants to be within a thousand miles of you, or any of us, again." ------- As Kelly held a quiet conference, telling the House what had happened, Nicki calmly got up from her seat. She answered Kelly's silent query with "I need to go see to my brother." After Kelly finished, Camille approached her. "Mistress Kelly, I think I know how Stan found out. I need to go see Madam Grimes." Kelly looked around the table. "So do I ... Madame Cornelius, if I could impose on you to spread the word?" "Certainly my dear ... and if you decide to do anything nasty to Mr. Carter, please allow us to help. Li Kuan will never forgive you if you don't." "Speaking of whom," Kelly replied, "would you please have her find Carol ... the way this night is going, I'm starting to get really worried." ------- Candy Dryson, the 'present from House Thacker', was finding her time at the table of House Chorale most educational. They were still a young enough House for politics and such to take second place to things like missing submissives and wounded Doms. In the older Houses, nothing short of fire, plague, famine and pestilence could interrupt business. While her previous Master might find their attitudes naïve — he allowed nothing to ever visibly affect him — she found it ... nice. They cared, and they weren't afraid to show they cared; they weren't so pretentious and hidebound that they felt they had to keep up appearances. They tried to maintain their dignity, to be sure, but it wasn't the be-all-and-end-all. They were putting on a good front, but Candy knew the older Houses weren't going to be fooled. That wasn't to say that the Traditionalists in attendance would or wouldn't support Chorale, just that they would see them at best as a House with good instincts, a lot of potential, but a long way to go. When put up against Dick Laney and House Odessa, they were the better choice, and perhaps some of the older Houses would vote that way, perhaps they wouldn't. Candy had been the property of one Traditionalist House after another since she was twelve, and she'd seen far too much of their bullshit to be overawed. Perhaps that was why, she mused, she'd been passed from House to House. She waited patiently to be noticed again. That was her place, that was what she had been trained to do. She was very good at it. ------- Li Kuan talked with Shanika, and then stalked outside. She went to the far end of the parking lot and questioned the drivers. It only took a few moments and then one of them was calling the one that had driven Carol, with the message to return. Li Kuan stomped back across the parking lot, muttering to herself. "Idiots, don't know how to look for someone, start panicking, I have to come out and ask the drivers like they should have done first thing, surprise, the drivers know she's gone, sometimes I wonder how they lived so long..." ------- "Ma'am," the driver called out, "ma'am, I just got a call from one of the other drivers. Your family is looking for you. They said to tell you Harry has been hurt." Carol didn't bother to dress; she just grabbed her clothes and ran for the limo. ------- Camille Santiago remembered Li Kuan's words. "It's not that you're a bad person, silly girl," she had said, "it's that you're weak, unaware of just how weak and vulnerable you are and too stupid to see what's going on around you ... or too deeply in denial. Either way the end result is the same." She'd stopped living in denial about Ramon and what kind of man, or more accurately 'boy', he was. She'd begun to discover her own self-worth instead of relying on the opinions of those she served and had, by the greatest of luck, stumbled into a situation where she was loved and cherished, a place she could gladly stay. And she was going to lose it all, because of exactly the things Li Kuan had warned her of. Maybe the fact that she came forward with the information would impress Chorale enough that they would arrange another position for her rather than just kicking her out on the street. ------- "That tub is about to exceed its maximum capacity," Karen observed. "Yeah ... but I ain't gonna say nothin' to 'em, are you?" Eddie replied. "Nope." While Dominique's bathtub was expansive, it was still only a bath tub, not a small hot tub like the one at the Grimes home, and it was having problems holding three adults and almost any water at all. Margo had scooted all the way back, Harry sat between her legs as she finished stitching up his head, and Nicki was curled up between his legs, crying. Harry found it hard to pet and comfort his sister while holding his head still, and was glad Margo was almost through — for a multitude of reasons. "Madam Grimes..." Camille said, trying to get her attention yet again. "Camille," Margo replied distractedly, "if you make me fuck up a stitch, I'm going to sew something closed on you." Margo peered at Harry's scalp intently, then leaned back and began another stitch. "This is an awkward enough position ... without having you disturb me ... but it's where ... hold on, Harry, I'm tying off ... I need to be, and he needs me to be." Finished, snipped the end of the surgical thread with scissors and handed her equipment to Kelly to put away. "Now then, Camille — do you have anything to tell me other than you told Ramon about Harry and his sister and he told Stan?" Camille stammered, 'M-m-madam ... how?" "Really easy, Camille — you, your brother, Stan. See the connection?" Margo snapped. "Madam ... I meant no harm ... I ... even though he doesn't love me, and he's a selfish, self-centered little ... I still care about him. I wanted him away from Stan, so I thought that if I told him how..." Camille began to cry. "If I told him ... how wonderful ... it was here ... maybe ... he'd get away from Stan ... part of that ... was Master Grimes ... and his sister ... I didn't even think..." "And just a word," Dommi interjected, "not that it changes the degree of her fuckup, but with any House, and any of the other players in the scene, it wouldn't have turned out this way. Even Dick Laney wouldn't out someone in the real world. Most of us have too much to lose — it's not done, it's not even considered." "Madam, I didn't ... I just wanted him ... to know there was a different way ... a better ... Madam, Master, Mistresses ... I am SO sorry..." Camille continued to cry. "I know ... I have no right ... but ... would you please ... find me a place ... no matter how low ... with one of your allies ... or friends ... I don't want to go back to the streets." Margo replied, "You're not going anywhere, you silly cunt. You don't get to fuck up this badly and then walk away. No, you're going to be in the doghouse for quite some time ... but I'll be damned if I'll kick you out for a mistake - especially a well-meant one." She looked at her husband who was stroking his sister's head. "I'd send you home if I thought you would go." "But you know better, so you won't, right?" Harry replied, grinning through the pain in his head. "Right ... but I'm giving you some pretty heavy pain relievers ... you may end up remembering more of the fight than you do the rest of this evening." "Fine by me." She looked at the woman lying on the floor, sobbing with regret and relief. "Something is going to be have to be done about your brother, Camille ... I get the impression Stan left without him?" "Yes, Madam Grimes," Dommi answered. "I imagine Ramon is sitting at Stan's table, awaiting his triumphant return." "Fine," Margo replied. "Let's get Harry's brace on his leg and go back downstairs, slowly and carefully, and then you two," she motioned to Eddie and Karen, "maybe Li Kuan as well, you bring the little shit up here and have him clean this place up. I suspect Ricky can oversee that, once our resident enforcers put the fear of God in him." ------- The limo carrying Billy and Helen and the one Carol was in arrived back at the club almost simultaneously. When Carol saw Helen, her mood lightened. If Margo had called for Helen, it meant Harry wasn't so badly hurt that he needed a hospital. If Margo thought that, he'd already be in one. ------- "Nicki ... you want to ease off a little," Margo asked as they sat back at their table, waiting for a round of drinks. "You're being a little ... overt." Nicki was humping her brother's undamaged leg and had pulled open her blouse, pressing her breast into his mouth. "I'd advise letting her continue," Madame Cornelius said. "The cat is well and truly out of the bag now — I made sure of it, in the nature of a preemptive strike. I am moderately sure it is working as I expected. I did not plan for this big of a group finding out about the two of them, but their relationship is meeting with the approval of everyone I suspected would find it titillating." Madame Cornelius looked over at the two of them. "I would say go ahead and have them mate right here at the table, but by all appearances, my urgings on that account would be redundant." Indeed, there seemed little doubt that before too much longer, Nicki was going to be pulling Harry's cock out of Camille's mouth and mounting him where he sat. "Fine ... Camille," Margo snapped, "less cock-sucking and more observation. Remember that list of things I told you to watch for and let me know if any of those symptoms show up. Nicki ... like you're listening ... go ahead." Margo shook her head with resignation. Kelly leaned forward and whispered, "Margo, you're talking like you're in charge, far too much. Remember who you are tonight. I think you were doing real well up till Stan got stupid. Here in a minute, go mix and mingle, make everybody feel welcome." "You're right," Margo agreed. "My apologies, force of habit." "I know, Big Mama," Kelly said, grinning. "Well here comes our little absent spouse! What is it with you and disappearing lately?" Kelly continued, hugging Carol as she ran up to the table. "I'm so sorry ... I just ... I went and talked to Tony ... I was feeling a lot overwhelmed." "You went and talked to Tony?" Kelly asked. "His gravesite ... I go and talk to him from time to time." "So, on this night of all nights, you freaked out and ran off without your cell, or your whistle or your razor ... is that what you're telling me?" Kelly said, her voice calm and kind. "Uh..." Carol replied, realizing that she was speaking to the Queen. "Yes Mistress, I ran off. I did so without my cell so you could reach me, my whistle so I could call for help, or my razor so I could protect myself. Before my punishment, could someone please tell me what happened?" Helen had gone to Harry's leg without stopping to say or do anything else. She'd shooed Camille away from his cock, as she was in the way, pulled off the brace and was sitting at his feet, looking over his leg intently, moving it back and forth, and gently shifting it from side to side. "Well, for one goddamn thing, in addition to looking like he was in a fight that he lost, your dumbshit husband has managed to hurt his leg again, undoing weeks, possibly months of therapy and treatment," Helen growled. "Oh no," Dommi said from nearby, "this is truly, truly a case of 'you should have seen the other guy'. Master Grimes didn't lose, he won spectacularly." Harry turned towards her, pushing Nicki down to the floor. His gaze was somewhat unfocused, and his head none too steady on his neck, as he said, "You sound mighty proud for the woman who stopped me from finishing the job." "I am, Master Grimes," Dommi replied. "Just because I didn't want you to risk jail doesn't mean I'm not proud of you. You trashed his ass most thoroughly." Harry's gaze wandered back down to Nicki, who was trying her best to get his cock in her mouth and not interfere with Helen. "Only reason I bit him," Harry said, rambling, "was because you had my damn arms and legs. He didn't taste good. I want ice cream!" "Margo, what did you give him for the pain?" Kelly asked, trying hard not to laugh. "Something perhaps a little stronger than I should have," she replied. "Dommi, how much did he have to drink while he was upstairs?" "Three or four large bourbons." "Whoa ... well, Master Grimes is probably going to be a bit ... no, make that a lot, loopy for the rest of the night," Margo replied. "He's not in any real medical danger because of the two interacting, but he's going to be happy ... and very easily distracted. And Camille's job is going to be a little harder, because the state he's in, symptoms of something more serious are going to be harder to catch." To one side, Li Kuan was filling Carol in on all that had happened. "Speaking of Camille," Kelly said, the Queen once again firmly in place, "I've decided on her punishment for telling tales outside of the House." "Kelly, I've already-" Margo began. Kelly locked eyes with her. "You're about half a heartbeat from suffering my wrath as well, Bitch, I'd advise you to think very carefully ... is there anything you wanted to say that was really important enough to interrupt me?" "No ma'am." "I didn't think so. Dominique, do you have a chain here, three to four feet in length with a clasp of some kind on the end?" "Like a dog chain?" "Exactly like a dog chain ... because from now until I decide differently, Camille will be chained to my husband's waist whenever he's not around mundanes — when he's at home or out playing. The only time she'll be released off that leash is if her Master sends her to run an errand for him." Her gaze turned to Camille. "You're his body servant, slut. You'll do whatever he tells you to whenever he tells you to do it. You're his now, not Margo's, not mine, not anyone else's ... just his. You sleep when he sleeps, at his feet. You eat when he eats, you drink when he drinks. You don't ask to go to the bathroom ... you go when he goes, you go where he goes. You hold it otherwise. You break these rules, or make any other catastrophic mistakes, or disappoint my husband in any way, and I will make you wish you had chosen the streets. Your mistake could have cost my family everything. You better goddamn well believe you're going to pay for it." Margo knew she was pushing her luck, but did so anyway. "Mistress, it was just an unthinking mistake — we all make those." "Yes, Bitch, you simple slut, we all make them. I cannonball Tattie, you accidentally make our husband a loopy loon for the evening, Carol runs off, doing a masterful job of being as irresponsible as Harry, leaving all her important stuff here, Harry kicks the shit out of that maggot-fuck when he should have just hit him ... we all make mistakes. Then there are those other mistakes we made — I almost molested a minor, you stayed in a toxic marriage for far too long, Carol would've stayed with Rick Cox till he killed her, Harry was figuratively killing himself, probably close to doing so literally as well. "Now then, which set of mistakes do you think Camille's is closest to?" "In intent, the former, in potential effect, the latter." "Right ... I cut her a lot of slack, just as you did, on intent. She meant no harm, in fact, she was trying to do good, which is why I agreed with you about keeping her in the household — that's one side of the equation. The other side is that our lives were almost fucked up the ass by this woman when she did something that it seems to me should be number one on the list of submissive no-no's." "You mean talk about House business with other submissives, like Sandalwood's submissives did?" Margo asked. For a moment, Kelly's 'Queen' mask slipped, and her 'happy-go-lucky' mask beneath that one slipped, and Margo saw the fiercely protective, intensely angry, recently terrified woman beneath them. "My husband has been hurt," Kelly said, her words snapping out like gun shots. "My family has been threatened. Some one is going to pay." Her masks slid back into place. "And I say it's going to be this silly cunt." She leaned down to Camille. "Do you have any problem with the sentence I've handed down?" "No Mistress, none at all." Camille turned to look at Margo. "It's fine, it's more than fine ... please, let me do as she commands." Margo nodded, secretly happy that Kelly wasn't demanding some other form of retribution. "Now on to Carol..." Kelly said. "Carol, honey, I can't fault you, not really ... you had every reason to freak out, every reason to not think about what you should have carried with you ... and I'd like to hear about your talk with Tony at some later date. Also, you pulled a perfect 'Harry', running off irresponsibly without thinking what your actions would put the rest of us through. Still..." She motioned to Li Kuan, who had returned with Karen and Eddie from upstairs. "How long could you hold her," she asked, pointing at Carol, "on your back? Grab her wrists above her head, hoist her up on your back, bend over slight, stretching her out?" "You intend to use me as a whipping post?" Li Kuan asked, smiling in pleasure. "Yes, yes I do ... any objections?" "No, Mistress Kelly ... I could hold her up for far longer than you'll need to chastise her." "Fine, get ready to hoist her. Margo, ten from me, ten from you?" "Yes Mistress." "Good." Carol came close to the two of them and whispered, "Excellent plan ... give in to your fears and anger from earlier tonight ... we need to get them out of the way before the performances start ... and you know I won't mind." She was only partly correct ... when her own personal monster grabbed her wrists, hoisting her roughly up her back, and chuckled "You smell good enough to eat" — Carol found she minded quite a bit. Kelly and Margo did as she suggested. In the cropping they gave her, they let out their fear and anger, their disgust and sorrow — with the result that Carol's bottom was alight with bright red, swollen stripes when they were through. "Now sit," Kelly said as she sipped her drink. "Sit, Mistress?" "Yes... sit!" ------- Camille knelt by Harry, a length of dog chain running from her collar to a sash that had been thrown around his naked waist. Even though Billy and Helen had brought clothes, a naked Nicki on his lap made dressing him problematical. He didn't seem to be 'there' enough for Nicki's ministrations to bring him off, or even keep him consistently hard, but his sister kept his cock inside her all the same, never letting it go completely soft. Since they'd come back downstairs, Nicki hadn't said a word, and from what Camille heard from others, she hadn't said a word upstairs either. The last thing she'd said was "I need to go see to my brother", and Camille couldn't help but wonder what was going on inside her head. ------- Chapter 50 Galena kept her face and body rigid, holding on to her demeanor like she was clinging on to the edge of a cliff with a long fall beneath her. The trial and discipline of Dayna Spyderchylde had been brutal; she'd hated every minute of it and was horrified that the fun and loving power games her family played could be turned into such ugliness. But as much as it had sickened her, when Carol returned to the club, and Galena understood the full measure of her irresponsibility, she was introduced to another facet of herself that she hadn't previously been aware of. Galena wanted to beat Carol — she wanted to give her friend the full twenty stripes with the cane, and more besides. What if something had happened to Carol while she'd been out? What if she'd become simply one more tragedy in a night that already seemed to be full of them? What if the family that loved her, cherished her and needed her had lost Carol due to her irresponsible actions? Galena could finally understand how Harry incurred the wrath of the family from time to time. No one belonged just to themselves, they all belonged to each other and that placed severe restrictions on just how stupid it was okay to be. With love and acceptance came responsibility and duty. Galena had understood that before, but it had become even more concrete that evening. In her 'real' family, she had to let things slide — if it was someone older, she couldn't tell them what to do, if the person was younger, she could, but she had no real authority and most times, no support from an elder if she tried. All she could do was express her concern and hope for the best. Here ... they'd chosen her and she'd chosen them. She'd accepted her place in the House, and all that went with it. There were ties and bonds she was only beginning to identify, and hadn't yet begun to understand. She hadn't joined a House in some semi-feudal kink society; she'd joined a tribe, a clan. Other Houses might not play that way, but there was no doubt in her mind that her House saw no other way to play ... or to live. She'd heard Dommi's tale of what had happened upstairs, and what Karen had told Stan. It made her weak in the knees to realize that these people would stand up for her like they'd stand up for Harry, or any other member of their family. She felt humbled and honored that they'd expect the same from her. She prayed that when that time came, she didn't disappoint them. After Carol's caning, Galena shook off her fear. "Andrea, it's time to act like we belong here," she said, downing the rest of her Cuba Libre. As they walked away, Galena put on the persona of Mistress Galena. "Do you feel like a frolic?" she asked Andrea. "Yes, Mistress." She led Andrea to the table where House Franklin was seated. She found Stefan quite handsome, sophisticated and distinguished — and very hot. Swallowing the anxiety that kept threatening to return, she looked at him and said, "Master Franklin, shall we strengthen the ties between our Houses?" She was almost ecstatically happy that she'd managed not to stammer in her nervousness. He looked at her appraisingly, then began to loosen his pants. "And I even brought something for Lourdes to play with," she said, pushing Andrea towards Stefan's submissive. He took her in his arms and said, "I'm pretty sure if we're going to do any tie-strengthening, you should call me Stefan." "Then I'm Galena," she replied, as she wriggled free of his grasp so she could drop her blouse behind her. "Oh yes, you most certainly are," he answered, lowering his face to her breasts, his arms once more pulling her towards him. ------- Mike Lowry and his wife Rochelle were on their way to hear one of their favorite jazz quartets perform when he received the phone call from Billy. Rochelle had long before learned the futility of arguing with his almost pathological inability to say 'no', so she merely asked how long he thought it would take. Mike had no idea, as Billy hadn't been forthcoming with the details, so she'd decided to go in with him instead of waiting in the car. Neither of them had expected five rather buxom women, dressed in rags and blankets and little else. Mike had examined Dayna Spyderchylde while extracting a rather lengthy and involved explanation of events from the five of them. Rochelle had always envied him his bedside manner, the calm and quiet consolation and questioning that resulted in him almost always getting the information he needed. Her tongue tended towards sharpness, and an abrasive conversational style that had helped distance them from most of their friends over the years. As he talked to the women, all of them but one with ridiculous names in her opinion, her eyes roamed over the living room of the Grimes home. It was obvious that the room was designed with sex in mind, and a lot of it. Everything was easily cleaned or otherwise washable, although some of it would require industrial sized washers and dryers. She could imagine what the interesting two-tiered chair was used for and the possibilities excited her somewhat. It occurred to her that this was the home of the people throwing the kinky party Mike had talked her into attending ... perhaps it wasn't going to be the disaster she expected it to be. The smell of pot was heavy enough to catch her nose and that didn't upset her either — her days of cocaine and Quaaludes were long past. Booze and pot were enough for her most days. Then her husband's voice brought her back from her musings. "All right Dayna, you've certainly had a night of it, but I'm not seeing any reason to send you to the E.R. Of course, if you start showing signs of infection or anything too out of line with what Margo can tell you to expect from your injuries, that will change. She did as good a job as I could have done in an examining room when she cleaned you up and bandaged you, not that I'd expect anything less." He looked at his watch. "Honey, we've missed the first set and frankly, I wasn't planning on staying for the second, it's been a long day. Are you all right with us going home?" A sharp retort came to mind but before she could utter it, she was interrupted. "I'm very sorry that my sister's injuries have ruined your night," Kathleen Marsh said. "Billy gave us the run of the house, told us to help ourselves to anything we wanted. I was thinking that drinks and bowl or three of good weed would be the perfect thing to take the edge off of tonight. Please, allow us to express our gratitude by joining us." And to her complete surprise, Rochelle Lowry found herself nodding. ------- Carol was surprised to see House Velacourt in attendance. Normally they stayed away from anything that even remotely smacked of politics. She was more surprised still when Mistress Velacourt, on her way back to her table, waved at Margo, and Margo waved back. "Madam, do you know that woman?" Carol asked, still squirming as her red and swollen bottom rebelled against her sitting on it. "Her? Yes, nice woman, bit of a tourist I think. We talked in the ladies lounge and she asked me to explain what was going on, what the trial had been about, all this 'Society' business." Carol snickered, tried hard not to lose it completely and only partially succeeded. "Madam, you were played — although not unkindly I think." "What do you mean, Little Cunt?" Margo growled, not happy with being laughed at. "Madam, that is Mistress Velacourt of House Velacourt. They would be one of the oldest in the state had the House not effectively ceased to exist for several years, from 1940 to 1945, if I remember correctly. During that time, the House's focus wasn't considered safe to take an interest in, so by a ruling of the other Houses, Velacourt has only been in existence for sixty-one years. Most of the Dominants who play in the House really don't care. They avoid politics like the plague, in general. They're content with their place in the Society. "House Velacourt is into oriental women — exclusively. In their previous incarnation and in the early days of their current one as well, rumor has it they weren't always aboveboard about how they acquired their playmates — a historical tradition shared by almost all of the oldest Houses. In the past thirty years, that's shifted, and since the American love for Japanese pop culture has exploded, Velacourt has grown exponentially. "Madam my love, among the other Houses, if someone wants a well-trained submissive of Oriental descent or appearance, they can try to find a suitable candidate for training that Velacourt hasn't already snapped up, or they can simply deal with Velacourt." Carol chuckled, "Not that dealing with Velacourt is a problem — they are very accommodating, and given their size, have a wide base of submissives to draw on — it's almost a certainty that someone they have in training will find the customer acceptable. Most often, deals are cut for cash, with the House taking part of the fee to cover training and management and the submissive keeping the majority of the funds. Not surprisingly, there are a lot of Dominants who find the idea of a submissive Oriental female very attractive, and most of the major Houses have one or more. "They even have a group of women that have been trained as a mix of the Western and Japanese concepts of a geisha — although the members of Velacourt are very careful never to refer to them as such. They are officially referred to as 'pleasure girls'. Trained to be pleasant and accomplished companions and hostesses, they are also given equally rigorous training in being compliant pleasure slaves. The 'Western' varieties are much more affordable than the 'Eastern', as the 'Eastern' pleasure girls are trained as closely to true Geisha standards as Westerners can manage." Carol mood became more sober and serious. "There are rumors however that not all the deals members of House Velacourt make are anywhere near legal, and that some very powerful people in the state owe them favors." "What do you believe, oh loving wife?" Margo asked. "I believe that power corrupts, and that there's an awful lot of money to be made in playing to racial stereotypes with disposable women." "Fine, fuck her and her House then," Margo replied. "No Madam ... I'm sure not everyone in the House is involved in whatever illegal activities go on. Periodically, members are banished — thrown out with no reason ever given, and they're never allowed anywhere near any of the House's submissives again. I think Mistress Velacourt is very well aware of some of the things that go on, and she does her best to handle the issue in-House, without attracting official attention. Now, we could get all hypocritical and say "why doesn't she go to the police?" but our own hands are none too clean on that account. Velacourt's membership is well over two hundred, statewide, no one but the House itself knows how many exactly, and if they were to decide, for whatever reason, to lend even a portion of their potential support? Dick Laney would lose in a landslide." "This is very true," Minerva interjected. "But knowing their traditional stand on matters political, I did not bother inviting them. I wonder why they are here ... the answer to that question could be most interesting." "Maybe they're tired of being non-political," Carol said. She thought for a moment. "Margo, I'm not so sure she played you as she sounded you out, tried to get a feel for how diplomatic you are, how well you can play the game. I was thinking the other day about adding someone cute and Oriental to our stable — why don't I go over and see what's available, try to feel Mistress Velacourt out on her support?" "Because you're a submissive, my beloved wife," Kelly said from nearby where she'd been listening, "and a luscious little subbie like you might send the wrong message. I'll go." "Kelly," Margo said, "this is a pretty serious step and when it comes to playtoys, your taste is rather wide ... maybe Carol was looking for something more specific." "Bitch, you are consistently forgetting your place, aren't you?" Kelly asked, wonderment in her voice. "What am I going to do with you?" She looked thoughtful. "Ah, I know just the thing. "Angela, get Papa Stripper over here." "Kelly, don't you dare," Margo said. "Bitch, you will be quiet!" Kelly snapped. "You say another goddamned word and he'll be mounting you as part of the stage show!" She leaned in close to her wife and lowered her voice. "I know you have insecurities about this kind of thing, and I know you think I'm over the line. But the flip side of fewer "Princess isn't here right now"s from me is that you will obey me when I'm in charge. That's the deal. Now then, last weekend I should've looked over and saw this beautiful man pounding in and out of that pussy of yours like he was breaking up concrete. I'm going to see that tonight, unless you have a very good reason why I shouldn't." Margo sighed — she was being given an out - she wasn't responsible, it wasn't her fault. "No, Mistress, I'm sorry, Mistress." "All right," Kelly motioned to the recently arrived Papa Stripper. "Papa, make her a very happy woman." "Oh ma'am, you ask de hardest t'ings of me," he answered, the quickly rising erection between his legs giving lie to his words. "Come on, short stuff, let's go buy us someone juicy," Kelly said, pulling Carol along with her as she left the table. As she knelt on the table, they could hear Margo wail "But the house is overcrowded as it is..." ------- Nicki knew her brother loved her, and knew her brother would fight to protect her. Nicki loved her brother very much. He had been willing to kill Stan Carter, in part to protect her, as well as the rest of his family. Harry could have been hurt even more severely than he already was. And it was all Nicki's fault. Nicki was apologizing in the only way she could, given the circumstances. She had a lot of apologizing to do ... she just wasn't sure for what, exactly. Anything other than apologizing was something she just didn't have time for. ------- The wonderful session with Stefan Franklin had left Galena feeling much more relaxed. "Tell me you didn't enjoy that a whole lot," Andrea had said as they sauntered away. "Oh, I enjoyed it all right ... and from what I heard, Lourdes made you the main course on an "Oh, Yummy" buffet." "The girl has skills ... and apparently so do I." Galena said, "Less than a week out of my shell, so to speak, and I've been loved by two very handsome men ... yes, slut, my life is hell. I've seen the way Lord Newton has been eyeing me ... I think before the end of the night, it might be three." From inside the 'Mistress Galena' persona, Galena Pessino peeked out. "And please, dear God, don't let my mother ever find out!" ------- Mistress Velacourt was impressed with the new House on the block, so to speak. Her conversation with Margo had revealed quite a bit about the House's character, and their diplomatic savvy, and she liked all that she saw. She'd also watched very carefully their interaction with House Fruehauf. They abided by the letter of politeness, adhered to the letter of Fruehauf's rulings, all the while staring Wilma Fruehauf down. Nancy Velacourt had a deep and abiding hatred of House Fruehauf and particularly Wilma. While Fruehauf couldn't come and play, given some of their predilections, Velacourt could, and she had no trouble at all stomaching Chorale leadership, where Odessa made her want to hit something, preferably Dick Laney himself, with a stick until it stopped feeling good to her. If she courted the new leadership more adroitly and more humbly than Fruehauf, who seemed to think every drop of urine they deigned to dribble was a gift from the gods, then quite possibly lines of consensus would change, alliances would shift, and she could conceivably have Velacourt's elder status returned to it. Nancy Velacourt was very familiar with 'assumed power' versus 'actual power', and she knew her bank account was full of the latter, while Fruehauf lived on the former. Hell, if things went very well, the opportunity might present itself to use the new leadership to put the screws to Fruehauf in some way. That was worth a lot of good will to Nancy Velacourt, and good will, like owed favors, was money in the bank. ------- Candy Dryson was still waiting. She dropped into a squatting position, which gave her legs a bit of a break from standing for so long, and flagged down the House's waitress and asked her for water with lemon. She thought about making herself known to the Master of the House, but between the pain drugs and the blonde on his dick, she didn't think he'd be too coherent. Some of the other House Dominants were certainly possibilities, but it was pretty clear that as far as Chorale was concerned, the four from the Grimes family were the real leaders — even the little sub. That was confusing, but she didn't think too long on it. Candy was hoping the new House accepted her — she wasn't happy at Thacker and lord knew the Master wasn't happy with her. Still, he either thought enough of her to believe she'd make a welcome gift to a House he was trying to get in good with ... or he didn't give a fuck about Chorale at all and were using them as a convenient place to dump her. Maybe if she went and stuck her tongue up Master Grimes' ass, he'd come, his sister would take it as a sign and give it a rest for awhile? ------- Kelly liked what she saw as she approached House Velacourt's table - she liked it a lot. Sweet, beautiful Oriental girls, all kinds, over twenty of them, all of them dressed like schoolgirls, all of them looking young enough to pull it off. Kelly's mouth was watering as they reached the table. "Mistress Velacourt? I'm Mistress Kelly of House Chorale. I came to talk with you a bit, and our pet here is looking for a gift for the family." "Mistress Kelly, I insist you call me Nancy. I'll be happy to talk with you and if your pet can't find the gift she's looking for here, we can make arrangements for her to see the rest of our stock. I know she'll find someone that she likes, and who will be willing to be transferred from my House to yours." "If you're Nancy, then I'm Kelly," she replied. "What are you drinking?" "Nothing at present, but a chocolate martini would surely change that in a hurry." "Damn, that sounds decadent ... and good, very good. I think I'll have one as well." Kelly waved down a waitress. "Short stuff, you want something?" she asked Carol. "What the two of you are drinking sounds wonderful, Mistress." The waitress arrived and Kelly said, "Three chocolate martinis, put them on Chorale's tab ... oh hell, this whole table is on Chorale's tab for the night. Go now, my little bringer of joy!" "Is there anything I can help you with, to make your search easier?" Nancy asked Carol. "Yes Mistress, I'm looking for a pleasure girl trained in the Western school, with a good singing voice, soprano preferably. I know they all have training with musical instruments, I was thinking flute or acoustic guitar." "Oh damn, I have just the girl for you, but she's not here at the moment. If she's not acceptable, I'm sure I can find someone who will be ... let me have her brought here, shouldn't take more than twenty minutes." She pulled out her phone and looked at her two companions, "I assume you can wait that long?" Kelly smiled, "Mistress Velacourt, we would be happy to be your guests for the duration." ------- "HOLY SHEEP-FUCKIN' MOSES!" Harry Grimes had come, he'd come so hard and so much that even while he was still balls deep in Nicki, his cum was running out of her, dribbling into the hair of the young woman beneath them. Helen had been talking with Eddie and looked over with concern. "Harry, are you all right?" "Yeah ... yeah ... oh..." he peered around Nicki, who was happily busy with the after shocks of her own orgasm, and looked at the young woman beneath them on the floor. "Who the fuck are you and what the hell did you do to me?" Candy got up, grabbed the towel he'd been wearing when he came downstairs and started to clean his cum out of her hair — only to be interrupted by Nicki, who pulled Candy over and began to suck the cum out. "Uh, hi Master Grimes," she replied, her head at an awkward angle as Nicki slurped her hair, "I'm Candy Dryson. I'm a present for your House from Master Albert of House Thacker. Uh, I noticed you were having a little problem with your erection there, and so I, uh ... I shaped an ice cube in my mouth to be a little more rectum-friendly, and then I shoved it up there with my tongue." "That explains why I have icy water dribbling out of my ass," Harry replied. "Well damn, Candy Dryson, that did the trick all right." "Uh, yes sir, so I noticed. Can you call your sister off? I think she's got it all." Harry gently set Nicki down on the seat beside him. She immediately cuddled up close to him, putting his left arm around her. "Pardon her, Candy, she's having a rough night." "Yes sir, I've been watching and it looks like you're all having a rough night." "You could say that ... now, why would a House we're not familiar with send us a delectable morsel like you? Are you a gift or just here for the evening?" "Funny thing, sir, your Mistress Kelly asked me the same question, but with all that's gone down tonight I never had a chance to answer her. I'm a permanent gift, if you'll have me, sir. I'm not real sure why Master Albert sent me, I mean, me personally, as I'm real prone to acting and speaking without thinking, and I sure as hell have no idea why he sent me to you, seeing as how he's never been all that interested in politics and this part of the scene before, but send me he did, and uh ... I'm hoping you take me. He's a bit of an ass- well, he's a bit hard for me to deal with sometimes." Harry laughed, "Candy, final approval will rely on Carol's say-so, but with that provision, you've got a new home if you want it." "Oh yeah, I want it," she replied, drying her hair and looking at Nicki as if she were crazy. "You mind if I sit down, I've been standing here waiting a long time." "Go ahead ... y'know, somehow, I think you're going to fit right in." ------- Kelly and Carol did their best to be attentive guests after Harry's outburst, and were saved from having to sneak covert looks by their hostess peering over to their table and saying, "I wonder what in the world happened over there with your Master?" "I could go inquire, Mistress," Carol said, hopefully. "Go ahead," Kelly replied, "and hurry back with the news. "Nancy," she continued, "are you really interested in only Oriental women, or do other women have a shot as well?" "You're lovely, Kelly, don't get me wrong, but no, only Oriental women. For me it started out young, growing up in a family and a House where they were readily available, and in my youthful rebellion phase I pretty much slept with anything that moved ... but at this point in my life, there's my husband, and there these beauties, and that's it." "Shame," Kelly replied. "Ah well, I can't win them all." She smiled at Nancy. "Me, I refuse to let myself get tied down to finding one type attractive. Why, look at my spouses-" "So that's not a rumor," Nancy interrupted. "It's true the four of you are married to each other?" "More than true..." Kelly's gaze turned inward for a moment. "The three of them are the completion I never consciously knew I was looking for." Her eyes returned to Nancy Velacourt. "I fought it for awhile — fought it hard, but at the end of the day, I belong with them and nowhere else. Thankfully, that doesn't mean I can't indulge my more licentious habits, but I think we're all coming to understand that no matter what, no matter whom, no matter how — we're going home together at the end of the night. Us, and our little, ever-growing army." Nancy laughed, kindly not mockingly. "Yeah ... yeah I know that feeling. At the end of the day, I want to be home with Randolph and the kids ... and ten or twelve of these. You know, it would be so much easier if we could just claim them as dependents, or tax exemptions, or something." "I'm afraid our family's accountant is going to have a nervous breakdown this next year," Kelly replied, laughing along with Nancy. "So far we have four, counting Spyderchylde, possibly five, maybe a sixth by the end of the night that the family is supporting." She sipped her drink. "Not that I mind ... I love them all — oh shit, wait, add one to the grand total, I forgot me!" "So, what are you going to do with yourself?" Nancy asked, chuckling. "Remain at home?" "No, no I don't think the family will let me — not that I'm all that eager to, in the long term. I needed some time at home with them, to adjust to everything, to deal with Harry's almost dying. I'm thinking I'll be going back to school next semester, or maybe the semester after that. Now, that said, I still have no clue what I want to do with my life, but being a housekeeper isn't on the career list. Thankfully, the upside of ending up with so many dependants is that I won't need to. Hell, after this weekend Carol may well be able to step into a supervisory role over a true household staff ... which will make her crazy until she learns how to delegate, but I think will be good for her overall. She doesn't get to spend enough time on her knees, so to speak. That makes her unhappy which makes us unhappy. "What do you do when you're not hanging out with lots of yummy women?" "Hang out with even more yummy women," Nancy replied. "My job is making sure these girls are trained and trained properly — as the head of my House, I end up 'managing director', I guess you'd say. We're a going concern, and it eats up every bit of time I let it." Carol returned and relayed the story of Candy Dryson and the anal ice-cube. When the three of them could stop laughing long enough to catch their breaths, Nancy said, "You have a most unusual Household. Perhaps poor Candy has finally found someplace she belongs." "What's the story on her?" Kelly asked, looking at Carol to gauge their voodoo woman's reaction, as well as wanting the scoop from Nancy. Carol smiled and nodded, very slightly, as Nancy said, "That poor girl hasn't fit in anywhere since House Gaunt took her in when she was twelve. Don't let me give you the wrong impression — she's as well-trained a slut and as compliant as any of my treasures, but aside from the bedroom — well, she's never mastered thinking without saying, or thinking without acting. When she screws up, she doesn't argue, takes her punishment and holds no grudge, but from what I gather from the Houses she's belonged to, she spends so much of her life out of favor with her Masters and Mistresses that she's just too much trouble to keep. So she gets passed on to someone else and the same thing happens. She's been through every elder House, except us, of course, and Albert Thacker's trying to dump her on you." Nancy Velacourt looked at them bemusedly. "From what I picked up while talking with Mistress Grimes, and from the two of you, I'd say take her. Your house may be just the place she was made for — young, vibrant, chaotic, not too full of itself. She'll serve you well, if somewhat unpredictably." Kelly and Carol grinned at each other. "Sounds like our kind of slut," Kelly chortled. "Although another sub in the house will make Margo cry..." "Yeah," Carol agreed, "but it's kind of fun when she whines." "Never let her hear you say that," Kelly warned. "What, do I look suicidal?" Carol replied. Carol and Kelly were getting shoulder and neck massages from two of House Velacourt's other protégés when the girl Nancy had sent for arrived. Five foot six, with a pretty oval-shaped face, a cute button nose and deep brown, almost black eyes, dark brown hair down to her mid-back, more curvaceous than most of the other girls Nancy had brought with her — she was dressed in a pink halter top and black micro-shorts, her breasts almost spilling out like overfull pudding cups, her tummy slightly rounded, her bottom barely contained by the shorts both above and below them. Both Carol and Kelly were drooling before they knew it. "Ah, I can tell by your reactions that my appraisal of your House's ideal physical type was correct. You seem to like women with real bodies and little Usagi here fits that bill perfectly." The girl continued to stand before them, head bowed, eyes peeking out at the two of them. "Usagi is somewhat of an oddity — we've had her since she was six. She's fully trained in the 'Western' tradition, well-versed in American culture, she is of course completely adept in the bedroom arts, she can cook, clean, entertain both adults and children, dances, sings, is fully versed in etiquette and how to dress for any occasion ... she is a perfect companion in the Western sense. I had thought to place her with a businessman, someone who needed a young lady of impeccable manners and fashion sense to be his escort anywhere and everywhere, but who had other, more practical uses for her as well, such as housekeeper, or nanny. And I beg you; ignore the outfit she's wearing tonight." Nancy sighed. "She was probably naked until my call, and grabbed the first thing available." "It is laundry day, Mistress," Usagi said in a beautiful soprano voice. "Yes it is ... and my apologies Usagi, I was not expecting to show you this evening." Nancy leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. "She plays several musical instruments — guitar, piano and ... another." "Go ahead, Mistress, say it. If you don't I shall have to." "She plays pedal-steel guitar. Somewhere along the line, she fell in love with Bob Wills and Patsy Cline. She may well be the only pleasure girl we've ever trained who's competent to play in a country & western band ... actually somewhat more than competent. So that may be a drawback for you, as her love of the genre is irrepressible." "I would like to learn to play the fiddle someday," Usagi said. Carol and Kelly laughed at the hate shiver that went through Mistress Velacourt. "She does have a lovely singing voice, a soprano as you requested, Carol," Nancy continued after shaking off her dismay, "and I would be more than willing to place her with you, provided she is willing." "Let's introduce her to the Household, see what she thinks," Carol said. "I like her, and if she finds us acceptable, I'll be back to discuss terms." ------- Margo had rarely felt so out-and-out kinky, which she found hilarious on the face of it, given her life-style. She was face-down on the table, her muscles were made of jello, and her bones were made of pipe cleaners. She was an oozing mess, her juices pooling on the table between her legs. She'd lost count of her orgasms, not only because there had been quite a few, but because she didn't have enough higher brain function online to handle complex calculations like ... addition. There was a puddle of drool under her cheek that felt large enough to go sailing on. Slowly the lights had come back on in her mind, so she was free to ponder things like how kinky she felt, and wondering what Harry thought of the whole thing, now that after his loud and startling orgasm, Harry was apparently capable of thought again. "Madam," Papa Stripper said from where he sat on the edge of the table, "you got to let me an' Angela get you up off de table. You beginnin' to worry me." Margo focused her not inconsiderable intellect and answered, "Okay." A minute or so later, she found herself sitting on the bench next to Harry, who still had Nicki gluing herself to his left side. On the other side of her sat Candy Dryson, who was back to waiting. "Harry ... you okay with that?" Margo asked, still failing valiantly in her efforts to think straight. "It was a beautiful thing to watch, my darling," he replied. "I think Kelly should tell your brain to shut up and get out of the way more often." Seeing her begin to stress, he added, "That doesn't have to mean strange men fucking you till you're a rag doll ... but honey, sometimes you just need to turn your brain off and do whatever feels good at the moment." "That's hard ... playing the role I play." "Then maybe we need to have you switch roles more often." She leaned against his right side and sighed. "You really aren't upset?" "Honey, who's wife are you? Who are you going home with tonight? Who here will love you forever, no matter who you do or don't decide to play with?" "Okay," she said, snuggling close, "that's a good enough answer." ------- Twenty minutes later, Carol and Kelly were back at House Velacourt's table, along with Margo. Usagi stood behind them, the smile on her face hopeful and expectant. "Nancy, I know she's worth a lot to you, but you were right, she is exactly what I was looking for," Carol said. "She seems to find us a jolly bunch and acceptable ... in fact, she even seems eager, so let us discuss fees." Nancy Velacourt smiled. There was something in the smile that Carol couldn't put her finger on, so she mentally added another 'zero' to the price range she was expecting. "Two hundred thousand dollars." The three of them were comical, matching bugging eyes, matching open mouths. "And she's yours as a gift." Nancy Velacourt looked at Usagi. "Would you like your half invested with the House portfolio?" "Yes, Mistress." "Consider it done; one hundred thousand will go in Monday morning in your name." The three women from House Chorale still hadn't found the power of speech. "Madam Grimes, this is a check for our House's share of her fee. One hundred thousand to your clinic — I doubt we'll ever require its services, but there are so many others who do." Margo took the check with shaking hands. "Why..." she croaked out. Nancy flagged the waitress down and ordered a round of chocolate martinis for them all. "Please sit down, Madam, Mistress, Carol." They shuffled onto the bench seat and fell onto the cushions. "While my House may have the reputation of being apolitical, I most assuredly am not, and never have been. I simply see no reason to waste my time and effort dealing with Dick Laney. "My reasoning is simple. If you win, and I think it highly likely that you will when my House shows up in force at the ball, I will consider it a very good thing to be owed a favor. I already have one in mind, and it's a big one. Historically, according to the elder Houses, my House ceased to exist for a period of five years, due to World War II and the fear of being seen as pro-Japanese. "This is of course complete and utter nonsense. My grandfather was fucking pretty Japanese girls, just as my House was acquiring them and selling them, all through that period. We simply kept quiet about it, and our enemies used that as a reason to say we had dissolved the House. Rather odd how that could have occurred, as we have sales records of transactions with most of the major Houses during those years. It was very popular for members of Society to have little Japanese women they could rape and torture ... and kill — the spirit of the time encouraged it, and my grandfather had no problem with it. He was a product of his time ... and a vile old pedophile as well. "But the Houses don't like to remember those inconvenient little facts, just as they don't like to remember their similar treatment of innumerable African-American, Mexican and Native American women and men. So we dissolved our House, there was never any wartime traffic in Japanese women, and everyone could forget about it. "Except us ... ladies, my House didn't even pretend to train the women in those years, there was no point. It would've been a waste of time and effort. They were lambs to the slaughter and no one among the Houses cared. In fact, it was as close to 'doing their part for the war effort' as most of the major Houses came. Buy a Jap, rape a Jap, torture a Jap, kill a Jap." Nancy Velacourt bowed her head and continued. "I'm not proud of it — neither was my father, and after the war he forcibly took over the House and changed things — the lot of our women improved a thousand fold over what it was before the war, much less during it. And it's continued to improve with every subsequent head of our House. Every woman we train knows our House's history. We lose some because of it, but we lose them early because that's when they're told - during orientation." "No one ever ... no one ever brought this to ... someone ... anyone's attention?" Kelly asked. "What proof would they have? Given our client list, who would have listened to them anyway? Before the Second World War, we were a well-off House — because of the war, and because of the image of the compliant, obedient Japanese woman brought back from the war, we became a very wealthy House. "I don't ask for forgiveness for my House, there can be none. But I do not like being shuffled into the background like a dirty little secret. We have as much right to be here as any of the elder Houses, and I want that status back for my House!" "I'm not sure ... what we could do," Margo said, her mind reeling. "We have no influence ... even if we win, we'll have no influence with the older Houses. Even with everything we've done ... everything we've allowed tonight — I don't expect to garner many votes from them, if any." "Madam," Carol said, "it wouldn't require the votes of the elder Houses, it would require a vote of the Houses as a whole." "Mistress Velacourt," Margo began, "you should know, we're not planning to hold the Society together, even if we win. We're planning to take our ball and go play elsewhere, no matter what. The election, at this point, would be a symbolic victory, a message to those Houses not happy with Laney and his friends that there is a choice. We're going to split the Society ... and I don't see how that can leave us in a position to help you." "Not exactly the most diplomatic thing to tell someone who's wanting a favor from you," Nancy replied, smiling. She sipped her drink and thought for a moment. "Fine, if you split the Society, the elder Houses will have to decide who they're siding with — which faction is the true Society and which is a pack of renegade upstarts. Well, they don't really have to, but they will, it's a tradition thing and they're very big on that. I want your promise that you'll try to have my House's elder status restored, no matter which side of the fence the others come down on. If they side with Laney, then House Velacourt will be oldest House in your Society, in all probability, and I'll expect you to see that our status is restored. If the elder Houses side with you, you put forth your best effort to get enough votes to undo this insult. "Do I have your promise?" Margo extended her hand. "You do indeed, Mistress Velacourt." The five women sat and drank their martinis, relaxing in each others company. ------- Ramon Santiago was finally finished cleaning up the mess in Dominique's office. He'd been told what had happened to Stan, and on one level he believed it — but on another, the universe still revolved around Ramon and his wants and desires and it was simply impossible that Stan had left the club without him for any reason. He'd been allowed to clean himself in the bathroom upstairs before his return to the bar, as their table had been appropriated for other patrons, and Sinfonia, the bar manager, was comping his drinks until Stan returned for him, since Stan was officially persona non grata at the club. All in all, Ramon had gotten off lucky ... but he was far too self-centered and willfully stupid to believe it. He sat at the bar nursing a Tequila Sunrise and fuming. He would get even with the people that did this to him ... did this to Stan, his meal ticket. He would get even with them and then, if he didn't like the way Stan apologized for leaving him at the club, he'd find someone else who knew how to take care of him properly. Ramon Santiago was convinced he was no one to push around. ------- "So what's the protocol for accepting a gift like you?" Harry asked Candy. His head was somewhat clearer, rousing orgasms and ice cubes shoved up his butt apparently had that effect on him, but he was still nowhere near one-hundred-per-cent. He had been, however, more than coherent enough to understand Carol's opinion of Candy. "Sir, do you want it handled in the fashion my previous transfers were, hell, most transfers among the older Houses still are? "Okay, sure ... I guess." Candy Dryson called Angela over. She began taking off her clothes, shirt, chaps boots and cute pink socks. By the time Angela arrived, she was finished. "Dear, take these to House Thacker's table and give them to Stewart, the House major domo. He'll know what to do with them." As Angela hurried away, Candy sat down on the edge of the table, hands on her knees, naked as the day she was born, and looked at Harry — who was busy looking in-between her open legs. "There you go, sir, I'm officially yours. Yours to clothe, yours to feed, yours to put to work, yours to fuck in pretty much any way you want. That goes for your Household as well, of course." "You'll be picking up your personal things later, I assume?" Helen asked. "Uh, no ma'am ... you are a Mistress, aren't you? I'm sorry, I can't tell, you're not dressed like either group of the rest of them." "No ... no, I'm not, I'm ... well, we're still all deciding what I am, but it won't be a Dominant," Helen answered. "Well then, miss, I don't have anything to go pick up later. I don't own anything, I never have. I don't even own the clothes that were on my back, and if Master Albert so desires, someone else will be wearing them as soon as they're returned to him. Now, if I were simply being dismissed altogether, then they'd throw together something for me to wear when they turned me loose, but otherwise, nope, I don't own a thing." "All right Candy, time for you to start earning your keep," Harry said, grabbing his brace and starting to strap it back on his leg. "I need to go to the bathroom and you're going to help me. We'll be two-" Camille rattled her chain, "make that three-" Nicki clutched at him and whimpered, "all right, four naked people walking through this club ... hardly the first time that's been seen. You able to do that, help me to the bathroom?" "Sir, I've been the bathroom before, more specifically the toilet itself — this won't be hard at all." "That is so much more information than I ever needed," Helen said, holding her head in her hands. ------- "This is not a trip to the bathroom it's a goddamn circus act," Harry griped as they slowly moved across the club. His irritation was not completely unwarranted. With Nicki clinging to one side, Candy supporting him on the other, and Camille following close at his heels, even his sense of personal space, already significantly diminished by his lifestyle and living arrangements, was feeling violated. But it couldn't be cured so it had to be endured — and endure it he would, provided he made it to the toilet without having an accident. ------- Candy spotted Ramon's approach, and judged it a threat, at effectively the same time as Harry did. "Sir..." she warned. "I see him. Camille, no matter what, you do not move, you understand?" he snarled. "Yes Master," she replied, seeing Ramon and recognizing the look on his face. "Please be careful." Harry was trying to figure out what moves he had open to him, shackled to two women, leaning on a third, with a bum leg to boot, when Ramon pulled the knife and flicked it open. "You're gonna pay for what you did to me — what you did to Stan!" Camille cried, "Ramon, no-" while Candy said, "I've got this." Harry saw her move — saw her right arm sweep down and smash into Ramon's wrist, making him drop the knife — saw her left leg whip out with unnatural speed and sweep the young man's legs out from under him — saw her left hand, balled into a fist, flash in a descending arc from over her head to Ramon's chest, catching him on the way down and accelerating him towards the floor — he just couldn't immediately comprehend what he had indeed seen. Her foot was on Ramon's neck as he squirmed and cried on the floor, and Harry could tell from her position and the way she was holding herself ready that if Ramon twitched wrong, her foot was going to make it a very painful day to be him. "Now, you gonna calm down or do I need to finish kicking your ass?" she asked in a calm voice. Ramon thought about struggling to get up, but a quick increase in pressure on his throat and a quiet "Don't" settled him back down. "Listen pendejo," Candy said, "you may think you're a man, but you're just a little boy that cries like a girl and screams like a queen. You ever try that shit again on anyone of my House and I'll personally make it my mission in life to turn you into a paraplegic castrato, got me?" Snot and tears oozing down his face, Ramon said, "Yes." "Now, I'm gonna let you up. You're going to pick up your knife, close it, hand it to me, apologize, and walk away, or so help me Jesus I will make you wish your daddy had pulled out early. Understand?" "Yes." She took her foot off his throat and Ramon rolled over, grabbed the knife and closed it. Then he got to his feet, shoved it petulantly into Candy's hand, snivelled, "I'm sorry" and limped away, holding his wrist. Candy turned back to her companions when he was far enough away to pose no threat, to find the three of them staring at her in surprise. "What? You try being the slut nobody wants, getting traded from House to House — you learn how to defend yourself or your life's a living hell. Slave quarters can be rough." She handed the knife to Camille. "Here, you carry that, I'm gonna be busy and I've got no fuckin' pockets." She moved up under Harry's arm again. "Come on, sir, I'm sure that little bit of excitement hasn't changed the fact that you need to go ... was it a number one or a number two, sir?" "Started out as a number one," Harry replied, somewhat numbly. "May have recently moved up a notch." "All right sir, let's go potty, whatever it is." ------- "Ladies and gentlemen and the rest of you as well," Dommi said, her words spreading throughout the club over the speakers, "tonight we have something special — well, we have many special things planned, but this is the first of them. "House Chorale's newest, and youngest, Dominant, Mistress Galena, volunteered to auction off the last virgin orifice they left her to raise money for the clinic." She had to increase the volume of her voice to get over the sounds of excitement from the club. "Now, knowing what kind of freaks some of you are, the auction was confined to members of House Chorale and her allies." The sounds of disappointment rose in an angry wave. "Calm down ... if any of the rest of you wants to deflower a sweet, tight little virgin ass, you'll have to find your own. And if you do, I'd hope that you'd be kind enough to deflower it here, on stage, where thanks to the new cameras and monitors, everyone could watch it! "So tonight, for your entertainment, Mistress Galena will lose her last cherry to..." Dominique turned to look at her friends inquiringly. "My House," Minerva Cornelius said, her voice so clear and loud it carried to the microphone in Dommi's hands. "I bid on the behalf of my dear Li Kuan, and won the bidding. Here," she continued, "come get your check for the clinic." Dommi walked over and took the check. "Folks, House Cornelius won the bidding and in my hands I hold a check for fifty-thousand dollars!" She turned and looked at Madame Cornelius. "Did the bidding really go this high or are you merely being generous?" "I will have you know the bidding was up to thirty-four thousand," Madame Cornelius responded. "I decided to bid that high to discourage that rogue Lord Thad Newton — I think he was about to take out a mortgage on his home." Laughter roared around the club, only strengthening when Lady Vida Newton stood up and yelled, "He was bidding against me as well." "Hell, if I'd known that," Thad replied, "I'd have mortgaged the house and we could have shared the prize!" ------- "Now then, little Mistress," Li Kuan said, her strap-on bobbing in the air as she leaned over Galena's back, "you've got your toy there below you, you spread yourself on her face, you bury your own in her crotch, this will all be over before you know it. I will be gentle." The cameras above the stage were on, and every television screen in the club was showing various views of the action, including one from almost directly overhead that would be the best vantage point to observe the actual deflowering, so long as Li Kuan didn't lean forward too much. One of the cameras had a good view of Galena's face before she buried it in Andrea's cunt, nervously nibbling around her submissive's clit. Eric Downing was very surprised. He played bottom to his friend Simon's top, and the two of them spent a lot of time at Dominique's. He was also the brother of Galena's closest friend in high school, and knew her by sight — although he'd never seen her like that before! Li Kuan applied a healthy dollop of lube to Galena's tightly clinched sphincter, as well as to a clear plastic, somewhat penis-shaped butt plug. "Now, I'm going to work this around the edges, let you get used to it being there — slave, bring your hands up and rub your Mistress' lower back — and then I'm going to slowly move it to your bottom, and gradually, very gradually, insert it." Galena tried to relax, tried to just breathe, tried to focus on what Andrea's tongue was doing to her cunt, tried to pay attention to the warm, moist pussy in front of her — but all she could think of, all she could feel, was the knob of the plug, gently moving around her butt. When it was finally pushed in, just slightly, she started whimpering and much to her surprise, she couldn't tell if it was panic or desire, as with the beginning of the insertion, the sensations that had been present in her cunt all the time suddenly flared up into her consciousness and threatened to overwhelm her. She could feel Andrea's hands on her back, Andrea's face buried in her slit, she could feel her nipples brushing against Andrea's belly as Galena rose up on her arms, arching her back and, holding her eyes tightly closed, began to push back ever so slowly. What she didn't know, because her attention was focused elsewhere, was that it wasn't' the butt plug that was being pushed into her bowels, it was Li Kuan's strap-on. "Very good, Mistress, very good. Now be still, and I will stop, and you will relax for a moment, then we can continue." Galena found the sensation disturbing, as if she was caught somewhere in the middle of a particularly difficult trip to the bathroom, but she did as Li Kuan suggested. She stopped, and focused her mind on Andrea's enthusiastic attention to her cunt. She hardly noticed when Li Kuan began speaking again. "That was your external anal sphincter," Li Kuan murmured. "Now we'll move through the internal." Galena's head dropped as she began pushing back again, and her eyes popped open at the penetration's sensations. She was staring down at her lover, her submissive, her friend's cunt and with tears in her eyes she lowered her head and nuzzled the pubic hair before her. Every second, every micro-second, she swore she would pull away, she would put a stop to the whole thing, yet every moment, she pushed back against Li Kuan's gentle pressure. And then the fierce urge to expel what was in her bottom eased, as she heard Li Kuan say, "And we're through ... congratulations Mistress. Your tasty little ass is no longer virginal." The feeling of something sliding up into her continued and she raised her eyes, seeing on the televisions screen nearest her a shot from the overhead camera, Li Kuan's long black dildo almost all the way in her ass. As the base of the shaft disappeared between her cheeks, Li Kuan stopped, and Galena came in an orgasm that collapsed her onto Andrea, pulling the dildo partway out. As she continued to climax, she fought her way back up onto her knees and pushed back hard, then slowly pulling away before pushing back again, her teeth grinding with the force of her contractions. Li Kuan knelt behind her, still and calm, unmoving. There were many things Li Kuan wanted to do with the little girl in front of her, but it was not her place. It took a large portion of her considerable self-control to keep from falling on the girl, biting and scratching her, licking the fresh blood from her flesh as she screamed with both pleasure and pain. In fact, the contemplation of her desires weakened her control and she almost began to move, before forcing such thoughts out of her mind. The punishment for such an act would be more severe than even she could enjoy, and she had learned early in their time together to fear her Mistress' more creative impulses ... impulses that would certainly manifest, were she to hurt Galena. Instead she looked down from the stage and met Eddie's eyes. Eddie found the show very stimulating, and was happily letting Tamara sit on the primary effect of that stimulation. He saw Li Kuan looking at him and smiled. "Pretty good at butt-fuckin' little girls aren't you?" he said in a voice barely loud enough for her to hear. "Do you want a ride, Master Eddie?" Li Kuan replied. "How about a bet? If you win, you do this to me — I don't find it particularly enjoyable, and it would be a good finale to the fight and please the audience." "No, I don't-" Tamara turned to him, swinging her knees up and bringing her legs around to sit facing him. "Master-" "What have I told you about that?" "Deal with it my love. Master, what would you want of me to see you take her at the end of the fight? What can I offer? What do you want?" It was a sign of his growth, and his growing acceptance of his fiance's kinky side, that he answered, "So the thought of that turns you on?" "Yes," she hissed, "my hero, defeating the monster and then putting it in its place with one of the ultimate signs of dominance? Oh-" He felt her climax grip her, and her muscles grip his cock, like a tight fist. "Fine, Li Kuan," he replied, "I win, I take you like you're taking her, and while you tongue, not bite, but tongue my little freak here." "Done ... and if I win?" Eddie laughed. "Ain't happenin' ... but fine, if you do, the position's are reversed." "Agreed," Li Kuan said, "but with one alteration. It will not be Puppy's cunt that you are tonguing, that is for me alone. You will tongue her ass ... and you can bite." Eddie snickered, "Done." With a smile that showed much more confidence than Eddie thought she should feel, Li Kuan began to move, matching Galena's every backwards push. Karen leaned over. "Eddie, I think that woman is gonna fuck you in the ass." "Fine, if you're so sure, put some money down on her." "Already have ... but with the incentive you just gave her, I'm gonna go increase my bet." ------- Rochelle Lowry wasn't quite sure how she'd ended up naked. The liquor was all top shelf and the weed incredibly potent, but surely that couldn't explain her nakedness. She raised her head from the pillow that cushioned it and looked around the room. Dayna, her husband's patient of the evening, was asleep, arranged with pillows and blankets to maximize her comfort. Music was playing very softly, something new age and mellow, there were a few candles providing all the light that was needed. Her husband was naked as well, lying face down, as she herself was, and receiving a massage from the one who called herself Ravensclaw. Rochelle seemed to remember someone rubbing her back as well and looked behind her. Kathleen Marsh was naked, sitting in lotus, smiling at her. "You drifted off so I stopped. I didn't want to disturb your rest. You're awake now so I'll continue, if I may." "Certainly," Rochelle mumbled. The other two women were nowhere to be seen as Kathleen settled herself over Rochelle's legs and leaned forward. It startled Rochelle a bit to realize that she was turned on by the curvaceous woman. Not that she had anything against sex with women, but Rochelle hadn't an 'earth mother' bone in her body, and Kathleen seemed to be a perfect example of one. Rochelle felt a happy tingle deep in her abdomen as Kathleen's hands moved over her. In a fit of honesty, Rochelle blurted out, "I wish I could be like you." "Why can't you?" Kathleen asked, never stopping her efforts. "I just ... I can't be mellow and all hippie like you." "All right, first, relax. You started thinking about what you think you can't do and you began tensing up immediately. Second, just for the moment, imagine that you can be like me if you want to. What's stopping you?" "I can't ... dammit, there I go again. I haven't yet been able to let go of my need for control. I have to be in control, I have to maintain it, I have to ... I don't know, I have to make situations where I can assert my control. You're so easy-going and free of that neurosis, I don't imagine you can understand." Kathleen's gentle laughter soothed Rochelle and her eyes closed. "Rochelle?" "Mm hmm." "Are you going to sleep?" "Uh uh." "Rochelle, remember that until tonight, I was a Dominatrix with a stable of submissives that I and my sisters controlled." Rochelle's eyes opened wide as parts of the earlier conversation between Mike and the women returned to her. "Let me roll over." Kathleen said, "Certainly" and got up on her feet, standing astraddle Rochelle while she turned over on to her back. Then Kathleen settled back down on her, and began to massage her arms. "You really plan to let some cunt tell you that you can't be a Dominatrix anymore?" "Relax," Kathleen said. "Your outrage is making you tense. In answer to your question, in what our Society refers to as 'public' — our clubs, our get-togethers, our parties — yes. We won't appear as Dommes, we will play as submissives. I suspect that at home, we'll become more like senior partners of the firm, rather than the CEO's, but when our submissives need what a Domme gives, we'll play those roles again. I don't think that 'cunt', as you refer to her, really expects us to give up our positions when we're out of Society's eye, but we will, to a degree. When we went into this, we expected to have our House dissolved. We expected to all be treated like poor Dayna, given to different Houses as property. And before you ask, we would have gone, because playing in this world means that much to us. Think of it as a sandbox you really want to play in. Everyone playing there has come up with a set of communal rules so that everyone will play nice with each other. Dayna broke those rules, in a big, big way. We all planned it out, we all made our choice, so we'll all pay the price." She looked over at her sleeping friend. "Although we didn't think Dayna would have to pay so high a price physically. We expected that to be spread out among us all." Kathleen continued, "But back to our earlier discussion, I can be the way I am because my control issues, and boy howdy do I have them, are dealt with by living part of my life as a Domme, enforcing my will on those who have submitted to me. The rest of the time, I can be like this." "You mean, you're more like me when you're in charge?" "Not exactly — I still sound and act like a throwback to the '60's, although while we're out on the Renn Faire circuit it's more the 1460's or thereabouts. I don't have to put on a fierce or angry persona to bend people to my will. They bend because they need to bend. When they need to be punished, they refuse to bend. When I need to punish them, I make it harder for them to bend, or let them know in some other way that they should misbehave. They play their roles, I play mine. We all get what we need." Kathleen leaned down and kissed Rochelle softly on the lips, then sat up again. "I know I don't have to tell you this, but it helps to be reminded from time to time. Remember, in the end, all control is an illusion. It's a game that the universe sometimes lets us get away with playing, but woe be unto us if we start believing it reflects reality. We only appear to be in control, and we only appear that way so long as circumstance lets us." Kathleen shook herself. "Goddess, I get cosmic on pot — part of the reason I like it so much." She returned to massaging Rochelle, though her hands were slowly circling towards the junction of Rochelle's legs and waist. "So, be like me, if you want to, or don't. Be as you wish to be, but never doubt that you are as you are because it is your wish." Rochelle wet her lips. "Would you ... serve me ... tonight?" Kathleen sat back, crossed her hands over her lap and replied, "Yes Mistress, for tonight. What is your will?" ------- Terry Engels appreciated House Chorale's protection. He still wanted to kill Mina for her cruelty to him while he was hers, but for the first time in a long while, he felt he was free to pursue a place for him that didn't involve her and her evil, truly nasty games. If he never woke up wearing menstrual blood again, he'd consider his life blessed. Terry had heard about the Karg, but like most of those in the scene, everything he'd heard had been bad. So how did House Chorale have a Karghold as an ally, and how the hell could their subs looks so happy, so fit, so self-confident? After watching, and masturbating during, Mistress Galena's anal deflowering, he cleaned up and decided to go ask. ------- When Li Kuan, Galena and Andrea left the stage, there was some time before ring would be set up for Li Kuan and Eddie's fight. As the Household was relaxing around the table, Harry decided the time had come to have a serious talk with Nicki. "Sis ... honey ... talk to me. Tell me what's going on. I don't mind you clinging to me, but I do need to know why." "Harry..." her voice was hoarse, "I love you ... I love fucking you ... I love this life you've introduced me to ... I love Sheila ... I love all of you. But because I wanted to fuck you, we all could've lost everything. I don't know how to deal with that. I can't conceive of a life without you and I together from time to time. I'm afraid if we keep it up, the story will get out, or someone will hold it over our heads like that repulsive ballsack tried to. On top of all that, you would've killed him, if Dommi hadn't stopped you. On one level, I'm just fine with that ... on another — Harry, you would have killed a man because of me, because of what I wanted, because of what your wives and I did. "I don't want to be the reason you kill anyone. I mean, I know you and the rest of the family look at it differently, but to me ... Stan Carter and what he tried to do sickens me, the thought of you killing him sickens me, the fact that part of me would've gladly fucked you in his entrails sickens me ... everything just seems real fucked up right now, what with Carter, and poor Dayna, and the whole election thing ... the rest of you look like you're coping just fine, but I'm not, Harry, I'm not. "Mostly Harry, I'm sorry — I don't want to be, and I certainly don't apologize for loving you and wanting to love you but there's just this ... huge ... regret. I don't know how to put it." "Nicki, you're sorry that it all came to that — to Stan and I in Dommi's office. That's what you're sorry for." A smile broke out on her face at the same time as her tears started flowing again. She nodded, laughing and crying. "And it's okay," Harry continued. "If it hadn't been you, something else would have brought Stan Carter and I to that place, sooner or later. Stan is the kind of man that innately believes he's smarter and craftier than anyone else, and that he'll get away with whatever he wants as long as he wants to. He's such a coward, Nicki, that that's the only way he can do anything, by believing he's untouchable. If he thought he'd ever suffer the consequences of his actions, he'd be frozen, immobile, too afraid to do anything. But he's also very adept at rationalization. I'm sure he had a list of excuses a mile long as to why he didn't kick Li Kuan's ass last weekend. And he believed them. He had to. Otherwise his own image of himself would come crashing down around him." "Then ... then ... why ... why do you think ... this time will be ... any different?" "I don't. Oh, he won't try the same thing again, but will he be back, trying to get even and soothe his now triply-wounded ego? Oh yeah, he'll be back. Our job is just to see him coming. All of us, I got no doubt we can handle anything he throws at us, if we see it coming. And Stan's so enthralled with his own brilliance that I don't think he can come at us subtly. To beat us, he has to let us know what he's going to do, otherwise it's not as satisfying. That's why he told me what he was going to do tonight. He didn't think I'd react physically, or he thought he could take me, or who knows what. He had to tell me, he couldn't just out us and then let us know after the fact who had ruined our lives. He had to let us know beforehand, show us we were powerless to stop him. It's probably got some psychological name, but think of it as 'Bond-Villain-Syndrome'." Nicki started laughing, honestly laughing, and Harry joined her, happy that her mood was lightening. From across the table, Li Kuan was laughing as well. "I did not mean to eavesdrop, Master Grimes," she said, "but there was no way not to overhear your conversation. I think you're right, that is Carter's problem. I shall have to remember that, the 'Bond-Villain-Syndrome'." "So we're okay?" Nicki asked, real fear in her voice. "Sis, we're extremely okay ... all right, we're fucked up, but we're okay with each other, and fucked up in similar ways." ------- Chapter 51 Usagi sat at the feet of one of her new Mistresses, Carol. Her Mistress stroked her hair, unabashedly staring down at her naked body with appreciation. Usagi was happy — happy to be out of the hideous clothes she'd found under another girl's bed, the only things she could find to wear in a hurry — happy to be through her training and finally out in the real world — happy with her new House as they seemed very welcoming, all of them, even the other subs, and very joyous, even with all that had happened that night. While Mistress Galena had been on stage, she had sat in Mistress Carol's lap, while she was told about the events of the evening. She was relatively sure Mistress Carol didn't expect her to remember all of them, as her Mistress had been caressing Usagi's breast and clit the entire time, bringing her to several small but delightful orgasms. But she had been listening, and she would remember. That was what she had been trained to do. ------- Harry's concentration and comprehension were much better than they'd been before Candy's little surprise, but he found he was still catching up on things that had happened earlier, only realizing their significance much later. He was only just beginning to think of Candy and Usagi and where they would sleep, and whose nights they would share in the bedroom, and was it fair for any submissive to have to share what should be their special night, and theirs alone? Harry was also muddling over how he was going to fulfill his obligation to their ongoing therapy that evening. He wasn't doing very well at being Kelly, and her habit of stalking and seducing whomever interested her was going to be very hard for him to manage, given his circumstances and condition. He could grab Angela, but that was far too easy — not so much the old saw about 'raping the willing', more like 'seducing the one who's thrown herself into your lap naked and begging'. He supposed he'd just have to try again some other such evening. ------- "As you can see, Terry, we have no problem at all with people, men or women, who want to take the collar," Vida Newton said. "Some people want to submit and there's no reason they shouldn't. Some don't, and there's no reason they should." She laughed. "And then there are people like my mother-in-law who submit for the majority of their lives and one day decide to fight their Hand, put down the collar and take up the Fist. God, that was a trip. Never thought I'd see Enid in the ring, fighting. Anyway, I can understand how you're a little leery of any situation you're not familiar with, given your experiences with Mina and House Shiloh - love to put that cunt on the floor and piss on her head — so listen, why don't you sit and visit with our collars, get a bottom-side view of our Hold, and see what you think?" "So ... you'd accept me?" "Of course, Terry — we're willing to accept almost anyone who's willing to play by our rules. That's part of our way of living - personal freedom and personal responsibility." ------- To add to the sense of grand spectacle, as well as justify the hassle of setting up the ring, Dommi had several minor fights scheduled as well. Among her regular crew of performers, there was a group that practiced various martial arts styles, and for the very rare occasions that the ring was set up, called themselves 'the Dommi-nators'. They were eager to participate, and the first warm-up fight, between two very handsome young men, was about to start. They were naked, save for head-guards, padded gloves, knee and elbow pads, their bodies oiled and gleaming in the lights. The two of them slipped their mouth guards in and went to it. Even though the ring was twenty-by-twenty, they covered the distance between their corners like bulls, and met in the middle, only dodging and weaving at the last possible instant as they began circling each other. The Dommi-nators fights were about show as much as contest, so while not choreographed, they did tend to somewhat stylized, with the participants doing things they'd never do in a real fight, just for the sake of the show. Their only rule was 'no cheap shots', which, since the fighters' genitalia were exposed, would be unfair and not too titillating for the audience either. There was no betting allowed on the Dommi-nator bouts, due to their entertainment aspect — a fighter might decide it would be very dramatic or amusing or sexy for him or her to take a fall, and do so. However the house was giving two-and-a-half to one on Eddie, with Li Kuan as the nominal favorite and betting was so lively that Sinfonia had it moved from the bar to the front, since the club was so packed that no one else was getting in anyway, and the bettors wouldn't be blocking her bar anymore. Eddie growled. "If one more person wanders by and asks me to stand up and turn around, there's gonna be a gawddamn fight an' it ain't gonna be in the ring!" "Oh, quit being such a grouch," Dommi said as she flitted past, kissing him on the cheek. "You're lucky I'm not having you stand on a revolving stage for a half-hour." "I think I'd prefer that next time," he called after her. Li Kuan was putting on an impromptu show of her own on one of their tables, strong-arming Puppy up and down on her strap-on as the little woman squealed. "Go ahead, get yourself all tired," Eddie chuckled. "Make my job easier." "Hoss," Harry said, "what makes you think Li Kuan's a fool?" "Huh?" "You've seen her fight, albeit briefly, and you've heard the stories about their burglar. You know the woman moderately well; you've spent time with her in a variety of situations — what makes you think she's a fool?" "I don't." "Then quit talking like you think she is. She's not going to do a damn thing to hurt her chances. She's strong, and she's got endurance for days. She's tough, she's skilled and she's letting you know in no uncertain terms that you don't worry her. You took a lot of punishment fighting Jeffries, even though you're doing your best not to show it. This ain't her first fight, Hoss ... quit treating her like it is. You could lose this thing." Inside, Eddie knew that he was right, but he'd be damned if he'd admit it. "Fine, go bet on her to win then!" "Nope, won't do it. I bet on you, always, no matter what. But Hoss, to be perfectly honest, I think you're gonna lose this one, and I'm gonna lose my money." "Fine, whatever! And what's this 'Hoss' shit?" "Well, showdown at the B&D Corral, it just felt appropriate." ------- Galena was sitting a little tenderly, but otherwise was quite happy with the outcome of her deflowering. Andrea sat at her feet, face held to Galena's cunt, happy as she could be. "So, you sexy little beast, enjoying your first night at Dominique's?" Kelly asked. "Yeah, mostly - but ... I don't know, I want some way ... um ... yeah, right there, slut ... uh ... I want some way of thanking Dommi — for everything, you know?" "That's easy, Galena," Margo answered. "Just find a convenient time, spread your luscious little body on top of hers in a '69' - that I'd pay money to watch - she'll accept your thanks quite gratefully." All assembled laughed as that idea pushed Galena over the edge, her legs locking around Andrea's head, almost smothering her as her little Mistress came like a freight train. ------- "Mistress Dominique," Thad Newton said, "I have a favor to ask." "If I can, I will. What do you need, and what's with this 'Mistress Dominique' shit?" He laughed. "Sorry, feeling overly formal for some reason I guess. Dommi, we've got a sub who's thinking about taking our collar — now that's all fine and good, but he's also asked about taking up the Fist later on. I thought if I and Wade were to fight, show him a little of what he'd face, he could make a better-informed decision. I don't know, Vida likes him, and I like him, but he's really emotionally unstable right now because of that cow, Mina — I don't want him taking our collar with the idea of trying for the Fist, only to discover he isn't up to it, and either leaving and starting all over again elsewhere, or being discontented under us. I mean, if he's going to go Dominant, ours is not anywhere near the easiest House to do it in, you know?" "Certainly Thad, you and Wade get padded up; we'll slip you in after the next bout. I think you'll be a good follow-up to the Midget Dommi-nators." "Thanks a lot," Thad laughed. "Now I know my place in your affections — right after the little people." "Don't laugh, Thad," she replied, walking away, "they're a lot of fun in bed — something I have no experience with concerning you." "You're a teasing whore, Dommi!" "No, I never charge for it and I'm not teasing!" Thad Newton walked away with a happy daydream in his mind. ------- Rochelle Lowry blinked, coming out of a sensuous fog of pot smoke and orgasms like a whale, surfacing to breathe. She rose up off the pillow on one elbow and looked around. Dayna was still asleep, Wolfling was sitting by her, watching her. Rochelle's husband had Dragonaria on his face and Ravensclaw on his cock. All three of them were moving slowly together and part of Rochelle wanted to crawl over and join them. A louder part wanted to disrupt them. She opened her mouth, her tongue sharpened, and Kathleen Marsh's hand covered her mouth. "Mistress, if I may please beg your indulgence and offer a word of advice?" "What?" Rochelle replied, her voice much softer and kinder than it would have been had she gotten her way. "You're trying to control things outside of you and me. I've agreed to play with you tonight, giving you the power — they haven't, and you can't make them. My sisters are saying 'thank you' to your husband in the best way they know how. If I didn't have a previous engagement," she smiled, "I'd be joining them. I noticed earlier that Wolfling was expressing her gratitude — you were a little busy being a very happy woman. Dayna will want to give him her thanks as well, some other time." Kathleen scooted up closer to Rochelle's face. "Part of feeding my control issues is realizing I can't eat everything in sight, to extend a metaphor to near the breaking point. I'm blessed with the privilege of the control I've been granted. I accept that blessing, I realize that it is enough; I don't need to go looking for more. That would be an insult to what I do have. And oddly enough, that acceptance has brought me more such blessings than I think I could ever have achieved by grasping around greedily. When you're comfortable with what you have, and you're taking good care of it, more comes your way. Or at least that's been my experience." "You're awfully wise for a slut," Rochelle said, her voice still soft. "But I have a question — how do I deal with such a wise slut that's still silly enough to interrupt me, and put her hand over my mouth, no matter how good the reason?" "I'm not sure, Mistress, but if I were to guess, I'd say it probably involves your cunt and her lips ... or even your bottom and her tongue. Hard to say, really — but those would be my best guesses." Dragonaria fell forward off Mike's face and into a pile of pillows. Mike looked around; face glistening and locked eyes with Rochelle. She was hurt and upset by the look of apprehension on his face. Was she really such a bitch? She had to think back no further than a few minutes before to realize that she was indeed. Rochelle Lowry accepted that hurt and agitation — she had earned it. She smiled at him, happy that he was enjoying himself, happy that she was able to share her life with him, very happy that they were where they were that evening. Mike smiled back, and she was gratified to see a joy in his face that she hadn't seen all that often in the last several years. "Slut, go plant that sweet slit of yours on his face, take some time to tell him thank you. I'll be fine." Rochelle settled back to watch the fun. ------- While Wade Ellenson had never even tried to take the Fist, he enjoyed sparring with other members of the Hold. Thad had told him he was more than skilled enough to fight his Hand and leave the collar behind, should he ever want to, but Wade was happy in the collar — but happier still when he got a chance to get in the ring. The only instructions Thad had for his collared partner were simple. "Let's not get hurt tonight." The two of them circled each other for a time, playing the old game of feinting and faking, gauging each other's reaction times and awareness, studying their opponent to see if they were favoring a leg, or guarding a rib, looking for any sign of weakness or injury. Then Thad made a feint that wasn't and Wade was spun halfway around. He crouched down, knowing Thad's favorite follow-up was a kick to the head, and saw his Lord's leg swinging overhead. He stood and spun at the same time, his fist flashing out to catch Thad solidly on the jaw as he recovered from his kick. The two separated and circled again. Galena finally got up the courage to go talk to Thad Newton and his Lady, only to find him preparing for his bout with his sub. She and Andrea stood off to one side and watched the two of them climb into the ring and begin. "Maybe it'll be easier approach her now, already be there when he gets finished," she said to Andrea. "Well then, my Bossy Bitch, we'd better get moving then," Andrea replied. Galena glared at her, mentally planning her very physical response for later in the evening. They walked over and Galena said "Lady Newton, I was wondering-" "If you could sit down with us," Vida Newton replied. "By all means, Mistress Galena." The older woman patted the bench seat right next to her. "Would you care to throw your sub into the middle of our crew, see what happens? I think she'll have a good time." Galena smiled at the grinning Andrea. "Slut, go entertain the troops." She returned her attention to Lady Newton. "I've been wondering if what you and Lord Newton said was the truth." "About bidding for the privilege of popping that last, juicy cherry of yours? Oh, most definitely. I mean, he wouldn't have taken out a mortgage on the house, but thankfully, he wouldn't have had to if we'd seriously wanted to top Minerva Cornelius' bid. But then she would have raised, and we would have raised and if she was feeling particularly mischievous, she might have let us win — with a bid we couldn't easily afford. We'd pretty much set thirty-five to forty thousand as our upper limit." Galena sat back and took a deep, long breath. Lady Newton chuckled. "Daunting, isn't it little girl, to realize how much money was riding on the chance to take you in the bottom? By the way, every House in the alliance, except of course your own, bid, although by the end, it had come down to us and Minerva." She leaned over, breathing her words into Galena's ear. "So, did you stand over there watching us, wondering what it would be like to be the creamy filling in a Thad and Vida sandwich?" While Vida Newton hadn't appeared on her radar at the time, there was no denying that had changed in a big way. Not truthfully, but diplomatically, Galena answered, "Yes, Lady Newton, that had crossed my mind." "I'm Vida, sweetie, and you're Galena. If we're going to double team my husband when he gets through in the ring, I think we should be on a first name basis, don't you?" Galena stood up, shoved aside her nerves and sloughed off her blouse, while Vida undid Galena's skirt. "Why don't we get started a little early," she replied, part of her not believing what she was hearing come out of her own mouth, "and make sure we're good and warmed up when he gets here." Vida Newton's skirt slid to the floor. "Absolutely, my dear." Thad Newton had a brief moment's respite while Wade stepped back. He looked to his Hold's tables and saw his wife on her knees, with Galena's legs over her shoulders, going to work on the young woman with a will. Galena's head was thrown back, a flush rising up her chest, and Thad Newton never saw the blow coming that laid him low. ------- "All right, the main and final event in our ring tonight, for your entertainment, Master Janak of House Chorale versus Li Kuan of House Cornelius." The majority of those attending raised a cheer. Dommi continued. "The betting window will be open for another five minutes, while the two of them get padded up. I'd also like you to know that there's a side bet between the two of them-" Eddie had thought about what Harry had said, and while his confidence wasn't shaken, his arrogance had been. As Dommi announced the terms of his bet with Li Kuan, he had to admit to himself that he wasn't up to his best. Jeffries' blows hadn't been anything to sneeze at, and he was still feeling the effects. Not that he would allow that to stop him, but he took a moment to resign himself to the possibility of getting cornholed by his opponent in front of God and everyone. "Master Janak," Li Kuan said, kindly, "if you are not up for this, or if you want to call off our bet, I will agree. I will lord your decision over you mercilessly, of course, but I would agree to cancel the bet, or the match, should you so desire." "Thank you, Li Kuan," he replied, "you're an honorable opponent, but no. The bout's been bet on, and our wager's been announced. Let's go give these people a show." "Fuck giving anyone a show," Li Kuan said, grinning, her sharp teeth shining in the lights, "let's go see who is best." Eddie leaned against his corner, while Harry checked his pads. "Okay Hoss-" "Enough with the gawddamn 'Hoss' already!" "Okay then, Eddie, get your head straight, make your peace with God, and go kick her ass," Harry said. "Any rules?" Li Kuan asked. "Let's agree that if eyes are gouged out, they must be handed back when it's over," Eddie said, chuckling. Li Kuan smiled, a wide, appreciative grin. "Interesting quote to start this with, Master Janak, but you are not a sergeant, and you have the wrong last name." While everyone else who heard the exchange was confused, the two of them nodded to each other politely and went to their corners. The first round started out well for Eddie as he managed to tag Li Kuan in the shoulder almost as soon as the bell rang. She reeled a little from the blow, but then pulled back a step and stayed just inside their mutual range. Li Kuan proceeded to play a waiting game, effortlessly dodging Eddie's attacks, watching for openings, watching for slow responses to her feints and jabs. Eddie tried not to let her see where he was hurting, but his attempt was doomed from the start. Li Kuan remembered every blow he'd taken from Owen Jeffries and any time he left one of those spots open, she zeroed in on it, brutally attacked it, took the hits in return but still came out on top in every such exchange. For his part, Eddie felt like he was being hit with the fists and feet of an angry goddess, every blow landing where he was already hurting, while she seemed to be shaking off his strikes like they were marshmallows. Eddie knew if the fight went on too long, that's what he'd be throwing. He had to finish it before her strategy brought him to his knees — or worse, face down and out for the count. Dommi hit the bell and the first round ended. The winner, in case of doubt, was to be decided by acclamation, and as Li Kuan danced back to her corner, hands held together in triumph over her head, the crowd let Eddie know she'd won the first round - while he managed to walk back to his without stumbling. He considered it a victory. "All right Eddie, you want the truth?" Harry asked as Eddie slumped in his corner. "I'm gettin' the shit beat outta me?" "Yeah, yeah that's about the size of it." "Yippee fuckin' skip, tell me somethin' I don't already know." "The crowd cheered every time she pegged one on you?" Candy said. "Who the fuck is she again?" Eddie growled. "One of our new girls," Harry replied. "I think she's going to fit in wonderfully." "Yeah, she's already pissin' me off." "That does seem to be part of their jobs, from time to time." "Well, good to know she's already on the gawddamn timeclock. Gimme somthin' to drink." Harry passed him something and Eddie downed it without even looking at it, only to come up choking. "I MEANT WATER!" "That wasn't what you asked for," Harry replied, looking mournfully into his empty snifter. "You owe me a Benedictine and brandy." "Sue me." The second round began and Eddie changed his strategy. He tried to stay far enough out of range so that he had time to dodge anything she threw at him, only to find he was spending all of his time dancing back and forth on legs that ached all the way to the bone in places. The exertion was tiring him, and he'd already been too tired to begin with. And she still managed to occasionally hang one on him. She had narrowed her focus to his bruised and knotted legs, and dished out savage kicks every chance he gave her. By the end of the second round, he hadn't landed a shot, and was moving so slowly it almost qualified as a walk. "You want to throw in the towel?" "Nope, ain't ready to get buggered yet." "I would prepare myself, if I were you," Candy said, wiping him down with a towel. "Who the unholy fuck made you one o' my corner men?" "No one, just volunteered." "Thanks, ever so." "Sir," she said, "if I may offer a suggestion. I know a little about this sort of thing, ask Master Grimes if you doubt me. In the first round, you tried trading punches, and she made you pay dearly for it. Second round, you tried her stratagem, and she made you pay even more dearly for it. My advice would be to go all out, bore straight in and do your best to beat her down, focusing everything on one area of her body - because win or lose, there isn't going to be a fourth round." "Yeah ... yeah. All right. So I go kamikaze on her ass and pray she drops before I do. I dunno about you, but I wish the house was still taking bets." "Why," Harry asked. "So you could make a little money for me bettin' on her to win." The bell rang and Eddie charged. With deep bruises and cramps in both legs, feeling like a cripple, he slammed into Li Kuan, taking her by surprise. He roared in triumph, sounding more like a cow with a cold, even as he pushed her back to the ropes, slid her into a corner and hammered at her mid-section with all he had left. His arms were only nominally in better shape than his legs, and while he let her know he was there, he knew he wasn't doing enough damage to her to put her down — not even close. Li Kuan leaned down as he was punching her and asked in a quiet voice, "Do you want to give up?" "No ... you're gonna haveta ... beat me." "Fair enough." She shoved him back, brought a foot up and kicked him all the way to center ring. She leapt into the air, teeth and piercings flashing, to land beside him, hopping up again on the bounce to come down on him with her body, catching him with no defense. The breath went out of him like a firehose and before he could get it back he was slapping the floor of the ring, signaling his surrender. After allowing him a moment to recover, she helped him up off the floor. "You fought well, but you were at a disadvantage. Had you admitted it, we would have fought another day, when you were not already hurt. Your pride defeated you, Master Janak, not I." "Yeah ... that's happened ... a lot ... in my life." "I imagine so. Listen to your woman, she is wise and could teach you much." Eddie groaned as Li Kuan helped him to his corner. "I dunno, she talked me into this wager." Li Kuan stopped, and turned to face Eddie. "Yes, yes she did, because win or lose, it would help loosen you up. You are determined to ignore the privileges she gives you freely. You hold yourself in check, rigidly defending a position - supposedly for her - that she does not want you to defend. She wants you to be free, she wants you to be happy, she wants you playing in this society — that cannot happen if you continue to view every errant daydream as unfaithfulness to her." "What makes you think that?" "I am not blind, Master Janak." She smiled at him, an unpleasant, toothy smile. "I shall enjoy violating you. I shall take from you the blood I could not from the little girl earlier." "You and I are talkin' when we get home," Eddie said as they strapped him onto a frame that left him on his knees, arms stretched out overhead, legs pulled open at the waist. "Yes Master," Tamara replied, tears in her eyes. "Oh shit, with the tears already — what?" "You are disappointed in me." "No — what, no! I just don't ... I guess even after all this time, I just don't understand you." "Then we shall talk, Master." "Yes we will," Eddie replied as he felt Li Kuan begin to apply the lubrication. ------- Galena was riding Thad Newton in a slow, almost lazy motion, gliding back and forth on his cock. Behind her, Vida was holding her upright, chewing on her neck and gripping her breasts firmly, fingers softly caressing her nipples. The urgency, the fever, had left Galena. She was satiated, but not ready to stop. She'd been waiting for years for the day she would be free to be who she wanted to be — a day she'd begun to believe would never arrive, when she lived at home with her large family. But then she'd spied on Harry and Carol, and a whole new world had opened up for her, a world where she could do whatever she wanted, where she could fuck whomever she desired, all she had to do was be willing to live with the consequences, whatever they might be. That responsibility, to live with the effects of what she chose to do, was at once enormously freeing, and starkly limiting. There was no "I didn't know what I was doing" or "It's not my fault" — she was responsible for her actions, period, end of statement. That meant there were still things she dared only dream of doing. On the other hand, she thought as another orgasm was born inside her, there were things she'd most definitely do — like fuck Lord and Lady Newton any time they offered. "Sweetie, I think you might want to rest for a moment ... your House's Master Janak is about to get buggered, long and hard unless I miss my guess," Thad said. "All right ... turn me around ... and let me ... watch this..." ------- The rig held his face up, and even over the back of Puppy, who knelt before him, he could see the camera's unblinking eye. He resolved to show it nothing, and began to give Puppy her rim job. Li Kuan was gentle ... not as gentle as she'd been with Galena, but she did thoroughly lube him, and rubbed the tip of her dildo around his ass in a moderately successful attempt to relax him. It at the very least allowed him to relax his butt cheeks, resigning him to the inevitability of it. But once she began the insertion, there was no stopping, and it wasn't particularly slow. She didn't ram it in at full speed, but to Eddie, it felt more than fast enough. He failed in his attempt to show no reaction, and his wide-eyed look of pain, the red rush of shame crawling up his face as his tongue wormed around Puppy's ass, seemed to be on every screen. She gave him a moment to adjust, before starting to slide in and out of him, raking the spikes that pierced her arms across his sweaty back, drawing lines of red on him from one side to the other and up and down. "Are you enjoying this, my bitch," she asked softly, so softly that no one else could hear except him and Tamara, who had his cock in her mouth as she lay on the floor beneath the rig. "Time ... o' ... my ... life..." Eddie murmured, before returning his tongue to action, pushing at the tiny black woman's sphincter. In his mind, he knew that any pleasure he might eventually be able to take from his position wouldn't mean he was gay — Harry enjoyed anal a lot, and he didn't have a gay bone in his body, although Eddie suspected there might be a bit of a bisexual streak in there somewhere. Eddie was secure in his manhood, which almost made him laugh when he juxtaposed that thought with being buggered by a Chinese pain slut, and he'd never found any man sexually attractive, but even so, there were the echoes from his youth, the childish voices saying "If you take it in the ass you're a fag." Eddie resolved for himself that that definitely didn't hold true, he was still finding the thought of sucking a cock uninviting ... but ... once the pain had eased up, and his rectal muscles had come to terms with what they viewed as 'the rock-hard turd that will not go away', he had felt his cock hardening in his beloved's mouth and not solely from his woman's considerable oral skills. It had to be the sensations from his ass, although he might also attribute some of it to the sweating, pulsing rectum in front of his eyes. He enjoyed rimming Tamara, and Puppy had had an enema before his humiliation began, so she was fresh and clean. Lines of searing heat kept scoring his flesh, thin trickles of blood running everywhere on his back, but that pain was incidental to the deep soreness in his arms, legs and chest. Still, he was fully erect, Tamara had wrapped her hands around his shaft to keep either him or her from strangling her with it and he was somehow heading towards a climax. Li Kuan bent forwards and took a fold of skin on his side into her mouth, biting down so there was no doubt of her intentions. "'eg 'e," she said. "'eg 'e nod do 'ide id off." "Fuck ... you ... take your ... prize," he said, and forced his tongue back into Puppy's butt. Her teeth came together, snipping off the piece of flesh almost as neatly as if she'd used scissors. She swallowed it, and an orgasm pounded through her body, driving her thrusting hips into a frenzy. For a moment, as she pounded his ass like a jackhammer, his mind cleared, and a thought occurred to him, a possibility, which then became a certainty. He spasmed, his cum filling Tamara's mouth and spilling out the side to run down her face, another shot which seemed to fill every screen in the club. As he shuddered and shook, Li Kuan whispered, "Enjoyed that, didn't you, little bitch? Two virgin asses in one night — I'm a lucky woman." "Nah," Eddie replied after pulling out his tongue, "I'm not ... your second ... virgin ... anything ... your mama ... used to tongue me ... all night long ... farther up my ass ... than you got." Li Kuan laughed. "Improbable, but not impossible." She pulled out and his ass gratefully closed. "You're a good sport, Master Janak." "Yeah, you think so now," he muttered under his breath. ------- By the time Eddie came in Tamara's waiting mouth, Galena was riding Thad Newton like her life depended on it, with Vida sucking her clit on every down-stroke. Thad had slipped a spit-wet finger up her sore bottom, and she didn't care at all. Seeing Eddie violated was so hot that if he'd have tolerated it, she would have climbed up on the stage and pushed Tamara out of the way to suck his cock ... or pulled Puppy to the floor and taken her place. ------- Dommi took the microphone to the center of the ring again. "Thank you all, and thank our participants in tonight's fight card. We're auctioning off the opportunity to clean Master Janak and/or Li Kuan, any way you want to, the auction will last ten minutes-" People started shouting out numbers. "STARTING WHEN I RING THE BELL AGAIN! Really people, calm down. All the proceeds will go to the clinic, so be generous ... hell, be better than generous, go batshit." "NO" bellowed Eddie as he was finally released from the rig. "No..." he looked at Li Kuan. "Rematch, bitch, right here, right now." Harry turned to Karen. "Now we're talkin', you go get ready-" "Already on it, Harry, everything I just won, bet on Eddie this time. How much for you?" "Five thousand." "And five thousand for you on Eddie to win." "Master Janak, you must be joking," Li Kuan said. "Did your humiliation make you crazy? You are hurt, more hurt than you were when the first fight started. I am still reasonably fresh. You have no chance." "Rematch, bitch. Right here, right now. Same wager." "Hmm, fucking you twice in one night is an enticing opportunity ... but no. It would not be fair, it would not be sportsmanlike." "Fuck that noise, Li Kuan, rematch. Right here, right now, same wager. If I'm crazy, take advantage of it." "Say it once more, to prove you mean it." "Rematch, here and now." "Fine. Thirty minutes to rest and for bets to be taken?" "Fine!" "But what about the auction?" Dommi wailed. "Trust me, Mistress Dominique," Li Kuan said, "the bidding after a second fight will be much better." "Have you lost your mind, Master? Do I need to take you home?" Eddie picked up his sweetheart and held her to his sweat-soaked chest. "No, my love — I'm not crazy. I will be taking the next week off from work to recover, but I'm not crazy. Go bet as much as the household account can afford on me to win. Trust me. I am going balls-deep in that ass if it kills me." Tamara looked in Eddie's eyes for a long moment. "Put me down, sir, I have a wager to make." Both Li Kuan and Eddie went upstairs to use Dommi's shower during the break. Neither of them said anything to each other, but each knew the other bore them no ill will. Both were determined to win, but neither disliked the other. Li Kuan went first, but was still there, waiting, when Eddie came out. She handed him a towel, looking in his eyes. He returned her gaze, calmly, and the two of them stared at each other for a few moments. Li Kuan went downstairs to sit with her House. She was not afraid, but it had been written in Edward Janak's eyes, clear as day, that he would not lose again. She wasn't sure his resolve would win the day, but she was sure she was in for a fight. ------- The oil they rubbed onto his body burned in the cuts on his back and made the bite mark on his side a flaming agony. That was fine with Eddie Janak — it was all fuel and he wasn't foolish enough to think it wouldn't take every ounce of it he could muster, and probably more besides, to beat Li Kuan. Five shots of tequila were aflame in his belly and the aching soreness of his sphincter was a constant reminder of his fate should he lose again. The house odds on Eddie were seven-to-two and when Tamara told him she'd bet everything, he knew they would have to borrow money to make it to October if he lost. A handful of naproxen sodium had gone down his throat and begun to take effect. It was time. They met in the center of the ring. "Same rules?" Li Kuan asked. "Nah, if I gouge out your eyes I'm fuckin' eatin' 'em." "Fair enough ... you were tasty." "I sure as fuck hope so, you ain't getting' a second helpin'." "We'll see." Dommi rang the bell and Li Kuan danced out into the center of the ring, full of energy, calm and confident ... but wary as well. She'd seen her defeat in his eyes, and while she was sure she could still win, she knew she had to be on her guard. Eddie remained in his corner, leaning against the post. The fire was lit inside him, all the fuel from all the sources was ready to be dumped on it. Li Kuan danced a little closer, arms up, looking for a trap. In a flight of fancy that he shared with no one, Harry thought of group of Vikings about to raid the western coast of Ireland around the year 800 AD — warriors assembled, waiting to attack, when the madman with his bear-pelt shirt that was to lead them, their berserk, suddenly looked up to the heavens and said "Odin, what the fuck? Where's my battle rage? Where's my holy insanity?" And Odin replied, "Loaned it to Eddie, deal with it." "Well shit, if it's Eddie then that's okay. Don't worry, we got this." He sighed, thought of Li Kuan strapped to the frame, bottom exposed to him, felt the fire of his wounds, remembered his face on the screens as she forcibly broadened his sexual horizons, and then he didn't think anything all that coherent for awhile. Eddie exploded out of his corner with more speed than Li Kuan believed him still capable of, given his condition, his arms knocking hers aside as he charged on, ramming his head into her belly. The three piercings he jammed his head into while doing so gouged into the thin skin stretched over his skull and the fire inside burned brighter from the extra fuel that had just been dumped on it as blood began to flow. Momentum absorbed as they both went back another step or two, Eddie raised his head and roared at her. The pathetic 'cow with a cold' sound was gone, banished by the fury that filled him. What came out of his mouth was a raw, primal sound, an approaching storm of wrath on the horizon, signaling the arrival of some long-forgotten god of pain and suffering. While she was still off-balance, reeling from the pain in her gut, the entirety of Eddie focused itself into his arms and fists and he drove at her, feeling her ribs flex beneath his blows, pounding her abdominal muscles. Instinct told him of her recovering focus, so without breaking his rhythm an elbow flashed up and smashed into her cheek, snapping her head around. Part of Li Kuan, the part that was still capable of semi-coherent thought, wondered who the hell — or what the hell — this animal was? She'd watched Eddie fight, she knew how he handled himself — that man she'd beaten in the first contest, and beaten badly. But this ... who the fuck was this? Harry and Karen sat together, smiling. They knew this Eddie; they'd seen him before, more times than they liked to count. Sometimes, most times really, a fight called for intellect, calculation, reserve, strategy — and the other Eddie fit the bill perfectly. But sometimes he was way too drunk, or the fight was lost and they couldn't run away, or the insults hit too close to home, pushing buttons hard-wired into the psyche during the nightmarish parts of childhood, or God help whoever was responsible, Karen or Harry had been put down, put down hard, and Eddie didn't know their condition — then this Eddie showed up. "Lo, he doth deliver unto the unrighteous a Holy Smiting, and they shall know joy never more," Harry intoned. "His steps are as that of Doom, and in his hand, the Hammer of Ass-Whuppin'," Karen replied. "Blessed be they who are not his targets, for they shall breathe without coughing up blood," Harry finished. Candy looked at the two of them like they'd lost their minds, then at Eddie in the ring ... and solemnly said, "Amen." Li Kuan made half-assed attempts, the best she could manage, to dodge, tried to evade, tried to slip past him, but Eddie was having none of it. He kept his focus on her, unstoppable and full of red rage. He continued to pummel her midsection, throwing in a shot to the head whenever she looked to be coming out of her daze. He drove her back into the corner, focusing all his being on breaking her in half. Li Kuan would have crawled up the ropes and out of the ring if she could have, but Eddie kept her too disoriented to pull it off. The round ended, Dommi rang the bell, and Eddie kept going. Karen jumped in the ring and pulled him away, then put herself in front of him where he couldn't fail to see it was her. "Big man, it's over ... the round is over ... I think the fight's over. If she comes out of her corner for another round, she's certifiable." She looked back over her shoulder at Li Kuan. "You done?" she called. Li Kuan slumped in her corner. She nodded. It hurt too much to speak. "It's over, Eddie ... relax ... calm down. You beat her ... you're gonna tap that ass." Eddie let go, relaxing into Karen's arms. The pain began its flood-like return to his body. Adrenaline could only do so much and while it still coursed through his blood, its magic was fading and it was time to pay the piper. Eddie sagged towards the floor. "Oh gawd, I hurt." "Yeah, yeah you do ... c'mon sweetie, let's get you back to your corner." "I don't suppose I could put off the rest of tonight till next week some time, could I?" "Nope, gotta face it here and now, just like the rest of us ... but the good news is, I'm pretty sure you're off the hook for performing tonight." Eddie laughed, then wheezed as he held his side. "Damn, I knew I hadda good reason for doin' this." Eddie's moment of clarity as he'd been buggered, his great realization, was a relatively simple thing. He'd been fighting Li Kuan as a human being. But she wasn't, not in the sense that most of the people Eddie had faced in his life were human. She was a machine, built to hurt people. Machines can't be beaten, they had to be broken. There were no easy soft targets on Li Kuan, so she would have to be broken with brute force, and if he didn't get her off-balance and keep her off-balance, it was going to be very costly to break her — and his bank account in that regard was almost non-existent. So he'd gone berserk ... and he'd won. ------- Margo looked at the two gladiators, a perturbed expression on her face. "I ought to just put both of you in body casts and leave you that way for a month. It would serve you right." Both Li Kuan and Eddie were afraid to meet her eyes and had their heads down like naughty children. "The two of you could use cleaning, and antibiotic ointment and bandages, I probably should wrap those ribs of yours, Li Kuan, and I'm reasonably sure both of you need your heads examined. I ought to throw in proctology exams and rabies shots, just for the hell of it, but since this barbaric ritual isn't over yet, I suppose all that will have to wait. Go on, get out of my face." The two of them staggered to their feet, happy to be leaving the angry woman's presence. ------- At the end of the fight, with the performances scheduled to start in less than an hour, all Carol could think was "There go two of my performers". With Harry out and Eddie and Li Kuan unlikely to do anything but be doctored by Margo and cleaned by whoever won the auctions, she was looking at great gaping holes in her plans. "Dommi, do you have anyone that could fill in for three of my stars?" she asked. "Sure sweetie," Dommi replied, pointing towards the bar. "See that giant of a blue-haired punk throwback? That's your girl — she's the director and star of our newest group, Psychosexual Circus." "You're shitting me! That's Dr. Lowenstein's daughter?" "Yep, sure is — her name is Rose. You tell her I sent you, although I'm pretty sure she's already well aware of you and the family." As Carol crossed the club, she was able to get a better look at Rose Lowenstein. Six foot six, long, brilliantly blue hair, done in a row of ponytails that were each about four feet long, and said hair was from a narrow strip on her head, the rest of it having been shaved. Her limbs and torso sported a beautiful collection of tribal-style tattoos, done in bands. When she turned around, Carol could see her mother in Rose's beautiful face ... and her tits and ass as well. Rose was thinner, but still built on a heavy frame, well-rounded, but with muscular arms and legs that had Carol fantasizing about seeing her and Karen in the ring together ... or on stage together. Her pubic hair was blue as well, trimmed into the shape of a skull. She seemed to be completely at home with her nudity, and given her mother's attitudes, that didn't surprise Carol a bit. She stood behind the tall woman, taller than Margo, and cleared her throat. Rose turned around and Carol said, "Ms. Lowenstein, I'm Carol Grimes and-" Carol squeaked, as she was enveloped in a hug and lifted up off the ground. She did her best to return the hug, partially wrapping her legs around the woman out of fear of falling. "Oh, it's good to meet you. Mother's told me about your family — well, none of the therapy issues or details of course, but about you in general, and I've been waiting for this opportunity." She put Carol back down — while Carol contemplated a seemingly infinite series of kinky things she'd like to do with Rose — and smiled at her. "What can I do for you, Carol?" "Rose, I had a whole line up of performances set for this evening, but my husband has been injured, two of my other performers just got through beating each other black and blue — I need help." "Well, you tell me what you need and I'll find somebody who can fill in." ------- "Bitch," Kelly crooned. Margo, still perturbed at Li Kuan and Eddie, snapped, "What?" Kelly stared at the side of Margo's head, waiting for her to correct herself. In a moment, Margo's eyes widened as she realized her mistake. "I'm sorry, Mistress, I'm still furious with those two, but that is no excuse to respond incorrectly. How may I serve you?" "Do you remember those luscious little promises you gave me, 'to obey without question one command of your Queen, no matter what, no matter where, no matter when'?" "Yes Mistress." "God, I so hate that we're in public so you can't use my real title ... whisper it to me, just once..." "My Queen..." Margo whispered. "That's it, Bitch ... damn that sounded good. Well, back to business. You're going to fulfill one of those promises to me tonight. Won't it be good to get one of those off the books?" "Yes Mistress..." Margo replied apprehensively. "When the auction begins to clean Eddie after he fucks that sweet ass of Li Kuan's, you are to end up cleaning him, primarily with your tongue." "Very clever, Mistress, turning two commands into one, since I have to win the auction to fulfill your order." "Wasn't it? I was particularly pleased with that," Kelly replied. "So, fulfill my command." "Yes Mistress." ------- "How does it feel to be on that rack, bitch?" Eddie growled. "Not too unusual, Master Janak — remember whom I serve." "Good point." "How painful are you planning on making this, Master Janak?" "Seein' as you're wired up all weird an' shit, I thought about makin' it painless as possible, but I figgered that'd just be petty of me. It's gonna hurt. How difficult you gonna make your part? I mean, I figger you ain't no anal virgin." "Hardly ... but I don't like it at all, and you can count on my rectum trying its best to keep whatever gets shoved in it." "Okay ... understood. Let's set Tamara up in place an' get this started. We both need cleanin' somethin' fierce. Oh, and if Tamara feels even a hint of teeth? I'm pullin' outta you and fuckin' Puppy right here in front of ya — just sayin', to let you know to be extra careful." Li Kuan grinned, "I wouldn't have let her feel teeth anyway, but now I shall make doubly sure that I am indeed careful." "Thought so." He muttered under his breath, "Got more than enough women here in front of me, don't need any more to worry about." No one but Li Kuan and Tamara had heard him. Tamara smiled enigmatically. Li Kuan said, "Charmingly naïve." Eddie glared at Tamara. "Oh, you and I are so gonna talk after we get home." "Yes Master," she replied, her smile never faltering. Eddie slipped on a condom while he mumbled to himself. Li Kuan's violation began with a bang - Eddie reached over, grasped one of the smaller spikes that pierced Li Kuan's right arm, and ripped it from her flesh. She almost came on the spot and Tamara squealed in surprise as Li Kuan's tongue went into overdrive. "You okay, darlin'?" Eddie asked. "Oh yes," Tamara replied, "no teeth, just tongue ... a lot of tongue." "Good." A moment later, Li Kuan paused and said, "That would be the wrong hole, Master Janak." "Geez, that explains why it just feels like a vise in there, not a guillotine. Thanks, important safety tip." "This was not part of our deal." "Neither was that bite you gave me ... shut up and lick." Li Kuan grunted something, but her mouth was back at its assigned task. For several minutes, Eddie pondered his next move ... his cock felt very comfortable where it was, and he was unsure whether his plans would result in more pain for him or for Li Kuan. There was no way he could ignore the fact that Li Kuan was enjoying his current location as well. She'd had a small orgasm that caused her to clamp down on him quite tightly, she was as wet as any man could want and that showed no sign of changing ... she liked having him buried in her cunt. But still, a deal was a deal. Both Eddie's and Li Kuan's eyes tried to bulge out of their sockets as Eddie ruthlessly slammed his well-lubricated cock deep into Li Kuan's bowels. Thanks to speed and a thankfully accurate aim, his shaft was three-quarters of the way in before Li Kuan's sphincters tried to amputate it. Eddie let out a whimper-like sound and drove on anyway, not stopping until his balls rested against her wet and orgasming cunt. The pain and suddenness of it had driven Li Kuan completely over the edge. She would have fallen had she not been strapped to the rig, and her head hung down, any thoughts of her duty to Tamara forgotten in the thunder of her climax. Eddie waited seven eternities, by his count, for the beautiful Chinese woman's sphincter rings to relax before they finally loosened ever so slightly, and he could contemplate moving his cock inside her. He began to pull his dick back, feeling for all the world like he was fucking a flesh-covered iron fist with minimal lubrication. "Tamara ... I want you to know ... I may beat you ... for wishing this ... on me." "If such is your desire, sir, I shall be glad to accept any discipline you see fit to provide ... but somehow, I doubt you will carry through with your threat." "Probably ... not ... but I can ... dream ... gawddamn ... Li Kuan... RELAX!" Li Kuan still hung in her restraints, but some people around the stage might have had a proper vantage point to observe a small smile flash across her face in the space of a heartbeat. "Master Janak," Madame Cornelius called, "distract her — hurt her. It will work, trust me." Harry thrust a riding crop in his direction and Eddie gladly grabbed it. Li Kuan had tightened up again and he was feeling like he was half a heartbeat away from a new nickname — 'Stumpy'. He began to thrash her with the crop — sharp, short strokes, only to feel her ass tighten even more. "I ... thought you said ... to hurt her-" Eddie said, his voice an octave higher than usual. "I did," Madame Cornelius replied, "but you're not hurting her, you're merely teasing her." Instead of a sexual scene, or a discipline scene, Eddie and Li Kuan had become a slapstick comedy to those watching. The audience's laughter only intensified as Eddie began beating on Li Kuan's back with the crop like he was using a hatchet on a tree trunk. His eyes were wide, tears were running down his cheeks and it was all he could do not to bite his lip, as he was sure he would chew through it if he did. Tamara shook her head, exaggerating her dismay, playing to the audience. She stood up and said loudly, "Silly Master, you have no gift for cropping. Hand it here." She held out her hand, tapping her foot impatiently. Eddie played along as best he could, hanging his head in shame as he passed over the crop. Tamara might have been small, Tamara might have been slight, but since her rescue from Philip Philouma, she hadn't been weak. She laid into Li Kuan with a will, the rhythm and length of her strokes showing that while she might not be a Domme, she was very experienced with the process. Raised welts came up almost immediately, and before long small droplets of blood were being flung into the air on every return of the crop. Eddie embellished the wide grin of relief that came to his face as Li Kuan was distracted, but he didn't have to by much, as the relaxing of her sphincters meant an end to considerable pain for his part. He began moving behind her again, and motioned to Margo to come close to the stage. "If you would, clean that up for me," he asked, handing her the spiked bar he had torn out of Li Kuan's arm. Eddie relaxed, enjoying his rhythm and the feel of Li Kuan's ass around his cock. He didn't want to fuck her into a prolapsed rectum, but he'd fought long and hard to get where he was, and he intended to enjoy it. He watched his love beating the woman he was fucking, and thought on how little he understood Tamara. To his way of thinking, she should be shrieking at him, threatening him with separation, divorce — death ... instead, her joy was impossible to miss. She was happy he was planting his dick where he was, happy she was getting to help, happy being up in front of God and everybody. It was as if she were truly an alien from some other world where the inhabitants viewed the rules he'd grown up with as bizarre and archaic tribal customs. Margo brought back the spiked bar, freshly washed in almost pure alcohol, and he took it in his hand, unscrewing it. He hoped the holes in his earlobes hadn't completely healed shut, as he didn't want to jam the bar though by force, but he would if necessary. He'd taken a trophy, he damn well intended to wear it. Luckily, the lowest hole on his left earlobe was still somewhat open and he worked the bar through, screwing the spiked end back on when he was finished. While he'd put in his new decoration, his pace hadn't slowed, hadn't faltered. It was in his opinion time to start winding things down, so he bent over slightly and began to thrust in earnest. He thought of his beautiful Tamara, lying on his chest, her chin in his belly button as he held her cunt to his face and made love to her with his tongue. He thought of the smell of her — sweat and sex and the faintest trace of tulips — and how her smooth thighs felt against his face... Tamara had to stop her beating of Li Kuan as Eddie climaxed, and fell across Li Kuan's back in orgasmic relief, blocking her next stroke with no warning. Luckily she managed not to whip her lover's wounded back. ------- Thad, Vida and Galena were exhausted. Between the two women and the bloody spectacles of violence and sex that had gone on in front of them, Thad had managed three orgasms and was thoroughly sure he was done for the night. Three lucky collars of Karghold Newton were cleaning the tired trio as they lay back on the seat, legs and arms thrown wide. Andrea was draped over the edge of their table, used rubbers littering the floor, looking like she'd been the star attraction at dollar night in a whorehouse. "I wanted to ask you ... the same question ... I asked Stefan," Galena panted. Her voice lowered, "Did it turn you on ... knowing my real age?" "A little ... perhaps..." Vida rasped. "In the end though ... nah ... we'll fuck you like that ... when you really are ... twenty-one." "Yeah ... what she said," Thad added. "Oh ... way cool..." Galena sighed. "What did ... Stefan say..." Thad asked. "Not really sure ... never got an answer ... made the mistake of asking ... while he was still ... fucking me ... but the question ... did markedly increase ... his speed ... and enthusiasm." "You are ... being careful ... with who you tell ... right?" said Vida. "Oh yeah ... I don't tell anyone ... how old I really am ... I only talk about it ... with those who already ... know." "Good girl," Thad replied. ------- "Now then," Dommi said, her voice filling the club, "how much are you ready to spend to be the lucky patron who gets to clean one of these two warriors NOW?" The roar from her patrons reassured Dominique that Li Kuan hadn't been mistaken. The clinic was going to get another large chunk of money that evening. "Ten minutes of bidding starts ... right... NOW!" Dommi called as she rang the bell. As they stood on stage together while the crowd bid, Li Kuan said, "You are an interesting opponent, Master Janak." "Thank you ... so are you ... painfully interesting." "The first man I faced tonight — I am better than him, better at fighting." "Um hmm, you are." "The second ... thing ... I faced. Master Janak, with us both fresh and uninjured, I could not beat that without killing it." "Pretty much the way I read it as well." "It is a humbling realization." He looked at over at her and smiled. "I know the feelin', I had me one o' them the first time we fought." The two combatants grinned at each other, and then faced the crowd again. The bidding itself was fierce, and the waiters and waitresses were all working at full speed to keep up. Meanwhile, at nine minutes and counting, Margo was having an intense discussion with a young gay man who'd been bidding to clean Eddie as well. "Look, I'd love to see you licking his body, trust me, but our head Dominant this evening ordered me to win, and I'll outspend you, no matter what." "I don't think you can," he answered, smirking at her. "Fifteen hundred for Eddie!" "Twenty-five hundred for Eddie!" Margo shouted. "Three thousand dollars for Eddie," he replied. The clock was ticking, she could feel it. Dommi was about to ring the bell. "Five thousand for Eddie," she cried. "Sixty-five hundred for Eddie," he answered and the bell sounded. A dejected, and somewhat frightened, Margo returned to her Queen. "I have failed, Mistress - my deepest apologies." "I was watching ... it wasn't from lack of trying and if I'd thought about it, I would have given you an upper limit to your bidding of five thousand, so he would have won anyway." Margo's face lit up. "So I'm all right, you won't punish me?" Kelly chuckled and it was not a pleasant sound. "Oh, come on, do you really think I'd be that nice? Bitch, I know how you feel about Eddie, we all do, and Carol and I feel the same way, although you've loved him much longer. I'm giving you a choice. You can be punished, and you know how that can go, or you can return that promise to me, to use later ... or you can tell Eddie and Tamara how much you were looking forward to winning, and what you would have done if you had." Margo thought hard on the options. Kelly could be brilliantly creative in her punishment, leaving her victims psychologically as well as physically hurting. Nights with Kelly in charge were always a dance on the razor's edge between pleasure and degradation. They all eagerly awaited them and dreaded them at the same time. In that sense, Margo had come to terms with Kelly being a better Dominatrix than she was. If she gave her promise back to Kelly so easily ... Margo thought on the promises the Queen had called in so far. She had paid off one by driving around on the freeways for an hour, her skirt pulled up to her waist exposing her bare cunt while Kelly directed her towards every truck driver she saw. Margo had been mortally embarrassed, but secretly pleased, by every air horn blast of appreciation. Harry had spent three days wearing a thong and vibrating butt plug to work — and Kelly had dropped in at random times to check that he still had them on ... and in. Carol had spent an afternoon taking calls as a phone sex girl while Kelly recorded the conversations and sexually teased her the entire time. They would all be less willing to give Kelly such promises in the future. They always enjoyed the outcome, but it was never easy. Or Margo could tell Eddie what she was pretty sure he already knew. She loved Eddie Janak very much, very deeply. She'd loved both him and Harry since they'd rescued her — she just loved Harry more. Margo had a recurring fantasy of being double-teamed by Harry and Eddie — feeling both their cocks inside her at once could make her weak-kneed just to contemplate. And although she wouldn't easily admit it, she'd been looking forward to having an excuse to lick all over Eddie's oily, sweaty, bloody body. She'd even planned to clean his cock with her mouth. But could she tell Eddie all of that ... in front of Tamara? "Do I have to tell them here, Mistress?" "No, and I wouldn't demand that I be present. I have faith that if you said you'd tell them, you'd tell them ... just so long as I hear all about it when you're finished. Is that the option you choose?" "Still thinking, Mistress." "Good ... you should be." ------- Dommi picked up the microphone again. "Your attention, your attention please ... the bidding is over and we have our winners. The august privilege of cleaning Li Kuan of House Cornelius goes to Mistress Veronika of House Risotti, for the sum of fifty-three hundred dollars. The delightful job of cleaning Master Janak of House Chorale goes to Cal McOrn, for the sum of sixty-five hundred dollars! Congratulations to both of you, come give me your checks and prepare to wash!" "Tammy, tell me 'Cal' can be a girl's name." "No sir, well, perhaps it can, but in this case it's not." "Why am I doing this?" "Because you love Margo very much, and it's raising money for her clinic." "Right ... but you and I might be goin' up to Dommi's office for a shower, soon as this is over." "If such is your wish sir ... I, however, am going to sit back and enjoy watching this." Eddie shook his head sadly. "You're gonna enjoy my humiliation ... what have I done to deserve this?" "You've done nothing, Master, and it isn't your humiliation I'm going to be enjoying — it's going be you, forced outside of your comfort zone." "That talk we're gonna have? It's still on." "Somehow I expected that, sir." Eddie groaned as he moved. "Although the way things are goin', it may have to wait till tomorrow." Li Kuan found Mistress Veronika's attentions to be most welcome and very stimulating. By the time the Domme was finished licking the majority of her body, and sucking at her wounds, Li Kuan was literally shaking, so close to an orgasm that Veronika looked to Madame Cornelius. "Madame, may I finish her off?" Pleased by Veronika's respectful request, Madame Cornelius nodded graciously. "Spread your legs a little wider, Li Kuan," Veronika ordered. Li Kuan shifted her stance, remembering the feeling of Veronika licking the insides of her thighs. With no warning, Veronika dealt a harsh slap to Li Kuan's swollen pubis. The tall Chinese pain slut would never be sure if she was conscious for the entirety of her climax, but she'd rarely enjoyed passing out so much. "I'm a-gonna kiss you all o-vah," Cal sang as he approached Eddie. The look of terror in Eddie's eyes gave him the giggles. "Oh, don't worry, it won't be so bad ... it's not like I have cooties!" Eddie whimpered, audibly. Cal smiled. "Don't worry, Master Janak, I'm teasing. While I am going to lick parts of you clean, I'll probably keep my tongue away from anyplace too intimate. I can have plenty of fun, sixty-five hundred dollars worth in fact, just making you twitch with the thought that I might change my mind." He laughed. "And I might, too!" Eddie spent the next half hour contemplating the works of Musashi and Sun Tzu, and how he might apply their teachings when dealing with certain people in his life ... and being pleased that Cal McOrn didn't change his mind. ------- Carol was going mad — fully-round-the-bend, fly-eating, crown-of-thorns-wearing, bring-out-the-electro-shock bonkers. Less than a week to plan, three of her performers out for medical reasons, integrating complete unknowns into the cast to replace them, only an hour to bring the new kids up to speed, all on top of her normal pre-show jitters ... she wanted to take up sky-diving without a parachute, just to relax. She flustered too close too Kelly and the Queen reached over, grabbed her by her hair and pulled her in close. "Slut, if you tell me one more time what I need to do tonight, I'm going to keep you almost at the brink of orgasm for hours ... and I do mean hours... have Harry fuck Usagi inches above your face and then leave you restrained all night long. Now SETTLE!" "Yes, my Queen," Carol whispered. "But only for a second ... it's time to get started." Dommi went for the microphone. "It's time for this evening's grand finale, a series of scenes presented by House Chorale and her allies. Even I have no clue what all is going to happen, but I can promise it'll be enjoyable. Thank you, and let the show begin!" ------- Chapter 52 First up on the stage was House Risotti, and people could say what they wanted about Veronika, but she wasn't in the least afraid to put her subs' genitalia in danger for the sake of a show. It was obvious, watching One, Two, Three and Four up in the air, suspended by elastic straps, that it wasn't their first time. While they weren't as brilliant, gifted and well-trained as Cirque du Soleil, they had skills in the air that most of their audience wouldn't have even dreamed of. The four of them seemed to demonstrate the entirety of the Kama Sutra while swinging through the air, changing partners and positions as if it were the most natural thing in the world. At one point, the two couples were fucking in sync with each other — One and Three right side up, Two and Four upside down mere feet above them — almost perfect mirror images. All in all, the performance pleased the audience, although they were perhaps a bit too apprehensive to be titillated, and Risotti's finale had every one holding their crotches, male, female, and other alike. Accompanied by the roll of snare drums, stretched to the limits of the straps, separated by approximately twelve feet, One and Four were launched at each other, using eyeball reckoning, and met in the middle with a resounding slap of flesh on flesh, after which they locked arms and held each other — with One's cock having slammed dead center into Four's cunt. The audience went from stunned shock to roaring applause. Veronika and her subs took their bows, and left the stage. "Whoa!" said Dommi over the applause. "Did you think you'd see anything like that when you left your homes this evening? House Risotti, everyone! That's right, give it up for House Risotti!" Veronika had never felt so good, so happy, so a part of something in her life. Her Senior House has needed her help, she had not failed them, and her House was appreciated. ------- Gloria Tanner was bored and lonely, and had been so for quite some time. She had her job, she had her son, Jason, but the first was strictly eight-to-five and the other ... well, Jason was fourteen, firmly in the "Leave me alone" years — and to be perfectly honest, she hovered too much, so he shut her out. That left her with a lot of hours, every night, every weekend, with no company but her own. Since her husband divorced her, five months previously, it had been that way, even longer as they'd been separated for almost a year prior. Her half of the marital assets had enabled her to buy out his share of the house, and her job, and the child support payments, were enough to keep her and Jason comfortable, but there wasn't a lot of money for luxuries A bigger issue was her needs - even as rarely as her husband had given her what she craved, the gulf between 'rarely' and 'never' was vast. She lived in a boring older neighborhood, where everyone was either retired, near retirement or very conventional, as best she could tell. She wasn't much for chatting up the neighbors, since she was pretty sure none of them had anywhere near the interests she did. Then an old friend from her married days who'd moved to another city sent her a one-word email. "Dominique's" She'd tracked the place down, not that it was hard to do so once she knew to start looking, and that night she'd put on some of her skankiest slut clothes, a Carnival masque from the good old days to preserve her anonymity, and gone to see what it was like. She was thankful she'd gotten there early. The place was packed to the rafters. There was a lot of stuff going on she didn't understand - the best answer the waitress could give her was "It's political" - but she was happy to find herself in the midst of her kind of people. Fights and fucking, auctioning off virgin assholes, bets paid in anal violations and blood, more freaks and perverts than she'd seen together in her wildest dreams. She'd been in the ladies lounge when the big parade came through. Their matching costumes made them hard to miss, but she decided to take her time, enjoy the shows, watch the crowds, stay on the fringes and see if anyone particularly appealed to her, rather than make her way into the center of the club where all the action was. Gloria hoped things wound down before 4 or 5 AM, though — she had agreed to attend a neighbor's backyard barbeque the next day, and although she almost dreaded it, it would be a way for her and Jason to connect with some of their neighbors. ------- "Veronika, and the four of you, get the fuck over here!" Harry called in between acts. "Goddamn, that was astounding ... although One, One is it? I was terrified I was gonna have to watch your cock break in half if Veronika missed." "Master Grimes," One replied, grinning, "you don't truly understand 'terrified' until you're the arrow in that particular archery stunt. Last time we practiced it at home, I hit wrong, I mean, my dick went in the right place, but I thought my balls were going to pop like zits." Four walked over, slightly bow-legged. "Yeah ... that trick, even when it works ... damn ... it's painful." "Yeah, but trust me, you looked amazing and I can pretty much guarantee, no one's ever seen anything like it before." "Nor shall they again, any time soon," Veronika replied. "I have to make major concessions to the four of them, One and Four particularly, to get them to do routines like that. I'm going to be paying that one off for over a month. "Yeah, the only reason we agree to practices is so we won't hurt ourselves when she does decides to have us do that crazy shit," Three said. "Do you perform anywhere else?" Margo asked. "Nope," Veronika answered, "they do it hanging over me while I masturbate. Once they get going," she shuddered with pleasure, "it's like laying naked in the rain — sweat, jism, juices ... and the show's all for me." Harry pulled her close and kissed her neck, giving it a little bite as well. "Some day you'll have to invite us over and give us a private showing." Mistress Veronika of House Risotti glowed as she and her House returned to their table. ------- Carol had been so impressed with Rose and the members of Psychosexual Circus that she'd combined two of her planned performances into one, and let Rose and the group have center stage for something all of their own. While members of her troupe slowly turned her on a Lazy-Susan-like apparatus on one of the side stages and a music box cover of "I Could Have Danced All Night" played, the lights came up on Rose, dressed in a black Goth prom dress. She was a music box dancer, her clothing and hair in contrast with the song and the way she danced, and as the music slowed, so did she, finally coming to rest in an awkward pose. From out of the darkness, a tall man — swarthy, muscular, bald and covered with intertwining Oriental dragon tattoos, wearing only a pair of leather pants — came and lifted her rigid form off the stand. He carried her to the center stage where a backless couch had been placed, and he awkwardly posed her on it, bending her joints into place. In the end, she was holding on to the chaise lounge at its curved end, on her knees, blank face staring at the crowd. When he finally had her posed to his satisfaction, he walked around behind her, flipped up the long black skirt and threw it over her back. He opened the front of his pants, exposing a considerable length of cock, and laid it in the crack of her ass, slowly moving forwards and back as it began to grow hard and erect. A lick of his hand, saliva spread along his cock and he entered her. Slowly, he had his way with her, only speeding up at the end when he appeared to spend his load deep inside her. Pulling out and buttoning his pants, he carefully picked her rigid form back up, took her to the turntable and reposed her, close to how she'd been before. Somehow, in all of that, so slowly no one could have noticed it happening, her blank and neutral expression had turned to one of contentment and love. The lights went down. When they came up again, it was on the opposite side stage from where the doll was placed, and the same man, wearing lounge pants and a t-shirt, was putting the moves on another girl, a short, cute blonde, who was wearing a blue vinyl dress that shone in the stage lights. He took her back to center stage, where he peeled her out of the dress, got out of his clothes, and proceeded to lay into her with a will, first fucking her on her back, then rolling the two of them over and bouncing her on his dick. As their squeals and moans filled the air, the lights dimmed on them and then slowly crawled up Rose's body where she stood in the same position she'd been left in ... but when the light revealed her face, it was a mask of rage and hatred. The lights went down. When they came back up, the man was sitting up and stretching on the couch in a pair of black boxers, obviously having just awakened. He scratched himself and walked over to his doll. As the lights came up on her, her face had returned to its original blank expression. He carried her to the couch, posed her on her back and ripped the top of her dress open, spending some time mauling her breasts. Then he flipped up her skirt and entered her, apparently without lubrication. As he pounded in and out of her, a curious thing occurred. His movements became more and more stiff and mechanical, slowing to a dead stop over a period of perhaps five minutes, while her limbs lost their rigidity just as slowly and by the time he was frozen in place, she was moving as if alive. As both Rose and her partner were skilled mimes, the effect was chilling. She kicked him off of her, and he fell to the floor, as still and rigid as any mannequin. Rose hopped off the couch, picked him up, drawing sounds of amazement from the audience, and carried him to the turntable, where she placed him in a traditional store dummy pose and left him, walking off while whistling to herself. The lights went down and the sound of a power tool, a belt sander to be precise, was heard. A few moments later, the lights came up on Rose lying on the couch, with the cute blonde's head buried in her crotch, while another man - skinny with long brown hair that didn't appear to have been brushed in recent years — slid in and out of the blonde's cunt. The three of them were obviously enjoying themselves. Rose rode out an orgasm, the man spasmed his load into the blonde, and the little blonde girl ended up on the floor, face covered in Roses' juices, oozing sperm onto the stage. As the three of them relaxed, the light went down on them, and slowly rose on the turntable. The tattooed man was dressed in a pink tutu, a princess' tiara in his hair. His crotch was completely smooth, as if sanded down, no trace of his genitalia remaining, and there was a look of horror on his face. He was covered with cobwebs and dust. A music box carousel tune began, and he danced to it as he turned in place, his dance beautiful, and the look on his face never changing from the expression of absolute terror. As the music and his dance slowed to a stop, the lights went down. When they came up again on center stage, Rose, the blonde and the skinny man were taking their bows. Dommi's voice came over the speakers. "That was a scene by four of the members of Dominique's newest performing group, Psychosexual Circus! Let's give a big round of applause to Rose as the doll, Cammi as the hot blonde, Zarko as her partner and Butch as the doll owner!" The three of them continued to take their bows and then walked over to the turntable, the lights following them, lifted Butch off, still rigid and posed, and carried him off the stage into the darkness. The applause was thunderous. ------- As their props were removed from the stage, the four players sat down and visited with Chorale and her allies. "Jesus Christ, that was fantastic," Carol said, hugging Rose, then the rest of the cast. "You and Butch do the greatest music box dancer mime I've ever seen!" "We're all pretty damn good," Rose replied, hugging Zarko. "Every member of the group is trained in mime and that skill particularly. We used to perform as a troupe on the streets of the French Quarter in New Orleans ... made a lot of money in tips, with fourteen people all doing music box routines, sometimes in sync, sometimes not. But when the first reports said Katrina was on her way, and an evacuation was recommended, the Circus loaded up the bus and got the fuck out. The guy who owned the bus was chicken-shit that way, and for once we were all glad he was. Maybe we'll go back some day, but I doubt it. I'm enjoying being close to Mom and Dad." "Butch, I got to ask," Eddie said. "The crotch?" Butch laughed. "Hold on, I'll show you." He stood up and put fingers in the band of a pair of flesh-colored shorts that were almost invisible. Peeling them off, with no small amount of effort, he held them up. "Tool number two, heavy rubber shorts." He reached between his legs, and with a sound of ripping tape, pulled his cock from between his ass cheeks, his balls flopping freely as he did so. "Tool number one, getting taped down ... drag queens have been doing it for centuries, we figured it would make a vicious end to this skit." Harry and Eddie's eyes were comically wide. "I won't say the girls enjoy taping me up," Butch continued, "but there sure is a lot of giggling while it's done." Eddie looked at Carol. "No, Short Stuff, just no. I don't give a goody gawddamn what scene you plan out for me — the answer to that question is 'NO'." Tamara said, "But Master, what if we really, really needed you to?" She climbed up on the seat next to him and whispered something in his ear. "Okay Short Stuff, the answer is a 'maybe', with many qualifications," Eddie replied, to the laughter of all. ------- At the table House Hurley was sharing with St. Paul and Franklin, there was a flurry of hands in motion as all three of Hurley's members communicated at lightning speed with each other. Lourdes was, in mock jealousy, trying to fuck any memory of Galena out of Stefan's head while he softly conversed with David Wilcox. "If I had to guess," David whispered, "I'd say from body language that Laurie has said or done something that Marcus just cannot believe, and Marcie is supporting her, in whatever it is." "That's my read, too," Stefan responded quietly. "I can't tell if Marcus is pissed or just confused." Lourdes pouted and made impatient sounds at Stefan. "I'm sorry darling, you're trying to mark your territory and I'm not helping. I'll give you my full and undivided attention." As Lourdes began fucking her Master again, David Wilcox pulled Andrew over and aimed him at his dick. "Never a dull moment around here, is there boy?" he asked. "No fir," Andrew replied, his mouth full of cock. ------- Eight women of Karghold Newton, naked save for their jewelry, and in the case of the submissives, their collars, began to dance to a tune that sounded Middle Eastern, but with much heavier percussion, in the large open space where the ring had been set up. The women were snakes, their bodies undulating to the music like they were boneless, and it was clear to everyone watching that the ladies practiced often, and to incredibly sensual effect. They continued to dance, weaving in and out and around each other, brushing against each other, slithering around each other until most of the audience was convinced the ladies were seconds away from dropping to the floor and devolving into a tangle of lips and cunts, tongues and asses, mouths and breasts. Then a sword flew out of the darkness, through the women and into the darkness on the other side. Then another, and another, flying from every direction as the men of Karghold Newton, naked as well, came out of the darkness and surrounded the dancers. Soon there were eight blades, all passing through the women as they danced. The crowd was clearly impressed ... but apparently Vida Newton wasn't. She held up her hands, stopping the dancers and jugglers as well, walked over to Thad and held out her hand, a disgusted look on her face. Thad juggled both the blades he was holding, high in the air, caught them, then looked at his wife with a hopeful, questioning face. She shook her head, and held out her hand more forcefully. Thad hung his head dejectedly and handed over his swords. Around them, the rest of the men did the same. Putting the swords underneath one arm, Vida Newton clapped her hands imperiously, and the men began to dance. The music was different, more Slavic or Russian in sound, and there was much stomping, jumping and swinging on each other's arms. In the midst of that, the women started slinging the swords through the dancers appreciably faster than the men had, as well as adding more swords brought over by other members of the Hold. Soon there was no counting how many blades were in motion, and the men continued to dance, apparently unconcerned by the metal implements of destruction that seemed to surround them like buzzing bees. After a time, Thad stopped, panting for breath, and weakly clapped his hands. The dancers stopped, the swords ceased flying as he and his apparently exhausted fellows almost slumped to the ground. Vida and the other women shook their heads in disgust, dropped the swords and as their music began again, danced off into the darkness. "That was the Lord and Lady of Karghold Newton, and their submissives dancing and juggling and giving us an example of the difference in endurance between men and women!" The applause was loud and long. ------- "Holy shit, Thad, Vida ... I wanted you to show off the Karghold's women but day-um!" Harry exclaimed. "Oh, don't be too fooled, Harry," Vida replied. "The guys are capable of much faster and much longer range sword tossing than they demonstrated. We just took your request to heart and came up with that demonstration. I hope it might have changed some minds about all Karg being the same." Harry motioned to the seat by him. "I hope so too ... but you know, there's a performance I wish we could've gotten on stage tonight." "What?" Thad replied. "The two of you and Galena ... my gods and li'l fishies, if I'd been in any condition to, someone at this table would've gotten frenzy-fucked 'cause of y'all ... maybe even Eddie." "Hey now," Eddie replied, "getting buggered once a night is enough." Harry laughed and then looked at his leg and the brace with disgust. "Because of this happy horseshit, it's going to be awhile before I can easily yield to impulses like that ... or if I do-" "Then your family and I beat the shit out of you," Helen finished from her seat nearby, "carefully avoiding hurting your leg." Thad and Vida laughed. Harry chuckled, "Yeah, I'm going to have to let the ladies do all the work for quite some time, isn't that right, physical therapist?" "Yeah, you're just lucky we don't mind, Harry," Helen replied, before going back to her conversation with Margo. The Newton's eyebrows rose and Thad looked at Helen, then Harry questioningly. "Yeah ... and don't ask, I don't understand it, I'm just grateful and shut the fuck up." "Which proves you're wiser than you act most days," Kelly said, hugging and kissing Harry as she strolled by. ------- Gloria had worked her way around the periphery of the club, getting some hard looks from the tables in one corner where those she thought of as 'pretentious shits' were sitting. It was time to move in towards whomever the big group in black and scarlet were. When she did so, her eyes widened in surprise. She'd seen several things she'd never imagined in the club that night, but the evening's latest revelation was nothing short of unthinkable. ------- The familiar strains of Felix Mendelssohn's "The Hebrides — Overture', better known as the Warner Brothers cartoons "Stalking the Mynah Bird" music, was playing. The lights came up on Patricia wearing her 'Cave Girl' costume, which meant hardly anything at all except a few scraps of leather, with her club over her shoulder. She slowly walked along the stage in time with the music; obviously stalking something by the way she kept looking at the stage. At one point she turned to one side of the stage, then the other, putting a finger over her mouth and going "SHHHH". The audience giggled and chuckled. As she reached the center stage, a second light came up on Karen, in her bright pink Dyke-a-saurus costume, without the dildo attached. As the crowd roared with laughter, she too looked left and right, and shushed them. Dyke-a-saurus slowly stalked after Cave Girl, who after reaching the end of the stage, hopped off and continued to track her prey. She circled through the area where the ring had been set up, only to hop back onto the stage. It became clear to the audience that they were watching the age-old gag of a hunter stalking prey that was stalking the hunter. By the second time they made the circle, Dyke-a-saurus dropped out of the chase, running around to hide behind the seats on the far end of the stage. As Cave Girl neared the end of the stage again, Dyke-a-saurus leapt out, frightening her. When she turned to run, she managed to slip and knock herself out with her own club. Dyke-a-saurus hopped up on the stage, checked out the unconscious hunter, looked at the audience and gave an exaggerated shrug. Then she grabbed her victim's leg and pulled her out of the lights as they faded to black. When they came back up, Cave Girl was lying unconscious on the stage as Dyke-a-saurus leaned into the light and prodded her still body with her nose. The great pink beast pulled away the scraps of leather that Cave Girl had worn, carefully nudging Cave Girl's legs apart. Then with a ferocious growl and a lunge, the Dyke-a-saurus was on the stage, hunched over her helpless victim, the pink, sparkly dildo attached to its harness and waving in the air over Cave Girl's exposed cunt. It bent down over its victim, nuzzled her face, then leaned down for a kiss. The light began to flicker and change color. In the light of the strobe, pieces of Karen's costume were taken off by willing hands off-stage. Finally all that was left was the corset, the harness, the dildo and her tail attached to a butt plug. There was a comedic moment as someone tried to pull the tail and Karen pulled back, eventually giving in and unhooking the tail from the plug. Someone came in and reached for the plug and Karen glared at them till the hand retreated back into the darkness. Karen lifted Patricia and carried her to the center stage where the couch awaited them. She placed her 'unconscious' lover on the couch, and entered her. ------- "Does Karen have any idea how hot she looks in that corset?" Kelly asked, shooing Camille, Nicki and Candy away as she lowered herself onto her husband's erection. "I would go facedown and bound before that any day of the week." "No, she really doesn't," Harry replied, holding her tightly. "I don't know if she'll ever believe it, no matter how many people tell her. Just the same, did you ever think you'd see her up on stage, dressed like that, with Patricia?" "Ummm ... no." Kelly clung even tighter to Harry, whispering in his ear, "But then again, so many things have happened that I never thought I'd see ... what's one more?" ------- Once they left the stage, Patricia returned to her seat, wriggling with delight. As they had taken their individual bows, the applause had been hot and heavy for both of them. It pleased her that she was appreciated, but even more that Karen was. Karen's self image issues were a constant source of frustration to Patricia, and any validation was fuel for Patricia in their all-too-frequent 'discussions' on the issue. As Karen sat down for a moment before getting out of her costume, Kelly hopped off of Harry and skipped over to Karen. "Hey there, beautiful woman, can I please sit on your lap?" Kelly asked in a little girl voice, her eyes fixed on Karen. Kelly threw a leg over Karen's lap before the woman had time to answer and began lowering herself onto the dildo. "You look really sexy in that outfit," Kelly said in the same voice, eyes now locked on Karen's breasts. "You look yummy enough to eat!" "Harry," Karen growled, "retrieve this woman or I'm going to give Carol an interesting impromptu next act." "Sorry Sappho, I'm out of the action," Harry replied, patting his brace. "Margo?" Karen asked, a little louder. "She's in charge tonight — I can't stop her." Kelly was sliding up and down on the dildo, her hands running up and down the sides of the corset, stopping just shy of caressing Karen's thighs and tits. "Carol ... what am I doing, asking Carol?" Karen snarled. Carol came up beside her. "You really want her off your lap? Really?" "I don't," Patricia laughed. "I like Kelly where she is ... of course, there are a few places closer to me I'd rather she be." "YES," Karen bellowed. "Really, really sure?" Carol asked. "YES, really really REALLY sure!" Carol's hand snaked up behind Kelly's head and grabbed a handful of hair. She jerked Kelly to a stop and murmured in her ear. "Princess, don't even try to top me right now. Karen wants you off her lap.' "Yes Mistress," Kelly replied, hanging her head as she got up off Karen's lap. "I'm sorry Mistress Karen. If it's any consolation, I'm sure I will be punished at some point tonight." "Yes you will ... when we get home ... or after the party tomorrow, as I imagine we're going to be very tired tonight," Carol said. "Now then, go sit down and be the Queen again ... and don't make me do this again this evening or I will make your life a living hell later." "Yes Mistress." As Kelly walked back to her seat, Karen said, "There are days I wish I understood you people ... and then there are the days I'm glad I don't." Patricia stuck her tongue out at her lover. "Spoilsport!" "Do not even get me started on what a little freak you are, Trish ... do not even get me started." ------- While the next act was setting up, Harry lounged at the table. He had Nicki on his left, still cuddled close, Camille on his right, tonguing his nipple, and Candy between his legs languidly sucking the Kelly off his cock. If he didn't feel like he'd been hit by a truck, it would have been a perfect position to be in. He was talking with Eddie, teasing him about how it turned every woman at the table on when he was getting his first anal, when someone caught his eye, moving through the crowd towards their table with purpose. She was five-eight, five-nine, short blonde hair almost to her shoulders, wearing a scarlet strapless leather mini-dress with a hood-and-eye front, and breath-taking thigh high boots of the same color. He couldn't see her face, as it was covered by a gold and red Carnival masque but he could certainly see plenty of her body. If he had to hazard a guess, he'd say mid-thirties, with a little more padding that was fashionable, and a healthy serving of tits and ass, stretching the leather dress delightfully. She was either wearing no underwear, or a thong that had gotten extremely friendly with her. Something about her seemed vaguely familiar, and he cursed the luck that had Stan Carter picking that night to mess with him. Otherwise, he'd found who he was going to play Kelly with and from the smirk on her lips as she circled the table, eyes still on him, he didn't think he'd have to work all that hard. He'd lay even money that he would have had her up on the table, clothes scattered to the four winds, in almost no time at all. She came to a stop next to him, still with the smirk that was starting to make him crazy. He wanted her — in almost every way that word could be used. "Well," Harry said, "if you've come to join our party you're already in the right colors." She leaned in and ran her hand across his bare chest. Harry's hands reached for her, but he only managed to get one on her ass before she whispered in his ear, "I'm a wicked, thieving little fuckslut and I deserve lots of punishment." Then she laughed spun away from him and ran off into the chaos of the club. "What the hell was that all about?" Carol asked, raising her head from Kelly's cunt. "Y'all had some crazy chemistry going on." "I didn't say you could stop, Slut," Kelly snapped, pushing her head back down. "But I have to agree with her, Prick. You two had some sparks going ... understandable on your part for certain - I'd fuck that like it was my Christmas present." "Me too, Mistress," Harry answered. "In fact, if I wasn't so banged up, I'd be trying my best to pull a 'you' on her." Kelly sighed. "I'm sorry, my love. I was really wanting to see you be me tonight..." "There'll be other nights," Harry replied, "and somehow, I'm sure we'll see her again." Insecurity gripped Margo again ... what if Harry ... and if Kelly and Carol felt the same ... what if? She pushed back her fears — for the moment — and smiled. "She is severely fuckable, ain't she?" Margo said in a light-hearted voice. ------- House Hurley's scene was relatively simple — a fight between two Dominants over one slave. While it was on the face of it uninspired, Carol had worked with Marcus and Laurie to throw in some light-hearted comedic elements, and Marcie had assured her that she'd do something to make it interesting ... and get herself punished on stage. Marcus entered from one side of the stage, wearing leather chaps and nothing else, Laurie entered from the other, wearing a leather-and-brocade cincher and nothing else. Between them, on the couch, reclined Marcie wearing a rhinestone crystal V top and rhinestone medium length skirt/belt combination. In the lights she positively glittered, and both Marcus and Laurie stopped for a moment, dazzled by the sight. Laurie recovered first, went to Marcie, pulled her up off the couch and held her, kissing her. Laurie's hands roamed up Marcie's back, unhooking her rhinestone top at the neck, then down to her mid-back to finish unfastening it. Marcie caught it and carefully put it to one side as Laurie proceeded to vigorously grasp her breasts, working them like she was kneading bread dough. Marcie evidently enjoyed that greatly, as she leaned her head back and luxuriated in the experience. A look of anger flashed over Marcus' face and he marched to the two of them, pulling Marcie into his arms. When Laurie appeared to protest, he slapped her savagely, knocking her to the stage. As she lay there, stunned, Marcus took off Marcie's rhinestone skirt, and laid it with her top. He forced Marcie to her knees and she took his cock in her mouth. Carol watched them perform, somewhat puzzled. There were none of the comedic elements that she'd talked with them about. This was what they'd planned, but not the way they'd planned it. Laurie got up off the floor, licking a bit of blood from her lips. She stalked over to the two of them, and pulled Marcie away. Marcus' back was to the couch as she returned his slap, and he fell backwards onto the chaise lounge with a look of surprise. Laurie stomped over as if to finish the fight — then stopped. She looked at her brother and her face softened. From the couch, Marcus looked up at her as if he'd never really seen her before. Laurie knelt at the end of the couch and ran her hands over Marcus' legs, no longer anywhere close to the touch of a sister, but instead the touch of a lover. She crawled up onto the couch between his legs, lowered her mouth to his cock and began to suck it, sweetly and gently, as if it was something she'd always dreamed of doing. At the seats around the stage, House Chorale and House Cornelius were speechless — until Eddie said, sotto voce, "Holy fuck, it's catching! What the hell have you started, Nicki?" Nicki punched Eddie in the arm and he whimpered. A large percentage of the audience knew House Hurley and therefore knew what they were watching ... and any in the audience who didn't know, were quickly brought up to speed. The lights focused in on Marcus and Laurie. In the darkness, Marcie grabbed her outfit and slid off the stage. She pushed Candy out of the way and planted herself on Harry's cock. As they moved together, she whispered, "I wish everyone here could know what they're really watching. Marcus didn't know until tonight. He'd never even thought about it. Laurie wanted to break it to him gradually, but her cunt got in the way. So we sprang it on him, and after he picked his brain up off the floor, this is what happens. Folks are watching their first time together ... I just wish they knew." "Why not tell Dommi?" Harry said, enjoying the feel of Marcie in his arms. "She'll make it part of the cast announcement." "It would embarrass my Master and Mistress terribly, and if they knew ... UM ... if they knew ... OH ... if they knew, I'd be punished most severely ... GOD!" Even though she was mere feet away, Marcie's brain-numbing orgasm and her outcries didn't register on Marcus and Laurie at all. And as the crowd watched the two lovers' first time together, Marcie's were not the only cries of passion heard. Marcus motioned his sister to bring her body atop his, and she agreed — but never let his cock fall from her lips. She pivoted around and he grabbed her legs, pulling her up and onto him, taking a moment to breathe in the smell of her, the steam of passion between her legs, before tentatively, then with greater enthusiasm, kissing her cunt. Marcie was insensate and holding her up was putting torque on Harry's bad leg. "Candy, get her off of me," he whispered. The muscular young woman stood, lifted Marcie off and sat her nearby. Then she returned to her place between his legs and took his cock in her mouth. Between her tongue and the show onstage, Harry was orgasming within minutes. True to her training, Candy didn't miss a drop. From the time Marcus' lips first touched her twat, Laurie was never more than two to three minutes from an orgasm. Her lithe, strong body shook with passion as she rode out climax after climax, always hungry for more. Marcie had blown Marcus a while before the performance, to take the edge off and insure he would last for some time. His sister's oral technique was good, but over the years Laurie hadn't evinced much interest in sex outside their little ménage a trois, and so hadn't had a lot of experience with men. Marcus found himself eager to teach her, and eager to enjoy each practice session until she achieved perfection. Harry motioned Dommi over. "Darlin', Marcie tells me this is their first time ... ever. They sprang it on him just a little while ago. You might want to make note of that, as well as the source of the information, after they're done." "Fuck waiting till they're done — in case you haven't noticed, they're going to be there awhile. I'll announce it now ... don't worry, they're so lost in each other they wouldn't notice an army marching through." "Folks," Dommi's voice came softly over the speakers, "not only do we rarely bring you anything so hot, so magical, so out-and-out kinky as this, but it's even more special than you know. According to Marcie, Master Marcus' wife, this is his and his sister Laurie's first time ever. They only told him of Laurie's feelings for him shortly before they took the stage. Aren't you glad you're here tonight?" Laurie had had enough. She scrambled up, turned her body around and sank onto Marcus' cock with a sigh that could be felt by all watching. Their lips finally met and as their mouths locked onto one another, their bodies moving together at a rapid pace. While their oral interlude might have been slower and more sensuous, once they were truly joined as man and woman were designed to be, there was no restraint, just passion slowly discovering itself and reveling in its power. Her blond hair hung over his face as Marcus kissed his sister. He didn't understand the attraction she felt towards him, but he wasn't going to argue. He'd enjoyed watching Laurie and his wife together over the years, admiring both of them physically, but he'd always kept Laurie at somewhat of a remove. She was a gorgeous woman, but ... she was a sexy woman, but ... Now he was slowly coming to terms with no longer having to think that way. As he felt the first stirrings of an inevitable build up to climax, he wondered if Marcie knew just what a monster she had helped birth that night. Now they weren't going to be two Dominants sharing the same submissive — they were going to be a mated couple sharing a submissive. Marcie was going to know such delicious suffering. Minerva Cornelius was not happy, and she was making her displeasure known as she glared down at Carol. "You would have me follow the two of them? I might as well go up on stage and recite nursery rhymes." "Madame Cornelius, I know you're not happy, but I can't move the next act up, it would blow the whole schedule. I appreciate you taking over for Li Kuan since she was injured — the Circus had no one anywhere near experienced enough - and I can't help but think that your very reputation and history in Society and the scene will add an indefinable aura to the performance that will make it special." Minerva Cornelius stared down her nose at the little woman in front of her. Carol felt like she was standing below the edge of a great glacier just as a massive shelf was about to fall off. "You, young woman, are attempting to blow smoke up my ass." "Yes Madame, I'm trying very hard to do just that." The silent contemplation of Carol began again. After a few moments, Hans interrupted. "Excuse me, Madame, but you know you vill do it. Quit giffing ze little girl a bad time und just get ready." "Very well." Carol thought she might have seen a twinkle in the grand dame's eyes, but felt it was probably just a trick of the light. No one, not even the ring of seats around the stage, could hear what Laurie was whispering in Marcus' ear and that was a shame, as it could only have made the performance even more electrifying. It certainly had that effect on Marcus. After a few moments, Marcus put his arms around his sister, holding her tightly to him, and scooted to the end of the couch. He released her and she leaned as far back and away from him as she could, giving him enough of a counter balance to be able to stand up. He pulled her to him again and raised his eyebrows. She gulped and nodded. The two of them fell back to the couch, Marcus barely stopping himself from crashing onto Laurie with his hand and knees. "Oh shit, she's in for it now," Marcie said, having regained a measure of awareness and motor control. "What?" Kelly asked, intrigued by the show and its participants. "He's gonna give her what I call his "split the bitch in half" fucking. I hope she enjoys it because I don't think he can stop himself." On stage Marcus Hurley's hips were high-speed hydraulic pistons, slamming his cock in and out of his sister like he was drilling for oil — and from her reactions, he had found something liquid and precious indeed. He was thrusting so hard that he quickly walked her up the couch and at the end, it seemed the only thing that kept them from crawling over the edge was the deathlike grip she had taken on the sides. The sound of their bodies meeting could be heard everywhere but the farthest edges of the massive club, and those closer to the stage winced every time he rammed home into her. Even though his scrotal sack had contracted, keeping his balls safe and snugged in tightly, they were still slapping up against her cunt most forcefully. Those spectators close enough were afraid that at any second, the sack would fail a structural integrity test and his testicles would simply explode on impact. When he finally climaxed, his entire body seemed to tighten down, muscles contracting till there was no further they could go, before everything released at once and his body arched into the air, his arms pushing him upwards till he was on his fingertips, head thrown back, tears flowing down his cheeks. He almost fell, and Laurie was prepared to catch him, but in the end he recovered enough control to scoot the two of them sideways on the couch, before carefully laying down on his side, his cock still between her legs as she turned with him. The two of them lay there, touching each other, kissing each other's tears, and the lights faded on them. "Let's give them a few minutes before any applause, please," Dommi said over the microphone. "Please." Other than sounds of passion from other tables, the club was quiet. Five or so minutes later, as the lights came up on the two of them standing arm-in-arm, trying their best to hold each other up, Dommi announced, "Ladies, gentlemen and all the rest of you, Master Marcus and Mistress Laurie of House Hurley, with the help of their submissive Marcie." The applause was the loudest and longest of the evening, as while everyone might not have shared the 'incestual relations' kink, it had certainly taken courage to 'come out' on stage, and the sex itself had been the hottest seen all evening. ------- "Candy, Karen, catch them, okay?" Kelly said as the lights dimmed. "They look like they're both about to fall on their faces." As they were seated close to her, Kelly leaned over and said, "Master Hurley, I want you to fuck me that way some day ... when I don't have anything I'm planning to do with my cunt for a couple of days or so." As he gave her a tired but enthusiastic thumbs up, Marcie said, "You'll want to make it three days at least, Mistress Kelly. Trust me, I know." ------- It was something no one expected to see - Madame Cornelius, on stage, preparing to perform for a crowd. Andre and Hans were on either side of Puppy. Hans' wrists were bound to Puppy's ankles, the straps crossed between them. Andre stood behind her, facing away from her, his wrists bound to Puppy's wrists. All three of them were naked. When Madame Cornelius was happy with everything, she stepped back and clapped her hands. Andre pulled Puppy up on to his back, leaning forward, almost exactly as Li Kuan had done with Carol earlier. Lifting and turning around, Hans pulled her legs into air, and carefully edged backwards till his butt was up against Andre's butt. Puppy was lying on their backs like they were a table. Dommi handed Madame Cornelius the microphone. "While you may think it strange that I, who sells fetish furniture, would use human bodies to the same effect, think on it — my primary interest is flesh. Furniture of metal and wood is only of use when there isn't enough flesh to do the job, and tonight, that is not a problem." Carol came on stage, hunched over, carrying six spreader bars. Carefully, she had Andre spread his ankles apart until she could manacle him to one of the bars. "The problem with flesh furniture," Madame Cornelius continued, "is that it is not inherently rigid, and is therefore hard to stabilize." Carol scooted around to Hans and repeated the procedure. "We can remedy that." Then Hans and Andre started shuffling their feet forward, inching slowly away from each other while they leaned on each other. At a signal from Carol, they stopped, and she put spreader bars between both the feet on each side, and then a second pair crossing through the middle. By the end of the procedure, their legs had been secured into position like the four legs of a table. "Then we must see to the stability of the pedestal our table top sits upon." Carol came back out with heavy nylon straps, which she cinched tightly around the two men's waists, having them straighten up slightly to make it easier. Muscles stood out over Andre and Hans arms and legs as Madame Cornelius approached them. "Now we have a fully functional rack..." The two men pulled with their arms and Puppy let out a cry of pleasure as they stretched her body. "As well as a table," Madame Cornelius continued. "Properly trained, they should be able to remain in this configuration for quite some time." She lowered Hans' head and raised Andre's. The two men kept their backs straight with the tops of their heads. "The table can be adjusted to slant top to bottom..." She had them bend towards her at the waist. "As well as from side to side. Again, these positions become easier to maintain with repeated practice." Puppy had begun to slide off of them as they leaned, and they held her in place with brute strength, bringing even more sighs of pain as they stretched her. Madame Cornelius had them straighten out, and then reorient so that Puppy was head down on about a one-hundred-and-thirty-five degree slant — Andre bent forward till his head was almost level with this waist, Hans standing with only about a forty-five degree forward lean. "If you worry about your furniture wearing out or failing during use..." Carol came out with more straps and began securing Puppy to Andre and Hans. "You can take some of the strain out of the situation." When she was finished, Puppy was held on to their backs by four sets of straps, which went all the way around her and one of them or the other. "Now that our subject is secure, we may begin to play," Madame Cornelius said, picking up a bottle of alcohol and some heavy cotton balls on sticks. Carol brought a candle in a tall candelabrum on stage and lit it. ------- As lines of fire licked up and down Puppy's chest, burning blue on the dimly lit stage, Harry cuddled with Margo while Candy practiced her oral skills on her new Madam. "You know, we picked up two new submissives tonight," he murmured in her ear. "Yeah ... yeah I know." Harry was curious, as rarely did his wife sound so worried, so distracted ... so insecure. "Sweetie, are you sure you're all right?" he asked. "Yes ... yes ... I'll talk about it with all of you later, when we're a little more alone than in the middle of a club full of people." "Fair enough," he replied. ------- Unbeknownst to any of them, Gloria Tanner was crouched right behind Harry and Margo, posed as if watching the action between the bench seats. In reality, she had carefully pulled each of their small duffle bags out from under their tables and rifled through them. ------- Usagi knelt by Mistress Hurley, working massage oil into her legs, while Marcie did the same to Master Hurley. Both of the House's Dominants were physically and emotionally exhausted, and the sign language conversation between them was slow and halting. "So how did you come to realize you wanted me?" he asked. "At the party — you should have seen them together. She hopped on him as if it was the most natural thing in the world. At first I thought there was no way I could feel that for you. I was wrong." "So you were. What are your plans?" "What do you mean?" "Do you want to continue? If no, do you want to distance yourself from Marcie and me?" "NO," she signed emphatically, "I do not want to stop. I don't think I ever want to stop. But Marcie is in for a surprise." "Yes she is — many of them in fact." Ignored and unnoticed, as submissives are meant to be, Marcie grinned to herself. She was in for such an interesting time ... she couldn't wait. ------- Hot paraffin, from barely an inch above her skin, ran in rivulets down Puppy's stoic features and around the straws placed in her nostrils. It would displease Madame Cornelius if she were to move her face, and break the artistic drips and patterns that were being poured across her tortured flesh. Her task was only made more difficult by the orgasms that continued to rumble through her body. ------- Eddie was on his knees, leaning on the bench, completely missing the performance on the stage behind him. "This is fuckin' embarrassin'," he grumbled. "Why couldn't this wait till we got home?" "Because my silly Master, you are sore now, and it will be quite awhile before we get home," Tamara replied, gently working lotion onto his throbbing rectum. "Besides, with Madame Cornelius performing fire play on Puppy, nobody would notice you unless your bottom was consumed in flames." "Feels like it is already," he replied, squirming. ------- While Puppy continued to breathe through her nose, Madame Cornelius laid down more lines of alcohol on the young woman's belly and breasts, lighting them all at one point near her crotch from which the blue flames spread, enveloping Puppy's tits. Where Madame Cornelius had been relatively quick to snuff the earlier fires, she let the fire burn longer, studying Puppy like a child might examine ants being burned under a magnifying glass, finally snuffing them with great flowing sweeps of her hands. Madame Cornelius leveled out her 'table' and Carol hopped on stage to unstrap and de-manacle Puppy, helping the small woman off of Andre and Han's backs. The life mask of paraffin still clung to her face, until Madame Cornelius removed the straws and gently pried the dried, rainbow-colored mass off of her, holding it up, showing the inside mold of Puppy's features. Madame Cornelius picked up the microphone again. "The only problem with flesh furniture is that once it has been in use for any lengthy period, special care must be taken in breaking it down again." Carol first unstrapped Hans and Andre from each other, then she and Madame Cornelius simultaneously helped the two men to stand straight. Then she proceeded to remove the spacer bars from their legs. As she carried the equipment off stage, Madame Cornelius, Puppy and the two men took their bows to enthusiastic applause. As the lights went down, Hans said, "Please ... some help. I zink ve both are about to fall down." "Ja," added Andre. "Zat was almost too long, Madame." "My apologies," Madame Cornelius replied, "I was so enjoying myself I lost track of time." As the men were helped off stage, Candy whispered to Margo, "She was enjoying herself? She didn't crack a smile or change expression the whole damn performance." Margo smiled at her. "No dear, she wouldn't — but about that performance, never doubt two things. One, Minerva Cornelius enjoyed every minute of it. Two, Puppy was not the only woman orgasming on that stage." "Shit, and I thought I'd seen reserve in a Dominant before!" "Not like her, no, I doubt you have," Harry replied. "Now, I believe you were busy with pleasuring my wife?" "Yes Master ... but still ... damn." ------- "Jerome, I know you're a fucking genius, and I know you're an artist, and I know you're working at your best speed, but if you don't get these people's makeup finished in the next twenty to thirty minutes, Carol is going to have no grand finale and I will put on my steel-toed Doc Martens and kick your fucking ass ... got it?" "Yeah Elenore ... I'll have 'em ready." ------- The scene set in the area where the ring had been was obviously a bakery, as there were cream pies everywhere ... and not the kind normally seen around naked people, but real cream pies. As the eight members of House Evensong came into view, wearing aprons and hairnets — and nothing else — they began to fill pie pans with whipped cream. No one in the crowd had any doubt that whatever happened, it was going to be messy. ------- Gloria came to her senses just for a moment while she was counting the money she'd stolen. If she were wrong ... if she'd misread the situation ... then she'd beg his forgiveness, promise to pay back every dime, and things would be a little leaner for her and Jason for quite awhile. She shook her head. She hadn't misread the situation or Harry Grimes. She'd felt the same connection he had. Everything was going to be all right — she was just introducing herself to them in a big way. ------- No matter how tenderly it had begun, with the four couples finding their desire for their partners impossible to ignore, once the first pie had accidentally been flipped onto another couple, the fight was on. Slipping and sliding, slapstick aplenty, the four Dominants and four submissives of House Evensong made complete, joyous fools of themselves and each other as they played like children in the giant mess they were making. They laughed and the audience laughed with them. ------- Dommi was looking at Eddie, then Li Kuan, and then to the eight people covered in whipped cream wrestling with each other in her club. "Do you think they'd consent to-" "All you can do is ask them," Margo answered, "and if they say yes, then I'm bidding on-" "You're bidding on Evan, Bitch," Kelly said. "Aren't you?" "Yes Mistress, I suppose I am," Margo sighed. ------- The whipped cream fight had stopped as each couple fell into a '69' and cleaned their partner's genitalia, sucking the cream off every shaft and out of every fold, wrinkle and crevice. It was evident to observers that however aware the participants might have been that they were performing earlier, once they began to nibble, lick and suck, the rest of the club faded from their awareness. The love, the friendship, the passion was impossible t miss, and by the time they all lay back, tired and smiling, there were more than a few couples in the audience that were following their example. ------- "That was Masters Evan and Daniel, Mistresses Claudette and Venus, and their submissives Rebecca, Alice, Wayne and Gary of House Evensong, providing us with a culinary and sexual delight. "And yes," Dommi continued, "before you ask, I've checked with them and we'll be auctioning off the cleaning rights for them as well. This will probably be the final opportunity tonight for you to bid on someone and show your support for the clinic. While you're thinking about that, I'd like to ask all of you who might be undecided about which side of the political question you're supporting ... when has Dick Laney ever done anything for anyone outside his House and his allies? Other than his patronage of this club, he's never donated a dime to help support the shelter and other services Dominique's provides; he's never brought some lost and lonely submissive to my door and asked me to help them — which is a mark against him since I know he's run into plenty since some of them are lucky enough to end up here with me after he casts them aside. As the Master of the Samhain Fetish Ball and titular head of our Society, what the fuck has Dick Laney ever done for the least among us? "But enough politicking. Be generous as you bid, choose your creamy favorite, bidding begins... NOW!" ------- Harry had finally gotten dressed, with help from Candy. "All right, you say you come naked with no possessions," he said. "But what about papers ... birth certificate, social security card ... do you have a drivers license or I.D. card?" "Yes sir ... I wasn't going to let you walk away without them, I just hadn't gotten around to mentioning them yet ... my night's been a bit disorganized. Yes sir, you'll need to retrieve those from Master Albert. We're not allowed to carry them when we're out with the House. Kind of an unsubtle reminder that we're property." "Let's go talk to Albert, shall we?" he asked, motioning to her to help him up. ------- Margo found herself in a five-way bidding war for the privilege of cleaning Master Evan, but she didn't think anyone would be quite as rabid as Cal McOrn had been. There were so many attractive options as far as bidding that at seemed no one was going to go crazy over any one of them. One of those she was bidding against was the masked woman from earlier in the evening. In the end it came down to her and Margo. The head of House Chorale won by jumping to six thousand, afraid of Kelly should she lose again. The masked woman left laughing, the bid evidently too rich for her blood as Dommi rang the bell and signaled the end of bidding. ------- Master Albert Thacker of House Thacker was a portly man of medium height, sandy brownish-blonde hair, pale skin and an unpleasant disposition. He'd come to Dominique's that night to dump the irritating Candy, see House Chorale, and judge if the newcomers had the proper respect and regard for their betters. From their interactions with House Fruehauf, he surmised they were just another set of jumped-up dilettantes, no matter what Madame Cornelius said of them. Then to see them so warm and friendly with House Velacourt — well, that sealed his opinion and their fate, as far as he was concerned. As Harry and Candy approached, he dug around in the jacket that was the Thacker uniform for the pack of Candy's documents. "Master Grimes of House Chorale to request an audience with Master Albert of House Thacker," Harry said, politely making a small bow. "Here is what you came for," Albert replied, tossing the packet at Harry's feet, "take them, and this troublesome slut, and go back to your table. I have nothing to say to you." "Certainly sir, no wish to trouble you further," Harry said, motioning Candy to pick up the documents. "But ... and I do so hate to trouble you, might I see one of your House's jackets? Perhaps that tall fellow over there, his ... they're striking, very well tailored and I was wondering if I might inquire who made them for you, and take a closer look at one. Please, Master Albert?" Albert's flabby chest puffed up with pride. "Yes, they are quite stylish, aren't they?" he replied, taking of his own and carefully handing it to Harry. "I designed them myself. They were all hand-stitched by a wonderful tailor in Dallas, Francis Pinder." Harry carefully and subtly checked all the pockets, finding Albert's long leather wallet and no other personal items. He took it out and tossed it to the surprised man. "Here, I'm taking the jacket for Candy to wear home. Think of it as a 'rude motherfucker' tax. It's an ugly piece of shit that looks like it was sewed together by brain-damaged chimps. It doesn't hold a candle to anything Carmine Landau's ever created. Fuck off fat boy — I hope your car kisses a tree on the way home tonight." He put the jacket around Candy's shoulders. "Deal with the smell till we get back to the table," he whispered. "It's mostly to cover you to and from the limo. We can burn it sometime later." He turned back. "If you want it back, send someone to try to take it ... because I know you're too chicken shit to try to yourself." Leaving the Dominants of House Thacker with open mouths, and some of the submissives quietly snickering, he had Candy help him back to their table. Once he was seated, he told Kelly and Carol, fresh from having their makeup applied, about the conversation. "Sorry I made a diplomatic mess," Harry apologized. "I suppose Margo will beat me..." he looked around, finally spotting her, "when she's through licking Evan of Evensong clean." He stood up and yelled, "Way to go, baby, make sure you don't miss any!" "Don't worry, sir," Candy said as Harry sat down, "Albert's attitude showed he'd already made up his mind. He'd never be that rude to someone he thought he might need some day." As Margo gently parted Evan's ass cheeks and licked at the whipped cream there, she blushed from the top of her head to her toes. In addition to Harry's encouragement, her family was chanting "Go Margo, Go Margo, Go Margo" quite loudly. She loved them ... but at that particular moment, she fantasized about smothering them all in their sleep. ------- "You know, Bitch," Kelly observed after Margo returned, "if he hadn't come so recently, I think Evan would have been happy to throw you down and fuck you like an animal. I'll have to look at giving him another chance, when he's not so tired." Margo wanted to burst into tears. She knew what Kelly was doing, she knew why Kelly was doing it, she even knew Dr. Lowenstein would probably approve — and none of that mattered. Neither Kelly, the good doctor or any of the rest of her family had to live inside her head, and there, what Kelly was urging felt ... not wrong, but not right either. "Kelly, listen very carefully to me and understand what I'm telling you. That's enough for tonight," Harry said, reading his wife's distress. "If you push it any further you'll be stepping over a line that even the Queen doesn't want to cross. If you doubt me, see which of us ends up hanging from the whipping post when we get home. Understand me?" "Yes, sir," Kelly replied. "I'm sorry if I went too far, Big Mama." Margo forced a smile on her face and said, "Apology accepted." ------- "Tonight, with auctions, donations, and the increased cover charge, we've raised approximately two-hundred-and-twenty-five-thousand dollars to help fund the clinic, in addition to Madam Grimes two-million start-up donation. Thank you all, you have been magnificently charitable, but be forewarned, probably once a month, we'll be holding additional fund-raisers. Hopefully they'll be as fun and entertaining as tonight's. "For our final act of the evening, here's Master Stefan of House Franklin, Mistress Kelly and Carol of House Chorale and Gene of Psychosexual Circus in "Black and White in Black and White". Enjoy." When the lights came up on all three rings of the 'circus' stage, between the lighting, Elenore's simple, stark costumes and Jerome's incredible makeup, the effect was nearly perfect. The performers appeared to be in a black-and-white movie, monochromatic, nothing but black, white and many shades of grey for color. The men were in what appeared to be suits but were really just lightweight linen coats and slacks. The women were dressed in long sheath dresses, slit up the sides to the tops of their thighs, with a belt around their waist. Stefan and Kelly were in white, with black trim, Carol and Gene in black with white trim. The lights needed to achieve the effect were many and hot. Having anticipated the problem, every air vent anywhere near the three-ring-circus had been redirected to blow towards the stage, and the outfits gently rippled in the breeze. To the faint strains of a mellow and slow cover of "Begin the Beguine", the couples began to dance - Stefan and Kelly on one of the end tables, Carol and Gene on the other. Carol had been forced to keep the dance choreography simple, as neither Stefan nor Harry were much of a dancer, Harry's leg was at best a gamble and Kelly, while capable, was untrained. Gene, Harry's replacement, on the other hand, was quite good on his feet but suffered from only having been tapped to replace Harry less than two hours before. As the couples continued to dance, it became very evident that all four of them were bored with their partners and were eyeing their counterparts across the empty floor between them. After several minutes, Stefan and Gene raised their eyebrows at each other, and after a moment, nodded. At the beginning of the next measure, they twirled their ladies out towards the center. Carol and Kelly kept going, each evidently meant to whirl into the other man's hands, but when they reached the center they spun into each other's arms and began moving together. Where the dancing previously had been desultory and perfunctory, the two women dancing together was a little more complex and a lot more intense. ------- "Can you believe what that man said to me?" Albert asked, furiously slamming down another Scotch. "Who the hell does he think he is?" "Right now," Wilma of Fruehauf answered, "he's the consort to the heir apparent to the title of Mistress, or in this case, Madam of the Samhain Fetish Ball." "They can't win," Albert blustered. "Oh yes they can," Wilma answered. "What do you think that cunt, Nancy, offered them when they talked? She can call in enough warm bodies to pack the vote any damn way she wants — if she wanted it badly enough, she could probably have a lobotomized jackass elected ... which if you think about it isn't far from who's been holding the position for years now. But they've got to have enough broad support so that it doesn't appear they're mere puppets, propped up by Cornelius and Velacourt. They've got that as well. I'm reasonably sure they'll have three, possibly four of our fellow elder Houses voting their way at the Ball. Dominique's little speech about helping the helpless got to some of our softer-headed brethren." "Then they've won and we'll just have to live with it," Albert grumped, motioning to a waitress for another drink. "Not yet ... not entirely," Wilma replied. "For my own part, and unless you're planning to come back to this little sandbox and play your dirty scat games, your part as well, what do we care if they win, lose or blow their brains out on 'American Idol'? We don't play in the same circles as these people — even if they do bring up the issue of the elder House status of Velacourt. My problem isn't with what they'll do; it's with what they could become." "You admire her, don't you?" Albert sputtered. "You actually like the cunt!" "Yes, yes I do. In a lot of ways, she reminds me of myself." Wilma of Fruehauf sipped her drink. "Which is why I think I should make sure she never wins the election." ------- In spite of their partners, and their prospective partners, standing, waiting, and tapping their feet in impatience, Carol and Kelly only had eyes for each other. Their dance together was an invitation to sex, and before long the two of them had unbelted each other, and undone the Velcro tabs on their right shoulders. Their dresses slid to the floor and they stepped out of them, never missing a beat as they continued to circle each other, the heat between them palpable. ------- The elder Houses began to leave, in an attempt to avoid a crowd at the door. While parts of the stage shows had been entertaining, titillating and funny, they were far too pretentious to show they appreciated the work the performers had put in, so they loudly and publically left in the middle of the last act. ------- Carol and Kelly were free to display their passion for each other - so they did. The lights on the sides of the stage had gone down and all attention was focused on the two of them. Their tongues dueled in their mouths, their fingers pleasured each other, their bodies wrapped around each other and the only sign that they were aware of the audience at all was their occasional realignment to expose themselves in a different direction. Laughter erupted as the sides of the stage were lit again to show Stefan and Gene, each sitting on his side of the stage, dejectedly masturbating while watching the women together. The side stages went dark again. ------- Harry stared down at his leg, almost completely ignoring the show mere feet away. He was supposed to have been up on stage, performing with two of the most wonderful women in the world. Instead he was sidelined again by the same injury. He was facing, according to Helen, at least two months of therapy and pampering his leg before she'd feel safe about him leaving the brace off for any amount of time other than while he slept. "You know, I really hate my leg right now," he murmured. "Sir," Camille replied, "I can't imagine what it's like for you, I've been very lucky in my life as far as my health is concerned, but do think on this." She leaned close and whispered in his ear. "Whenever you're home, whenever we're out in Society, I'll never be more than a few feet away, and no matter what, no matter when, no matter how, I'll always be willing to do whatever you want me to do to make you feel better." "There is that," Harry replied. He hugged her and she was surprised. It was the hug of a friend not a lover. "It's hard to feel sorry for myself when I have you pledged to my service. Thanks." "Uh ... would you like me to..." "No Camille, not right now. I don't want to miss this next part." ------- Carol and Kelly had changed position, and were buried in each other's cunts, the sounds of their moaning filling the air. Carol was on top and was teasing Kelly with her tongue, until Kelly finally stopped sucking on Carol's clit and began to beg Carol to tongue fuck her. The lights came up on one side of the stage to show Stefan and Gene, sitting very close to each other, each one stroking the other's cock, and looking none too happy about it. Then the lights on the men went down again to general laughter from the audience. ------- "Trish ... am I losing you?" The two lovers sat in their own little world, oblivious to what was going on around them. "What? What the hell are you talking about, Liz?" "You wanting Kelly." "For God's sake, Liz ... just because I love Kelly ... or Carol ... or Margo ... or Nicki ... or Jackie and Lisa and Sheila and Galena and Andrea and Camille and whoever the hell else ... just because I love them, just because I want to fuck them, just because I'd love to see us with a couple of submissives of our own — doesn't mean I want to marry any of them, or spend my life with them. The only person I feel that way about is you. You're stuck with me, whether you open up our relationship to a hundred women or ten women or no women — you're not getting rid of me. I'm not leaving you, not again, no matter what." She took Karen's face in her hands and kissed her, looking deep into her eyes. "Just because I want to see you power-fucking Kelly, chasing her across the bed like Marcus chased Laurie tonight, doesn't mean I love you any less, doesn't mean I want you any less ... it just means that I have fantasies and daydreams and some seriously sick and twisted desires where some things are concerned ... as well as some you'd probably think were bizarre, but that make perfect sense to me." Karen felt somewhat relieved and asked, "Such as?" Patricia looked nervous. "Liz, I don't have the problem with men that you do ... they're not something I fantasize about or find particularly desirable, but the thought of making love with a man doesn't squick me out the way it does you. "When we decide to work on me getting pregnant, I want it all natural, I don't want anything plastic or artificial involved." "You mean you..." "Yeah, I want those babies begun the old fashioned way, with sweat and spit and spunk. I don't know if I'll be able to climax, I don't know if I'll find it enjoyable in any but the loosest sense of the word, but I want our children fathered by men, not a turkey baster. And we're lucky as hell that two of the finest men I've ever known are right here with us. I want you holding me and one of them fucking me and when he fires a load inside of me I'm going to want him to stay on top, plugging the hole until I either catch, or I don't. Now, from what Harry's said, I don't think he'd have a problem in the world with that, as long as he was convinced that was what I really wanted. Eddie will be a more difficult case, but I'm pretty sure Tamara can bring him around given time. But that's what I want." She hugged her partner. "I'm going to love you till I die and God willing afterwards as well. Nothing is going to change that." She leaned back. "But there are also a lot women in our family that I want to fuck so bad my toenails ache ... can you honestly tell me you don't want to fuck them?" Karen dropped her eyes. "No, I can't tell you that ... I was real damn close to fucking Kelly till her ears bled earlier this evening." Patricia smiled at her. "Well, we're making progress." ------- Carol and Kelly were lying on their backs, trying to slow down their breathing, trying to cool off. The lights came up on the very farthest edges of the stage, where Stefan and Gene were sitting, as far away from each other as they could be, masturbating. Kelly and Carol looked at each other, looked at their respective partners, then at their prospective partners, and nodded at each other. The two women got up and gave each other a hug. Then Carol sauntered over to Stefan, eying his cock appreciatively, while Kelly skipped over to Gene, clapping her hands with glee. The lights went down center stage. When they came up again, two of the chaise lounges were head to head, and the couples walked to them. Stefan and Gene lay on their backs, Kelly and Carol climbed on top of their erections. ------- Madame Minerva Cornelius watched the elder Houses make their departure. If anything that night had reached any of them, Dominique's impassioned soliloquy about Dick Laney had. She knew that no matter how pretentious and arrogant the elder Houses were, there were some who at least pretended to think progressively, and her words would have found willing listeners with them. Whether Chorale would get their votes, or whether they'd even show up to the Ball, that was still a question. But it appeared that once again, factors she hadn't see or planned for were proving to be decisive. The agreement with Velacourt was almost certain to result in a win for Chorale and the humiliation of Laney. Then the Society in the area would split, for the first time in its existence. That she couldn't conceive of avoiding, nor did she find she particularly wanted to. That's when the fun would start. She and Margo had already discussed it to a degree, the focus shifting from the local level to the state level — something that had never worked too well for Laney. While he could hold together the local scene, the other Society heads in the state knew him for just what he was — a pathetic poseur who refused to see any advantages in negotiation and compromise. So their area had been ignored at a state-wide level for a long time, which suited Laney just fine, but frustrated Minerva Cornelius no end. The oldest Society in the state ignored, because the man repeatedly elected to head it was an ass. She almost felt guilty for not telling Margo and Harry at the very start of things that winning the Samhain Fetish Ball wasn't the end of anything, but rather just the beginning ... almost. ------- "You're a very nice man to fuck on stage, Master Stefan," Carol whispered as she worked her way towards another orgasm, riding atop him. "And you're a very sweet girl," he replied. She could tell that he didn't have far to go before climaxing, so she kissed him then whispered dirty nothings in his ear. "Kelly," Gene said, his voice ragged and low, "I'm not far from..." "I know, sweetie," she replied. "You get the same kind of look on your face that Harry does ... it's okay, you don't worry about me. I've had my share of orgasms tonight, plus two or three other people's shares as well." "Yes ma'am." ------- "Folks," Dommi said as the four performers took their bows, "that's it for tonight. Thank you so much for coming this evening, thank you for your generosity, but it's later than we're normally open, we're all tired, go home, drive safe." ------- As the club slowly emptied, and all their allies left, House Chorale stayed at their table — physically and emotionally exhausted. Angela had brought them another round from the bar and sat down to join them. Jerome had cleaned up Stefan and Gene from the Circus, and was beginning to work on Kelly while Carol waited her turn. Kelly was smiling indulgently at him as he carefully removed her makeup with his special mixture, trying to avoid seeming too familiar in any respect. "Guys," Margo began, "about tomorrow..." There was a general chorus of groans. "Don't tell me there's something we didn't get done," Carol said. "Wait, if there is, tell me, but don't expect anything to get done until I've had some sleep." "No, nothing like that," Margo continued. "The people coming in from our block, the 4200 block of Garwood Street ... none of them are going to be our neighbors for too much longer." The dull looks of people whose efforts had been stretched too thinly greeted her from all around the table. "Did we piss them off or something?" Jackie asked. "I mean, not that it would be hard to, given the kind of life we lead, but was there something in particular?" "No, no — nothing like that," Margo replied. "I ... uh ... well, with everything working out the way it did, and all of a sudden the election being a pretty moot point ... me ending up in charge ... I ... well, I made a decision, with my money, and I really hope you don't get angry," she looked at Karen and Patricia, "especially you two." "I realized that we're going to be taking in more submissives, probably more Dominants as well, and there are people I'd like to have close to us, and we're dangerously close to revealing our secrets to everyone in the vicinity, and then there are children coming someday, and Houses from other areas and-" "My love," Harry said, "cut to the chase. What did you do?" "I bought out the other property owners in the 4200 block. By December 1st, all the lots on Garwood from 42nd west to the Bitter Creek Water Runoff will belong to me, Harry and Karen ... in so much as Harry is the owner of record where we live now, and Karen's buying their house. I'll own the rest." The others around the table looked at her as if a tentacle had come out of her bottom and started making shadow puppets on the wall. "That will give us eight more homes, with a combined square footage of roughly thirty-two thousand square feet. We'll lose part of that as I want to tear one down and put a garden on the lot. But we'll have space ... space for Nicki and Sheila to move back home, not in the same house, but with more room than they have now, it'll give us enough room so that the submissive situation won't be so crowded ... Dommi ... I'd really like it, if one of the houses suited you, if you and Ricky and whoever else you've collared would move closer to us. I know you love the club, but you don't have to live your whole life here ... and I really want you home with us. I mean, y'all'd pay rent, but I know it would be less than Nicki's paying now. And then we'll have a guest house, possibly two, for Houses visiting from elsewhere, because you know that's going to happen after word gets out about what we've accomplished, and I want to put up a wall, a better wall, all around the Corral, that's what I've been calling it in my head since I thought of it. I think with some friends' help, I can get us permits to wall our lots off, put up a security gate across the street, roughly fifty or so feet back from 42nd Street, solid gate, that way it's harder to spy on us. I'm thinking the wall, rebar-reinforced concrete with inset stone to make it look nice, most likely use local limestone, probably two, maybe three feet thick, I'm shooting for twelve feet high, probably top it with broken glass embedded in the cement, plenty of 'no trespassing' signs, at least enough to hopefully cover us legally should anyone try to get over. I've talked to Attorney Daggett, had him get all the paperwork ready and I just wanted to know what everyone thought, even though I've already set everything in motion, I mean, it's not firm yet and I could back out..." Usagi remained serene, as she'd been trained to do, while Candy looked around the table, her mouth hanging open. She wasn't alone. Everyone was looking at Margo and wondering where the nervous, near-incoherent creature in front of them had come from. "Big Mama," Kelly began, "let me try to get this straight, 'cause you're babbling like an idiot. You have effectively bought the rest of our block." "Umm hmm." "You want to build a hell of a security and privacy wall around the lots, on all sides, and fence off the street." "Yes, but I was thinking-" "NO," Kelly said, holding up a finger, "no more babbling, just yes or no. Got that?" "Yes." Kelly sighed. "You're doing this to provide the House, Chorale I mean, and us greater privacy and security." "Yes ma'am." "You want to tear one house down and put some sort of garden-" "I was thinking of splitting the lot between an ornamental garden in front and a vegetable garden in back," Margo interjected. Kelly made a sound of high-pitched frustration. "Zip it, Bitch, unless I'm asking you a question." "Yes," Margo looked around and saw no one but family, "my Queen." "All right ... and you're doing this so Nicki and Sheila can move back home, Dommi could move into the ... Corral you called it?" "Yes ma'am." "And so we'd have a place to put visiting Households, basically." "Umm hmm." "You mentioned children? Elaborate please." "Well, my Queen, you know that sooner or later there will be children, I know Karen and Patricia want children as well. I was thinking that one of the houses could become sort of a communal crèche, all the children raised together, there would always be one or two parents in residence with them rotating in and out so all of us got to spend time with them but none of us got overwhelmed. I've been wondering if perhaps your parents might move in, as I really want to home school them, but with real teachers, but I don't know how your father would deal with a lot of what we can expect would go on behind the wall and the gate. But anyway, they'd have each other to play with, so socialization wouldn't be affected, and we've already probably got enough submissives to make sure they're well-looked after with nobody getting overworked on that front — certainly if we need more subs we can acquire them, if we don't end up with them anyway." "So, you've gone completely fucking insane, spent God alone knows how much of your money on this crazy idea?" "No, my Queen, she hasn't gone insane," Carol interjected. "She's nesting ... nesting the way the head of a major House does, given the resources. Look at Karghold Newton, Evensong," she paused for a moment, "Sandalwood — and the vast majority of the elder Houses. They all have compounds, or ranches, or whatever, but it's a lot of land, it's secluded, and they pretty much live life on their own terms. That's what Margo's doing ... she's nesting, Madam-style." "And it doesn't have to happen, nothing's been irrevocably set in motion yet," Margo said in a small, nervous voice. "I know I'm real new here, but coming from where I come from, it makes perfect sense to me," Candy said. "Carol's right — any House with the means to do so builds a place for themselves. It's what differentiates the greater Houses from the lesser. I mean, from what I've seen, St. Paul and Franklin are real nice people, but they'll never be a greater House, they'll always be an ally of someone larger, or they'll be ignored." Harry sighed. "It would be nice to have more room, I mean, I love each and every one of you submissives, but that doesn't mean I want all our subs living under the same roof with us. Having Nicki, Sheila and Dommi closer ... oh yeah, like I'd vote against that idea," he said with a leer. "As I gather Margo's going to keep us involved in this Society, the guest house idea makes sense — so does a communal home for children, because do we really want them wandering around some of our functions? I know when I'm in bed with seven other people, the last thing I want to hear is "Daddy, can I get a drink of water?" This way, I won't, unless I'm a parent on duty. I like the home schooling idea ... well shit, I like it all, and if she wants to do it, that's fine with me." "Karen, Patricia?" Margo asked, hopefully. "Especially after what happened at Eddie and Tamara's last weekend, I'm all for added security. It's not like we're gonna stop pissing people off," Karen said. "Patricia's already wanting children — which reminds me, prepare your heads for this, Harry, Eddie ... we want you to be the sperm donors. Yes, I know you'll have to have your pipes reattached, Harry, get used to the idea of wearing rubbers again." She paused, grinning. "Now I'm not sure I want our children raised with whatever the rest of you freaks spawn," she laughed, dodging napkins thrown her way, "but sure. Sounds good to me — what about you, Trish?" "Hmm, safety, security, and I can walk around naked more often? I'm so there." "So ... I should go ahead with my plans?" Margo asked. "Yes, Bitch," Kelly said, giving her a hug. "You build your Shangri-La — we'll be happy to live in it." Carol elbowed her in the ribs. "OW ... and help you build it, of course." While the issue was being discussed, Dommi remained silent, but once matters were resolved she went over and sat with Carol, Kelly, Margo, Harry and his attendants. "You guys ... uh..." Dommi began, "you don't know..." she sniffed, trying hard to fight back her tears, "I love my club, I love this life ... but uh ... over the years ... well, I don't love living here all that much, not anymore." She wiped her eyes and shook her head. "I ... don't get out much, not around here ... I still travel three or four times a year, but Ricky does our shopping — okay, until you guys came along I might have gotten out of here once or twice a month. It's not that I didn't want to get out ... it's just that ... I tried to keep myself a little distant from our customers, and pretty much anybody I could call a friend was a customer of one type or another. Now, y'all had an in, Carol and I are old friends, so I didn't stay distant from you ... and ... I'm really glad. I ... Margo ... are you really offering me a home? I mean, yeah, I know about the rent but ... you're offering me a home?" Dommi lost it completely. She slumped on the bench, leaning into Carol's arms as the small woman held her and stroked her hair. "Dommi," Carol said, "you'd have to be blind, deaf, dumb and just plain stupid not to know we love you. You're one of my oldest, dearest friends, you've been a friend of our family since the first time you and they met, and you've been an ally of our House since its creation. Yeah, we're all offering you a home. I assume when you accept that Sinfonia will take over club operations on a day-to-day basis?" Dominique, still in tears, nodded. "Fine, I was hoping so. She's smart and loyal and I think she'll do you proud. So you and your boys come live surrounded by people who love you and cherish you, once Margo gets all her ducks in a row. We'll welcome you home with open arms." Nicki found herself in Margo's lap, holding on to her for dear life. "Sis ... thank you. I'd love to come home. Even though it's not that far, it's too far for the kind of 'hug and kiss on your way by" interaction that you and the rest of the family have taught me to crave. I'd have moved back much earlier ... like about a week after I moved away, if there'd been anywhere else I could have moved into besides the old homestead. I still don't want to be in the same house, where I'd have to nightly fight the desire to crawl into bed with all of you. Sheila's the same way, she misses Jackie and Lisa much more than she lets on to anyone but me." Margo hugged her sister-in-law. "Love, I know. We've all missed you too, and in a few months, you'll be living close to us all again. You and Sheila just hang in there. "Now, are you two going to come home with us tonight or not?" ------- Harry was loading up their equipment when he first noticed that his wallet was empty of cash. In less than five minutes, everyone had confirmed it. They'd been robbed. All the credit cards were still there, nothing else had been taken, but their cash was gone. "Well," Karen said philosophically, "it could've been much worse. I mean, I doubt anyone had more than a couple of hundred in cash on them." Carol raised her hand. "I did ... I had an emergency reserve hidden in our bag, in the lining. It's gone." "How much?" Margo asked. "Twenty-thousand dollars ... it was for if we ever ended up getting impetuous and took off for someplace, or if we got in trouble of some kind. "In its place I found this." She handed Harry a piece of folded up notepaper. Harry opened it and read it aloud. "I told you, I'm a wicked, thieving little fuckslut and I deserve lots of punishment. Now you believe me. See you soon." "Harry," Kelly said, "that note's from that cute little piece we all wanted to fuck so badly earlier tonight." "Yeah, no shit," Harry replied angrily. "Well, when she does show up again, you get the first shot," Kelly said. "But we're all gonna fuck her and I'm thinking she won't enjoy it." "I'm not so sure," Carol said. "She's doing this to get our attention. She knows the kind of attention she's going to get. I think she's giving us a reason to give her what she needs. Let me think on this in the morning. I think we're on the receiving end of a rather odd request to join the House." "The rest of you, don't worry," Harry said. "Karen still has her winnings, so those are safe and I have enough in mine to make up everyone's loss. I want this to be right between all of us, because when I get my hands on this bitch, I'm not going to feel like letting you take your turns for quite some time. This thieving little cunt is mine." ------- When he heard his mother come in the front door, Jason Tanner minimized the story he'd been reading online and put his dick back in his pajama pants. He didn't think his mother would have a problem with his appreciation of fine literature like "Beth's First Time" or "Cumming and Going", but the thought of sharing porn recommendations with his own mother creeped him out. She was such a freak that she probably had no room to say a word about anything he did, with the possible exception of necrophilia and bestiality — and he wasn't sure about those. Jason didn't really miss his step-father, but he did miss how his step-father had kept his mother ... somewhat subdued. He knew things about his mother's sex life that no kid should ever have to know about their parents. He'd caught a glimpse of what she was going out in that night and wouldn't have been at all surprised if there was a new video on YouTube the next day entitled "Gloria Tanner — Pulling the Train" ... but he wasn't going to bitch too much — it had been over a year since she'd gone out at all. With all her many issues, he still loved her - she was a good mother, and she loved him, even if she was far too clingy. He just wished she'd find something to do to get her out of the house on occasion. "I know you're up," she called through the door. "Get some sleep; we have a shopping trip tomorrow and then the barbeque to go to!" Jason sighed — his Saturday was going to be vortex of suck. ------- Several hours later, in the Crockett Heights area... People were predictable. Like the cycle of the seasons, the timing of the tides, they have their rhythms, habits, schedules and routines. If one had time enough to observe them and learn where someone was predictable, and therefore vulnerable, that was good. Of course, waiting in the bushes by the garage door until they came home, then rolling in behind their car and sliding underneath it to hide worked just as well, and didn't require a lot of time spent on surveillance. She listened to them as they went into the house, one moaning and complaining about his injuries, the other whining and pouting about having been left at the club and having to wait out in the parking lot. She didn't hear either of them lock the door from the garage to the house. People were foolish. They relied on locks and alarms on the exterior, but once someone got inside, there was little to bar their way. Time ... it took time to wind down from a night like they'd had, and she gave them plenty. On the off chance that someone would remember to lock the garage door, she'd moved into the house, finding a hall closet where she could safely wait. Households are like machines, they take time to fully shut down. She sat on the floor of the hall closet and listened as the thermostat was reset for the night, they brushed their teeth, toilets flushed, one door closed and then another, a radio was turned on low to help someone fall asleep. She allowed herself to drowse a little — it had been a long hard night, and she was more stiff and sore than she'd imagined she'd be, and in places she'd never dreamed she'd be. Coming fully awake after about 45 minutes by her watch, she listened. In the gaps between the house's central air units running, she heard nothing but faint snores, not even the radio was on anymore. They were in two rooms — that was good as she had no real reason to speak with the whiny, pouting little boy, although she wanted to. Her business was with the injured one. Slipping the door open, she crept into a room she had visited only a week before. She placed her gloved hand ever so carefully above his mouth, savoring the moment. Then her hand slammed down, while her other held something shiny and deadly up where he couldn't fail to see it when he opened his eyes. As he did, his urge to fight back was almost instantly quelled. "I thought you understood," she whispered. "'Squashed like a bug', remember?" Her pointed teeth shone in the moonlight that came in through his window. ------- Chapter 53 Galena and Andrea had barely had the energy to stumble into the shower together when they got home, scrub each other in what they hoped was a thorough manner, and get almost dry before tumbling into bed. Andrea woke first and went to the kitchen in search of coffee. "Morning darling," Patricia said as she shuffled in. "You don't look awake yet." "I'm not." "You seemed to have a good evening." Andrea grinned as she poured herself a cup of coffee. "Yeah, yeah I did. Now I think I understand Jackie and Lisa a little better." "How so?" "We were talking last weekend, and they were telling me about how fulfilling being a fucktoy for a whole group of people felt ... after last night and however many of the Karghold's collars I ended up entertaining, I can see where they're coming from. Not exactly something I want to do everyday, as I'm sore in a lot of places..." "Not as sore as little Miss Galena will be, I'm betting," Patricia interjected. They both laughed as Andrea continued, "No, but sore enough. "I did enjoy it ... a lot. Knowing that all those people were happy because of me and the service I'd given them — you know, this submissive thing could get addictive." "Yeah ... not that I don't find myself with some Domme impulses, from time to time," Patricia replied, "but overall ... I think Thad and his crew may be on to something. Some people are inclined to serve, some are inclined to be in charge — not sure I buy the extremes they go to ... I kind of like being free to switch, and I don't think that's really an option in Karg society." "Well, maybe in their bedrooms, but in the group as a whole? No, I don't think so either." From the bedroom came a pathetic cry. "Andieeeeeeee..." "Herself is awake," Andrea chuckled. "Time to go provide comfort, companionship, commiseration and caffeine." ------- When Carol walked in to the kitchen, a naked Dr. Lowry was looking over a naked Dayna's wounds and preparing to re-bandage her. Carol found Mike Lowry in her kitchen far more surprising than their nudity. "Morning ... Mike, what are you still doing here?" "Got waylaid by a pack of wild women last night," he said distractedly while he poked and prodded his patient. "By the time they'd had their evil way with me and the missus, we were far too stoned to drive ... probably a little more than 'too drunk' as well." "Do you need anything?" "Coffee ... juice ... breakfast ... a couple of hours more sleep ... perhaps a rematch with Dragonaria." "I'm pretty sure none of those would be out of the question at all," Carol replied, chuckling. "I'll get to work on the coffee. Did I hear you say the missus was with you?" "Yeah, still asleep in Kathleen's arms out in the living room. Hold still, Dayna. You have a wonderful living room, Carol ... comfortable to sleep almost anywhere." "One of the reasons I designed the décor as I did — good for an orgy, good for a sleepover, good for refugee housing, good for just general entertaining. One question though, just how much dope did y'all smoke last night?" "Quite a bit I'm afraid ... oh shit!" he exclaimed. "You're having the neighbors over this afternoon! You're going to have to air the place out again. I am so sorry!" "Don't be," Dayna said in her whispery voice. "You weren't the one that kept loading the bowl, I'm sure of it. I and my sisters are very fond of smoke, and Billy was kind enough to tell us to help ourselves to anything we desired." "Not a problem, sweeties," Carol replied. "If it hadn't been so late when we got home last night, we would have smoked the place out ourselves. As it was we were so damn tired we didn't even notice Mike and his wife, we just went through to the bedroom and collapsed. Yeah, airing out the house and showers for all are definitely on the schedule for this morning ... party doesn't start till 4, anyway." "What time did you come in last night?" Dayna asked. "We were in bed a little after 3:30 ... there, coffee's going. And before you ask, yes — I know it's a little after 8. A lot of people were beginning to stir in the bedroom, so I figured I'd better save some lives. I hope we can impose on you to see one more patient this morning, Mike ... Harry fucked up his leg again last night." "Christ, what did he do now?" "Tried to kill a man ... yeah, it was that kind of night." ------- "Tamara ... I hate askin'..." "Sir, breakfast in bed was already on your schedule, I just hadn't informed you of it yet. I'll be back with your coffee in a minute." Wearing one of his old t-shirts as an almost floor-length dress, Tamara was as good as her word, returning almost immediately with his huge mug full of coffee. Eddie was sitting up in their bed, looking at his 'vest pocket angel' as he downed half the large cup in his first gulp. "Damn..." he sighed, "you and that coffee alone are enough to make a man believe in a Higher Power." "Well then, coffee and I are blessed indeed," she replied. "Now Edward, if you are sufficiently awake, would you like to talk?" Eddie sighed. "What do you want, Theresa? What do you want for you and me, this house, our future together ... what do you want?" "First off, sir, I want you to be happy. I want to love who you want to love, make love with whomever you wish. I want ... Edward, do you know the best and brightest possible future I used to see for myself?" "Yeah ... I think you mentioned it before, something about bein' a concubine or slave in some other woman's marriage." "Exactly ... the best I could dream of was being little more than a bedwarmer and house servant in the Household of someone far more important than I'd ever be. But thank God that's not what happened. I am the wife of the important man-" "All right now, don't be gettin' crazy." "No Edward, don't you be getting modest. In the society I love, I had fallen off the map. I was one of the submissives that didn't get talked about. I'd ended up with men who didn't play by the Society's rules, who would use me for a time and then pass me along to the next man. I'd finally ended up with Fat Phillie, and nobody doubted that was the final leg of my journey through this life, least of all me. I was the walking dead, and I knew it. "Then Carol met Harry and Harry rescued me for you, and you love me and want to marry me and that's wonderful, sir, I will be the happiest woman on earth when that happens — and in the society I love, and have returned to, you're one of the six most important people in the most important House on the scene at this time. You may not understand all of it or like all of it, but Margo, Harry, Kelly, Karen, you, and Carol behind the scenes, are the top dogs in the House that's going to change my beloved Society for the better. I love being your property, and I love knowing you're going to make me your wife and I love you for thinking I want you to be faithful only to me — but I don't." She pulled down the sheets and took his limp cock in her hands. "I want to see you making love to Margo so much I have dreams about it — wet, wonderful dreams. I want to make out with my beloved friend Carol while one of us is on your cock and one of us is on your face and I don't care who's where. I want you buried all the way in my bottom while I'm face down in Kelly's crotch." Eddie's cock was far from limp. "Edward, if both of you could handle it, I would give anything I possess or ever will possess to watch you and Harry in bed together, physically expressing the love everyone who sees you together knows you have for each other." Eddie's cock was deflating rapidly. "That ain't happenin', my freaky little angel." "I know, I know — but that doesn't mean I don't want to see it. Edward, the sight of that alone would get me off and I'd never even have to touch myself. "I've gone from no prospect other than an ugly death to a life where you've made anything possible, and I want some of those possibilities." As she stroked his cock, tears started to seep from her eyes. "I want to be the wife, yes ... I want to be the wife with servants and concubines and ... and I want women that are trained nurses as servants, so we can bring your sister home to live with us and she'd be as well attended as she is at Rays of Sunshine." "WHAT?" "Think about it, sir ... you know as well as I do that people in her condition are far more susceptible to conditions and diseases that could kill them. She'll be very lucky indeed if she lives out anywhere near a normal lifespan ... and I hate the thought ... I know Janelle and Hector and the rest of the staff love her but ... I hate the thought of her ... of her ... passing ... anywhere but with us. I'm sorry sir," she said through her tears, "but I don't want to miss any time we have left with her, no matter how long, or how short. She loves you so much, and we could have her here with us, if we just had trained nurses to take care of her. We're good enough for a weekend, and having Margo nearby takes a huge load off my mind ... but think of it sir, think of it ... her, here at home where she belongs." Eddie's cock was forgotten as Tamara climbed up and lay on his chest while they cried together. ------- "Carol," Margo said as she lurched in to the kitchen, "do you have any idea where our husband is? All I could find of him in the bedroom was a foot that I think was his, sticking out from under a pile of women." "Was one of the women our sister-in-law?" Kelly asked. "Yeah, her and Camille and Candy." "That was him. You oughta be able to guess that one after last night. She's still trying to apologize for Stan having something to blackmail him with, and it wasn't her fault in the first place." Rochelle Lowry looked at her husband and raised her eyebrows. He looked back at her a "don't-ask-me" shrug. Margo leaned against a counter. "Morning Mike ... let me guess, the gorgeous woman next to you is Rochelle." "Yes ... Rochelle, this is Margo Wohler ... soon to be Grimes." Rochelle nodded to her, "Pleased to meet you ... Mike's told me so much about you that for a while I wondered if I should be jealous." "No, no reason to be jealous." "Although if that pretty dick of his keeps dancing to attention," Kelly cackled, "there may be real soon. Only question will be who you'll need to be jealous of." Rochelle smiled, and was pleased to realize it was an open, honest smile. "No need to worry really, especially after last night," she said as she grinned at Kathleen Marsh. "I'm feeling delightfully secure at the moment." "My only question is does Harry still have his brace on?" Mike asked. "Well, we wouldn't let him take it off, so I'd say it's a fair bet it's still on. As many people as we had in bed last night, if he'd taken it off he would've been screaming in pain before he knew it," Kelly replied. "How many people were in your bed last night?" Rochelle asked incredulously. "Twelve I think," Carol said, bringing a plate of toast and bagels to the table. "Must be some bed," Rochelle answered. "Come see it - you too, Mike," Margo said. "If he's finished, you can look at his injuries while we throw him in the tub. We all smell like a cathouse on payday, so I figure the bathroom's about to go into overdrive." Rochelle Lowry was having a most bizarre weekend, and upon entering the Grimes bedroom it only got stranger. "My god, it's huge!" she cried. "You're obviously delusional," said Harry, "I know it's just average." "The bed, you ass!" Margo replied, laughing. "Oh ... my mistake." He was lying on the bed, Camille snuggled up to one side and Candy to the other. Nicki was spread-eagled on the other side of Candy while Usagi fanned her with part of the sheet. Jackie, Lisa and Billy were still asleep, or pretending to be. "Up and at 'em, husband o' mine," Margo said. "Time to get you into the tub for cleaning and soaking, and to let Dr. Mike take a look at your latest collection of injuries." Harry opened his eyes. "Mike! What a joy it is to see you ... unless you're going to throw me back into the hospital, in which case I know where we can hide your body. And who's the sexy brunette?" "Harry, this is Rochelle, my wife. Rochelle, this may be the most fuck-up prone man on the planet, at least as far as his leg is concerned, Harry Grimes." "Pleased to meet you, Rochelle ... all right, slave, time to get me in the tub while I contemplate someone bringing me coffee." "Yes sir, into the bath," Camille replied. "On my way for coffee ... if someone will point me towards the kitchen," Candy said. "How do you take it, sir?" "Cream, light sugar — Jackie, quit faking, I see you laughing. Give Usagi and Candy a tour of the house ... once I have coffee." ------- "All right Harry; let's take a look at that scalp wound. Did Margo put in these stitches?" "Yep, while she held me between her legs in a bathtub that was smaller than this one." "Margo," Mike Lowry called to be heard over the shower, "amazing sewing considering the situation." "Thank you," she yelled in reply. She turned back to Rochelle, who was under the showerhead to her immediate left and continued her conversation. "So when Harry and Carol redesigned the master bath, they had it all built extra large, with room for plenty to use it at once..." she laughed, "my God, you should have been here last weekend. We processed fifty people through this bathroom in about an hour. Everyone washed, shampooed and dried. The house slaves did a marvelous job, surprised even me, and I didn't think they could surprise me any more than they already had." "Damn," Rochelle replied, "Mike wasn't joking. All of you really do live as kinky a life as he claimed." Laughing, Margo proceeded to tell her about the kinkier parts of the previous evening. ------- "I suppose for now we can put Candy in here on the floor," Carol said, standing in the doorway of Lisa and Jackie's room, "seeing as Camille won't be sleeping here anymore, and put Usagi on the floor in Billy's room." Helen looked minorly distressed and Carol divined why. "Honey, get used to it. I hardly think you and Billy making love is going to upset Usagi." The young Japanese woman shook her head and smiled. "Not a bit." "And after the first few times, I doubt she'll throw y'all off your stride," Carol finished. Helen thought about the way things were, sleeping - and fucking - Harry in a bed full of people with her beloved Billy watching, instead of the way things used to be when she was alone. "Sorry Carol, had to readjust my reality." "It's okay sweetie," she replied, "that's fairly common around here." ------- "So, sweetheart, you want to be Mistress of the Manor, the whole nine yards?" Eddie asked Tamara teasingly. "No sir, you know better. I'll never be a top, never even come close, and the only reason anyone will ever refer to me as 'Mistress Tamara' is because you or one of the others is making them do so. 'Milady Tamara' on the other hand, would simply be recognition of my status as your consort. "In my world, 'normal' is a house full of servants that you keep happy, we're free to love whomever we find worthy of our love — and our life is so full of such worthy people. "Your 'normal' is just you and I - which is no problem for me - but watching you separate yourself from people who love you because you're scared of hurting me or losing me by your actions ... that is a problem. I don't want you to pull away from these people; I want you to live a life free to express your love for them in any way you and they desire. You'd have to work hard to hurt me simply by loving someone. "My 'normal' is a lot more fun, Master. It's a lot happier, it leaves both of us free to love and be loved by our dearest friends and family. In my normal we have Rachel living with us, taken care of by people loyal to you, me and her, instead of people we simply hired." "Why would I have to keep 'em happy?" Eddie grumped. "I don't have to keep Kim happy." "Kim isn't ours ... she's our roommate. We would never take her on as a submissive because we can't fulfill her needs. The Grimes only took her on in extremis, and I'm sure that as soon as a more suitable House, willing to take her and the children, can be found, she'll go there. If we take on submissives, especially ones we're expecting to help take care of Rachel, you'll be expected to take care of them." Her eyes twinkled. "Although I suppose we could get male submissives that have nursing training..." Moments later she was giggling and completely at the mercy of the notorious Edward the Belly Frapper. ------- "We'll have a couple of the boys drive over Dayna's things — they're mostly packed already — and drop off her car," Dragonaria said sadly. "I could go with you and drive it back," Dayna hissed. "No you can't, not with what I've got you taking," Margo replied. "You let them deliver the car." She turned to the former Mistresses of Sandalwood. "How soon before it's safe to return you to Household status?" "Two to three years, Madam Grimes. But it will be all right," Kathleen Marsh replied. "In our own home we will take care of our people just as we always have. You've already graciously extended the offer to play here, both in your home and in the privacy of your 'Corral', once it's finished. We'll be fine." She looked at her former sister Mistress. "Dayna ... on the other hand..." "Marsh," Dayna rasped, "you sentimental slut ... I'll be all right. Take care of my people. I'll be happy here as long as they'll have me." "And we'll have you as long as you're happy here," Margo said. They waved as Dayna's former sisters rode away. ------- Jason Tanner was torn — on one the one, he was happy with the results of their shopping trip. He and his mother had new computers, there was a new television and DVD player in the living room — he hadn't even minded the clothes she'd gotten him. On the other hand, he had a pretty good idea that however she'd acquired the money, it was going to mean trouble — and it was going to mean it sooner, rather than later. ------- "Margo, it's been ... enlightening. I'm glad I finally got a chance to meet all of you." Rochelle looked wistful. "I wish you weren't otherwise occupied this afternoon. It would be nice to visit longer." "Rochelle, what are you and Mike doing this evening, after nine?" Margo asked. She thought for a moment. "I don't think we have anything planned, why?" "Well, the party is over at nine, and I imagine with our crew, clean-up won't take long. If you'd like, come by and we can visit. Hell, if you need a better excuse, I'd like Mike to take a look at our patients again." "I'd like that ... and no, we don't need an excuse, do we, Mike?" "Not as far as I'm concerned." "Expect us at nine, we'll help clean up," Rochelle said, surprising both Margo and herself with a hug. ------- The Great and Mighty Grill was lit and the hamburgers and hot dogs began their steady cycle over the fire and onto plates. Margo, ever paranoid, had members of the household staff rotating shifts of watching downstairs and up for guests trying to go where they weren't allowed — which was in any room but the bathrooms. The yard was full of people eating and drinking, swimming and talking. The faces of the guests streamed past Harry and Margo and they were lucky if they remembered one name out of ten, so Carol stuck with them and reminded them of who was who ... as well as acting as an early warning system, they hoped, in case of trouble. When a large man, 6'3", beefy, with a buzzcut walked into the backyard, Carol went still. "What's up, sweetheart?" Harry asked, under his breath. "Possible trouble ... not sure." Harry took the initiative and walked over. "Hey, I'm Harry Grimes, this is my fiancé Margo and our friend Carol. Welcome to the party. You are?" "Bob Green," the man answered. "I live over on Hudgins, 4208. Nice house you've got here. Made the mistake of going in through the front door instead of around the side, sorry about that." "Don't worry about it, we've got people running in and out all the time to use the toilet," Harry replied. Bob was a cop, sure as God made little green pot plants. Harry could almost see the mirrored sunglasses on his face. "Looks like you've made a lot of changes, lot of remodeling." "Yeah," Harry answered, wishing there was a way to just put their cards on the table. "My father made a lot of them when my mother got sick, years and years ago. I like it though, left me with a big open living space." "Yeah, my ex-wife always wanted to do some remodeling on our place before we split. She always thought the living room and den were each too damn small — shoulda just made 'em one big room." Bob smiled. "What do you do for a living, Harry, if you don't mind me asking." "I and a college friend are co-owners of G&P Advertising," Harry replied, whipping out a business card and handing it to Bob. "What do you do, Bob?" "I'm a cop. You look kinda banged up, Harry." "Got into a fight last night. You should've seen the other guy." "If he looks worse than you, I'm surprised he didn't file charges." "It was short, it was sweet, I got in my licks, he got in his, we walked away." Bob Green smiled at Harry and in a very soft voice said, "You should have aired out the house a little better." Harry, still smiling, replied, "Do we have a problem, Bob?" Bob clapped Harry on the shoulder. "Let's take a walk and talk." ------- Jason Tanner was definitely surprised by the party. There weren't any kids his age, all of them were younger, but there were a couple of girls a couple of years older than him, if he was guessing right, and they were all babes. His mom was freaking him a bit though. She was taking a real noticeable interest in the house and the yard, in the people throwing the party and their friends. Jason didn't want to think it, but he had a sneaking suspicion these people might have had something to do with his mom's sudden influx of cash. He decided to take a chance on talking to one of the hot girls, so he walked up to the nearest, a gorgeous black girl, and said, "Hi, uh ... my name's Jason." "Well hello, Jason!" she replied. "It's nice to meet you. My name's Kelly." ------- "No, Harry," Bob said as they strolled down the sidewalk, "we don't have a problem. I don't care what the hell you do in the privacy of your own home — and I recognize what kind of chair that is you have so artfully disguised in your living room, so I figure what you're doing is having a lot of fun. Everybody in the neighborhood knows about the cabs and limos that come and go from your place on the weekends, so I don't even worry about you driving while you're higher than a kite — 'cause that shit would really piss me off. Spent too much time scrapin' up bodies that'd still be breathin' except for someone drivin' fucked up." Harry decided to be honest. "Yeah, we're generally very careful about that." He laughed ruefully. "When I remember some of the crazy shit my friends and I did in high school ... Christ, I'm surprised any of us lived, driving drunk or otherwise fucked up as much as we did." "Yeah, to be young and invulnerable," Bob mused. "Ahyup, young and dumb and full of cum." "Yeah ... no Harry, what I wanted to talk to you about is the flag your family's flying under at City Hall." "What do you mean?" Bob stopped him and looked deep in his eyes. "You mean you don't know about your friends in high places?" "No ... I mean, Margo's done cosmetic surgery on some movers and shakers, or their families — I know in general about those 'friends in middling high places'. What are you talking about?" "Look," Bob replied. "You're bein' straight with me, I can tell. I'm not going to put any of this in the form of a question, because I don't want you to start havin' to lie to me. People with power, they have lists of friends, like the mayor and his "Don't fuck with 'em" list. We'd have to have something pretty serious on someone on that list to bring charges. Chief of Police has a list; the more important city councilmen have lists. But there's one 'friends' list that carries more weight than all them put together — that's the list you and some o' your friends are on. You don't know how much I wanna ask what you did to get on that list, but like I said, you been straight with me and I don't want you to start lying to me now. Just let me say that knowing you're on that list, you and your friends aren't anything like I expected you to be." "Glad to surprise you ... I think — and yeah, after your explanation, I know which flag you're talkin' about — sorry, I'm a little thick today, didn't get much sleep last night." "Yeah," Bob answered, smiling, "you should be glad to surprise me. Here's the thing — some people are still interested in the Benjamin Sapperstein suicide. They're looking at your fiancé, and they're thinking that over thirteen million dollars is a good motive for murder. They don't have enough to make a case; they don't even have enough to haul her in for questioning. It's not like they're devoting their lives to the thing — like the rest of us, they're snowed under with a case load that never gets smaller. But it ain't gone away, and they find the fact that you and she and your friends are on that "don't touch" list very interesting. They found out I live in the neighborhood and asked me to do a little unofficial snooping." "Why are you telling me this?" "Because by my read, you're real nice people, even if you are dope-smokin' freaks," Bob replied with a grin - and then he paused. He turned and looked Harry straight in the eyes. "Because they're bein' assholes about this — not that your fiancé couldn't have arranged somehow for Sapperstein to be offed, but there's absolutely no sign of foul play in the death of Nelda Sapperstein — and they looked real hard. By all accounts, there was so little love lost between her and your fiancé that if Nelda hadn't died that day, her will would've been changed by sundown. So your fiancée's inheritance is nothing but good things happening to nice people. And I'm tellin' ya because I don't like bein' asked to spy on my neighbors." "So, what are you going to tell them?" Harry asked, breathing easier. "Not a lot, not a lot - you're in advertising, she's a doctor, none of your circle of friends seems too interesting — with the exception of Janak, that fucker's got friends all over the force — and that I didn't see anything worth investigating. Which I didn't. Now, grapevine says that your fiancé bought up the neighboring block, so I've got to wonder what I might see six, eight months from now, but I ain't sayin' shit to them about that." "Well, once she's finished with everything, I imagine we'll have another barbeque like this," Harry said, "I look forward to seeing you there. You wanna beer?" "Love one ... and those burgers smelled great." "Well, thanks for the heads up - let's go get you fed." ------- Margo greeted Harry with a hug of relief, and whispered into his ear, "Are we okay?" "Yeah, we are — tell you about it later." Her hands drifted down to his butt to give it a quick squeeze and felt something stiff and crinkly in his back pocket. "Harry, what's that?" she said, poking it. They pulled back from each other and Harry hauled it out. It was several folded sheets of notepaper. "Hey there, it's me again! "See, you never know where I might turn up — lovely party by the way. "For future reference, here's a list of things I don't like: anything sexual with women, swallowing cum, any of that S & M crap (I'm all about the B & D), being put 'into service', golden showers, tattooing, piercing, fire play, electrical play - " The list continued on for quite sometime, to be followed by a list of 'things I just don't do' which was shorter. The note finished with "My safe word is 'Rosicrucian'. If you can find me, you can have me — and from everything I've seen, you will want me." "Cocky bitch, isn't she?" Margo asked quietly. "Yeah, I want her ... I want her on a whipping post!" Carol had taken the note and was studying it. "Well darling, from this note she wouldn't mind all that much." "But it said she doesn't like S & M." "Yeah, it does say that. Look, this list doesn't mention humiliation in any sense — there's nothing about psychological humiliation, physical humiliation ... that's our girl's kink. Now there are parts of those kinks that do make it on to the "don't like" list ... read this like a Madam would. She pointedly doesn't mention 'humiliation play', which lets us know that's her kink — God knows she listed everything else. And then she gives us a list of things she doesn't like, which is humiliation slut for 'make me do these'. Then there's the list of things she doesn't do, and those are solid. No games there, just letting us know not to take her there. This is part two of her goddamn job application!" "You sound like you like her," Harry said. "I admire her ... think about it. Couldn't you see Kelly doing something like this in certain situations? Don't answer that too quickly ... think about it." "But she stole twenty-thousand dollars from you alone," Margo exclaimed. "And don't we go everywhere looking like we can afford to lose that much money?" Carol replied. "She got Harry's attention through his dick, then showed us all what a bad girl she is ... it's her going 'look at me, notice me, give me what I need'. I'll want to spend some time making sure my instincts about her are correct before we think about collaring her, but I admire her — she's got guts." "Well, if we catch her at least you'll get your money back," Margo said to Harry, who was still thinking about the similarities between the mystery woman and Kelly. "No you won't," Carol laughed. "That money's gone already. She'll make sure of it." Carol took Margo's hand. "If she can give it back, then we don't have as much reason to punish her. Remember the first note and what she whispered to Harry — it's all about being a bad girl and being punished. Besides," she finished, "every House can use a thief and pickpocket." "You're a strange little woman," Margo said. As they strolled and talked with their neighbors, Usagi appeared at Harry's side. "Sir," she whispered, "I think I heard someone in your bedroom. I would swear no one could have slipped past me but nevertheless ... Jackie is covering for me, I came to get you." "Thank you, Usagi. Margo, you continue to be the hostess. Carol, you stay with her unless I'm not back in five to ten, in which case, come after me. Remember, all of us — look calm, nothing exciting is happening." Smiling, he limped into the house. As he passed through the living room, he heard people upstairs in line for the toilet, and could see people waiting for the downstairs bathroom as well. It didn't bode well for the 'freak party', and he contemplated the joys of Porta-potties ... then wondered where the hell he'd put them, as the back yard was crowded with just the neighbors — the 'freak party' promised to have many more attendees. He quietly opened the bedroom door and slipped inside. Trying his best to be stealthy with a leg in a brace, he stood just inside the door, and listened. Looking around, it was obvious that someone had snooped around inside. They hadn't made a big mess, but closet doors were open, things were not even close to where they'd been left ... Harry was glad Margo was as paranoid as she was. Otherwise they might not have noticed anything until everyone had gone home for the night. His ears caught the sounds of someone moving in Kelly's closet. He slowly and carefully walked to the closet door. Balancing himself to hold his ground should the intruder try to run through him, he opened the door a little wider so that he could see inside. He recognized the woman, even from the back. She was a blonde ... short hair that almost reached her shoulders ... a little most delightful padding ... Harry wanted to slap himself in the head. The only reason he hadn't made the connection when she introduced herself at the party was he had no reason to believe their mystery woman lived in the neighborhood. "That's a nice sundress, but I think you looked better in the scarlet leather." "I agree, Harry," she replied, "but it's not what you wear to a neighborhood barbeque ... certainly not if you're bringing your son along." She turned around, holding a pair of Kelly's straps-all-the-way-to-her-thighs sandals. "Do you think your wife would let me borrow these? I'd look stunning in them," Gloria said, turning around. "Sure," Harry replied. "She always loans her things to filthy thieving whores like you. It's a hobby of hers; she calls it "Clothes for Cunts"." "Now Harry," Gloria said, dropping the shoes and sauntering up to him. "There's no need to get nasty, is there?" She put her arms over his shoulders and leaned in for a kiss. With one hand he reached up behind her and wrapped his fingers in her hair, close to the neck. He jerked her head back and grabbed a breast with his other hand. "I'm not altogether sure the rest of today is going to go the way you'd planned." She stretched and smiled as he mauled her tit. "It's starting out pretty good." When Carol came in, with Candy for reinforcements, she found Harry and Gloria making out in Kelly's closet. "Hey sweethearts," Harry said, breaking their lip-lock. "Candy, go to that closet over there and bring me a ball-gag. Carol honey, get this bitch ready for the post. You got your razor on you?" Gloria Tanner had seen the Household in action from a distance, but she wasn't quite prepared for it up close and personal. In less time than she'd believed possible she was gagged, hung from their whipping post in the walk-in closet, just low enough so that she couldn't sit on the floor comfortably, they'd put towels under her and Carol had cut off her clothes. "Listen you filthy little slut," Harry said, "you were stupid enough to start this, so here's how it'll finish. You're going to spend the rest of this evening in this closet. We put the towels down in case you get messy — and yeah, it'll be worse for you if you do, so try to hold it. You behave yourself, you don't make any noise, you don't call attention to yourself and tonight we'll talk about your 'slut application'. You make a fuss with the neighbors here? We'll have somebody close enough to make sure you're stopped before anyone pays attention and then we'll file charges on you for stealing the money. Got it?" Gloria nodded. "Good ... enjoy your afternoon." Carol knelt down next to her and pulled out her razor again. "So far, you've done real good." The blade slid along Gloria's cheek. "But you make us have to quiet you down while people are here and I guarantee you, somebody will fuck you up while you're in jail. You don't want to do that to yourself and put your son through that, do you?" Gloria hadn't been scared till that point, but what she saw in Carol's eyes convinced her she should be. She shook her head furiously. "Good ... we don't want to have you hurt like that, but we will. Now be a good girl," Carol finished, poking the helpless woman above her bladder, "and don't make a mess!" She leaned in and kissed Gloria on the cheek. "I'm rooting for you!" ------- "Ma'am," Homer Powell said, "I don't remember if we asked you or not — your offer surprised us so — but why are you buying up the whole block?" Margo smiled. Homer and his wife Jillie, both in their 70's, hadn't given her any trouble — her first bid was more than generous and they could afford a lot more home on a lot more land if they took it. "Mr. Powell, my family is moving back to this part of the world, and I want them all close to me. I thought about just buying some land out in the country, but Harry's parents left him the house, and I couldn't ask him to leave it. Plus I like this part of town. So when I came into some money, I decided to have the best of both worlds — just buy up enough property so that they all could live close, but thankfully not in the same house, and Harry could keep his parent's home as well." "Well God bless you, young lady," Homer replied. "Too many kids today forget their families. There's a lot of pleasure and comfort in having your loved ones close. I wish our children were like you." "Thank you, Mr. Powell, I appreciate it. Yes, it took me a while, but I've finally discovered just how important family can be." ------- Jason was amazed at how the time flew past. He was hanging out with Kelly, Sheila and Galena, trying his best not to be a dork, and it seemed to be working. They'd been talking about music and movies and such. He was reasonably sure he'd seen Galena in school — but if she was the girl he was thinking of, she didn't look anywhere near as hot in school as she did at the party! It was almost like they were two different girls. He didn't recognize Sheila, but she couldn't be more than fifteen and he wondered where she went to school. Kelly was a college girl and was kind enough to hang around with the younger kids. He would have liked her for that alone. There seemed to be something strange, some kind of weird vibe he got off the three of them, but he didn't let it worry him much. However weird they were or weren't, it was tons cooler than hanging with his mom. Another woman came up, older than Kelly but not by much — short, cute, brown-skinned and smiling. Kelly seemed to smirk, and then said, "Jason Tanner, this is Carol." "Hi." "Hi Jason ... I wanted to talk to you for a bit. Would you mind?" Carol asked. "Uh ... no..." It dawned on him. "What has she done?" "That's what I wanted to talk to you about. Let's take a walk, find someplace private to talk." When Carol had told him they were going to find somewhere private to talk, she hadn't been kidding. She led him across the street to a neighbor's house, used a key and invited him in. "Don't worry, Jason, Karen and Patricia live here. Karen is Harry's business partner. It's okay." She motioned him to the couch and then sat down opposite him. "Did you two have fun shopping today?" Carol asked him. Only her open smile and the kind tone of her voice kept him from freaking out. "Yes ma'am ... look, I'm sorry. I'm assuming you're who she stole the money from?" "Well, from Harry, but yes, you're essentially correct." "Carol, please, don't call the cops, I know-" She laughed. "Don't worry — as long as your mother doesn't do anything stupid, we won't call the cops. So you're aware of your mother's behavior?" "Some of it ... more of it than I want to be. You're really not going to call the cops?" "Not if she behaves herself ... and I can tell from that look on your face that you know what I mean. Look Jason, you're not in trouble, and we're working with your mother on a ... payment plan." "I know what you mean by that as well," Jason said. "God, she's such a freak!" Carol laughed again, "Jason, don't be so judgmental ... so are we." He looked at her suspiciously. "I'm sorry ... you don't strike me as my mother's kind of freaks." "We're not, exactly ... but we're close enough to help her get what she needs. Why don't you tell me about you and your mom?" Jason didn't know what it was about Carol, but he opened up to her in a way he'd never even contemplated with anyone else. He told her about the death of his father when he was very young, his mother's marriage to Hal Tanner when he was just eight, how Hal had adopted him because his mother insisted, how he and Hal had never gotten along, how he'd listened to his mother and Hal in the bedroom, and how his mother had driven Hal away with her behavior. "God, if she wasn't such a slut!" he finished. Carol smiled at him, and it seemed to be a sad smile. "Jason, go easy on your mom..." she seemed to think for a minute. "Jason, do you like porn?" she asked. "Uh ... uh ... yeah ... I guess." She smiled at him. "I suspect, from the way you were eyeing Galena, Sheila and Kelly that it's probably a bit more certain than 'I guess'." Jason hadn't blushed so hard before in his life ... not even when his mother almost caught him jerking off. "Yeah ... a lot," he said, staring down at his shoes ... and finding that Carol's legs were in his view as well. He closed his eyes, praying that he would die of embarrassment and the blushing would stop. Carol laughed, and unlike almost every other girl he'd ever met, he could tell she wasn't laughing at him, but at life itself. "Go ahead and look, Jason — I didn't wear these shorts so people wouldn't see my legs — just like Kelly didn't wear that tank-top so people wouldn't look at her tits, Galena didn't wear her shorts so people wouldn't look at her butt and Sheila didn't put on ... well, Sheila's trying for a certain look and she gets it, every time. It's okay. As long as you're a gentleman and don't stare, you're fine. You turn into a drooling asshole, well, that's another story. "So, you like porn. Now, think about the porn you like. Do all your friends like the same kinds of porn you do?" "How'd you know we discuss porn?" "Because you're teenage boys, silly." "Well, no ... a lot of the other guys are into big boobs ... I mean, breasts, no matter how much surgery it took to get them. I think fake breasts are gross." "Okay ... but other than your personal dislike of them, is there anything really wrong with them?" "No, I guess not." "Good ... because no, there isn't. I agree with you, by the way, I hate fake tits, but just because I don't like them doesn't mean there's anything wrong with them. Everybody likes what they like ... and a lot of the time, they can't help it. I could ask you why you probably prefer even tiny real tits to ginormous fake ones, and you could tell me some of the reasons, but I bet even you don't know all of them." She smiled at him again, and he found that her smile made him feel good, like everything really was going to be okay. "Sex is like that — for everyone. Everyone has their own preferences and desires and needs ... some people have really strong needs that are outside of what most people would consider normal. It doesn't mean they're wrong, or that they're crazy, they just need different things than most people. Your mother is like that. She's okay, she just has some very strong needs and those needs are very different." Jason thought of the nights he'd spent listening to her and his step-father on the rare occasions that Hal would try things his mom's way. "What would you know about it? You've never had to listen to some of the stuff she said to Hal," he said, bitterly. "She's a fucking freak and a slut." "Jason," Carol said, in a tone of voice that brought him to attention, "I know ... all of us who are going to be dealing with your mother know, a hell of a lot more about it than you'd think. No, we haven't had to live with your mother — but you haven't had to live with us, either. Sweetie, I can tell you this. If your mother works with us on this, you'll never have to listen to another night of your mother and anyone else get freaky. That'll be happening somewhere else." "You aren't nearly fucked up enough for her," Jason said. "She'll get bored and ask you to do things that you won't want to ... it'll be the same thing all over again." "Jason — have you ever told anyone about your mother and her ... weirdness?" "No ... nobody else needs to know that ... ever." "Okay, so you can keep a secret. Good. Jason, you know what a dominatrix is? You know anything about B&D, S&M?" "I've read some stories online ... I've seen some porn clips." "Well, don't pay any attention to most of those, either stories or porn films. Most of them don't know what they're talking about. Anyway, that cute little Hispanic girl, Galena? She's a dominatrix. So is Margo, so is Kelly. How old do you think Sheila is?" "Uh ... uh ... maybe fourteen?" "Honey, Sheila's twenty-four. She enjoys dressing up like a young girl, and other people enjoy it when she dresses up that way. Get my drift?" Jason swallowed hard and nodded. "I like being spanked till my ass is swollen and red, and then I like ... well, the point is, we're freaks enough to handle your mom. Trust me. And if she does manage to go farther than we're comfortable with, we'll find someone who can handle it and they'll see that she gets what she needs. You don't worry about that. You worry about being nice to your mother and more tolerant. She's going to come home late tonight or tomorrow morning and she's going to be calmer, less weird. You worry about letting her know that you love her no matter how she is, and that you're okay with her taking the time to get what she needs. Now when you do that, she's probably going to want to have a talk with you that's going to be full of information you don't want. You just explain to her, nicely, that you don't need or want the details - as long as she's happy, you're happy." "You really think you can help her?" "Yeah Jason, I do. I imagine you're okay staying at home by yourself, and staying out of trouble while you do?" "Yes ma'am ... Hal used to work late and Mom ... well, when Hal wouldn't give her what she needed, she went elsewhere — not that it ever seemed to help, so I've stayed by myself a lot — at least, before this last year, year and a half. Now I can't get Mom out of the house." "That's going to change as well, but that change can only happen if you don't go getting crazy. Before you head home tonight you're going to have a list of phone numbers — our phone and some other people's as well. If you ever need anything or get worried about something or something scares you, you call one of us. If you don't get an answer at the first number, move on down the list until you do get an answer. We can't make sure your mother gets what she needs if she's worried about you. Hell, I may even send Usagi home with you tonight, just to ease your mom's mind." "Usagi? Is she that smokin' hot oriental girl?" "Yes, her." "Uh, I read in some stories online about really hot babysitters and-" "Forget it Jason," Carol laughed, "that's so not going to happen." ------- Dayna Spyderchylde tried hard not to think about what she'd lost. She tried hard not to think about her submissives, and about being treated as less than a slave when out in public. Dayna had always been a switch — she liked being bound and helpless too much to stay a top — but to never be a top again - she didn't know how she'd handle that. She looked around at the barbeque — all the mundanes partying together, not realizing there were complete and total freaks in their midst. It gave her the giggles, and that's when Lisa came up beside her. "Hey Dayna, what's so funny?" "Lisa," Dayna said, "what do you think these nice normal neighbor types would do if they knew how the family likes to play?" "Before or after they had a stroke?" They laughed together. "Honey, I just came by to see if you were all right," Lisa said. "You've been sitting her by yourself, watching ... are you okay?" "No, Lisa, I'm not ... but I'm trying to be." ------- The idea of a neighborhood watch had died down over the intervening months since the invites had gone out as life returned to its sleepy norm in the neighborhood ... until the break-in at Eddie's, and all of a sudden people's interest in a watch group had been renewed. The discussion about such a group started at the grill where Karen was cooking, and then it seemed that everyone had an idea or a concern and in the proper democratic manner of such community get-togethers, nothing was going to be decided. Harry found Bob watching the proceedings and smiling. "Enjoying yourself?" "Hell yeah ... other than two incidents — the attack on you and the girl and the attempted burglary at Janak's house, we ain't had anything happen in this neighborhood in years. Those two things happen and everybody's worrying about fighting off the rising tide of violence and barbarism. I mean, if the neighborhood wants to set up a watch program, we've got people in the department that would be more than happy to come out and talk with them, but this bunch, they're not even gonna end up deciding whether to pursue the idea — even if you let 'em keep talkin' till midnight." "Well, you know, when you get through laughing, you might want to go let them know about that," Harry said, smiling. "Yeah ... yeah, I was planning to ... soon as this stopped bein' funny." ------- By the end of the evening Bob had made arrangements for a community liaison from the department to come talk to the neighborhood; Harry and the rest of the family had made a lot of new acquaintances, if not friends; everybody was well fed and well entertained; and no one else had tried to enter the family's private rooms. "Jason, here's the list of phone numbers I promised you," Carol said. "And it's not just for nights you're by yourself, either. You need us, you call us. Part of taking care of your mother is making sure you're okay as well." She went down the list, pointing out to him all the people who went with the numbers. "Carol ... after tonight, are you and your friends gonna kinda like ... own ... my mother?" "In a way, yeah ... she'll get what she needs, we'll get what we need, everybody will be okay." "All right ... you aren't going to hurt her, are you?" "Not in any way that she doesn't want to be hurt." Jason thought back to some of the things he'd heard coming through the walls before Hal left his mother. "One last thing, Carol ... how long before you can really talk to me about what's going on with Mom, and about you and your friends?" "Jason, the day, the very day, you turn seventeen, you can ask me any questions you want and I'll answer them for you. Any of us will. Until then, remember ... most of what you read and see on the internet about this kind of thing is crap." She leaned in quickly and kissed him on the cheek. Jason blushed and Carol laughed. "Usagi will be staying the night at your house. Don't be afraid to be yourself around her, I think she'll surprise you." ------- "Rochelle ... what happened last night?" "Mike, you've had all afternoon and evening to ask me that. You decide to do it when we're on our way back to the Grimes home?" "Yeah ... yeah, my timing sucks. I've ... I've been working up the nerve ... and we've been busy." "Listen Mike ... I've been a bitch, an all-around, grade-A, hump-busting bitch for quite some time ... and I'm sorry. I guess I was trying to say that with my body, all afternoon while we were in bed ... but I do need to say it this way as well. You and I, we've tried so many things to work out the issues in our marriage — swinging, counseling, romantic get-aways, separate vacations, affairs ... and the whole time, you've been pretty happy just being you, and that's made me crazy ... because I wasn't happy being me. You've put up with so much ... and I couldn't deal with the problem being me, so it had to be you ... you didn't deserve a tenth ... not even a twentieth of the shit I've dumped on you over the last five or six years. But you've always stood by me, been willing to do whatever, in a series of attempts to make me happy. And each and every one of them was doomed to failure before they even began. "Last night Kathleen ... you know how you always said you really revered the professors who could get a concept through to you by putting it to you in a way that unlocked your brain so the idea could finally get inside? Well that's what Kathleen did last night ... she was able to get through to me about my control issues like no therapist ever has. She willingly gave me control last night, control with conditions and a time limit, sure, but control nonetheless ... and then spent all night teaching me how to use it. I was going to talk to you later about this, but since you've brought it up ... I want a slave ... maybe two." It was a testament to Mike Lowry's calm and inner serenity that the car didn't end up in a ditch. ------- "So, Jason, what would you like to do before bedtime? You being fourteen, I would think midnight on a weekend would be an appropriate time for you to be in bed, so we have about three hours. A movie, a game..." "Uh ... Usagi..." he sighed. 'Be yourself', Carol had said. "Would you like to play some ... Xbox with me?" "Depends..." she replied. "Do you have two controllers?" "Yeah..." "Then let's go. Just don't go crying if you get beat by a girl!" So what if it wasn't the hot babysitter fantasy? Jason thought having Usagi watching him was cool anyway. ------- The family was in the backyard, cleaning up, when Mike and Rochelle arrived. They were almost through, even though it was only about 9:15. "Sorry we're late, it's my fault," Rochelle said as they came around the house. "Mike and I spent the day in bed and then I had to have food." "No problem, dear," Margo replied. "I'm amazed at how tidy everyone was. Even without your help, we would've been finished in the next five or ten minutes. Can the two of you go help the crew in the kitchen? Everyone is going home with leftover burgers and franks tonight ... probably chips as well." "We're keeping the beer," Eddie said. "No giving away the gawddamn beer." "All right, Eddie, we keep the beer," Harry said from his lounge chair. "Cabana girl?" "Yes sir," Camille answered from two feet away. "You're off the chain-" "I just got back on the chain!" "Silence, wench! You're off the chain to go retrieve the hookah and dope ... I really need a bong hit or twelve before I go deal with Gloria." "Yes sir," she replied, unhooking herself from him and running into the house. "Gloria?" Mike and Rochelle asked almost simultaneously. "Oh, do we have a story for you!" Kelly chortled. After the last of the clean-up was done, they adjourned to the living room. While the family took turns regaling Mike and Rochelle with the story of their mystery woman, Rochelle felt herself start to tighten up again, in spite of the pot. She was surrounded by people she barely knew, who were getting naked as calmly as if they were alone in their own bedrooms. She didn't know them, she shouldn't trust them — although she did, she didn't know how to manipulate them, there were too many variables that she couldn't control — "You're looking tense, ma'am," Lisa said, appearing beside her with no warning. "Mistress Marsh ... I mean, Kathleen, told me to keep an eye on you, and with the permission of my owners, I am yours for the evening, should you so desire." Rochelle Lowry was startled. She looked at Margo and saw she was smiling at her, encouragingly. Rochelle nodded, mouthed 'thank you' to her, and turned to Lisa. "For the evening, I accept your service. Thank you ... Lisa, was it? Lisa ... I trust you will help me learn what I need to know." "Yes Mistress ... we all had to learn sometime." "My precious Baby Girl, have you had a chance to talk with Gloria yet, form an opinion?" Harry asked while Kelly carried the story for awhile. "Yes sir, I have ... she's lost. I think her first husband knew how to take care of her needs, and did so with love, but after he passed away, there wasn't anyone around who knew how to help her get what she needed. Her second husband sure as hell didn't ... and I'm pretty sure she didn't know how to explain it to him. He tried on occasion, but ... well, imagine being you, pre-me, and you get involved with as serious a pain slut as Li Kuan or Kim ... you've got no reference point. It's totally dissimilar to every idea you have about sex and love ... it really seems to be the opposite of how you're supposed to be treating them. Then her second husband, Hal, left her because she couldn't get what she needed from him and went looking elsewhere — which evidently didn't work out too well for her, either. So here you have a woman who's a humiliation slut, who hasn't been properly taken care of in a lot of years. Jason just said that his father died when he was very young, Hal came along when he was eight ... so at least six years, probably closer to ten. Even if we're not really temperamentally a match for her needs, we're close enough that I think we can help her." "Okay ... but why would we want to?" "Because she has chemistry with you, because she lives in the neighborhood, because it'll make her son's life easier — he's a real good kid, by the way — because it'll be fun, because it'll let you get out some of your darker side with someone who needs it, and lastly, because it's the right thing to do." "I have a darker side that needs letting out?" "Of course you have one, my love, everyone does. Most people need to utilize the strength and determination that can come from that side of their personalities, but they're so busy denying they even have it that they never figure out how to use it. You get more in touch with that side of you, you'll be getting more in touch with being a good Dom. Margo and Kelly use their Domme sides to help them deal with the anger and pain they're already well in touch with, I suspect Galena will use it without even realizing it. Now that doesn't mean they're angry or hurting when they're being tops, but that's what fuels some of those personas." She smiled at him. "Much as I love you, you're too easy-going to be a really good Dom — most of the time. Getting in touch with that side of you can help with that." Once the story had been told, the four spouses put their heads together and decided to give Gloria a chance. "At least we don't have to house her ... permanently," Margo replied. "And another thing — taking her on, for no other reason than she needs a Dominant ... guys, Gloria on top of Candy and Usagi this weekend? I'm having a real hard time looking Angela in the eye anymore. We've discussed it — we all love her, we intend to take her into the household, but we were worried about the refugee situation and the house is over-packed as it is and this and that and now we end up buying Usagi, accepting Candy and taking on Gloria. It makes it see like all our reasons for not bringing Angela home are just excuses, like we're leading her on or something. I don't like it." "Ahem," Kelly said, smiling mischievously as she stared up at the ceiling nonchalantly, "a certain sultry dark-skinned vixen of deliciousness does have a birthday coming up ... and cute little white girls make the perfect present for every occasion." "Holy ... I'm sorry, baby; I'd completely forgotten your birthday is coming up ... the 27th, right?" Margo said. "Yes indeed Madam, and while I understand being forgetful, especially with as many irons as we have in the fire, don't feel you would have missed it — I fully planned to remind y'all in plenty of time to put together a festival of sybaritic excess for me." "But would you be willing to share your birthday present with the rest of us?" Carol leered. Kelly looked at them all and smiled, the love in her eyes unmistakable. "My dearest loves, everything I have is yours." "All right then," Margo said after they broke their group hug that started innocently enough but rapidly got erotic, "we buy Angela for Kelly, and us, for her birthday. Harry, I understand that you're going to be Gloria's primary Dominant, but for this session at least I want Carol with you all the time. She has the best read on Gloria's needs, and the most experience with this sort of thing." "Hell, I want her with me on it for far more than just this session," Harry said. "I'm not going to be real sure what the hell I'm doing. And given the state of my leg, having Camille along as well could be most helpful." "Fair enough ... try not to be gone too long in there tonight. See if you can drag her out here and put her through her paces," Margo said. "We'll miss the three of you terribly otherwise." "All right, ladies — let's go tend to our problem child," Harry said, struggling to his feet. "We're burning moonlight." ------- Chapter 54 "Good evening, slut," Harry said as he opened the closet door. "I can tell from the smell that you've made a mess." Gloria Tanner had gotten her feet up underneath her so she could squat above the urine-soaked towels. Her eyes were red and swollen and she whimpered through the ball gag. "Let's see ... does the slut need to go potty?" Harry asked. "UMMHMMM!" "Carol, take her to the toilet and see that she doesn't make any more messes. Camille, go get two bowls from the kitchen. Fill one with chunks of cheese, fruit and bread, bring the other one back and fill it with water. Put them down in the bathroom in the corner." While the women went their separate ways, Harry found some of the knee and elbow pads that they'd purchased. He limped into the bathroom where Gloria was on the toilet, voiding her bowels. Harry sat down on the toilet next to her. "Here's the way this is going to go, if it goes at all," he said. "You owe us a lot of money-" Gloria was trying to speak through the ball gag. "Take that off of her, Carol." She did so and Gloria blurted out, "Twenty-four-thousand-three-hundred-and-fifty-five dollars! That's how much I owe you, sir." "Good, now shut the fuck up. Let's see — I'd say five dollars an hour is a suitable fee for a pathetic whore like you ... that'll be..." He did the mental math in his head. "Four-thousand-eight-hundred-and-seventy-one hours of service ... now the occasional bonus for exemplary performance, double-time for particularly inconvenient sessions, and 'management fees' from loaning you out to other members of our House could lower that quite a bit, but you're still looking at a hell of a lot of time being my complete and total bitch. If we figure twenty hours a week, roughly, then you're looking at about..." Harry calculated, "two-hundred-forty-three weeks, a little under five years — to pay off what you owe me and my House. "Where do you work?" he asked. "I'm a bank teller at Alamo Federal, the Northpoint branch." "Fine, you'll wear a collar whenever you're not at work — and yes, I mean you take it off only when you arrive at work, stash it in your car, and put it on the moment you get in the car to leave work for the day — it's not going to be a delicate stylish collar, which is the only reason I'm allowing you to remove it. You will wear a slave ring on your ring finger, left hand, all the time. Should anyone ask you about it, you may answer that you're 'involved' with someone — that being me and my House." "Uh, sir," Carol said. "Yes my love?" "If she gets to wear one, and wear it there, you better plan on a stop at Danny de Vere's today for a lot of rings ... I'm betting there's not a submissive in this House that wouldn't jump at the chance to be so decorated, even with their ... how did you put it? Delicate, stylish collars? Yeah, and we need to grab two more of those as well ... make it three because of Angela." "All right then, Sunday afternoon stop at Danny's for jewelry," Harry sighed. "Now then slut, to continue. If I or any member of my House ever find you in violation of the rules — and we will be checking - then you're going to be faced with a choice. Either a severe beating — the kind that draws blood — or a surprise activity off your 'do not do' list or we put an end to our agreement. Do you understand? There isn't going to be any room for leniency in your life for quite some time." "Yes sir." "You're free to use your safe word whenever you want ... but if I think you're using it too much, we'll have to consider terminating our business arrangement. You will have time to spend with your son, but working off this debt is your second job from now on, and it'll take up a lot of your life." "Sir, I'm sorry ... about my son..." "Yes?" "What if he needs me?" "Then you'll be with him. We're not monsters, and taking care of you and your needs means taking care of him and his as well. Tonight he's at home with Usagi as a sitter. She'll be there for him in the morning, make him breakfast, keep him company until you're released to go home. He has a list of phone numbers that he can call for assistance, anything he needs, or just for company if he's feeling lonely. Now wipe yourself and go to the bidet." "Yes sir." She did as she was commanded. "We've looked at the list of things you won't do, and we're fine with them, except as mentioned before. As for the things you don't want to do, we don't care. You'll do what your told, when you're told, to the best of your ability, or we'll have to rethink our arrangement. As of now, there are four castes in this House — there are the Dominants, below them the submissives, below them is Dayna Spyderchylde, and far below her there's you. Until you earn the right to walk on two feet you will crawl on your hands and knees. Until you earn a name, you don't have one. Here," he said, handing her the pads, "wear these. Until I decide otherwise, you will eat and drink out of bowls on the floor." "Thank you sir." "By the way, from now on the only time you steal is when we tell you to. You pull anything like that again, our arrangement is terminated and you'll still have to shit a way to pay us. Understand?" "Yes, sir." "Those are my House's terms. Do you find them acceptable, or do we work out some other way for you to repay what you owe?" ------- Gloria Tanner had had a lot of lonely, painful and embarrassing hours to think about what she'd done on a spur of the moment, and what it was likely to cost her. Her life was a mess and she knew it. She was fixating on her son and with her ... needs ... that could become dangerous if it went on much longer — she had no desire to end up in a sordid real-life incest drama. She liked to pretend she was causing so much mayhem as a lark, but she knew from experience that it was something deeper and darker than that. After well over a year of no contact with kinky and fetishistic people, in one night she had bet her future on a feeling and done something completely irresponsible and criminal that threatened her and her son. She wasn't really in control of herself at home and she was dangerously out of control among her kind of people. And here were the people she'd robbed, offering to help her get what she needed — the only positive potential outcome in a situation fraught with negative possibilities. ------- "Yes sir, this slave accepts, thankfully. This slave will wear your collar gladly. Thank you for your concern for this slave's son. He deserves a much better mother than this slave." "Actually, according to Jason, as well as everything I've seen," Carol said, "you're doing pretty well as a mother. It's everywhere else in your private life that you're falling apart, right?" "Yes ma'am." "Then that's what we'll help you with," Carol concluded. "Now then, whore — go get some food and water," Harry said. Gloria stood up to walk over and Carol slapped her breast. "On your knees, slut!" Gloria fell to her hands and knees and crawled over to the bowls. "May this slave use her hands?" she asked. "No ... you're an animal — eat like one," Carol replied. "When you're through, we'll be in the bedroom waiting for you. Don't be too long," Harry said as Camille helped him up. Once he was situated on the bed with his head in Camille's lap he said, "My darling, do you remember that wide o-ring collar that Madame Cornelius threw in one of our orders? See if you can find that, please?" As Carol combed their toy closet for the collar, Harry said, "So, how are you doing, Camille?" "All right sir ... though it's been a real rough weekend for realizing things I should have seen a long time ago." "Such as?" "Mostly, realizing what an absolute piece of shit Ramon is. I ... I lied to myself about that for a lot of years, blinded myself to just how little regard he had for me or my condition." She looked down at Harry, her eyes bright with unshed tears. "I didn't want to believe it, you know? He was my little brother — of course he loved me, just like I loved him. Except he didn't ... not even close. Seeing you and Mistress Nicki together helped show me that." "Well now, we're a rather extreme case..." "No sir, not the sex, although you'd be surprised how much of your love for each other shows through all of that, even the really kinky parts ... it was just how the two of you are together. The joy you take in each other's company, the shared affection that shines through no matter what. I never had that with Ramon ... not ever." Carol came back with the collar. "I'm sorry, I've been listening ... Camille, if you don't mind me asking, what's y'all's story?" "I will answer anything my Mistress asks, it is my pleasure. "We were raised in Miami by our grandparents, traditional Cuban Catholic family. Ramon was a male, and therefore important ... me, not so much. I had an unfortunate relationship with a boy when I was in junior high — I got pregnant and of course, being Catholic there was no getting an abortion. I miscarried, and was a lot more careful afterwards, but I'd already ruined my relationship with my grandparents. I was a slut, no matter how much I tried to explain. Ramon was the golden boy and since he never brought his fuckups home with him, he could do no wrong. By the time they passed away, within six months of each other, I was drifting around, doing escort work from time to time, but mostly just hanging on the arm of any guy who'd show me a good time, and Ramon was completely incapable of taking care of himself or doing pretty much anything useful at all. I had to take care of him, and luckily I got a very generous offer from a married man, it was enough to take care of me and Ramon, so I became his mistress. The third time I had to beg him to bail Ramon out of trouble, our relationship started going downhill in a hurry, so I found someone else, someone who was interested in both of us. That was okay for awhile, but Ramon turned into a greedy little whore and soured that deal. Then I found Stan at a bar one night, and ended up here. You know the rest. I'm sorry the story is so brief, but I didn't gather that you wanted all the dirty little details." "Thank you, we didn't need them," Carol said, "and we appreciate your trust." She paused. "Camille, would it offend you, or bring back bad memories, if one night we asked you to do some roleplaying with us? You'd be the high-priced call girl, we'd be your clients?" "No, it wouldn't upset me at all." She reached out and touched Carol's arm. "If you wanted, you and I could be a pair of high-priced call girls, sent to take care of your spouses." "Why not try both?" Carol said, crawling up on the bed to sit on Harry's erect cock. "This family has a lot of nights in its future, a lot of opportunities to play. I mean, to be brutally frank, I'm getting a little bored with pirates, although we have two more nights where we'll be playing those in public, and I'm looking for our next kinky fantasy." "Well Mistress," Camille answered, "the call girl fantasy doesn't strike me as being particularly good for extended play, over several nights." "We have time to think about it," Carol said, lying on Harry's chest and pivoting her hips forwards and back, "there's no rush." "Yes there is, my love," Harry said. "But it's not concerning fantasies. We're being bad hosts and hostesses ... we need to hurry this up and get back out there." "Fuck 'em, Harry ... I have you to myself and there's no one else around." "But what about Camille and the slut?" She took his head in her hands and looked deep in his eyes. "They're submissives, they're servants, they're property — they don't count. There's no one else around, and I will have my way with you, Mr. Grimes." "Yes ma'am, Mrs. Grimes." Camille sat back and smiled, watching the two of them make love. It was a happy feeling, being in the bosom of a family ... her family. She saw Gloria crawl into the room, having finished her meal, and when she tried to climb up on the bed, Camille snapped her fingers and motioned to the floor. Gloria curled up on the rug by the bed and made herself comfortable. Neither Harry nor Carol noticed any of it. Harry enjoyed their submissives, he enjoyed his time with their House's allies, but it seemed as things went on, everything conspired to insure he had less and less time with his spouses. He loved all the other people in his life, but he wasn't going to marry them, and he was missing spending time with them. "Baby ... Girl ... the week after ... the freak party ... what's on the schedule?" She thought for a minute. "Nothing that I know, my love — until the following Saturday, when we're having Nick & Randy over for dinner." "Fine ... fine ... we're going to a hotel ... just the four of us ... and spend the week ... just with us." "What about Camille? What about work?" Carol asked, enjoying keeping Harry so close to orgasm. "Camille will be detached ... to keep the house ... running smoothly ... if Margo and I ... can't get the time off ... we'll just go to work ... from the hotel ... you and Kelly ... can relax." She smiled smugly, knowing exactly what she and Kelly would do. "Camille..." Harry said, "come here." Camille leaned close and Harry whispered in her ear, "Tongue Carol's ... ass ... I can't hold on ... much longer." Camille smiled as she scooted back. On Carol's next downstroke, Camille grabbed her hips and held her in place. Her tongue made a quick circle of Carol's puckered sphincter and began to worm its way inside. "Harry ... you shit!" Carol gasped as she began to convulse inside. All sense of rhythm gone, her vaginal muscles gripped Harry's cock like a fist. "I'd slap you ... if it didn't ... feel so good!" When her orgasm abated and she began to relax inside, Harry flexed his hips once, and once proved to be all he needed. He was lost in his own climax and hugged her to him tightly. He whispered, "You ... are the best thing ... that ever happened to me." With his climax and his endearment, Carol was close again, and as Camille's tongue slithered further up her bottom, she came again, her spasms milking the final drops of cum from Harry. Carol frantically waved Camille away from her ass and then the two lovers lay together, riding out the aftershocks. "Cheap slut, up on the bed!" Harry commanded. Gloria crawled up on the bed and sat on her knees. "Camille, put that collar on her." Gloria sighed, incredibly relieved inside ... she was property once again — a feeling she hadn't had since her first husband's death. Harry and Carol lay on their backs, side by side, enjoying the post-coital contact. "First you'll clean my cock and the surrounding area," Harry said, "then you'll clean my wife's cunt — all of that with your mouth, swallow it all." "Master, this slave doesn't like-" "I know, slut! And I don't care. Get started ... that comment means you'll be spending the rest of the night on your hands and knees." As she licked his dick, her mouth twisted in disgust at the idea of what she was slurping up, Gloria Tanner was rejoicing inside. ------- Helen McReady had gone home after the party. She could do basic math just fine and dividing four men, one of whom was off limits, among all the women meant that she'd be bored for most of the evening, so she'd kissed Billy good-bye and gone home to enjoy a quiet evening alone. Once there she'd poured herself a glass of wine, turned on the radio to NPR and picked up a book she'd been reading, a 'Frank Coulter' mystery by Roy and Cassandra Wells, "Death Backed the Wrong Horse". ------- In the living room, Lisa had recommended to Rochelle a nice relaxing fuck, and when Rochelle assented, Lisa called Billy over. Rochelle watched Billy as he pulled off his prosthetics. From a beautiful face, down to a scarred body, and then further down to the stumps. There was something in her expression that distressed Billy, as he said, "My apologies for my imperfections, Mistress — perhaps we can find you someone less damaged." Rochelle was shocked, as she wasn't turned off by his disfigurements; she had merely been studying him. "Billy ... my apologies, I didn't mean to upset you-" "Mistress Rochelle," Lisa said, "please allow me to instruct you. Billy has been hurt many times and sometimes misinterprets people's reactions to him. Nevertheless, an apology is not necessary. "Billy," she continued, "did Mistress Rochelle dismiss you?" "No." "Do you think she'd have any problem dismissing you if she chose to?" "No." "Then get your ass up here and fuck me," Rochelle interjected. "I'll let you know if I find you unacceptable. Until then, serve as you're instructed." "Yes, Mistress," Billy said happily, swinging himself in between her legs. "My apologies, Mistress, sometimes I take offense where none was intended." He began to slip on a condom. "I know the feeling, Billy," she replied, spreading her legs a little further. "We both have issues we need to work on. The issue at hand, however, is much easier to handle ... and you don't need the rubber. I couldn't get pregnant if I wanted to." ------- The crowd in the living room scarcely noticed Gloria's entrance, until the smell hit them. She crawled through the room, holding the top urine-soaked towel in her mouth, the ones that had been beneath it were laid on her back. "Pardon her," Harry said as he, Carol and Camille came in behind her, "she made a mess and is taking care of it. For the rest of the evening, she's on clean-up duty, so save those moist crotches and sticky faces for her." "Will she be washing after her towel delivery?" Karen asked, wrinkling her nose up. "Oh yes, she'll be going out into the back yard and using the hose," Carol replied. "Be careful not to get those pads wet, slut, or you'll be crawling without them!" "'eh ma'am," Gloria replied, swallowing back her bile. ------- In the corner, Dayna had cornered Mike. "It's time to let me thank you," she rasped. "Dear, are you sure you're up to-" Before he could finish she had pushed him to the floor and was kissing him. His cock rapidly stiffened as her cunt settled over it and he began to slide back and forth beneath her in spite of himself. When she leaned up and broke the kiss, he said, "Dayna, I don't want this to happen if it hurts. I don't care if you're into pain or not, if this hurts I want you to stop." "Doctor Mike, trust me," she replied, "if this was hurting me, I wouldn't be doing it ... unless instructed to do so by my new owners, and I don't believe they'd order me to do anything that hurt ... in a bad way." She smiled down at him. "I've been looking forward to this since the first time you examined me. You were gentle, you were kind, and you're very handsome. Now please, let me thank you properly." Mike wedged his hands under his hips so he didn't accidentally reach up and grab her somewhere that hurt. "Fine, have it your way ... but thanking me better involve one of those nipples in my mouth." "Gladly," she laughed, "gladly." ------- Patricia and Tamara had caught each other's eye and run off to the bathroom to talk. As they sat side by side, they plotted, planned and agreed on a scheme. When they returned to the living room, Karen and Eddie were commiserating on wives who all got up to go to the bathroom together. "Yep, just leave us guys here to talk amongst ourselves," Eddie said. "Yeah, you know they'd look at us like we were crazy if we got up and went to the john together," Karen said, and then thought about what she'd just said. "Of course, it'd be for a somewhat different reason than if we were two men," she said laughing. "Yeah," Eddie chuckled, "you and I walk into the same toilet out in the real world, and they'll think we're crazy all right." "Either that," Patricia said, "or they'll think you're going to fuck in a stall." Eddie and Karen looked at each other and said "Eeeewwwww!" When the laughter died down, Tamara said, "We have a proposition for the two of you." "You see, it occurred to us that we have the same problem," Patricia continued. "Both of us want you to be more open in our relationships, allow us to be more open, and to get over feeling threatened or upset over it." "So we came up with this idea," Tamara took over, "for one hour, one hour only, both of you take off the restrictions, just within the family. Doctor Mike and Rochelle aren't involved." "That way, maybe you can get used to and comfortable with this idea - slowly," said Patricia. "We can stay nearby to hold your hands, so to speak, if you'd like." Karen and Eddie looked at each other. "Does it scare you as much as it does me?" Karen asked. "I don't know ... but it scares me plenty," Eddie replied. "Still, Tamara is pretty insistent on training me to be more open..." "Patricia's the same way with me ... oh, reminds me. That whole 'sperm donor' thing? Get it through your head that it's going to be done the old fashioned way." Tamara squealed with glee. "Oh that's wonderful, Patricia," she cried, hugging her friend. "What made you decide to go that route?" "I've always felt human beings should be created by human beings," Patricia replied. "I may not particularly revel in the act — it won't feel right — but the only thing in that circumstance that would feel more wrong was if we did it with a plastic turkey baster." Eddie looked at Karen solemnly. "You're going to make me have sex with your wife?" "Yeah," Karen growled, "I am." Eddie threw his arms around her and kissed her on the cheek. "You are the best friend ever!" he said. Karen just glared at him while Patricia glowed with the knowledge that Eddie found her desirable. She couldn't get over how the feeling of being wanted, even by those she didn't want in return, got her excited. Tamara smiled to herself, knowing that every bit of loosening Eddie's attitudes underwent was a good thing, in the end. "All right, I agree ... one hour," Karen said. Eddie nodded, "One hour." Patricia and Tamara rocketed up off the floor and headed towards Kelly and Margo. The two of them were sitting together, alternating sips of water, sips of whiskey, and hits off the pipe. After the agreement was explained to them, Margo said, "That's good, for both of you, but I don't think-" "Margo, go make love to Eddie," Kelly said. "Please don't make me use a promise, or bring out the Queen ... just go do what you've wanted to do for years, with no drama, no stress. Take the gift, say thank you, and be okay with it." ------- The water from the hose was cool and part of Gloria exulted in standing naked in the back yard as she cleaned herself. The louder part of her was very thankful there was a tall fence between her and the world. The high-grade stainless steel collar around her neck was thankfully loose, although if it had been too tight she was sure her owners would have found something else for her to wear, and she gratefully ran water down the inside to cool her neck. After turning off the water, she dried herself with a towel, slipped back on her pads and crawled back into the house to continue her duties. ------- "This is real uncomfortable," Margo said, sitting next to Eddie. "You're telling me, Long Legs," Eddie replied. "Edward my love, Margo my dear friend," Tamara began, "could the two of you at least touch each other? You're sitting there like the wallflowers at the junior high dance." "Well, there's a lot of pressure and I know they're not, but I feel like everybody's staring at me," Margo said. "Yeah, what she said," Eddie added. "Guys," Tamara sighed, "even if you weren't just stalling for time till the hour ran out, nobody is going to watch the two of you. See over there?" She pointed at Karen and Patricia making Kelly the creamy center of their cookie. "That show? It draws attention. The two of you? You're just sitting there." She stood next to them — short, cute and pissed off. "If you two plan to sit there and waste this opportunity, fine. I've had it up to my eyeballs with both of you. I'm going to go thank Harry and Carol for rescuing me from Phil. Y'all sit here and be miserable for all I care!" She stomped her foot and stalked off. "Damn, is she always that forceful?" Margo asked. "No ... I blame y'all." "Fuck you, you big furry bear!" Margo began tickling Eddie. "I don't ... think so ... not in this ... life!" Eddie responded, trying to gently block her hands. She got to her feet in a crouch, trying to find a way through his defenses, and in dodging a tickle counter attack, fell into his lap. Margo Wohler was in Eddie Janak's arms ... where part of her had wanted to be for decades ... and she just gave in. "Eddie?" "Um hmm," he said, enjoying the feel of her. "I love you." "Love you too, Long Legs." Underneath her hip, she felt his cock stiffening. "So, you planning to tickle me with that as well?" she said, wiggling her hips. Eddie sighed, "Well ... yeah ... I guess. Why are we so scared of this, Margo?" She rolled slightly, and got up on her knees, straddling his legs. "For me ... I finally have what I want, and what I need to be happy ... and I'm afraid of anything that might threaten it. Hell, Eddie, half the time I believe Harry and the girls are going to kick me out of bed one morning and tell me to go away ... getting intimate with other women doesn't push that button in me. Being intimate with other men ... I just get crazy with fear." "You know that ain't gonna happen," he said, his erect cock brushing her cunt. "The world would end before that happened." "I... know... " she replied, sinking onto his dick. "But I'm ... mmm ... still scared. And most of the time, when seeing one of them with someone else makes me feel threatened, I don't say anything because I'm afraid that will piss them off and they'll tell me to leave." The two of them kissed each other, long and slow and deep. "Been wanting to do that for a long time too," Margo said. "And surely you know there's nothing in this world that could make Tamara stop loving you ... nothing you could do, nothing anyone else could do." "Yeah ... but I feel there oughta be. That kind o' devotion — it scares me. I don't trust it ... I feel that way about her, but I know why ... I know why I feel that way about y'all, too. I don't understand why she feels that way, and so I can't trust it." "Have you tried-" "Getting her to explain it? Oh yeah ... and she can. She gives me all her reasons and why she feels that way ... and I still don't understand it. She's seen how ugly I am inside, and she still loves me ... that's crazy. She's an angel an' she's got no business bein' with ... well, it's just crazy." Margo had begun to move up and down on Eddie. "Eddie ... you're no monster ... or if you are ... you're no more monster ... than the rest of us," Margo panted. "Now ... from the monster that sanctioned her ex-husband's death to the monster who killed the men who assaulted my husband and wife's assailants, let's just make love, please?" "Okay sweetheart ... all right." ------- Gloria Tanner had crawled back and forth through the living room twice without anyone really noticing her. She'd hauled the dirty towels from the master bath by piling them on the largest of them and pulling them with her teeth to the washroom. Then she'd done the same with the dirty towels from the first floor bath. She was facing the stairs, her arms and knees aching, but there was a smile of satisfaction on her face that the pain couldn't wash away. ------- Harry had still needed a while to recover from his last time with Carol, so she and he had cuddled together side by side and had Tamara crawl up and lay atop them while the three of them made out with each other. "Mmm, it's been a long time, Tammy," Carol said, caressing the tiny woman's side. "Certainly has," Tamara replied, her leg sliding along Harry's cock, teasing it. She leaned back and kissed her old friend. "Since before I got involved with Johnny D'Angelo - what a mistake that was." "In the past, love, in the past," Carol said as she rolled Tamara on her back and slid her up higher, putting her breasts at Harry and Carol's mouth level. The two of them kissed Tamara's breasts, sucking gently on them. "Oh ... if only Eddie ... had two mouths..." "Well, if you can get the stick out of his ass, he may not grow another mouth but you could have another mouth in bed with the two of you," Harry chuckled. "I'm working on it," Tamara replied. "Now sir, if you don't mind, you left one of my breasts very lonely." "Yes ma'am." ------- Candy had slipped out and was swimming in the pool, enjoying the quiet and the feel of the water all over her bare body. "So, how much help are you going to be, dealing with the elder Houses," Jackie asked from the side of the pool. Candy almost gulped water as Jackie startled her out of her reverie. Swimming to the side of the pool, she put her arms up on the edge and lay her head on them. "Depends, really," Candy answered. "On what?" Jackie asked suspiciously. "They're your owners; you owe them your loyalty and assistance in whatever they ask of you." "That's part of the problem, as I see it. They haven't asked. I'm not using that as some kind of loophole - I figure if they're interested, they'll ask me and I'll answer them. The biggest issue as I see it is how are they going to go after the elder Houses? I know some things, sure — but the slave nobody wants doesn't get invited to many secret meetings and such. I probably got closer and know more than any outsider ever will, but not by much. In the end, nobody's going to tell the girl most likely to be sent elsewhere anything particularly confidential." "Okay ... that makes sense. Sorry, I'm just feeling a little paranoid these days." "You should — or rather, we should. The elder Houses saw y'all gettin' cozy with Velacourt. For cunts like Thacker and Fruehauf, that's enough to move you to the top of their shit list in a hurry. The question isn't if they're gonna try to fuck you, it's how." "Have you been introduced to the Cum-Master 5000?" Jackie asked. "No, but I haveta admit, the name intrigues me." "Come on, I'll show you one of the many perks of being a member of this House." ------- Nicki and Galena were engaging in a little aunt/niece roleplaying while Andrea and Sheila fingered each other and watched. "So, how is she as a Mistress?" Sheila asked, her back arching slightly as Andrea's touch hit her just right. "I don't have much to compare her to ... I think she's doing well - she's my friend, she's my roommate, she's my Mistress..." Andrea replied, smiling. "Um, I know that feeling ... although I have a lot to compare Nicki to, most of it bad..." Sheila answered, "joining this family - it's the kind of luck submissives dream of having ... and it happened to me, and my two best friends in the world." She grinned like the little girl she was made up to appear as. "And soon I'll be living close to them again! God, I love Margo's idea of creating a compound here. I've missed Lisa and Jackie so much. I guess it's that 'bonding under fire' thing ... living with Laney was such a one-eighty from the way things are here." "Yeah ... it's a one-eighty from life with my soon-to-be-ex, too. I know that part of life is making dumb mistakes and learning from them — that's how we grow — but damn, I do get tired of excruciatingly painful life lessons." ------- Gloria finished the long crawl up the stairs, to the second floor bathroom to collect the dirty towels, and back down the stairs. She had to hurry and get the washer load of towels started, she could tell by the sounds and smells of sex from the living room that she was going to be needed for clean up soon. She was looking forward to staying in one place long enough to clean members of the household — the non-stop crawling was exhausting. ------- After Jason had discovered that Usagi wasn't kidding about losing to her — several times — he'd chosen a game where they could play co-op. "Tired of being beaten by a girl, Jason?" "No," he answered, shaking his head, "just tired of being beaten. Besides, I bet I outscore you on this one!" "Maybe," Usagi replied, "and maybe we could not worry about it and just play for the fun of it?" He watched her make several kills before he even remembered which control did what. "Good idea," he said, grinning, "Let's just play for the fun of it." She hit 'pause'. "Sure thing ... as soon as I relieve my intense popcorn craving. Would you like some popcorn? Do you have any popcorn?" "Yeah ... yeah, that sounds good. Let me show you where we keep it." ------- Margo had gotten flipped on her back and was bracing herself against the wall as Eddie enjoyed making love to a woman he'd only been able to dream about since they were in high school. She smiled up at the man who had become one of her best friends and a fierce guardian of her family. She was not at all subtle about her climaxes and it was one such shuddering cry of pleasure that had gotten everybody in the room's attention. Harry heard it and knew who it was and what it meant. He raised his head from between Tamara's thighs and looked over to see his wife being hammered by his oldest friend. "About goddamn time," he said, smiling, tears seeping out of the corners of his eyes. "My apologies, sir," Tamara said, "but 'ahem'?" "Demanding little woman, isn't she?" Harry mused. "Yes sir, she can be," Carol replied, taking her mouth away from one of Tamara's breasts. "Totally submissive, but very determined ... it's an interesting mix." "My apologies," Tamara said, "I don't mean to sound bitchy or pushy ... it's just that getting Eddie to agree to things like this is hard, I don't know when I'll be able to manage it again, and I'm really enjoying the chance to be with the two of you ... and what you were doing, sir, was very nice." Harry shook his head. "Difficult little slave," he said as he returned to his task. "Pushy bitch," Carol agreed as she began to suck on Tamara's breast again. For her part, Tamara wriggled with joy. Finally Eddie could hold back no longer and flooded Margo's cunt with his orgasm. When he finally stopped shaking, he began to roll off, only to have her legs swing up and wrap around him. "Oh no, mister, you're staying right where you are." That was a very familiar move from his and Tamara's time together and he looked at Margo with a growing suspicion in his mind. "You ain't on birth control, are you?" "Don't need to be with Harry, and I make other men wear rubbers — you, on the other hand ... I've always fancied the thought of bearing your child." Eddie squirmed, but knew better than to try and break away. "Geez, Margo ... don't you think maybe your first kid should be Harry's?" "Probably will be, since as I remember things, I'm too far past ovulation right now ... but just in case ... besides, who knows how often I'll have this chance again?" "You're a freak, Long Legs." "Yes, but I'm a freak that loves you, you big furry oaf." ------- Gloria could tell it would be a while before her services were required with Eddie and Margo, and as she glanced around the room, she saw Billy ease himself out of Mistress Rochelle. Smiling to herself, she crawled in their direction. As she began to clean Billy's dick, Rochelle said, "Well what's this happy shit?" Gloria paused. "Mistress, this slave is on clean-up duty this evening - this slave is to lick and suck clean each prick and cunt that needs it — these are the orders of this slave's Master." "Do you have a name?" Rochelle asked. "No Mistress, this slave does not have a name until she is given one. May she please continue?" Rochelle chuckled. "Go ahead." Lisa leaned over and whispered in her ear. "Evidently Harry has decided that his problem child doesn't deserve a name — not at all unusual in a case as severe as hers." When Gloria finished with Billy, she crawled over and began to lick and suck Rochelle clean. "So you're the stupid little cunt that stole over twenty grand from these people," Rochelle said. "You're so fucking lucky you didn't pull that shit on me ... I would've beaten you black and blue, and then seen if I could find someone more adept in torture than myself to continue the job." "This slave knows how lucky she is and she is to spend the next several years showing her gratitude to this family." "And the physical punishment is still very much on the table," Harry said from a few feet away. "She peed on herself and made a stinking mess of some of our towels ... I'm sure that will result in some time at the post. Plus, as a stupid little cunt, I'm sure she'll give us reason to whip her." Rochelle smiled ... she was liking the idea of being a Domme more and more ... still, she was curious about the opposite side of the situation as well. ------- "Sir?" "I'm sorry, Tamara," Harry replied, beginning to slide his cock in and out of the little woman again. "You are far too lovely and far too special for me to allow things to distract me. It won't happen again." "I forgive you, sir, and should it happen again, I shall forgive you then as well. I am just a sexy little submissive while you are consort to the premiere House in the new order of things. You do, to put it mildly, have other concerns on your mind." "But nothing that should be as important as you, sweetie," Harry said. Carol was snuggled up behind Tamara as she lay on Harry's chest and rode on his cock, cocooning the little submissive in warm, loving flesh. "Mmm, I have got to get Edward to bring another submissive into the house ... this is just too delicious to do without," Tamara said, her body writhing with pleasure. "Well until then, Tammy," Carol said, "just remember that anytime you can get him to let himself off the hook, there will be people over here ready, willing and able to make you feel this way ... or we'll happily come help you feel this way at home." ------- The 'Kelly sandwich' had dissolved into a daisy chain, the three women lying on their sides, Karen eating Kelly, Kelly eating Patricia, Patricia eating Karen ... and there it would have likely stayed, had not Sheila and Andrea gotten bored with their mutual fingering and gone off to find something more exciting. "Auntie Patricia, would you eat my pussy, please?" crooned Sheila into Patricia's ear. "There's plenty of room for Andie and I to slide in here..." Karen didn't notice anything happening until she felt a different head slither between her muscular thighs. She was going to pull away from Kelly and see what was happening until she felt a tongue force its way between her cunt lips - then she was happy to let things stay whatever they'd become. Hands she didn't recognize were stroking her skin but she was content. She'd freak out about the whole situation later, in private, just her and Patricia. ------- "Hmm, I think it's been long enough, Eddie ... your arms are looking a little shaky," Margo said. "Roll off and come cuddle with me." "Uh ... yeah ... that feels better," Eddie replied when he did as she asked. "Every time I manage to forget the pounding Li Kuan gave me, some part o' my body reminds me." "And with the whuppin' she laid on you, that's the way things will be for awhile, ya big dummy," Margo said, hugging his arm. "On the flip side, she's not feeling any better, I can guarantee it." "Yeah, well, that almost makes this worthwhile." He peered across the room. "Where's Tamara?" he asked and Margo could hear the rising worry in his voice. Margo pointed to where Harry and Carol were. "See that wiggling bundle of joy between my husband and my wife? That's your sweetheart." Eddie visibly relaxed and said, "Well, I know she's been wantin' to say thanks to them two since they rescued her. I kept suggestin' she say it with flowers or candy, but I got told there was only one way to say 'thanks' for somethin' that big." "And you were giving me shit about wanting to thank you with my body?" Margo exclaimed, punching him in the arm. "OW! Watch it, Long Legs, or I'll spank you. Yeah, on one level I got no problem with her wanting to thank them that way ... hell, if any other man were gonna make love to her, it should be Harry. Only reason I'm uncomfortable with her an' other women is she'll want me to join in an' that makes me feel like I'm cheatin' on her. But I don't think she's gonna gimme any choice." "Oh yeah, Eddie, having to have submissives, or other women from the family, in your bed is just going to be hell for you, isn't it?" He looked over at Margo and in his eyes she saw the hell he was afraid of. "Eddie, you ought to know by now that she's as straight forward and honest a person as there is. She's told you she's not going to get jealous, I honestly don't think she's capable of it, if she somehow ever did get jealous she loves you enough to work things our with you and no matter what, she's never going to leave you. Believe her ... believe in her. She's not going anywhere." He sighed, "Yeah, I know ... I totally believe it most days ... hell, even on the days I don't, it's just a little part o' me ... a very loud little part ... an' I can't make it shut up." "Oh Eddie ... I understand ... I wish I didn't, but I do." "You ever wonder if maybe we're too crazy to be happy?" Eddie mused. "From time to time ... but then my family reminds me that we're all that crazy, each in our own way, and I realize that's why we belong together." ------- "All right, Jason — time for bed," Usagi said, turning off the Xbox and putting away the controllers. "Brush teeth, wash face, get into whatever you sleep in and it's lights out in fifteen minutes." "Yes ma'am ... uh, where are you going to sleep?" "I figured the couch ... got a spare pillow and a blanket I can use?" "Yeah, lemme show you where we keep them." After she collected her bedding, she checked out the cabinets in the kitchen. "Jason?" "Yes ma'am?" "Sleep tight. If you need anything, don't hesitate to wake me, and in the morning, I'm making waffles." "Cool!" ------- After Gloria finished their clean-up, Margo kissed Eddie and went to visit with Rochelle. "So, how do you like our version of a low-key orgy?" she asked as she sat down beside her. "Very nice so far," Rochelle replied, "and I'm happy Mike is enjoying himself." She motioned with her head — Margo looked and saw Mike on his back, Jackie, recently returned from the hot tub, on his face, Billy sucking his cock. Margo smiled. "Mike seems very open-minded ... we sometimes worry about that where Billy is concerned." "Margo, Mike is extremely bisexual ... he prefers women, but he doesn't turn down passion, much less true affection, no matter where it comes from. He's much more open and trusting than I am, and I envy that." "From the very little Mike has said on the subject, I gather you've had some jealousy issues over the years you've been together," Margo said, sliding behind Rochelle as she sat up and moved to lean against the wall. Rochelle sank back into her embrace and smiled. "Thank you, you make a most warm and inviting pillow. "Yeah, between jealousy and other issues I've put him through so much, made him jump through so many rings, kept promising him that after 'just one more ring' I'd be happy and we could get on with our lives." She shook her head sadly. "I think deep down inside I knew it wasn't going to happen ... I'd have to be happy with myself and I wasn't — hell, in my more objective moments, I didn't believe I was capable of being happy. I'm amazed he's stayed with me through all of it. God knows I'd have kicked me to the curb real early. Finally though, I think I can be happy ... if you and your family and friends are willing to keep teaching me." "Not a problem," Margo replied as she nuzzled Rochelle's neck. "We're glad to help." "One question though ... having just discovered the whole 'Dominant is in control' mindset ... why in the world would you ever want to... 'switch', Kathleen called it?" "First off, load that hookah, fire it up and hand me one of the hoses ... get one for yourself, of course." As Rochelle did so, Margo continued. "I can give you my reasons ... part of being Dominant is being responsible. People have placed their trust in you, given you control over them, and it's on your head if things don't go well, or someone ends up physically or emotionally hurt, or if a good time is not had by all. It can be some heavy stuff to carry on your shoulders. Of course, you could go at with an attitude of 'fuck everybody else, as long as I enjoy myself then that's all that matters', but then you're not really a Domme, you're just a raging cunt that people were stupid enough to trust. You might even be able to maintain a stable of submissives, but either they're really desperate or really unhappy and from what I've seen, content, joyful, happy submissives are a lot more fun." Margo's free hand began to roam over Rochelle's body. "On the other side, for me ... well, take Friday night. I wanted this big, beautiful Jamaican submissive called 'Papa Stripper' to fuck me till my eyes crossed, but I couldn't let him ... him screwing me ran straight into some of my issues. I was scared shitless of doing so about three different ways, so while I protested when Kelly ordered me to let him take me ... well, secretly — and not so secretly — I was thrilled. It wasn't my fault, you see, not my responsibility. I had surrendered my will to someone else, and they were taking care of me." She put down the hose, kissed the back of Rochelle's neck and began to massage her temples. "It's very, very freeing not to be responsible ... it's also great for getting what you can barely admit you want. So, what have you secretly wanted? You know, the things you get nervous letting yourself know you want, much less anyone else. It's okay ... nobody here will judge you..." "I've always had a fantasy ... about younger girls ... younger boys too. Not that I really want to fuck anybody under legal age, I just want ... that illusion, you know?" "Oh yeah, shared by a lot of us around here." "I mean, I'm not a pedophile, hell, I'd gladly string up someone who fucked a child, but the fantasy ... it gets me." "Fine, Rochelle ... it's okay, you're safe here. You should see some of the fantasies we play through. Now then, just give up control ... relax and leg go. You give control to me, I'll keep it safe for you, nobody will get hurt, and it'll be yours again when this is done, okay?" "Okay," Rochelle answered, breathing deeply and resigning herself to taking the plunge. "You have no control over what's about to happen ... you're going to do what you're told, or you're going to be punished severely. Do you understand?" "Um hmm." Margo motioned Gloria over, whispered in her ear and sent her crawling to Galena before returning to her gentle massage of Rochelle's forehead. "Some of the language is going to be offensive," Margo murmured, "and you're not going to be treated very well ... but you're going to get what you want, all right?" "Um hmmm." "You really need to start answering me properly, slut." "Yes ma'am ... uh, Mistress." "Milady will do." "Yes Milady." Galena got up and retrieved Sheila from the daisy chain. "Now these two young sluts, one thirteen, the other barely fourteen, are going to take you to our bedroom. I'll be along to make sure everything goes the way it should, all right?" "Yes Milady." "Good. Here they come." Galena leaned over and looked at Rochelle closely, her breast drawing the older woman's eyes. "Fuck ... we got us another skanky old perv," she said. "Still, the bitch paid." She looked at Margo. "This bitch did pay, right?" "Nope, this one's a freebie." "A fucking freebie! Fine, fine, we'll do her, but we ain't gonna play nice, are we Sheila?" "For a pathetic old whore getting a freebie? Fuck no." "Come on, skeeve, let's go make your fucking pervo dreams come true," Galena said, pulling Rochelle to her feet. "Sheila, set up the stocks, I want her ass in the air and her face about cunt height, got it?" "Got it, Gee." "Milady," she said, looking at Margo, "I gotta job for you. Don't worry, it ain't gonna take you but a few minutes — not near enough time for us to get nasty with this whore." She whispered instructions into Margo's ear. "Yes ma'am," Margo replied, grinning. Galena drug Rochelle into the bedroom, causing her to stumble and fall to her knees along the way. "Come on, perv. You don't get moving you miss out on the nymphet pussy parade." Rochelle knew all of her disorientation wasn't the pot or the alcohol ... part of it had to be the fog of lust she was wandering in. Before she knew it she was in the stocks, her thighs sat on a padded bar, her ass and cunt perched in the air. Galena stood in front of her. "Since you're a freebie, you're gonna have to fuckin' wait your turn — but because I'm feeling generous, I'll let ya watch. Come here, man." Rochelle looked up and saw Mike approaching. "This guy's got the good manners to pay for his pervo shit. C'mon, do me, man ... do me right here next to this cunt's head." With that Galena leaned over the stocks and Mike rammed into her like a freight train. "Slow down there, asshole ... you hurt me you're gonna be out all the money in your wallet and my manager will beat the shit out of you." "Sorry," he said, and continued at a slower, less forceful pace. Rochelle was wet and her cunt was twitching, pulsing with the desire for something dick-like. Still she was surprised when her wish was granted and a hard cock slammed into her from behind. Sheila cackled. "Fuckin' pervo whore thinks she gets a freebie! Ain't nothin' for free ... we're gonna get paid for this one way or another — even if we can't charge full price for her." Billy had put on his prosthetics and was plowing Rochelle again. Hard and fast and with little technique or concern for his partner, Billy did his best to fuck like a man getting unexpected discount pussy. In front of Rochelle Mike was banging Galena with somewhat more reserve, but there was still nothing tender about it — he was a paying customer getting his rocks off. In the living room, Margo was trying not to laugh her ass off at Harry, as that might alert Karen that he had taken Andrea's place between his partner's legs, moving Andrea down into Sheila's old spot. Karen was so blissed out that she wasn't noticing any stubble that might be on his cheeks, and he was happy finally sucking his old friend's pussy. Her other task was even harder than not laughing at her husband the rogue. "Eddie, I know they told you no Mike, no Rochelle, but we're trying to give her a taste of her fantasy, but with unexpected things going on as well. We've only got four real dicks in this house, one of them is boning Galena in front of Rochelle, Billy's doing her now, Harry's going to take his turn ... I'd really appreciate it if you'd pitch in and fuck the pretty brunette, okay?" "Edward, if you do, just to help you, I'll fist you while you fuck her," Tamara said hopefully. "You know what that does to you ... you'll be in her and out of her in a flash, and then we can go hit the hot tub." Eddie leaned over to look through the bedroom door at the woman in the stocks while Billy rode her. His cock started to harden. "In for a penny..." he said. "All right, but you hold up your end of things, Tamara ... not that you ever mind." "No sir, I never mind and I never will." It didn't take Mike long to come inside the young Hispanic woman ... she was playing a convincing underage prostitute, and there was a wonderfully dirty feel to the whole procedure. He pulled out and slipped off his condom. "You make sure you give that to the little nameless slut," Galena said, backing her freshly fucked pussy up to Rochelle's face. "Make sure she drinks it down ... get her to clean you up a bit too. "Now then," she continued, "here's something for you, perv. Well-fucked fourteen-year-old ... eat it up, whore." The perversity was overwhelming and while Rochelle knew Galena was of age, she gladly let her libido play along with the scenario. Galena braced herself against the bed and pushed her wet cunt back onto Rochelle's face even harder. "Lick me, skeeve, don't play with me! I wanna come sometime today." Behind her, Billy finished inside Rochelle, pulled out and turned around, almost smacking Gloria in the face with his cock. "Clean-up, sir," she said as she backed up slightly so she and Billy could get out of the way — Eddie and Tamara were making a beeline for Rochelle's exposed pussy. The difference between being fucked by Billy and Eddie was the difference between being fucked by a slender man on prosthetic legs and being fucked by a force of nature. Margo had told Eddie to give it Rochelle a little rough, and he worried that after months with Tamara, he might have forgotten how to be rough — but from behind, Rochelle looked very similar to one of his ex-wives, so hard and fast, accented with ham-sized hands delivering slaps on the ass, was no problem for him at all. He only slowed down a bit when Tamara had her hand lubed up and ready to insert. It was a little more painful than usual, due to his first date with Li Kuan, but once her tiny hand was in him, everything was just fine and he began fucking Rochelle so hard the stocks were rocked forwards with every stroke. For a time, Galena was worried that Rochelle's head was going to somehow end up inside her cunt, but then she adapted to Eddie's rhythm and found herself coming before she was really aware she was even close. "That's right ... you old whore ... drink it up ... Lolita pussy ... all over your face..." Galena's knees were getting shaky, so Sheila stepped up. "Move over, Gee, give someone else a chance to ride the skank's tongue." Galena staggered to one side and slumped on the floor. Sheila took her place and said, "All right, pervo, I ain't been warmed up for ya, so you're gonna have to work harder." For her part, Rochelle had been orgasming in a long, spastic parade of climaxes since Billy had begun fucking her and the pounding her cunt was getting from Eddie certainly wasn't slowing things down. Eddie was beginning to feel some pain ... it hadn't been that long since his last orgasm and even as wet as she was, the vigorous humping he was giving Rochelle was becoming uncomfortable. His unease was becoming plain to Tamara, who knew him so well, so she motioned to Margo. When she arrived, Tamara whispered in her ear. Margo stood up, walked around to Eddie's side and softly said, "I can't wait to fuck you again, while Kelly or Carol or Nicki or Tamara rides your face." Eddie slammed home into Rochelle as his cock erupted into her cunt, in so doing providing Sheila with her first orgasm since she'd backed up to plant her pussy on Rochelle's face. Margo ran back to start the fireworks. "Harry, get your face out of Karen's pussy, it's time for you to fuck Rochelle!" Karen erupted from the floor, almost trampling Harry in her rush to get to her feet. "What the hell do you think you're doing, Grimes?" she bellowed. Harry grinned at her. "You didn't seem to mind." "Because I didn't KNOW!" "I saw an opportunity to lick a most attractive pussy, so I took it. I wasn't going to get my dick any closer to you than physiology necessitated — Elvis, Elvis, leave me be, keep that pelvis FAR from me. Also, cunnilingus has always been mouth to labia, and that's all this was. Tell me you didn't enjoy it!" "I did but..." "You think you've been infested by man-cooties?" "Well... yeah!" "Silly lesbian, man-cooties are only transferred by contact with a dick ... well, I'm off to fuck our guest ... later!" "Harry, you are a dick," Karen muttered, settling back down to cuddle with Patricia. Patricia carefully avoided mentioning the smile on her lover's face. "Geez, talk about a sloppy whore," Harry said as he positioned himself. "The stupid little cumslut could drown in this shit right here." He began thrusting in and out of Rochelle. "Say, how much to take her in the ass?" Rochelle began to make panicky sounds and Sheila shifted herself back with more force to muffle the woman. "Sorry man, five dollars for the pussy, but we got to ask twenty-five for the ass." "Shit ... fuck that noise," Harry grumbled. "I'll take the pussy, save my money and come back later for a second go-round." "So, you fuckin' pervo whore," Galena said, sitting up to whisper in Rochelle's ear, "how you likin' your sweet-Lolita-freebie now?" Rochelle's full-body shimmy of joy was a sight to behold. Gloria had just managed to catch up on cleaning Mike and Billy when Eddie finished and stepped over to hang his dick in front of her face. It was true that she didn't enjoy tasting or swallowing cum, and she'd had to slurp down much more of it that night than she ever had in a month before. And paradoxically, she'd never been happier. ------- About 1:30 Jason gave up trying to go to sleep and very carefully and quietly pulled a sock out of his chest of drawers, slipped it over the head of his dick and began to masturbate. His day had been full of sexy women, any one of which he would have been ecstatic to lose his virginity to, but for some reason it was Galena that came to the forefront of his mind as he pumped his prick. The whole time he worried that Usagi could somehow hear him. ------- Karen had figured out her revenge and went to whisper it in Harry's ear. "Next time I catch you napping, I'm going put on that harness and that big pink dildo and fuck you in your butt like you're the goddamn blue plate special at the International House of Assholes." She didn't really expect the reaction she got — Harry shot his load into Rochelle almost immediately and then looked at Karen with lust in his eyes and asked, "Will you wear the corset when you do?" "God, you are such a freak!" "Yes ma'am I am ... but I'm your freak and you love me." She kissed his cheek. "Yeah ... yeah I do ... goddamn it." ------- When Jason was finished, he lay down and tried to go to sleep, sure that since he'd relieved his sexual tension, he wouldn't have any problem. After another thirty minutes of trying, he admitted defeat. Very quietly, he got up and went to the kitchen. He pulled cocoa out of the cabinet and the milk out of the fridge and poured some in a small saucepan. "Couldn't sleep?" Usagi asked, startling him so much he almost dropped the milk jug. "Damn ... I'm sorry ... what are you, a babysitting ninja? I tried not to wake you." Usagi laughed, "I guess I am, in a way. I'm certainly able to take care of myself — and you — and I've been trained to be very quiet, and very alert for any sign of trouble." "Other than hearing me in here ... how alert?" he asked, almost willing to believe she'd heard him jerking off. "Alert enough to know you masturbated-" "Oh God, " he said, blushing. "I knew it, I knew you heard me!" "Heard you, no ... but male ejaculate has an odor and while you cleaned yourself very thoroughly, there's still a whiff of fresh semen about you." "Jesus," he replied, "who the hell would train someone to be like you?" "That isn't my story to tell ... but they did, in the belief that the more alert and aware I am, the better I can be at my job. If you're going to have hot chocolate, would you make enough for two?" They sat in the living room, drinking their cocoa, not really talking until Usagi broke the silence and asked, "So why can't you sleep?" Jason looked down into his cup. "Worried about Mom ... she may be a freak and a weirdo, but she's all I've got. When she left to go to that club Friday night, I was thinking "please don't do anything too crazy" and of course, that's what she did. I don't know these people, I mean, you're nice enough and they all seemed cool, but still..." "But she's your mother and you're worried. Understandable. I've only known these people a day, but I've been very impressed by what I've seen. Your mother will be all right. In the morning you'll see. She'll be home, probably very tired, but she'll be happy." "You've only known them a day and you're sure she'll be okay?" "If you're very quiet, and pay very close attention, it's amazing what you can learn in a day." ------- The orgy had wound down. Most of the partiers were asleep in the living room, Margo, Rochelle and Lisa were in the hot tub out back, and Harry, Carol and Camille, attended by Gloria, were in the bathtub. ------- "Okay, I can see the attraction of the submissive side," Rochelle said as Lisa massaged her shoulders. "That was mind-blowing ... almost too intense to enjoy ... but not quite." She smiled. "Still, I think I'm going to remain more of a Domme." "Perfectly understandable, given your issues," Margo replied, relaxing as the water jets pounded her back into submission. "Still, I wanted you to see the other side as well." "Thank you ... I think it'll be a fun place to visit from time to time ... especially given your group's theatrical abilities..." she paused, uncertain of her continued welcome, "that is, if you'll allow us to visit and play with you again." Margo laughed, "I'll insist upon it. You and Mike are a lot of fun and it's been wonderful having you." "What she's not saying, Mistress Rochelle, is that she'd also like you to come back again because she hasn't actually had you yet," Lisa said. "You are quite lovely, though as I sit here, this close, I feel I must mention that it may be time to have your hair colored again. The red roots are beginning to show." "So noted ... trip to the stylist sometime this week." Rochelle laughed. "God, I really have mellowed this evening. I actually took that in the manner it was offered, rather than working to find a reason to take offense." "Well, a passel of screaming orgasms will do that for a girl," Margo replied. "And this group is so very good at helping with those." ------- "I am tired," Harry said as Carol worked on his leg. Camille carefully washed him as she did so. "I'm thinking it's bed time once we get out of here." He leaned back to address the woman on the floor. "Cumslut, you've done very well tonight — your time on the post is postponed until tomorrow morning. I've decided on a name for you. You're so very good at gobbling up cum and such, we'll call you 'Piglet'. Does that name please you?" "If it pleases this slave's owners then it pleases her. Will Piglet be allowed to climax tonight?" "No, I don't think so ... perhaps in the morning. Come ladies, it's time for bed." ------- After the cocoa and talk, Jason felt calm enough to sleep. As he drifted off in his bedroom, Usagi lay on the couch and thought of how good her day had been, and looked forward to the next. ------- Chapter 55 "God ... what time is it?" Margo whispered as she awoke in the living room, curled up in between Jackie and Candy. No one answered her, but bright light was beaming in around the edges of the window blinds and under the door. There were sounds in the kitchen, but no coffee smell. In the minds of most of the family, that meant it was 'too damn early', no matter what the time. She crawled out of the mass of people sleeping quite close together and into the clear edges of the room, where she grabbed a windowsill and pulled herself to her feet. Staggering slightly, she made her way into the kitchen. The counter had plates of bread, fruit and cheese laid out, with carafes of apple, cranberry and orange juice in buckets of ice. Tamara smiled at her from the footstool she was standing on as she looked in the cabinet for cinnamon. "Good morning, Margo, how are you?" "Awake ... kinda sorta ... why is there no coffee?" "Didn't want to turn it on before at least one of you was awake ... the smell of coffee tends to wake people up." "What time is it?" "10:00 AM." Margo walked over and pushed the button on the coffee machine. "Time for all God's chillun to be waking up, I need coffee, dammit." ------- "Thank you for the great waffles, Usagi ... they tasted different than Mom's though, what did you do to them?" Jason asked. "Well, does your mother add vanilla extract to them?" "I don't think so." "That's probably it then. I'm glad you enjoyed them. Now, what do you generally do on a Saturday morning?" "Uh ... hide in my room and play on my computer ... Mom's a little freakier on weekends." "Hmm ... not too surprising actually. Let's give our food a while to settle and then go outside. I'll show you some simple aikido kata." "Is that like karate or kung fu?" "Not exactly, but somewhat, yes. It'll be fun. Then maybe some Frisbee ... you do have a Frisbee, yes?" "Sure!" ------- Harry was glad that at home he generally favored smoking dope to drinking ... it meant his mornings didn't start with a hangover nearly as often as they had. The thought of having to disentangle himself from Carol, wake Camille and get her moving so he could get out of bed and to the bathroom while dodging Piglet on the floor when hung-over was something too painful to contemplate. As it was, it merely felt like performing an Olympic gymnastics routine on a bum leg, with no warm-up, naked and half-blind. "You know Camille, we could take you off the chain at night, so you wouldn't have to wake up when I do," he said, as they sat side-by-side on the toilets. "I'm sorry sir, are you particularly in the mood to invite the wrath of your wife, Kelly? I'm not." "Good point ... I'm just sorry that you're going to be shackled to me for God and the Queen alone know how long." "Sir," she said, something in her voice making him turn to look at her, 'I'm not sorry at all. I made an error, without thinking, that put this family at risk. I did so in spite of all my best intentions, and as punishment goes, this is easy and dare I say, fun." She smiled in relief as her bladder let loose. "From what I gather from the others, in a lot of Houses, my mistake would have me being treated like Piglet. Her offense would've merited much, much worse punishment." She leaned over and kissed Harry's cheek. "You and your entire House are very kind and very sweet, and don't you ever forget it, sir." ------- Margo sat on the deck in the back yard and blearily surveyed the back yard, waiting for her coffee. When Jackie brought it out to her and sat down next to her, she asked, "Madam, is there anything wrong, other than it being too early the morning after a delightful orgy?" "It's too damn small." "Excuse me, Madam?" "The yard ... the house ... all of it. It's too damn small." "I understood that to be the reason you were buying up the block." Margo took a heavy slurp of her coffee. "Let me try this again in English," she said, smiling tightly. "The house and yard are too small for the freak and deviant party in a little less than two weeks." "Ah, now I understand..." Jackie looked around the yard. "Okay, yeah — from what I've been told, way too small." "I'd be majorly pissed off, but it really took the neighborhood party to put a sense of scale on the thing," Margo said. "Plus, it doesn't fucking help that every time I turn around, the gawddamn guest list is growing by leaps and bounds." "There are times you really sound like Harry, Eddie and Karen," Jackie observed. "That was one of them." Margo grimaced in her general direction. Lisa wandered out, running her fingers through her hair in a futile attempt to tame it. "Four dicks in the house last night, Mistress Rochelle gets three of them and I don't get even one." "Well, she was our guest," Margo said, chuckling. "Is she awake yet?" "Yeah — she let Mike go to the bathroom before she pounced on his cock, but it was a close thing. They're going at it like newlyweds in the middle of the living room." Carol and Dayna came out with their coffee, a small tray of fruit and one of the household's pipes. "Morning hit, anyone?" she asked after she'd sat down. Everyone shook their heads, but Jackie said, "Madam needs one — first thing in the morning and she's obsessing about the freaks party in two weeks." She looked at Margo apologetically. "Not to say there doesn't need to be thought and discussion and a plan of action worked out, but first thing in the morning, Madam?" "Yeah, well..." "What's wrong, Madam?" Dayna asked, sipping from her cup. "The house and yard aren't big enough," Carol replied. "Yeah, wife, I noticed it too. The place was packed pretty tightly with all the neighbors and the freaks party will have two to three times as many people ... maybe more." "Another thing," Lisa said, "even with no one trying to be too particularly noisy yesterday, it got real loud back here. More people, more inebriated and stoned people, having sex — and doing other things as well — if I was a neighbor, I'd end up calling the police to quiet us down, even if you sent subs over to fuck me. It's gonna run late and it's gonna run loud." "Has anyone seen my darling husband?" Margo asked. "He needs to be in on this ... so does Kelly." "Harry had Piglet sucking his dick — she had to get him off before she could go to the bathroom," Carol replied, "and Kelly was still cuddled up asleep with Karen and Patricia." "Jackie," Margo said, "go see if he's finished and nudge Kelly in the ribs, get them out here if you would, please?" "Yes Madam." Dayna was quietly chuckling to herself. "Something amusing?" Carol asked, smiling. "Yes ... but it will wait till your spouses are all here." A few moments later, Harry limped out, Camille at his side, Piglet trailing behind. "Camille," he said, unhooking her, "take Piglet and get her fed and watered, then come right back." "Yes sir." "Begging Master's pardon, Piglet would like to know when she will be allowed to climax." Gloria asked. Harry turned and looked at her, nothing happy in his expression. "When I say you may, and that's now been pushed back to next Sunday. Would you care to irritate me again and see if I can delay it even further? I'm betting I can." "No sir," she said, tears leaking from her eyes. She turned and followed Camille into the house. "Pardon my ignorance, but how will I know if she masturbates, gets fucked by every frat boy at the university or remains chaste?" Harry asked, firing up the hot tub. "She'll tell you," Carol said. "She'll practically beg to tell you if she doesn't obey you, and she'll be too proud to keep it in if she does. I think she will obey — she doesn't seem to be as high-maintenance as Marcie Hurley." "Yeah," Margo agreed, "from what I got from Laurie, that bitch isn't happy unless she's in the doghouse, or just barely out of it. We ever get someone like that in the House, I don't know what I'm going to do. All of us are too damn busy to give someone that kind of attention." Harry sat on the edge of the tub as it warmed up and rubbed on his leg above the brace. He winced as he did so, despite his best efforts to hide it. "Lisa, go call Helen and ask her to come over if she's not otherwise occupied — and for what we'll be paying her, tell her to get here even if she is," Margo snapped, standing up and walking over to her husband. "How bad is it this morning, my love?" "Bad enough that I'm strongly considering letting you take the girls and go to Danny de Vere's without me. Maybe if I'm very good and don't piss it off too much in the next two days I can manage a full day at work Tuesday and not have to hit the major pain drugs the second I get home. Wouldn't you like having a sentient husband?" "Very much so, although my smartass side would like you to tell me when you find me one," Margo answered, smiling. The two of them laughed together. Carol said, "Margo, either you or Kelly should stay home with Harry while the rest of us go shopping-" "Pardon me, Carol, but it should be Kelly — Margo and I have a date this afternoon, although she doesn't know it yet," Dayna said. "I have no need to go shopping; I will wear whatever collar you choose." "What about a ring?" Margo asked. "Again, any design that Carol chooses. I will give her my ring size before we leave." "Speaking of, I'd better go call Danny, tell him we're going to need a chunk of time this afternoon," Carol said, hopping up. "Stay for a moment, please," Dayna interjected. "Kelly should be here soon." As if her words were prophetic, the back door opened and Kelly shuffled out, nose deep in a cup of coffee. She ambled over and leaned against the tub next to her spouses. "What the fuck's so important you got me out of a warm lesbian cuddle?" "The party this weekend demonstrated that the house and yard are not nearly big enough for our party two weeks from now," Margo said. "I want to talk about it, and Dayna sounds like she has something cogent to add to the discussion — hopefully she knows of some place we can rent, or else I don't see any way around canceling it." "Oh Madam," Dayna chuckled, "don't worry about canceling and don't worry about renting. Don't worry about anything at all other than travel arrangements. I know of a place up in the hill country, overlooking Lake Travis from a beautiful, high bluff, about six acres of manicured lawns, gardens, fountains — pool about three times the size of this one, hot tub isn't as big but there are four of them, a home built to resemble a very large, rambling French farm house, one story, eight bedrooms, five-and-a-half baths, all of this maintained by a staff of four." She smiled, "And all you have to do to rent it for the weekend is ask." "Ask who?" Margo said, intrigued. "One of the Kaiser family — they're the ones who own it ... but they're not in residence there except for two or three weeks out of the year, generally in February or March." "Dayna, I don't know any of the Kaiser family," Margo replied. "Oh my dear Madam, you do ... you know the current generation's black sheep — Dana Kaiser," Dayna replied, looking smug. "What, did you think my last name was really 'Spyderchylde'? I figure you and I can run out there and give it a look this afternoon, see if you find it suitable." Margo got up and gently hugged the young woman. "You may well be a life saver, Dayna," she said, kissing her. "Get this one a very nice collar and a very pretty ring, Carol." ------- Rochelle and Mike Lowry drove home like a young couple in love — holding hands, smiling uncontrollably, giggling — so sugary sweet that people in a twenty foot radius of them developed diabetes. The conversation, however, would've surprised probably all of those same people. "So, you want us to get two slaves for sure, a man and a woman, and you want at least one of them to be experienced enough to advise you about your new life style?" "That's it, honey," Rochelle answered. "I still plan on getting lots of advice and guidance from the Grimes and their submissives, but I think they'd look at us like we were crazy if we asked to move in." "Good point ... although God knows they have a lovely group of submissives." "Down, Penis-Man, once they've helped us find suitable subs, the three of us will be more than you can handle." "Yes ma'am, given that you alone are more than I can handle, I think you might be right." ------- The high bluff-top estate Dayna drove Margo to was indeed perfect. All the way there, about a forty-five minute drive, Dayna had burbled on about the site, so Margo was expecting something that couldn't live up to the expectations Dayna had given her. It exceeded them. It was everything Dayna had promised and more. "What about the staff? I'm pretty sure they won't want to be around that afternoon and evening," Margo said as they walked to the deck that overlooked the lake far below. "They'll take several rooms at a motel, show up when we tell them to the next day ... or the day after that — however long you want it to go on. The last party I held out here lasted a week and by the time the place was restored to normal, repair, restoration and replacement costs had hit about one hundred and thirty thousand ... I was a very bad girl, and my friends were ... uncultured, you might say. Of course that was almost ten years ago ... and I'm sure the staff haven't forgiven me yet." "If we have everyone cab to a central location, we can limousine from there to here, have the cars take people back to town when they feel like leaving, those who want to can stay over for breakfast the next morning before going home ... we'll have to pay the caterers a lot more, and the limo service, but other than that ... it should prove to be the party of the year ... I wonder if anyone knows of a live band or DJ that could work the party..." "Madam, I'd recommend a DJ, with a wide spectrum of musical styles and tastes." "But not someone who talks over the music or feels they need to actually mix any tracks ... just someone with the equipment and collection to play almost anything our wide and diverse crowd might require. Is there anywhere a dance floor could be set up?" "Yes Madam, my family does throw parties out here, under the stars. There's a large concrete pad on the south side of the house, we have a portable dance floor that can be put down there and I know of a group of DJs that fits your requirement." "Let's go look at the pad," Margo said. "Tell me about these DJs." "I used to work for a local comic book company for the fuck of it — I was their whole marketing department - and they did a lot of science fiction conventions. Generally, if these cons even had a dance, it was lousy, but there was a group that did exactly what you're looking for, and had the library to support a crowd of any age and taste. They called themselves Radio Free Mordor — yeah, they're geeks — and they're probably still around. Let me see if I can track them down." They reached the pad and Margo was stunned. "Dayna, you said 'large', you didn't say 'ginormous' ... this thing must be-" "One hundred by one-twenty ... the parties my family throws tend to be big. We've entertained Presidents out here, although I'm thinking we won't need anywhere near the whole pad, so we can put tables and chairs around the edges." "All right ... we've got two weeks to set up travel arrangements, get everyone notified of the change, and arrange the extras ... we can do that," Margo said with determination. "Yes we can, Madam ... I'll get started on my part tomorrow." ------- Kelly smiled — it was that particular smile that all submissives under her care learned very quickly to fear, a cold, evil smile that left no doubt in anyone's mind that their day was about to get worse than it had been previously. Piglet didn't know it yet, but even so it unnerved her as she hung on the whipping post awaiting her punishment. Ten lashes on the back of her thighs later, she had held her piss in by sheer force of will and with tears flowing down her cheeks, gratefully crawled to the bathroom where she squatted above the toilet seat to avoid sitting on her fresh stripes and peed. It would have felt euphoric except for Mistress Kelly standing in front of her while she did so. "See, I knew you could be trained, you filthy little cunt! The next time you make a mess like that it will be twenty across the backs of your thighs, then twenty-five, and so on. Now, dry your fucking eyes, get dressed and go home to your son." As she was doing so, Harry had a few words for her. "From now on, if you're here with your son, by invitation, then we're going to show you every measure of respect we'd show any guest. When you're here by yourself, you're Piglet. Be sure to warn your son that he does not want to show up here without warning when you're here, or he will see things he probably won't like. I'm sorry, but that's the way we're going to play it. And no matter what, if you're over here working off your debt, then it damn well better be an emergency for him to want to come over here. That's part of why we gave him the list of numbers. If he's simply bored or lonely, there are plenty of people willing to help him with that, and he can go to either Karen and Patricia's or Eddie and Tamara's if he just needs to get out of the house for awhile. You really don't want him interrupting our time together for less than a real emergency. Now go home and send Usagi back here, immediately." Helen worked on Harry's leg as he sat in the hot tub. Kelly was molesting Camille because Helen was busy and didn't swing that way. "Helen, do you know how much sex you'd get if you decided to walk both sides of the street?" Harry asked, wincing as she manipulated his knee. "Well, more than I do now, that's a certainty," she said, letting her fingers map what was going on beneath his skin, "but on the other hand, I'm quite happy with the amount of sex I'm getting right now. Between Billy and you, I feel more than taken care of." "Silly bitch, doesn't know what she's missing," Kelly murmured as she humped Camille's leg. "Perhaps not, Mistress Kelly," Helen replied, "but I'm happy with the way things are." ------- "Mom, are you okay?" Jason asked as his mother limped into their home. "Physically, not exactly, but taking it easy the rest of today and a good night's sleep will have me back to normal in the morning," she said, grimacing as she lowered herself onto her couch. "Mentally, emotionally, spiritually — I'm better than I've been since your father passed away. How was your evening and morning?" As she listened to Jason burble about the fun he'd had with Usagi, she thanked the Great Whatever that she'd decided to be so stupid with just the right group of people. ------- Usagi was back and drying off from a most welcome shower when the phone rang. A few moments later, the lovely Japanese woman, still naked, ran out to the hot tub on the deck. "Master Grimes, a Master Gregory of House O'Shaunnesy is on the phone and wishes to know if he might have an audience with you and/or Madam Grimes this afternoon?" "Certainly," Harry replied, "tell him I await his convenience." She returned shortly. "He will be arriving in about five minutes by his calculations." "Bring him out here when he arrives." "Yes sir," she replied, running back inside. "Well, so much for a slow comfortable screw," Kelly said, hopping off of his cock. "Later, beloved, later." When Usagi showed Master Gregory's party through the house and on to the back deck, Gregory O'Shaunnessy had to forcibly remind himself that he had that well-known and much-mocked stick up his ass, and that that stick was his problem, not anyone else's. Harry was waiting for him in the hot tub, Kelly on one side, Camille on the other, taking a hit off a water pipe. Gregory, Mistress Mallon and Pamela, the sub he'd brought to seal the deal, stood before him. Gregory began, "Master Grimes, I have come-" "Master Gregory, Mistress Mallon and whoever the lovely young sub is, please, get comfortable. Hop in the tub; let Usagi get you something to drink. Would any of you like a hit off the pipe ... or three?" Snickering, Dorothy Mallon shucked her clothes, pulled off Pamela's top and yanked down her skirt, revealing she was wearing nothing else but a collar, and hauled Pamela into the hot tub with her. "I'll take you up on that pipe and a drink. Scotch on the rocks, Usagi." She looked back at her House's head. "Greg, you know better, remove stick, remove clothes, get in tub." She turned back to Harry. "This is Pamela, Harry. He's Greg and I'm Dorothy. Now that my Head has been reminded how informally you like to do things, maybe we'll finally get something done." She threw a leg over Harry, snuggled into his lap and kissed him - and if his cock hadn't still been semi-hard from Kelly's teasing ministrations, that would have taken care of the issue. Dorothy hopped off, grinning. "Remember Boss-man, no inappropriate relations with employees." "You are a bitch, my dear," Harry replied. "What does Greg drink, Dorothy?" She looked at the patiently waiting Usagi. "A screwdriver for Master Gregory, Usagi, light on the screw." As she scurried off to the kitchen, Gregory finally got his clothes off and slowly eased himself into the tub. "Master Grimes," he began again. Dorothy punched him in the arm. "Harry," he said, cutting Dorothy a dirty look, "my apologies ... I meant to be at Dominique's Friday night to ally my House with yours, but a family matter kept me away. If you'd like, I can certainly wait until a more public occasion to do this, but I'm prepared to do so now if that's your wish." "Now's just fine, Greg," Harry said. "Showing up with us at the club next Friday night is all the public acknowledgement I think we'll need. Hopefully everything is all right with your family?" Gregory looked at him, surprised, and smiled. "Yes ... yes it is. Thank you for your concern." He sobered again. "I formally ask to ally my House with yours and under yours, to be — OW!" he barked as Dorothy elbowed him again. Dorothy laughed, "Stick ... ass. Harry, he's got a terminal case of formality and I'm afraid dealing with House O'Shaunnessy will require regular doses of patience with that." "Yeah," Harry replied, "and I'm afraid, Greg, that dealing with us is going to try your patience in the other direction. Of course we accept, gladly. Now, hopefully you brought Pamela to seal the deal?" he said, eyeing the pretty brunette. "Yes, yes we did," Gregory replied, grinning in spite of himself. "Camille, you're off the chain. Go seal our alliance with Greg. You, my dear," Harry said as Pamela tentatively moved towards him, "come here and let me whisper dirty words into your ears." Kelly slid over to Dorothy. "I don't work for G&P, so I'm not thinking there are any employer/employee issues, are there, Dorothy?" "Not a one," Dorothy Mallon replied, pulling Kelly onto her lap. "Thank God." ------- Danny de Vere's was located in a freeway-side strip mall between a furniture rental and a Mongolian barbecue restaurant. From the outside, it might have been mistaken for a bar or a "gentleman's club", as the windows were covered and the only sign simply read "Danny de Vere's — For Adults Only". Inside, however, it was clear it was a jewelry store, but not one that any mundane looking for an engagement ring would find comprehensible. Slave collars, slave rings, ear rings, nose rings, nipple rings, rings to put in every kind of piercing imaginable and some that weren't imaginable. They were available individually or connected in any combination by lengths of fine chain — the possible permutations, displayed on mannequins, took up one entire side of the store. Unlike Tattie's inventory, which did have some very subtle pieces suitable for use as collars on display, de Vere's had a plethora - subtle, unsubtle and oh-my-God blatant - all for prices that didn't start at four figures. And then there was Danny de Vere himself. From his tattoos, piercings, hairstyle, Kodiak-bear-like-size, face and great bushy beard, you'd have thought Danny was a biker — a biker from some particularly nasty gang that made the Angels and Bandidos look like Brownie troops. All of that conflicted with his Italian-made suits, his mellow and kindly bass voice and unfailing politeness — and none of that changed in the least his past affiliation with Rage Hammer, a Norse/pagan biker gang. Danny had decided to leave them when he met the Puerto Rican woman he would make his wife, Jomayra, and still remained on civil terms with them, even making club-distinctive jewelry for them at a discounted price. Danny had seen many groups come into his store before, Dominants and submissives of every size, shape, creed, color and economic background. His store had never been invaded by a group such as hit the door that day. Carol, Jackie, Lisa, Sheila, Nicki, Billy, Candy, Galena, Andrea, Karen, Patricia, Andrea, Eddie, Tamara — and coming from a different part of town, Dommi and her three subs, Ricky, Christian and Deanna ... his store was packed and they were all from one House. "Carol, it's been too long, I was so pleased to get your call, how may I help House Chorale today?" "Well Danny, new collars for several recent acquisitions, and slave rings ... twenty-seven, two custom designs, one for Dominants, one for submissives." "Mmmm ... it's going to take time, and it's going to take money." "Money we have and time we're willing to pay for ... even more if it's done quickly." "Twenty-seven slave rings, two different designs, I'm sure you have your own ideas about those ... materials?" "Silver, ruby, either obsidian, black onyx or hematite — let me make you a sketch." Forty-five minutes later, designs agreed upon, measurements taken and down payment made, the group was ready to head out with the collars they'd purchased and a promise that the rings would be ready by the following Friday. "Danny," Carol said, I know it's rather late notice, but are you doing anything vital two weeks from yesterday, the Saturday after next? We're having a get-together and we'd love to see you and Jomayra there." "Nothing I can't cancel for a good party." "I'll send you the information. See you Friday." ------- "So, how are you feeling about last night?" Patricia asked Karen as she killed massive amounts of pixels in "Halo 2" on the Xbox. Karen paused the game. "Conflicted ... I mean, I really enjoyed it — it reminded me of some of the things that would happen in the bad old days when we'd close down a bar ... except I remember a lot more of last night and don't have a brain-paralyzing hangover this morning. Well, and there was never a guy close enough to stick his tongue where it didn't belong. "On the other hand ... Trish, if I lose you, for any reason, I've lost everything. I'll keep going, mostly because those people across the street won't let me stop ... but what if they're the ones I lose you to?" "Liz, let's look at that carefully. One, they'd have to want me. They do. Two, I'd have to want them. I don't ... at least, not that way, since I have you. Three, they'd have to be willing to hurt you terribly by taking me. They aren't. Four, I'd have to hate you more than I can imagine to go to them. I don't — I didn't hate you that much when I left you before. I just couldn't live with someone I adored who only let me have the scraps of her life. Five ... well, there is no five, but you see the confluence of events it would take for me to leave you for them? I'd have to want to, they'd have to want to hurt you by accepting me, I'd have to want to hurt you so badly that it would be kinder to just kill you. "Liz, how likely is all that to happen? I know, sex is never as simple as we think it ought to be, and people's heads get messed up when they fuck, they start thinking in terms of ownership and jealousy gets involved but ... that's silly here. You own me, Liz. Body and soul, from now until the end of our lives, I'm yours. Thanks to our shopping today, I wear a collar now, until the end of my days, which testifies to that fact. By the end of this week, I'll be wearing a ring that says the same thing. "I promise you, the very day I start feeling "in love" with any of them is the very day I stop playing with them." Karen looked down at the game controller in her hand. "I suppose that will have to be enough ... all right, we play. But there are going to be nights when I don't feel like it-" "And you let me know that, Karen Elizabeth Pinard, and we'll leave together, come home, and do whatever. See, I know you're trying Liz, you're trying very hard, and I'm more than willing to work with you and be patient with you — because I do love you more than I've ever loved anyone else. We'll be fine, you'll see. And when we're not, we'll work on it till we are." "Who owns who in this relationship?" Karen asked, her face brightening with a smile. "Dizzy dyke," Patricia said, hugging her. "Loopy lesbian," Karen replied, and then kissed her. ------- She leaned back in her favorite chair while her pet licked her cunt. She'd taken care of the GPS, her friends at the chop shop had taken care of the car, and as for the rest... She heard the doorbell and pushed her pet's head away, vaulting over her and ran down the front hall to the door. The young man smiled as the door opened. "Sausage delivery for you from Mister Wu," he said in Cantonese. "As you requested, very little was wasted." She took the forty-three pounds of Xiang Chang to her personal freezer in the basement. ------- Eddie sat in his back yard, staring at the pool and wondering how to put into words all he felt. To his side and slightly behind he could feel Tamara sitting as she often did — silent, content to be with him and needing nothing more for her happiness. It was a peace he'd rarely known in his life, and it was that peace he feared losing. For him, the sex was wonderful, the chance of children a most hoped for blessing, but the peace she brought to his life simply by being a part of it — that was the most incredible part of their relationship for him. "Tamara ... I don't know ... I'm too scared to let go. The thing with Patricia, that's one thing — it's going to be fun, but I know it can never go anywhere and even if it could I wouldn't let it, so it's ... well, I hate to use the word 'safe', but I will. Margo ... I love her, but sometimes I could gleefully whack her upside her head with a boat paddle. I can love Margo, but I can never be 'in love' with her. Too many of the wrong kind of differences ... we'd kill each other and we both know that going in. I'm not ecstatic about her wanting my child ... but on the other hand, if anything ever happened to both of us, I know there's no one I'd want raising any children you and I might have more than them, so I guess I'm kinda fucked there. The rest of the women — they're fun and I love all of them, but ... like I said, I'm too scared to let go." "Edward," she replied, her voice soft, "do you think you could keep me if I wanted to go?" "No ... not without ... no." "Exactly ... so accept that I can leave anytime I choose to, just as you can. I've made my position clear. You will have to make me leave you — physically drive me away. That is not going to change. I know it will take time, Edward, but you will come to see that I am right, and you will come to believe in my undying devotion to you." She came around him and climbed into his lap. "Whatever you want, my dearest," he said, holding her tightly and pressing his face into her hair. "How can I refuse you anything?" "Then, my dearest love, let me call Dommi and have her start looking for submissives that meet our qualifications." "Make the call ... just not right this moment." ------- Dommi and her crew went back to the house and the hitherto unseen submissives, Christian and Deanna, got to know their fellow House members. There was a bit of a mini-orgy with the representatives of their newest allies. People fell into each other's arms at various times the rest of the day and nobody made too much comment about having to step over people making love. ------- Galena continued to be amazed by how different school felt after all the changes in her life. Whereas before it had all seemed so important, so earth-shaking — how well did she do, what rude jokes were being made about her and her unpopular friends, how cruel were the in-crowd going to be that day — the new Galena cruised through her days with a smile on her face, letting the petty shit roll off her back. Her world had grown so much bigger than any of her fellow students could have imagined, maintaining a 4.0 was easy, she was doing well at G&P, college was a foregone conclusion, she had Andrea, she had her House — she looked nothing like she had for most of her school career and was drawing admiring looks and tentative invitations for dates from guys who wouldn't have talked to her six months previous — invitations she turned down without a second thought. She took joy in seeing Jason Tanner in the hall and giving him a hug, seeing the goofy smile on his face as she walked away. It was all going well ... except for the strange vibe she'd been getting from her best friend, Regina Downing, all morning. It wasn't like Reggie to almost completely ignore Galena, except during finals, when both of them were too wrapped up in their own heads to pay attention to anything. Finally it bugged Galena enough for her to ask during their Honors English class. Long before cell-phones and instant messenging, there were ways that high school students communicated with each other in class under the teacher's nose. Notes, while very traditional, weren't often used for anything of real import, and it was amazing how many girls, especially on the smarter end of the bell curve, learned at least the rudiments of American Sign Language. "What is wrong?" signed Galena. Regina ignored her and Galena had to repeat herself several times until finally she got a reply. "You!" Regina signed emphatically. "Talk at lunch?" "I suppose." Instead of taking her seat at the "Outcast Table" on the back end of the campus quad, close to the trash bins for the kitchen, Regina stalked off to the very edge of the campus itself — as far as she could go without violating the rules and leaving campus. Galena followed her, still confused and worried that she'd somehow slighted or insulted her oldest friend. Whereas Galena was of average height and weight, Regina was large — tall at six feet one, and wider than acceptable for a high school full of runway model wannabees. She'd have been devastating with her medium-to-large breasts and well-rounded butt if she hadn't had the extra pounds between the two — or had learned how to carry them and make them sexy as Jackie, Lisa and Dommi had. Her eyes were a gorgeous green, and she had a heart-shaped face with lips that were full and lush and would have driven a lot of men crazy if they weren't almost perpetually hidden behind the hair that hung over her face. She and Galena had become friends early in their school careers, 'the fat smart girl' and 'the dumpy smart girl'. Things had become a little strained as Galena came out of her shell and stopped hiding her body under unappealing clothes, but Regina had begrudgingly tolerated it ... until her brother Eric told her about recognizing Galena Friday night. "So, how much did you make selling your pussy?" Regina snarled, as soon as they were away from anyone who could hear. "Did you get a good price for sucking your first dick? I wonder what your mother would say was a fair price? I wonder what everyone would think of you if they knew you were a whore?" In a fraction of a second Galena felt like she'd been punched in the gut. She wanted to curl up in a ball and cry, scared of what might happen if Regina talked, scarred by Regina's disdain. Mistress Galena, however, had other plans. Her hand lashed out and even as Regina saw it coming, she couldn't believe her eyes, so did nothing to dodge it. Galena's open hand hit Regina so hard the girl was turned halfway around by the impact. By the time she turned back around, Galena was inches away, fury distorting her features. "I don't know what you heard or who you heard it from and I don't give a fuck. You tell anyone else about it and I will forget eleven years of friendship, all that we've meant to each other and I will hurt you like you can only begin to imagine. The people I'm involved with have lives, just like you and me, and if any of this got out it could ruin them — and no matter what you think of me personally, you don't get to do that to them. Now if you'd like to discuss this calmly sometime, I'm willing to talk to you about it, but right now you need to get over your hissy fit and get the hell out of my face before I ... just stay away from me, Reggie." Galena turned and stalked off leaving Regina alone with her anger and resentment. ------- It wasn't until Galena got home that night that she allowed herself to break down, and she only barely resisted the urge to call Andrea at the store and have her come home immediately. When she could breathe again without sobbing, she checked online to see if Reggie had posted anything anywhere they both frequented that even hinted at what she'd learned. Galena considered it a good sign that she hadn't. As she was considering shutting her computer down, an instant messenger window opened. "ReggieD — I'm sorry" Galena took a long deep breath before responding. "G-girl — apology accepted" "ReggieD — you've changed so much lately, now this" "ReggieD — you're becoming everything I always wanted to be" "G-girl — and for that you hate me?" "ReggieD — yeah a little" Galena pulled out her cell phone and started making calls. After awhile, Regina chimed in again. "ReggieD — you there?" "G-girl — yeah gimme a few" "ReggieD — ok" Twenty minutes later, Galena chimed back in. "G-girl — Omni Hotel Thursday night 7PM room 812 plan on missing school Friday" "ReggieD — ok" ------- "Margo, I appreciate this ... she's pissing me off, but she's my oldest friend ... and I think maybe I can help her," Galena said as she sat on the back deck with the head of her House, sharing a pipe. "You're sure she's really seventeen?" "Yeah, this last summer — I went to her party and everything." "All right — but no one but you is without a mask until Carol is sure things are going to go well. That's not negotiable." "I understand, Madam. I know you're taking a risk, and I appreciate it." "No, little Domme, I'm not taking a risk and neither is anyone in my House but you. I hope you're right." "We've been sharing our souls with each other most of our lives, I think I am." ------- Tuesday, September 19th, 2006 was International Talk-Like-A-Pirate Day, so the inside of Dominique's had bits of decoration proclaiming it "Port Dominique", the waitstaff were in costume and nothing but bad pirate accents were heard everywhere. Until the pirates came barreling through the door and attacked — all of the Grimes household in full costume, swords and pistols brandished, came in and headed for the bar, intent on plunder. Five of the waitstaff in very revealing mockeries of colonial period French infantry uniforms rose from behind the bar, with Sinfonia in officer's garb, and began firing muskets at the marauding brigands, flashes and cracks and smoke filling the air. The crew of the Free Booty retreated in good order, swearing vengeance and loudly proclaiming that come Friday night, they'd return and there'd be no mercy for the citizens and defenders of the town. People were reclaiming their cell-phones from the coat check and running outside to spread the word of the impending attack before the Free Booty had even made it out of the parking lot. ------- "Are you really sure you want to do this?" Andrea said as they sat in the hotel room Thursday evening. "I don't want to see you hurt anymore than you already are." There were times Galena wasn't sure which facet of her was going to present itself, the soft and vulnerable Galena or the hard and cold Mistress — it was the Mistress who answered the question. "I owe her this chance ... but it's all I owe her. After an explanation and my offer, she's either in or she's out. Childhood doesn't last forever and neither do its friendships. I'm not sure where my life is going, but I'm pretty goddamned sure that playground bullshit isn't part of it. I can understand her feeling betrayed and left behind, but I'm not going to give up what I've found to keep her happy. She can either come along or stay behind, her choice." "Mistress, you're not a very nice person sometimes." Galena's eyes pinned Andrea to the floor next to her chair. "No, I'm not. Nice is for people that don't threaten me and my House. I've lived my life cowering, Andie, I've lived my life accommodating everyone but myself. I've had enough of that to last me a fucking lifetime. I can play the role of a submissive for my House, and it's a lot of fun, but living it..." She looked at her friend. "But then again, I guess I don't have to tell you about that, huh?" Galena peeked out. "I can't lose this, Andie. I can't lose you and the House — and I can't lose my family either. I don't want to lose Reggie ... but at the end of the day, if I have to make a choice, I know which way I'll go." ------- "Boy, this hotel holds some memories," Carol said to Jackie, Lisa and Papa Stripper as they sat in the bar. "Let me tell you about the last time we were here..." ------- Regina Downing was scared. The new Galena had been a less frumpy version of the girl she'd grown up knowing, but the Galena she'd seen since she said those horrible things ... that Galena was someone she didn't recognize. She was cold and disdainful — although Regina didn't get the feeling it was because of her weight or anything physical — she bore Galena's disdain for what she had said, even though her apology had supposedly been accepted. She supposed that was fair ... she'd been vicious, she'd let her own hate and self-loathing vent on Galena, and in truth, all she really felt for Galena was envy ... and fear that her dearest friend was growing away from her. Whoever had said that high school was the best years of a person's life must have been one of the popular, pretty people. "You know I hate my contacts, don't you, Galena?" Andrea said as they nervously awaited Reggie's arrival. "I really prefer my glasses." "Yes dear, I know — but they won't fit over the mask, so you'd be blind if you weren't wearing them." "The things I do for you..." Galena reached down and stroked her friend's hair. "I know sweetheart, and I love you for it ... among other things." Everyone from House Chorale, except Galena, was going to wear full-face Papier-Mache masks that Jerome had painted for them. Even Galena was wearing a simple domino mask, in keeping with the theme. Andrea had requested her mask be fierce, so Jerome had painted a fierce Chinese demon on hers, in black and scarlet with accents that closely matched the color of her skin. The mask and her black loincloth were all she wore. Galena's domino was black, with black sequins around the edges, but was otherwise unadorned. She sat back in her chair wearing only a black cotton lounging robe, the belt very loosely tied. Andrea said, "About your earlier statement, not living as a victim, not having to tell me anything about that — you're right, I understand your point very well. For some reason though, 'submissive' and 'victim' don't share anything as far as I'm concerned. I know it was my choices that put me in relationship after relationship with men like Paul, and then put me in a marriage with that son-of-a-bitch. I know I had the choice to leave any and all of them at any time ... but the woman I was then, she really didn't recognize those options. She felt she didn't have any and because of that, she effectively didn't. People get judgmental all the time, wondering why people in abusive relationships don't just stand up for themselves, or why they just don't walk away ... if they were emotionally and mentally capable of doing that they wouldn't be in those abusive relationships in the first place. I had to learn I had options, I had to have them shown to me, I had to have Margo in my face telling me in no uncertain terms what my rescue would entail for me to understand, I had to have people standing beside me who were willing to be my crutch for however long I needed — not wanted — but needed one ... then I could work on stopping being a victim. I'm still not there yet, but I'm getting better every day. "Remember some of that when you're dealing with your friend — like you, like me, she's simply living in the headspace she's been told was her proper place all her life. She can intellectually know better, but that knowledge isn't real, because who she is and how she is are the only 'real' she's ever had. Any other headspace is purely theoretical to her — untested, untried and quite possibly untrue." Galena slid out of the chair and knelt before Andrea, her hands crossed on her lap, her head down. "Thank you, Mistress. I will take your wisdom to heart." Andrea leaned over and hugged her. "De nada, it's what friends are for." If it weren't for the air-conditioning of the hotel and a heavy dose of deodorant, Regina Downing's nervous sweat would have soaked through her blouse and left a streak halfway to her waist. She approached the door to 812 and paused, wondering if it was too late for her to just turn around, go to her car and drive away. Her hand reached out and knocked gently on the door, and she realized that it was far too late indeed. Andrea hopped up and answered the door, standing behind it as Regina timidly walked in, looking around. She closed it behind the girl and went back to Galena's side where she stood, looking at the floor. "Who the hell is she?" Regina asked, backing towards the door. "Her identity is none of your damn business, Reggie," Galena snapped. "I don't owe you answers; I'm giving them to you as a present. Don't make the mistake of acting like you deserve them. After what you said, after what you threatened, after how very badly you hurt me, every second of my patience and tolerance is a gift. Don't forget that." She motioned to a chair. "Sit, and tell her what you'd like to drink. Get comfortable, this is going to take awhile." ------- "And that, dear children, is the tale of our stay at the Omni, and why there's a different bar manager now," Carol finished. "From what I understand, the four spouses will be coming back here after the freak party for a week. I suspect it will be a lot calmer visit than our last." She motioned to their waitress. "Another round, please." ------- Regina Downing was a very intelligent girl, and if it wasn't for the evidence she'd seen, and was seeing, with her own eyes, she wouldn't have been able to believe the story Galena was telling her. But the evidence was there, and the effects of Galena's transformation were too widespread for it to be some kind of trick or hoax. She motioned to the nameless woman at Galena's side for another bourbon and coke, as the story continued. Galena had carefully thought out how she was going to tell the tale — no names, nothing that could lead Regina to the Household, no connections between her new roommates, or her new job, and her new lifestyle. In fact, she casually intimated that her roommates didn't approve, and that her employers found some of her new attitudes objectionable. Regina's phone rang and as she pulled it out of her pocket, Galena told her, "Turn it off, now." "But Gee, it's my mom!" Galena leaned over and snatched the phone out of her hand. She answered it. "Hey Mrs. Downing, it's Galena. Reggie's in the potty, I figured I'd better answer this. What's up?" "I just wanted to make sure she got there okay ... I hadn't heard from her." "Gosh, I'm so sorry, Mrs. Downing, she got here, we got to talking, threw "Legally Blonde" in the DVD player ... I'm really sorry; we just didn't think to have her call." "Well, it's okay, I know how girl gabfests can get ... tell her I called and I'll see her tomorrow night when I get home. You two don't stay up too late, tomorrow's a school day." "Yes ma'am, I'll tell her. You have a good night. Bye bye." Galena hung up the phone, turned it off and handed it to Andrea. "Go put this on the bar, and bring me another drink, please." Regina stared in disbelief at the stranger sitting across from her. Finally the story was finished and Galena just stopped talking. She sat and looked at Regina, calmly and coldly. The silence stretched out between them until Regina couldn't take it any longer. "So ... what now?" "That's up to you, isn't it?" Galena replied. "If you want, we can go back to being friends — I'll live my life and you'll live yours, but we don't talk about my life in anything but the vaguest general terms. Or you can decide that you want to tell what you know and lash out at me that way — that won't end well, trust me." "I thought you'd forgiven me for that!" "I have, but I haven't forgotten it. It's like Papa says, a scorpion stings you because it's his nature — you giving him a chance to sting is your stupidity. I've been stung badly and you need to understand that I'm not inclined to cut you any slack should you try to again. You'll have a wild story about me with no proof — I'll rat you out on so much stuff you've done, that I can get proof of, that no decent college will touch you with a twenty-foot pole. You'll be going to Temple Community College, getting an Associates in Business Admin, and working as a glorified secretary for the rest of your life. I'll embarrass you socially so badly that you'll consider suicide as a possible alternative to facing another day's ridicule at school, and even if you tried to reciprocate on that front ... well, perhaps you've noticed how little the opinions of my classmates mean to me now. I've found a life and I'm going to hold on to it with both hands and nobody ... not even my oldest and dearest friend ... is allowed to threaten it or the new people in my life." "Are there any other possibilities?" Regina asked through her falling tears. "Yes." Galena leaned forward. "Reggie, you've been there for me for eleven years — I don't know if I would've made it without you and Felicia and Oliver. I think I and my friends can help you, you don't have to be left behind. You can come into a new life of your own. But it means you're going to have to trust me, you're going to have to work really hard to leave the old you behind, you're going to have to trust my friends, and most importantly of all, you're going to have to believe that you can change, and that the life you've been leading isn't all you'll ever know. You've followed my lead for most of our lives, you just have to follow me again." "Gee, I don't want to be left behind," Regina sobbed. "That's what's hurt and scared me the most, the thought that you were leaving me behind." "Shh, shh ... I can understand that and I'm sorry ... I think you can understand how hard this would be to explain to anyone ... but I'm sorry I didn't make the attempt with you." "So ... so what do I do now?" Galena stood up and pulled Regina to her feet. "Now, you relax, go take a shower, better yet, take a bath, that's much more soothing. My girl will bring you another drink if you'd like one, although I'd recommend a glass of water myself. When you're through, wrap yourself up in one of this place's decadent towels, and we'll proceed from there." "O-okay." "Good, you run along and get that started." Regina had opted for the bath. As she soaked, she cried on and off, some of her tears brought on by feelings she couldn't identify, while others, like relief that Galena wasn't abandoning her, she knew all too well. She almost squawked when Galena came breezing into the bathroom with a small pipe in her hand. "What are you doing in here?" Galena smiled at her. "Relax ... trust me, remember? By the end of the night, I'm pretty sure you won't have any reason to be embarrassed in front of me ever again. Here, I know you've fired up with your brother on occasion, smoke this. You're going to want to release your inhibitions tonight and I've become a firm believer in pot's ability to help you do just that." By the time her bath was finished, she was much more mellow, and Galena and the 'nameless woman's repeated entries and exits of the bathroom no longer disturbed her significantly. As the water was draining and she was drying off, Galena and her girl came in. "Here Reggie," Galena said, holding out a fleece-lined leather blindfold, "put this on." "Gee, why are you-" "Reggie, are we going to have problems?" Galena snarled. "No ma'am ... it's just..." "Don't worry; it's to help you relax. There are going to be other people in the room, people besides the three of us. You need to forget they're there." "Other people..." "Reggie, put on the blindfold and trust me. That's all you need to do. Birth and rebirth begin in darkness, and what we're trying to do is bring you into a new and healthier mindset." "Please do as she tells you," Andrea said in a neutral, unemotional voice. "Don't make Mistress hurt you." "Hurt me?" Regina squeaked. Galena smiled at her coldly. "Birth and rebirth can also involve pain." Regina put on the blindfold. They led her to the bed and laid her down on her chest, her face at the edge of one side, untucking the towel from her front but leaving it covering her back. "Masks off," Galena said as she and Andrea removed theirs. Watching from the living area, Carol, Jackie, Lisa and Papa Stripper had yet to don theirs. Andrea crawled on to the bed with Reggie, pulled the towel down to her waist and poured the House's signature rose-scented oil onto her back before slowly beginning to massage it in. Galena sat on the floor by Reggie's head. "Reggie, what are you willing to do to leave your old life behind?" "I ... I don't know what you mean, Gee." "It's a simple question, Reggie. I had to leave the safety of anonymity behind; I had to admit to myself that I wanted men and women in my life, sexually. I had to put aside my shame about my body — which you have no more reason to feel than I do — and embrace my own beauty ... just like you need to. I had to tell someone what I wanted. Not hint at it, not wish and hope and pray that it just magically dropped out of the sky into my lap, I had to say the words, Reggie, I had to say the fucking words and ask for what I wanted. I had to admit my own weakness, my own desires, my own dreams and nightmares — and I had to take responsibility for what I wanted and continue to do so, even when I'm on my knees like the woman massaging you. Trust me, there's an element of freedom from responsibility in putting on a slave collar, Reggie, but first you have to own up to your personal responsibility before you can quote/unquote 'give it away'. Yeah, when you play on the bottom, you do whatever you're told and it's not your fault, you're just following orders, but at the end of the day, that's just a game you're playing with your Dominant. You have to own up to being the one that gave them control and kept giving it to them, act by act, minute by minute. At any time you could have used your safe word but you chose not to. That's your responsibility, and it doesn't ever go away. One of my friends, my House's head Dominant, loves to revel in the "it wasn't my fault, it wasn't my responsibility, I was only doing what I was told" headspace, and the whole damn time she knows it's a game and that she bears ultimate responsibility for herself and her actions." She leaned close to Reggie's ear and whispered, "So what are you willing to do? What aren't you willing to do?" "I ... I don't know." "Good answer ... honest answer. Let's explore the issue. Are you willing to kiss me?" "We've kissed..." "No, Reggie, I don't mean a peck on the cheek; I mean a kiss, a real kiss." "I g-guess..." "No, Reggie, no guessing, yes or no." "Yes." "Then ask me." "Gee, will you ... kiss me, really kiss me?" Galena leaned down and kissed her friend, tenderly at first but as Regina responded, the kiss became more intense. Soon Galena was fucking her friend's mouth with her tongue and Regina was eating it up. She was so preoccupied that she didn't even notice when Andrea took the towel off completely to work on massaging her lower back and bottom. When the kiss finally ended, it left both girls gasping for breath. As for the spectators, all three of the women waiting with Papa Stripper to play their parts in the evening's plan were considering hopping on his erection, which had made its appearance during the kiss as well. True to their instructions, however, they remained in their seats and hoped things sped up a bit. Galena opened her robe and moved her tit to Regina's mouth, gently brushing the girl's lips with the nipple. "Are you willing to suck my tits, Reggie?" she whispered. "Um hmm." "Then ask me." "Galena ... may I please suck your tits?" The big girl moaned and her lips spread open. Galena pushed her nipple into the waiting mouth and sighed. As Regina licked and sucked, Galena said, "You just keep being willing to do what I ask, and I guarantee you the world will look a whole lot different to you when we're through." "Mmm hmmm." Galena simply enjoyed herself for awhile before pulling her nipple away from Regina's mouth. The girl groaned in disappointment until Galena said, "Patience, Reggie, Mama Gee's just going to let you give my other tit equal time." True to her word, her other breast was at Regina's mouth in a few seconds, and was as lovingly kissed and sucked as the first. The spectators had dealt with their burgeoning oral fixations by grabbing the pipe. They loaded it and passed it back and forth; sending thick drifts of smoke throughout the room. When both breasts had received equal attention, Galena and Andrea rolled Regina onto her back, scooting her to the center of the bed. For her part, Regina had gone almost completely limp, putting her trust in her friend and allowing her to position Regina as she would. "Big one, Reggie," she said as she let her robe slide off her body. "Are you willing to lick my pussy? You want to suck on Mama Galena's cunt?" Regina grabbed for her as she nodded her head. "Then ask for what you want." "Can I please eat you? Can I please lick your pussy?" "Girl!" Galena said, motioning to Andrea. "Secure her." In no time at all, Andrea had Regina shackled, hands and feet, to the under the mattress restraints they'd put in place. "Now then, can't have you getting all grabby," Galena said, smiling at her friend. She swung her leg over Regina's head. "You're going to learn how to eat pussy from an expert, Reggie. You do exactly what that girl between your legs does to you, and you'll be making me scream in no time." "Thank you, Mistress," Andrea said, pleased and preening. "You're welcome," Galena replied. "You've earned that praise and much, much more." Galena lowered herself on to her friend's mouth and waited for the fun to begin — she didn't have to wait long. She didn't know which was kinkier, getting eaten by her best friend while her submissive taught the girl, or doing all of it in front of an audience. Galena was having trouble believing just how well the plan was working so far. She'd talked a lot of shit — it looked like she might have a chance of actually pulling some of it off. Watching Regina eat her, staring down at the leather blindfold, she couldn't hold back for long — a bit anti-climatic as she'd hoped the lesson would last longer, but as she shuddered through her orgasm she moaned "Not bad ... for a first lesson ... next time ... you'll do better." She slid off to one side and cleaned Regina's face with her tongue. As she did so she whispered, "Are you gonna lick Mama Gee's ass for her, little girl? You gonna tongue my ass?" "I'll do ... whatever ... you want me to do ... Mama Gee," Regina replied. It was only then that Galena realized her friend had had an orgasm of her own. "Did you come, Reggie?" she asked smugly. "L-like a freight train ... yeah." "Good girl. Now ask me. Ask me nicely to lick my ass." "Please, please Mama Gee, please let me kiss your ass." "All right, now just let me get turned around." While Galena sat on Regina's face facing the other direction, Andrea released the girl's legs and Galena hauled them up, holding on to her ankles to give Andrea better access to Regina's bottom. "Once again, you do just like this girl is doing to you and you'll learn everything you need to know... OH!" Without waiting for Andrea, Regina's saliva-coated tongue had gone straight for the goal, prodding its way through Galena's sphincter. Rather than discourage such initiative, Galena relaxed and let her in. While it shouldn't have surprised her after their kiss, Galena was happy to find that Regina had the proper tongue strength to give a good rim job. In her limited experience it had already become abundantly clear that just as with penises, size wasn't the primary qualification — Galena felt a hate shiver go through her as she imagined Gene Simmons of KISS tonguing her ass — and quite a different reaction thinking of his tongue elsewhere. What was important was knowing what to do with it and how to make the most of it, no matter what, and in that department, it appeared Regina was a quick and eager student. Slipping a hand down to gently tease her clitoris, Galena found herself orgasming again and worried that she was going to amputate Regina's tongue as her sphincter clamped down like a fist. "You are very ... very ... good, Reggie..." she panted. "I see you ... making a lot of people ... very happy." She reluctantly relaxed enough for Regina to recover her tongue and slid off her friend. "Girl, once you get your tongue out of her ass, go grab some towels and such for cleanup and freshen everyone's drinks." She slumped down on the bed and hugged her friend. "I'm going to take a breather before this girl wears me out." A short while later, clean-up tended to and drinks refreshed, Galena let off passing Regina her drink baby-bird style and said, "Masks on, everybody. It's time, sweetie." "Time for what?" Regina asked. "I was hoping to spend the rest of the night cuddling with you and your girl." "Don't forget our guests, honey," Galena replied. "One in particular I chose just for you." She motioned to Papa Stripper and pulled off Regina's blindfold. As she blinked at the light, he loomed up into her field of vision. As her vision cleared, Regina saw a large, well-built black man wearing a carnival mask painted to look like a kindly, smiling, glowing angel. Her eyes dropped lower and she gasped at the erect cock that bobbed at his waist. "Galena, I'm not ready-" "Yes sweetie, you are. I told you to trust me, you agreed to trust me." "But that boner ... that boner's not for me — it can't be." "Yes it can, sweetie. You two, come over here." Jackie in her mask painted to look like a rosy-cheeked grinning devil stood by the bed. Alongside her stood Lisa, her mask the face of a leering old man. Both of them were naked save for their masks. "Reggie, Devil Girl's carrying more weight than you, Dirty Old Man's carrying a touch less. Are they sexy? Are they desirable? Do you have any doubt that they get fucked regularly and well?" "But they're ... they're beautiful." "So are you," Jackie replied. "You just have to believe it. You've got no reason to be scared or to feel ugly, honey. Give me a couple of sessions working on your self-confidence and self-image, I'll turn you loose in a club and watch you bring a parade of men and women home." "Really," Lisa said, "remember darling, high school is just something you have to endure on your way to the real world. Now, that world is just as shitty as high school is in a lot of ways, but it's a whole lot larger. On the internet we could show you sites devoted to women bigger than all three of us put together and there are men who would fuck those women at the drop of a hat. We're all of us on the low-side of plus-size women. You get a little confidence, get fucked like an animal a couple of times by guys you'd have sworn wouldn't look at anything bigger than a size 4 — you'll believe us." "Both she and I were like you in high school," Jackie continued. "It wasn't until we got out in the real world and found out that it's big enough to have people interested in women our size that we started to get un-brainwashed. I promise you, you let us work with you, you believe in us and what we've experienced and done, let us guide you ... your days of feeling fat and ugly will be behind you and you'll have to beat men and women off of you with a stick." "Especially with that ass," Galena chimed in. "You've got one of the nicest butts I've seen — and you wouldn't believe how many I've seen. It easily makes the top five list for most devastating bottoms." "De final t'ing is dis," Papa Stripper said, finally breaking his silence. "You otter girls go to de bat'room, an' don' come out till I be tellin' you to or go to de bar or somet'ing. Dis girl will see dat dis hard-on is hers, not nobody else's." With that, the five women got dressed and headed for the bar, taking their masks with them. "On wit de blindfold, little girl," Papa Stripper said as he slipped it on her, "can't have you seein' who I be." "Why? Why are you taking off your mask?" He leaned down and kissed her softly. "Because you can make love widout de lights jus' fine, people been doin' it since de beginnin' of time," he replied, "but widout lips — dat's a hard cold t'ing, wit no love in it." ------- "I'm afraid I'm going to have to see the young lady's I.D.," their waitress said, looking at Galena. She whipped open her purse and handed it over, then watched as the waitress took it over to the bar for her and the bartender to examine in the light. "All this fuss for a little old rum and coke," Galena laughed. "So, how do you think it's going so far?" "If we can get through to her, if we can really crack her mindset — she'll be fine, at least from our side of things," Jackie said with Lisa nodding her agreement. "She feels good and tastes good," Andrea added. "Further deponent sayeth not — I'm way out of my depth here." "No you're not, you're just too chicken to voice an opinion," Galena laughed. "Guilty as charged," Andrea chuckled. Carol sat quietly, the look on her face somewhat sad. "Okay, that doesn't give me warm fuzzies, hoodoo woman," Galena said. "What's wrong?" "I'm going to want to talk with her again sometime in the next several days, but so far ... well, it's not bad, it's just not as hopeful as you might have liked. As of now, I can't give you the all-clear. She's very conflicted — about a lot of things, some of them will have to be dug out in therapy I imagine — and until some of that internal dissension is dealt with, I can't let the masks come off. In complete darkness, or with the blindfold on, yeah — otherwise, I can't agree to the family risking it." Carol stopped talking as the waitress came back with their drinks and Galena's I.D. After she left, Carol continued. "Now what I am going to do is recommend that she see Dr. Lowenstein, and that the family pick up the tab. You tell her you're paying for it, Galena. If she agrees to that, and can work with Susan, I think it would do her a world of good, and hasten the day we can come out from behind the masks. In the meantime, as long as our identities are kept secret, I'm happy for the family to keep helping the two of you. We'll need to find a better time for you to get together — perhaps Sunday afternoons — and we'll continue to pick up the hotel costs." "Thank you," Galena said, tears in her eyes. "I really appreciate everything you're doing." She paused and thought for a few moments while she sipped her drink. "I wonder if I'm not making a mistake." She smiled at the sounds of dismay from around the table. "Not in working with Reggie, but in not dealing with what are probably similar feeling in the other half of the Four Musketeers, Felicia and Oliver. I mean, we haven't been friends as long as Reggie and I, but they don't miss it by much ... we knew them and were getting close by fourth grade..." "You want to expand your operation?" Carol said, grimacing. "Damn Galena, are you friends with all the band geeks as well? The chess club? The D&D players?" "No Carol," Galena replied coldly. "We weren't cool enough for any of them. There are four of us, just four of us, and if Reggie is feeling left behind, then I can guarantee the other two are as well." She paused, visibly biting back things she wanted to say. "At some point you're going to find yourself under my boot heel, little sub. You need to hope I don't remember your recent disdainful statements at that time." Carol was on her knees by Galena's side in a flash, head bowed, arms crossed before her — to the consternation of some of the bar's other patrons. "Mistress, I have offended, I apologize and will be ready to receive whatever discipline you feel necessary when next I serve under you." "We'll deal with it then," Galena replied. "Now go sit down and finish your drink, you silly bitch." "Yes ma'am." As she did so, Galena continued. "I'm not saying I bring them in, but as close as the four of us are, they've already noticed something, and if we're successful to any degree with Reggie, it'll be even more obvious. That could create complications. I'd like to at least feel them out, see how much they've noticed, how much it bothers them, if indeed it does. I don't want to get blindsided again like I was by Reggie." "Fine, Galena, but go slow and careful, please? We've got too many irons in the fire as it is," Carol replied, shaking her head in resignation. ------- "Now, little girl, we do it again widout you bein' tied down," Papa Stripper said, unfastening her manacles. "Dis time, you roll on top, and we take it at de speed you want." "I'm too heavy for that," she said, tears building in her eyes. He grabbed her sides and rolled over on to his back, taking her along to end up on top of him. "Now den," he said as he effortlessly lifted her into the air with just his arms, "I and I don' want to hear no more talk o' you bein' too heavy." He lowered her onto his cock. "You have to learn to trust de people you love, little girl. Dey'll tell you what dey can and cannot do — your job is to be as honest wid dem." Amazed at the course her evening had taken, she began to move up and down on his cock. ------- "Damn, he's doing the girl right," Carol said, after finding out the time from their waitress. "Miss, is the kitchen still open?" "Yes ma'am, shall I bring you menus?" "Please, or we could just take our drinks to the restaurant." "That won't be necessary, ma'am, Mr. Saunders has instructed us to extend you every conceivable courtesy." "Nice to be remembered," Carol said, laughing. ------- "Now den, you lie back an' let me do some cleanin'," he said, rolling her body off on to the bed, Regina nearly insensate. "You all right, little girl?" "Grrthgk." Papa Stripper laughed as he repositioned himself with his head between her legs. "I hope dat means 'yes', little girl." "Ummgd." ------- "Dessert?" "Hell, might as well, rate things are going. How's your cheesecake?" "Very good, ma'am, especially with the brandy sauce." "Sound good to everybody?" Carol asked, receiving assent from around the table. "All right then, three slices of the cheesecake, five forks." ------- Finally she had had to push him away, she was unable to take any more and another touch of his lips or tongue anywhere near her cunt would've made her scream, and not in a good way. He crawled up beside her and pulled her close to him, pillowing her head on his arm. "Time to cuddle, little girl," he said. He stroked her face while he continued. "T'ank you." "Good God ... what for?" she said, still panting. "Not ofden am I an' I gifted wid a girl's virginity, an' more rare still, one who gives herself so completely to de experience. You are a sweet girl, an' if you listen to dese women, you'll be just fine." She snuggled up close to him and sighed. ------- "We need to get home, ladies," Carol said. "Galena, I'm sorry but-" Galena's cell phone rang. "Yes?" "It's done, de girl is sleepin'. You can come back now if you want." "Be there in a few minutes," she replied. She looked at her compatriots. "What I want to know is where can I sign up for a session like that with him?" While everyone made appreciative sounds of agreement, they headed for the elevators. "Good night ladies, gentleman," Galena said as they prepared to leave. "I should be home sometime early tomorrow afternoon. I figure we've got the room till then, may as well use it." Andrea hugged her goodbye and whispered in her ear, "Good night Mistress, sleep well — I'll be lonely without you." With a quick caress of her lover's body, Galena said, "I'll miss you too." Then to the rest of them, "Thank you again, so much, all of you." "No problem," Jackie replied. "This was the easy part. Our real work," she continued, gesturing to Lisa, "begins next time." Once they were gone, Galena got out of her clothes and crawled in bed with her oldest, dearest friend, and was asleep before her friends were out of the parking lot. ------- Chapter 56 Galena woke before Regina did. With all she had on her mind, she wasn't surprised, and after a moment's reflection, called room service and ordered coffee. Carol had reassured her often enough that the family wasn't going to begrudge her any expense, so long as she didn't go completely crazy but still, after years of living just above the poverty line, she had a tendency towards frugality. She didn't want them thinking she was taking advantage of them ... but Carol had reassured her on that account as well. She didn't know how she'd gotten so lucky, but she wasn't going to ask too many questions. While she waited by the door, listening for the approach of the bellboy, she looked at Regina softly snoring in the bed. The night before had gone well, and she was hopeful that things would continue to go well once Regina woke up. After her coffee had arrived, she got out her laptop and went online to contact Oliver and Felicia. "G-girl: Reggie and I won't be in today" "Olivier!: you finally admitted your homosexual yearnings and are spending the day in bed?" "G-girl: funny, coming from our resident gay" "Furiousfelicia: still — you didn't answer the question" "G-girl: something like that but not really" "Furiousfelicia: color me confused" "Olivier!: that's a shade of fuchsia" "Furiousfelicia: ew, hate fuchsia" "Olivier!: hate fuschia! fuchsia is the new black" "G-girl: black is the new black, fuchsia is the old atrocious" "Olivier!: philistines, I am associated with philistines" "Furiousfelicia: so what's up with you lately? And now with Reggie as well?" "G-girl: if you really wanna know, come join us for breakfast — Omni, room 812, asap" "Olivier!: sure, fuck Friday!" "Furiousfelicia: pick me up?" "Olivier!: sure, see you in fifteen" "G-girl: cool, I'll get Reggie out of bed" She shut her system down and went to the bed. "Reggie honey, time to get up. Oliver and Felicia will be on their way here in a few." Galena was concerned about how Reggie would feel 'the morning after', as it were, but was relieved when her friend smiled sleepily at her. "Guess I better get a shower then — I smell like I got fucked good last night." "Yes you do," Galena laughed, "and from what we gather, yes you were." "Yes I was," Reggie sighed, sliding out of bed and heading for the bathroom. ------- Margo had gone to work, as had Lisa and Jackie, leaving Camille, Carol, Kelly and Harry in bed asleep. Billy, Usagi, Dayna and Candy were sitting in the kitchen, taking the day off, as it was Friday and if Anna didn't have enough cleaning to do, she refused payment, something Harry had made plain shouldn't happen. They really had nothing to do till those still asleep woke up. "Spades?" Billy asked. "Sounds good," Candy replied. "I'll go get the cards," Usagi added. ------- "Madam, I need a favor. I'm going to need excused absences for the following students — me, Regina Downing, Felicia Farrell and Oliver Christopher. "Yes Madam, it's going very well so far..." ------- Harry smelled them - a rich, overly ripe odor of decay, sweet and rotten - before he saw them. He walked into the bedroom and they were tangled in chains suspended above the bed, the mattress stained and soggy from the blood and the fluids their decomposition was producing. Their eyes were bulging, tongues swollen in their mouths, hands frozen in their futile attempts to free themselves from the glistening strands that pierced their flesh, to loosen the metal links that crushed their throats, skin pale blue and white — the life strangled out of all of them by the monster he saw before him. She stood in the doorway to the bathroom, a thin, gauzy negligee only serving to draw attention to the tanned, lithe body beneath it, smooth and firm, always willing for just about anybody at all. Her blue eyes twinkled beneath her curly blonde hair, cut short to hang about her head like a glowing aura. He didn't have to see the blood-soaked chains at her feet — he knew it had been her before he was even aware of it. Angie would have been more vicious, more personal about things, and there was only one woman he could conceive of that would do such a thing simply because it would clear the way for her to get what she wanted. "So," she said, her voice soft and sultry, "it took you long enough ... so long ... too long. Didn't I leave you a clear enough trail, lover?" He looked away from her, his eyes drawn to his spouses and the Household's submissives — silent and rotting above the bed they'd once shared. He wanted to kill her. He wanted to blow her brains out of her head so they'd settle over the pristine bathroom like a crimson rain, then bend her cooling corpse over the edge of the tub and fuck her — one last act of desecration as her soul went to hell. He wanted to take her dead body out into the back yard and burn it, turn the grill into a crematorium and let her ashes float away on the breeze. Afterwards, while the flames were still hot, a final smoke, a final drink ... and douse himself with gasoline before leaping onto the grill and going off to join all his loved ones that she'd taken from him so cruelly. But he didn't have a gun, and he knew better than to get close to her. She'd always had an effect on him that it had taken more willpower than he could summon in that moment of shock and horror to counteract. If he got close to her he'd have to taste her lips, feel her arms around him again, feel her beneath him, clawing and yowling as he plunged his cock into her. So he stood, frozen between the corpses of everyone he'd loved and her. "So, Nancy — what have you been up to?" he asked, his voice surprisingly calm given the scene. She sauntered across the floor, her feet leaving tracks in the blood. "Just getting rid of the competition," she replied. "Harry? Harry are you all right? Harry, wake up honey!" She was close enough and amazingly, he found himself able to act. He reached out with his hands, determined to snuff the life from her, to choke her till there was nothing left inside her to produce evil like he saw in the room before him — he would end her before she could ensnare him again. A sudden blinding pain in his testicles loosened his grip on her throat and she backpedaled away from him ... he blinked, and then blinked again as the world he saw had no relation to the one he'd been living in. He was curled up on their bed, one leg up, the leg with the brace on it still straight out before him, nuts in agony, Kelly was at the end of the bed holding her neck as Carol and Camille came awake on his left side towards the center of the bed. "Kelly, are you all right?" Carol asked. Kelly rubbed her throat and nodded. "Sir, please, don't blame yourself," Carol continued. "Kelly, I should have warned you — I should have warned the whole household — Harry can be violent when he's having a nightmare, and it's best to wake him very carefully." "Sweetheart," Harry rasped, "did I hurt you?" "Not nearly as bad as I think I hurt you, Harry," Kelly replied. "You didn't really have time to tighten down too hard before I freaked and kneed you in the nuts. You were whimpering in your sleep, and I couldn't seem to wake you up by talking to you — I didn't yell because I thought I'd wake up Carol and Camille — so I got on top of you to shake you awake. Then your hands shot out and grabbed my throat, I freaked and slammed your ballsack with my knee, you let go and I scooted back away from you." "Well thank God I didn't hurt you any worse than that," Harry groaned. "I don't ordinarily find myself thankful for getting a nutshot, but in this case I'll make an exception." "Well, now that we're all awake, I'm going to go get your breakfast started," Carol said. "The two of you lay here and recover — Camille, well, you just stay there." Kelly snuggled up close to her husband's side and they lay there in silence for awhile. "Do I want to know what you were dreaming?" she asked, finally breaking the silence as he stroked her shoulder. In that way dreams do, the details had already faded away. "I don't remember, sweetheart, but I am so sorry I tried to strangle you." "Harry, quit worrying about it ... I'm much more concerned with whatever got you that riled up in your sleep." "Probably just another dream about you-know-who," he replied, the agony in his testicles finally easing to the point where he could breathe without pain. "Remind me to ask Eddie if he's gotten a line on her whereabouts yet." ------- An hour or so later, when Galena had finally finished telling her tale, she looked at Felicia and Oliver expectantly. "Reggie, you're sure she's not just yanking our chains or suffering from a drug-induced delusion?" Oliver said. "Not unless her delusion fucked me so well I'm still tender this morning." "Well, thanks for finally filling me in on what was going on," Oliver said, "but for anything more than juicy gossip, you can count me out. Nine more months of hell and I'll be out of high school. Very shortly after graduation I and my Fundie-fascist family part ways forever." "Oliver, you know you could have done that earlier ... hell, you could still do it now. You're seventeen, there's nothing holding you there," Reggie replied. "No, you're forgetting my father's incentive program," Oliver answered. "Five thousand dollars for every year I stay in the upper ten percent of the class, ten thousand for every year I was in the upper five percent. Things go as I plan, that sanctimonious fuck is going to hand me a check for ninety thousand dollars the day I graduate. As soon as that money's in my account, I tell them I'm gay while I'm on my way out the door and they can all go to hell. Now, after that ... well, we'll see where I land. I've considered moving to the coast, but that's so cliché. I may well stay here in the area, just so I can embarrass my family in person. "You say there's no problem with homosexuals in this group of yours?" "Not that I can see. Two of the movers and shakers are lesbians, most of the women and several of the men are bi, there's a gay House for Christ's sake!" Galena said. "Plus there's my brother Eric and his lover," Reggie added. "He's how I found out about Gee's involvement in the first place." "Yeah, and my people are curious about that..." Galena said. "How likely is he to open his mouth again — perhaps somewhere he really shouldn't?" "Don't worry about that ... before he told me, he swore me to secrecy that I'd only talk to you about it," Reggie replied. "Trust me; he doesn't want anyone to know about his involvement in this scene anymore than your friends. That he's gay is an open secret, but this kind of thing ... well — there are still some closets he's very comfortable being in." "All right..." Galena said, her mind eased somewhat. "Well," Oliver said, having a much better read on the situation than Galena or Reggie, "I think I'm actually going to go enjoy a day of freedom. I assume you'll give Felicia a ride home, Reggie?" "Uh, yeah, sure..." He made the rounds, hugging each of them and was gone. "Damn, he sure left in a hurry," Galena said. "Well Felicia, what about you?" In a flash the thin girl was on her knees in front of Galena. "M-m-may I p-p-p-puh-puh-please-" Felicia said in her ever-present stammer. "Sweetie, use sign language, it's all right," Galena said kindly. "May I please lick your pussy?" she signed. Galena spread her legs and Felicia began to kiss her way up her thigh. "Not at all unexpected," Reggie said. "Ummm, what do you mean?" Galena sighed. "Wow, you really are that oblivious," Reggie said, sliding out of her chair and starting to undress Felicia. ------- Danny de Vere was impressed. He'd known he would make the deadline — he'd brought in enough help to make it a certainty — but he hadn't imagined that all the rings would come out so well. He had finished giving the last one a final once-over less than two hours before and they were all as flawless as if he'd made all of them himself. The Dominants' rings were silver bands with a gold chain design across the upper quarter, with a large faceted ruby inset in the center, flanked by large inset pieces of black onyxes. The submissives' rings were silver bands with an o-ring, in gold, flanked by two ruby chips and those flanked by black onyx chips. Danny found the symbolism, those who wear the collar and those who hold the chain, quite fitting. When Carol and the rest of her household came by to pick them up he was more than pleased by their reactions ... and with the bonus that was paid for his and his co-workers' hard work on such a short schedule. ------- "Geez Carol, don't you think three hours is a little much prep time?" Harry said as the family ate at the Bangkok Inn. "Beloved husband, not when an hour of it's getting everybody in limos and travel time to the club - we're coordinating with several other Households, and all of us are supposed to arrive on target at the same time," she replied, taking a break from scarfing down her peanut chicken. "I figure this way we all get food, we all get dressed, we have plenty of time to run back for anything anyone might've forgotten. I mean, c'mon Harry, getting this many people all moving in the same direction at the same time is like herding cats." Harry looked around him. Everyone had come to the restaurant by taxi. They'd ended up occupying all three private rooms at the restaurant, the members of his House and their allies packing them to the gills in preparation for their pirate raid on Port Dominique. Bags with costumes and props were everywhere, people were laughing and talking, the food was hot and plentiful and at 8 PM the limos were going to arrive and the loading would begin. Chatsirree had already had to ferry David Wilcox and Mistress Claudette back to their homes for forgotten props and costume pieces — it looked like they'd been lucky and that was all the last minute running back and forth that would be required. "Sweetie ... just ignore me when it comes to things like this," Harry said, sighing. "You're much better at this kind of logistics than I am." "Don't worry, sir, I do," she replied, grinning at him. "This is one of my specialties, and I won't let you talk me into letting us look bad." "So everything went well?" Margo asked Galena as they ate. "Yes Madam — of course Carol will still have to talk with the two of them, and they'll both need Lisa and Jackie's help, for different reasons — and Felicia may need Tamara's aid as well — but I'm confident I'll be leading them both on leashes for Samhain. Reggie agreed to see Dr. Lowenstein, and I'm assuming that if Carol feels Felicia needs to as well, that'll be okay?" "Of course," Margo replied. "I know better than to second-guess our hoodoo woman." Galena sipped her wine, careful not to overindulge. "Oliver — well, Oliver was going to be an odd man out anyway. We may see him after graduation in May, but where he would fit in and in what role ... that's a set of very good questions." She paused. "What really surprised me was Felicia's reaction. I never even dreamed she'd had a crush on me for years. Girl's talented ... she may not be able to speak without stuttering but there's nothing wrong with her tongue otherwise. I thought she was going to leave me a shuddering mass of protoplasm on the floor — and I would've been happy to let her, if we hadn't had to get out of there by extended check-out time." "Next time, don't worry about it. Keep the room for another night." "Madam!" "Really Galena, you're part of the family — start thinking like it. You're not a guest, you're not here on sufferance or as a favor to anyone. You're here because we love you, you're one of us, and we want you to be happy." Galena hugged Margo. "Thank you, Madam," she whispered into Margo's ear. "Might I request the privilege of some time with the four of you some evening soon?" "Certainly," Margo replied. "Andrea too?" "Only if I don't want to be strangled in my sleep," Galena answered. "She still has her sights set on Harry, and my life wouldn't be worth a penny if I got between her and him." "Damn Greg, when we allied with House O'Shaunnesy, I had no idea there were so many of you!" Harry said, visiting them in the restaurant. "Five families under one House," Greg replied. "I sometimes wonder how we keep it all together." "Benign disregard for your more anal-retentive tendencies goes a long way towards explaining it," Mistress Evangeline O'Shaunnessy replied. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Master Grimes." "The pleasure is all mine, Mistress O'Shaunnessy," Harry said. "Please, call me Evangeline." "Then I'm Harry," he replied. He looked at the seven Dominants and sixteen submissives. "I'm curious — how did your House come together?" "I'll take this one, Greg," Evangeline said, cutting her husband off with a smile. "The Dominants of our House all used to at least be acquainted with each other in college — hell, Dorothy, Eva, Cleo, Emily and I were sorority sisters. We all went our separate ways after graduation, Greg and I got married and started playing around in the scene, ran into Emily and her crew at a party. It turned into old home week and she told of running into Vaughn and Eva at a club in Dallas when she was visiting some friends there, then they moved back here for Vaughn's job. Turned out Cleo had played with them as far back as our college days and had heard Dorothy was in the scene as well. It was so damn strange realizing that all of us had, in one way or another, ended up in the same part of Society without knowing about many of the others ... sort of like 'Six Degrees of B&D'. "It quickly became apparent to Greg, whom you may have noticed has a thing about organization and order that we were never going to be invited to any of the reindeer games, so to speak, as little separate households, so we got together one night and decided to form a House. Silly us, we put Mr. Prim and Proper there," she continued, sticking her tongue out at her husband, "nominally in charge and have been playing together ever since." "Sounds vaguely similar to the way our House formed," Harry replied. "I asked because I've talked with Carol a lot about the ways groups come together in this lifestyle, and it's left me curious. "Well," Dorothy Mallon said, "asking about a House's history is one question almost no one will ever take offense over. People being people, they like to talk about themselves." Finally all was said and done, costumes donned and props distributed, plans finalized and phone calls made to insure everything at the other end was ready. The limos began to arrive and the swarthy band of cutthroats got on board to head for the club. ------- The performances on stage were so loud and entertaining that no one observed the bloodthirsty brigands make their way from the service entrance and up the stairs to the Governor's quarters. No one saw more of them creep up and overcome the staff at the bar, changing clothes with them and then tying them up. No one was paying attention as a small band of heavily armed pirates took the front doors and the staff that guarded them. The first any of the patrons of Port Dominique knew of the conquest was when the music stopped and Margo's voice came over the speakers. "This be Cap'n Margo of the good ship 'Chorale' — the port be ours, me hearties!" Then the attendees' evening was disturbed by raucous celebration as the groups at the door and bar revealed themselves as the scurvy scalawags they were, and Governor Duvalier was brought down from her quarters in chains. There was a brief attempt to take the Port back as members of the staff mounted an assault from their sleeping chambers, but the sight of the Governor sitting naked atop a large barrel marked 'Gunpowder', a rather realistic looking cannon pointed straight at her, brought their insurrection to a halt and they were taken prisoner as well. A big show was made of all the staff agreeing to turn pirate, changing their vaguely French military costumes for swashbuckler outfits, and then the music was back on, the acts continued, and Port Dominique became Port Chorale for the evening. As the last act that had been interrupted finally finished, no others having started, Margo declared a round on the house, to much cheering. Then the next piratical-themed acts began and the club returned more or less to normal. "Now then, have you been a good Piglet this week?" Harry asked. "Yes Master ... this slave has not climaxed, no matter how great the temptation. To be extra-safe she has not even touched herself in a sexual manner, for fear she would yield to the urge and disobey you," Gloria answered as she knelt on the floor of the club before him. "Good little Piglet," he said, looking down at her. He really wouldn't have minded fucking her at all, and was in fact looking forward to doing so repeatedly at some point in the future, but he was surrounded by lovely women that hadn't stolen over twenty-thousand dollars from the House. "You may bring yourself to an orgasm ... one orgasm," he said. She looked up at him, the surprise plain in her face. "This slave is to receive no ... help ... to do so?" "No Piglet, my House doesn't fuck filthy little animals like you. When you work your way up from subhuman cumslut, we'll gladly take your body and use it for our pleasure. The most help you'll receive from any of us now, however, is allowing you the privilege of satisfying us with your mouth while you get yourself off. Would you like that, or do you prefer to go it alone?" He grinned evilly. "Or perhaps you'd like to complain again and go another week without any satisfaction?" Tears rolled down her cheeks as she asked, "May this slave pleasure you while she fingers herself?" "Certainly," Harry replied magnanimously. Tattie had gone to Dominique's with some of her new friends that evening, and walked over to the Chorale table, amazed at the lengths her adopted family would go to, just for the fun of it. She found Margo with Dominique's face in her cunt, head thrown back in ecstasy. Harry had Piglet sucking his dick, Kelly was locked in a torrid 'sixty-nine' with Candy and most of the rest of the family were similarly engaged. Carol however was being Margo and was doing her best to regally survey the sexual chaos that surrounded her. "Hey Tattie, here with some of your new friends I see," Carol said as she approached. "Have I told you lately how happy I am to see you out and about?" "You and me both, kiddo," Tattie answered, sitting down beside her. "So tonight you're the head bitch in charge?" "Pretending to be, yeah ... not that hard really, I have such good role models in Margo and Kelly." "I wanted to discuss something with y'all — when everyone is a little more sober and clear-headed. How about a late Sunday brunch somewhere nice, my treat?" Carol smiled at her, reached into their bag and found the notebook that was never far from Margo. "Looks fine, we have nothing else planned other than recovering from what should be a relatively low-key party — just the G & P folks and the Pessino family." "Good, let's say noon, at the Hotel Grand." "Writing it down in ink," Carol said, as she did so. "So how are the kids, how's Julie?" "The kids are amazing ... Vashti shows a gift for design, Svetlana for the actual nuts and bolts of making a piece. They're both pretty good at both, but I'm just ecstatic about the progress they're making. In other areas ... well, Julie's working hard with them, but there's so much they don't know, as far as reading and writing ... much less arithmetic, Lord, she has her work cut out for her. I've already given her one raise, and with the hours she's putting in, I'm strongly considering another. She seems tireless when she's working with them, but then at night, after they're in bed? God, the poor woman is exhausted. Perhaps I should hire some help for her-" Tattie was cut short as a long line of people, manacled together at the ankles, came marching in the front door. The clanking of the chains could be heard everywhere as the line just kept coming, finally ending with two pirates, their House Fruehauf brands visible, prodding the prisoners along. The people in the line ranged in age from some that looked like jailbait to some in their late forties and early fifties, by all appearances, with the majority seeming to be in their thirties. All of them were wearing nothing but loincloths, and pouches on cords around their necks containing their papers. As the two submissives of House Fruehauf came up to the table, one of them, a skinny, cruel-looking woman said, "Which one of you is in charge?" "I am," Margo answered, pushing Dominique away from her lap. She turned and smiled at Carol. "Sorry, I'm getting a nasty feeling this is not something we need to be playing role reversal on." "Completely understandable Madam," Carol replied. "You say you are a House that accepts refugees," the Fruehauf sub said. "We bring you some, with Mistress Wilma's compliments. Do with them what you will." "How many?" Margo replied, her mind racing furiously. If she refused them, Chorale lost face ... but where would they find enough room for them all? "Fifty-three ... and please don't feel you have to take them," the woman continued. "Feel free to turn them out on the streets. All I have been ordered to tell you is that the Houses they formerly belonged to no longer require their services. Good night, enjoy your little pirate games." With that the woman tossed a key down on the floor, and she and her male companion turned and walked away. Margo sat and looked at the crowd of submissives, all of them staring at their feet, and she wondered what in the world was she supposed to do. The number of submissives under her own roof, already to grow by one that night, the lack of space in general, December still over two months away — no room, no time, no way around it that she could see ... it all overloaded her and she found herself seriously considering walking away from the whole situation. ------- Sheila had volunteered to either be on call or to sit with Jason Friday evening, whichever he preferred. Jason was no fool; he remembered her well from the party and wouldn't have traded the chance to spend some time in her company for all the porn on the internet. After comparing their tastes in films, he'd been happy to discover that she enjoyed horror movies and that they both had a love for the modern classics, so they'd settled down on the couch with John Carpenter's "Halloween" and "Halloween II", a big bowl of popcorn and their sodas. Sitting side by side with Sheila for the roughly three hours it took to watch both films was the longest he'd ever touched a girl — even if it was just their arms and legs ... and to be more accurate, frequently just their elbows and knees. Jason found himself quite happy with his mother's new state of affairs ... not only was she acting more like a regular mom, but there were definitely benefits for him as well. ------- "Madam, if I might?" Carol asked. Margo just nodded dumbly. "There's an immediate meeting of our House and its allies Dominants in Dommi's office — sorry Harry, have Camille help you with the stairs. Candy, you and I are going to take these people and start interviewing them — try to figure out what we just had land in our laps." She turned back to Margo. "Madam, I'll be taking the day planner, making notes on everyone, Candy will add in her insights as well. This is going to be okay — you and the others go talk now." She walked over and picked up the key. "Angela, find us a place, hell, make us a place to talk with these folks — Candy, go help her. I'll get them unshackled." She looked back at Margo, who had yet to move, although all the other Dominants were standing and waiting for her. "Madam, move it!" Margo got up and headed for the stairs. ------- Marcus Hurley's hands were flying as Laurie translated. "All right, it's obvious they're trying to swamp us, make us look bad in public, eat away at our support. They've thrown us their refuse, probably a few embedded spies as well, hoping that either way we handle it they gain an advantage. If we turn these subs aside, we look like serious hypocrites and the lie is given to our stated policies. If we take them in, maybe the elder Houses will learn something." As he wound down, Thad Newton came out of a hurried conference with his wife. "If there was some way we could know who among that crowd were really just fed up with life under the elder Houses and which ones were moles ... well, in reality, the disaffected won't be a problem, provided we can find room for them. They'll work because it's all they've ever known. Even a submissive who balks too much at instructions from their House can be thrown out to fend for themselves, so tradition is on our side should any of them take that course. Plus I have to believe we'll be treating them better than they were treated at their previous homes. The spies, on the other hand ... Vida and I have a ranch out near Talmidge. We could ship them out there and put them to work — any work — and they'd never learn a thing except how hard being a ranch hand is — and again, if they refused fair labor, we'd suffer no public relations hit for cutting them loose." "Yeah, that'd be a plan," Veronika said, "because we already know one thing for sure. None of these people are going to have much in the way of job skills. They've been raised since they were young as house slaves and such. They've rarely, if ever, had to live in the real world. Sure, I imagine they're all quite trainable, goes with the territory, but probably the best thing that can be done is adding them to the house staff." Margo raised her head. "I don't have room on my house staff for more than a couple of them, and I don't know where I'd bed them down..." Russell said, "Madam Grimes — we all know how packed your house is ... if I'm reading the mood right, you don't have to take any of them. We'll spread them out among the rest of our Houses." As everyone else added their agreement, for the first time Margo began to have hope that the camel's back still had some strength in it. ------- Carol and Candy had already worked out a system of signals before the first interview began, as the staff cleared them an area to work in. Candy would tap once on Carol's leg for 'I know them and don't trust them", twice for "I know them and I trust them" and three times for "I don't know them". As the interviews progressed, Carol's grudging admiration for Wilma Fruehauf grew. She had allowed for House Thacker's ill-timed gift of Candy, and had chosen submissives she'd had little or no contact with, having reached out through her network of friends and allies, going as far a field as Dallas, Houston, Fort Worth and San Antonio to find them. Because she had so little time with them, Carol had to trust her instincts as never before, although she bought herself some wiggle-room by creating a third category: 'not sure'. As soon as Carol had a strong feeling, one way or the other, the interview would end, with only those in the 'not sure' category stretching to around fifteen minutes. Past that — she found she simply didn't have the time to talk with them further that evening. She'd already done the mental math and realized that if she took fifteen minutes, or longer, with each of them, she'd still be at it over twelve hours later, so she worked fast. Still, she could tell her evening was already spoken for, and she'd be tired and cranky by the time the process was finished. ------- Harry had picked up on Margo's mood, took over for her and did his best to think like Carol. "All right, nothing hard and fast, but how many dependents does each House and household think they can take in?" Every House and household wrote their name and the number they could take in on pieces of paper and handed them to Kelly. She handled the count and at the end of the procedure said, "We've already found space for forty-eight ... we're only short five beds." "I know all of you gave us your best and most optimistic numbers, but can any of you find room for another one in your homes?" Harry asked. Thad said, "I can up ours to an even ten, that'll lower the number we need beds for to three." David Wilcox said, "We'll find another bed ... down to two." Russell Sterling of House Ra spoke up. "We'll find room for one more, down to one." "We shall put another one in with Ophelia," Madame Cornelius said, looking somehow regal in her pirate attire. "There, all accounted for, Madame Grimes." She walked over and pulled Margo to her feet, giving her a hug. "You are doing just fine," Minerva whispered in her ear, "take heart. Everything will work out." "Thank you, Minerva," Margo replied, just as quietly. "I'm running a little ragged right now." "I can tell," Minerva responded, "believe me, I have been there myself. We will make it through this, and I shall be contacting some non-political friends first thing in the morning to see if they can take some of the load off our allies." "All right," Margo said to her allies and friends, "you have my eternal gratitude. If you ever think that whatever we achieve could've been done without you and your generosity, you're crazy. With everything that has happened, and that has yet to happen, I was at my wits end when this got dumped on us. Your kindness has kept me sane." She laughed, "Or at least as sane as I was going in." ------- "Look, now that everybody's back from upstairs, you can damn well spare a few minutes to be there when we do it," Kelly said. "She's for all of us and you belong there with us." "But..." Carol protested. "Mistress," Candy said, "you go on, adopt the cute little blonde girl. I'll keep an eye on things here for awhile." "All right," Carol replied, "but just for a bit." Kelly pulled Angela into her lap. "Take a load off, Miss Tasty," she said, kissing her. "Guess what Wednesday is?" "Uh, I don't know," Angela replied, snuggling up to Kelly. "International Play With The Grimes Day?" "Close, sweetheart, close. Wednesday is my birthday." "Well, Mistress, are you going to invite me over to pop out of a cake?" "No honey," Kelly said, reaching for a box in the bag beside her. She pulled it out and handed it to Angela. "It's my birthday but your gift ... open it, Angela." Angela was frightened, not of what was in the box, but that it might be anything else other than a collar. As her shaking hands fumbled the lid off, inside was what she had wanted from the family for so long. Silver, with a large gold o-ring in front, her name engraved on one side, 'House Chorale' on the other. "If you want it, it's yours," Kelly said. "Oh yes, Mistress." "Then let me put it on you ... now, living conditions are gonna be cramped for a couple of months, but with us taking on Candy, and buying Usagi ... we couldn't leave you hanging any longer," Kelly said. "We want you with us, you belong with us and we're all going to be happy to have you with us." Angela looked around at the smiling, welcoming faces of Kelly, Carol, Margo and Harry. It was the best night of her life and she wanted to remember it forever. ------- "Is there anything I can do to help, my love?" Margo asked as she hugged Carol. "No Madam ... not really. You're certainly welcome to come sit in on the process, but that won't make it go any faster, and would probably slow things down somewhat, no offense." "None taken, sweetheart. Have I told you lately that I love you very much?" "Every day in more ways than you can imagine," Carol replied, kissing Margo before heading off to continue the interviews. Even Billy's talented mouth on her pussy couldn't distract Margo from her thoughts. Jackie and Lisa had to dodge bodies on the floor of their bedroom to get ready for work every morning in a bedroom that was a bit snug for two, much less four. On nights when Helen stayed over, becoming more frequent than not, the downstairs bedroom was equally overloaded with four bodies. Once someone on either side moved out, the situation could be alleviated by moving the office to the new space, freeing up another bedroom and bringing the load to manageable levels. But that could happen in the next two weeks or late November or even into December; there was no predicting at that point. The only part of the house with excess space was the living room — but moving people into that area would either mean a very temporary, transitory living space that had to be able to be turned back into living room for parties and such, or there would have to be a moratorium on such affairs until the accommodations situation resolved itself otherwise. She was also very unhappy with multiple submissives having to share their 'alone time' with the family. Camille she understood — Kelly had to punish her, and courtesy of Stan Carter Harry could certainly use the physical help. She understood Helen sharing the bed on Billy's nights. Otherwise, it just wasn't fair. The only solution she could see was one where not everyone got a night every week, but where the schedule expanded into multiple weeks. Margo resolved to discuss both problems with the household the next morning. ------- Harry, his ever-present shadow Camille, Dommi and Piglet wandered over to where Carol and Candy were interviewing the refugees. They stood to one side watching as Carol finished with one and moved on to another. Her first move was to ask for their pouch of papers, which joggled something in Harry's memory. He'd never looked at Candy's papers in the intervening week. "Camille, unhook yourself and go get me Candy's papers, they should be in our "Dominique's bag"." The lovely Cuban returned quickly and handed them over before reattaching her chain to Harry's belt. He rifled through them — birth certificate, driver's license, social security card ... and a permit to carry a concealed firearm. He caught Candy's eye and motioned her over. "You've got a concealed carry permit?" he asked. "Obviously sir, you're holding it in your hand," she replied. "As you might remember, I'm pretty good at taking care of myself ... one of the elder Houses I served put me through some professional firearms training, as well as the required course for the permit. The application they made in my name was approved and I functioned as a bodyguard for members of the House." "How did you feel about that?" Harry asked, watching her reaction carefully. "It's not my preferred way to calm a situation, defend my owner or kill someone, sir. Guns tend to get you noticed - and permit or not, someone pulling a firearm tends to escalate stressful situations. I much prefer knives, saps, brass knuckles ... but I can see where it would be nice to have a gun as a fallback weapon. Is there anything else sir, I'd like to get back to Carol ... she's really very stressed and can use the support." Harry nodded and sent her on her way. "What kind of idiots would keep passing that girl from House to House?" he mused aloud. "The kind that can't tolerate having truth spoken to them," Dommi replied. "The girl apparently has a reputation of not suffering fools gladly, no matter whether they're Dominants, submissives or your average joe on the street." "Yeah, okay ... I can see where that might upset some folks," Harry replied. "For our House, it'll just be another voice in the "Don't Be An Idiot" chorus." ------- Harry and his entourage had returned to their table while Dommi had gone off to attend to her club. Eddie sat down next to him. "Eddie," Harry said, "I can tell by that "I'm so constipated" look on your face that you want to talk to me about something serious. So talk." "Fuck you," Eddie replied grinning. "I look a lot different when I'm constipated. Yeah, yeah I do ... could we talk in private?" he finished, looking at Camille and Piglet. "If you like ... Camille, take Piglet and find her a dick to suck ... perhaps one of our refugees." Gloria started to say something and then thought better of the idea. "Yes Master," Camille said, unhooking her chain from Harry's belt. She picked up a leash from one of the duffle bags, snapped it onto Piglet's collar and led her away. "So what's up, old friend?" Harry asked. Eddie looked at him strangely. "I can't understand how you can treat them that way. It's like they ain't even 'people' to you anymore." "I know where you're coming from," Harry replied. "I hear some of the shit that comes out of my mouth and I want to hit me. It's taken Carol, and to a lesser degree Kelly and Margo, a lot of time to get me where I understand a bit of the how and why of what's going on. Right, wrong or indifferent, this is what they want, this is what they need. I can't get all judgmental about it; I have some seriously twisted desires and needs of my own. So if your average person looks at it from the outside, they're not going to understand ... you're not exactly on the outside, but I get the feeling you're fighting hard to avoid being on the inside as well." "Yeah ... yeah, you're right about that," Eddie said. "That's part of what I wanted to talk to you about anyway. Tammy's pushin' real hard for me to ... well, come out and play, I guess you could say. And she's got this crazy ... well, it's not really crazy at all but I sure wish it was ... idea about Rachel comin' to live with us permanent. Thing is, we'd need nursing help, full time, twenty-four-seven, and she thinks we should kill two birds with one stone. She wants us to get Dommi to find us two qualified nurses who're submissives, and bring 'em into the house. Harry, I don't understand it — how she can want me fuckin' somebody else. And it ain't so she can fool around, although God knows she sure as shit wouldn't mind gettin' intimate with pretty much anybody in the family. So, what words o' wisdom you got on tap tonight?" "First off," Harry replied, "let me ask her a question real quickly." He leaned over the table and half-shouted, so he could be heard, to Tamara. "Tamara!" "Yes sir," she replied. "If Eddie went out and fucked some stranger tonight and came home with her smell all over him, would you be upset?" "On one level — no sir ... he's free to do what he wants with whom he wants. On another level ... not so much upset as hurt, sir. Why did he feel he had to do it behind my back, as it were, since I'm assuming from the way you phrased the question that he didn't tell me before or after the fact. On yet another level, confused — with all the beautiful women in this family, why would anyone want to go elsewhere? Here, there's love and friendship and trust and kindness ... I doubt he could find any finer women anywhere on the planet ... thence my confusion." "If he came home tonight and told you he'd made love with any of the women in the family, how would you feel?" "Happy." "Thank you, sweetie, that's all." He sat back and looked at Eddie. "She wants you to be happy, and it's axiomatic in her mind that happiness equates with the ability to love whom you wish. She trusts and loves the women in our group and sees no reason in the world why you shouldn't be free to be with them when the mood strikes. In her mind, every relationship has Dominant and submissive characteristics - the only differences are to what degree and in what areas. She more aware of the dynamics of that type of relationship than I think either of us will ever be and it doesn't threaten her. Jealousy and possessiveness are born of insecurity and fear — she's possibly the most secure and unafraid person I've ever met. She's too busy living and being happy to worry about little shit like you leaving her. She knows it will never happen. "But Eddie, you know all of this. I don't doubt you're having a hard time wrapping your head around it — Karen's going through the same thing ... hell, I have issues with it more often than anyone with the possible exception of Carol ever knows. This is what Tamara thinks will make you happy-" "I'm already happy for fuck's sake!" "Okay, happier then. And I really like the idea of you taking on two nurses so Rachel can come home. It might make your father's head explode — but then again, if you give the ladies a few more chances to work on him, we might all be surprised at what happens. I'm neutral on whether or not the nurses need to be submissives — but I can easily understand that Tamara sees it as accomplishing two things she very much wants to have happen in one quick and easy package. I'd say trust your woman, as I'm slowly learning to do ... they inevitably seem to know us better than we know ourselves. As they have faith in us, let us have faith in ourselves." Eddie kept his opinion on that to himself. The mocking voice in his mind was still too loud, and too frequent, for him to feel comfortable believing anyone truly knew him, and could still love him if they truly knew him. At the same time it was a fight he was going to lose because, true to his love for Tamara, he could refuse her nothing. "Thanks Harry ... I reckon you've been as much help as anyone can be where this is concerned." "No problem, and believe me, I wish I had the magic words that would make it all okay ... I could use them too." He paused, then cleared his throat. "Uh, one thing I wanted to ask you about - any luck on picking up ... Angie's ... trail?" "Harry, I'm sorry, none of my usual sources have had anything for me. I keep meaning to widen my search, but other shit keeps coming up and ... well, you know how it is." "Oh yeah, I'm right there with you. Well, I'd love it if you could find out what she's doing and how much of a threat she may or may not be to us right now, but I hardly picture her as an evil villain type - you know, the reason we haven't heard anything is that she's lying low, plotting her devastating revenge on us. I don't think she's that calculating. If we aren't hearing from her, it's because she's not doing anything we need to worry about. At least that's what I'll be praying for every night." "I hope you're right," Eddie replied. Without saying anything, Eddie resolved to redouble his efforts and find Angie. While he hoped Harry's assessment of the situation was correct, he wasn't willing to bet his friends' lives on it. Regardless of how lax he'd become in the hunt, he wasn't going to suffer another failure like the one that had landed Harry in the hospital, near death. And Eddie knew the very first person he would reach out to for information. He retrieved his cell phone from his bag and made a call. ------- Dominique Duvalier was having a very good evening. Even with House Chorale buying rounds for the whole club once, and various attendees more than once - at cost - the attendance and the other bar tabs were more than making up for any lost monies. Plans for the clinic addition were being drawn up by an architect in the scene, so the work was gratis, and the bank account for the clinic was still growing, even without any formal fund raising beyond what they'd done the weekend before. There was even money coming in from the other side of the political fence, as Dominique's reputation for honesty was beyond reproach and almost every House could see the value of such a place. The insurance industry, like the I.R.S., was not too understanding about families who had multiple adult dependents with no source of income. She was happy about Margo's motto for the project — a quote from Carol's previous owner Tony Juliana: "You do what you can do" — and was seriously considering putting it forth as a suggestion for the Chorale motto as well. Last but not least, Angela had finally found a home with the family she'd so wanted to be a part of. Dommi strongly suspected she'd be losing a very good waitress, but on the up side, she'd be gaining a very attractive sexual partner, since she'd decided that club staff was off-limits. She sat with her new Household, supposedly as a prisoner, sipped her drink and looked out at the happy chaos of her club. "Dommi, can we talk to you about something?" Eddie asked from behind her. She turned around to see him and Tamara standing nervously hand in hand. "Certainly my dear, let's go talk in my office." ------- It was very hard for someone with Carol Grimes' personality to feel overwhelmed. Normally her soaring love of life and perpetually sunny outlook made such emotions nigh on impossible to conceive of. But in spite of the calm façade she'd put forth to her spouses, fifty-three submissives, some of them undoubtedly spies with her House's best interests far from their thoughts ... it was daunting, and with Candy knowing very little about any of them, she was left to bear the burden of evaluating them by herself. Even though there was a kitchen on the premises for those who lived there, the club itself served nothing more substantial than bar snacks, and as the night wore on, she became aware not only of her own hunger, but of the hunger of her charges as well. "Terry ... Terry come here," she said, calling over one of the employees. "I need you to find someplace, like pizza or something that will be open after the club closes tonight. Tell them to stay open late if they're willing, we'll be sending a thirty-five, forty large pie order their way, and we're willing to tip well — have Margo or Harry give them a credit card number if they need it. We're not going to be through here by closing ... we may not be through for several hours after 2, and we're going to need food." "Not a problem, ma'am — this little local pizza place, CosaNostra Pizza, is used to late night orders from us. By the time the club closes, most of the staff and performers are way too tired to cook, but far too hungry to just go to bed." "Jesus, are they everywhere?" Carol muttered. "Excuse me?" "Nothing Terry, just talking to myself. Well, that'll do wonderfully — thank you so much. Can you bring me their menu when you have a chance?" "Yes ma'am." Wearily, she returned to the task at hand. ------- Ramon Santiago had had a very bad week. His meal-ticket disappeared, taking the car with him. In a fit of pique Ramon had held a semi-private pity party with a lot of very expensive cocaine and some very pretty boys — which had taken all the cash he could find in the house. When Stan came back, he was sure he could suck enough dick to be forgiven for that. But the groceries were running low, and if he had to start selling or pawning household items ... well, that might be harder for Stan to forgive. So he'd hitchhiked to Dominique's, only to find that he wasn't welcome. They wouldn't even let him in the door. He knew if he could talk to Camille, she'd do something. He made such an absolute pest of himself, threatening, whining, simpering and begging, that the staff agreed to take a message to Camille for him. Their other alternative was calling the police, and no matter how many palms had been greased, Dominique always preferred as little official notice as possible. ------- "So, what are you going to do now, Camille?" Margo asked coolly. She'd been afraid a moment like this would come at some point and she stood ready to throw the whole weight of the family behind Camille's decision. There were of course certain things she wouldn't support. There was no way Ramon was being taken into the House - no matter what was said or promised — but in their time together, she'd realized that Camille was as much a part of the family as Jackie or Lisa. Yes, she'd screwed up — but it was in an attempt to do good and she was in every way possible complying with the punishment Kelly had assigned her, doing so gladly. While Margo loved her husband, she didn't envy anyone chained to his hip ... for that matter, she didn't envy anyone chained to any of their hips. "Madam ... I want to talk with Ramon. I don't owe him that, but I want to all the same. However, there's nothing he can ask of me that I will give him. He betrayed my trust, and through me all of you as well." "Do you want to speak with him alone?" "No Madam ... most definitely not! I'd appreciate it if you and either Mistress Karen or Master Eddie would accompany me, please." "Karen, let me steal you away from your love for a moment," Margo asked. Karen regretfully disentangled herself from Patricia. "The things I do for you people," she grumbled. Patricia punched her in the shoulder. "Quit your bitching, Liz. Go help Camille with her asshole brother and hurry back." Rubbing her shoulder in a pathetic fashion, Karen whined, "You beast!" ------- Ramon Santiago was far from happy when Camille showed up with her escorts. Wheedling anything he wanted out of his sister was one of Ramon's most practiced skills, and while he was still confident he could get what he wanted, it shook his confidence to see that Camille had decided not to face him alone. ------- Li Kuan hadn't been close enough to catch any of the conversations that led to the three women heading for the front door, but she had a sneaking suspicion that she knew what was going on. She regretted her decision to avoid dealing with Camille's brother, but at the same time knew that if she had, it would have caused much more uproar and curiosity among the family than the disappearance of Stan Carter. All the same, she decided to join the fun and after a quick consultation with Madame Cornelius, she left for the front door as well. ------- Ramon had explained his situation to his sister in Spanish, the normally soothing and melodious language taking on a sharp and ugly tone when fired out of his mouth so quickly. He hoped to batter down any objections Camille might dare to raise and at the end, when he demanded money from her ... he couldn't believe the determined look on her face as she said "No" in English. "Don't use English, they don't need to know what we're discussing and what do you mean 'no'?" "They're my friends, my family, Madam and Mistress of my House — they deserve to know what we're discussing, and I don't take orders from you, you little back-stabbing bastard." "How dare you speak to me that way?" Ramon spat, raising his hand to his sister as he prepared to slap her. Almost faster than he thought possible, Karen's large had closed over his and began to squeeze. "You ever raise a hand to anyone, much less your sister, in my presence again and I'll break your hand," she said calmly as she continued to tighten her grip. Ramon sank to his knees in pain. "Camille, would you like to pass on what your brother told you?" Margo asked. Her face hardened as Camille did so. "So this little turd expects you to help him?" she asked when her submissive was finished. "No Madam, he demands it. It is the way we were raised. But I'm not feeling very giving at the moment ... in fact, I'm sure I won't be in a giving mood where he's concerned ever again." "Do you want to put a restraining order on him, keep him away from you?" Karen asked. "Only if he tries to see me again," Camille said, squatting down to look Ramon in the eye. "I've seen what real family is like, Ramon, and I've thought back on all the times you used me to get what you wanted and didn't give a shit what it cost me. I've thought about the years you sponged off our grandparents, the years you used me as a meal-ticket. I've thought about what a selfish, self-centered asshole you are ... and it's sad, brother, but I don't care anymore. Even if you turned your life around, got your head on straight and became the man I've always believed you could be, I don't care, and I wouldn't want to know. When you used things I told you, as a sister to her brother, to help Stan hurt the people who treat me better than anyone ever has ... that was it. That was the final betrayal and I don't have to put up with you anymore. If you ever try to contact me, for any reason, I'll swear out a restraining order on you. Do you understand?" He whimpered as Karen continued to tightly hold his hand and nodded, tears running down his cheeks, snot running from his nose. Karen added, "And if you get stupid enough to make too big a problem for us, there are other ways to take care of you ... you get me, you little shit?" "Umm hmmm," he whimpered. "Fine," Margo said, "our business here is ended. Sounds to me like you might need to find a new sugar-daddy, Ramon — good luck with that." The three women went back into the club leaving Ramon a sniveling wretch on the pavement. ------- She admired them, all of them, in one way or another. She'd have never believed that would have happened, but it had. They were good people ... but they were far too trusting, far too forgiving. They could see what a little toad someone like Ramon Santiago was and believe that a stern warning would keep him silent. They were naïve, and therefore a danger to themselves and her Madame. She stepped out of the shadows where she'd been watching and listening. "Hello Ramon, remember me?" she asked, laughing at his startled reaction. "Y-y-yes..." "I am sorry about the way things have turned out, Ramon," she continued. "I feel bad that apparently Stan ran away, leaving you behind. I'd like to help." He looked up at her suspiciously, but with a glimmer of hope in his eyes. "I don't know how you feel about Stan right now, maybe you wouldn't want to go back to a man who abandoned you so cruelly ... but I have heard word of where he might have gone. I offer you a choice, Ramon. I can take you under my wing, make you my little boy — it will be a much more ... extreme relationship than you and Stan had — you're no doubt aware of my tastes. Or I can take you to find Stan. Which will it be?" "You know where Stan is?" "I have heard rumors and I'm willing to help you track him down." He looked at her, open suspicion in his features. "Why are you willing to help me? Why should I trust you?" "I feel responsible for your current predicament. If I and my friends hadn't scared him so badly, he would still be here with you ... I feel I owe you, Ramon. These people, the Grimes family ... they are teaching me much about the values of compassion and charity." Ramon felt she owed him as well, but still he was suspicious of her. "You promise you will help me find Stan, no tricks, no beatings?" "Ramon, I will take you to Stan no matter what the cost to me — I promise." "Then take me to him," he demanded, his old arrogance beginning to return. "Gladly," Li Kuan replied. "Let us go, now." ------- Chapter 57 The club closed at 2 AM ... House Chorale was still there. The pizzas were delivered by 2:45. 4 AM rolled around and most of Chorale's allies had taken their new charges and gone home. Cornelius and Newton were still there, as either was more than happy to take any potential troublemakers. By 5, Minerva, Hans, Andre and Puppy had taken their seven guests and gone home. All that were left were Karghold Newton's ten and Carol was trying desperately to get a read on the last three of them who'd been put in the 'not sure' group. "Sweetie," Vida Newton said, "please ... enough. Let time tell the tale. It doesn't matter, we're running all of them out to the ranch tomorrow. They'll be where they can't hurt anyone. Let it go." Carol's face was haunted. "What if I'm wrong ... what if I've let someone through who hurts one of our allies?" "Then, dear woman, we'll all throw up our hands," Thad said, "and in a mighty chorus proclaim 'Shit Happens' and fix whatever needs fixing. Really, Carol, none of us are crazy enough to pull these refugees to our bosoms without reservations – even the ones you gave a green light to." "It's one of those rare times when my husband knows what he's talking about," Vida said. "I'd listen to him. Margo, take this poor girl home and soothe her mind. You have a party tomorrow; Madame Cornelius is going to be looking for alternate arrangements for as many of these as she can. Everything will be fine. We'll probably see you sometime next week. Good night everyone." "A very good idea," Harry said. "Let's get out of here, go home, get some sleep. There's not much more we can do tonight." ------- The two that had gone home with Karen, Patricia, Galena and Andrea, a handsome young man named Patrick Conrad and a matronly woman with soft curves and a sprinkling of grey in her hair named Martha Morton, had been settled into the Galena's old bedroom at the rear of the house after she'd quickly moved her things out. As the last load had been hauled into Andrea's room, she'd smiled at her submissive. "It's not like I'm spending much time there anyway." On the way home, the four of them had gotten some of the submissives' histories. Patrick was 25 and had been born and raised in a House in San Antonio. The very thought had boggled Karen's mind. "You mean you never had a chance to leave, to go out and live the life you wanted to?" she'd asked. "I could have left at any time, still can," Patrick had replied with a smile, "but I've chosen not to. I like this life. I work hard, and in exchange I'm provided for. The only problem I've ever had with my lifestyle has been in the last eight months. The Master in the House I served got a little jealous of how much time his wife was spending in my arms, as opposed to his. He made my life quite unpleasant and in return ... well, I did what I could to return the favor. When Mistress Fruehauf came calling with the chance to painlessly get rid of me, out I went." Andrea and Galena had already seen what was under his loincloth and were happy at the prospect of him working hard. Martha, 37, had always had a submissive streak to her personality, but two very bad marriages, a miscarriage caused by spousal abuse and other personal problems had caused her to retreat into the relative safety of a full-time submissive role by the age of 30 in a House in Houston. When questioned as to her being discarded by her House, she'd replied, "I'm far from the youngest, newest model ... so I was a drain on the House, unappreciated except for my housekeeping skills. They weren't enough to justify a bed that could be filled with someone fifteen years younger and a lot prettier." Her whole attitude and demeanor suggested someone beaten down by the world and Galena had decided to do her best to change that. As she sat in the kitchen with Andrea, Karen and Patricia, she said, "Look, I know you're at least thinking about acquiring some submissives of your own choosing, and I'm sorry no one tonight particularly grabbed your interest. As soon as room opens up in another house on the street, we'll move out and take those two with us, provided they work out. That'll leave you room to find some ladies you do want to make part of your lives." Karen still looked very unhappy at the whole prospect. "Not really sure yet I want to even think about that," she grumbled. "You will, Liz, I promise," Patricia said, patting her on the arm patronizingly. "You just leave this side of our lives to me. I'll work it all out and you'll be much happier not having to deal with it." Karen cut her a look that in many other couples would've signaled the start of a fight, or at the very least, a serious discussion. Patricia just laughed and kissed her partner. "You can't scare me, grumpy old bear ... I know you too well." "Grumpy old bear?" Galena repeated to Andrea, holding in her laughter. "Not one word, young lady," Karen growled, "or you'll regret it." "Oh, I'm not going to say a thing," Galena chuckled. "Neither am I," Andrea agreed. "At least, not while you're around to hear it, Liz," Patricia finished. ------- Upon getting home, Harry had ordered Carol to the bath and had a stiff drink and the hookah brought to her there, while Angela was shown where she'd be sleeping for the time being. Margo told her, "I'm sorry your 'welcome home' will have to wait for awhile, but if you'll let us know what we can do for you, I promise you we'll all do our best to make it memorable." "Thank you, Madam ... simply being 'home' is enough for now. I can't believe this dream has finally come true." "Sweetie, you've earned it – we all love you dearly and think the world of you." In the bathroom, Carol was slowly coming down from a night of high tension. Leaning back against Jackie's ample breasts and belly, Lisa was pressed against Carol's front and the two massaged her body with theirs. The water wasn't too hot and she could feel the circulation of the jets on the few parts of her body that weren't encased in warm, loving flesh. To Carol, it felt like being back in the womb, at least as long as she kept her eyes closed so as not to spoil the illusion. Periodically Camille passed her drink to her, or put the mouthpiece of one of the pipe's hoses between her lips. Somewhere in the procedure, Carol fell asleep and scarcely noticed as she was dried off and put to bed. ------- In the bedroom, Harry talked with Gloria. "Piglet, you're doing very well. It's time for you to go home to your son. You're both invited to the party tomorrow afternoon, where – remember – you'll be treated as a guest ... unless you choose to incur the House's wrath while you're here. I wouldn't advise it. Anything that takes us away from the party and our friends and co-workers will get you all kinds of bad attention. "Now, before you go home for the evening, here are your instructions for the week. You will bring yourself almost to the point of release every night this next week – Saturday through Thursday – but you will not allow yourself to orgasm. Should you climax at any point, it'll be five lashes from Kelly, our best whip-wielder, for every time you come. You show up here as soon as possible after you get off work Friday, taking time to stop by home and change, and if you've been good, perhaps someone will help you get off. Now go home, and send Sheila back here. Looks like she and Nicki are staying the night." "Yes Master," she replied. "My son and I will see all of you tomorrow." ------- Sheila walked into the bedroom where most of the household were assembled. "We're going to have to be careful where Jason's concerned," she said, smiling. "He's a cutie, and a perfect gentleman. We sat and watched movies tonight and I think his dick was hard through most of it but he never said or did anything that was in the least bit improper." "So why are we going to have to be careful?" Nicki asked as she worked on Harry's leg. "Because as he gets more comfortable with all of us, some of that reserve will melt away and he will try something," Sheila replied. Candy added her opinion as she tried to work the iron-like knots out of Margo's back. "Happens all the time in the elder Houses – the kids have problems with a "look but don't touch" attitude where the staff is concerned. They grow up rarely seeing their parents less than properly dressed, but the staff can be rather hit-or-miss, depending on the situation. Not to mention that what's going on behind closed doors with their parents and the staff has to be one of the worst-kept secrets in the world – not due to laxity on the parents' part, but kids are curious, clever and conniving. They find a way to peep, and peep they do." "So ... ow ... that's a damn big knot ... how do they handle it?" Margo asked. "Depends on the House ... in some, the kids pretty much get sent away to boarding school when they start getting too interested. As soon as they're legal, well – no one tries too hard to stop the predictable from occurring and they're frequently brought home to go to school somewhere close. In other Houses ... take what happened to me for an example. The Master and Mistress came to my room one night and asked me if I would consent to a very quiet relationship with their son, who'd just turned fourteen. They assured me nothing would be said or done that would make any legal complications for me, but Junior was a sneaky, vile little piece of shit and I declined. No big surprise, I got sent elsewhere before the month was out. However, if he hadn't been such a conniving little weasel, I might well have said yes. Although it happens quite a lot, I've never heard of a submissive ending up in legal trouble for taking care of one of the family's children. It would bring far too much attention to the House involved. "Sometimes, the House's children are given their own submissives, as close to them in age as possible, and they develop a relationship that continues on as the child reaches their maturity. Several of the current Mistresses of some of the elder Houses were raised that way. Plus the pretty little feudal games the major Houses play mean that quite frequently, marriages are for convenience, not love – a carryover from their origins in Europe - so the Master of the House might have his stable of playthings, the Mistress hers ... the only time they really interact with each other is for House business, at scheduled playtimes and in the breeding and raising of their children." "Jesus, it really is a completely different society hidden in, I hesitate to use the term, 'normal' society," Nicki replied. "I wonder if I could write a story on it..." "Not if you wanted anyone to talk on the record," Candy said. "Everybody is happy with the way things run – if they're not, they leave, no harm, no foul. As far as the submissives go ... well, we don't live this kind of life because it sounds like a fun little game. We're in this because it fulfills our needs, and why would anyone cut their own throat by saying anything? "And then, even if you did get the story written ... I think you'd run into a lot of problems getting it in print. While not everyone in power is a player in our society, a lot of them dabble in it from time to time. I mean, come on – who wouldn't want a passive and submissive sex partner for all the dirty little games they'd care to play? Since everyone there is consenting, nobody gets hurt – at least officially – and everyone gets their rocks off. No harm, no foul ... and no story. Of course, getting it out on the internet would be a lot easier ... and win you a lot of enemies." "What if the children aren't dominant, but are submissive?" Harry asked. "Then, Master, they're either sent away for their own good or things happen which no one ever discusses. We could discuss theoretical situations, I suppose, but nothing literal." "What the hell do you mean, Candy?" he replied, exasperation creeping into his voice. "Oh, say if the son, let's name him 'Danny', of a major House, one we'll call 'Hufrauff', was much more prone to take the knee than the whip, he might spend a lot of time in his mother's chambers ... let's call her 'Betty' ... where he'd be taught all the ways of pleasing a Dominant. In fact, that child might be taught by both parents all they'd ever need to know about being a submissive. And then when that child reached seventeen, he might be given to another House, let's say one called 'Sacker', as a sign of undying friendship. But in those hypothetical situations, that child would rarely be trained by anyone other than their parents or other blood relatives – too much risk in about eighteen different ways if they were. If it ever happens, it's kept very secret, even from the rest of the House. Supposedly, such hypothetical situations are very rare ... supposedly. But if such things should ever happen, it would be with the full consent of the children involved, and they're free to leave at any time ... at least in theory. Being raised in a major House comes with its own forms of mental programming and subtle coercion." Various sounds of unhappiness and disgust filled the bedroom. "But wait ... before you get too judgmental," Candy continued, "think about it. You're planning on having children, and raising them in your little compound here. I know you're going to be very careful, try to keep playtime and family time as separate as possible, but get real – there's going to be mistakes and problems and 'oopsies' galore. What do you plan to do when - not if but when - one of your kids wants to play? Gonna keep 'em around here, let 'em see but not touch? Gonna ship 'em off? And what are you going to do if one of them bends the knee and asks to serve?" Candy shifted down to work on Margo's lower back. "Those are the kind of things a major House needs to consider," she continued. "Because trust me, they will come up. And you are positioning yourself as a major House." The bedroom was quiet for quite some time after that. ------- When Li Kuan came home at about 6 AM, Madame Cornelius was waiting for her. "I assume little Ramon has joined Mr. Carter?" she asked. Li Kuan shrugged out of her costume and hit her knees in a submissive position in one fluid motion. "Yes Madame," she replied. "No more, Li Kuan – at least not for a while." "I obey, Madame, but it is perfectly safe, there is no way-" "Li Kuan," Minerva Cornelius snapped, "I do not want details, not now, not ever. All that I require ... all that I demand," she continued as her voice softened, "is that you be careful. You know full well that if something were to happen to you..." Li Kuan reached up and stroked her Madame's cheek gently. "Yes Madame, I know, and I am very careful for just that reason ... and because I would be lost without you as well." ------- The next morning Harry had come awake suddenly, his mind filling with thoughts raised by the conversation the night before. He rolled over and faced the center of the bed, Camille cuddled up to his back. He could tell she was somewhat awake, but she seemed unwilling to become fully conscious. He found himself staring at Nicki, her eyes bright and wide open. "You've been thinking about being wicked Aunt Nicki who gets to train all the young ones, haven't you?" he whispered. "A little ... not literally – that's a bit too real for me at this point – but as a fantasy? Oh, you betcha," she replied softly. "It's got me all hot and bothered ... wanna help me with that?" "If you do," came Kelly's disgruntled voice from Nicki's other side, "take this girl too, would you? It's way too early for horny blondes." "I'll remind you that you said that someday," Angela whispered. "Go away woman," Kelly groaned, "let me get some more sleep." "Do you need to hit the john?" Nicki whispered. Harry jiggled his hips a little. "Nope, still good." After a minimum of shifting around, Harry found himself on his back – Angela on his cock and Nicki on his face. He reflected that life was pretty good, despite his recent dreams and the sense of foreboding they brought ... so he waited for the other shoe to drop as he enjoyed his morning fun. ------- Out of deference to her friends and potential allies, Madame Minerva Cornelius waited until noon to begin calling around to find more permanent homes for some of the cast-offs Wilma Fruehauf had gifted them with then night before. Where absorbing another five or seven or even ten mouths to feed wasn't that much of a stretch for a major House, she knew that Houses like St. Paul, Ra and Franklin weren't really equipped to do so. She had been very surprised by Karghold Newton's response however ... she had to consider that perhaps her long and studious disregard of any House that called itself a Karghold might have been an error. Thad, Vida and their other Dominants had impressed her, as had the size of their House. If they hadn't associated themselves with the Karg, they'd be a major House beyond a shadow of a doubt. House O'Shannessy had surprised her as well – it was easy to see the 'public face' a House wore in the fragmented Society that Laney's stewardship had created, and not see the House's true strength and size. She'd certainly never heard of such active participation from them before. Overall, she was very pleased about almost every facet of their situation. Promptly at noon, she started making phone calls. There was no way under the sun she was going to keep the seven refugees she'd taken in one second longer than necessary, neither did she expect the other Houses to keep theirs any longer than House Cornelius, unless they decided otherwise. ------- Jason Tanner woke up around three hours after his mother had gotten home. He'd surfaced briefly when the front door had opened; only awake enough to hear that nothing was wrong and to note the time. Then he'd fallen back into deep sleep, just a little more secure now that his mother was home safe and sound. After his father had left them, Jason had started having abandonment issues. He might not have known the technical term for them, but he was more than smart enough to realize that even with his mother acting so strangely, he'd started paying attention to when she left and when she returned, always breathing easier when she was home and safe with him. As he walked down the hall towards the kitchen, he opened her bedroom door just a crack, happy to see her under the sheets, breathing peacefully. Closing the door, he continued on to the kitchen. A bowl of cereal wasn't Usagi's waffles, or even his mother's, but it was acceptable in a pinch. ------- Carol was mortified by what she saw on the clock when she woke up. She stumbled into the kitchen where all the family was gathered. "Who's idea was it to let me sleep this long?" she asked. "Mine," Margo replied from her seat at the table, "and if it upsets you too much I'll let you show your displeasure by accepting a spanking with no ass play afterwards. Now then, are you okay with being allowed to sleep late?" "Yes Madam," Carol said, her face set in a stubborn expression. "But it's just that there are so many final details for the party this afternoon..." "No, there aren't. Everything's fine, you have a large household staff to help and they've already taken care of all the last minute prep," Margo replied, looking at her sternly. "You worked very hard last night, under a lot of stress, and if I decide that you should sleep late you will by God sleep late!" "Yes Madam," Carol replied rather sheepishly. "Did Madam also decide I should be served breakfast and a cup of coffee some time soon?" "Yes, I did, so sit down and eat, silly woman. "All right," Margo began, "there are some issues that are really irking the shit out of me and I've decided our day isn't busy enough so we're going to discuss them now." From around the table the family and its servants chuckled. "First I need to know from our submissives, and please dear God answer honestly, how much is the overcrowding bothering you, especially those of you," she nodded to Jackie and Lisa, "who have jobs outside the home?" Lisa said, "Madam, if it were a long-term situation ... then yes, maybe I'd be considering finding new accommodations ... and believe me, I don't want to leave Chez Decadence," she continued, to more chuckles from the group. "But it's not permanent; it's not even that long term – I mean, what are a few months? We've lived under worse conditions, with people we didn't care for anywhere near as much, and with none of the side benefits of living here. We can hold out." Margo looked guilt-stricken. "But damn it, Lisa darling, you shouldn't have to." Jackie spoke up. "Madam, please don't worry about this. I can't speak for anyone else, but there are far more important things for you to be concerned with than this." The rest of the household's submissives made general sounds of agreement. "Madam Grimes," Candy said, "if I might make a suggestion ... you seem to be worried primarily about the folks that have real-world jobs – and you should be. Why not put me and Spyderchylde in the living room for the time being? An overnight bag or two, maybe some inflatable air mattresses ... it would get us out of their way in the mornings, and it would be easy to pack us up and leave no sign we bunk there when you needed the living room for a social gathering or some such." "Well, I was thinking maybe of something like that, or having you bed down in the master bedroom on the far side from the bathroom. That would leave us plenty of room to get dressed and off to work in the mornings," Margo replied. "No Madam," Dayna Spyderchylde's raspy voice interjected. "Please pardon my impertinence, but your bedroom is crowded enough as it is. I understand that there's some unused space there, but if you turn it into accommodations for Candy and me, the room will start to feel increasingly cramped and claustrophobic." Billy added, "You spend a lot of time in there. The bedrooms of the staff ... they're places we go to sleep, and not much else. If quiet, 'alone-time' is needed ... well, we go elsewhere as we're pretty much out of luck in this house at present. So the crowding doesn't seem so bad, although I agree Jackie and Lisa need their space as they're working girls. But there's a lot of living that goes on in your bedroom ... I think Candy's got this one right." "I know I can live like I'm on an extended sleep-over for the next couple of months with no problem," Candy said. "What about you, Dayna?" "Fine with me," she replied. "Cheer up, Madam ... we know that we are cared for, we know better days are coming. I guarantee you, the next several months will pass before you know it ... especially with the big party happening next weekend. Once that's done..." "We can sit back and relax?" Kelly asked, smiling sardonically. "Well no, Mistress," Dayna replied, "but I honestly believe that next weekend will be a tipping point, one way or another. Either you'll have won, and can take it a little easier, coasting to the Samhain Ball, or you'll have lost decisively and there won't be any reason to worry about it any longer." "But no pressure, right Dayna?" Harry quipped. "No sir ... no pressure at all. Everything is in place. What will happen, will happen." Margo sat back and felt as though a weight had been lifted from her shoulders. "Okay, next on the list of things keeping me awake at night," she said, "is the 'submissives sleeping in the master bedroom" schedule. Yes, I know Camille will be there till Kelly tells her otherwise, and I know that Billy and Helen are a team due to Helen and Harry's incurable straightness, but otherwise, I want the schedule redone so that no one shares nights. It will mean that y'all aren't in there every week, but we started this for intimacy with one sub at a time. Thoughts?" No one seemed to have a problem with such a rescheduling, so after a brief amount of discussion, it was agreed that the schedule would be done alphabetically, starting from the beginning, one sub a night, starting the next Tuesday night. Candy sat silently during the talk of rescheduling. She wasn't sure exactly what kind of House she'd landed in, but she was damn sure that so far, she liked it more than anywhere else she'd ever served. ------- Anna Pessino had wanted her husband Emilio to come with them to the party, but he wasn't feeling too well when he woke up Saturday morning and she didn't ask further. It seemed to her that he had given up on life outside of her and the children, and was content to sit out his days in the house they had bought together so many years before. She supposed that was his right – he had worked harder than anyone she knew until he got sick. If he decided it was time to sit at home, she wasn't going to tell him no. She had Elena stay home to watch Emilio as well as Elena's infant son, but the rest of the family headed off to the party. Anna hadn't seen nearly as much of Galena as she'd have liked since her daughter moved away ... and the times she had seen her, she'd been shocked by the changes. Gone was the shy and bookish girl Anna was used to ... and had cultivated, in hopes of Galena avoiding Elena's fate as an unwed mother. Galena had blossomed into a self-assured young woman. She no longer dressed in the concealing clothes Anna had chosen for her, but she hadn't gone too far in the opposite direction. Anna had seen Galena's new wardrobe referred to as 'stylishly professional' in some magazines. Galena was no longer afraid to state her opinions, even standing up to her older brothers, something that had very rarely happened in the past. She was charting a course for her life that was going somewhere successful, and that had given her the confidence to stand up for herself. While a lot of the changes vaguely disquieted Anna in a way she couldn't quite name, she was happy for her daughter and the many kindnesses she'd been shown by Harry Grimes and his friends. As the months since Miss Carol came into Harry's life had gone by, Anna couldn't have helped noticing the changes the household was going through. Courtesy of her sons, she was no stranger to the smell of marijuana and she'd long been acquainted with the smells and stains of sex. She didn't know exactly what was going on with whom, but she couldn't argue with the results – the house was full of happy people and shone with more love than she'd seen there since Harry's parents were still alive. Granted, at times it gave her Catholic soul pause when she thought about it too much, but she was an even firmer believer in the Biblical verse 'by their fruits shall ye know them', and the fruit from whatever was happening at the Grimes house was all good. ------- Between the tension of the party for the neighbors, which thankfully had turned out so well, and the absolute madness that was to be the party for their kinky associates, Harry was relieved beyond words that there was the party for the G&P employees and the Pessino family. Low-key and low stress, it was the only party Harry could actually believe he might enjoy as a party. The first one, and the upcoming third, were far too much like work. He chuckled to himself, finding it so amusing that anything that involved as much kink as the next weekend's party could be considered 'work', but he did think of it that way. He and Karen wandered out to 'ooh' and 'aah' over Mr. Carsidona's traveling barbeque pit, a long trailer with a wide cast iron oven running down the entire length. All the side dishes that required cooking had there own deep kettles that sat in one end on one side, and the side dishes that needed to be kept cold were in massive ice chests in the back of the truck. The smells were heavenly and even though Harry was still full from breakfast, he could've dove headfirst into a plate of anything that came off that huge grill. "Mr. Carsidona," Harry said admiringly, "that's got to be the most beautiful traveling pit I've ever seen." "Boots" Carsidona, short and round as a barrel, bald-headed and every inch of exposed skin tanned dark by the Texas sun smiled at Harry like he was a lifelong friend – indeed, he smiled at everyone that way. "Mr. Grimes, I done been back on your deck an' seen that grill o' yours. Now, I wouldn't say it's in the same league as mine, but it's damn sure as fine as anyone who don't do this professionally could ever have. You gonna have to have me over some day, lemme taste what you can do on it." "It's a date, Mr. Carsidona," Harry laughed, "although it probably won't be till sometime after Halloween ... our schedule is a nightmare till then." "That's fine," Boots replied, "wonderful thing about this part o' Texas is you can pretty much barbeque all year round." ------- Jessica rolled over in bed and heard disturbed grunting from Quan. "Wha th' fug are you doin' up?" Quan mumbled. "Go back to sleep, grouchy," Jessica replied as she got out of bed. Quan muttered something that might have been 'okay'. She and Quan were off – the employees who were college students begged for evening and weekend hours that Jessica and Quan were happy to let them have. It gave them a semblance of what most of America considered a normal life – Monday through Friday, working in the day, having the evenings off. It was true that their hours and tips might not be as good as they were during the summer, but Wendy's job with Antoinette helped make that quite livable. The three of them sharing expenses equally meant an economic freedom none of them had known before. They'd celebrated the start of the school year the night before. The three of them had gone to Silver Lining - a very GLBT-friendly club - for the evening, although Wendy had come home early since she did have work the next day. Jessica and Quan stayed at Silver Lining until closing, and then went to an after-hours party at the house of one of the waitresses. They'd stumbled into the apartment just before dawn, crawled into bed beside Wendy, and both had been asleep within seconds. Jessica looked blearily around the bedroom, then staggered out and surveyed the kitchen – spotless, courtesy of Wendy – and the living and dining rooms ... which like the bedroom were anything but spotless. After risking an arm shaking Quan awake, the two of them split a pot of coffee, and then another, before they were ready to start cleaning. ------- Harry's expectations were fulfilled in a most relaxing fashion. Among G&P's staff and the Pessino family, Harry was able to relax. Even Gloria Tanner wasn't enough to make him tense – she was on her best behavior and he was able to watch her interact with people in a more mundane setting than he had previously. He couldn't deny that he found her attractive – there was chemistry between them, even though it was nowhere near the chemistry he had with his spouses. Watching her mix and mingle with the other guests, he had to continually put thoughts of working oil into every soft curvy inch of her body and then fucking her like an animal. A year before, he would have felt that chemistry and acted on it, treating her with the same kindness and respect he'd treat any woman with ... and it would have been the wrong thing to do. It wasn't what she wanted – it wasn't what she needed ... and a year before he wouldn't have understood that, and he wouldn't have been capable of allowing himself to give her what she needed. He wouldn't even have been able to admit that there was a part of him that could. Now he knew better. Whenever he examined the modifications his life had undergone, he was surprised by just how much had changed in just how short a time. He grabbed a Corona and settled himself into a deck chair. Harry had been told in no uncertain terms – by Dr. Wife, her sister-wives, and his physical therapist – that if he over-exerted himself or strained his leg in any way, there would be serious consideration given to the idea of checking him into a rehabilitation facility for a long stay. Harry felt a little churlish about that edict. He hadn't planned on Stan Carter making problems; he didn't feel he could be faulted for his reaction. It wasn't long before Harry's naturally upbeat temperament won out. The situation was not without its benefits. Until his leg was judged fit, he could live like a king, waited on hand and foot ... and leg, he though to himself, chuckling out loud. "Something funny, Harry?" Camille asked from behind him to his left. He started. "What are you doing back there? What are you, a ninja sl ... roommate or something? Why aren't you out there having fun?" "I'm back here because it's where I belong. When you're being introspective I don't require ninja skills – you look at what's in front of you, but you don't see a lot of it. I'm not out there because Kelly has informed me that while the literal chain is not in evidence, the figurative chain very much is, and I do not want to face her wrath should I spend too much time too far away from you. "Besides," she continued, leaning up to whisper in his ear, "I like being chained to you. I love being a part of your House. If being made your body servant is the price I pay for my indiscretion ... there aren't many easier punishments I can think of." She kissed him on the back of the neck. Between the kiss and her whispered breath on his ear, Harry found himself shifting rather suddenly to hide a growing erection. Several people in the back yard witnessed the exchange – none of them were surprised, since news of Harry and Karen's households was a contender for 'worst-kept secrets among the staff of G&P Advertising'. Dorothy Mallon's lifestyle was an open secret – the only employees who didn't know where the ones who actively didn't want to and the same was true, to a lesser degree, where Thad Newton was concerned. The kind of people who might have objected were just the kind of people who generally didn't make it past a job interview with Karen, so an overall air of tolerance permeated the company. That tolerance was reinforced by the generous financial benefits of working for G&P – when your bosses, freaks though they may be, were two of the kindest, most generous people you knew, it was very difficult to view them with a judgmental eye. Dorothy Mallon wandered over to sit with Harry for a bit. "So, Boss Man, your household just keeps getting bigger ... and prettier," she said, looking at Angela who was playing in the pool. Dorothy licked her lips appreciatively. "For God's sake, don't say anything like that around Margo, she's likely to curl up in a little ball and whimper piteously," Harry replied, the look on his face leaving no doubt he was serious. "She's so freaked about the housing situation I think she's about to start offering cash incentives to our neighbors to move out more quickly." "Well, you are packed in pretty tightly right now," Dorothy said. "I'm glad we were able to find places for all those subs Wilma dumped on you. I want to warn you though, Boss, it's likely to get worse before it gets better." Harry looked panicked. "You mean that evil bitch is going to dump more refugees on us?" "Oh no, no Harry..." Dorothy said, patting his leg brace. "Calm down. I think she's going to hit you again, but not with that. It didn't work the first time and Dominique's already spreading the word that if she has to, she can find beds for however many poor, mistreated submissives Wilma Fruehauf can find. It may be a bluff, but very people in the scene are silly enough to bet against Dominique Duvalier." Dorothy smiled to herself. "It still amazes me how things worked out with you and your family. I would've bet my favorite submissive that Dominique would never abandon her neutrality, much less disband her House and join another." "That's mostly Carol's doing," Harry replied. "She and Dommi are old friends, we're just riding on her coattails." "Harry, you can't be that stupid. She didn't take sides in this fight because of one woman, phenomenal though Carol may be. Dominique did it for all of you ... and I'm very happy she's moving in here once you get this Corral of yours squared away." Dorothy nodded her head towards Harry's empty Corona bottle. "Want another?" "Yeah – Camille would you get-" "No Harry, no slaves today ... I'll get us a round. You want anything Camille?" "A beer would be lovely, thank you Mistr ... thank you, Dorothy," Camille replied. "Good girl, back in a few." Camille sat down on the edge of the deck chair. "Master," she murmured, "don't worry about whatever House Fruehauf does next. From what I'm seeing and hearing, you've already got a strong enough alliance built to handle whatever Mistress Fruehauf can manage to do. We'll all be just fine." She kissed her hand and pressed it to his lips, then got up and went to sit behind him again. Dorothy returned with three beers. "Tres cervezas ... enjoy." She handed Harry and Camille their beers and raised her own in a toast. "Confusion to our enemies, protection from our friends." After drinking, Harry looked at her intently. "Interesting toast ... especially that last portion. "Yeah, Boss Man, that's what I was talking about when I said it'll get worse before it gets better." She sighed. "Me and Thad flipped a coin to see who had to talk to you about this – I lost." "Do I need to get the rest of the family here for this conversation?" Harry asked, preparing himself to watch his relaxing afternoon go to hell in a handbasket. "No, but you will want to discuss this with them later." Dorothy stared at her beer for a moment before continuing. "A lot of people, a lot of players, a lot of Houses ... they're really on fire for this whole 'fuck Laney, let's split the Society' idea. They aren't going to wait till the Samhain Fetish Ball, they plan to hold their own little coronation proceedings at your party Saturday night." "Hold up, Dorothy, I've really got to get Margo here for this ... and we probably need to have this discussion somewhere more private. Camille, go get Madam and meet us in the bedroom. Dorothy, go get Thad and meet me there as well. A flip of the coin doesn't get him out of this." Ten minutes later all parties were comfortable arrayed on the bed in the master bedroom and Dorothy had brought Margo up to speed. "So, everyone's been keeping this a secret, they want it to be a big surprise. They've kept Minerva Cornelius out of the loop because they know she'd tell you, and both of us have been sworn to secrecy – so please, for the love of God, act surprised Saturday night. The reason I'm telling you this is that there's a tradition ... presents or tribute from the other Houses, gifts from people and groups associated with the Society. Given the kind of games the Society likes to play, some of those offerings are going to be people." "Where are we supposed to keep them?" Margo growled. "We've run out of room as it is." "Well, that's where Dominique can help," Dorothy answered. "Just like I was telling Harry about her spreading the word that she can find beds for however many more Wilma wants to send, I imagine you can work out at least temporary housing with her. It's not ideal, but it will do until one of your neighbors clears out and you have more space. "Now, to curry favor ... well, you've already gotten a taste for that. House Velacourt basically gave you two hundred thousand dollars to get you to support their cause. Expect more of that, although probably not so extreme – Velacourt's the richest House in the state, possibly in the country. I doubt anyone else will be so exuberant in their bribery. From groups outside society, goods and services, discounts ... a lot of tasty swag. From the Houses ... depends on what they want. With Laney the gifts have been very nominal ... it was done solely because it's tradition. You're going to become a power in the state, at the very least, and that will change the scale of things dramatically. Houses in this town have been quietly frozen out of a lot of events and gatherings because the best we could put up was House Odessa and he almost immediately stepped on a lot of out-of-town toes, burned a lot of bridges. People are going to want you to fix the situation, and those that are going to sign on with our side are likely to work hard currying favor. Before Laney we were just unlucky ... too much major House factionalism, we could elect someone but there was no unity between the major Houses to support them. Any direction the leadership wanted to go in, one side or the other would fight them tooth and nail, and everybody had their heads so far up their asses that nothing really got done. We were looked down on because it was really obvious we didn't have our shit together." "So no real idea what to expect?" Margo asked, looking resigned to making the best of a bad situation. "From the major Houses ... I don't know," Dorothy answered. "It's been so long since the Society had decent leadership that anyone felt the need to cultivate favor with ... I don't know what they'll offer. Saturday night should provide us all with lots of surprises. From the minor Houses," she looked at Thad and winked, "well, that would be telling, wouldn't it?" Margo sighed. Forming their own Society had left her feeling on the edge of totally overwhelmed, and the whole thing was getting more overwhelming by the day. "I know Minerva has been getting a lot of the previously undecided Houses asking for invitations to the party – she's been acting as our 'social secretary' where those are concerned, keeping everyone out of our hair. She doesn't think we'll need to do more than double our order with the caterers ... I think, just to give me peace of mind, I'm going to triple it and pray there are leftovers." Margo straightened her shoulders and sighed deeply. "Anything we need to be prepared to do then, in response to all that's happening on Saturday night?" "Not really, tradition doesn't require you to do anything but graciously accept what's offered, and stand by any agreements you make," Dorothy answered. "Agreements?" Harry said. "What might we be expected to agree to?" "There are going to be a lot of trades people there ... such as ... well, you got your hot tub from Antoinette, didn't you?" Harry nodded. "She's not the only person in town who deals in them, or in fancy custom jobs like yours. Some of them will have representatives there, bidding for your attention. Normally this kind of thing would wait for the Fetish Ball, if it was going to happen at all, but the rush is on, now that a clear challenger to Laney has emerged and garnered so much notice and support. Think of it like the British Royal system – they get the recognition in Society, and beyond as well, of being the provider of such and so to your House. In return, they offer gifts, discounts, whatever ... the last deal I heard of Mr. Antiquity offering, quite a few years back, was a twenty percent discount to the House, ten percent to its allied Houses. In exchange he got a lot of business, and anyone else who dealt with custom fetish clothing was scrambling for the leftovers. "And, the higher in state circles you climb, the higher in regional circles, the higher you climb nationally, the more extreme it all will get. Then you can really share the love, tradesmen-wise, since no one supplier can handle all the business your influence will send their way." Margo sat with her head in her hands. "What have I gotten myself into," she moaned. "Remember sweetie, you can stop anytime. I mean, you've pretty much signed up to improve our relations in the state of Texas, but after that, if you want to steady down and climb no further ... that's fine. In a somewhat apt analogy, there've been a lot of governors of the state of Texas that haven't ended up running for President – only a few that have," Thad replied. "Well, we'll tell Kelly and Carol," Margo said. "The rest of the House can be pleasantly surprised for real. I know we won't have any problem with Camille telling anyone, will we, dear?" "No Madam, I won't breathe a word of this to anyone." "Thanks Dorothy, Thad ... I really appreciate the head's up," Margo said, getting up off the bed. "Time for us to go rejoin our guests and enjoy the last week of calm before the storm." ------- By the time Wendy got home around six, the apartment was clean – not spotless, still slightly cluttered in places, but clean. "Wow, good work, roomies," Wendy chirped as she hung her shoulder bag on a hook by the front door. "Y'all've been busy." "Yeah," Quan muttered from where she was slumped on the couch. "Queen Bee had a cleaning buzz on." "How was your day, Wannabe?" Jessica asked as she kissed their roommate hello. "Interesting ... we going out tonight?" Wendy asked, reaching to unbutton her blouse. "Fuck no," Quan said, "we're still tired from last night and an afternoon of being domestic hasn't helped." She looked at Jessica with some trepidation. "At least, I'm not going out anywhere – Jess may have other ideas." "Nope, I'm totally good with supper and movies, curled up on the couch," Jessica replied. "Takeout, cook in ... what?" A call to the local Pizza Hut later, Jessica asked, "So Wendy, you said 'interesting' ... what's up at Antoinette's?" "Something involving your ex-roommates, the Grimes household. I don't understand all the politics behind it, but it seems they're in for a surprise next weekend. There's some tradition that whoever wins this big election Halloween night, Master and Mistress of the Samhain Fetish Ball, is like, I don't know, royalty in the kink and fetish circles. They haven't won it yet, but a lot of Society is acting like they have – seems a bunch of people are pissed off with the House they're going up against and have decided that even if House Odessa wins, they'll lose. Everybody who's not one of Laney's little sycophants will go play with your old roommates and split the Society. So to prove their intentions, they're holding a coronation next weekend at the party, and the Grimes ... or rather, House Chorale – don't know anything about it. Part of the whole coronation involves gifts from people in the scene but who aren't in Society, and ... well, tribute ... from those who are in Society. We've been working on Antoinette's gift." Wendy finished taking off her clothes and stretched, wearing nothing but her bra, panties, garter belt and hose. "Of course, the way Antoinette is fussing about this gift, you'd think she was swearing some sort of feudal fealty to House Chorale. We're designing a new hot tub for them – the thing's gonna be freakin' huge, very decadent. Antoinette's calling the design the 'Chorale'." "You're giving them a hot tub? Antoinette can afford to do that?" Jess spluttered. "Honey, she could afford a lot more than that ... but there's a practical side to the gift as well. Margo is buying up a whole block of houses on their street. There will be renovations, knowing your ex-roomies there will be more hot tubs installed. Annie's just insuring they think of her first when it comes time to buy them. Hell, once they see this monster, they'll feel obligated to buy from her, and recommend her to their friends and allies as well." "You know," Quan said, "I'm really hoping you can get along with your ex-roomies ... the thought of getting to use a decent hot tub, much less a fancy one, is really appealing." "That's just because we live in an apartment complex where the hot tub's become a science experiment," Wendy replied, "a nasty, mad Nazi scientist kind of experiment that bubbles and gurgles and scares all the animal life away." "Are you sure it scared them away? I'm thinking there are bones at the bottom of the tub," Jessica said. "Then again, maybe even the bones have dissolved." "We need to find a new apartment," Quan said. The three of them walked to the window and looked out at the unkempt, trash-filled courtyard below them. "Yeah ... let's go looking for a new place tomorrow," Wendy said, wrinkling her nose in disgust. ------- Harry managed to recapture his relatively worry-free demeanor for the rest of the party, and enjoyed spending his time with his guests. He even got to spend some time with Jason Tanner and realized what Carol, Usagi, and Sheila had seen in him. Jason was a good kid in a very weird situation ... and Harry was pretty sure that once Eddie and Karen got to know him a little better, Jason was going to have a lot of fun being invited to do 'guy things' – although the first time Jason and Karen interacted on that level was probably going to be amusing. Still, once the party wound down and everyone headed home, full of barbecue and fun, Harry was more than ready to get out of his clothes and soak in the bathtub, taking the strain off his leg. Usagi had volunteered to keep Jason company that evening, as Gloria was going to be quite busy, and together the two of the headed back to the Tanner home. "So, Jason, did you have fun today?" she asked as they strolled along the tree-shaded sidewalks. "Yeah..." Jason fell silent and Usagi was smart enough to realize it was time to say nothing and let him continue at his own pace. They made the turn on to Trousdale and headed up the walk to the front door, he turned and blurted out, "Look, I really appreciate that you and your friends are ... well, you're trying to include me, even though I'm so much younger than all of you ... well, all of you except Galena, I suppose." Usagi smiled at him, openly and honestly. "Jason, it's really not as much effort as you seem to think it is. Just because someone is younger doesn't mean they can't be good company, fun to spend time with. I volunteered to stay with you this evening because we think you need someone to keep you company while your mother is otherwise occupied, and because I had so much fun the last time I was here." "You had fun?" he said, face set in an expression of doubt. "Yes I did," she replied as they went inside. "Do you want anything to drink?" "Sure, I think we've got orange juice in the fridge ... you know you're welcome to whatever we have." "Thank you, that's very kind." She brought in two tall glasses of juice and as she handed his to him, he almost felt like he was participating in some kind of ceremony. The feeling passed as she sat down across from him and made herself comfortable. "Number one, Jason," she continued, "everyone should play regularly, in whatever way they choose to do it. I enjoyed playing with you. Two, you're a lot better company than you think you are. Your mother has raised you to be a respectful, considerate young man, no matter what other issues she and you might have with each other. Three..." she paused and looked pensive. "Three, while I was raised with time set aside to play, it was very regulated. I was allowed to play for only so long, on certain days, and for a lot of my childhood, only in certain ways. The rest of my time was spent in classes." "You had school year-round?" he asked, with the same tone of voice he might use if he was inquiring whether she enjoyed having her head chopped off. "Jason, from the time I was three until a few weeks ago, I was in what you would call school twelve hours a day, six days a week, three hundred and sixty days of the year. We got off New Year's Day, the Fourth of July, the first of November – because Halloween night was a big thing for us, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Otherwise, we were in classes." Jason looked like he was in shock. "That must've been the most horrible childhood ever!" Usagi laughed and as his cock began to stir, Jason prayed she wouldn't notice. "It wasn't bad at all, Jason. I enjoyed most of my studies – some a lot more than others," she said as her voice got soft and low, which only made Jason's erection more of a problem. "And as I got older," she continued, "I had more free time to pursue extracurricular activities ... it's not like they kept me in a prison cell or anything. How do you think I got so good at video games?" "Yeah, but still..." the teenager looked skeptical. "Jason, if it's what you're brought up expecting, it isn't so bad. My first reaction when I learned that public schools took the summer off was 'how do the students learn all they need to know when they waste so much time on vacation?' I was raised knowing I was going to be in classes that much. I was happy – many of my fellow students are just as happy. It's the way we're raised." "And you were raised in this country, right?" Jason asked, still not believing she could have enjoyed such a regimen. "Yes, Jason – from the time I was two until just a week ago I lived in a very large, very nice home up in the Hill Country. Other than the occasional rattlesnake or scorpion, it was a wonderful place to grow up." She finished her orange juice and stood up. "But enough about the past – we've got the evening ahead of us, what would you like to do?" Jason nodded towards the Xbox. "Ready for more?" "Certainly." ------- Piglet was spread out on the Drum, a recent addition to the household's playtime furniture. It was a large metal cylinder turned on its side, with points where someone could be secured to it while it was spun around and around. The salesman had cautioned them against using it in a pool, though he'd done so with a wink and a nod, but after cold stares from all four of the spouses, he'd changed subjects quickly. The Drum was also capable of being locked in place at any point in its rotation, leaving the victim either right-side-up or upside-down and ready for whatever torture was to be inflicted on them next. Harry had abandoned the bathtub for long enough to face-fuck Piglet, happily firing his load down her gagging throat before hobbling back to the tub and Camille's tender attentions. Once he was comfortable again, he looked to Carol and said, "Baby Girl, spin the bitch around ... twenty times. Piglet, I'd advise you not to vomit. You do and tonight's not going to be pleasant at all." In spite of the stricken look on her face, Gloria Tanner had no problem at all with how her evening had gone thus far. Margo lay on the bed while Jackie and Lisa worked over the knots in her back. She watched Piglet spin on the Drum and tried not to focus too intently on the upcoming week. Starting Monday, between work and the final arrangements for the party, she wasn't going to have a spare moment to herself until sometime late Friday evening. Margo could feel her muscles trying to tie themselves into even more knots at the very thought of it. By the time she could think about relaxing, she'd have less than 24 hours to go before what was looking to be one of the tensest nights of her life. The die had already been cast, it was an almost foregone conclusion that they were going to pull victory out of what they'd all suspected was going to be a crushing defeat just a few weeks earlier, but still Margo was agonizing over every decision. Kelly wandered in from molesting Angela in the living room. "Someone get Madam a pipe," she barked before squatting in front of Margo. "My love, if you don't' relax you're going to stroke out before the party and we can't let that happen. Why don't you just leave everything to Carol and me this next week?" Margo glowered at her wife from under furrowed eyebrows. "Realistically, what do you think the odds of that are?" she growled. "Slim to none, but I thought I'd give it a shot. Are you going to even make it to the party at this rate?" "That's exactly what I was thinking about," Margo said, sighing. "I'm not sure. I'll have Friday, or most of it, and Saturday morning to relax, but I'm afraid I'll be a nervous wreck come Saturday night, and having a stress-crazed Madam of House Chorale on the loose isn't the image I'm thinking we want to portray." "Well, you take a couple of deep drags on the pipe when it gets here, let me talk to the others, see if we can come up with some way to make it a little easier on you." Kelly got up and strode into the bathroom while Margo tried to just let her masseuses do their work. When Candy brought her the pipe, she decided to smoke herself into a stupor and see if that helped. "Piglet, did you do as I asked you to?" Harry said "Yes sir. I brought myself to the edge of an orgasm every night this week but never allowed myself to climax," Piglet gasped, her head spinning from her turns on the Drum. "But sir, please, I beg of you ... if you're going to have me do something like that again, please have me do it here." Harry restrained his urge to snap at her and in a neutral tone asked, "Why?" "Sir, the last several years have already brought me dangerously close to inappropriate behavior where my son is concerned. Driving me to the very edge of climax and leaving me there ... sir, I don't want to seduce my son, truly I don't." "I'm sorry, Piglet – you raise a perfectly valid point. From now on such punishment will be done here – where there are lots more possible targets for your lust and therefore it will be more difficult for you to resist disobeying me." He motioned Carol over and whispered to her briefly. "However, since you did not trust our good intentions where you and your son are involved enough to come to me with this problem Sunday night, when I assume the problem first manifested, you're going to be punished." Carol returned from the closet and began to lube a large and frightening butt plug, right in front of Piglet's face. "Sir, please ... no – I beg of you, don't have her put that monster inside of me!" Piglet cried. "All you have to do to stop me is use your safe word, you filthy, little thieving whore," Harry replied. "Do you want to use your safe word? Is this just too hard for you, you pathetic, mewling piece of shit?" "No ... sir," she sobbed. "Then stop your whining and take your punishment like a good little animal," Harry snarled. Carol quickly lubed Piglet's ass and savagely forced the plug into her. The woman on the Drum cried out loud, squirming side to side as much as she was able. Carol was more than a little worried about her, and listened very carefully for any sound that might be the woman even beginning to say her safe word, but in all the sobs and moans, there was nothing approaching the word "Rosicrucian". "It's done, sir," she reported to Harry. "So I can see, precious one. All right Piglet, that ass plug is the penalty you pay for not coming to me with this sooner. Next time you have any problem, any problem at all, with an instruction you've been given, speak up and do so as promptly as you can. There's no need for this to be any harder than I already plan to make it." He turned to Carol. "Go get Dayna." As Carol scurried out of the room, Harry hoisted himself out of the bath, wrapped a towel around his waist, and carefully made his way to Piglet's side. "Gloria," he whispered, "how are you doing?" "I'm fine, sir," she replied. "Yeah, my ass hurts right now, but emotionally and mentally I'm just fine. Thank you, sir. You're giving me exactly what I need." She wet her lips with her tongue and Harry felt his cock stir. "And don't worry sir, I won't make that same mistake twice. It's just ... after so many years of not getting what I need, I was afraid to say anything that might be taken as seriously complaining." "I understand ... I hope we can continue to make you happy." He straightened up. "Ah, Ms. Spyderchylde ... you have fifteen minutes to make Piglet come as many times as you can. If I think you're slacking off ... well, Carol and I will think of something evil to do to you ... something you won't enjoy." "Thank you sir," Dayna rasped. "This will be my pleasure." Then she knelt before Piglet, still hanging on the Drum, and went to it with a will, fingers and tongue flying. "So, how long will she be wearing the plug?" Carol asked, murmuring in Harry's ear. "We'll switch her to a smaller one before she goes home tomorrow – she'll wear it all week – you and Kelly plan on checking up on her at random times each day." "Did I hear my name being taken in vain," Kelly said. She had just finished a very thorough trip to the bidet and was almost skipping as she approached the tub. Harry filled her in as she climbed in beside him. "Sounds good to me, but what else are we going to do with Piglet tonight? We can put her on clean-up duty, but everyone's tired and there's not likely to be a lot of that." Carol smiled, "Don't worry, that girl's itching for a beating, I can feel it in my bones ... well, not really my bones, actually someplace much nicer. A nice lashing for her, she sleeps on the floor, we send her home in the morning a much happier Piglet." The three of them sat and watched as Gloria Tanner twitched and shook on the Drum, her eyes rolled back in her head. As excited as she'd been, as long as she'd gone without an orgasm, the woman had begun to climax within a minute of Dayna's tongue and fingers beginning their assault. "Have I told you lately I'm glad you talked us into getting that," Carol said to Kelly while she played with her nipples. Kelly's back was arching with pleasure as she replied, "Saw it online, and simply couldn't conceive of us having anything approaching a proper playroom without it." She grabbed Carol by the hair and drew her face to Kelly's breast. "Of course, one drawback – it is rather ... oh, that's very nice, sweetheart ... it's rather large." She looked at Harry. "Darling, I think the day may be coming where the 'playroom', so to speak, will spread from here into the living room." "Well, when it does," Harry replied, "We'll open up the bedroom to the living room, just leave in place the structural supports – I'm sure we can find something to do with them in the whole 'playroom' motif – and our already huge bedroom will get a lot bigger." Kelly pushed Carol away and climbed on her husband's lap, more than open enough for his cock to slide into her smoothly. "You're really looking forward to plowing that little slut, aren't you, my love," she said. "And you're not?" he replied, sighing as she began to slowly move up and down. "Oh, I definitely am," Kelly replied, "but we're discussing you, not me. I pretty much get the feeling that as far as you're concerned, she and Jason are part of the House now." "Yeah ... I'm not exactly sure what I'm thinking about the Tanners, but they might as well be members of the House. By the time she finishes paying off her debt, five years from now, Jason will be 19, and both of them will be firmly established as parts of our lives. I'm not sure I realized that was what I was setting up when I made this arrangement with her, but I did and we're stuck with it." "Not a bad thing to be stuck with," Carol said. "She's a sexy little beast, he's a nice kid, we've got what she needs, we can help make Jason's life a lot saner ... it's a good thing all the way around." "Oh, speaking of the greater good," Kelly interjected. "We've got to do something about Big Mama's stress levels, and I think I know what." Ten minute later Carol had Jackie and Lisa help Margo into the bathtub. "I think Big Mama is baked," Kelly chortled. "You are so right," Margo burbled. "I am beyond the Valley of the Well-and-Truly Stoned." "We're not going to complain," Lisa said. "We were finally able to work some of the knots out of her back." Harry laughed and looked over Kelly's shoulder at Margo as she slumped against the rim of the tub, eyes closed, letting the water jets do their work. "Sweetheart, do you trust your husband and wives?" "Mmm hmmm." "Do you believe that we only want what's best for you?" "Mmm hmmm." "Do you put yourself in our care?" "Mm hmmmm." "Fine – darling wife, you're forbidden to take a part in the final preparations for the party next weekend." Margo's eyelids shot up and she began to open her mouth. Carol put her breast in Margo's mouth and hugged her close. "You're going to be on the leash every moment you're not in public, and the only times you're going to be in public is while you're at work or while Nick and Gianetta are here. Otherwise, you're a submissive who will obey or will be punished. Do I make myself clear?" "Yeth thir," Margo replied, before returning to her vigorous sucking of Carol's tit. "Kelly and Carol will handle all the last minute details, if they need help we have more staff already than we know what to do with – they can help. Do you accept the decision of your spouses? Margo let Carol's breast pop out of her mouth. "Yes ... yes I do." Margo said. "You know I'm still going to fret and worry, right?" "Not if we give you other things to occupy your mind," Kelly purred. "Master," Piglet implored, "please, please sir, kind, just, and merciful sir, please ... the orgasms were lovely ... but sir ... I need a dick, a dildo, a cucumber sir ... it's been so long." Harry stood close to her, so close that his cock was brushing her pubic hair. "Are you dissatisfied with your treatment, animal? Are you implying that we're not taking good care of you?" he hissed. "No sir, no I'm not, I love the way I'm treated, even the painful parts. But sir ... Master ... it's been years." "Flip this ungrateful piece of shit. Hang her upside down – Kelly, get your flogger ready!" He leaned in close to her again. "Next weekend, on your knees, I'm going to be passing you around like the little slut you are. You're going to get so much dick shoved in every hole that by the end of the night, you'll scream at the thought of another dick – and not the good kind of screaming either. You're going to be a party favor ... until then, you sad little cunt..." He stood up and allowed Carol, Jackie, and Lisa to flip her and re-secure her to the Drum. "Until then, remember us by this," he finished as Kelly walked up wielding her flogger and an evil grin. "My love, use that on her cunt and the insides of her thighs." "With pleasure." An hour later, the rest of the household was fast asleep as Harry lay curled up in a ball, praying that he wasn't the monster he felt he was turning into. ------- The brunch buffet spread at the Hotel Grand was nothing short of opulent – from a whole prime rib that smelled nothing short of heavenly to a full bakery's worth of various baked goods still warm from the ovens to fresh seafood prepared to order to a spread of breakfast choices that looked good enough to make Tattiana Turov reconsider her plan to feast on nothing but prime rib and lobster. It was an obscenely decadent range of choices, and Tattie was afraid there was no way she'd be able to discipline herself enough to save room for dessert – and looking at the dessert options, that would be a sin against God and man. But even tempted as she was, Tattie was dreading her brunch with the Grimes family – not because she didn't want to see them – they were all very dear to her – but because the subject of the conversation made her cold inside. Tattie's life had already been blessed beyond her ability to imagine by the Russian children she'd taken into her home – even poor little Yuri Ivanovitch and the heartbreak he'd brought her was a blessing, although she'd had to look long and hard to find any silver lining behind that particular dark cloud. Finally she'd realized that without Yuri and the decision to institutionalize him, she might never have had Svetlana enter her life. When her thoughts were dwelling on little Svetlana, the dark cloud wasn't quite so bad – but when she thought of Yuri, alone in his cell at Rays of Sunshine ... there was no silver lining to be seen. She drove out to see him every other day ... every day was too emotionally brutal. She sat in his room with him, watched him stare at the wall with his mouth hanging open, the scar tissue inside a reminder of what monstrous things had been done to the child. Then she'd drive home again, lock herself in her bedroom, open her safe, and look at the pictures of what Nick's men had done to Dr. Albrecht, the back alley butcher who had removed Yuri's tongue for his then-owner. She still remembered when Nick had given her the file folder containing the pictures. She'd looked at each one, her gaze never wavering, her expression calm and reserved. She'd turned her eyes to Nick when she was finished and raised an eyebrow. "Tattie, he cursed God before he died – is everything to your satisfaction?" he'd asked. Tatiana Turov had nodded and smiled. But once Yuri had been institutionalized, she'd realized it wasn't enough – it could never be enough. Dr. Hans Albrecht was beyond the cares of the world, gone to whatever, if anything, came after. Yuri Ivanovitch Turov was shattered into a million pieces and even though the staff at Rays of Sunshine said they were hopeful that eventually he'd be able to leave their care – he was showing some signs of improvement during his therapy sessions – there was still a hole in her heart that no amount of optimism could fill. The Grimes family could see Tattie from across the restaurant as they walked in. "She's in a damned dark place," Kelly observed. "Yes she is," Carol agreed. "I haven't seen her like this since Tony died." "You got a bad feeling about this?" Harry asked, looking to their little hoodoo woman. "No sir, just sad ... very sad." Carol squared her shoulders and walked towards their friend. "Come on, we won't find out what this is about by standing here." After hugs and kisses were exchanged, and everyone had made their first pass at the buffet, Tattie picked at her food and began. "I've talked to my lawyer," she said, "and I've instructed him to change my will. The bulk of my estate will be held in trust for the children, should I pass before they achieve their majority. The rest is to cover any expenses in managing my business and handling my affairs." She sighed. "That job goes to you, Margo. If you're not able, to Carol, then to Harry, then to Kelly – and if all of you, God forbid, are unable to perform the task, then the executorship passes to my lawyer – or whatever buffoon replaces him when he retires." Carol reached out and put her hand on her old friend's arm. "What about Julie, Tattie?" "I love her dearly, and I approached her on the subject," Tattie replied, "but while she has no problem staying on and raising the children, she wants no part of managing the estate." She took a sip of her Mimosa. "There's more. If the children haven't reached their majority, I want your family to adopt them, and raise them as if they were your own. I've arranged for their jewelers training to continue, should I die or be incapacitated – they have all the raw talent they need to continue the line," she snorted, "they're gifted and smart enough to do pretty much whatever they want. But they still need training, and a lot of it, before they'll be capable of going it alone. Whichever of you it falls to will need to oversee the business side of things until they prove that they're capable of that as well, or you can find the business a suitable manager." She paused and sniffed loudly, her eyes glistening in the restaurant's soft lights. "I know this is a lot to ask – but I can't think of anyone better suited to the job, and I'd very much appreciate it if you would allow me to impose on you this way." Margo got up, went around the table and hugged their friend. "No problem – you just make sure you stick around long enough to see them ready to do it on their own." She smiled sadly. "But if you can't, then know that we'll take care of them as if they were our own." Tattie hugged her back. "That's all I can ask for," she said. Tatiana Turov felt a weight she'd hardly realized was there lift from her shoulders and she smiled a real, honest smile. "Well," Tattie said, "there is one thing more – I seem to remember hearing discussion of a school at your new 'Corral'. When that's up and running, I'd like my kids to attend. I really worry about their socialization, and I'd like them to have a group of freak-friendly kids to be around." "And that's even less of a problem," Margo replied. "Anything else?" "No, that should do it. And now that we've taken care of that ... I'm starved." ------- Galena had been sensing an overwhelming worry in her lover, but wasn't sure that asking Andrea would be the right way to handle it. Their relationship was, in many ways, still in the formative stages, and both of them were a little tentative about sticking their noses in the other's business. But after Galena, Andrea, and Martha had all enjoyed several orgasms courtesy of Patrick, Galena asked Andrea if she could go with her to work, hoping to discern if the problem was somehow related to her business. Andrea had said yes. She was making herself useful by re-shelving clothing when a loud slam from Andrea's office told Galena that something concerning the store was probably bothering Andrea. Cleo Vaughn, Andrea's assistant, started towards the office but Galena stopped her with a wave. "I'll handle it, you stay here." Cleo might not have known Galena for long, but she had some inkling of the relationship between Galena and Andrea. She'd also seen how much better Andrea was with Galena in her life, as opposed to the miserable wreck she'd been when she was still with Philip. Cleo gladly stepped aside as the teenager swept into Andrea's office. Galena found Andrea with her head on her desk, quietly crying. "Okay baby, what's wrong?" Galena asked, kneeling beside her lover. "I'm doing so well," Andrea sobbed. "The store is doing so well..." "Andie, darling, color me confused ... if you're doing well, what's the issue?" "I'm doing well enough," her roommate sniffed, "to cover the interest on the loans I took out for Philip. I should be growing my business, expanding, hiring more staff – instead I'm down to Cleo and Melinda, they're both putting in unpaid overtime - at their own request - so I don't have to spend all my time here, and I'm barely covering the interest. I mean, I'm making it, but one or two bad months and things will be so ugly." She turned to look at Galena. "I could lose this place; I could lose everything, all because I was stupid enough to trust that worthless prick!" Galena remembered everything Margo and the others had told her about her being part of the family and hoped she was right about what that meant. "Andie, let me call the Grimes and see if we can help." Margo was driving the family home from brunch when Harry's cell rang. A short conversation later they were headed for Tree Of Life. All of them crowded into the tiny office while Andrea filled them in. "All right, Andrea, I'm going to call my accountant, get him over here. Let's see what he says." Donald Walburg was a pessimist by nature and little in his life had challenged his inclinations. It didn't make him a lot of fun at parties, but it made him a pretty decent financial advisor and accountant. An hour after he started going over Andrea's books, he walked down the strip mall to the little Italian restaurant where the family was sitting and sipping coffee in the shade of an awning. Donald settled his heavy bulk into one of the delicate-looking chairs and scowled at Harry. "She isn't lying. Her store is profitable, was growing steadily until she developed cash flow problems, she's managing it well ... only reason she's on the edge is her debt load. One-hundred-and-seventy-six thousand dollars is a lot to carry, and when she took out the loans she got shafted on the interest rates. I can't find anything wrong with the idea of investing in her business." "And that just upsets you no end, doesn't it Donald?" Harry asked, chuckling. "Yes, yes it does. I would've been through sooner but I was practicing my "it almost looks too good to be true" due diligence." "Andrea," Margo said, "what we can do is assume and relieve your debts-" "Madam ... Margo..." Andrea stammered, "if you do that ... I'd gladly exchange you half-interest in Tree Of Life." Donald Walburg smiled and looked pleased. "No," Margo said and both Donald and Andrea's faces fell. "Not half interest – a quarter interest, non-voting ... we'll be silent partners, you know how your store needs to be run, we'll stay the hell out of your way. Our share of the profits are to be reinvested in the store and growing the business to where it should be until you and we are satisfied with the state of affairs. At that point, you can begin to buy out our interest, or leave things as they are and pay us our percentage. Your choice." "Madam, I accept, most thankfully. How can I ever repay your kindness." "I believe you and Galena could visit the family tonight – say around 6 ... we'll show you how to repay us," Kelly chortled, looking at Andrea and licking her lips. "It's a date," Galena said, hugging her lover. "We look forward to it." ------- "Well, the apartment complex we'd really want to move into, that 'adults only' place, has a waiting list a hundred miles long. No big surprise about that," Quan said as they sat around their dining room table, tired from a day of apartment hunting. "Yeah," Wendy said as she slumped back in her chair, "but from everything Liz at work says, it's worth the wait. I'm glad you put us on the list, no matter how long it is." Jess sighed, "I wonder if Kelly or any of the family know anyone at the Open Arms? I mean, given how deeply they're getting ingrained in the freak community, well, six degrees of separation and all that." She stretched, groaning at the tightness in her shoulders. "I'd have to do a lot of fence-mending before I could ask them to pull some strings..." "That's crap and you know it," Wendy said. "From everything you've told us, from everything I hear through the grapevine at work, all you'd have to do would be swallow your pride and ask." Jess ground her teeth. "Yeah ... you're right. I just feel like ... I was an idiot, the way I handled things. I'm not upset about the way they turned out," she quickly added, looking at her two lovers, "but I thought I was so tolerant, so open-minded ... so evolved about sexual relations ... and I walked away from that family because at heart I was an insecure little girl who wanted what she wanted the way she wanted it and nothing else was going to be good enough." "Please don't beat yourself up about that," Wendy said, getting up to hug Jessica. "Things worked out the way they did for a reason ... I'm afraid to think what my life would've been like if you two hadn't come along." Wendy knelt down beside Jessica. "But if you feel that you need to mend some fences, take it slow..." "Then you know what apartments we should move into," Quan finished. "The Talisker, four blocks away from your ex-roomies, and the only drawback is it has no pool or hot tub at all." "Yeah, but that close, it won't be any problem to borrow the Grimes' ... assuming they agree," Jessica said. "All right, give me the phone – I'll ask Kelly if we'd be welcome." Several minutes later, Kelly burbled, "Welcome? We'd love to have you living that close!" She lowered her voice some. "Really Jess ... don't feel like you've got anything to be nervous about. If you're cool, I'm cool. If you're happy, I'm happy – and it sounds like you're very happy, and I know that I am as well. And it'll get you out of that horrid apartment complex, which is a plus in anyone's book. The Talisker is very nice. Nicki – Harry's sister – and her pet live there, although they'll be moving home by the end of the year. Really sweetie, it'll be great to have y'all closer." After they finished talking, Jess looked at her roommates and smiled a relieved, if somewhat bewildered, smile. "I didn't really believe it would be okay..." she said. "We'll call the Talisker tomorrow and tell them we're taking the apartment." ------- The four spouses were standing in their huge shower while their submissives bathed them. Camille was lovingly washing every inch of Harry, Candy was doing the same for Carol, Lisa was trying hard to wash Kelly but was continually distracted by Kelly's fascination with Lisa's large breasts, and Usagi was very thoroughly and carefully cleaning Margo. In the bedroom, Angela, Dayna, Jackie and Billy were straightening up, putting out the hookah and carafes of juice and water, replacing the candles that had burned too low, and generally preparing the room for an evening of passion. "You were so right about the order of things, Carol," Harry sighed. "Enemas first, then showers." "Beloved husband, you should know to trust me implicitly when anything involves asses and play time," she replied. "I know my butts and stuff." She giggled. Candy laughed with her. Candy had been thinking about what Jackie had said out by the pool, and how her own answer had seemed more than a little inappropriate. This family, this House, was very new to Society, so they might not conceive of asking Jackie questions that any other House would ask as a matter of course. "Uh, Madam, Mistresses, Sir..." "Yes, Candy?" Kelly replied. ' "It occurs to me that perhaps you might want to find out what Wilma Fruehauf is planning." "How?" Carol said, putting her arms around Candy and holding her close. "Are you a mind reader?" She whispered into Candy's ear. "Have you been holding out on us?" "Uh ... no Mistress," Candy replied. "But there are things I know that you'd have no reason to suspect, and therefore no reason to ask after." "Such as?" Harry said. "House Fruehauf has one very weak spot that I know of - Wilma's daughter, Daniella, has been at odds with her mother all her life. There's a lot of history there, and really, I can only speculate as to most of it, but she's undeniably the black sheep of House Fruehauf and may well be worth talking to about her mother's plans." "Do you know of a way to get in contact with her?" Harry asked. "Yes sir ... should I make the call?" "Wait till you're done washing Baby Girl, then do it. I'll speak with her," he replied. "Don't you think I should-" Margo began. "Shut up, Bitch," Kelly growled. "You worry about making me come, let the grown-ups worry about everything else." "Yes, Mistress," Margo said, lowering her eyes. As soon as the family was out of the shower, the submissives started their cleaning procedures. Candy stopped on her way to the phone long enough to have an enema bag full of warm, soapy water injected into her rectum, then made the call and brought Harry the phone. By the time she'd been allowed to void herself and was carrying the first load of rinse water, the conversation between Harry and Daniella was finished, and he was on the phone with Eddie. When Candy came back into the bedroom, her second, and final, rinse load swishing round inside her, Harry had finished talking to Eddie. "Very good, Candy – thank you for that. Eddie's meeting with her tomorrow evening – he's probably on the phone with her now, working out the details." Harry stretched in the bed as his cock began to grow erect. "Daniella said she's so far out of favor with her mother that Wilma could be planning the D-Day invasion and Daniella wouldn't know it, but she had some ideas on how to find out what the bitch is up to. We'll see what Eddie has to say after he's met with her." He craned his neck to look into the bathroom. "Who's the closest to being finished?" he called. "I've got a hard-on I want to keep warm." "That would be me, sir," Billy answered, "but as Helen is spending the evening at home, I'll pass you on to number two." "This one will attend you momentarily, sir," Usagi said, "as soon as she is dry." ------- Helen McReady looked around her tiny apartment. Even with the outrageous retainer the Grimes family was paying her, her hours at Sisters of Mercy were almost nonexistent and she couldn't continue to afford the rent. She'd talked it over with Billy and would be moving into his room with him at the Grimes house at the end of the month. She didn't own that much – she was effectively already packed – so there was nothing left to do but worry about her future and stare at the walls. ------- When Galena and Andrea arrived at 5:45, they found the family and all its submissives ready and waiting. "Figured you might be a tad early, little Miss Eager-Beaver," Margo chuckled. "Have you two had a chance to get clean – I mean, really clean?" "No Madam," Galena replied, "we-" "She's not Madam tonight," Kelly said. "Until next Friday, she's just little old 'Bitch' ... you were saying?" "I'm sorry, Mistress Kelly. No, Bitch, we don't have the sybaritic excesses of your bathroom at our home," Galena said. "In the interests of efficiency, is there anyone available to assist us?" "Angela, Dayna, go help the two of them get ready," Carol said. "Take as much time as you need, but don't dawdle." She returned her attention to Angela's puckered sphincter, inches above her face. Kelly pulled Margo towards her by her hair. "You keep speaking as though you're in charge, Bitch," she growled. "I'm about five seconds away from putting you in the stocks and lighting that beautiful ass of yours up like it's the Fourth of July." "My apologies, Mistress – please do with me as you would." "I plan to. Plant your face in my pussy and get to work. Billy, come fuck this slut in either hole you want. Bitch, you falter, even for a second, and I will make your night too interesting for words." "Yes Mistress," Margo and Billy said, almost simultaneously. Harry grinned up at Usagi though a haze of sensuality. "You are really talented," he said. "Thank you sir," Usagi replied, continuing the soft, slow, and very controlled massage of his cock by her vaginal muscles. "It is always good to know one's training has been successful. This one is pleased to serve such a lovely family and looks forward to many happy years fulfilling your desires." Margo pulled her face away from Kelly's moist cunt. "Interesting news about Jess and company, isn't it?" "Back to work, Bitch," Kelly replied, pulling Margo's face back to her crotch. "Yes it is ... I keep feeling like both sides lost when she left. I don't want a serious relationship with her, but I do care about her deeply and I'd love to be friends with her again." Harry calmly said, "You wouldn't be looking forward to ending up in a sweaty session of steaming hot sex with her, would you, Kelly?" "Not at all, my love," Kelly replied, smirking, "not at all. And I know Quan, she's a delectable little morsel as well. Wendy sounds like a perfectly ripe peach, full of juice and just waiting to be sucked dry." "You're mixing your metaphors just a tad there, Kelly," Harry observed. "So what ... from what I hear, you'd be on Wendy in a heartbeat if she didn't have that unfortunate anatomical situation." "Quite probably so, but she does, alas ... I shall have to content myself with the paltry pickings here in my home. Only eight beautiful women to occupy my attentions-" He looked towards the bathroom. "Plus whatever poor, sexy waifs wash up on the shore, so to speak." "Harry, I'm remarkably close to tying you to the post and working you over with a crop," Kelly said, laughing. "No my darling dear, you're remarkably close to trying," Harry replied."In this case, the gulf between 'trying' and 'succeeding' is vast indeed." "Unless she calls in Karen or Eddie to help," Camille said. "True, unless she brings in the Wrecking Crew," Harry agreed amiably, "in which case I shall indeed be beaten." Galena and Andrea came in from the bathroom, glowing and bouncy. "All right, Harry," Galena said, "which of us first?" Harry looked somewhat abashed. "Uh, dears ... flip a coin, arm wrestle ... I'm not going to state any preference ... I've come dangerously close to a beating tonight already. The one thing I do know is that this lovely young woman currently keeping things warm, wet, and erect has a date with my face." "This one would hope she was being offered a place to sit, to rest her weary bones?" Usagi teased. "Indeed you are, my dear – although how much rest you're going to get remains to be seen." Harry ended up entertaining Galena first, and only by exercising more self-restraint than he generally felt called upon to exhibit was he able to avoid climaxing, leaving him able to accommodate Andrea as well. "So, are you feeling more relaxed," Harry asked her as she lay on top of him, taking a breather after a particularly vigorous series of orgasms. "Umm hmmmmmm," she murmured. "I'm feeling much better after your visit to the store today. I don't think I'm going to be worrying about buying the family out once things are back on an even keel. For the help the family is giving me, you deserve to share in the profits." She kissed him, her tongue making itself at home in his mouth while he held her even closer in his arms. Before either of them realized it, Harry's legs were thrusting him in and out of her. "Andrea, darling," Carol purred, "are you allowing my husband to use his legs?" The kiss broke and Andrea sat back, settling Harry's hips back on the bed with a soft 'thwack' and a slight bounce. "Not anymore, Mistress," she replied. "Good girl ... forgetting yourselves momentarily is perfectly understandable, but 'momentarily' is the key part of that phrase." Carol settled back into the sixty-nine she was enjoying with Lisa, Angela having been passed on to Kelly's loving attentions. The evening closed out with a sleepy and satiated session of Church, all of them sitting on the bed, close together, communing with the Eternal. Then Galena and Andrea went back home, all of the submissives except Camille went to their beds, and the Grimes family slept peacefully through the night. ------- Elsewhere, things were not quite so peaceful. It had taken him much longer than he'd planned, but he'd found her. He watched her walk out of the alley on her skinny, shaky legs and stagger back towards the street, trying her damnedest to pretend she was the beauty she'd once been. Her skin was mottled, she was sweating like a pig in spite of the night's mild temperature, and he could see her coughs shaking her whole frame. Eddie Janak stepped out of the shadows of an abandoned store front and said, "Hello Angie." ------- Chapter 58 "Eddie," Angie Bolan rasped, "what are you doing here?" "Looking for you, Angie – why else would I be in this part of town at this time of night? You disappeared, fell off the radar completely. That makes me nervous, makes me wonder what you're up to, what you're trying to hide." "Eddie," Angie replied, "I'm not up to anything. I dropped out of sight because ... I don't want anyone I know to see me like this." Her hands, skeletally thin, reached out and grasped the big man's arm. "Eddie, I swear, I'm being good, I'm working the 12 steps, I'm not causing trouble for anyone – sure as fuck I'm not going to cause trouble for Harry or his family." Eddie looked at her and put his hand on her forehead. "You feel hot, Angie." "No Eddie, I'm freezing." "I'm sure you are ... come on." Terror distorted her features. "Eddie, no, I'm telling you, I'm being good." "Angie, you're sick, I'm taking you to a clinic, not hauling you off to kill you." On the way to a 24-hour clinic – one that Eddie had had reasons to use in the past - Angie passed out in his truck. He wondered as he drove on if it might not be kinder to put her out of her misery altogether. "Ah, there's the monster I know and love," said the voice inside his head. Eddie looked at the pathetic creature slumped in the seat next to him and said, "Not today, asshole – not today." ------- Nick Philouma was busy – things were coming to a head and there were never enough hours in the day. But he could never allow himself to be too busy to speak with his father, his consigliore. It was obvious to his son that Victor wasn't doing well. Danny was pushing him around, something Victor didn't tolerate unless he had no other choice. After Danny parked the old man next to Nick's desk, he left, closing the door behind him. "What are you doing, Nick? Are you trying to lose?" "Hello Papa, how are you feeling today?" Nick asked, keeping his tone calm and even. "I feel like crap piled on a piece o' burnt toast," the old man replied, pulling out a handkerchief to cough into. "What you're doing to the family ain't makin' me feel any better." "Have I lost your trust, Papa? Have you decided to replace me?" "No," Victor barked. "I handed the family over to you and trusted you to protect it. I'm not going back on that decision. I thought about it, but then I pondered the loyalties of all the men around me and decided not to push the issue – I'm not sure which of us they'd kill and that ain't a bet I want to make. Your hospital, your financial generosity – you got men willing to die for you." "Isn't that what I'm supposed to have, Papa?" "Yeah, but too many of them are doing it for my taste. I know you, Nick, I know you're smarter than this. I give you advice as your consigliore, I tell you how to turn this thing around and you ignore me." Nick Philouma relaxed, taking his hand off the pistol in his desk drawer. "Papa, trust me. What I'm doing is for the long-term good of the family. We are paying a horrible cost in the short term, I won't deny that, but believe me; I have the best interests of my family at heart." "Nick, I'll trust you a while longer – we won't have this conversation again. Next time I will tear my heart out of my chest, cry bitter tears, and have you killed." The old man set his jaw and glared at his son. "Unless you do the smart thing and kill me first." "No Papa, you try to take me out, and no matter what, I guarantee you'll die before I do. But I won't start this thing between us. Go home, Papa – you're not well and you don't need to be out of bed." "Is that an order, Don Philouma?" Victor asked his son. "No, it's a request from a son who loves his father very much," Nick said, coming around the desk to hug Victor. "Trust me just a little while longer – everything will work out in the end." "All right, Nick – a little while longer. But that's all I can give you." Nick was crying as he kissed his father's cheek. "I know, Papa, I know." ------- Margo felt better as she left for work Monday morning. She'd let go of the responsibility for the party, placed it in the hands of her wives, and walked away. Kelly was right, she needed to spend some time on her knees. The night before had been wonderful, she'd been used like a slut. Billy had pounded her cunt like it was an anvil and he was the hammer, then casually pulled out, fingered her to another orgasm, and climbed on top of Carol. She'd sucked the cum out of Andrea's cunt and Carol's ass, she'd licked so much pussy her tongue had cramped and her face was a little raw around her mouth. She was happy, more relaxed than she'd been in quite a while, and was looking forward to whatever her Mistresses and Master had planned for her that evening. She didn't even feel her customary pangs of jealousy when leaving Harry at home with the other women. ------- Harry Grimes lay in bed, resting between Kelly's legs, his head between her breasts, and enjoyed the sensation of Carol's ass around his cock. She was slowly gliding up and down on him, periodically squeezing his dick, pausing to enjoy an orgasm of her own every so often. It was a tradition for them on Mondays, a quiet time for the two of them. Kelly held him, or held Carol when he was able to be on top, but otherwise even Camille was banished from the bedroom. Afterwards, Carol would bring Kelly off several times with her fingers and tongue, the whole experience helping Carol to get in some much needed submissive time. Finally Harry's orgasm couldn't be delayed any longer and he flooded his pet's rectum with cum, shot'ering as he rode out the aftershocks of his climax, Carol sitting very still atop him, keeping her rectal muscles relaxed so as not to impede him in any way. As often happened after being held near the edge of orgasming for so long, Harry nodded off for ten or so minutes afterwards while Carol carefully cleaned him up with a warm, wet washcloth. Then it was time for another pot of coffee and for the three of them to get on with their day. "You know, this is not something you hear a lot of men say – or at least, not a lot of straight men – but we have got to get some more dicks in this house," Harry said, savoring his cup of Ugandan Mountain coffee. Carol and Kelly were laughing as he continued. "Really, I know that dildos and strap-ons are all fine and good, and they'll continue to be the only cock-like things to penetrate me, but it can't be the same – it can't be." Kelly was still chuckling. "It's true Harry, it's not the same," she said, "although sometimes that can be a good thing as well. I've never had a dildo go limp just when things were getting good. But you know how freaky Margo can get about such other men. I mean, any day Papa Stripper wanted to come home with us I'd welcome him with open legs." "I like Papa too," Carol said, "but I'm not sure I'd want him here all the time. I think he's doing a lot better work where he is, operating out of Dominique's. If anyone in the group was going to adopt Papa, I think it should be Tattie. I know she's developing a social life, and a love life, through her friends from the club, but I think Papa could keep her a very well-loved woman and would be happy to do so." "Her talk about dying kind of freaked me out," Kelly said. "I don't want to think about her passing away any time soon. She's too precious to all of us." "Committing Yuri – admitting failure with Yuri – took a lot out of her," Carol replied. "She's got the kids to live for, but I think we and Julie have become a kind of double-edged sword where they're concerned. She knows that if anything ever happened, the kids would be taken care of. Not that I think she's going to go actively looking for a way to die, but she can relax a bit. I worry that sometime, between the stress of Yuri's condition and her age, she might get sick and not fight as hard to survive as she might have if she didn't have the family as a safety net." "Okay then, that's worth worrying about," Harry said. "If she's got you worried ... let's really get behind her hiring more help ... Carol, do you remember anyone from the group that got dumped on us that might fill the bill?" "Maybe, dear, maybe ... let me make some calls. If I can't find somebody in that group, I guarantee Dommi knows of someone who could help." ------- "Pneumonia, girl? I knew you were sick, but pneumonia?" Angie's roommate, Valerie, had taken on the task of nursing Angie back to health. Angie had spent most of the day asleep in a fever, but around 5 in the afternoon the fever had finally broken and with that, Angie had surfaced from her drowsy stupor. "That's what the doctor said, Val – pneumonia." "And this john that brought you home last night, he paid for it all? You must've tossed his salad, taken him around the world, and sucked his brains out through his dick!" Angie's emaciated body shook with laughter, then coughing, then more laughter. When she finally was able to catch her breath she said, "Nope, didn't do any of that. In fact, he'd just as soon kill me as look at me." "No, honey – that big scary motherfucker wanted you dead, you'd be dead. He took you to the clinic, got you your medicine, brought you home, got us groceries, and paid our rent for a month, just so I could stay home and take care of you till you're better. He don't want to kill you, he wants to fuck you." Angie's next bout of laughter and coughing went on even longer. "No ... no ... trust me, Val – I fucked over his best friend in the world. He's just ... honorable – yeah, that's what I'd call it – honorable. He's waiting for me to fuck up and threaten to cause Harry, my ex-husband, trouble again. The day I do that is the day you lose a roommate and I disappear off the face of the earth." Valerie looked at her with disbelief in her eyes. She turned and headed for the kitchen. "Let me get you some soup – and I still say that man wants to fuck you." Angie's laughter followed Valerie out of the bedroom. Angie knew all too well that the only way Eddie Janak would ever get his cock anywhere near her was if he had the opportunity to skull-fuck her lifeless corpse – and probably not even then. ------- Margo had been confused when she got home – Angela and Candy treated her like royalty. They took off her clothes, got her into a hot bath, fed her supper while she soaked, bathed her, dried her, and then tucked her into a warm terrycloth robe before leading her back into the bedroom. The Sybian was sporting a new attachment – a double penetration saddle. Lubricant glistened on both 'cocks', and when she turned to look at her bath girls in joy, she saw their demeanor had changed. They pulled her robe off, bound her hands to her sides, and forced her down on the saddle. Margo gasped as she was penetrated in both holes at once. While her mouth was open, Lisa shoved an open mouth gag in, and locked it onto her head. Her legs were locked into a spreader bar and Margo found herself incapable of getting off the saddle. Her night was off to an interesting start. ------- Eddie was used to odd meetings with strangers in out of the way places, but it had been a long night followed by not nearly enough sleep, and topped with a full day at work. He wasn't particularly in the mood to deal with a lot of clandestine bullshit. Still, as was always the case with Eddie, he had a job to do and was determined to see it though – even if it did mean driving to the far south side of the lake and up into the hills among the homes of people who had the money to afford what amounted to private estates. At a little strip mall convenience store, he saw the crimson'71 Karmann Ghia convertible he'd been told to watch for. He pulled in beside it and sat waiting, watching the young woman behind the steering wheel. She got out of the car and walked around to lean on his window. She was about 5' 8", thin and lithesome, dressed in a simple white linen shift, belted at the waist. She moved like a dancer and behind her dark-rimmed glasses he could see that she was not plain, and not pretty either. In a way, she reminded Eddie of Tatiana – neither would ever be beautiful, but could easily be considered handsome. "So you're Eddie," she said in a low and husky voice. "Yes ma'am, and you're Daniella Fruehauf." "That I am. I've got a six-pack of beer. Let's sit on your tailgate and discuss how best to fuck my bitch of a mother in the ass." ------- Three hours of sitting close to the edge of an orgasm. Three hours of watching her spouses play with the House's slaves, just feet away from her. Three hours of smelling it, hearing it, tasting it on those occasions that a cock, whether real or silicon, was shoved through the leather tube holding her mouth open. Three hours of wanting to get up off the Sybian's saddle and join in, wanting it – for the moment – more than she'd wanted anything in her life. Mostly, three hours of wanting to come so bad she would have at least considered doing anything any of them asked her, just for the orgasm that sat tantalizingly out of reach. It would be a fierce one, and she might not be able to stand or speak coherently for a minute – or thirty – but after that? Anything, anything they wanted. Finally someone, Margo wasn't sure – and didn't care – who, upped the power on her mechanical lover and she screamed through the open-mouth gag. She would have collapsed, except for the walls of flesh that surrounded her. Margo was held upright by the bodies of her spouses and lovers, clustered around her almost claustrophobically, most of their moist and fragrant crotches at the same height as her head, surrounding her with the smells of sex so strongly that when she finally became coherent again those smells were the only part of her orgasm that she could remember. She wasn't awake for long after that. She drifted off to sleep serenaded by her family's whispered endearments, safe and secure and loved. ------- "You're willing to go to all this trouble for a group of people you don't even know?" Eddie asked. "I may not know them," Daniella replied, "but even if they were axe-murdering pedophiles with a taste for cannibalism and drinking pig's urine I'd consider them a step up from my family." "They really that bad?" Eddie chuckled. "They have more than their share of dark corners and dirty secrets," she replied, "but objectively, not that bad. I've just had my fill of them and I'm ready to get out of there." She leaned in and Eddie was uncomfortably aware of the woman next to him on the tailgate of his truck. "That does bring up the last few things I want to discuss," she said. "My price for helping your family." Eddie turned to look at her, giving her a frown that had frightened many a grown man. "I thought you were doing this to get even with your family, Wilma in particular." "Oh, that's most of it – well, that's at least half of it. The problem is that when it all comes down, and the shit hits the fan, it would really be best if I were nowhere close to her. She's not known for her anger management skills – she's more known for never having developed any. "No, the rest of what I want is this: recognition of my House in your society – I'm not sure what I'll call it yet, but I and my subs will definitely be forming our own. I want a guarantee that we'll be an equal partner in your alliance, no matter what..." "And? I'm getting the feeling there's an 'and'," Eddie said, finishing his last beer. Her hand landed softly on his knee and slid up his leg, slowly and sensuously, moving to his inner thigh as it made the journey. When she reached the bulge in his jeans, she stopped – all for but one finger that caressed him through his pants. Eddie's eyes bugged out like a Pekingese's. ------- Tuesday morning Margo was walking a little funny, but otherwise felt like a million dollars. She knew that, with the proper care, the soreness would pass, and it was hardly the first time her family had left her in that condition. Her morning had started with a handful of lube being slathered between her legs. She wasn't surprised at all when it was followed by her husband's dick, driving into her. She'd enjoyed it in a rather distracted way – she hadn't had an orgasm, she hadn't even gotten close – but that was okay, she was submitting to her family's desires. When he was close to finishing he'd pulled out, scooted up the bed and put his dick near her mouth. She'd finished him off, he'd wiped his wet and sticky crotch with her hair and then gotten up to go shower, all without saying a word to her. Once she'd gotten out of bed herself, the family's treatment of her had changed. She was no longer an anonymous fuckslut, to be used and abused; she was once again their spouse, and someone to be treated with respect by the household's submissives. And once she was no longer a cumrag, she could chastise her husband for mistreating his leg. "Harry, why were you on top this morning?" she said as they showered together. "I was careful, sweetheart," he replied, moving over to hug her. "But the whole effect would've been ruined if I'd made you do the work. So I just took it a little easy, short strokes, put most of the load on my other leg." "Why not have Billy do it?" she asked. Harry looked at her with bemused patience. "Because I wanted to fuck my wife." She leaned into him, enjoying the feel of his arms around her. "Oh, okay." "In fact, if we had a little more time for me to recover – and a little more time before we had to leave for work, I'd love to do so again." "And you'd please let me do the work this time?" she asked, nuzzling against his neck. "Anything you desire, wife – anything you desire." ------- Even though she wasn't in charge, Margo had left Kelly and Carol a long list of notes – things that had occurred to her concerning the party that weekend – and they were happy to have it. Margo had thought of things that they hadn't conceived of, and listed possible solutions as well. Tuesday the two of them spent a lot of time on their phones, and most of the afternoon out handling issues face to face, while the rest of the staff prepared the house for Nick and Gianetta's dinner. The plan was for the spouses to stay long enough for cocktails before leaving Nick and Gianetta alone to get to know one another, Angela and Usagi to stay behind as hostesses, and to clean up afterwards, while the rest of the household went to stay in a suite at the Omni. Margo had been more than a little tempted to just reserve the suite for the rest of the week and the next as well, considering they were coming back after the party. When she'd discussed it with Mr. Saunders, the manager, he'd made her an offer she was very happy to accept. She had a feeling that a neutral space, like the hotel suite, might come in very useful over the coming week. Galena had already requested a hotel room for Thursday night and Friday. The longer she thought about it, the more Margo liked the idea. As for Nick and Gianetta's dinner, the two of them had collaborated on a list of favorite dishes and Gianetta had gotten the list to Margo. She'd taken the list to the household's stay-at-home submissives, and determined that between Candy and Usagi, there wasn't anything on the list they didn't feel comfortable preparing. They'd decided on a menu, and the two of them were in charge of the preparation. Margo spent most of her workday Tuesday dealing with patients – a most welcome distraction as it helped her avoid worrying about things that her family had made quite clear were no longer her concern. She had a therapy session with Hal Stallings that afternoon and as welcome as it was, she'd considered canceling and rescheduling. Nick and Gianetta were supposed to arrive at 7 PM, and going to therapy would have her getting home around 6. But a little voice inside her head told her with the week, and weekend, that was coming, she needed her session with Hal, and so she went. To her chagrin, she didn't make it home until 6:15. Once in the front door it was if her feet barely touched the floor. She was whisked into the bedroom, stripped, showered, dried, and sitting at her dressing table before she felt she had time to blink. Usagi was working on her hair and makeup while Carol offered her wardrobe options. Before she had time to do more than voice an opinion, she was being dressed. At 6:55 she was seated in a comfortable living room – full of carefully disguised fetish furniture – waiting for their guests to arrive. "Harry, how does anyone live without a household staff?" "Well, Mrs. Got-Rocks, it's probably a poor and pallid existence, scarcely better than time spent in Hell," he replied, smiling at her. "But it's not a problem we have to deal with – we've got a household staff – yea verily, we have more household staff than we need." "And we're likely to acquire more," Margo said. "And we're almost certain to acquire more," Harry agreed. In the kitchen, Angela and Usagi heard their Madam groan. ------- With matters accelerating as they were, Wilma Fruehauf found herself without the time to come up with something truly devious and underhanded. Many in Society felt the matter would be resolved that weekend and for the time being, Wilma was happy to let them believe so. If she could put together some kind of coherent response, the issue wouldn't be resolved until the Fetish Ball proper, and if she succeeded, what happened there and then would surprise a lot of people. She cursed herself for being so shortsighted, so out of touch with the political situation that she hadn't seen this plan of Minerva Cornelius' coming. If the Central Texas area re-entered state-wide Society, Wilma and her House were screwed. They no longer had enough money to be truly influential, they weren't politically powerful enough to be truly influential, so House Fruehauf was looking at going from being a large fish in a small pond to an inconsequential and therefore ignored fish in a much larger pond. That was an intolerable situation, not to be endured. The echoes of her family's power and prestige were all she had left and she wouldn't see them flushed away without a fight. But how to fight? Dominique and House Velacourt could easily thwart two of the most obvious means of attack – she was left with pulling together a coalition of support behind Dick Laney – a man she considered to be a syphilitic pustule on the cock-tip of life. Or ... she could put forth a candidate of her choosing and make it a three-way race ... perhaps siphon support from both the candidates and pull off an honest-to-God miracle. ------- Harry Grimes was thinking with his little brain, most delightfully so. Gianetta Bruno, Nick's fiancé, was a raven-haired, full-bodied fuck beast from the Mediterranean. In ways she reminded him of a more zaftig Kim Kardashian, if Kardashian was charming, intelligent, witty, Italian, and spoke perfect English. Gianetta had been born in Naples to a banking family, and spent most of her teenage years, when not in school, traveling all over Europe and the Middle East before coming to the states to go to college, eventually getting a Masters of Fine Arts in theater. She'd gone to work in one of the city's many funky, small theaters, with plans to work her way up in the theatrical scene. The cocktail hour had been joyous, full of laughter. Both Nick and Gianetta had hinted that they'd appreciate the Grimes staying through supper, but Kelly had squashed that possibility. "Sorry you two, you have things to discuss and I must drag away my family so that they might hatch evil plans in preparation for my birthday party tomorrow night." "Oh, I would love to come," Gianetta burbled. "I know Niccolo can't attend, but would you invite me, please?" The four of them had, as one, looked at Nick with raised eyebrows. "Let me explain things to her a little more thoroughly over supper and if she still wants to attend, well – as long as things are kept very discreet, I have no problem with it," he replied. "Good, just what you need, Nick," Margo said as she kissed him on the cheek. "Another way to avoid having the talk the two of you need to have." ------- "Lord, if you love me, don't let that woman show up tomorrow night?" Kelly intoned, sitting in Harry's lap. "Husband, I can tell you feel the same." "Damn right ... I wanted to forget Nick was there and just bend her over a chair and do her right there," he replied. "Uncouth of me I know, but day-um ... that she's marrying a gay man is a waste." "In both their cases," Carol said. "Nick's been yummy all his life – well, until recently – and she's too hot for words." "If she shows up tomorrow night, we'll make sure she understands exactly what's going on," Margo said. "And if she's truly amenable, I am going to put her on her knees in front of me and-" "You're not going to do a goddamn thing, Bitch, unless we tell you to," Kelly snapped. "Don't go forgetting your place or I'll have you in the alley behind the hotel giving out blow-jobs for a dollar." "Yes, Mistress," Margo replied, dropping her gaze. "Please forgive me; I forgot my station in life." "Well, take it easy, baby – you won't forget it tomorrow night," Kelly replied. ------- The family had decided to take advantage of a chance to relax. Everyone had gotten comfortable in robes and pajamas and lay in a huge puppy pile, then agreed on and ordered a movie on cable, watching it on the big screen HDTV that the suite sported. Some of them hadn't even managed to stay awake through that. When Angela and Usagi arrived, it was almost 3 AM, and most of the House was asleep – on beds, on pull-out couches, on roll-away beds. The suite resembled a barracks more than a hotel room and they were surprised not to find the smell of sex in the air. Carol and Kelly were awake, peering at Kelly's laptop and talking quietly. "Hey guys, how'd it go?" Carol called softly across the room. Stripping off their clothes as they crossed the suite's sitting room, Angela and Usagi smiled at each other and giggled. "Mistress," Angela replied, "if Mr. Philouma could've come up with any other conversational gambits to delay the more important talk, he would have." "I think he might have thrown himself on a sword to end his agony," Usagi laughed. "You would have thought he was going to his death instead of carrying on a conversation with a lovely lady." "Well, Nick has a lot on his mind right now," Carol said, feeling called upon to defend an old friend. "I'm sure it wasn't that bad." "Mistress, it was worse than that bad," Angela said, "at least at first. Once he got over his jitters, they seemed to have a lovely time, but Mr. Philouma – Mistress Carol, I'm not in the same league as you, but my read on it was that he was prepared for almost anyone – except her, except Gianetta. I think he was expecting someone he'd have to tolerate, instead of someone he could actually regard as a friend and, perhaps eventually, a confidant." "By the end of the evening, around 2, they were getting along famously," Usagi reported. "But believe me, it was a long and arduous road to get that far." "Well, as long as it worked out in the end," Carol said. "Now that you're here, let's go to bed. Morning is going to come far too early." ------- Wednesday morning dawned rainy as the first 'cool' front of the fall moved very slowly through Central Texas. Leaving the 'extended stay' supplies they'd brought in the night before, everyone in the family went on their ways, leaving the suite unoccupied. "Kelly, I'm sorry that we didn't get anything really big planned for your birthday this year," Harry said as they stood waiting for the valet to bring his car around. "Dinner at the Bangkok Inn and back here for a small celebration sound okay?" Kelly did a masterful job of hiding her disappointment. "Sure, sweetie – with everything that's going on lately, I really couldn't expect anything too fancy. Dinner and a small party here sound lovely. Just remember though, if the birthday girl doesn't get fucked, and fucked hard, it will not go well with any of you the next time the Queen comes to visit." "Even with as little preparation as we've gotten done, I think we can promise that you will get fucked tonight," Harry laughed. He kissed her and got in his car. As her husband drove away, Kelly sighed, facing another day of last minute fine-tuning for the big party that weekend, and the rain wasn't helping her mood any at all. ------- Harry was on the phone all day, making sure everyone knew that, no matter what they heard, the party had not been moved to the Omni – it was still a surprise party at Dominique's. Carol considered chewing her tongue off to keep from saying anything to a mopey Kelly throughout the day. Luckily they were too busy for Kelly to notice the giggles and quiet conversations of the house staff. About 4:30 Carol and Kelly headed for the shower to start getting ready. Kelly tried to put a brave face on, but Carol heard her sniffling suspiciously once or twice as they were getting dressed. Since her parents were going to be in attendance, Kelly walked a thin line in her clothes choices, finally deciding on a pair of relatively low-cut and comfortable, jeans, and a metallic blue boat-neck blouse. Of course, underneath them were an electric blue t-back thong and a matching sheer blue bra. "You look good enough to eat when you're out of your clothes," Carol said as they finished dressing, "and like a good little girl in them. That ought to keep Earl and Kissie happy." "There are days I think Mama doesn't really care. Daddy, on the other hand ... yeah – dressing to comfit his illusions is necessary." She turned to her wife, "Although ... you know, in the abstract, just thinking of Daddy a decade younger, purely as a physical specimen?" "You'd hit that in a second?" Carol laughed. "Oh, you bet I would – he'd have Kelly Ann Culberson all over his body!" "I know what you mean ... difference is, darling, I'd hit that right now," Carol chuckled. "Ew ... now it's icky," Kelly replied. ------- Mrs. Sukwahari and Chatsirree had been warned what kind of get-together the family was having that evening, and while both were disappointed, Chatsirree had already been told that there was an after-party at the hotel and she was definitely invited. So that she would have time to get there for the big surprise, Mrs. Sukwahari assigned them a different waitress. Rain threw delays into almost everyone's schedule, and so the household dribbled in, most of them damp to one degree or another. ------- "Earl, if you make any fuss, even so much as one little 'peep's worth of fuss, you will be going home alone tonight," Margaret Culberson said as they made their way to the restaurant. "Where would you sleep, Kissie? Be reasonable!" She looked at him in the direct way that was almost enough to make him forget she was blind. He could feel her eyes boring into the side of his head; he didn't even have to turn around to know what she was doing. "Earl Culberson, do you think I'd have any problem finding a bed for tonight, or any other night?" He realized just how close he was to really fucking up. His wife was still very attractive and he had no doubt she could find a man to take her to bed anytime she decided to, although he prayed that wasn't how she'd meant it. "No honey, I don't. I know Kelly and her family would put you up anytime you asked." "You're right, they would. You, on the other hand, they'd probably leave out on the porch ... maybe, if you were real lucky, they'd throw you a blanket," she said, settling back in her seat and facing straight ahead. Her voice softened into a mocking tone. "I wonder why that is?" "Because you are a much wiser, more tolerant person than I am," Earl said, giving up the fight, at least temporarily. "You're damn right I am," his wife replied. "Now let's see if traffic will let us get to the restaurant any time soon." ------- The Vimanmek Palace room was filled with people, food and smiles – not much else since everyone had arrived hungry and the bounteous portions of Thai food were too good to let get cold. After everyone was through eating, Carol put her hands over Kelly's eyes and their waitress wheeled in the birthday cake. "I smell peppermint!" Kelly cried. "Please tell me you got me a Candy Cane cake from Sugar Mama's!" "See for yourself," Carol said, pulling her hands away. Kelly squealed with joy. "It's a little early in the season for them to be making peppermint bark, but we were able to convince them to put one together for you," Margo said. "And after months of listening to you talk about it, I can't wait to try some." "Trust me, Big Mama, one bite and you'll be Sugar Mama's little bitch," Kelly replied, her eyes twinkling. "Valrhona chocolate cake, lots of white chocolate chips swirled inside, peppermint cream frosting, handmade peppermint bark crunchies all over the top ... it's sin, pure sin, on a plate." She drew a deep breath and blew out the candles. "Trust me, sweetheart, that gets harder the older you get," Earl said. No matter what his misgivings, he couldn't deny that his daughter was happier than he'd ever seen her – and she'd been a very happy child. As cake was consumed, and universally praised, presents began to appear on the table in front of Kelly. "Now I know you people hate me," Kelly pouted. "Put presents in front of me while I'm eating Candy Cane cake! What's wrong with you, splitting my attention like that?" "Yeah, yeah, we're evil, get over it," Eddie said as he added another present to the pile. "Now see, you're going to pay for that tonight, Mr. Janak," Kelly replied. "You're thinking you're all big and bad, but I'm gonna..." She looked over at her parents. "I'm gonna make you pay – believe that!" "I live in fear," Eddie intoned. "Not yet, but you will," Kelly replied. Kelly 'squee'd with delight as she began opening her gifts. She didn't know it at the time, but she had set the theme for her gifts weeks earlier when she went wild over a leather dress. From her spouses she got a black leather dress very much like the one that had set her off. It was sleeveless, two columns of studs ran down the front of the bodice and the pleated skirt went to the floor. Only her father's presence kept Kelly from stripping down and putting it on immediately. Karen and Patricia had gotten her a sleeveless dark brown leather vest. Inside the box was a note in Patricia's handwriting, 'Wear this braless and get a lot of attention from me ... maybe from us both'. Kelly looked at her and winked. Galena and Andrea gave her lined, black leather opera gloves. When she finished clapping her hands together like a four-year-old, Kelly put them on and refused to remove them for the rest of the evening. It was obvious that her parents and spouses had colluded as well when she opened Earl and Kissie's present. Kelly held up a black, tea length, sleeveless leather dress. "That's it, dammit," she cried. "I'm going to the bathroom, I'll be right back." Kelly returned to appreciative clapping and whistling, even from her father. The dress fit her like a glove and she couldn't stop smiling as she showed it off. Finally, she opened the last present, the one from Eddie and Tamara. "You got me pink leather chaps," Kelly burbled. "Oh my god, thank you so much!" She hugged Tamara, picking the little woman up in her arms. "I hope you don't mind if I don't go change clothes again right this moment," she said, before whispering something in Tamara's ear. Eddie was very worried by the smile Tamara gave Kelly in return. After the round of hugs for everyone there was finished, Harry got to his feet. "I propose a final toast to the birthday girl, Kelly Ann Culberson-Grimes, and then we've got to get on the road to the next party." "There's another party?" Earl said. "Why didn't you just combine the two?" "Because, Daddy dear, the next party would give you a stroke, a heart attack, and an erection that wouldn't go down for a year," Kelly replied. The stern look she gave him let him know that she, like his wife, was in no mood for foolishness. "Oh," Earl replied, and then he raised his glass to join the others. ------- In the parking lot, Kissie called out, "Earl, go ahead on home. I'm going to go with them to the next party; I'll catch a cab home." "Mama!" Kelly blurted. "Are you really sure you want to do that?" Again, Margaret Culberson unleashed her glare. "All right," Kelly said. "Don't worry, Daddy, we'll take good care of her." Carol volunteered to ride with Karen's group so Kissie would have more room, but Mama Culberson wasn't having any of that. "Girl, I know you have curves, so does Margo, so do I, but we can all still fit in this back seat," she said. After they were all in and the car on its way, Kissie said, "Now kids, I know that you're going to want to be a little restrained, or maybe intimidated, because I'm along for this party. I know what kind of a party it's meant to be from my darling daughter's comment to her father. "Believe me," she continued, "that's fine with me. Don't tone down or change your behavior any at all, just because I'm along ... please. I need to get to know, and get comfortable with, this side of my new family and friends, and I doubt there's anything you can do that I haven't heard of before. If I think you're holding back or trying to keep from shocking me or some other crap like that, I'll be very hurt." "Oh shit, she pulled out the 'hurt'," Kelly said from the front seat. "Guys, might as well face it, we're doomed. We'll just have to do like she wants." "Good, I'm glad you agree, Kelly. Now then," Kissie said, "I believe I heard Margo talking about firing up a pipe. Who's got the pot?" "MAMA!" Kelly exploded. "What, child, you think your father and I were always old and tragically unhip?" ------- "Harry," Kelly said two bowls later, "this isn't the way to the hotel." "No, Dommi asked us to stop by and see her on the way to the party. She's up to her neck in paperwork or she'd be there. She wants to give you your present and visit for a few minutes." As they approached the club, Carol said, "Nobody's here?" "Yeah," Margo replied. "She closed it for the night so she could grind through all the paperwork and such uninterrupted. It's going to be so much easier for her to get some quiet time to do that kind of thing when she's living a few houses away from us." "This friend of yours is moving into your neighborhood?" Kissie asked. That led to a remarkably open discussion of Margo's plans with her mother-in-law as they pulled into the parking lot, got out and headed for the club. Inside, the lights were off except for a spot on the 'three-ring-circus', where Dominique Duvalier sat with her submissives and Sinfonia, the bar manager, going over paperwork that was piled up on the table in front of her. As the group moved closer, Dommi stood up, threw open her arms and said, "C'mere, birthday girl, gimme a hug!" Kelly ran forward to do so and as Dommi pulled Kelly into her arms the club lights went up and from all around came cries of "Surprise! Happy Birthday, Kelly!" Kelly looked around and saw almost all of the House's allies and friends in attendance. Even the four disgraced former Mistresses of the defunct House Sandalwood were there. Kelly's eyes filled with tears and she hugged Dommi tighter. "You guys are the greatest," she whispered. "I dunno about that," Dommi replied, "but we are pretty damn good." She released Kelly, gently pushing her towards the arms of her family and said, "Sinfonia, get your ass to the bar. Tonight all drinks, all night are on House Cornelius!" ------- Within minutes Kelly was out of her dress and into the leather vest and the pink chaps – and much to the delight of the attendees, nothing else. Dominique turned on the club's little used sound system and the dance music was pumping throughout the building. When everything was going to her liking, Dommi sat down at the table with Harry and the body slave he'd recently been reunited with, Camille. Mama Culberson sat on Harry's other side, enjoying a Screwdriver and the pleasant buzz she'd gotten from her hits on the pipe. "Harry, I think I can guess," Dominique said, "but just to be sure, please introduce me to this lovely lady." "Dommi, this is my mother-in-law, Mrs. Margaret Culberson." Dominique moved around to sit beside her, and took the blind woman's hands in her own. "Mrs. Culberson, it is a pleasure to meet you. I love your daughter to death." "It's a pleasure to meet you, and you better call me Kissie, since I hear you're going to be my in-laws neighbor before too much longer. May I?" Kissie said, holding her hands up in the general direction of Dominique's face. "Of course, ma'am ... I mean, Kissie," Dommi replied, bringing her hands up to Dommi's face. "She's a beauty, Harry," Kissie said, caressing the club owner's face. "Oh Mama, you don't know the half of it," Harry said, praying there was no way his mother-in-law could tell that Camille was caressing his crotch. "What am I not seeing ... well, you know what I mean?" Kissie asked. "Go ahead, Dommi, she's already smoked up with us in the car, and I think she can handle this place just fine." Looking at him like he was insane, Dommi carefully moved Kissie's hands to Dommi's barely concealed breasts. "Thank you, darling," Kissie said as she very lightly moved her hands across them, and then down Dommi's sides. "You're right, Harry, she's something." "Go ahead, Dommi, give her the full tour," he laughed. "Ma'am, just keep your hands about right there, I'll turn underneath them." Dominique stood, and slowly turned in place, until Kissie's hands were brushing her exposed bottom. Kissie very carefully caressed the large, soft globes, and let out a whistle of appreciation. "Harry, I feel really odd saying this, but I hope your alternate lifestyle has let you ... experience her?" Kissie said. "Mama Kissie, we all love Dominique – very, very much," Harry replied. "And it damn well better be very, very often or you're all much stupider than I'd like to believe you are," Kissie replied. "No Mama," Harry answered, "believe me- we're nowhere near that stupid. There are many reasons we're going to be happy to have her as a neighbor." "Good. Now, what other lovely people are you going to introduce me to?" Kissie cocked an ear for a moment and then said, "For God's sake Camille, just unzip him and pull it out – that scratching on his pants is making me a little twitchy." ------- It would hardly be Gianetta Bruno's first wild party. She'd spent her late teenage years club-hopping in Europe, and theater crew's wrap parties were notorious for a multitude of reasons. Still, it had dawned on her during dinner that she was going to become the wife of a very powerful and influential man – and these people held a special place in his heart. She liked them as well and didn't want to make a bad impression. From what Nick had told her, she was about to enter a sexual free-for-all, and while that thought didn't dismay her in the least, she was about to become the wife of a very powerful and influential man. In their home might be one thing, but at a club – the risk to her and Nick's reputations was unacceptable. Standing in the lobby, she waved down one of the club's staff and sent a note to Margo. ------- "Bitch, where do you think you're going?" Kelly said as Margo started to walk away from her side. "I have someone I need to talk to," Margo replied. "No you don't, tonight you're my version of Camille – you don't leave my side," Kelly replied, looking appreciatively at her nearly naked wife. "Mistress, I must go. Put a collar and leash on me and have one of the subs escort me, but I must go." The look in Margo's eyes left Kelly with no doubt she was serious. "Angela, get over here! Collar and leash this bitch and take her where she needs to go." ------- After all the introductions were done, Papa Stripper had asked to keep Mama Culberson company so the rest of the family and guests could play. He'd even put on pants and a t-shirt for the occasion. He looked at the discomfort of those that shared their table, laughed and when she looked inquisitive, he explained. "Mama C, dere's five odder men at dis table, all of dem wit beautiful ladies at dere sides, all o' dem wit dicks limper den spaghetti." Kissie's laughter was contagious. "All right, gentlemen," she announced, "Papa and I are going to go sit over there." She pointed towards the door. "You can have fun in peace." As they walked away, she murmured just loudly enough for Papa to hear, "And I'm going to have you describe everything that's going on to me." ------- Margo walked back into the club, with Angela holding her leash, and a ravishing, black-haired woman in a deadly little black dress walking beside her. The stranger was wearing a colorful, three-quarter face Mardi Gras masque in red & gold, and carrying a small, brightly wrapped present. When they first started coming to Dominique's, it had taken the Grimes family no time at all to accept the most important, although effectively unspoken, rule of the scene. If someone was masked, there was a reason. There should be no speculation, no attempts to unmask them, and no comment made if they happened to resemble someone famous or well-known. After all, at some other point in time it might be their turn to wear a mask for a very good reason. So no one in the family said anything, even though the spouses and two of the submissives knew who it was beyond a shadow of a doubt. They were all too busy anyway, hoping the anonymity of the mask might mean she'd play with them. ------- When Kelly was exhausted from dancing like a madwoman, she returned to the table and collapsed. "Bitch, lick me," she sighed. Margo fell to her knees and began to go down on her wife and Mistress. Li Kuan followed her off the dance floor, sweating, but scarcely breathing hard. "Now that you are taking a breather," the Chinese woman said, "I may deliver my Madam's gift." "I thought the open bar was her gift!" "No, Mistress Kelly – that is her pleasure. Her gift is this," Li Kuan replied, handing Kelly a wooden box so highly polished it almost glowed. Kelly opened the box to see a set of three toys: a flogger with twenty 18" straps, a flogger with 14" of horse hair below the handle, and a cat o' nine tails, with straps 36" long. Around each handle was a silver band inscribed with "Mistress Kelly, House Chorale". "Oh my," Kelly said, her eyes lighting up. She picked up the horse hair flogger and began to lay it back and forth across Margo's back. "Thank Madame Cornelius very much for these, Li Kuan. They're lovely." "It is her pleasure, and mine, Mistress," Li Kuan replied. The tall Chinese woman knelt down beside Margo and whispered, "It has been arranged, tomorrow night you belong to me." Margo shivered and was completely unable to tell whether it was fear or anticipation that drove her to. ------- "So why do you live this way, Papa?" Kissie asked. "It's de life dat makes me happy," he replied, putting down his drink. "I spent some time workin' de street, but it was sad it was. Took all de joy out of de thing, made it cold an' dead. Den a friend o' mine, she leave de life an' become de fuck-slave o' dis very nice older gentleman. She hunt me down an' tell me all about it – how happy she was, how safe, how loved she was. It sounded nice, but I didn't know how to do it, how to find someone. She asked around, found out about a Mistress dat was lookin' for men like me, an' I got wit' her." Papa went silent, a silence that just kept getting longer until Kissie asked, "I get the feeling you'd rather not talk about it." "Oh no, Mama C, I don' mind, it's just dat I get to t'inkin' about it, I get sad. "She was a real nice girl, she was – don' be gettin' me wrong, she was strange, jus' like we all, but underneat' it all, she was a nice girl. Her family, dey had some problems, an' of course de problems, dey come down to her, like dey was in de mot'er's milk she drink as a baby. Me, her, de ot'ers, we was happy – 'till I break de rules. I fell in love wit' her. Don' make no mistake, she love me, she love all of us – but it was de love of de Mistress for de slave, not nowhere near de love of a woman for a man. We be slaves to her, always, an' we not never be not'in' else. So I left an' wondered what I do wit' my life den. "I had heard about dis place, though I never been here before, an' most of what I heard was good, so I come here, not knowin' no better, an' start bangin' on de door at nine in de mornin'. When Ricky open de door, I look at him an' I know I made de mistake. I t'inkin' he throw me out in de street, but he jus' smile at me an' take me to de back, showed me a bed to lay down on, an' left me dere." He picked up his drink, finished it, and motioned for the waitress. "Dat night I talk to Dominique, she answer all my questions an' I answer all o' hers ... an' den she start tryin' to talk me into workin' here, workin' for the club." "You're that talented, Papa?" "Dey tell me I am, but de real t'ing dat I be good at is makin' people feel better – whet'er it be talkin' to dem, massagin' dem, makin' love to dem – I like makin' people feel better, so dat what I do. It de same for everyone dat's good at dey job, it is – dey love it, dey good at it. Dat's why I got of de streets – you make de client feel good, yeah – but it just de physical. Inside dey feel bad dat dey paid for an imitation of de love dey need. They feel bad dat de don't have de real t'ing in dere lives. Where de good feelin' in any of dat? Cold an' dead, like I said." Their waitress, Caroline, came to the table. "Bring me anot'er cola," he turned to Kissie, "an' for you, pretty lady?" "Coffee, if you have it," Kissie replied. Caroline bobbed her head and headed for the bar. "So I work for de club - Dominique, she makes sure de people I play wit' are good an' kind, I live de life I like, her club gets de good word from de happy people." "And you don't get close enough to anyone to risk falling in love again," Kissie said softly. "You live the life you want to live ... alone." "Dat about de size of it, yes. But I tell you one t'ing, if it make you feel any better – if I was goin' to hook up wit' a House, wit' a family, de group your daughter is wit', dey would be de one I would choose." "I like them too, Papa. Speaking of my daughter, do you want to tell me what she's up to?" "Mama C, how trut'ful you be wantin' me to be?" "I can take it, hit me with whatever." "Mama C, your daughter, dat Kelly girl ... you know dey make dat Twinkie?" Kissie Culberson shook her head and smiled. "Yes, yes I do." "Well, dat your daughter right now ... except..." "What?" "She gettin' de cream from both ends." Papa blushed more than he had when he filled her in on anything else that had happened that night. "But don't be worryin', dey both very nice men. Master Stefan an' Master David, dere Houses be allied wit' your daughter's." "Well at least she's among friends," Kissie replied. ------- "Thank you, gentlemen, thank you both," Kelly said, getting up off the table. "It's been lovely, but I need to go sit down." Leading Margo by the leash, Kelly sought out Dommi and plopped down beside her. "How's your night going, birthday girl," the club's owner asked. "Really... really nice. How's yours?" "In a few minutes, I'm gonna go pull that little girl off your husband's lap and let him make me a happy woman," Dommi replied, motioning to where Sheila was riding Harry's cock. "But first, I suppose I should give you your present." "Dommi, no – this party, that's present enough for me for my birthday and Christmas rolled together." "Are you saying you want me to take back your leather spanking dress?" "You mean like you wear? No ma'am, Dommi, I'm not saying that at all, in fact," Kelly said, hopping up and then sitting on Dominique's lap, facing her, "I'm demanding," she said as she nuzzled her friend's neck, "demanding that you have someone bring me my present right away." "That's what I thought," Dommi said, hugging her while throwing her head back to present Kelly with more neck to kiss. ------- Daniella Fruehauf walked into Dominique's never stopping to worry that she wasn't invited. She would never admit to another living soul that she needed House Chorale more than it needed her – in fact, the exact opposite was what she tried to portray with every move and gesture, with every word she spoke and every inflection she put on those words. She had to break away from House Fruehauf and she was realistic enough to realize that she'd never take that leap without somewhere to land. House Chorale was her only chance – no other House would offer her alliance, fearing the old and toothless creature House Fruehauf had become. It was sad that in their precious Society, as in most other societies, illusion was more important than truth, tradition was more important than innovation. Fruehauf held power because people continued to believe it did, no other reason. People believed it did because House Fruehauf acted as though it did, no other reason. The Emperor was not only naked, he wasn't even the Emperor – he was just another pathetic drunk with delusions of grandeur, and no one dared to call him on it. House Chorale, when it came right down to it, didn't need her, or her information, or her help. She wasn't sure what her mother was planning, but even if she flooded the Fetish Ball with people who would vote exactly how she told them to, the coalition that Chorale and Cornelius had built would simply splinter off and go their own way. They'd be accepted state-wide because they'd show up and expect to be included – something Laney or her mother would never do. Chorale would win because other than one little, ultimately unimportant election, they had already won by being willing to step up. Nature abhorred a vacuum, and Central Texas had been a vacuum for far too long. Any House that showed up, acted like a leader, and had an acceptable amount of support behind it would be recognized outside the area. Daniella's thoughts would have scandalized any of the major Houses, with the possible exception of Velacourt, but that didn't make her wrong – in fact, from everything she'd experienced as a scion of a major House, their scandalization probably meant she was right. She strode towards the table where most of the leadership of House Chorale was seated. She smiled to herself as she thought of a song by the Who. Time to meet the new boss – most definitely different than the old boss. ------- Gianetta Bruno looked for a quiet table where she wouldn't be alone, but wouldn't be interrupting something either. Her eyes settled on a table where an older woman and a very handsome man were seated and she walked over, trying not to stagger – she hadn't danced like that in years. "Pardon me, but could I sit down for a bit?" she asked. "Certainly," the lovely older woman at the table replied. "I'm Margaret Culberson, the birthday girl's mother. You are?" "She is masked, Mama C," Papa interjected quickly. "Dat means we don't be askin' no questions." "Call me Jan," Gianetta said, slumping down into a chair. "And you are?" she said to the man. "Papa Stripper – I work at de club. I'm just here keepin' dis lovely lady company." "And helping me stay out of the way so I don't cramp anyone's style tonight," Kissie chortled. Gianetta had some experience with the blind and scooted her chair a little closer. "Ma'am, if you'd care to take a look at me?" Margaret Culberson smiled as she raised her hands and allowed 'Jan' to guide them to her face. "Very nice mask, and what isn't mask is lovely ... is it bad form to ask how you know my daughter?" "Yes ma'am, it is," Papa said. "Almost any question is a bad t'ing." "I'm sorry then, I retract the question. It's so sweet of you to come. You seem to be a bit tired, can we have the waitress get you something from the bar?" "I would like that very much," Gianetta replied. "I had no idea I was so out of shape." "Maelynn!" Papa called, waving his hand. When the waitress arrived, Gianetta asked for a peach schnapps spritzer with sparkling water on the side, Papa wanted his Coke refreshed and Kissie shifted to an Irish coffee. "I'm hoping to have a moment with your daughter to give her a gift," Gianetta said, "but she's ... busy ... this evening." "Oh, don't worry Jan," Kissie replied. "I've had Papa give me a running commentary. That's part of why I'm here this evening. I know one side of my in-laws and their friends; I felt it was time I got to see the other side of their lives as well. So far ... perhaps if I were thirty years younger - and a lot more comfortable with myself ... otherwise though, they seem very happy, and very comfortable. At least, when I'm not around, that is." She laughed and Papa and Gianetta joined her in the laughter. "Papa, go get my errant daughter – don't pull her out of anything too interesting, but do let her know someone would like to speak with her." ------- After she'd gotten cleaned up, Kelly wandered aimlessly, watching people dance – whether vertically or horizontally – and thought about how lucky she was to have such friends and such family. She briefly considered going to sit with her mother and Papa Stripper, but decided she wasn't quite ready for the experience of sitting mostly naked in front of her mother while holding Margo's leash. Then Papa's arrival made the point moot. ------- "Harry, Carol, Karen, Patricia," Eddie said, nodding towards each in turn, "Tamara, Camille ... this is Daniella Fruehauf." Harry rankled at the thought of someone inviting themselves to Kelly's party, but restrained himself because of the politics of the situation. Patricia was a designated driver, so Karen had had a few and had no interest in suppressing her first response. "Well, aren't you full of yourself," she said, getting to your feet. "Your parties so damn boring you've got to come crashing ours?" While Daniella Fruehauf was an inch or two taller, it was obvious to anyone that in a physical confrontation, Karen would break her like a twig, and enjoy doing so. "It appeared to me to be an opportune moment to introduce myself, since time seems to be of the essence," Daniella replied. She looked at Harry. "Although if you wish me to leave, I suppose we can scrap the idea of me helping you." She raised her chin and ever so slightly looked down her nose at those around the table. "Yes, that's probably for the best. Good evening." She turned and walked away, waiting for someone to stop her. Carol hopped up, ran around in front of Daniella, and smiled, putting her hands together in an attitude of prayer. "Mistress Fruehauf, my apologies." She smiled at Daniella. "It is rude of you to crash these festivities, and you know it. However, that does not excuse our lack of hospitality." Daniella stared at the short woman, surprised at her confidence in calling Daniella out for her rudeness in the middle of what was expected to be an apology. "If you would be so kind as to return to the table, perhaps proffering an apology of your own, it would go a long way in getting all of us what we desire." Daniella gave Carol an appraising look. "Does your House realize what they have in you, little sub? I don't normally take on women, but if you wanted to switch Households..." "Not in a million years, Mistress Fruehauf. My husband and wives would be most upset." "My apologies, Milady Grimes – I had not put your name together with your position." Daniella realized how close she was to blowing her own deal. "I truly had not realized you were that Carol – your submissive pose does confuse the issue." "Apology accepted, Mistress Fruehauf. Now, if we could return to the table?" ------- "Kelly, Margo, this is Jan," Kissie said, raising her eyebrows. "Pleasure to meet you, Jan," Kelly said, sitting down beside her. As was proper, Margo said nothing and remained at Kelly's side, her eyes downcast. "Have you been enjoying yourself?" Kelly said as she tried not to leer at Nick's fiancé and failed dismally. "I'm having a lovely time at your party, thank you for asking," Gianetta replied. "I haven't danced so much in years." She rubbed her sore legs, calling attention to them as they came out from under her short black dress. "I'm going to have to spend some time getting back into shape, I see, if I'm going to continue to attend parties like this one." "There's nothing wrong with your shape, nothing at all," Kelly murmured, not surprised in the least to hear her mother snort in amusement. "Well thank you, you're too kind," Gianetta replied. "I have a gift for you from ... a mutual friend. He asked that I bring it to you, along with his best wishes for a happy birthday and many more years of health and happiness." Gianetta extended the package and Kelly restrained her urge to snatch it and rip the paper off. She took it from Gianetta and admired the small, rectangular present in its gold paper. She slipped a fingernail underneath the tape and carefully unwrapped it. Her heart leapt at the 'Tiffany & Co' embossed into the box's cover. "Our friend is much too generous," Kelly said. "He can afford to be, for those he treasures as friends," Gianetta replied. Kelly lifted the lid. Inside, on a simple black twist cord, was a disc of green jade framed by a gold rim, with a Moorish-influenced geometrical pattern in gold the front. "Oh ... my ... God..." Kelly breathed. "Mama, it's beautiful." She turned to face Gianetta. "Jan, really – this is too much!" "Only if you choose not to wear it," she replied. "Our friend was most explicit in his instructions. I'm to make sure that you accept it and wear it proudly, no matter what degree of persuasion it requires." "Oh really..." Kelly said, raising one eyebrow and letting her eyes roam over the beauty before her. ------- "All right, now that all the ruffled feathers are smoothed over ... we have a plan, guys," Eddie said. "It's illegal as hell, and it's better if none of you know what it is, but we have one, tentatively scheduled to be implemented tomorrow evening. If we succeed, and I think we will, we'll have a direct pipeline to whatever Wilma's planning. Isn't that right, Daniella?" "Most certainly," she replied. "Mother's very predictable, very set in her ways. With a minimum of work, Eddie and his ... Eddie should be able to ... damn, this avoiding of the methods we're using is tiresome ... it'll work, trust us." She smiled at them all. "Of course, there is one little thing standing in the way of our implementing our plans." She looked at Eddie and licked her lips. "I'm not doing my part until Eddie does his." "Sir, am I to understand that for things to proceed," Tamara said, "she wants you to fuck her?" "More the opposite, actually," Daniella said. "I just want him to lie back and enjoy." "Hoodoo woman," Eddie said, "what do you think?" "Get out of your clothes and lay down on the table," Carol replied. Once he had done so, blushing and grumbling the whole time, Carol said, "C'mon girls, let's hold him down. Time to incapacitate the large man." Tamara shifted and threw her leg over Eddie's right arm, settling her naked crotch onto his wrist. Carol did the same on his left arm, with Angela and Usagi settling on his legs. "Now Eddie, if you try to break free, for whatever reason, you'll hurt one of us," Carol said. "So relax and enjoy this." "Yes sir," Tamara added, "but try to leave a little for later. There are other people with plans for you tonight." Eddie's groan set them all to laughing. ------- Kelly was ready to jump on Gianetta Bruno right then and there – and to hell with what her mother thought, but Margo headed her off. "Jan, are you really sure you want to do this, given your future social commitments?" she asked, daring Kelly to say anything. "Our friend has made it abundantly clear that he has no problem with it – and given his personal situation, he has little room to talk. He has no intention of being a monk and I certainly have no aspirations to be a nun. He can hardly object on moral or ethical grounds..." "I'm not sure I like the sound of that," Margo said, not bothering to disguise her anger. "I'm sorry," Gianetta replied. "I realize that might sound like I'm disparaging him. I'm not. There are just practical considerations in our relationship. He holds you and your family and friends in high regard, higher perhaps than you know. I like all of you that I've met, I intend to deepen our friendship, I hope to come to love as he does in the months to come. Here, and in your home, I have anonymity and discretion – possibly the only places where I'm truly safe. "The biggest concern of all is not my reputation, but yours. I'll have to be very careful to make sure you're not connected to me – for your sakes." "Am I ever going to know what's going on?" Kissie asked, exasperatedly. "Probably not, Mama C," Gianetta replied. "And that's for the best, believe me." She continued, "He and I discussed it this evening after you left. If I'm to have a sexual outlet, your group is far safer than any affair I might have. You, your spouses and your servants' interest in me was impossible to ignore, and I feel the same way." Gianetta had not planned on things going as far as it looked like they were going to that evening, but the moment was upon her. "So, I tell you what," Kelly said, smiling. "The three of us get out there and dance, just as nasty as we can." Her hand caressed Gianetta's leg. "The first cock that gets out here with us, you and I'll split. Whoever gets there next, they can either wait till we're through with the first man, or they can use this slut," she said, shaking Margo's chain. "That sounds lovely," Gianetta replied. She stood, took a deep breath, and slipped out of the skimpy black panties she'd been wearing. "Almost certainly won't need these." "I'll hold them for you," Kelly said, taking them from her hand. Kelly brought them to her face and breathed in deeply. "Yum ... of course, you might have a problem getting them back." "Who says I'm going to try?" Gianetta replied. The two of them pranced off towards the dance floor with Margo following dutifully behind. Kissie muttered something under her breath. "What was dat, Mama C?" Papa asked. "I said, if I were even ten years younger and single, I might show my daughter a thing or two." "Pretty lady, your age don' mean a t'ing, an' you be the only one worryin' about bein' single. You give me half a sign, I do my best to make you a very happy woman," he said, and then touched her shoulder ever so lightly, "an' I bet you I succeed." Her hand moved to his face, patted his cheek and then caressed it briefly. "Papa, you're very sweet, but I'm happily married and feel no need, nor much desire, to go elsewhere. Right now Earl is at home going out of his silly mind, worried that I'm getting together with someone who looks a lot like you – tall, handsome ... young. Once I get home, he's going to spend the next two weeks, possibly longer, doing everything he can to be the perfect husband. Let me tell you, sweet man, the sex is going to be stellar." "It sounds like you got him well-trained, pretty lady." "It's not training, Papa – it's having lived with the man for thirty-two years. I wish you could find someone you wanted to spend time with." "I have, Mama C – she just don' want to spend that kind o' time wit' me." "Papa ... what's your real name?" "John Christopher Odell," he replied. "I prefer 'Christopher', if you're gonna call me somet'in' ot'er dan 'Papa'." "Then Christopher it is. You can call me 'Kissie'." "T'ank you ma'am, but I t'ink I'll be stickin' wit' 'Mama C'." Kissie Culberson laughed. "Fine, whatever you're most comfortable with." ------- Eddie Janak was most emphatically not a happy man. There was no denying his precious Tamara was happy, or that his friends were happy – even the woman bouncing on his dick was happy – repeatedly happy. Eddie however, was not happy. He could come to terms with opening up his relationship to include members of the family – he didn't want to, but he could cope with it. But the relative stranger who was fucking him like he was the last dick she was ever going to see? Her he was having some problems coping with. Still, he kept his mouth shut because her help was important to his friends and family. And after all was said and done that evening, he was going to have a talk with his beloved, and with the rest of the family. Daniella Fruehauf was going to be the last stranger he was going to fuck ... she was going to be the last stranger to bring back memories of the bad old days ... she was going to be the last stranger to make the voice inside his head laugh and laugh and laugh. ------- The three women dancing together on the dance floor were putting on quite a show. Gianetta's little black dress was pulled up to her waist and her hairy cunt was rubbing on Kelly's left leg with every sway of their bodies. Margo was grinding her clit on Kelly's right thigh in a circular motion that had her ass shaking in a way that got every man who was watching hard as a rock. As for Kelly – well, she was Kelly, wearing an open leather vest and chaps and nothing else but Gianetta and Margo. Despite Kelly's expectations, and hopes, no one approached them. None of the men in the audience were insecure enough to feel that the scene required one of them. it was beautiful, hot, and erotic all on its own – no cocks required. The women with them were happy to take advantage of the hard-ons the scene produced. Karen and Patricia, however, were not men. They realized that however much fun the women might be having, they were putting on a show with one purpose – to get dragged away from the dance floor and fucked. "By God, if no one else will then let's go carry out your threat, Tricia. You told her what wearing that vest would start," Karen growled. "Get the strap-ons ready – you get Kelly and the new girl, I'm gonna teach Margo what prancing around naked gets her." Karen marched onto the dance floor, picked Gianetta up and put her over her right shoulder, then grabbed Kelly with her left arm and one-armed the birthday girl over her left shoulder. As she strode off the dance floor back to their table, two squealing women on her shoulders, Margo just tagged along behind, grinning like a mad woman. ------- Daniella Fruehauf was finally satiated. She lay on top of Eddie and caressed his skin, drawing the experience out as long as she could. She knew he didn't care for her, she knew he hadn't wanted to fuck her. But she also knew that the body reacts, whether it wants to or not – particularly the male body. She was enjoying every second of his discomfort, particularly as she knew she'd never be in a position to make him feel that way again. At a certain point, Carol had felt things go wrong for Eddie. Things had gone from "Eddie wasn't comfortable" to "Eddie's in a bad place because of this". She was holding her tongue because Daniella's help was important, but at last she'd had as much as she could stand. "Come on, you big, beautiful man," she said, gently pushing at Daniella, "us two poor, helpless little women are going to get you all cleaned up," she finished, nodding to Tamara. Daniella got off of Eddie with a mocking smile on her face. Her slaves were going to enjoy her homecoming that night, right up to the time she told them to start packing, and to do so quietly because no one else was to know they were leaving the House forever. All of them were going to be very tired, her included, by the time things got going the next night, but once they were all moved in to their new home – a small house she was renting in a neighborhood in a northern suburb – they could curl up on the bed and sleep as much as they wanted. Tamara had felt the darkness invade her Edward's head just as Carol had. She wasn't sure why it had come, but it was there, and she knew of no one she'd rather have helping her get rid of it than her oldest and dearest friend Carol. ------- Papa sucked in air suddenly, as if he realized he was plunging into the deep end of a pool. "Christopher, what's wrong?" Kissie Culberson asked. "Mama C ... dere's a woman, she's got Mr. Eddie down on de table an' she's ridin' him for all he worth..." "Who is she?" "Her name be Daniella Fruehauf, Mama C." "She's the woman you fell in love with, isn't she?" Papa sighed. "Aye, she and no ot'er." ------- Patricia could have told Margo she might be in for a pounding – so long as the lubrication held out, Karen frequently believed in using a strap-on like a crotch-mounted weapon, intent on delivering orgasms or death. Margo was trying to crab-crawl away from Karen and the Dildo of Doom but Karen was having none of it. Sherman's March to the Sea was nothing compared to her pursuit of Margo across the table. Upon reaching the edge, Margo braced herself and leaned into Karen's thrusts ... and the most surprising thing happened. Karen slowed down, and gently, tenderly fucked her. Soon Margo felt comfortable releasing her death-like grip on the edge of the table and laid back and enjoyed Karen's attentions. Karen smiled at her lover as Patricia pursued her own prey on the bench next to the table. It had been a hard decision to make for Patricia. The new woman, who'd introduced herself as 'Jan', looked, smelled, and felt good enough to eat ... but for Patricia, oral sex was much more intimate than using a strap-on. She didn't feel comfortable burying her head between the thighs of a woman she'd just met, a woman she wouldn't know the real identity of. Kelly, on the other hand ... Patricia loved her dearly for all of Kelly's insanity. She'd played with her before and besides, it was the woman's birthday, and Patricia had it on very good authority that she was skilled at oral sex. So she lay on her back, pulled Kelly atop her face and smiled when she felt 'Jan' settle onto the silicone cock she wore. As both of them began to move on her, back and forth and up and down, she heard Kelly say, "I gotta say, Patricia – I like the kind of attention this vest gets me." ------- Once they'd cleaned him up, they found a table near the staff showers. Carol perched on the back of the bench seats and did her best to work the stress out of Eddie's shoulders and neck while Tamara sat in his lap, wrapped in his arms. Tamara had been very carefully asking him about possible triggers for his bad reaction to Daniella and his time with her – other than the obvious choices. When she asked him if it was a feeling of helplessness, Carol spoke up. "Honey, I don't know if you saw it from that side, but back here? His shoulder muscles knotted up even worse, right before my eyes. I thought for a minute something was gonna pop out of his skin and growl at me." "Cute, Short Stuff, real cute," Eddie said. "Yeah, Theresa..." he paused for a moment, worried he'd exposed one of his beloved's secrets. "Don't worry about it, sir," Tamara said. "Carol's known my real name for years." "Whew ... okay, where were we? Oh yeah, there was a moment when I felt ... exposed, vulnerable, maybe helpless too. There was a moment in my head when I knew I could throw y'all off my arms and legs and snap the bitch's neck if I wanted to ... but I didn't dare. If I did, maybe some o' you'd get hurt, and I couldn't let that happen, so I just lay there and took it." "Was it really that bad, Eddie?" Carol asked. "Or was it bad because it reminded you of something else?" "I dunno ... she's pleasant enough to fuck, even when she's being a pushy bitch ... it's like it went from being a pain in the ass, being unpleasant to being bad, in the space of a few seconds. Then it wasn't bad anymore, but my head was already in such a funk that nothing really changed." "Eddie, honey," Carol said, "I'm going to suggest something to you, something you're probably not going to like, but I really think you ought to give it a try. I want you to start seeing our family therapist, Dr. Lowenstein. Or, if you're not comfortable with sexy Earth-Mother hippie chicks, then go see Margo's therapist, Dr. Stallings. I think it would do you some good." "No ... no, you're right, Short Stuff. I probably could get something out of some counseling." Carol and Tamara looked at each other with wide eyes. "Stop it, you two," Eddie said, grinning. "What, you think I don't know I'm fucked up?" ------- Around midnight the party began to break up as a lot of the guests had work the next day. Kelly had no intention of her personal party ending – at best it would be going on hiatus until the big party Saturday night. After Gianetta whispered something to Kelly, she took Gianetta back to the Omni with her for the rest of the night. Nothing would be heard from either of them until the following afternoon. On the way home, with Margo asleep in the back seat, Carol told Harry about Eddie's problems that evening and his decision to follow her advice and seek therapy. "What do you think, my beloved little hoodoo woman?" Harry asked, turning onto their street. "Seriously Harry? I think Eddie was molested as a child, before Rachel's accident, and the only reason he let it go on was because he believed if he didn't, Rachel would be abused instead." The car was very quiet the rest of the way home. ------- Chapter 59 "So 'Jan'," Kelly said, caressing her newest lover's thigh, "any regrets about last night ... and this morning ... and a few minutes ago?" Gianetta Bruno smiled as she stretched like a cat lying in the sun. "Just one – I wish one of the men that were in attendance last night had come back with us." She kissed Kelly's cheek. "You're lovely, and very talented, and I had a wonderful evening..." "But yeah, a dick would've been nice," Kelly finished. She got out of bed, naked save for the gold and jade pendant Nick Philouma had given her for her birthday. "I'm ordering breakfast, what do you want?" "Fruit, coffee – definitely coffee – espresso if they can manage it ... yogurt." "God, I spent the night in bed with a woman that eats healthy." "Not too healthy, Kelly," Gianetta replied, running her hand over the soft, full curves of her body. "Trust me, what you're touching there is very healthy ... now stop that or I won't get breakfast ordered." As the two of them enjoyed a second cup of coffee, the scraps of breakfast spread in front of them like the remains of a battle, Kelly asked, "How did you end up as Nick's fiancé? Not that I'm complaining," she continued, her eyes twinkling, "Heavens-to-Betsy no – I'm just curious how it came about?" Gianetta laughed and reached out for a slice of honeydew melon. She didn't pop it in her mouth, but rather held it in front of her face and studied it, as if the answer to Kelly's question lay within. "The easiest answer would be that his family knew my family and one side or the other said "Hey, why don't we get these two crazy kids together?" But that wouldn't be the real answer. "What really happened was that the branches of our family in Sicily know each other." Gianetta Bruno sighed, "And when my father's bank was about to go under due to some questionable loans he'd approved, the Philouma family stepped in and made good on the debts. That kept my family from being disgraced, allowed my father to remain employed, financed my education ... they saved us in so many ways." "And the Philouma family did all that from the goodness of their hearts?" Kelly asked, arching one eyebrow. "Not exactly," Gianetta laughed. "My father's bank has been laundering their money ever since – but they could have attained the same results through threats and intimidation. They earned our loyalty the old-fashioned way – they did us a favor, so we do the same for them. That led to me showing up on the American branch of the family's radar when they were looking for a wife for Niccolo." She turned and stared out the suite's windows into the morning sky. "It's not the life I was thinking I'd have ... but it's the one I've gotten." Kelly reached out and took her hand. "Is it really going to be that bad?" she asked softly. "In ways," Gianetta replied. "I like Niccolo, I really do. If he weren't gay, we might well end up together anyway. But he is, and I'm looking at a life as a beard ... for the Don of the Philouma crime family. If I have any sort of a romantic life, I'm going to have to be as discrete as I was last night." "Not that we'll mind at all," Kelly said, snuggling a little closer to her. "Nor will I, as far as I can tell," Gianetta replied, caressing Kelly's naked breast. "But still, it's a strange life to look forward to. Children, new friends, most of whom can't know the truth, the constant likelihood that I and my family are under observation by law enforcement – it's all a bit overwhelming. And while I can get out from under that from time to time by visiting with your family, every time I do I raise the chances that you're going to attract the attention of everyone from the cop on the beat to the F.B.I. to who knows who else – Homeland Security, the D.E.A." She stared down at the table. "I have no idea who might end up watching us all, or for what reasons – or if any reasons they profess would be valid. All I do know is that it's nowhere close to the life I was expecting for myself." Gianetta returned her gaze to Kelly's frowning face. "I'm not complaining – or at least, I'm not meaning to ... it's just going to take some adjustment." "All sexual leering and drooling aside," Kelly said, wrapping her arms around Gianetta, "please know we'll be more than willing to help you in any way we can." "I know ... your family is every bit as special as Niccolo told me you were, and I'm very thankful that he wasn't exaggerating." ------- Karen Pinard was very late for work that Thursday morning. After getting home, Patricia had dropped to her knees in a submissive position and Karen couldn't control herself. She was still having problems with the feelings that brought out in her, but after the night they'd had Karen had shoved those issues to the side and used her partner like Patricia wanted to be used. It had taken quite a while for Patricia to lick, suck, nibble, and bite all the sexual tension out of Karen, but she had managed – only to find Karen in a mood to return the favor. When Karen finally staggered out the door at 10:45, headed for the office, Patricia was still curled up asleep, a happy and satisfied smile on her face. ------- Galena and Andrea hadn't found the proper time to give Kelly their present the night before. They'd forgotten to take it to the Bangkok Inn, had stopped and picked it up on the way to Dominique's, but then Kelly had been so busy – or they'd been, playing with Karghold Newton – that they carried it back home again. Neither of them had been in particularly good shape that morning – too much alcohol, too much physical exertion – on the dance floor and otherwise, so it was through bleary eyes that Galena dealt with school and Andrea with work. Worse yet for the pair was the knowledge that they had a date with Reggie and Felicia at the hotel that evening. Truly, Galena reflected, there was no rest for the wicked. ------- Vida Newton was on the massage table while one of the Karghold's young men worked on her legs. "Jesus Christ," she moaned, "I love their parties but I am so unprepared to dance that much!" Over the speakerphone, from his office at G&P, Thad responded, "I suppose the time on your back as you tried to break me in half with your legs didn't help either." "Oh hell, honey," Vida replied, "as far as my aching legs are concerned, that was nothing – a very pleasurable nothing, but nothing just the same. The day I can't handle you between my legs and Galena riding my face like it's a bicycle seat is the day you bury me. But dancing like that? Holy crap ... even sword-dancing is nothing in comparison." "You know, it occurs to me, dear," Thad said, "if we'd known Galena all these years instead of Harry, she'd have fought her Hand and become a Dom in our group three or four years ago." "Not a Dom we took out in public before she was seventeen," Vida replied, "but yeah, I see your point." She turned over onto her back and her masseur went to work on the fronts of her thighs. "Thad, how much longer do you think we'll be able to keep it secret? I don't know about you, but every time they're so open and honest about some facet of their lives, I feel like shit because we haven't been as forthcoming with them." "I don't know, dear," he replied, lowering his voice. "Once the Hold's children and theirs are being schooled together – it's bound to get out somehow, no matter how much we caution the kids. "And yes, before you ask, I still think merging the schools is a good idea. Our young ones are too insulated; they hardly see the outside world at all. Theirs won't be so cut off, but they'll need more home students to make it worth the effort Margo plans to put into it. We merge our home schooling efforts at their new Corral – the Karghold's kids get out more, have a wider range of experience in the world, their kids have more socialization, and both of us are no longer trying to fund home schooling on our own. It's a win-win." "Until..." "Yeah, until..." "So what do we do then, husband o' mine?" "By then, hopefully House Chorale will have had to face that question on their own and they won't think we're complete freaks for how we handle it. I need to go, Vida – meeting on the Spengler account." "Bye," she said, just before the line went dead. She smiled appreciatively at the fifteen-year-old boy who was working over her sore muscles. The front of his loincloth was tented, indicating a pretty decent cock for someone his age, but his attentions remained strictly professional. "I'll be sure to tell your teacher that I'm very happy with your progress in massage," Vida said. "How much longer till you finish orientation, Jackson?" "I take my finals in about a month and a half, Mistress Newton," the young man replied. "Well, once you pass, you come see me," she replied, licking her lips. "I'll be happy to break you in myself." ------- Daniella Fruehauf looked at the amount of boxes stacked around the walls of her suite and grimaced. She didn't want to leave anything behind, but 'borrowing' more than two of the House's Suburbans was impractical as only she and her slave Quintus could drive. Thankfully she'd left the Karmann Ghia at the new house and had Quintus come pick her up in one of the House's cars. "All right, boys – start sorting boxes by contents. Books, toys, equipment and clothes, go on that side of the room," she said, pointing towards the wall with a door leading out onto her patio. "Everything else – except the contents of my desk and the glass-fronted cabinet – go on that side. That's the stuff we're leaving here. If Mom lets me come back for it, I will, otherwise we jettison it and move on." As her three slaves began to follow her instructions, she sat down and rubbed her eyes wearily before going to work on the boxes from her desk and the cabinet. ------- Tattie hadn't made either party the night before – she'd been smitten with a bunch of ideas for a new set of designs and had disappeared into the workshop, not to be heard from again until she got them all down on paper. "Miss Julie," Svetlana said over breakfast, "I know that you have plans to go to the big party Saturday night. Is Mama going to stay at home with us?" "I am not ready ... I am not sure," Julie Elliot replied. She wasn't happy with her progress in speaking Russian, but she couldn't deny she was progressing. "If she wishes to go, and she may, we will make sure there is someone very goodness ... very happiness ... very good, to take care of the two of you." "I still do not understand why we aren't going as well," Sasha said, wishing he hadn't quit smoking. It was easy to refrain from having a cigarette when Tattie was around, not nearly so easy when she was sequestered in her workshop. "There is nothing they will be doing that we haven't seen or done ourselves." "That's part of why you would not be going," Julie replied. "It isn't right that you had to do those things when you were so young, and most people are not comforted with the fact that you have done those things. They are adult things, mature things, not the things that children should be done." "Silly..." Svetlana said. "What is silly, sweetheart?" Julie asked. "It is silly to worry about such rules where we are concerned – that boat has already sailed. It is time to deal with reality, not comforting, but silly, rules." Julie sighed. Some days it was almost impossible for her to believe she was really dealing with children. ------- Margo sometimes felt a little bad, taking off Fridays to be with her family, when none of her colleagues did so. She felt as though she were shirking her responsibilities somehow. None of the rest of the clinic staff had ever complained, everyone seemed to be okay with it, but it bothered Margo from time to time nonetheless. However that Thursday was not a day when it was bothering Margo at all. She'd had a very busy evening, and was looking forward to spending some quality time with her family on Friday. They wouldn't have all day to lounge around, but from everything Carol and Kelly had said, things were well enough in hand that they could relax until the middle of the afternoon. It was going to be heavenly. Then she remembered that she had a date with Li Kuan that evening. ------- "Li Kuan!" The fierce Chinese submissive shot upright in bed as if a cattle prod had been applied to her foot – a sensation she was quite familiar with. "Yes Madame?" She was up and out her bedroom door before the final syllable of 'Madame' left her lips. She joined her Madame on the front balcony, standing naked before her. Madame Minerva Cornelius sat in a rather loose black rubber dress in direct sunlight. It was evidently a day for mortification of the flesh. Li Kuan looked at her Madame's face and noticed the pale, blotchy skin tone. "Madame, I think it's time for you to be moved out of the sun for a while. If I might assist you?" Minerva nodded and Li Kuan stepped forward, grabbing and lifting her Madame up. Hans moved her chair back into the shade, and brought out the powerful Stanley High-Velocity Blowerfan, turning it on to 'High'. Li Kuan gently sat Minerva back into her chair and put the hem of Minerva's long rubber skirt atop the fan, fastening it in place with a pair of vise-grips. A wave of hot, moist air blew out from the bottom of Minerva's dress, filling the surrounding area with the smells of sex, sweat, powder, and elderly woman. "Thank you, Li Kuan." "Madame, I've told you before that it is unwise for you to sit in the sun for too long. I have no desire to bury you." "I'm fine, my dear. It's you I'm concerned about. We'll talk when I've cooled down a bit." Li Kuan knelt at her Madame's side and awaited her pleasure. After a time, Madame Cornelius asked for her hookah, then sat and smoked. All the while, Li Kuan stayed on her knees, motionless. Finally her Madame said, "Tonight you will be playing with Margo Grimes." Her hand reached out and touched Li Kuan on the cheek. "Be very careful ... do nothing to make her angry. Certainly do not hurt her severely. There is no denying that I am approaching the end of my life. I will not pass you on to Ophelia, no matter how well she does or does not do in her efforts to reform. You will become the property of Margo Grimes and I don't want her to have any cause to treat you poorly – not that she would, but I still ... I want her to ... I want her to grow to love you as I do, although in a different fashion. Taking care of your needs will be hard enough for her without complicating the matter." Minerva saw the tension in Li Kuan's jaw. "You may speak now." "Madame, you will outlive us all-" "Poppycock and you know it, Li Kuan! Utter such foolishness again and I'll have you broken! It is time you face up to that fact that none of us are eternal – I will die and you will be left to go on without me. At my demise, my contracts with Hans and Andre terminate and they have already said they will go back to Germany. That leaves you, my dear, and I will provide for you the best way I know how." "Madame," Li Kuan said, tears welling up in her eyes, "I will be very careful with Madam Grimes, this evening and always." "That is exactly what I needed to hear," Minerva Cornelius said. ------- The four members of Eddie's security team had rituals and superstitions for everything. A prime example was their meeting place that Thursday evening. They never met at Denny's for a legal job – for those they enjoyed the claustrophobic environs of Waffle House. Denny's was for plotting things that could get one of them thrown back in prison and earn the other three a first time trip. It was tradition, true – a tradition that had its origins in logic. Perry said, "Okay Eddie, you know we don't have any problem with something like this –Bevy and I have ignored the legal niceties for years. But Janet ... she's already been in and I don't think she wants to go back." Janet Hart was a woman built on sharp, right angles. Her shoulders, her jaw, her haircut, her fingertips ... all made of hard right angles. She didn't talk much to people, she wasn't good at it. Her conversations were held with mechanical and electrical systems – long, silent conversations that inevitably ended with her getting them to do exactly what she wanted them to. Her relationships with those systems were the only functional, happy relationships in her life – with the exception of her partnership with Eddie, Perry and Bevy ... and to her way of thinking, they were 'the guys' and didn't really count. She looked at Eddie and said, "Whatever, Boss." "Okay ... okay," Perry laughed, "I could be wrong. So we're doing this for free, right? Sucking up the cost of all the equipment on both ends, just doing this pro bono for those nice friends of yours?" "Yeah, Perry, that's what it is," Eddie said, mopping up the last of the fried eggs from his Grand Slam. "You at least picking up the check for supper?" "Least I can do," Eddie answered, to hear the traditional response of the group from all three of them. "And never let it be said you didn't do the very least you could do!" the three of them replied. "Let's go," Bevy said in his quiet, small voice. They rolled down the road in 'Black Beauty', a van that never saw the outside of its garage save for maintenance and jobs like the one they were on that night. "Tunes," said Janet. Eddie grabbed for his pocket and pulled out a cassette tape, slamming it in the player. Judas Priest's "Breaking the Law" blasted through the interior at a painful volume. "It's gonna be a good night, Eddie," Perry yelled over the music. "Only if we don't get caught," Eddie replied as he looked at the map Daniella had given him with one eye and watched the road with the other. "Feels good to be proper criminals again," Perry laughed. "Yup," Janet replied as Bevy nodded his agreement. The four of them rode through the late afternoon, heads bobbing in time to the music. "Breaking the Law" faded out and the Highwaymen's cover of "The Road Goes on Forever" began. Eddie worried the song might prove prophetic and wondered whatever had possessed him to put it on the mixtape in the first place ... just like he worried and wondered every time he and his team were planning to do something illegal. ------- Part of growing up in a house, from the time you were born until you were in your mid-twenties, 26 in Daniella's case, was knowing all the little filthy places that no guest would ever see, places discovered in the 'irrepressible explorer' phase of childhood, secret places that became cherished hiding spots and hidden caches. Like the greasy crawlspace behind the kitchen wall where Daniella abraded the insulation off two wires and then planned to use a long stick to push them together, creating a spark. ------- "Margo, please relax, there is nothing to fear from me tonight," Li Kuan said, trying to calm her plaything down. "Nothing I'm going to do to you will hurt as much as a good flogging does." Margo Grimes might have looked a little relieved, but it was hard to tell through the ball-gag, and if she was it was only a very little. Li Kuan finished securing Margo to the Drum, making sure the shackles were just on the edge of too tight, and then leaned in close. "I like the way this stretches you out," Li Kuan whispered, her sharpened teeth almost touching Margo's earlobe, her breath warm on Margo's neck. "Every inch of you exposed, every inch of you vulnerable ... I like that in a plaything." Li Kuan stood up and walked away, knowing that Margo's eyes were locked on her retreating form. Even if Li Kuan hadn't been beautiful in her own stark way, even if her numerous piercings hadn't caught the light and drawn her eye, even if Margo hadn't felt a frisson of sexual attraction the very first time she met Li Kuan ... watching her walk, nude and uninhibited, was enough. She was an animal, and a dangerous one ... one that Margo knew could hurt her, even kill her. None of that mattered – Margo wanted her, just the same. Li Kuan stooped to hit 'play' on the CD player she'd brought with her. The sharp, tense strains of the Kronos Quartet performing Philip Glass' score for Tod Browning's 1931 film "Dracula" sawed through the air and set Margo's nerves to jumping. Li Kuan stood, turned around and advanced towards Margo, a slight smile showing the sharp points of her teeth. "We're going to have fun now," she said, "and I assure you - your whimpering will make me all hot and bothered." ------- Daniella Fruhauf crouched in the crawlspace, barely able to squeeze herself in. She could remember – it seemed like just a year or two earlier although it had been ten years and more – when she'd been able to fit in the gap between the walls easily. She started to sigh deeply before realizing there wasn't really enough room for her to do more than breathe shallowly. When she'd worn the holes in the wires, she'd been laying down in the grease and grime, but that wouldn't be feasible if she wished to avoid being burnt. She needed to be able to scoot out of the crawlspace and up the back stairs without being caught in the fire. By the time she reached the second floor, hopefully the alarm would have gone off so her running at full speed towards her rooms in the east wing of the family home wouldn't seem unusual. Once there she and the boys would load the Suburbans and away they'd go. Daniella planned to send her mother an email in the next couple of days, telling Wilma that her daughter was gone for good. Even though she was in a cramped position, vaguely nauseous from the rancid smell, barely able to draw breath – Daniella Fruehauf had never felt closer to freedom in her life. ------- "Where the hell does this woman live?" Perry asked. "San Antonio? Mexico? Guatemala?" "No, just feels like it," Eddie grumbled as they drove along a farm-to-market road. "We should be reaching the back road to her place here in a bit." "There it was," Janet said as the drove past it. "Thanks a bunch," Eddie replied, slowing the van in preparation to turn around. "Kill the music, Perry." AC/DC's "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap" faded away and all they could hear was the van's engine. "One last time – we park the van, grab our equipment, and hump it cross-country till we can see the house. When we're in position at the west end of the house, I call Daniella, she starts the fire, and we wait for Wilma to leave her office, if she's in there at all. Once we're sure it's clear, Janet pops the window, Perry and Bevy plant the bugs and assrape her computer. I make sure we're not interrupted. Bugs planted, computer buggered, Janet makes sure we didn't leave any trace, we evac back to the van and get the fuck outta Dodge. Got it?" "Got it," the three of them replied. Eddie nodded while he kept looking for the lightning-struck tree that was the landmark Daniella had told him to watch for. That's where they were to park. ------- "Miss Oleander? Hello, my name is Merry Blakeney and this is Annie Beth Loring. Dominique sent us." Tamara stood in the doorway, a smile plastered on her face like cheap wallpaper. She had planned the interview as a surprise for Eddie, but then he'd told her his plans for the evening and she'd completely forgotten the girls were coming over. Tamara had the utmost faith in 'her Edward', and she was confident in the abilities of Perry, Bevy and Janet. But she also had faith in God's wicked sense of humor and the ability of the Universe to turn the best of plans into complete and total disasters. This wasn't some sanctioned attempt to defeat a company's security, either physical or electronic. Eddie was out breaking the law, and tangling with a House with some very unsavory rumors attached to it. Until the two women arrived at her door, Tamara had actively been avoiding thinking about what her beloved was doing that evening. She knew major Houses had security, armed security, and if anything happened... "I'm sorry, my Master was called away unexpectedly and I ... I don't know if ... I don't know when he'll be home." "Miss Oleander," Annie Beth said, "you seem to be very upset. Is there someone we could call for you? A friend, a relative..." "Well ... I don't want to bother them..." "Miss, if they're true friends they'll be more upset that you didn't call them than if you do," Merry said. "Annie Beth, please take Miss Oleander into the living room and make her comfortable, and then get her something to drink. Miss, your cell phone ... where is it?" "On the table..." The two women bustled into the house, Annie Beth carrying out her instructions as Merry got Tamara's cell phone. "Miss Oleander-" Merry began. "Call me Tamara, please." "Tamara, who should I call?" "Uh, Margo is serving under Li Kuan tonight, Carol is helping Galena ... call Kelly or Harry, their numbers-" "Are in your phone's address book, yes ma'am." A few minutes later Tamara had a cup of hot tea, and Kelly and Harry were on their way over. As she waited for her friends to arrive, Tamara very surreptitiously looked over the two women Dommi had sent as possible nurse/submissives for Edward's household. Both of them appeared to be in their mid-to-late twenties, both were female, both had strong arms and legs, and both were roughly the same height – around 5'7" - that was where the similarities ended. Merry was curvaceous, with a head full of shoulder-length red curls and pale, lightly freckled skin. She seemed the more serious of the two as her face hadn't changed expression since Tamara had opened the front door. Tamara didn't get the feeling that Merry was a negative person, not at all, but rather that she was shy and, at least at this point in their relationship, very reserved. Annie Beth was a dark, chocolate brown African-American, thin and wiry, her arms and legs sharply defined, her breasts and bottom barely sporting any padding at all. Her tightly curled hair was cut close to her scalp, and Tamara was convinced if she'd wanted to, Annie Beth could easily impersonate a male. Her face was open and smiling – not mocking Tamara's distress but rather encouraging her to come out of her worry and hope for the best. The two of them were quiet, but they were company nonetheless and Tamara felt better for having them there. Still, she felt better still, much better in fact, when Harry and Kelly came through the front door at a run. She stood up and ran into Harry's arms, while Kelly hugged her from behind. She was still very worried about her Edward, but she was in the arms of her family, so things were better. ------- The discussion part of the evening had gone moderately well for Galena and her friends. Regina had already had a session with Susan Lowenstein, Felicia's first meeting with her was the following week. "All right, kids," Galena said, following the gameplan she and Carol had worked out earlier, "it's time to split up into groups. Reggie, you go with these three," she nodded towards Jackie, Lisa, and Billy. "Felicia, you're staying here with me and this young lady," she continued, putting her arm around Carol. Regina might have objected, but Galena shot her a glare that stopped her in her tracks. As she and her companions headed towards one of the bedrooms, Galena chuckled as she saw Reggie checking out Billy's cock. Galena turned her attention to Felicia. "So, you've had a while to think about it, Felicia – what do you want from me?" The black-haired gamine raised an eyebrow and gestured with her hands. "Of course, silly girl," Galena replied. "Sign if it makes you more comfortable. My girl here is fluent in sign as well." Galena smiled inside as Felicia's face revealed her irritation. She obviously had hoped that Carol didn't understand sign language. "I want you – I have for years. I don't care what I have to do, I want you." "What kind of a relationship do you want with her, Felicia?" Carol asked. "Do you see her as a lover, as your Mistress – in the B&D sense of the word, as your monogamous girlfriend?" Felicia sat on the floor at Galena's feet and said nothing, signed nothing. "Felicia," Galena said, her voice deceptively pleasant, "answer my friend." The young woman still sat, sullen and silent and still, her arms and legs all straight lines connected by pointy joints. Galena slid down out of her chair to sit with her friend. She took Felicia in her arms and murmured in her ear, just loud enough for Carol to hear as well. "Felicia, until we decide what our relationship will be, when I tell you to do something, you do it or you leave – forever. Even after we decide what we're going to be to each other, you will be polite to my friends and lovers or I will jam my fist up your ass so far you'll taste your own shit in the back of your throat. Next I'll fuck you with that fist 'til I draw enough blood to soothe my anger, and then you'll lick my fist clean. Do you understand me?" Felicia nodded her head and turned towards Carol. "I apologize," she signed. "I'm sorry I was rude to you and I ask your forgiveness." Carol smiled at her and extended her hand. "Apology accepted. I know this is hard for you," she continued as Felicia reluctantly took her hand, "and I'm much more likely to be forgiving than Mama Gee is. Now then, do I need to repeat my question?" Felicia shook her head. 'M-m-m-mono-monogamous," she replied. "Felicia ... that's not going to happen," Galena said. "Maybe if you'd approached me before I was exposed to all of this ... but even then, trust me, this is where I'm supposed to be – this is what I'm supposed to be doing." Felicia's face was set in a mask of stubbornness. "Then I don't want you at all," she signed, her fingers moving in rapid, angry jerks. "Then it's time for you to leave, isn't it?" Galena replied, her voice soft and sad. Felicia's eyes widened and her fingers flew. "You'd throw away our friendship like this?" "Felicia, I won't give you what you want at the expense of the life I love," Galena replied. "It doesn't work that way. I'm willing to be your lover, but you'll be sharing me with a lot of other people. I'm willing to take you on as a submissive – but I warn you right now your attitude will change or you'll be leaving my service very quickly. If you choose that course, either I can teach you the ropes myself, or I can turn you over to someone a lot more experienced. I'd prefer that last option myself." Galena stroked her friend's hair. "So, Felicia, what do you want?" "Just being lovers, sharing you with other people, I think that would make me crazy. So who would you like for me to train under? I realize you think my attitude must be readjusted somehow." Galena thought for a long moment, swallowing the anger Felicia's response had created, before reaching into her bag by the side of the chair. She pulled out a riding crop and said, "Before I answer that, let's see your reaction to pain." ------- Eddie and his associates could see the sprawling mansion that was the seat of House Fruehauf. It was only one hundred yards away – one hundred yards of open ground. "All right," Eddie murmured. "Time to get the party started." He texted Daniella that they were in position. In her cramped confines, Daniella did her best to breathe a sigh of relief. She reached out with her yardstick and brought the wires together. She got her fire ... she also killed power to the central portion of the house. Daniella backed out into the little storage closet that held the entrance to the crawlspace. As she put back the loose panel that hid it from view, she could see the flickering of the flames growing brighter. She felt a pang of regret – and worry – as she contemplated the potential destruction of the house she'd been born in. Daniella sighed – the house wasn't going to be consumed in flames. There'd been fires before and the house staff was very adept at containing them. It occurred to her that she was standing in a closet close to a fire in the dark, and wasting time she needed to make her escape. A smoke detector began its raucous screaming as she began the run to her suite of rooms. Perry peered through binoculars. "The woman in the office just left in a hurry. We've got lots of activity around the center of the house – hard to make out too much as it's real dark. Lots of people running that way though, from both wings." "All right, let's go," Eddie said, grabbing his bag and beginning the run to Wilma Fruehauf's office windows. ------- It was odd, but Margo found herself beginning a rather calm conversation with Li Kuan, even as the Chinese woman was dripping hot paraffin on Margo's breasts. "Those... oh my... those nipple piercings of yours... GOD... do they really ... mmm ... make your nipples... um hmmm... more sensitive? "I certainly think so. Would you like to find out for yourself?" Li Kuan asked. "Perhaps after the party this weekend?" "It'll have to be ... mmm ... the weekend after. Me and... oh... Kelly and Harry and Carol are ... noooooooo ... taking a week off for ourselves." "Sounds nice," Li Kuan replied. "The four of you definitely deserve some time off. So, you want to get your nipples pierced weekend after next?" "I think ... maybe I do ... damn!" The Chinese woman stopped her candle play. Li Kuan's face had a smile on it that wouldn't have scared anyone. It was a smile of honest joy. ------- From the cocoon Harry and Kelly's bodies formed, Tamara interviewed Merry and Annie Beth. Both of them had all the training she and Edward could want, they were more than qualified for the day-to-day care of Rachel. Anything less than life-threatening that the two submissives couldn't handle, Margo could, and she'd already assured Tamara and Edward that she would be more than happy to help. As for their personalities, once they had relaxed, Tamara found them pleasant and deferential, no matter how many times she assured them that she was a submissive, just like them. They gave her that warm, 'Lady of the Manor' feeling, no matter how much she felt she didn't deserve it. They were both happily bisexual, both of them were looking for a long-term home, and after Tamara had explained the situation with Rachel, both of them seemed to honestly look forward to working with her. Tamara was going to run them past Carol before any final decision was made, but she had a very good feeling about the two of them. In the interim, she remained huddled between the bodies of her friends, praying that by the time the evening was over, her Edward would be back with her. ------- "Will you hurry up," Eddie hissed. "We need to get out of here." "Eddie, chill," Perry replied. "You can not ask us to forego something this tasty. It's like the buffet from hell for a hacker or a phreak. If her security on this machine, hell, on her whole household network was any more porous, it wouldn't be thick enough to blow your nose on. Just a few more minutes and she could send this machine in for us to service and even we wouldn't be to find all of the ways we've made it our bitch," Perry continued, never stopping what he was doing. "We own this woman; she might as well have our names tattooed on her plump white ass. To get us out of her systems, she'll have to replace everything, and I do mean everything!" Bevy mumbled something so softly only Perry could hear. "Yeah, and Bevy says that doesn't take into account all the bugs we've put in this office. Sure, if she swept for bugs she'd find a lot of them, but not all of them, unless she was sweeping in that few seconds every day that they were uploading their data ... and I don't know many people crazy enough to sweep at 4:30 AM." The whole crew was used to Perry's whispered motor-mouth routine. No matter the job, if it was going well – and there weren't exigent circumstances forcing him to remain quiet, Perry's mouth was going a mile a minute, even as he worked at the same speed. "Every little thing she does in this office, hell, every time she farts, no matter how silent-but-deadly, we'll know about it. We'll know every key stroke she hits on her machine, hell, on any machine in the house, we'll know what porn she surfs, what email she sends and receives, every phone call she makes from this room, landline or cellular – we own this bitch!" "Perry, do you need to touch yourself in an impure manner?" Eddie asked. "No Boss, I've already come three times without touching myself once. My underwear are flooded with potent Big-Time-Criminal jism – I mean, the stuff is so vital I better not get close to Janet, it's liable to fly out and impregnate her from a distance – I got goddamn supervillain sperm in here! I'm gonna go home and just think about the way we're fucking this bitch and fire off another load. You should see her network's video archives, Boss, this is some fucked up shit, I'm telling you what-" "You're auditing her vid archives while you're working and running your mouth?" Eddie said incredulously. "Oh hell yeah, Boss – not much in her kink files that interests me personally, might pop a chub for Bevy – he's an odd one, but I'm downloading it all onto flash drives anyway, might come in useful, you never know. Maybe you'd like it, Boss, you can watch it and see later, almost through, checking the house spy cams, I think we'd better wrap this up guys, much as it pains me, looks like the bitch is on her way back." "How fucking close?" Eddie hissed. Perry had already closed everything up and grabbed his tools. "Out the window in the next forty-five seconds, we'll be okay." ------- Felicia wasn't a pain-slut, not in any real sense of the term, but she did get off on it somewhat. She really, really liked being called degrading names while she was engaged in sexual activities. Galena swore that every time she called the girl 'slut', Felicia orgasmed. In reality, it wasn't that frequent, but it happened often enough that Galena felt she needed to talk about it with her afterwards. Felicia's reactions to Carol continued to worry Galena. If her friend couldn't adapt to Galena's other relationships, then she would be left behind, and Galena had no idea how that might affect Felicia. When Galena heard Felicia use her safe sound, repeating a guttural 'g' in a continuous stream, she pulled her up into her arms and held her friend as the last aftershocks pulsed through her skinny body. And after coherence returned to Felicia, Galena broached the 'slut' subject. Felicia shook her head slowly, a sad smile on her face, as she left Galena's arms and sat cross-legged on the floor across from her. "Look at me, Galena – really look at me. Look at me like a guy would." Galena did as she was asked ... and saw Felicia's point almost immediately. Her friend was short – not as short as Carol, certainly much taller than Tamara, but she was short. Skinny as well, so skinny that if Galena hadn't been pushing her fingers in and out of Felicia's pussy, she honestly wouldn't have been surprised to see cock and balls hanging between her legs. Her breasts were almost imperceptible swellings on her chest, Galena had seen Cub Scouts with much better butts, and facially, Felicia was, to put it nicely, plain. Her hair was short and spiky, her ears were too big for her head, let alone her face, and she was all skin and bones and not much else. "G, I could be giving out free blow jobs in the school locker room and not get enough business to ever be called a 'slut'. When you call me that, when you call me 'whore', when you call me 'cum-guzzling dumpster trash' – you're giving me a lot more of a sexual past than I ever thought I'd have. I can close my eyes and pretend people want me. I can close my eyes and pretend ... I can pretend a lot of things. So yeah, those names turn me on." Galena was at a loss what to say or do next when Carol said, "Mama G, let me handle this one for a while. I'm going to take Felicia into the other bedroom, you go play with Reggie, send the young man in to help me." Felicia looked at Carol like she was something Felicia had found on the bottom of her shoe. "Trust me, Felicia, if you give this woman half a chance, the two of you will get along beautifully," Galena said. "And since you need to trust me for this to go any further between us, get your ass in that bedroom." She swatted her friend on the butt. "Now!" ------- "What the hell did you just shove in me?" Margo yelped, as Li Kuan continued to have her way with her. "Not that I owe you any answer, poor little slave, but it's a dildo – actually, more of a vaginal plug – of my own design. Madame is looking into the viability of producing it commercially. Whereas some toys are ribbed or studded, mine is more..." "Spiked?" Margo interjected. "Well, I won't argue that it feels that way when first inserted, but really they're just accentuated studs – a little longer, a little more rigid. They're at their shortest at the moment. I twist the base like this..." Li Kuan did something Margo couldn't observe, but definitely felt. "Oh ... shit!" "Yes, a bit too intense for you, I'm thinking," Li Kuan said as she turned the base in the opposite direction. "There are five settings and, as I said, you're now set at '1'. It's normally held in position by a harness that is very much like a chastity belt. The plug vibrates, of course..." Margo squirmed as the device began to quiver inside her. "Puppy likes to wear it for hours, on the most extreme setting and at the highest vibration speed while I occasionally tease her clitoris with a violet wand." "Puppy's ... insane..." "Yes, I've often thought so," Li Kuan replied, "but insane or not, she's mine." ------- "I wish I could assure you that this is not normal behavior for my Master," Tamara said, "but it wouldn't be good to start our potential relationship based on lies." She tried her best to smile reassuringly. "He works in the security field and that means sometimes he works night, and sometimes days ... and then, on occasion, he freelances, like he's doing this evening." The front door opened and Kim came in with her children, back from seeing a movie. "Mistress, what is wrong?" she said as she got a good look at the assembled group in living room. Tamara filled Kim in while the children burbled to Harry and Kelly about the sneak preview of "Open Season" they'd seen. "Mistress, I am sorry I was not here for you," Kim replied. "Hush," Tamara said, "I'm probably worried for no reason, these young ladies were nice enough to call Harry and Kelly – everything's going to be fine, I'm sure." Kimmy and Timmy had dragged Merry and Annie Beth off to show them their room and their toys. "So Mistress, what are your plans for the evening when Master Edward gets home?" Kim asked. "Well," Tamara replied, "if the two of them are amenable, the three of us are going to fuck my Master senseless." "Can I stay and watch?" Kelly said, giving Tamara a big-eyed, sad face. "No, not even with you doing the puppy-dog eyes," Tamara laughed. "Besides my dear," Harry said, "you know how hard it is for you to just watch." "Okay," Kelly said dejectedly. "You guys never let me have any fun." ------- "Is there a reason I haven't beaten you to death with a baseball bat?" Eddie asked as they caught their breaths after their mad dash to the woods. "You don't want Bevy coming after you to collect a blood debt?" Perry replied. "Nah," Eddie wheezed, "I ain't that scared of Bevy." "Should be," Bevy said, his quiet voice barely audible over the sounds of four people's tired exhalations. "He ain't wrong, Boss," Perry said. "Remember what he did to that old boy that shot me?" "Good point," Eddie replied. "I'm real glad we were wearin' masks that night ... I reckon that's the only reason we ain't all in jail." "Yup, probably is," Janet agreed. "Boss, I'm thinking that tree right over there," Perry said. "Put the relay on the far side of the tree, about twenty, twenty-five feet up, no one will find it. We tag it with one o' those 'National Wildlife Monitoring System' stickers, even if they do find it they'll probably leave it alone." "Well get climbin', monkey boy," Eddie said, motioning to Bevy. "Put it up there and activate it, we can get the hell out of here." While Bevy took the relay up the tree, Eddie turned back to Perry. "Do not make the mistake of thinkin' you've escaped my wrath. What was that '45 seconds' shit?" The young man had his netbook open on the front passenger seat of the van and was watching the Fruhauf security cam feeds. "Aw Boss, I was just playing with y'all. The bitch wasn't coming back – looked like a man, roughly her age, was strolling down towards the office. He's just now getting there; we had five to seven minutes. He opened the door, looked around and closed it again." "So we ran like maniacs for nothin'?" "Not for nothing, Eddie – because it was fun," Perry replied, grinning at him. "We seriously need to discuss your definition of 'fun'," Eddie sighed, giving up the fight. Ten minutes later the van was roaring back towards the city, the Beastie Boys "Sabotage" blaring through the interior. ------- Margo was squirming, her body filled with a wealth of sensations, some of which conflicted with each other. At that moment, the two most intense of them were the sharp vibrations that filled her vagina – just barely on the 'pleasure' side of the pain/pleasure line – and the newest item that Li Kuan had inserted – a very cold butt plug. It felt almost icy to Margo, and it wasn't getting any warmer, no matter how much she might wish it would. "God ... goddamn ... Li Kuan ... is that ever ... gonna get warm?" The exotic Chinese woman leaned over, putting her fact just inches above Margo's. She leered at her helpless captive. "Not as long as I don't want it to – and if you keep speaking to me as if you were my equal instead of my slave, I can guarantee I won't want it to. It's kept chilled by very cold water circulating through the interior. Something Madame Cornelius designed years ago. It's not too portable – the recycling system is about as large as a good-sized suitcase – so you can't exactly slip it in an overnight bag, but the sensations it produces make it worth its weight – literally." Li Kuan paused, then grinned, showing her mouth full of sharpened teeth. "Would you like it colder?" "You mean ... you mean it gets ... colder?" Margo stammered. "Oh yes, dear little subbie ... it gets much colder," Li Kuan replied. "No Mistress ... please ... no." "Very good slave ... very good. For addressing me correctly, I won't put the second attachment in your wet little cunt." She lay down beside Margo and whispered in her ear. "There's a man my Madame associates with from time to time – she will have me take an ice bath, exquisitely painful, then Hans and Andre will dry me, cover me with chill packs, and put both attachments in me. She'll crank the unit as low as it will go, and when I'm so cold that I have to concentrate all my attention to keep from shivering, she'll let him fuck me." Li Kuan's long, thin fingers slid over Margo's breasts. "I lay very still while he grunts and groans, sliding in and out of me in a glaze of K.Y., and then he'll spasm, fill his condom, and run out of the room in tears." Li Kuan purred, "He says I'm the next best thing to a corpse." "How ... how does he know?" Li Kuan looked Margo in the eyes. "How do you think, silly slave? He's served 5 years for necrophilia in California ... I'm a safety valve for him that way." "She whores you out ... to that sick fuck?" Margo said. "He knows people – people it's sometimes very good to be able to contact. I am her property, slave – I will do as she bids me and if she told me to have unprotected sex until I contracted AIDS, then sit alone in my room and die, without ever receiving any medical attention at all – I would. If she told me to come over here and kill all of ... well, I would do that as well. If I'm given instructions, any instructions, I carry them out – period – end of statement." Margo's mind skittered away from that statement and all it implied. "How ... how cold do you get?" she asked. "I've never gone into hypothermia, if that's what you're asking," Li Kuan replied. "But I suspect I've been a lot closer to it than you'd consider healthy." She licked along the side of Margo's breast. "You know, there's another version of this device that goes in the opposite direction, as far as temperature. We've never tested it above the first setting – not even Puppy can handle it. Would you like to try it?" "No..." Margo sobbed, the very thought alone bringing tears to her eyes. "I don't think so..." "Don't worry, little slave, I was merely asking. I have no desire to use that on you ... you're hot enough as it is." Margo tried to pretend to herself that the shivers of delight Li Kuan's comment sent through her body were completely excitement and contained no relief. ------- Ophelia Vanderhagen hated her life – not nearly as much as she had hated it, even two or three weeks previously, but she still hated it. As she endured her ninth hour in the stocks, the smell from the chamber pot clouding the entire room, she murmured to herself. "Oh yeah, really hating my life right now." It had been a somewhat similar statement, muttered under her breath while she cleared away the breakfast dishes, that had gotten her sent to the stocks in the first place. She hadn't really meant it at the time, it was more of a pro forma grumble. Her Aunt Minerva had mellowed considerably since she'd come to terms with the anger she felt for her niece, and Ophelia's life had improved dramatically. But her aunt was still Madame Minerva Cornelius of House Cornelius to everyone except a small circle of friends, and as such there was no way she was going to allow such comments to go unpunished. The time Ophelia had spent in the tender care of her Aunt and the house's other residents was achieving the desired results. Ophelia was not the same woman she'd been when she first arrived at her Aunt's house after making such a royal mess of things with the family business in California. One thing living under a Dominatrix very clearly taught was that actions have consequences, and that no matter how much one might want to ignore those consequences, they were probably going to occur anyway, and be unavoidable when they did. She was also learning that while consequences were immutable in some circumstances – generally hard and fast rules where the outcome of disobedience was clearly laid out – there was a whole other set of 'cause and effect' situations where the outcome was not so clear – perhaps mercy might be shown, or her Aunt might forego punishing her altogether, or Ophelia might not be caught in her disobedience at all ... or she was caught but didn't know it until later, when she'd be taken to task for a series of events, only some of which she thought her Aunt knew about. Then, most confusingly, there were those areas in which her Aunt expected her to think and act independently, praising her when she succeeded with a task or goal that had been set for her without asking for clarification or further instructions, and being disappointed with her when she did request aid. When her Aunt first 'put her under instruction', she'd laughed every time her Aunt was dismayed by her performance, taking pleasure in the crestfallen expression on Minerva Cornelius's face. But slowly Ophelia had become aware of a shift in her own reactions – she was growing more and more appreciative of the old woman's approval and while she still didn't see the need for all the rules and regulations Minerva enforced upon her, she could no longer deny that her past actions and behavior had been unacceptable. That was all well and good, she thought as she drew in another breath of air heavy with the smells of urine and feces, but it didn't change in the least the fact that she had another two-and-a-half hours to endure in the stocks. ------- Galena was in the other bedroom, watching Billy show his appreciation of Reggie's physical charms. "So, how go the self-confidence lessons?" she asked Jackie. "Better than I'd expected," Jackie replied. "We gave her a brief tour of some of the places on the Internet where large women are appreciated-" "And she has the benefit of the two of us as examples," Lisa interjected. "True," Jackie continued. "I think that may have more of a positive influence than we'd anticipated. Neither she," she said, gesturing towards Lisa, "nor I had an easy time of it in our teen years, but once we got out of that pressure cooker, it didn't take us long at all to find people who appreciated our size." "Yeah," Lisa said, "like my big sister always told me, when it comes to feeling attractive, it's hard to argue with a hard-on." "Ummm," Reggie moaned, "and the young man definitely has no problems with his hard-on." The enthusiastic smile on Billy's face was all the comment he needed to make. "Well sir, I hate to break up a good thing, but you're needed in the other bedroom," Galena said. Billy withdrew immediately and started out the door. Reggie wailed, "Galena, neither of us was finished yet!" "Well," Galena said, smiling at her friend, "I guess these lovely ladies and I can help with part of that problem." ------- Daniella had almost made it. She'd almost gotten away clean but as the last boxes were being loaded into the pair of SUVs, Daniella had turned to see her mother, not fifteen feet away, watching her. Wilma Fruehauf's arms were crossed and her face was a mask of anger and disgust. "Planning to steal from me as well as set the house on fire?" Wilma spat, her arms uncrossing as she raised her right hand to snap her fingers imperiously. "Samuel," she said, as one of the household's slaves came out of the shadows. "Go get some security and tell them to come armed." "Planning to have them shoot someone, Mother?" Daniella said as she slammed the back doors of the Suburban she'd just finished loading. "Why yes, dear, I am," Wilma replied. "If you're very smart you won't be anywhere near when they arrive. The next time I see you on this property, I'll have you shot." "You wouldn't dare," Daniella said, anger driving a flush that crept over her face. "The last thing you want is the county sheriff's department poking around out here." "You wouldn't be the first traitor to our family that's been buried in an unmarked grave, slut, and you probably won't be the last," her mother said, smiling coldly. "Well then, I guess I better keep the SUVs," Daniella said, wiggling the keys in front of her face. "I would if I were you – they're the last things from this family that you'll ever get," Wilma replied. "Well then, it's very lucky for me I'm no longer reliant on the House's teat," Daniella said, opening the door and sliding in behind the wheel. "Goodbye Mother. I'll tell House Chorale you said hello." Daniella couldn't hear the grinding of her mother's teeth as they drove away, but she was sure it was happening, nonetheless. As they drove away, she turned to her slave, Marcellus. "Once we get to our new home and unpacked, Quintus and I have to go abandon these Suburbans somewhere where we'll wipe them down everywhere we might be leaving prints. I don't trust that bitch not to call the cops." "Yes Mistress," Marcellus replied. "By the time you two get back, Flavius and I should have the bedroom set up so that you may sleep." She patted him on the leg fondly. "Thank you, sweetie. You're a very good boy." "No Mistress, thank you. I am pleased to serve, as are we all." ------- The van had been returned to its garage, the heavy duty door bolted and locked behind it. The four of them stood next to the van, breathing deeply and letting the tension of the night's escapades seep out of their bodies. "Okay guys, I know it's not much, but here," Eddie said, handing envelopes to his crew. "Two hundred for each of you is all I can afford right now ... thank you for coming through tonight." "Thanks Boss," Perry replied. "Me an' Bevy'll come back out here tomorrow, clean up Black Beauty, do the regular maintenance on her ... it's almost that time anyway." "Okay," Eddie said, "and Perry ... no matter how tempted you are, I don't want you fuckin' around with Fruehauf's finances any. We've done a real good job makin' sure none of this can come back an' bite us in the ass, I don't want anything that can lead back to us through the internet." "Boss," Perry replied, shrugging his shoulders, "I'd never do anything like that..." "Unless you were damn sure you couldn't get caught," Janet added. "Well yeah, unless I was sure of that," Perry laughed. "Why don't you go on home, Boss? That pretty little woman of yours is probably worried." "Yeah ... and I'd sure as hell rather spend the night with her than standin' around, jawin' with y'all." Eddie smiled at the three of them. "Damn good job, guys, see ya tomorrow." As he drove away, Eddie Janak's sincerest wish was to go home, crawl into bed beside his fiancé, and go to sleep with her in his arms. ------- "Shhh, she's asleep," Carol said as she and Billy exited the bedroom. Galena was caught mid-step on her way to see how the three of them were doing. "So, how did it go?" Galena asked, going back to her chair. She looked down at it and wrinkled her nose. "Sweetheart," she said to Carol, "go get us towels – I don't think any of the three of us are too clean and I don't want to make a mess." Once the couch and chair were covered, Galena repeated, "So, how'd it go?" Billy looked at the carpet and Carol's lips tightened. "Mama G," Carol said, "I don't think, at this point, that Felicia is going to work out. Maybe after Susan has some sessions with her ... but Galena, I don't want you to get your hopes up. She's broken, really badly, and she doesn't want to work with us, or from what I gathered, Dr. Lowenstein ... she wants what she wants, she wants you, and she doesn't seem to really be willing to work on accepting things the way they are." Carol paused, sighed and rubbed her temples with her fingertips. "She says she's willing to undergo training," Carol continued, "but I don't get the feeling that it would be safe to place her with any Master or Mistress in our alliance – not unless they would wear masks all the time they were with her, and I can't really see asking anyone but us to do that." "Billy?" Galena said, trying to keep the disappointment from her voice. "I agree with Cutie here," he replied, making a conscious effort to avoid using anyone's real name, just in case Reggie might hear. "I've seen more than my share of submissives, and she could be a sub, but she seems pretty adamant about not playing nice with anyone else where you're concerned. She doesn't want anyone but you touching her. I suppose you and the rest of the House could put her under training, but no one would enjoy it." "You mean like you're doing with Piglet?" Galena asked, feeling rather defensive. "Oh hell no," Carol replied. "Piglet's a totally different situation. She wants the abuse and discipline she's getting, she's more than willing to do whatever it takes to make things work out. Galena ... Felicia's very angry, and it'll be a constant uphill battle to handle her. I bit my tongue about a lot of what I was getting off of her the first time we met – I had hopes that things would get better over time and with all the precautions you've put in place, I really didn't see any risk. I expected things to be better this time around, but they're not, they're worse ... much worse. Before she was angry, now ... enraged, I guess. She hates all of us because to her way of thinking we're what's standing between you and her." "So, what did go on in the bedroom?" Galena asked, shaking her head in dismay. "Nothing ... well, at least nothing sexual. She had such a strong negative response, neither of us felt like trying to touch her," Billy replied. "It would have felt far too close to sexual assault." ------- The light electrical shocks, barely more than sparks, that Li Kuan was applying to the area around Margo's clitoris were having the desired effect – Margo was whimpering, crying, spasming with delight. "May I speak, Mistress?" she asked during a pause. "Yes," Li Kuan replied. "Thank you for this most lovely trip to a bit more extreme side of being submissive than I've visited before. I will be asking Minerva if I can borrow you on occasion." The conversation Li Kuan had had with her Madame earlier in the day came crashing in upon her and tears began to flow down her cheeks. "Li Kuan, did I say something wrong? Are you all right?" Margo asked, sitting upright and taking Li Kuan by the shoulders. "Margo ... may we speak as equals ... as friends?" "Certainly my dear, what has upset you?" Li Kuan told Margo of the conversation and Madame Cornelius' plans. "I am sorry, Margo – this evening did not need this drama injected into it." "Nonsense, dear – you are a friend of ours, as well as a friend of our House. You should know that by now. While we might not share the extreme nature of your tastes, we love you nonetheless." Margo held Li Kuan in her arms. "There are nights when my mind tortures me with a life without Minerva in it – even though we've only known each other a short time, she's become very dear to us. I cannot imagine your despair at contemplating her passing – but when it happens, we will be here for you, in whatever capacity you need us. If that means hurting you more than I can dream of doing, or holding you in our arms, or leaving you to face your grief alone – whatever you need of us, you'll have." "May I tell you a secret, Margo?" "Of course." "When I imagine a world without my Madame in it, I want to die – don't worry, I am not suicidal, and I will not be then, it is just a desire I cannot and will not fulfill. Barring that, barring immolating myself on her funeral pyre, so to speak..." Li Kuan closed her eyes and leaned into Margo's shoulder, "I want to be held. I want to be a child again, where a mother's embrace can cure all ills and right all wrongs." Margo held her friend, her lover, her tormentor, and stroked her hair. ------- "Surprise, sir?" Tamara said, her face wearing a sickly, worried smile. "Love, why are there two naked women in bed with you?" Eddie asked, trying hard to hold on to his composure after a harried night. "Grant me some time to explain, sir?" she replied. "Let me undress you, and help you with a shower, and while I do that, I'll answer your question and any others you might have." Nodding his acquiescence, he nodded to the two strangers in his bed. "Good evening, I'm Eddie." "Good evening, Master," they replied in unison. "Tamara!" "To the bathroom, sir, all will be made clear." "No, absolutely not, not tonight, not happening, sorry," Eddie exclaimed as she scrubbed his back while he sat on the edge of the tub. "I am sorry sir, I had not taken into account your time with Ms. Fruehauf, I hadn't thought about your activities this evening – these were mistakes on my part and I cannot apologize enough. But sir-" "NO!" "Sir, I was just going to say, Dominique has gone to a lot of trouble to find us two suitable candidates for live-in nurses for Rachel – at the very least, please discuss that aspect of their employment with them, please? If you aren't confident they can handle that part of their duties, then anything else is moot." So it was that the four of them ended up sitting on the bed, naked, talking about Merry and Annie Beth's professional qualifications. At some point, the pipe was loaded and passed, and drinks mixed and consumed, and the conversation shifted into lifestyle choices and comfort levels and without even realizing it, Eddie found himself talking with two relative strangers about his childhood and the voice in his head that called him 'monster' and his fears where an open relationship was concerned. The fear, the frustration, the self-doubt and self-loathing was threatening to overwhelm Eddie and Tamara excused herself, calling her oldest friend, Carol, and begging her to get to the house with all haste. ------- When Daniella arrived back at the tiny house that was her House's new home, she and Quintus were ready for sleep, and Marcellus and Flavius had prepared the bedroom as promised. She and Quintus made a quick pass through the shower and then she settled into her favorite position to sleep in – curled up in a circle made up of her three slaves, all within reach, all so close that their breathing lulled her to sleep in minutes. Hours later, she awoke with a tightness in her chest, feeling so constricted she was having trouble breathing. Her sharp gasps brought her submissives awake. "Mistress, are you all right? How can we help?" Flavius asked. Daniella stared at him as the answer dawned on her, and as she spoke the words, the painful stricture of her chest began to release, just as the tears began to flood down her cheeks. "I ... I have no family ... anymore ... I have you ... but..." The three of them had each expected a reaction of this sort sooner or later and came together around her, wrapping her in their arms as she wept at the realization of all she'd lost. It was an hour more before she was able to go back to sleep, and when she did her dreams tormented her even more. ------- Carol arrived and ran to the house wearing a bathrobe and nothing else, went through the front door at a run and into the bedroom like she was a guided missile. Eddie wasn't there, but Tamara, Merry and Annie Beth were. "Let me go see about him, and then I'll be back to talk," she said before dropping her robe and heading out to the back yard. As she'd expected, Eddie was sitting under a pecan tree, staring at a thousand miles of bad headspace. "Hey big man, wanna fuck?" she chirped, praying she wasn't saying the wrong thing. He smiled at her, but there was such sadness in his eyes that she wanted to cry. "Hey Short Stuff, does your husband know you're here?" "No, you silly bastard – if he did, he'd be here with me." "Think he'd want to fuck me if he was?" "I don't know – he hasn't shown a lot of desire to suck dick, and I haven't noticed any predilection for hairy asses, but maybe. You want I should call him?" "Nah, it'd just turn into a slapstick comedy if he came over." "So, I repeat my question. Wanna fuck?" "No, Short Stuff, I don't wanna fuck." "Then let's you and me talk for a bit," Carol said, settling down beside him on the grass. ------- Once they'd gotten home, Harry and Kelly had explained the situation to a house full of concerned submissives. Eddie and his precious Tamara were favorites of everyone and the phone call, followed by Harry and Kelly's rapid departure had frightened them all. When everyone was breathing a little easier, they all curled up on the cushions in the living room and became a large puppy pile of sleeping people, while in the master bedroom, Margo continued to comfort Li Kuan. ------- Galena sat in the room with Felicia and watched her sleep. She didn't know if there was anything she could do, anything she could say, that would make the situation better – indeed, everything she'd tried so far just seemed to make it worse. She almost jumped out of her chair when someone tapped her on the shoulder – she turned and saw it was Lisa, looking as apologetic as she could while wearing a masque. "Sorry Mistress, I didn't mean to startle you," she whispered. "Is there anything I can do for you?" Galena stood and led Lisa out into the living area, softly closing the door behind her. She sat and Lisa did as well, across the coffee table from her. Galena started to say something, several times, but in the end, she closed her mouth and shook her head. "You're wondering if it ever gets easier," Lisa said. "The answer is 'yes' and 'no'. Handling problems like Felicia – that doesn't get any easier except that as you deal with more such situations, you get a better handle on what options you might have. But as far as dealing with hurt feelings and possible threats to your lifestyle ... it stays hard." Lisa paused, choosing her next words carefully. "Felicia seems very, very angry and bitter. Do you think she'll actually keep her mouth shut if things don't work out?" "You mean, don't work out like we all pretty much expect they won't at this point?" Galena said, chuckling cynically. "There I think we're probably okay – only because I have a lot of dirt on Felicia and have gotten more every time we've met here." "You're recording her?" Lisa said, raising an eyebrow. "Yeah." "And not real happy about feeling like you have to do it either, I'm guessing." "Not happy at all, but no one threatens the family. I think it's one of those hard choices that we Dominants have to make." Lisa motioned Galena to come sit with her on the couch. Without a word, she turned the teenaged girl around and laid her in Lisa's lap, placing a nipple to Galena's lips. Her hand reached up and stroked her Mistress' hair as Galena suckled at her breast. ------- "Eddie, let's go back in and let me talk with these girls a while. If they don't meet with my approval, you can send them away and blame it on me," Carol said. "But if they do, you need to consider something – this is what will make your beloved happy." "Yeah, I know ... and that's more important than I ever imagined anything in my life except Rachel being." He got up off the ground and offered Carol a hand. "Short Stuff, it's like for the very first time ever in my life, I've got a woman I'd do anything to keep – instead o' the disposable nightmares that are my ex-wives – and to me, part of keeping her seems like it should be being faithful to her, except she keeps telling me that isn't what she wants. What kind o' fucked up shit is that?" "That, dear man, is life with an extremely submissive woman." "Submissive – my white hairy butt she's submissive! She's the one in charge around here no matter what she says." "Only in doing what she thinks will make you happiest," Carol replied laughing. "She is honestly convinced that in the long run, taking these two on, as well as bringing Rachel home to live with you, will make you happiest. I have no opinion on the matter other than to say that I trust her instincts, at least where her 'Edward' is concerned. And if, after you give it a fair trial, you decide that it isn't working out, you'll have an extremely apologetic Tamara on your hands that'll never bring it up again." "All right then, let's go interview the two of 'em. Don't suppose there's anything I can bribe you with to lie about whether you find them okay or not?" "Nope, not happening." "Damn your attacks of virtue, Short Stuff." "Inconvenient as hell, aren't they? I try not to have them too often." ------- Wilma Fruehauf sat in her office, looking over pages of scribbled notes on suitable candidates to run against House Chorale, knowing that even if she found the perfect person, let alone the perfect couple – something she felt was far too much to hope for – time was running out and she faced a tide that had already begun to turn against her. She thought about supporting Laney again and rejected it just as quickly. There was no way she could make that work; no way could she live with herself if she tried. Finally she decided to try another tack, while still working to see if a more suitable nominee for Master or Mistress of the Samhain Ball. Snarling with distaste at the very thought of what she was going to do, she sent an email to Nancy Velacourt. ------- "I think they're just what you'd need to bring Rachel home – and I think they're just the submissives Tamara needs to make her feel your household is properly staffed," Carol said, not even bothering to whisper. Then she leaned close and did whisper into Eddie's ear, something even Tamara couldn't hear. The tight nod of Eddie's head spoke volumes to everyone in the room. Carol whispered in Tamara's ear as well for just a moment. "On your back, sir," Tamara said. "Extend your arms away from your body." As he did so, she and Carol placed their crotches in his large hands, Carol on the left, Tamara on the right, and they lay on his arms, caressing them with their bodies, kissing on his shoulders. Eddie could've restrained himself – barely – but didn't even make the attempt as he started to gently play with the cunts that had planted themselves on his hands. Tamara rose up from his shoulder slightly. "Merry, Annie Beth, please come and convince my Master that he should take you on as house slaves." Annie Beth's skinny frame, all arms and legs and all in motion, beat Merry to Eddie's cock which was already well above half-mast courtesy of the attentions of Carol and Tamara. Merry's reserve finally broke and she was smiling broadly as she moved to the top of the bed. "Shall I kiss you sir, would you like a breast to suck, or would some other part of me bring you pleasure?" Eddie looked into her smiling face and remembered that this was what his precious Tamara wanted. He tried once again to wrap his mind around the fact that she hadn't 'taken him off the chain', so to speak, she refused to act as if there was a chain at all. Carol had told him that to make his sweetheart truly happy, he had to get his head out of the way and keep it out of the way. Tamara knew his mind, heart and soul were happy – she was more worried about his body. So he should 'think' with his body ... a year before, faced with a naked and very interested Merry, he'd have worn her pussy like a face mask. "Sit on my face, dear. You look yummy." Across his body, Carol and Tamara smiled hopefully at each other before returning to kissing his shoulders. ------- Over breakfast early the next morning, Carol and Margo discussed the night before. "Jesus, was it emotional crisis night or what?" Carol said. "Felicia, Li Kuan, Eddie..." "Add Galena onto that list," Lisa said as she made her way to the kitchen table. "Sorry, didn't mean to eavesdrop, but I'm running late and really need something to eat before I go." After briefly describing her and Galena's conversation the night before, and the aftermath, while she was a whirl of motion through the kitchen Lisa said, "She's handling it well – she's chosen the right side of the whip. Not that she'd be less than delectable on the other side of the whip as well, but she's a Domme and she'll do the House proud. Love all of you, have got to get going," Lisa finished, taking her fried egg sandwich with her. "Did Jackie head to work from the hotel?" Margo asked. "Yeah, but I forgot to take some papers I need today with me to the hotel, so I had to come back. G'bye." With that Lisa was out the door and running to the bus stop. Margo and Carol stared at each other over the table. "So you really think he'll be all right with this?" Margo asked. "In time, I'm sure he will," Carol replied. "In the meantime, all of us will just have to be patient with him." ------- The hardest thing for Tamara to get used to about living with her Edward hadn't been anything he did, per se; it had been the rather casual standards of privacy and decorum evinced by those who worked for him. The first week they'd been together, Perry had come wandering into the apartment on several occasion with no warning whatsoever. She understood that Edward gave all of his crew keys to wherever he lived – sometimes it was necessary for them to have that kind of access – but Perry was notorious for living on the very edge of having his key taken away from him. For reasons like that next morning. "Hey boss, got something for you." Eddie, Tamara, Merry and Annie Beth all opened their eyes. Eddie grunted. Tamara sighed. Merry and Annie Beth shrieked. They went flying out from under the covers and leapt on Perry, taking him down to the floor in a heartbeat. They were beating him like a piñata when Eddie pulled them off, trying his best not to laugh. "Who the hell are they, boss? You hirin' harpies for your harem now? Damn!" Suddenly Eddie had a new-found appreciation of Harry's issues with the word 'harem'. "No, they're members of my household and nurses for Rachel so we can bring her home to live. What have I told you about usin' that gawddamn key without good reason?" "Boss, if'n you don't think I what I got in this folder right here," Perry answered, holding up a manila folder, "is good enough reason to walk in an' interrupt your Sheik o' Araby morning love-fest, I'll give you the key back and never say another word about it." Eddie stood naked over Perry's prone form while he looked through the contents of the folder. He looked down at his friend. "You get to keep the key. Now get the fuck outta here and lemme get a shower and put some clothes on." "Gladly boss – lookin' up at your junk is a view o' you I never ever wanted." "We enjoy it," Merry said, her face stony with reserve. "More than willing to kick the ass of anyone who disagrees," Annie Beth said, grinning like a maniac. "I am so out of here – I'll be in the kitchen makin' coffee," Perry said as he crab-crawled backwards out the door. Eddie closed the door behind Perry and went to the shower. As he stepped in, three women tried to follow him. "Tamara, I don't have time – I need to get over to Harry's pretty damn quick." "Yes sir," she replied. "Am I to take it that Merry and Annie Beth are members of our house now?" "Said so, didn't I? Welcome home, ladies. I expect y'all will be spending a lot of time at Rays of Sunshine for a while." He closed the shower door behind him and started soaping up. The happy giggles he heard from the other side of the door made him feel better about his decision to accede to Tamara's wishes. ------- "Sweetheart," Harry said as Margo rode his cock, "we're letting you off the leash – you're 'Madam Grimes' again." "With one proviso," Kelly said as she held Margo from behind, moving with her. "You start getting tense and batshit again, and you'll be back on the leash until the party damn well begins-" Kelly bit her wife gently on the shoulder, "and this time it'll be a lot less fun. Everything's handled, you got no reason to worry." "Well then, my pets," Margo said, nodding to Candy and Dayna, "I order you to knock me down and fuck me hard if I start to obsess over the party again." "Gladly, Madam," Candy said. "I'll fuck your ass into a mud puddle if you start getting worked up." Dayna looked at Candy and smiled. "And I will help her," she added in her raspy voice. "We'll turn you sideways and make a rag doll out of you." "Fuck you so hard we'll wear down your 'taint' until the only thing separating pussy and ass is a memory," Candy said. "The two of you need to hush now," Margo replied. "You're starting to make worrying about the damn party sound real attractive." As everyone laughed, there was a knock at the door. "Madam Grimes," Usagi said from the other side of the bedroom door, "there is someone here to see you – I think you want to talk with her." "Who is it?" Carol asked after she let Billy's cock fall from her mouth. She shifted herself off of Camille's face a bit and said louder, "Usagi, who is it?" "Mistress Velacourt," Usagi replied through the door. "She says it's urgent and she doesn't mind your state of undress if you don't." "Let her in," Margo said. Nancy Velacourt's tastes in sexual partners were quite specific, for the most part, but the sight that greeted her as she was ushered into the Grimes' master bedroom, got her wet in seconds. She blinked hard and regained her composure to a degree. "Madam Grimes, I received an email late last night from Wilma Fruehauf. I didn't see it until this morning, but when I did, I got dressed and came over to speak with you about it." Her week under the whip had been delightful but Margo's hand was firmly on the handle once again – and she was irritated at having her morning disturbed. "And?" "Wilma Fruehauf wants me to sell your House out – feed her information, sabotage any plans of yours if possible, and throw my House's weight behind whomever she finds to run against you and Laney at the Samhain Fetish Ball. Basically, to be a backstabbing rat and then pack the Ball and vote in her puppet." "As opposed to packing that Ball and voting for us," Harry said. "Exactly," Nancy replied. "My first instinct was to tell her to go to hell in no uncertain terms, but then I thought better of the idea and wanted to ask what you how you wished me to handle it." "Let me think on that. In the meantime, Usagi – pleasure Mistress Velacourt and we'll try to finish up what we were in the middle of," Margo replied as she began to move back and forth on her husband's cock again. No more than ten minutes had passed when Eddie knocked at the front door. "Candy! See who's at the door!" Margo snapped, her teeth grinding. Once the door was open Eddie side-stepped Candy and headed straight for the bedroom. When he saw the sexual tableau on the bed, he stopped and began to laugh uncontrollably. "Is there something you needed to speak to us about?" Harry asked, rather testily. "Yeah ... yeah ... but I'll go wait in the kitchen 'til y'all are finished." "I may have to kill someone today," Margo muttered darkly, "and it won't be related to the party!" A half-hour later everyone shuffled into the kitchen, thankful for the smell of coffee that wafted from it. "Least I could do," Eddie said, chuckling to himself. "What's so goddamn funny?" Harry asked. Eddie proceeded to explain how his morning had begun, which lightened everyone's mood considerably. "Are things always this busy around here?" Mistress Velacourt asked. "Not usually, today seems to just be a day for interruptions," Margo replied. "Eddie, we'll get to you in a moment. "Nancy," she said, turning back to Mistress Velacourt, "I'd say play along with her but ... well, according to what we've heard through the grapevine, after this weekend there won't be any point." "So someone blabbed?" Nancy replied, grinning. "Yeah, but don't worry, we'll all act very surprised. Now then Eddie, what was it you wanted to talk to us about?" "It's a bit personal ... no offense, Nancy, but you know how it is..." "No problem, my work here is done and I have the answer I needed. Looking forward to tomorrow more than I've looked forward to anything in a long, long time." Once Usagi showed her out the front door, Eddie handed the manila folder over to Margo. The Madame of House Chorale - and soon the whole of local Society - read the printouts. "Well, she's honest," Margo said. "Told us everything, left nothing out." "Yeah, I'm liking her a lot," Harry said. He looked at the copy of the email Wilma had sent Nancy. "I'm also liking how good, and fresh, our intel is. Looks like y'all wired her sixteen different ways last night." "You could say that, Harry. Perry was spoogin' himself like he was a porn star. Well, I got to get to work, it was a busy night last night, as I'm sure Short Stuff has told you. We'll be over tomorrow." "We get to meet the new girls then?" Kelly leered. "Yeah, you get to meet 'em – note, I did not say eat them, just meet them." Kelly stuck her tongue out at Eddie as he left. "So what's on the agenda for today?" Margo asked. "I've been out of the loop." "Nothing my dear – absolutely nothing," Harry replied. "This had been designated as the calm before the storm, and if I have my way, calm it will be." ------- Chapter 60 7 AM, Saturday, 9/30/06 At the Grimes household, things were not going as smoothly as the family might have hoped. Margo had woken up at 6 AM and begun fretting about everything – the family's outfits for the evening, the caterers, transportation, and a thousand other things she didn't even bother putting into words. Candy was the second one up that morning, rolling off her air mattress on to the living room floor. She scratched herself and went stumbling toward the kitchen, only to hear Margo's sobs as she approached. Candy very carefully eased to the door and peered around. Margo sat at the kitchen table, head in hands, tears flowing, nose running, shoulders shaking, as she let her anxieties overwhelm her. It was far from Candy's first experience with the insecurities of Dominants, so she stepped quietly away from the door and walked into the master bedroom. She examined Harry carefully, having heard about his issues when awakened during a nightmare, but as far as she could tell, he was sleeping peacefully. She was about to change that. "Harry ... Harry sir... Harry!" she hissed, shaking him gently. "Oh, you're going to have to be a little more forceful than that," Camille said sleepily as she rose up on her elbow out of the puppy pile of sleeping people. She put her hand on Harry's chest and shook him forcefully. "Harry, wake up – Candy needs you! NOW!" "Then why didn't she say so," Harry replied, his voice soft and indistinct. "I did, sir – I'm just not learned in how much force should be applied." Harry thought for a moment about Candy ... and just how much force she could apply. "Okay, so ... why am I awake?" "Your wife, sir – Madam Grimes – she's in the kitchen having a meltdown, I suspect about the party." "I suspect you're right," Harry said, trying to figure out how to disentangle himself from the jumble of limbs he found himself in. "Sir," Candy said, putting out a hand to stop him, "give me the word and I'll bring her to you." Harry was about to protest that Candy couldn't, when he realized she could. Then he went to work thinking on whether Candy should... "Go ahead, but try to be gentle. Camille, you've got a couple of minutes to clear a space for Madam when she arrives – get to it." Three minutes or so later, a crying, spluttering, pissed-off Margo was carried into the bedroom over Candy's shoulder. ------- The ground and house of the Kaiser family's Hill Country estate were quiet. The four permanent staff members were waiting to oversee the arrival of the catering people and the others who were to prepare the estate for the party that evening. Once Dana Kaiser arrived, they would gladly pass on the responsibility to her and retire to a nearby motel until she called them to return, but until then, the grounds and house were theirs to oversee and manage. They were not overly pleased when the vans with "Suburban Submissives" on the sides arrived at the front gate. For the owner of "Suburban Submissives", Jacqui Brady, it was like traveling into another country – while the two men and two women all spoke with Texas accents, their attitudes and demeanors were like something out of Masterpiece Theater's "Upstairs Downstairs" – the "Upstairs" part - and the grounds and rambling farmhouse were straight out of a travelogue. Trying to ignore the disapproving stares of the staff, she and her crew began setting up. They'd never handled such a large party before – a party that seemingly got larger every day – and she knew that if they managed it well, her business future was secure. If they made a mess of things ... well, Jacqui had no desire at all to return to the hell of retail sales, so she figured they'd better not fail. ------- Callie Ann Courtland was very worried. Her friend Elenore Landau had helped her get the band a gig at a BDSM soiree out in the Hill Country, but she wasn't sure a bunch of high-brow dabblers were ready for her band's hardcore style. She'd been having nightmares about firing up the amps and then being kicked out before the first guitar chord split the air. It had been just over a year since their last performance in public, and it was only Callie Ann's passion that had kept the band together and practicing regularly. Still, Elenore assured her it would be all right, so she and the band were spending part of the morning in a final set rehearsal, then it would be time to pack up the gear and head for what she was sure would be a disaster. ------- 8 AM "I'm sorry," Margo said as she was held in the arms of her spouses. "I didn't mean to fall to pieces like that." "No problem at all," Kelly said, stroking her shoulder. "This evening is a little stressful for all of us, but it's big-time stress for you. We know that, we expect it ... but damn it, wife, everything is going to be fine!" "We've got plenty of very talented and skilled and experienced people making sure it will all come off without a hitch," Carol said, her arms around Margo's legs. "There's even been talk," Kelly continued, "that if this is as big a success as it looks like it's going to be, we should do it again, every year." Margo burst out into tears again. "Kelly darling," Harry said, Margo's head on his shoulder, "this might not have been the best time to mention that." ------- All across Central Texas, phone calls had been made, plans discussed, hopes kindled, and traveling plans made. Bags were packed and secreted away, even before there was word as to whether their proposal had been accepted. Among the plotters and planners, there was no one that wasn't completely trusted – years in service and time spent together resulted in all the group knowing each other and their predicaments all too well. No one was put 'in the loop' without being fully vetted. No one would be allowed to put their plans in jeopardy, and so some who might have honestly wanted to participate were turned away, simply because they weren't trusted enough... with the promise that they wouldn't be forgotten if they proved themselves trustworthy. September 30th, 2006 was a day the local Society would long remember, for a number of reasons. ------- The DJ's and crew of Radio Free Mordor had been surprised to hear from Dayna Spyderchylde, and a little concerned when she told them about the party – there are things that are simply unbelievable outside of porn and her description was full of them – but she'd offered them a very generous fee, paid half in advance, and for that amount alone they would have showed up. Once the promised opportunity to see real live naked women was included, there was no way they were going to miss the party. So with the help of a lot of personal grooming and Society etiquette advice from Dayna, they prepared for what was going to be the most lucrative gig of their careers, going to the apartment of Mick, the group's founder, and gathering their equipment, computers and drive-stacks. Then the four of them - Mick, Jack, Scott, and Keith - sat around Mick's apartment and stared at each other, waiting for it to be time to pack the van and leave. ------- 9 AM Sometime around 9AM, Madame Cornelius and the rest of her household arrived, followed by two large moving trucks filled with equipment and furniture. For a few moments, it was imperious glare vs. arrogant stare, but no matter what the permanent estate staff might think, they were not the equal of Minerva Cornelius on her worst day. As this was quite likely to be a day which marked the culmination of years of hope and dreams, and months of planning for the formidable Dominatrix, it was very far indeed from her worst day. Hans and Andre began setting up pavilions while Li Kuan and Puppy performed final construction on some surprises for House Chorale, under the careful supervision of the Madame. ------- Across the city and its surrounding suburbs and bedroom communities, people were preparing for House Chorale's party as if it were the Samhain Fetish Ball, without the ornate costuming. There was a buzz of excitement in the air, unmistakable to anyone who was paying any attention at all to Society politics in the area – something new was happening, something different. The individual Houses – large, medium, small and even those as yet unfounded, merely dreamed of – were going to vote on the direction the public face of their lifestyle was going to take. They had a choice, a real choice, and through the underground of dissatisfied Dominants and submissives, the word had spread – in no uncertain terms. If you were happy with the way things were going under Laney and his allies, stay at home and have a pleasant Saturday evening. If you weren't, it still wasn't too late to finagle an invitation to the coronation of a new Master and Madam of the Society. It would mean a split from the established hierarchy, but really, wasn't that long overdue? At the site of the evening's gala, Madame Cornelius' cell-phone rang almost continuously – by the end of the night, there would be no undecided. The groundswell was impossible to miss. ------- Karghold Newton was providing the babysitters, four for each of the impromptu crèches – Karen and Patricia's for the older kids and the Grimes' home for the younger set, as well as another four to fill in where needed. Thad and Vida were giving the young people from the Karghold a final lecture. "You know what you're allowed to talk about and what you're not to speak of," Thad said. "These are the children of our friends and our allies, but they're not Karg – let alone of our Karghold. I hate to put it this way, but ... play nice with them. It's doubtful any of them are being raised as you are – they aren't taught to fight or protect themselves, and a lot of them are probably going to public schools, so they're nowhere near as educated as you are." Vida took over. "There are still a lot of things you'll have in common with these other children and so having fun shouldn't be a problem at all. Remember that our slaves are there not only to watch out for the safety of the other children, but to watch over you as well. You all know what is expected of you – do not shame your parents, your families, your friends or us." Anyone used to dealing with kids would have been astonished at the attention Thad and Vida were paid by the children before them – children that ranged from four to fifteen years of age. They responded to the heads of their clan more like soldiers than youngsters. ------- 10 AM "Why can't one of the girls sit with me?" Jason said, avoiding a whine by the narrowest of margins. His mother Gloria replied, "They're going to be at the party as well, but the Grimes' have assured me that the folks in charge of the older kids are very good people and you'll have a lot of fun this evening. Then you can either come home, or crash at Karen and Patricia's – it'll be your choice, but should you stay over, there are yummy plans for breakfast – evidently the sitters are very good in the kitchen." "Don't see why I can't just come to the party..." Gloria Tanner looked at her son, her face serious. "Yes you do, Jason – you know exactly why, don't you?" He looked back at her and smiled, deciding to make the best of the situation. "Yeah Mom, I do ... it's just ... I like these people, same as you." He blushed. "Okay, maybe not the same as you, but I don't like being passed off to spend the evening with a bunch of strange kids, when I could be staying at home." "It's not that I don't trust you, Jason, you know I do ... the Grimes and their friends are going to be a large part of our lives for the next several years – it'll be good for you to get to know some of their children ... and I worry about you. I know you don't find it easy to make friends, and given that their parents are as strange as me..." "I know, Mom, but that's impossible," he said, standing up and giving his mother a kiss on the cheek. "No one's as strange as you." "Funny kid," Gloria said, giving him a hug. "I tell you what, if you do decide to come home, give me a call and someone will come sit with you – I'll make sure of it." ------- 11 AM Eddie Janak was not in his happy place. Tamara was in her happy place, Annie Beth and Merry were in very happy places. Eddie was buying collars for his new submissives and was therefore surrounded by happy, chattering women. Then there was to be shopping for suitable outfits for the evening for the two new girls. Eddie wasn't quite in Hell – he been awakened most sweetly by the woman he loved and their two new roommates – but he swore he could see Hell from where he was. Still, he'd been able to call some people and in so doing get an old friend and his band a chance to perform at the party. It was a partial repayment of a lot of favors over the years and Eddie was looking forward to his family's response to the music. ------- Dominique Duvalier was still recovering from the night before at her club – it hadn't been anything special, but there'd been a lot of people in attendance, hoping that House Chorale would put in an appearance, eager to speak with them on various and sundry matters. She'd told more people than she could count that it was highly unlikely the House would show up that evening – they were very busy preparing for a party that it still wasn't too late to get invitations to, and had undoubtedly made Madame Cornelius' cell-phone ring to beat the band, given the number of times she'd given out the woman's business number. And so it had been a long evening and it had taken a good hard fucking for her to wind down enough to sleep. She looked around her office and apartment, thinking how nice it would be to have a home ... not that she hated her current residence ... but more and more, since Carol had come back into her life, Dommi had realized that it wasn't really a home, and there was someplace else she really wanted to be. Now that there was no more House Duvalier, now that she was happily another Dominant in House Chorale, she wanted to be close to her family. Moving day couldn't come soon enough. Still, there was much to do before that point, and still much to be done that Saturday in particular. The club wouldn't be open that evening, except as a waiting room for the guests who were waiting to be ferried by limo to the party. Sinfonia and a small group of the staff would be keeping the guests comfortable until the majority had been transported. Then they would finally be free to come to the party themselves. As coffee brewed and Ricky made breakfast, she was surprised when Deanna came up from downstairs. "Mistress, there are some people here to speak with you." "Show them in and make them comfortable, I'll be downstairs in a few minutes," Dommi replied, shuffling over to find a robe to wear. "Ricky, bring coffee and breakfast down to me – if they're willing to disturb me when the club is closed, they can damn well watch me eat." "Shall I offer them coffee, Mistress?" he asked, grinning at her grouchy mood. "Yeah, put on another pot ... damn ... I am so not ready to deal with visitors today." Thirty minutes later, her breakfast forgotten, Dominique Duvalier couldn't figure out if the outcome of the discussion she'd had was going to have her in laughter or tears ... she knew that if she passed it on to Margo before the proper moment, her friend's reaction would be tears, beyond a shadow of a doubt. ------- Janet Hart was in a quandary – all three of her co-workers had extended an invitation to her for the party – Eddie had even gone so far as to say that, given her help on the Fruehauf job, it wouldn't be right if she wasn't there – but she had absolutely no idea whether she should go or not. She'd been in her share of odd situations – her five years in prison not the least of them – and she rubbed the spot on her cheek where the three black teardrops had been tattooed, thinking of some of those situations. She wasn't comfortable around people, especially large groups of people – by the same token, however, there would be enough people in attendance for her to disappear ... and it would make her employer happy if she attended. She started going through her wardrobe for something that looked remotely appropriate for a party. ------- 12 PM/Noon By noon, Minerva knew they had won, and won with such a show of public support, such a mandate, that they could, if they wished, avoid the Samhain Fetish Ball altogether – not that they would, but anything said or done there was irrelevant. Li Kuan was surprised to see her beloved Madame in tears. "Madame, what is wrong?" Minerva Cornelius's knees gave way and she fell onto a pile of large pillows that had been laid out for seating in the largest pavilion. "We have won, Li Kuan – it is done. Everything now is just a formality ... and we must make it truly formal." She tried to find a number in her cell-phone's address book and was frustrated by her inability to do so. "Li Kuan, make this damnable thing do as I require!" Her long-time companion took the phone gently from her Madame's hand. "Minerva," she said softly, "it is working perfectly ... you need to stop crying so you may see the screen." "Oh damn," Madame Cornelius said, sniffing loudly and smiling through her tears, "I do so hate it when I fail to maintain my composure." "No one will ever speak a word of it. Now, who do you want me to call?" ------- Elenore Landau had met the members of House Cornelius – she was familiar enough with them to know who Li Kuan was when she called and to know it was something important. "Madame Cornelius has a requirement, Ms. Landau," the Chinese woman said. "Make sure that your band can play Handel's "Zadok the Priest, Coronation Anthem No. 1"." "Uh, Miss Li, the band that will be playing ... I'm not sure they're capable of performing that." Elenore was not ignorant where classical music was concerned; she knew the piece Li Kuan was referring to. "Then either they should learn it, and do so very quickly, or the DJ's had better have a copy of it, shouldn't they?" "Yes ma'am," Elenore replied. "I'm sure something can be arranged, as well as some other, suitably celebratory music as well." Before Li Kuan had finished closing her Madame's phone, Elenore was calling Callie ... and then Dayna Spyderchylde to get her to pass on Li Kuan's instructions to the DJ's. Once those calls were made, Elenore worried that her own presents for House Cornelius would not be grand enough, given the direction it seemed the evening was going. ------- Helen McReady sat on her bed in her already mostly-packed apartment and looked at the letter that had arrived with the morning mail. Sisters of Mercy Hospital had terminated her employment. It was no great shock, but still she had hoped, up to the very last, that her lifestyle choices wouldn't be held against her – that she'd be able to do a job she was very good at and continue to help people. Now she had only one official client – Harry Grimes – though she and Margo had discussed work with the clinic Margo was employed by, as well as in the free clinic being set up at Dominique's. She was even willing to just work as a masseuse at Harry and Karen's office – it pleased her to think of being one of the perks of employment there. Still, she was let go ... not fired, just let go. Discarded, like any other piece of trash. ------- Jessica was almost as nervous as she'd been the night the Grimes family had come into her life. Her recent contact with Kelly, as well as her periodic encounters with other members of the family, had done a lot to convince her that her fears were unfounded, but still Quan found herself with a most uncharacteristically edgy lover and Mistress. Jessica found herself fighting the urge to be unnecessarily nasty and vicious towards her roommate ... a certain amount of attitude was normal and even expected, but she was finding herself far too prone to bite her head off for no good reason. "Goddamn it, Queen Bee," Quan snapped, "what would Kelly or any of the rest of them recommend you do right now?" "They'd have me smoking dope until I either calmed down or passed out." Quan replied, "I'll go next door and see if they have any ... I wish Wendy was here, she's better with our neighbors than I am – but if I don't do something soon, somebody's going to die." "I wouldn't kill you, Quan," Jessica said. "It isn't me that's in danger," Quan replied. ------- Dick Laney of House Odessa was furious. He'd never had any illusions about how many of the Houses in the central part of the state had felt about him and his leadership, but they'd been apolitical so he'd never had to care. Now, in spite of how he'd strengthened his ties to the old guard and the hard-core, Houses were coming out of the woodwork in support of Chorale, Houses that had never so much as acknowledged Odessa, preferring to drop out of Society altogether rather than deal with him. He swallowed no small amount of pride and called Wilma Fruehauf, willing to do whatever she required to come to an arrangement. Still, he had the unmistakable feeling that whatever the two of them, and their allies, could cook up, it would be too little and too late. ------- 1 PM "Madame," Li Kuan said, "I've made the final arrangements – the appropriate music will be available, we were able to acquire a permit with the help of our friends in the county commissioner's office – that was only a minor miracle, and the pyrotechnics crew will be here shortly. They assure me there will be no problem having everything ready by the time the party officially starts." "Thank you, my dear," Minerva replied. "Do you think I should warn them, or is it likely to make them too nervous?" "Warn them, Madame," Li Kuan said. "They'll handle everything well, no matter what, but don't surprise them unnecessarily." "Wise words, my dear ... wise words indeed." ------- 2 PM Elsewhere at the estate, a thousand last minute details, most of them involving the safe transport of presents out to the site, had popped up and Madame Cornelius had previously thrown the entire problem over to Li Kuan. She was still busy with last minute invitations, and the bombshell that Dominique Duvalier had dropped on her not half an hour before. Li Kuan found herself in an unusual situation – it was very rare indeed to find her Madame overwhelmed, but the day was proving to be just that unusual. In her beloved's face she saw the stress, she saw the years ... she saw how very, very tired Minerva Cornelius was. She put a call to Ophelia, who had been left at home for the evening, and after suitable threats were made and promises received, she put her Madame's niece to work. ------- Jacqui Brady had never worked a catering job before where she was given a blank check as far as expenses ... Madame Cornelius, whom she'd heard of but never met, had made it clear that the food, drink and service were to remain flowing - no matter what it took. After hearing the latest attendance estimates, Jacqui had realized that Madam Grimes' order to triple the original order for food and beverages was going to fall short ... perhaps drastically so. She'd already sent all four of her vans back into the city for more of everything and nothing less than the best quality would do. That might cause some cries of dismay from her suppliers, but she'd been given a budget that would shut up even the most outraged squawks. They would find what she needed or her people would go elsewhere – not just for this job, but any in the future. And when her suppliers heard the size of the gathering, they'd realize just what that might mean for them, if they could produce what was required ... and what it would mean if they couldn't. ------- 3 PM Antoinette and her staff had coordinated with Madame Cornelius for their contribution to the party – plumbing - and Minerva had been surprised by the thought that had been put into their plan. A series of large, free-standing showers had been erected near the edge of the bluff, just inside the stone wall that prevented guests from easily tumbling over the edge - the view from the showers was incredible. She'd provided the equipment necessary to heat the water, enough towels and other bath linens for an army and a large selection of eco-friendly soaps, shampoos and conditioners – while the guests might be bathing on the lawn, they would lack no comforts. And for the more private, there were small curtained stall showers as well. Antoinette had come out to the site earlier in the week and consulted with the staff about the house's toilets. As the Kaiser family was used to throwing parties there, for guests who wouldn't dream of using a porta-potty, there were plenty of facilities, located in a discrete outbuilding. While Antoinette's appearance might have scandalized the estate staff, her attention to detail didn't – she made sure that all of the toilets were properly stocked with anything a guest might require. By 3 PM, the showers were checked and double-checked, extra supplies of everything had been sent for, and she and her staff were helping out elsewhere. One member of that staff, Wendy, was in awe of the whole thing – she'd been present when the shower system was designed, and she'd seen maps of the estate, but seeing it in person was so much more impressive. Added on top of that was the amount of work Madame Cornelius and her people had done – on a belt of lawn that circled the house and its outbuildings, pavilions had been put up – one large one in particular that Wendy knew would be for Jessica's friends. Inside each were thick rugs and cushions and comfortable deck chairs on top of slightly raised platforms ... although House Chorale's pavilion also had two large, comfortably-padded wooden chairs that looked suspiciously like thrones. The cloth pavilions' roof and walls were made of layers of thin cotton, almost gauze-like. Once again, the exception was House Chorale – silk, red trimmed with black. Each of the pavilion 'walls' could be gathered up and tied out of the way for maximum air flow. Wendy was standing outside Chorale's tent, amazed that what seemed opulent in the others was overshadowed completely by the quality and quantity of furnishings in front of her. No one else should be able to find any room to bitch about their accommodations, except in comparison to these. "So, young ... lady," said an elderly, female voice behind Wendy, "do you agree that it is suitable for royalty?" Wendy's heart was racing – she didn't know the voice, but she knew the type of voice – it was as if she was being questioned by the strictest Headmistress any school had ever known ... and that told her exactly who was behind her. Wendy turned and bowed her head, fighting not to curtsey. "I think so, Madame Cornelius, but my opinion isn't the one that matters. Are you pleased with their accommodations?" "Of course I am, girl – if I was not, they would not be here and something else would be in their place." Minerva looked at Wendy, judging her. "You pass nicely, girl. I gather that Antoinette has chosen your outfit for the evening?" "Yes, Madame, I'm to be dressed as a French maid - a somewhat less revealing outfit than that costume generally involves – but I'm told I look lovely in it." The elderly Dominant leaned down. "Are you prepared to handle attention from both sexes this evening?" "No Madame, but Antoinette has taught me how to politely decline such invitations, and my ... well, my Mistress has told me that I am hers and she will decide who is allowed to touch me." "And what if she decides you are to be used by a man, little girl?" Madame Cornelius asked, not unkindly. "I will discretely use my safe word ... unless..." "Unless you find yourself not objecting to the prospect – it is good that you keep an open mind on the subject." "Madame, I have never met a man yet that I wanted in that way, but I certainly don't rule the possibility out. I realized that my choice of personas could create interest in me that I wasn't ready or willing to deal with ... but it's who I am, Madame." "If anyone gives you any trouble about that, or anything else, young lady, feel free to call upon me or any member of my House – I like you." Wendy had seen the members of House Cornelius working all afternoon – while the Chinese woman and the two large men might frighten her, she felt much more at ease with the evening ahead of her. Wendy curtsied deeply. "My thanks, Madame." Chuckling to herself, Madame Cornelius moved on to the next detail she needed to examine. ------- The Grimes' household submissives were busy – primarily with transferring clothes and other items to the Omni suite where the happy foursome would spend the next week. Harry and the others weren't even planning on returning to the house after the party – they would go straight to the Omni and begin their vacation. In the meantime, the family was trying to stay loose and relaxed ... with varying levels of success. It didn't help that the limousine company had called twice, informing them that more reservations had been made for transport to and from the estate – the second call had included the news that they were hiring drivers and cars from other companies, just to handle the party. Margo had almost burst into tears again, narrowly avoiding it by almost diving for a pipe and loading it up. A few moments later, she was much calmer. ------- Gianetta Bruno planned to attend the party – after Kelly's birthday festivities, there was no way she'd miss it – but it would mean being masked the entire evening and into the next day, since she knew there was no way she would be leaving before Sunday. There was only one fly in the ointment, so to speak. At such a large gathering, her fiancé had concerns for her safety, so she would be escorted by a bodyguard ... not one of the boys, but a woman Nick had said he'd used for delicate business before ... he referred to her as "Salome". Gianetta hadn't met her yet, but had spoken with her by phone and told her to pack a bag, as they'd be spending the night, before Gianetta went back to packing her own. ------- 4 PM By 4 PM it would have required a straitjacket to keep Margo from heading out to the estate, so the family and their submissives packed up. The House had chosen casual and loose for their outfits. Carol's observation helped make the decision easier. "We've already won or lost," she'd said, "how we dress this evening won't change that in the least. We might as well try to look relaxed and feel comfortable." So they'd packed their evening's outfits away, dressed in jeans and t-shirts in case there was anything that still needed to be done when they arrived, and headed to where they'd park their cars and be chauffeured out to the party. Once they were well and truly on the road, spread out over three limousines, Margo called Madame Cornelius to tell her they were on their way. "Very good, my dear – everything is in readiness, or will be," Minerva replied, pitching her voice to her Household, "by the time you get here or the unpleasantness will commence!" Margo relayed the conversation to the rest of her carload and found that her laughter eased the tension a little. "Madam Wife," Carol said, "this is why almost any significant social occasion requires a staff – they do the work – and you let them – and you promise them treatment they won't enjoy if things aren't ready when required. You'll be amazed just how smoothly this evening will go." Kelly's face took on its mischievous look. "That's right, Big Mama – I'm thinking we do this every six months, hell, maybe three times a year!" Within moments, she was over Margo's lap getting spanked by two sets of hands. Kelly reflected that she was enjoying the punishment from her husband and senior wife ... it wouldn't really be a party if she didn't earn a beating somewhere along the way – best to get it over and done with before things got started. ------- 5 PM "Well, you insignificant little shit," Wilma Fruehauf snarled, "my sources in the department tell me they can't do a blessed thing about the party. The event itself is being held out of the city, the county sheriff's department won't go near anything that happens on the Kaiser estate no matter what and won't touch anyone that's a guest of the Kaiser family. There is official resistance in the P.D. to messing with any of the party-goers, either on their way out of town or on their way back in – besides, with everyone being ferried by limo, nobody will be driving drunk." "I knew Minerva Cornelius had connections," Dick Laney muttered in frustration, "but this is ridiculous." "From what I'm hearing, it isn't her friends that are behind the hold-up," Wilma replied. "The Grimes family has a very powerful protector, although none of my contacts on the force will tell me anything more than that." She smirked, wishing that she could see Laney's face. "I hear you've suffered a staff reduction." Wilma took great pleasure as he slammed his phone shut, terminating their call. "I may not win, you pompous little fuck," she murmured, "but neither will you." ------- When the Grimes family and the rest of House Chorale arrived at the Kaiser estate, Margo was in shock – it was still lovely, it was still every bit as expansive, but there had been so many additions for the evening's festivities ... she closed her eyes and tried not to think of the expense for all involved – and for the most part succeeded, thanks to her earlier hits on the pipe. As Madame Cornelius showed them all around the estate, introducing them to the party staff, pointing out all the arrangements and accommodations that had been made for the guests, Madam Grimes of House Chorale wondered if perhaps it might not be feasible, on some level, to do such a gala twice a year ... certainly not three times a year, but perhaps once in the early spring, when the weather wasn't too cool, but the blistering Central Texas heat hadn't descended, and in the fall when, as now, the weather had cooled, but what passed for winter hadn't yet put in an appearance. After they had walked the grounds, Madame Cornelius led them inside where Dayna told the staff they were free to leave. Everyone settled into the comfortable – and huge – den where employees of Suburban Submissives took drink orders. "5:30-ish certainly isn't too early for the cocktail hour," Madame Cornelius pronounced, settling the issue rather concretely. After drinks had been served, she looked at her friends, her protégés, and smiled. "It's been a very busy day, and this evening will be busier still. I wish today was ours to do with as we would – and certainly there will be time for play as well – but there is business that must be attended to." She sat back and took a long drink of her gin and tonic before straightening up once more and continuing. "Today – even as we speak – there is a revolution going on in Houses all around the area. Submissives from House Odessa and her allies, as well as from other Houses that oppose our faction, are packing up their belongings and leaving their Masters and Mistresses. Not surprisingly though, there are few defectors from the elder Houses that oppose us." Margo paled and began to speak, but Minerva silenced her with a wave of her hand. "Do not worry, my dear Madam Grimes – their well-being has been seen to. They are leaving their luggage at Dominique's and will be in service here this evening as extra staff. All of them will be wearing collars and red scarves as armbands – that designates them as being available for adoption by any House they may come to a suitable arrangement with. If any of them are not spoken for by the time we send everyone home tomorrow, they will be staying at Dominique's until a place can be found for them. The same accommodations will be available to any ... gifts ... you cannot find immediate space for." The Grimes family looked at her in shock. "Oh please," Madame Cornelius said, barely hiding her scorn. "I knew this was to be a coronation before you did ... your friends may be able to keep their tongues, but something this big has been causing ripples for weeks and I am not yet so old and senseless that I could miss them." She settled herself back in her seat, rather like a hen smoothing her feathers. "Today, from the number of Houses in attendance, from the number of groups wishing to form Houses, from the very fact of submissives voting with their feet, we have won. It is all over but the shouting, so to speak, and tonight at midnight, there will be enough of that so that even those back in the city will not be able to miss it ... in fact, I rather doubt anyone will forget it, even if they have no idea what is happening." "Excuse me, Minerva," said Harry, his hand white in Margo's iron grip, "what do you mean?" "At midnight we will, barring accident or act of God, have a fireworks display the likes of which has not been seen in quite some time," Minerva replied. "We have the permits, the crew is setting up their equipment and from their launching point near the edge of the bluff, there is nowhere in the city that will not be able to see it, simply by going outside and looking to the west. Granted, given our remote location, it won't be terribly distinct, but there will be no doubt that there is a fireworks show being put on – and our enemies will be notified of exactly what it means beforehand." Harry and Margo were breathing a little rapidly and holding on to each others hand. Carol, sitting at their feet, was smiling quietly to herself. Kelly was almost dancing on the couch on the other side of Harry. Minerva Cornelius looked at them – all so young and full of promise. For her part, she was relieved. The Society would certainly split, but her next bit of news further insured that those in the opposition were going to be ignored completely – they would either join, or they would be left even more invisible than they had been during the Laney years. The tide had turned and submissives willing to play with the Houses in opposition to Chorale would be harder and harder to find ... and without submissives, Dominants were just pushy people without anyone to boss around. "Invitations to tonight's festival have been at a premium – at least, that is the story I have been telling – I've adjusted the cost when taking into account the circumstances of the people involved, and your free clinic has done quite well off your new-found popularity – another fifty-three-thousand-and-some-odd dollars for the fund." Minerva ignored the tears running down Margo Grimes' face. "Several invitations, however, I charged nothing for, even though the recipients can well afford to pay." Minerva turned to Jackie and Lisa. "Go get the water pipe and load it – your Dominants will need it." She returned her attention to the family. "We'll wait just a moment." "Minerva, you're stretching this out just to watch us squirm, aren't you?" Harry asked. "Most certainly, my dear man ... although I do not wish to prolong the agony too much – darling Margo looks as if she is about to break down completely." There were many ways that Margo could have taken her friend's statement – she chose to view it as a challenge. She collected herself, straightened her spine, and smiled. "I don't think we need to wait for any pipe. Please proceed, Minerva." Minerva Cornelius smiled back at her friend, proud of her response. "Emissaries from across the state are coming this evening. They're not bringing their full Houses or else I honestly do not know where we would put them, but they are coming to observe and to meet with your House. I strongly suspect House Velacourt had a hand in spreading the word, as their business extends throughout the state and beyond. As my business interests are varied as well, I might have mentioned to some of my clients that changes were afoot here, but in reality, being unsure as to how things were going to go, I held my tongue for the most part. That is why I suspect Nancy Velacourt of engendering most of the interest from outside the city." Jackie and Lisa returned with the pipe and all six of the hoses were immediately claimed – Minerva, Harry, Margo, Kelly, Eddie and Karen. "There's another two water pipes with our belongings – Jackie, Lisa, please go tell Li Kuan to locate them for you." She settled back to enjoy her smoke. The evening was shaping up quite well. ------- 6 PM Perry and Bevy sat at a table poolside, laptop open, using a mobile wifi hotspot. "Looks like there's trouble in Fruehauf's little paradise," Perry said, grinning. "All the bad guys, having a bad day ... what do you think the odds are somebody's gonna try something stupid, sneak into the party, start some shit?" Bevy held his hands apart at arm's length from his torso. "Yeah ... fuck near certain ... and we've got no way to monitor anyone but li'l Wicked Wilma ... we better go talk to the Boss." ------- The crew from Radio Free Mordor had survived their encounter with Li Kuan, but none of them were feeling all that secure in their ability to survive another. The plan was for Mordor to direct their music away from the house to the northwest. The band playing on the other side of the house, outside the green belt and its tents, would direct their speakers toward the southeast. Except of course, at midnight, when both would have their parts to play in the celebration. Exactly what was being celebrated, the four young men had no real idea concerning, and if it meant asking the scary Chinese woman with the filed teeth and piercings, they'd happily remain ignorant. ------- "I saw you perform at Chains of Desire," Li Kuan said, surprising Callie Ann Courtland so much she tried to stand up under a speaker stand and momentarily saw stars. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean for that to happen," Li Kuan said, examining Callie's head with an eye used to gauging injury. "Do you need to sit down or anything?' "No ... been hit a lot harder in mosh pits ... just ... damn ... yeah, I remember you," Callie replied, "you ended up mostly naked and poking holes in anyone brave enough to dance near you." "It was a good night," Li Kuan replied, smiling. "Maybe for you ... if you weren't Minerva Cornelius's, I suspect you'd be banned from the club – too many big shots got stabbed that night." "Instead, you ended up banned from the club, for altogether different reasons," Li Kuan said, sitting down on a speaker that had yet to be positioned. "Yeah," Callie replied. "I mean, we appreciated the gig, but I'll be damned if playing there was prestigious enough to allow that fuck-head manager to try and screw us on our share of the door." "Perhaps beating him was a bit extreme a response," Li Kuan observed. "Hey, they never proved anything ... cops just laughed at him." "Yes, you and your bandmates were very clever – you did it, everyone knew you did, but no one could prove anything." "Yeah, we were so clever we haven't had a gig in over a year." "How would you like to play Dominique's?" Li Kuan asked. "No way ... the assholes who own Chains have pretty much blackballed us all over town – we couldn't even get a gig at Whips & Clips." "True – not that it would have mattered to Dominique anyway, had you approached her ... but I think tonight will change a lot of things in this town," Li Kuan said, "especially if you play as I know you can. In fact, I have no doubt any club in the scene will be happy to book you after tonight – should you impress our hosts." "Well yeah, there's us and another band ... they got hired this morning as a favor to somebody named Eddie, who's connected with the folks throwing this party somehow." "You really have no idea what's going on this evening, do you?" Li Kuan asked, amused at Callie's ignorance. "Nah, don't give a fuck – same shit, different day. I'm still expecting us to get kicked out when they hear us." "You've completely dropped out of Society, haven't you?" Li Kuan chuckled. "Yeah, so?" Callie replied, irritated enough to take her best shot at Li Kuan if the woman laughed at her anymore. "Calm down, little girl, and get rid of the attitude before you hurt yourself," Li Kuan said, recognizing Callie's intention. "Let me tell you what's been happening..." ------- Every time Harry moved, Nicki winced. She was more at peace with the way things had gone down with Stan at Dominique's, but she still couldn't shake an overwhelming sense of responsibility. The only argument that had made any impact on her guilt at all was that there were plenty of things in the family's lifestyle that could do almost as much damage to them if revealed – Stan had just chosen the biggest taboo as his threat. Still, Nicki was forced to appear as a Domme, instead of being at her brother's feet where she felt she belonged. She wondered if Stan was going to remain silent. How could they trust someone as slimy as him to keep his mouth shut? Nicki was worried he was going to show up again, at the party, at the club, anywhere they went. He haunted her ... him and his slutty little boytoy. Nicki opened up her loose trousers and buried Sheila's face in her crotch ... something to distract her from her fears. ------- Minerva Cornelius had worked out a seating plan of sorts – Houses were assigned pavilions according to how long they'd been members of the alliance – the longer they'd been an ally, the closer they were placed to the Chorale tent. That of course put House Cornelius at the right hand of Chorale, and as guests were due to start showing up shortly, it was there that Minerva and her people retired to change and relax just a bit before the madness. She ordered the walls to be lowered so that she could be dressed in privacy. ------- In Chorale's huge tent, the walls were left up and the House submissives went to work on readying their Dominants for the evening. Of them all, Eddie was the most uncomfortable. Having three women, two of whom were still practically strangers, dressing him was torture. But he knew better than to let one word of complaint drop from his lips. The only people in the entire House he'd receive any sympathy from were the three women preparing him for the evening. Of course, once he got to thinking about it, perhaps that wasn't such a rough deal after all. And in one respect, he had it a lot easier than his friend, Harry. "Look, if I promise not to get in any fights, not to go out for a jog, not to practice my high kicks or dance routines, can I please, for fuck's sake, leave the goddamn brace off?" Harry said, his voice a tense hiss. "Sure Harry, not a problem," Helen replied as she and Billy helped sort out costumes. "Just one condition, really." "What?" "Your legs never touch the fucking ground. You agree to spend the entire evening being carried around like a complete invalid, you can skip the brace," Helen replied, grinning at Margo. "How much do we pay you again?" Harry snarled, fighting to keep the smile off his face. "Not enough, Boss, that's why I'm moving in," Helen replied. "In fact, you may have to start whoring me out on the street." "So not happening," Billy said. "She serves you, Harry, but she belongs to me. No whoring." "Agreed, Billy," Harry said, "no whoring out anyone ... except maybe you, Piglet," he continued, looking down at Gloria, who was naked and chained to one of the large poles of their tent. "But you're really too pathetic to expect people to pay money for you, and too fucking slutty to offer up as a gift ... what am I going to do with you?" "Anything you desire, sir, anything at all," Gloria replied. "I am House Chorale's property and my life is theirs to control." "I have an idea," Margo said. "For every ten loads of cum she swallows tonight, we'll find someone to service her ... what do you think?" "Fifteen," Harry replied, "and if a drop is wasted, the blow-job doesn't count. Is that understood, Piglet?" "Yes sir, thank you sir, thank you Madam, I am pleased to obey." "God, she is a little slut, isn't she?" Karen said, eyeing her with a mixture of disgust and lust. "Why is she only sucking dicks? I'm sure there will be a lot of pussies around tonight that might appreciate her tongue." "Easier to know when a man comes, easier to see if she misses any," Eddie said. "Since you women have the blessing of being multi-orgasmic, every two climaxes she brings a woman to is equal to one blow-job, just for calculation's sake?" "Three," snarled Kelly, finally dressed. "And she can start on me after she attends me in the toilet." Kelly reached down and un-hooked the chain. "Come on, Piglet, time to go potty." "Anyone surprised by that?" Carol asked as Kelly stormed off with Piglet in tow. A chorus of 'no's answered her question. ------- After the conversation with Li Kuan, Callie Ann Courtland sat back on her heels and thought for a while. She'd come remarkably close to attacking the right hand of one of the most powerful Dominants around, just because she was convinced nothing was going to work out for her or the band, no matter what. As she thought about it, she realized it also would have been a fight she had absolutely no chance of winning. Callie Ann was good, she'd had to fight all her life, but remembering the moves of the tall Chinese woman on the dance floor, watching the way she moved around like some great cat, waiting for prey to wander across her path, Callie Ann knew she was outmatched. "So, what's got you thinking so hard?" asked her keyboard player, Oafie Hernandez. "Girls," Callie replied, "sometimes the universe gives you a wake-up call ... and this party may be ours." She stood up and looked at her drummer, Pamela Weems, her bassist Lori Christopher, and lead guitar player, Kristal Sitzmore. "Ladies, I got a feeling our luck is about to change. There is, apparently, about to be a new sheriff in town ... let's make sure they like us." ------- The drivers for Texas Star Limousines had seen it all – and more than all, since they also did a lot of business for the Samhain Fetish Ball – but even for that gathering of freaks, they'd never seen so many. It had passed beyond 'coming out of the woodwork' and entered the realm of 'appearing out of thin air' or perhaps even 'raining freaks'. Their entire fleet was in motion towards the Hill Country, packed to the roof, and as many limos and drivers as they could beg, borrow, and in at least two cases effectively steal, were coming from all corners of the city to handle what would merely be the second load of guests, ferried up to the estate. Luckily the guests could wait in Dominique's for their rides to show up and everyone, no matter how long they were looking at waiting, were in high spirits and wouldn't have missed the party for the world. Nevertheless, an oft-heard conversational tidbit was "next time, they should hire buses". ------- 7 PM Eddie, Perry and Bevy were in a very quiet, but tense, conversation with Madame Cornelius. "Madame, no offense meant, and believe me – I'd trust Li Kuan at my back in any fight I've ever been in, but are the rest of the people working security as good as she is? Are they as good as my crew is?" "Probably not – but there are quite a few of them, and interspersed with the less adept members are people from Karghold Newton – I trust they might meet your standards?" Eddie was getting frostbite from the Madame but he really didn't give a shit right that instant. "Yes Madame, that makes me feel a whole hell of a lot better. How many patrols are walking the perimeter and how often?" Madame Cornelius raised her voice. "Li Kuan!" The tall Chinese woman was by her side in less than a minute. "Yes Madame?" "These gentlemen have questions about the security," Madame Cornelius replied before returning to her chair. After a brief consultation with Li Kuan, Eddie and his people felt much better about the arrangements – still not totally confident, but better. "Perry, Bevy ... find Janet – I know she's here, I saw her wandering around earlier, and arrange a schedule to make sure one of us is monitoring Fruehauf at all times ... I realize, that's going to cramp our party..." "But the alternative really sucks," Bevy replied in his quiet East Texas twang. ------- Kelly knew she wanted Gloria Tanner – not surprising really, Kelly thought, I want lots of people. But she didn't trust the submissive, not the way Harry and Carol seemed to. "Slut, I want you to know I'm considering making it my personal mission in life to see you suffer," Kelly hissed as Gloria cleaned her. "I like projects – I need a project in my life and I may well make you it." Between her legs, tongue hard at work, Gloria fought to keep from grinning. "So, I imagine you're through by now ... let's give those DJ's some entertainment," Kelly said, pulling Gloria's head out of her crotch. She stood up, stepping out of her pants, picked them up and threw them over her shoulder. Jerking Gloria's chain, she pulled her out of the toilets and towards the tables around the dance floor. ------- It wasn't until Gianetta and Salome were in a limo crammed with other party attendees that Gianetta realized they weren't the only ones who'd packed bags. "Excuse me," she said to a fellow passenger, a moderately fit man in his late '40's, flanked by two quite shapely women roughly the same age, a redhead and a chocolate-skinned black. "Do you know if there's going to be any place for us to put all these?" She motioned with her head at the overnight bags they all seemed to be carrying. "Hi, Philip McCracken," he said, putting his hand out. "Uh ... Jan ... just Jan," she said, shaking hands with him. "Sure, I understand ... the mask," he replied. "Yeah, heard some of the staff at Dominique's talking – since they've got the experience in handling big and bizarre 'coat checks'," Philip continued, making exclamation marks in the air, "they'll be handling the bag check. Still not sure where any of us will be sleeping, if we sleep at all," he said, chuckling, "but once I heard Minerva Cornelius was helping plan this ... I got no worries." He started with embarrassment. "Sorry, I'm being rude, this is my partner," he nodded toward the black woman with the lovely skin, "Serena, and our girl, Desdemona." He patted the red-head's leg while she kept her eyes on the floor. "Are you a ... a House?" Gianetta asked. "No," Philip replied a little bitterly. "Dick-head Laney doesn't like small Houses – a lot of the old guard shares his opinion – so we never bothered even trying. But I hear good things about this new House – if nothing else, I'm okay with subordinating ourselves under them, if they require it. That's if they're as decent as everyone's been saying they are." Gianetta smiled. "I've had dealings with them – they're very nice people. I don't think you'll have any trouble forming a House of your own." Philip sighed happily. "Good to hear ... we just want to be treated like anyone else ... even if Serena and I are switches." "Well, I know some of the senior members of House Chorale are switches as well, so I'm pretty sure they won't have a problem with that," Gianetta said, grimacing as the limo turned on to a less-than-smooth private road. "I sure hope they like our tribute," Master McCracken muttered worriedly as the limo continued on through the night. Gianetta didn't respond as she was peering at a blaze of light up the road in the distance. ------- Margo and Dominique had gone out to look over the submissives that had left their Houses in rebellion. Young, old and in-between, they had showed up ready to work and eager to please. Six months before, Margo wouldn't have believed there were sixty-two submissives in the whole city. Now she knew better and the hope on the faces before her threatened to bring her to tears yet again. "Look, I appreciate ... we all appreciate what you've done. Believe me, I know that leaving your past behind and striking out with nothing but hope on your side isn't easy. But you're all going to learn, just like I did, that you have a lot more than hope on your side," she said. "There are people who want you, who want to see you happy, who want the skills and talents you bring with you in their Houses, and none of us in House Chorale are going to settle for anything less than each and every one of you finding a home. It may not be in this area, I'm hoping it will, but you've shown your support for us and what we believe, we're not going to forget you." The applause was genuine and enthusiastic. Dominique motioned to two women, both in their mid-thirties, who stepped forward and went to their knees in front of Margo. "Margo, this is Rose and Becky – they're pretty much the organizers of the walk-out." "Ladies, it is a pleasure," Margo said, pulling them to their feet. "I appreciate the show of fealty, but it's not proper – you're not mine, although if I had the room, I'd take all of you who were willing." She smiled at the two women. "Look, I mean it – we'll do anything we can to make this easier for you all ... what you've done ... it wasn't something we would have thought of, it wasn't something we'd have been able to plan, but it's made such a powerful statement to the Houses in opposition ... I don't know of anything that could have sent a bigger message to them. Thank you." "No Madam, thank you," Rose said, smiling shyly. "I've read about you in the paper, you and your ex-husband that is, and I think maybe you really do understand what it's like for us ... that means a lot." "You're welcome ... and more than welcome ... now, all of you go to work ... before you see a Madam cry," Margo replied. "Again," muttered Dominique, sotto voce. "Keep it up," Margo murmured as they turned and walked away, "and I'll make sure you're so busy this evening you won't have time for any fun at all." Dominique replied, "Darlin', what makes you think I'll have time for fun as it is? The entire group of potential adoptees is here tonight. That side of Dominique's is going to be very busy." She looked out over the party site. "It's going to be a shindig for the history books." ------- The crew of Radio Free Mordor were lounging at a table, enjoying their drinks at a table by the dance floor when the first indication of the reality of their evening made an appearance. The people on the catering staff had changed from their comfortable work clothes into ... well, effectively no clothes at all. They were wearing dog collars and aprons ... and oven mitts when required. "She wasn't lying," Mick said, scratching his thick black beard. "Nope, I don't think she was," Jack said, trying not to stare. "I would hit that like the fist of an angry god," Keith said, staring at a serving girl with bounteous curves and long brown hair. "Dude," Scott replied, "I hit on any of them ... and definitely her." Jacqui Brady strolled on by, enjoying the effect she was having on the young DJ's. Moments later, their second exposure to the party's atmosphere occurred as a beautiful black woman appeared, dragging a naked blonde woman behind her. "That's one of the people throwing the party ... Kelly, I think," Scott said, struggling to remember their introductions that had been made as the Grimes family and its entourage toured the site. "Yeah, Kelly ... I just thought she was hot before," Jack mumbled. The two women disappeared into the restrooms. Four young men shifted in their seats, trying to hide their erections. ------- The first limos had arrived by the time Margo and Dommi returned to the Chorale pavilion and Lord and Lady Newton were reclining with the family, sipping their drinks. Both of them rose to their feet to hug Margo as she stepped up onto the floor. "Madam Grimes," Thad said, extending his hug long enough for some friendly caressing, "it is wonderful to be here at last – congratulations." "Thad, quit groping the Madam," Vida said, laughing, "and get out of my way." "I'm so happy you're here," Margo said, hugging Vida. "Wouldn't have missed it for the world," Vida replied, letting go and stepping back. "Besides, if not for us, where would you have found reliable child care for all the perverted little spawn of this crowd?" "Not something I want to think of," Margo agreed. "And we're glad you don't have to worry about it," Thad said. "So, let me give you a couple of quick tips, just in case you haven't figured them out already. One of you – Harry, Margo or Kelly, needs to be here at all times. No offense to any of you," he added, nodding towards the other Dominants of the House, "but there's no question who the seniors are in the House and one of you should be here to receive guests and gifts, no matter what else is happening. Now, whoever's left in charge, so to speak, doesn't have to be sitting here twiddling their thumbs, in fact, the more risqué the situation when you receive guests, the better." "I am so glad Kelly is not here to hear you say that," Margo muttered. "Oh, I'll make sure to fill her in," Vida said, smiling mischievously. "After you properly appreciate any gift," Thad continued, "and do make sure you're visibly appreciative, even if you're mortified-" "Especially if you're mortified," Vida interjected. "Then I'm sure Madame C. has someone who'll be available to take the gifts away and either store them safely, or see to their comfort, in case they're livestock," Thad continued. "Tell me you mean people, not actual livestock," Harry said, holding his head in his hands. "Probably the two-legged variety," Thad replied, grinning. "But the other option is not out of the question." "I am so going to beat you," Margo growled. "Don't think you're up to it, but you can try," Thad said. "I am so going to have Karen and Eddie beat you," Margo replied, smiling sweetly. "Okay, now that's a threat," Thad said, raising his hands in surrender. "Quick, before the mobs start arriving, let me finish up. You have plenty of submissives to seal any deal or alliance you make, don't agree to any deals with vendors until you've received all offers, and more than anything – don't worry, this is going to be fun." "How the hell do you know so much about it? Your Karghold has been on the outs for a long time," Harry asked. "Boss, even if it hadn't, it wouldn't mean I'd have any first hand knowledge of this kind of thing – it hasn't happened in quite a while. But my father, he remembers the last worthy butt to sit in your chair, and I quizzed him about it last night. So, consider this second-hand info from someone who's seen how things should be done. "The Society is a carry-over from European traditions," Thad continued, "so democracy as such isn't real big, monarchy is. Think in those terms when dealing with older Houses. With younger Houses, think that way as well – face it, when you're dealing with Dominants and submissives, democratic-all-men-are-created-equal thinking isn't really apropos." ------- An announcement was made over the cleverly disguised PA system that dancing would be available starting at 8 PM and that live bands would be playing, starting at the same time, on opposite sides of the estate. After a most incredible experience for all of them, as blow-jobs from naked women just didn't happen every day, the DJ's of Radio Free Mordor started to tense up again ... they'd always believed the purpose of DJs at a dance was to keep people on the dance floor. Generally if they got a good read on a crowd's tastes, they could do that, but the group of partiers gathering around the dance floor ranged from those who looked like teenagers to people who appeared to be in their fifties or early sixties. They were seeing more flesh than a week's worth of porn and while not all of it was particularly to their tastes, there was enough variety to keep their reborn boners painfully evident ... and that was all fine and good, but they had no damn idea what these people wanted to dance to. So Scott took to the microphone ... something they really didn't like to do. "Uh, y'all are a lovely crowd, but we're not too familiar with your tastes, so if some of you could come up here with requests, we'd sure appreciate it." From over two dozen throats, male and female, in unison, "Depeche Mode's "Master and Servant"!" "Thank you," Scott squeaked into the mike as Mick frantically called the song up and started it playing. Soon the requests were coming in steady and a playlist had been loaded. Leaving the equipment with Keith, who was still taking requests, Mick, Jack and Scott retired to the table they'd staked out when they arrived, where the staff had put a small sign on a pole, "Radio Free Mordor". "Guys, I don't care what we have to do, any time these people need DJ's, I want us to be the ones they call," Mick said, sipping on the rum & coke that had appeared like magic shortly after they sat down. Scott pointed to where Keith was sitting, taking requests. A lovely feminine rear end was sticking out from under the tablecloth and Keith's head was back, his eyes closed. "Yeah, definitely," Scott said, his eyes as big as saucers. "I think she's showing her appreciation for Keith agreeing to play her request," Dayna Spyderchylde rasped as she sat down beside them. "You're doing great, guys." "Uh, is there anything we can do to repay you, Dayna, I mean, anything..." Jack said, sitting forward. "I mean, if you want the money back, that's cool, whatever..." She laughed, remembering when she'd been as naïve and wide-eyed as them. "No guys," she chuckled, "you'll earn your money tonight, just like anyone else working this party. You just keep playing what the crowd wants to dance to, we've got security to keep the drunks in line. You have fun, don't get too drunk, keep your shit together no matter what happens and I've got no doubt you'll get booked for more of these." "Dayna..." Mick said, "just curious ... how long have you been ... like ... into this. I mean, were you into this when you were working for Mannequin Comics?" "Oh Mickey dear," Spyderchylde rasped, "I've been part of this scene since I was ... well, thank God for false I.D.'s, okay?" With that, Dayna got to her feet and walked back toward her House's pavilion, her hips swaying in a way the guys had never seen them sway before. "I don't understand any of this," Scott said, watching her leave. As a cute redhead wearing nothing more than a collar skipped by, Mick said, "Who cares? Understanding can wait 'til later." "Yeah," Jack replied, "just so long as not understanding doesn't get us into trouble somehow." ------- Kelly reflected that she truly was shameless, as in 'without shame' ... not a bad thing in her position, but full of negative connotations for some. She had dragged Piglet out from the toilets, sat down at a table by the dance floor, thrown open her shirt, exposing herself to the DJ crew, and had the naked slut start in between her legs, riding the bitch's tongue to three climaxes. Garnering the complete and undivided attention of the young men who would be handling the dance that evening – if their eyes could have gotten any bigger and rounder they'd have swallowed their heads. "Mick ... your name is Mick, right?" she panted as she came down from the third orgasm. "Uh huh..." "Mick, you're next – Piglet, go suck that nice young man's brains out through his dick." "Uh..." "Mick, shut up – I'm one of the people throwing this party, you're getting a blow-job – all of you are – and you're going to enjoy it. In return, when I ask you to play something silly and sentimental and all romantic during the dance, you're going to do so, and not snicker about it where I can hear you, right?" "Yes ma'am." "And if later on, I turn up and throw this little fuck-slut into the middle of you four, you'll fulfill all your perverted little fantasies on her body and say 'thank you, Mistress Kelly', won't you?" "Uh ... uh ... yes, Mistress Kelly," Mick stammered. "Thank you, Mistress Kelly," Scott and Keith said, almost simultaneously. As Piglet began to undo Mick's pants, Kelly reflected that she rather liked being shameless. She tried her damnedest not to giggle when she heard Jack whisper 'dudes, we're getting laid!' They had no idea what they were in for. ------- Cletus Mavreaux was frustrated. 5'10" of good ol' boy, he was about to pull his hair out over the indecisive bullshit he was getting from Callie Ann Courtland. "Look Ms. Courtland, it's real simple – you got hired for this party. I got pulled in as a favor to a friend. It's your damn call. You wanna play first, you play first, you want us to open for you, we'll do that. But whatever you want, you better decide it purty damn fast 'cause somebody needs to be playin' in about twenty minutes." Callie Ann looked at the stage – all of her band's equipment was in place, all the sound levels on the mixer were set ... she didn't want to look like she was opening for whoever the hell these guys were, but ... damn it. "Okay, we'll go on first. How much time will you need to get your shit together after our set ... see, I've been told we're to be playing around midnight, that's why I ask." "Ms. Courtland, we're real good at gettin' in and gettin' out – shouldn't take even thirty minutes. How long is your set?" "We figured for about an hour-and-a-half per set." "Fine," Cletus replied, "you play 'til around 9:30, we'll be playin' by 10, we'll get off at 11, you can be back up and playin' by 11:30, okay?" He sighed. "Really ma'am, we don't want to cause no trouble." Callie Ann smiled at him ... in spite of her worst fears, he seemed like a nice guy. "Thanks ... I'm sorry," she said, "look, you know how it is in this business." Cletus smiled back. "Yes ma'am, I do ... you better get ready to go on and don't worry, we won't mess you up." Cletus and his bandmates were used to the sometimes relaxed sense of privacy necessitated by multiple bands using the same dressing room, but even they weren't ready for the five women to strip off their clothes and start scrambling into their costumes. At 8 PM sharp, dressed in very sexy but nightmarish crosses between nun's habits and fetish gear, Callie Ann Courtland yelled into the microphone, "I'm Sister Mary Dominatrix and we're the Brides of the Anti-Christ! One, two, three..." They fired off their first song, "Drinking Pee for Thee", which was not nearly as sacrilegious as some had expected. In spite of the band's name, it mentioned nothing religious, but those into water sports found it delightful, and much to her surprise, the crowd of people watching them really enjoyed it. ------- 8 PM Perry and Bevy had a gift, not tribute really, for the family – something the two of them wouldn't have believed would happen just a few months earlier. "So, what it is, we got contacted by a publishing company that had seen 'Dinosaur Ho' online and they were real interested in putting out a series of graphic novel compilations. Well, we were real excited about that 'til we got to thinkin' real hard on it and realized if they were willing to, other publishers might be as well an' we'd be bigger fools than Eddie if we snapped at the first minnow that fell in the crick." Eddie growled at them good-naturedly. "Boss, don't make me expound on all the reasons that statement is one hundred percent true, okay? Anyway, we got a friend of ours to help us design a query letter – and that was a goddamn nightmare straight from the depths o' some weird-ass Chinese hell – and we started shoppin' the idea around. "Well, to make a long story short..." "Too late," Bevy said in his quiet, East Texas accent. "We found we were right, they weren't the only ones interested," Perry continued, ignoring his partner. "IDW made us the best offer, and based on the hits the site gets and the awards we've won, they also put out a limited edition hardback volume of the series up through two months ago an' you girls are in it." Most of the tent's company was somewhat in the dark, but Carol, Tamara, Margo and Kelly remembered the photo shoots and the promise they'd be in the web comic. They squealed and squee'd with glee. Perry and Bevy were mobbed by women they were very aware were not theirs to touch in pretty much any way but a hug, and the state of undress some of those women were in made that a very difficult proposition. After everyone had calmed down, Perry said, "So's Jessica, an' I've already seen her and her crew wanderin' around here so we'll find her and tell her later, but we have signed copies of the hardback for each of y'all." Carol's eyes opened a little wider as she opened hers. "Perry, Bevy ... this says it's number three of a run of five hundred ... I'm hoping you kept one and two?" "Oh yeah ... we've got one and two, y'all get three through seven – the rest of the run's already sold out." "At a hundred-and-fifty a pop?" Margo asked, looking at the cover price. "Yeah," Perry said, "we may be weird, but we got a lot o' weirdo fans." "We're mentioned in the 'acknowledgements and thanks' section," Kelly said, grinning. Margo had paged through and found her character's introduction. "Guys, I don't look that hot..." "Oh yes you do, Big Mama," Kelly said as she peeked over Margo's shoulder. "And I hope none of my patients are fans," Margo continued. "This totally looks like me ... except for the really hot part." "Shut up with that, honey, or husband and wives will spank," Harry said. He was looking over Kelly's copy and found her and Carol's introductions. "Nailed Kelly and Carol's looks too." "Tamara's as well," Eddie said from where he was thumbing through the book with the three women of his household all clustered around him so they could all look at once. "Jessica will be pleased," Carol said. "They captured her perfectly – and if she has any trouble believing she's beautiful after this ... well..." "I don't think her submissives leave her much room to doubt about that," Kelly said. "I'm looking forward to seeing her tonight." Margo smirked and hoped no one caught her doing it. "I'm sure you will at some point or another," she said. ------- Stefan Franklin and his submissive, Lourdes, found themselves in possession of a pavilion large enough for a House four or five times their size, easily, on the left side of House Chorale's huge tent. They sprawled across cushions, enjoying the luxury, until Master Franklin saw Madame Cornelius walking by. He scrambled to his feet and approached her. "Madame, a moment of your time..." "Yes," she replied, her face emotionless, her voice calm. "Madame, while I appreciate the honor of our tent's position ... wouldn't politics be better served by reserving this place for the visitors I've heard rumors of?" "Master Franklin, with no offense to you and your toy, if I were arranging things to suit my ideas of propriety and politics, you are right, you would not be where you are – you would not be too much further down the row, but your pavilion and the next two beside it would be reserved for visiting dignitaries." Before he could speak, she continued. "But I am not arranging things for my sensibilities, but rather for House Chorale's, and I know that they cherish their friends and allies more than they seek new alliances, and that they would want you where you are." She smiled at him, a tight little smile that spoke of her awareness of her own shortcomings. "That is why they sit on those thrones and I do not." Her smile broadened and became more natural. "Also, you will not be alone here for long – no space is going unused, while avoiding crowding. It is my plan to put new Houses, ones not familiar with Chorale and how they do things, in with Houses like yours. Does that meet with your approval?" Stefan nodded and said, "Thank you – I'd be honored to ... well, mentor, some of the new members of our alliance." "Good," Minerva Cornelius replied before continuing on her way. "Scary woman," Lourdes said, hugging Stefan. "I agree," he said, "but the more I get to know her, the more I like her." ------- Trina Busmann had been the official photographer for Central Texas Society for twenty years – twenty very kinky, lucrative years that had helped support her fine arts photography efforts as well as provided her a lot of entertainment. She'd started while she was getting her BFA and had kept going through two marriages and two children – and neither husband and neither child had ever been told what she did and where she went on those nights she worked Society functions. Without the photographic evidence she couldn't show them, they probably wouldn't have believed her anyway. She wasn't a member of the scene, strictly speaking – a little submission here, a little domination there, but she'd never made any secret of the fact that she was far more of a tourist, or a dabbler, than an aficionado. In a world where pictures were frowned upon and no one wanted their private lives outed to the public in any way, she was the one who got to preserve the history and share the memories of all the Households in the area. She attended all their public parties, a lot of their private parties, of course the Samhain Fetish Ball every year – all of it photographed, thousands upon thousands of rolls of film and in recent years, gigabytes of memory. And she was about to meet Minerva Cornelius' rising stars. One thing for sure, they had to be an improvement over Dick Laney and his crew. ------- "I thought photos weren't allowed," Margo said. "Isn't that why we have security at the gate, making sure everyone checks their cell phones and such, only allow in Bluetooth headsets?" "Yes," Carol replied, "but just like anyone, we like to have pictures, keep scrapbooks, Household albums, you know, that sort of thing. So the scene has an official photographer who takes loads of pictures, distributes copies to the attendees of our functions, and the negatives are stored in a series of safety deposit boxes ... well, now I guess it's digital masters being stored. In fact, I imagine House Chorale will be receiving a House photo album as a gift from her – even though these days it's likely to be a digital photo frame in a fancy album-like case." She smiled happily. "People love remembering good times, they love pictures – we don't want them getting loose onto the internet or anything, but can you imagine the pictures she could have taken of some of our shows at Dominique's?" "I don't wanna think about it," Eddie said. "Me either," Karen added. "There are things that went on that I don't want to remember..." Her mouth snapped shut as she realized how her words could be taken. The punch on her arm was hard and Karen didn't even have to turn to know Patricia was the one who had done it. "Don't want to remember?" her partner said angrily. "Trish ... honey ... not like that. The thing with you, and that ... yeah, that I want to remember. It's just ... the people watching ... the audience – that I want to forget." "Good attempt at a save," Harry whispered softly. "Wonder if she's gonna make it..." "This time she will, Harry," Patricia said. "This time ... look you goddamn proto-Neanderthal..." "I am not!" Karen blurted. "I'm nothing like Eddie!" "Karen Elizabeth Pinard, shut the hell up," Patricia said in a tone that didn't allow room for discussion. "When it comes to issues like this, you're fuck near his twin sister! This is one of those issues where you're allowed to feel however you want to about something, but you better be careful voicing those opinions in front of me. You're beautiful and part of my thrill, part of my joy, part of my goddamn ecstasy in those moments was the fact that everyone could see just how beautiful you are. For me, the audience was part of just how magical that night was. Without them it would have been very nice – because of them it was one of the best nights of my life. I'm sorry as hell you're not comfortable with being nude in front of strangers..." "But I'm getting better about it," Karen interjected in a soft voice. "Yes you are and don't try to distract me with the truth, damn it!" Patricia said before hugging her partner and laughing. "You are getting better, but when you dump on you, you're shitting on something I know to be beautiful and that really pisses me off." "Oof!" Eddie said, looking down at Tamara. "What was that for?" "What she said," Tamara replied. "Am I interrupting? I can come back later," said a voice from the front of the tent. Margo controlled her urge to giggle and turned to the woman in front of them. "And miss the latest episode of Stupid Spouses?" Margo said. "Notice I didn't say a damn word in all of that," Harry said to Kelly. "And that, my dear husband, is why you haven't been punched," Margo continued. "You must be Trina Busmann," she said, returning her attention to their guest. "Let me introduce you to our family and friends." ------- "Why am I not surprised that Trina and Carol are friends?" Harry asked, watching his wife and the Society photographer talking. "Because you know our little darling well," Kelly replied. "She and I were talking while introductions were going on ... and on ... and on..." "Well, there are a lot of us," Harry said, laughing. "Yeah, I know..." Kelly replied. "Anyway, Carol said she met within weeks of our little darling getting into the scene, said there are some pictures from those days too ... interesting pictures." "Okay, how do we get her to show them to us?" Harry said, leering at their little pet. "She's going to have to get copies made," Kelly chuckled. "She lost the originals when she got with Rick. After that, oh perverted spouse, all you'd have to do is ask. I wonder if anyone has considered scanning in all the old photos, compile a digital database of the Society's history? Hell, I wonder how far back the photos go?" "Quite far, actually," Minerva Cornelius said. "I remember the two previous photographers we employed. Not the first one though, he was gone before I started playing." "Please, please don't take this the wrong way, Minerva," Harry said, "but how far back do the photo archives go?" "1885," Trina said. "Apologies Madame Cornelius – I happen to remember because I stored some pictures a week or so ago. And I believe you missed the first two Society photographers, although it's an easy mistake to make as the first one only lasted a little over a month before suffering a coronary in the middle of a House Fruehauf party." "Oh really?" Minerva murmured. "Now that is a story I am surprised I have not heard." "Not one that's talked about much anymore. The second official photographer, Calvin Gray, the first one you remember, Madame Cornelius, left notes with his photographic plates – it says "Abner Falwell, died October 22, 1885, heart failure, Fruehauf estate". I wish I knew more of the story, but given what his last plates show..." "And they show..." Kelly said, leaning in. "I cannot say – that would be in violation of my contract – I've said too much already," Trina said, smiling. "You, Ms. Photographer, are a teasing whore!" Kelly said, laughing. "Unintentionally so, Mistress Grimes," Trina replied. "I believe I heard you mentioning scanning all the photos – not a bad plan, but it would have to be done by someone under the same confidentiality contract as I am. I simply don't have the time, and wouldn't want to take on the job no matter how lucrative the offer. But I agree that it would be a good idea. Since the switch to digital photography I've been backing up my work and storing the duplicate drives in a second bank, miles away from the first, but the older negatives and plates ... they're very vulnerable. There hasn't been much degradation to their quality over the years, courtesy of proper storage and a lot of luck. Still, it wouldn't be a bad idea to consider finding someone to scan and catalog the archives." "It wouldn't be a bad idea to have someone write a history of Society in the area," Carol said. "I know the Senior Houses keep records of their own affairs, but there's never been a history attempted of the scene as a whole." "Mistress, if I might?" Sheila asked Nicki. "Yes, little girl?" Nicki replied. "Well, Milady Carol's and your project should be finished in the next few months or so ... after that – well, you have been trained as a journalist, and writing a history of the Society would be a job you might find interesting." "Hmm..." Harry said. "It might mean making nice with some people we're not fond of – or at least trying to get their recollections and such..." "Brother dear," Nicki replied. "I'm a reporter – that's what we do." "Good point. Let's bring it up with the other local Houses at some point and see what they say." "As to the scanning and digitizing of the archives," Trina said, "I'll keep my eyes out for anyone who would be trustworthy enough and open to such a job." "We couldn't ask for more than that," Margo replied. ------- "I remember going to one of Trina's exhibitions with Tony – opening night and dressed to the nines – it was the opening of your "Forgotten Texan Heroes" show, remember, Trina?" Carol said. "Oh yes, one of the best openings I've ever had. Was at Hathaway's – alas, no longer in business," Trina replied. "Good lord, girl, I still remember Tony almost heaving after tasting the wine the gallery was serving." She turned to the rest of the family. "They were trying to support Texas wineries and save some money as well, so we were drinking this absolute swill from Llano Vineyards, and Tony Juliana, being the gentleman he was, sent one of the caterers off with a thousand dollars and very strict instructions on what to bring back." Carol took up the story. "So here's Tony, very elegant older gentleman, walking around to everyone there, apologizing to them for the quality of the wine and taking their glasses from them, promising them that something suitable was on the way. I'm trailing around behind him with a borrowed tray, shuttling the glasses back to the rear of the gallery where the caterers were set up and then almost running back to catch up with him again. There must have been a hundred-and-fifty, two hundred guests at the show opening, and he approached every single one of them." "Including all the idiots who wouldn't know a good wine from a bad one," Trina said. "If they gave up their glasses willingly, no problem, but it was an odd situation and some of them were trying hard to sound like they knew what they were talking about and would praise the Llano Vineyard vintage, and Tony's response was always the same..." "I leave you to your blissful ignorance," Carol and Trina said together. "I think he might've ended up with someone getting in his face," Carol continued, "if the boys hadn't been about four steps behind him all night long." "So when the guy gets back, he's got four cases – two each of these two divine vintages, Trina said. "I cannot for the life of me remember what they were – I'd been so nervous I'd gulped down far too much of the cheap stuff..." "A 1980 Domaine de la Romanee – Conti La Tache Grand Cru Monopole," Carol said wistfully, "and a 1978 Chateau Haut-Brion Blanc." "Good lord, girl, you remember that?" Trina asked. Carol bowed her head to hide the moistness of her eyes. "She remembers everything about her time with Tony," Harry said. "Everything." Trina murmured "I'm sorry", put her hand out as if to stroke Carol's shoulder or hair, then pulled it back and continued on. "So the caterers have been madly washing and drying glasses in the kitchenette the gallery had and so when the crates get wheeled in on the dolly, everyone who hadn't held on to their glasses starts moving back to find out what Tony had ordered, leaving most of the gallery unoccupied. I'm not going back because it's my show and I felt obligated to stand around and be available, not buried in a line to get some decent wine, and I watch Tony circle the area like a hawk with the gallery owner on his arm, and before the rest of the crowd knows it the cream of the pieces have all been bought up. Once he was through with that little maneuver, he had one of the boys bring me a glass of the red while he stood there and looked insufferably pleased with himself." "He was," Carol said. "Tony said he'd never been to a show opening yet that didn't serve absolute crap wine, and it was not only his pleasure to improve the situation, but it allowed him to get his hands on almost every piece he was interested in." "Well," Harry laughed, "you've never given us any indication he wasn't willing to cheat to get what he wanted, Baby Girl. The night he acquired you was proof of that." "But he didn't know..." Carol began. "Honey," Margo said, "I think he had a better idea of what he was doing than he ever let on. From all I've heard, Tony was far too sharp to be that ignorant." As the conversation continued, Carol sat and thought while the others talked. ------- Trina ambled off to continue recording the party while the Grimes looked at their gift from the photographer. As Carol had predicted, it was a digital picture frame mounted in what appeared to be an old style photo album with "House Chorale" embossed in gold on the cover, the controls for the frame cunningly and subtly spread across the bottom. "You know," Harry said as they flipped to another picture, "there are a lot of things you miss when you're pretty much tied down here." "Yeah," Margo said, as the picture changed again, "and ... okay ... some things you're really glad you missed." "And this is just what she picked out of the first hour of the party," Harry said. "I can't imagine ... well, okay I can imagine some of what we'll have by the end of the party." ------- The ex-Mistresses of the dissolved House Sandalwood and their household found themselves ensconced in a tent not too far away from House Chorale. It was a touching gesture, but it saddened them as well. The loss of Dana Spyderchylde had been hard – as much of a pain in the ass as she could be, she had been family – a sister, a Mistress. But the loss of the House ... even though nothing had really changed within their home ... Wolfling said it best when she said, "we've gone from having a group identity to not knowing who we are". Still, they were at the party, they were together ... so they fired up the flute, the harp and the drums and danced under the stars, bringing smiles to all who saw them, men and women whirling around each other. Slowly they moved the performers and dancers down the greenbelt until they stood in front of House Chorale's tent. Out of the dance dropped Kathleen Marsh, who dropped her head and approached Harry and Margo with her hands crossed before her, as a submissive asking for an audience. She hadn't taken more than three steps before she was enfolded in Harry and Margo's arms. "Kathleen," Margo said, "I want you to enjoy the next three-and-a-half hours." Kathleen turned to Margo in confusion. "I know in about that time we'll be proclaiming you and Harry the Master and Madam of our Society, but..." "They're the last three-and-a-half hours you have before you take up the burden of being House Sandalwood again," Harry said, smiling. "For political reasons, we can't reverse Dayna's punishment – not yet – but you surrendered your name to us and a little after midnight, officially, we'll give it back to you as dear and prized friends of our House." With a kiss for each of them, Kathleen Marsh returned to the dance, her head held high and her heart full of joy. The dance moved on, following their plan to circle the whole of the green belt. "There are some things about this whole business that feel better than others," Harry said as he sat down and dragged Angela onto his lap. "That's going to be one of them." "Master," Dayna said, coming up beside them, "I know you've discussed this ... I ... thank you both, from the bottom of my heart. I can live with the price I'm paying." She looked around the assembled Dominants and submissives appreciatively. "I can even enjoy it ... but their House..." "We took possession of it to save it from Wilma Fruehauf's vindictive bullshit, and for that reason alone," Margo said. "Now it's time to return it to its rightful owners." She hugged Spyderchylde tightly. "Some day, we'll return you to them." "I'm not kidding, Madam," Dana replied. "You might want to check with me and see if that's what I want when that time comes. My answer may surprise us all." ------- Mistress Nancy Velacourt's pavilion was packed – she'd left her husband, who was by and large an antisocial son-of-a-bitch, at home and instead brought her stock, decked out in their sexiest outfits and available for purchase. It wasn't that Nancy didn't plan to enjoy the party, but such a gathering was a rare thing – hopefully not as rare in the future – and she'd be a fool if she didn't take advantage of it. But it was at last time to visit her hosts and present her tribute – she was so looking forward to seeing their faces when she did. After concluding a sale, she collected her entourage – six young women who looked even younger than they were, dressed as crosses between geisha and lolitas – and wandered over to House Chorale's tent. When she arrived two of Chorale's Senior Dominants were relaxing – Harry and Margo on their thrones. "My dear friends, how good it is to see you again," she said, giving each a hug. "I've come to present my tribute and to visit a bit..." "Nancy, no! Usagi was tribute enough for a lifetime!" Harry said, sitting on the edge of his chair. "Master Grimes," Mistress Velacourt replied, her voice stern, "it pleases me to have friends, it pleases me to give gifts to my friends. It pleases me even more if I don't have to argue about it." To one side, Thad Newton was laughing. "Keep it up, Thad," Mistress Velacourt said, "I'll gift you with a young woman who'll defeat her Hand in a week, maybe two, and be fighting you for leader of your Karghold inside of six months ... you know I have girls who could do that." "I'll be nice," Thad said. "But not because you're threatening me..." "Bullshit," Vida Newton chuckled, "that's exactly why." " ... but because you are an Elder House and it would not be polite of me to suggest you blow it out your ass," Thad finished, grinning at Nancy Velacourt. When Harry stopped laughing, he said, "All right, Mistress Velacourt – present your tribute." "Well, first I considered a gift of a rape slave – don't worry," she said, seeing their reactions, "it's not what it sounds like – the young woman enjoys such treatment or she doesn't undergo the training, which largely consists of teaching her how to play the part of a victim very, very believably ... trust me, there's absolutely nothing nonconsensual about it – she'd be coming bucketloads ... although if you didn't know better you'd swear in court she was a poor innocent, horribly violated. "But your House didn't strike me as the type that would appreciate one of those ... so I decided on this instead..." Nancy reached into her blouse and pulled out an envelope. "Call it my contribution to this lovely soiree ... and I'll match it anytime you choose to throw one of these." Margo accepted and opened the envelope with trepidation. When she saw the check inside, and the amount of the check, she called over Candy. "Put this in my bag and never, ever, let the bag out of your sight." "As you will it, Madam," Candy replied. She returned her attention to Mistress Velacourt. "Nancy, that's enough to cover over three-quarters of the cost of this little shindig ... are you sure?" "Margo, my House has two things – women and money – lots of both. This is no hardship – it doesn't even rank as an inconvenience." Tamara looked up at Eddie. "Sir, can I be her when I grow up?" "You'd have to give up the collar," he replied. "Okay, I'll be someone else," Tamara replied, snuggling up to him. "I'll be Mrs. Edward Janak." ------- Jason Tanner was in the process of discovering just how odd the other kids at Karen and Patricia's could be. Most of the older children, especially those from the Newton 'Karghold', whatever that was, seemed to be of two types, those that looked him straight in the eye, almost as if he were under some sort of inspection ... they were kind of like the jocks at school that way ... and those that wouldn't meet his eyes and kept their faces pointed toward the floor. Occasionally one of the first type would say something brief and cryptic to one of the second type, and they'd look up and act more normal, but then they'd slip back into their old behavior. And the adults who were watching them ... they weren't push-over's, not by any stretch of the imagination – they broke up disputes before anyone ever started yelling, but they were still ... weird. It was like they didn't want to be too strict, or push too hard ... it confused Jason, who was used to adults being adults. Then there were the two Russian children, who spoke very little English, but seemed to catch most of what was being said around them ... there was something odd about them, somehow, they seemed much older than they looked, even when they were laughing and playing. Still, everyone was getting a turn on the Xbox and Playstation, the snacks were tasty and plentiful and nobody was being too mean to anyone else. Still, there were a lot more kids and lot more noise than he was used to, outside of school. He went out to sit on the back patio to get away from all the racket, and found a girl already out there, sitting almost hidden behind some shrubs. She looked to be about his age, maybe a little older – cute in a way, dark hair pulled back in a ponytail, glasses. She looked up in surprise when he came out. "Sorry, I didn't mean to disturb you-" he began. "If you'd rather be alone..." "No, please ... sit if you wish, sir..." "Did you just call me 'sir'," Jason asked, sitting down on the low brick wall around a flowerbed. "Sorry, my family is very ... well, they're kind of strict." Jason noticed that she was struggling to raise her eyes to look at him. He thought about extending his hand, but shaking hands with a kid around his own age seemed odd, so he said "Hi, my name is Jason." "I'm Donna," she replied, her eyes still on the ground. "What House do your parents belong to?" "Uh ... my mom hangs around with the Grimes family," he said, uncertain what she meant. "Your mother is a member of House Chorale," Donna said, shyly looking at him, her head still bowed somewhat, and smiled. "I'm of Karghold Newton – my family is very pleased to be allied to your House." "Yeah ... we ... uh, we appreciate having you as an ally," he replied, hoping it didn't sound as much like a question as he thought it did. "Where do you go to school?" Jason asked, hoping it was a safe question. "We're home-schooled." "So, there's no escape from your teachers, is there?" he joked. "No," she brought her head up all the way, smiling openly. "No escape at all." Jason was surprised – she was cuter than he'd thought. ------- A group of people approached the Chorale tent, led by a young man and an older woman who appeared to be in her fifties. Behind that interesting pair Harry saw a group of women, of every racial background, all curvaceous and with wide hips and heavy breasts. At least half of them seemed to be in the visible stages of pregnancy. He heard Thad Newton snicker and looked over to see Thad mouthing some words, but Harry couldn't tell what they were and didn't have much time to worry about it as their latest guests were bowing in his and Margo's direction. "Master and Madam Grimes," the woman began, "We are Master and Mistress Devon of House Bella Notte. It is our great pleasure to meet you at last." Harry looked the two of them over as Margo spoke with them. Master Devon looked to be about fifteen. Harry wondered just what he was doing as co-head of a House, much less what he was doing at their party. He smiled at the two of them as Margo finished welcoming them. "We bring tribute," Mistress Devon said. "Three of our finest cattle, two selected by me, the last by my grandson," she continued, gesturing to Master Devon. "First is Ahbilasha," Mistress Devon continued as she motioned a stunning Indian woman forward. "She is an excellent producer, has carried two children to term as a surrogate, and wishes to carry one of her own someday. Of course, whether she does or does not is up to you." Harry couldn't help but pick up on the reference to surrogate motherhood and as he gazed at her swaying breasts he had a feeling that the term 'cattle' had more significance than he might want to believe. "This is Michelle," Mistress Devon continued as a beautiful, almost Nordic-looking green-eyed blonde stepped forward. "She too is a very good producer, has carried only one child to term, and has no desire to carry her own. That too is up to you as her new owners." "I chose this last one for you personally," Master Devon said eagerly. A stunning red-head sullenly stepped out of the group. "Her name is Deirdre, she's a personal favorite of mine – she's borne me ... she's carried two children to term as a surrogate and her milk is so sweet..." He looked at her with a mixture of sadness and pride. "I wanted you to know how much she meant to me, and then you'd know how much this alliance and your ascension to leadership of our community means to me..." he looked to his grandmother, "to us." His grandmother beamed at him proudly. "Now then," she said, "the three of you go to your new owners." Ahbilasha and Michelle stepped forward eagerly, but Deirdre balked. She looked at Master Devon and said, "I thought ... I thought I was special ... you said..." "Cow," he replied, "I said many things in the heat of passion – only a simple cow would take them as promises. You are special, that's why I'm giving you to them." His hand rose to her cheek and he caressed it. "But never, ever forget that at the end of the day, you're simply livestock." "If she doesn't wish to serve us, we understand," Margo said. Harry was impressed by how well she was keeping her voice calm and pleasant. He could tell from the tightening of her jaw that she was very, very far from happy. "I will serve you well," Deirdre said, straightening her shoulders and forcing a smile to her face. "Master Devon has already made it clear that after tonight I have no place in House Bella Notte." She walked forward and joined the other two. "Now then, to seal our alliance, we offer Mammy," Mistress Devon said as a lovely black woman, dark to almost the point of true black, stepped forward. Kelly leapt up, "I'll handle this part," she said, looking to the couple on the throne. Harry nodded as did Margo. He said, "And for our side, Lisa – if you would be so kind as to seal our agreement with Master Devon." Harry watched Mistress Devon's face as her grandson lay down with Lisa. The expression wasn't that of a grandmother or fellow Dominant – it was the look of a lover as she watched her partner fuck another woman. Suddenly much about Master Devon's offering of Deirdre made a lot more sense. ------- Kelly drew the exquisite woman down to the pillows, placing her lips on one of the great swollen breasts of the submissive. "My dear, what's your real name?" Kelly whispered. "Twilla," the submissive responded. "Twilla, would you like to never be called 'Mammy' again?" Kelly continued softly. "Yes, Mistress," Twilla replied, her voice a murmur. "Finger me," Kelly said as her lips closed around Twilla's nipple and she suckled from the breast. The milk was warm and the delightful perversity of actually nursing at a breast while her cunt was fingered had Kelly on the edge of orgasm almost immediately. She only paid a thin sliver of attention to what Mistress Devon was saying. "As you might imagine," Mistress Devon said, "keeping our stock lactating all the time requires medication and regular milking. As part of our tribute, our veterinary will make regular visits to keep them healthy, provide their medication, and is also available to you if you should wish any of them to serve as a surrogate womb." "That's very generous of you," Kelly heard Harry say. She could hear in his voice that he found the situation exciting, but wasn't happy about some parts of it. For a moment Kelly thought to herself that she'd doubted she'd ever be close enough to another person, let alone to three other people, to be able to tell that much from their tone of voice. The thought of her marriage, combined with the nipple in her mouth and the fingers in her cunt combined to drive Kelly over the edge into an orgasm that shook her as well as the delightful woman atop her. When Kelly finished trembling, she heard Harry say, "You find her most delightful, don't you my dear?" Kelly looked up and saw in his face and smile the permission she needed. "Master and Mistress Devon," Kelly said, her voice still somewhat shaky, "how much would you charge me for this delicious ... cow?" As Mistress Devon smiled, Kelly saw the subtle nod of Harry's head. "Well, as we brought nothing with us tonight but our best..." Mistress Devon paused, then continued, "make me an offer." "Mistress, I have too little experience in such things and you've told me nothing about her," Kelly replied. "She's carried four children to term, wants one of her own, and is a fine producer," Mistress Devon said. "Pleasant, very complacent and obedient, she's a very fine cow." Kelly looked at Thad Newton. "Thad, help me out – what would a decent offer be?" Thad grinned. "She's a proven womb, docile and well-adjusted, evidently very pleasant sexually ... I would guesstimate, but remember it is only a guess, somewhere in the neighborhood of eighty to a hundred-and-twenty thousand." Kelly took another long suck on Twilla's left breast. "Mmmm," she said when she was finished, "let's start then at the low end, and hear your counter-offer ... eighty thousand." Everyone, particularly Master Devon, was surprised when Mistress Devon said, "I won't accept a penny over seventy-five for her, Mistress Grimes. May she please you for many years to come. Our vet will of course extend his services to her as well. I can have the bill of sale for her delivered to you by Monday." "And you will be paid by Tuesday," Margo replied, smiling sweetly. She motioned to Candy. "Please give Mistress Devon the details of where to send the bill." Margo returned her attention to their guests. "We're taking the next week off to spend time together, just the four of us," she explained. While Kelly nursed at Twilla's other breast, Master and Mistress Devon made their farewells and departed back to their tent. Once they were out of earshot, Thad cackled, "And that, ladies and gentlemen, was House Bessie Naughty!" Kelly pulled her mouth away from its pleasant task. "Please tell me you didn't coin that awful pun, Thad," she said. "Oh no," Vida Newton replied as her husband laughed. "It was coined long ago by persons unknown – probably within seconds of House Bella Notte taking their name." "All right," Kelly said, "as long as it wasn't you, Thad. And just for general information, if I ever, ever hear anyone refer to Twilla," Kelly motioned toward the woman on her lap, "as 'Mammy', with perhaps the exception of Twilla's own child should she ever bear one, I will, come hell or high water, have them tied to the whipping post and beaten so severely they'll forget their own name." Twilla lowered her head and whispered in Kelly's ear, "Mistress, if you would, let me show you much I appreciate you." ------- While Twilla buried her head in-between Kelly's thighs, Harry turned to Thad. "They're an odd pair ... if I didn't know better, I'd swear Grandma Devon was very, very jealous of her grandson's amorous activities." "You don't know better," Thad said. "You just think you do. Samuel and Esther Devon are one of the worst kept secrets in Society." "Does it say something that I'm not surprised?" Margo said wearily. "Yes, it says that you're becoming more acclimatized to the dizzying depths of perversity and decadence our little community plumbs," Thad laughed. "Esther's grooming Samuel to take over the business." He lowered his voice. "No one's ever proven anything untoward about the accidental deaths of Samuel's parents, but Esther's son Saul was very outspoken about changes he wished to make to the family business. His wife Carmen was as idealistic as her husband. So, the theories go, Esther, when faced with the possibility of a kinder, gentler House Bella Notte, arranged an accident. She was probably sucking her grandson's cock to comfort him fifteen minutes after he got the news of his parents' demise." "How old is he? How long ago was the accident?" Harry asked, his mouth agape. Thad thought for a moment. "If I'm remembering correctly, Samuel's seventeen and his parents..." "Passed away six years ago," Madame Cornelius finished. "I find it so interesting that while we may all be shocked at the thought of a grandmother seducing her eleven-year-old grandson, we are far more accepting of that than we would be of a grandfather seducing his eleven-year-old granddaughter." "I'm not accepting of either!" Harry said. "How could she?" "Harry," Minerva replied kindly, "do not doubt for a moment that Samuel accepted her into his bed willingly. She is still a very handsome woman, and among the Houses, such things are ... well, not common, but very far from unheard of. Remember, think in terms of royal and noble families through history ... preserving the blood line has a long and proud historical tradition." "It's barbaric," Harry said softly. "No, Harry," Minerva replied, "it is tradition. In a society defined by its flaunting of conventional morality, such things are accepted, even encouraged because of the cachet of perversity that surrounds them ... reflect on you and Nicki." "True enough," Harry said, looking at his sister with a smile. In the corner, Abhilasha and Michelle tried to comfort a crying Deirdre. "So she bore her Master two children," Harry mused as he looked toward them. "No," Thad said, "officially they are not his, and no one comments on the fact that Esther is raising them as if they were hers, or that he is as fond of them as if they were his own." "But how could she ... how could Deirdre just let them be taken away?" Margo asked. "Did she ever see them?" "After they were born? Probably not," Minerva replied. "They treated her as if it were a surrogate pregnancy – as soon as they were born they were taken away from her and she was never allowed to bond with them any further than her hormones already had done. Probably another reason Esther Devon manipulated her grandson into getting rid of Deirdre. Her low-balling of Kelly's opening bid was her way of saying thanks for helping to remove a problem from her life." "These are some deep and dirty waters," Harry muttered. "Yes, my dear Master Grimes, they are," Minerva Cornelius agreed. ------- Tatiana Turov wandered the party, having far more fun than she'd thought she'd have. The vast majority of what she was seeing wasn't to her taste, but she could take pleasure in the joy it brought its practitioners, although sometimes that joy seemed to blur into religious ecstasy, or perhaps agony. For a time she watched a young man slowly being stretched on an X-shaped rack. The woman at the controls of the device was very careful, constantly monitoring her victim. The most telling indication of his condition for Tattie was the erection that jutted out from his crotch – it looked like it was being stretched as well by some unseen mechanism. "Mistress," the woman called. Tattie paid her no mind. "Mistress – you!" Tattie looked to see the operator of the rack pointing at her. "Me?" "Yes, Mistress," the young woman replied. "I meant you no disrespect, I was only trying to get your attention." "No huhu, sweetie, I'm not a Domme," Tattie said. "What can I do for you?" "Would you like to help in his torture?" Tattie thought about it for a moment, then smiled. "Sure, what should I do?" "Well Mistress, I won't ask you to insert this," the young woman said, holding up a large butt-plug, covered with lube, "but before I do, if you would put this cock ring on him." Tattie looked at him, seeing only lust in his eyes. "Sure," she said. After putting it on, she held out a hand. "Lubricant, please?" The young woman smiled and squirted a blob of lube into her hand. "Young man," Tattie said as she began to stroke his cock, "I haven't played many BDSM games, but you really enjoy this, don't you?" "Yes Mistress!" "Well then, you have a real good time," she continued, her hand swirling up and down his shaft. "Yes Mistress!" Tattie laughed and after a few more moments of working his cock, she stepped back. "All yours, honey," she said, taking a proffered towel and cleaning her hands. The young woman moved behind the rack and through the open area between the legs of the device and began to gently work the very tip of the butt plug in. "This will be ever so much more intense," she said to Tattie, "as he can't exactly adjust his legs to make it any easier going in." "How long are you going to take doing it?" Tattie asked. "Oh, a plug this size, in his position ... twenty minutes." Tattie walked away, laughing and shaking her head. As she did so, both the young man and his tormentor called out "Thank you, Mistress". ------- Gregory O'Shaunnesy knew he had a stick up his ass – it wasn't as if his wife and his fellow Dominants would ever let him forget it – and while he did try to loosen up ... well, some people had a harder time than others letting their hair down. And evidently his House had planned for just such issues when packing for the party. His wife Evangeline, who was in the limousine behind them, walked into their pavilion with what they called 'the fun bag' in hand. "Damn, Greg, these people went all out, didn't they?" As he started to answer, she interrupted him in her rapid-fire speech. "Never mind, of course they did, what was I thinking? You've got a choice, Greg, we've all agreed, you're either going to get stoned or we're going to tie you up and leave you here, with Benjamin to keep an eye on you. What's it going to be?" "You're not tying me up..." "So, you're getting stoned, okay – let me get out the pipe and load the bowl." "But I don't want..." "Greg – pay attention! You're our senior, we respect that, but you don't loosen up unless you're loosened up, you need to be loose for this party or you won't enjoy yourself, there are six of us and one of you. You're either going to get stoned or you're going to be tied up. It's just that simple." Master O'Shaunessy shrugged his shoulders – not only was he aware of the stick up his ass, but he was also well aware that the only reason he remained in charge was that he was willing to pay attention to all the piddly little organizational details his fellow Dominants weren't. Still, in his own passive-aggressive way, he'd have his revenge. By the time they were ready to go anywhere, he'd be so stoned they'd have to carry him. So, twenty minutes later, Greg's eyes wouldn't focus, his legs wouldn't hold him and English was a third, or maybe a fourth, language for him – and he didn't speak but one. So his fellow Dominants left him drooling on the pillows with Benjamin to watch him and proceeded to go pay their respects and offer their tribute. ------- Master Trevor Yeats and Madam Jeannie Hoffman weren't from the same House in Houston – in fact, on most issues, their Houses disagreed with each other. But between them they'd managed to keep their city's Society more or less organized and more or less at peace for over fifteen years. Occasionally one or the other of them wouldn't be elected in a given year, but it was rare. More often than not, they both sailed in with a large percentage of the votes. It probably helped that they had been involved in a long-running and practically unknown affair with each other for even longer – that tended to leave them regarding each other as 'honored opposition' rather than some of the more vile epithets that they used for others in the Houston scene. The two of them sat on a bench in the gardens, seemingly just holding hands and taking in the evening air – but in reality they were watching everything going on in the Chorale tent like hawks. "Interesting," Master Yeats observed. "Their version of standing on ceremony is so informal ... Minerva Cornelius must be about to choke." "Not necessarily," Madam Hoffman replied. "You don't do as much business with her as I do ... she's mellowed considerably over the years. I used to think it was an early sign of senility, but accomplishing this proves I couldn't be more wrong. I truly thought we'd have to wait for Laney to die before someone else got elected, much less got elected by popular acclaim a month before the Ball." "So, when do you want to go make their acquaintance?" "You know if we go before Vanson and Saenz we'll never hear the end of it ... after that, I don't care. We might want to be generous and let Salazar and Guzman go first – I like them worlds better than Vanson and Saenz." "You and I both, darlin', but let's play this out strictly by rules of precedence – once Vanson and Saenz have their go, it's us, then San Antonio," Master Yeats replied. "And did you notice, Dunham and Snyder showed up?" "Well, there's an upside ... since we can assume Grimes & Grimes aren't insane, that'll give us enough votes to admit El Paso, and that will give us the weight to finally recognize Fort Worth as its own city. That'll piss Vanson and Saenz off to no end." "Won't it though ... worth it for the fireworks," Yeats replied. "Did Ruiz and Pena come this evening?" Yeats asked. "I haven't seen them, but I wouldn't expect to – they'll be trying not to be seen by Vanson and Saenz," Hoffman replied. ------- Kelly had taken Piglet back to the DJ's to just torture them a bit with the prospect of fucking the little cumslut, but found that sexual release was not exactly something they were having a problem getting. "Good God, boys, you look like you've got a blow-job frenzy going on here!" she said, finding all of them except Keith with their cocks down some submissive's throat. Jack leaned over, his eyes slightly glazed. "Mistress Kelly, are you aware that evidently to a lot of these people, sending someone over to blow us is just like putting money in the tip jar?" He somewhat shakily motioned to the jar on the corner of the table – a jar stuffed with cash. "We've had to empty the damn thing twice," Jack went on. "These folks are dropping blow-jobs and twenties like they're nothing at all." "To a good number of them, they are nothing at all. Having a slut come suck you off is a cheap way to say thank you," Kelly said. "Some of your attendees are dropping a hundred-thousand dollars on new submissives just a short distance from here." She flipped a roll of condoms into the booth. "Here's this little slut, just like I promised you. I was going to tease you with her, but teasing isn't something that's going to particularly bother you at the moment. Fuck her hard – in her ass, her cunt, her mouth – whatever. But if you're going into her ass or cunt, use a condom. She's yours for the next hour." Kelly leaned down and whispered, "I'm letting you off the hook, Piglet – you come as many times as you want with these four. Be a good girl and I might let you off the hook again at some point tonight ... oh, and if you ever tell anyone else that I was this nice to you? I'll make your life a living hell." "Thank you, Mistress Kelly," Piglet said. Kelly laughed and walked away. She looked back to see that Jack was already putting a condom on. "Good man," Kelly murmured before continuing on. ------- "We cannot accept, Thad!" Margo said, seconds away from rising to her feet in protest. "Yes you can, and you will," Vida replied, "not immediately, we know you don't have room for them, but when you do, you will accept our gift. Look, as soon as your school is up and running, hopefully before too much longer, our children, the whole Karghold's unruly horde of them, will be attending, albeit on a somewhat abbreviated schedule as the classes our Hold requires will take up some of the schedule, but that can be worked out later. These three servants are there to keep them safe, as well as you and your people. We will feel safer with one of our people always on duty – call them Corral security – because we know that Eddie and Karen won't always be available – and while Candy is also security-trained, she won't always be available. These three," she said, motioning to the three young men standing before the pavilion, "will be there, one of them always on duty, and never more than a few minutes away from anywhere in your cul-de-sac. If one of them is ill, we'll send someone else to stand in for him." "We take such things very seriously," Thad said. "Count yourself lucky – I talked Vida down from nine to three ... mostly by convincing her that getting you to accept three would be hard enough." "And if there's the faintest hint of danger to you or your House, there will be nine," Vida said, her face a tableau of seriousness. "No arguments ... I know you've done a pretty good job of taking care of yourselves, but we've trained these kids to ... well, they'll be there and I won't let you send them home 'til we're all sure you're safe." Harry chuckled as Margo fumed. "Remember what Thad told us about accepting gifts gratefully," he said. "If we're lucky, the next several won't be so ... alive." Antoinette was the next to approach the pavilion, wearing a diaphanous gown that left little of her figure to the imagination. "Master and Madam Grimes, it is a pleasure to be here – I'm sorry that I couldn't bring my present with me -" "Antoinette," Harry said, "your gift to the House is here – those showers, all the other work you've done – that's all the present we're prepared to accept from you." "Oh no, Harry," she replied, "you're going to accept my present – after all the work we put in to it, it would be an unforgivable insult if you didn't. I've designed and had manufactured a new hot tub for you, and am putting it in our showroom under the name 'the Corral' – it's large ... well, here," she said, motioning one of her girls over. "Let Clarice show you the plans." Clarice, in a blood-red PVC nurse's outfit, unrolled a blueprint. "You'll see it's quite a bit larger than the last one you purchased from me – this one is designed with a small wet-bar in the center, and is purposefully arranged to serve as a meeting space – almost the hot tub version of Arthur's Round Table." Carol almost choked on her drink, and Margo muttered "There goes half a backyard somewhere in the compound." "I trust it meets with your approval?" Antoinette asked. "Yes, yes it does," Harry replied, pasting a smile on his face. "Thank you so much." "Now, I know how this game is played," Antoinette said with a wink, "and you're not going to be making any decisions until everyone has made their pitch, but I'd like you to remember our long friendship ... my offer starts at thirty percent off any future purchases for your House, and twenty percent for any allies." She leaned in close to Harry and Margo and whispered, "If anyone betters that, I would appreciate a chance to counter-offer." "You'll get that chance," Harry whispered back. "You know," Antoinette said, standing back from them, "I felt sure you and I were finally going to fully explore our friendship this evening, Master Grimes, but I can see from your House that I'm not your type." Horribly afraid that he'd hurt her feelings, Harry protested, "Antoinette, it's not that – you're lovely -" "Don't worry, Master Grimes," she said, "there's no escaping the truth of our Society – 'your kink may not be my kink and my kink may not be your kink, but all our kinks are okay'. No hard feelings, no hurt feelings." Harry and Margo got up and hugged her, steeling themselves for contact with so much silicon-stretched flesh, and afterwards Antoinette waltzed off. "I don't understand it," Margo whispered as they returned to their thrones – shooting Madame Cornelius a dirty look as she considered the chairs yet again. "Why would she -" "I don't know, honey," Harry replied, "and I don't think even Dr. Lowenstein would have an easy time finding out why, but she has, she is, and she's good people." Next came a group of people Harry hadn't met before. "Master, Madam," Minerva said from her own, much less grand chair, "allow me to present the Williams, this is Warren, his submissives – his wife Louise, and Debbie." Harry looked them over – a distinguished older gentleman, late fifties, Louise - a submissive of roughly the same age – looking at the two of them together Harry knew they'd been partners for years and Debbie - tall, maybe 6'2", and very nicely rounded submissive – no older than her early thirties. Curly brown hair, rosy cheeks and plenty of smile lines added to her beauty, but Harry couldn't help but notice she was dressed in a rather plain, and full-body, gown. "We wanted to form a House, just a small one, but you know, with Laney running things..." Master Williams said. "Say no more," Harry replied. "But our gift..." Louise Williams began. Harry shook his head – it was going to be a long night. Margo picked up the conversation. "Certainly, what is your gift, Louise?" she asked. "Uh, my son and husband do remodeling work, mostly kitchen interiors and such. We pledge you two hundred hours of remodeling, for just the cost of materials, on weekends and in the evening ... or whenever else they might have the time," Louise said. "I'm sorry it isn't all in a solid block, but you know how these things are..." "We've had a lot of remodeling done on our home in the last couple of months, we do indeed," Harry replied. "Now then, I know that sealing a deal such as this generally involves sex, but it's going to be a very long night, and while our submissives will honor the arrangement in the traditional fashion, for our part, we will gladly consider cuddling in lieu of sex..." Debbie's eyes lit up as she looked at Eddie, reclining on some cushions with Tamara, Annie Beth and Merry around him. "Or sex if you insist," Harry said, enjoying the very thought of what was about to happen, "but in the interests of efficiency – well, I'm rather spent at the moment, so I delegate this consummation to Master Janak." "Harry..." Eddie said, glaring at his friend. While Tamara elbowed him in the side, he growled and nodded. "Miss ... Debbie, is it?" Eddie said. "I hope you don't take this the wrong way, but cuddling is all I'm interested in, it will be more than enough to seal any deal made." "Sir," Debbie said, lowering herself onto his lap, "why don't we just snuggle a bit and see where that goes." "Be nice and cuddle with the cute Amazon," Karen said. "Don't be a fraidy-cat!" "Dyke, the day is coming ... mark my words, the day is coming..." "You mean when I get to fuck you in the ass?" Karen replied, clapping her hands together. "I cannot wait. I'm going to plant Patricia on your face and plow you like the back forty." Eddie began to struggle to get to his feet, began to fire back a retort, but the tall and luscious woman on his lap stopped the one, and her lips and tongue stopped the other. After that, he was too pleasantly distracted to worry about the laughter from his friends and family. ------- Debbie was making Eddie's life a lot more interesting than he'd planned. Under the cover of her shift, she'd managed to get his pants open and released his erection and slid a condom over it ... and no one watching the two would have been surprised in the least that he had one to begin with. Harry tore his eyes from watching Camille and Billy seal Chorale's side of the bargain with Master and Mistress Williams to watch Eddie's molestation. "Eddie, I think that girl's pretty intent on doing more than cuddling," he said, smirking at his friend's discomfort. "Wouldn't you agree, Tammy darlin'?" "Oh yes, Master Grimes," she giggled. "In fact, I think we should help her, shouldn't we girls?" Before he could find himself held down by willing female flesh, Eddie gave in to the inevitable. "Here, let me help you out of this," he said, grabbing the bottom of Debbie's shapeless dress. "Sir!" she cried, abruptly enough to stop him in his tracks. "While it is your prerogative to do with me as you will ... I would request that you leave me clothed." She leaned forward and whispered in his ear. "I'm not too comfortable with being nude." "It's okay, we'll leave it on," he whispered. "I'm not too comfortable with it either." He snuck a look under the shift. "Although you've got a whole lot less reason to be twitchy about it than I have," he added, whistling appreciatively. "From where I'm sitting, the opposite is true," she murmured into his ear. Not too surprisingly though, no one really paid too much attention as Eddie flipped the submissive over onto her back and began sliding in and out of her in earnest. ------- Kelly strolled back to the pavilion, naked save for her loose, open top, towing Piglet behind her. "Thank you for throwing me in with those guys," Piglet said. "You're welcome ... in spite of everything, you're a good little slut," Kelly replied. They arrived back at Chorale's pavilion to find Eddie with a strange submissive planted on his face, while Tamara stood above his head, making out with the woman. "What, Eddie fail to get her off?" Kelly asked as she handed Piglet's chain off to Lisa. "No ... apparently he did that several times before coming himself," Carol replied. "She evidently decided that wasn't quite enough, so asked very nicely if he'd mind eating her. She belongs to House Williams, sitting over there," she continued, motioning towards a couple reclining on cushions off to one side. "They say she's very accommodating, but hard to stop once she gets started." "Our kind of girl," Kelly said, giving her wife a hug. ------- Evangeline O'Shaunnessy and her fellow Dominants had gotten distracted by the sheer wealth of things to see at the party. It was the largest collection of freaks and deviants that they'd ever seen, more than they'd imagined possible. Some of the Houses in attendance they only recognized from Dominique's, even more they had never actually seen, although they'd heard of them. And then there were the Houses that they'd never heard anything about at all. Evangeline stopped by and visited with several of those, figuring if her House hadn't heard of them, they might be a little lost in the crowd. But finally, House O'Shaunnessy made their way to the tent of their hosts, and after hugs and kisses all around, they shunned chairs and made themselves comfortable on pillows in front of the thrones. "My, my, my," Evangeline said, "haven't you come up in the world, Master and Madam Grimes?" "Evangeline dear, don't make me spank you," Margo said calmly. With a definite gleam of mischievousness in her eye, Evangeline replied, "You and what army?" Margo snapped her fingers and every submissive of House Chorale and Cornelius were on their feet. "Have you been training them to do that?" Dorothy Mallon asked, grinning. "You bet your ass we have," Harry chuckled. "What's impressive is if she snaps with the other hand first ... then it's the Dominants who rise, followed by the submissives. I think we're saving that display for something serious ... you know, an attack by the forces of evil or an invasion by aliens." "You been hangin' around Perry and Bevy too much, Harry," Eddie said. "Perhaps," Harry agreed. "So where's Gregory?" The people on the floor in front of him laughed and snickered. "Oh, we took care of my husband," Evangeline said. "He was being his usual pain in the ass self, so we told him to get stoned or get left behind. He decided to show us ... got so stoned he pretty much went to sleep, so we left him in the tent with Benjamin to make sure he didn't drown in his own drool or somesuch." "Your lack of reverence for one of the co-heads of your Household is ... touching," Margo laughed. "Oh, he'll wake up in a few hours, a lot calmer than he was when we arrived, and he'll have a grand time at the party," Dorothy said. "Trust me, we're all experts in the care and feeding of Greg. Speaking of which, is there any smoke to be had around here?" "Oh yeah ... one of the little Houses no one's ever heard of brought us dope as their tribute," Harry replied. "A lot of it." "How much is 'a lot', if I might ask?" Vaughn Martin asked. "A thirty pound bale," Eddie replied. "They weren't real forthcoming with where they got it, and we weren't gonna ask, but they said whenever we wanted more, just let 'em know." "How the hell did a small, unknown House get their hands on that much weed?" Eva Martin asked. "Dunno ... but we all smoked a bowl together, plucked right out of the bale, after a little cleaning of course, and that's some premium stuff ... if I had to guess, I'd say it's real Oaxacan, or maybe was grown locally from Oaxacan seed, although that would change the flavor somewhat," Eddie mused. "He's identifying it by taste?" Dorothy Mallon asked. "Yeah, our Eddie, he's what ya call a connoisseur," Carol replied. "Short Stuff, are you makin' fun o' me?" Eddie growled. "Only a little," she replied. "I mean, I've smoked a lot over the years and I've never developed the ability to identify pot by taste." "Then it's obvious as hell to me that you haven't truly applied yourself," Eddie said, loading up a hookah for their guests. "So here, y'all enjoy some of the bounty provided by House Bates." He handed the water pipe to Evangeline. After her first hit, Evangeline handed her hose to Bob Mallon. "No more for me ... damn, you were right, that's some serious smoke," she said, shaking her head. "Lots of resin..." "Yeah – I mean, I won't claim it's the equal of what Willie Nelson smokes or anything," Harry said, "but it's the most potent stuff I've come across since I started smoking again ... and maybe ever. Hard to remember back to when I used to smoke, though, can't understand why my memory's all fuzzy..." After the laughter died down, Evangeline said, "Speaking of tribute, we thought long and hard about this ... at one point we even considered a gift certificate to someplace that sold fetishwear or gear. In the end, we decided that since we were going to want to enroll our House's children in your school, perhaps we should help that school along in some way. Courtesy of Cleo's company, we're running a T1 line to the Corral and covering the charges. It'll probably end up being a continuing tribute which, by the way, saves us from having to worry about what to present as tribute from now on – something I won't miss at all." Eddie muttered, "Perry and Bevy are gonna go green with fuckin' envy." ------- "So, I imagine you're a lot further along, you know, school-wise, than we are in public school?" Jason asked. "I wouldn't know, but yes, I'd imagine so," Donna replied. Jason, emboldened by his time with the women the Grimes had baby-sit him, asked, "Would you mind if I sat over there ... beside you?" "Not at all, please do," she replied. In a rather comedic turn, Jason crossed the space between them in a rush, trying not to look like a 'spaz', but trying not to lose his resolve either. At the same time, Donna slid off the low brick wall and was sitting at his feet before he knew it. It was another tiny moment of Grace that prevented them from colliding with each other as they shifted. "Uh ... why are you sitting down there?" Jason asked. "I wanted to sit beside you." Donna's eyes returned to the ground. "It isn't proper that I sit beside you unless you specifically ask me to." "Okaaaay..." Jason said, remembering some of the things he'd heard from his mother's bedroom over the years ... asking permission and begging and cries of 'thank you, Master'. "Donna, would you please sit beside me?" The young woman was sitting next to him in the wink of an eye. "Thank you, Jason." He was so glad he'd got her to quit calling him 'sir'. His hand slid down and took hers. The two of them were a vision of nervousness, both of them pointedly not looking at the other while they held hands. "So ... uh ... what do you do for fun, when you're not in school all day?" he asked. "Videogames, watch TV, movies ... not too different than what you do, I imagine." "Yeah ... of course, with as many kids as are here tonight, getting a turn on one of the machines takes so long..." Jason said, turning to face her. She hadn't pulled her hand away and he took that as a very good sign. "My house, where I really live, isn't too far from here," he said, "less than a block ... would you like to come over and watch a movie or something?" She turned to face him. "Yes sir, I'd like that very much." ------- 9 PM Sampson Collins was one of an odd group in Karghold Newton. He was a submissive who had fought and won four of the five fights necessary to elevate him from slave to Master, and had stopped there. More than a few of the submissives in the Karghold had done the same, elevating themselves to an in-between status the Karg called 'thumbs' – in recognition that they were all 'one thumb shy of their Hand'. In any other House, they would be 'switches', but such a state didn't exist in Karg philosophy. They were called upon for tasks that might require a Karg's abilities and will, but weren't important enough for a full member of the Hold to undertake. Such as keeping an eye on hordes of Karghold youngsters during one of their first exposures to children from non-Hold families ... they were the 'floaters' assigned to fill in where necessary. And so it was that Sampson Collins was called upon to follow and watch Donna Newton and Jason Tanner as they left the party. In the beginning things went well, no problem – the two of them went to the Tanner house, Jason had put in "Batman Begins" and they'd sat on the couch, side by side, to watch it. Donna had put her hand in Jason's and as the film progressed, so did their interaction ... first Donna moved closer to him, he somewhat awkwardly realized he needed to put his arm somewhere and so had put it behind her, still the perfect gentleman. Collins had to smile – there was no denying that Donna was cute – as well as very submissive – and Jason was being very, very careful. The boy had been raised right. In the end, Collins wasn't worried so much about what Jason might do – if Donna objected he wouldn't get very far at all. The problem was what Donna might do. She was almost sixteen, had finished her orientation and passed her finals. She was far from being a blushing virgin ... and as Thad and Vida's daughter, out of a sense of duty to the Karghold, she might try to create an advantageous set of circumstances for her family. Still, so far it looked like what it probably was – two kids who liked each other beginning the courtship dance. ------- Tattie had found one display so intriguing she'd asked one of the staff if they could bring her a chair. They'd been happy to oblige and had taken her drink order as well. She sat and sipped her mojito while two young men and a middle aged woman were suspended by their wrists and ankles at a three-quarters angle to the audience. The woman was on top, about ten feet off the ground, the first young man facing her, head pulled back by a strap and face upturned with a dental spreader in his mouth, almost underneath her at an angle that left his cock pointing at the second young man, suspended underneath them both, in a semi-reclining position with his head strapped into position facing up, a dental spreader in his mouth as well. Tattie couldn't figure out the point of it all until one of the women who had positioned the three of them, a blonde, turned on a boombox and the sound of water rippling over stones filled the air. Within seconds all three of them showed signs of distress, the woman on top most of all. "That's right, my lovelies, hold it as long as you can – remember, if you make it five whole minutes you each get an orgasm," said another of the women, a red-head, who'd suspended them. The water sounds' volume was turned up and while Tattie had never found herself in the least interested in water sports, she couldn't turn away. All three of the, she assumed, submissives were biting their lips, tears streaming from the corners of their eyes. At three minutes, Tattie was almost afraid she was going to have an accident, but managed to control herself. At four minutes, a third tormentor, a striking black woman, walked out where all three could see her and poured water from one large beaker into another, then back again. That was all it took. With a scream of frustration, the woman on top let loose, her urine spraying all over the two men below her, both of them catching some it in their mouths. The man in the middle immediately lost control, urine streaming from the end of his cock straight into the mouth of the man on the bottom who was choking and spluttering while his urine shot up and hit the man above him in his balls. Tattie was revolted, but still couldn't tear her eyes away as gradually all three of their bladders were emptied, the smell of their pee filling the air. As soon as they were finished, the three women who'd suspended them started taking them down in a very calm, but speedy fashion. When all three were on the ground again, the men's cocks were put into into stainless steel chastity cages, and the woman was locked into a chastity belt as well. "Four minutes, forty-three seconds ... very good," the black woman said, "but not good enough. Another two weeks of no fun for you." Tattie got to her feet and slowly – and carefully- headed toward a toilet. ------- When Mr. Antiquity, the three tragically-chic look-a-like young men that formed his staff, and Himura, his Sumo-wrestling lover approached the Chorale pavilion, even those members of the scene used to such physical specimens as Antoinette, Sex Dwarf and Li Kuan stopped and covertly stared. It was long known that Mr. Antiquity was his own set of fashion rules, so his shimmering silver lame cowboy suit – sans pants of course – wasn't too surprising. But 5'8", 300 lbs of Sumo-wrestler dressed in a more feminine version of the same outfit ... it raised eyebrows so high there was scarcely wonderment left for the staff – thongs, leather headband, single large feather at the back of each one. They looked like clones of the same pallid fashion model, almost walking in unison, without so much as a mole to easily distinguish one from the other. While one of them was carrying a large portfolio, tightly bound with silver ribbon, that only accentuated their similarity. While Himura's cowgirl get-up ... that was almost enough to break the strong tradition against taking photos. As they approached, Harry leaned over to Margo and Kelly, and whispered, "Prepare yourself for the accent." He'd told them about it, but words fell short of the multi-dialect polyglot of conflicting aural clues that formed the majority of Mr. Antiquity's speech – that he tried to cover it all with a bad Texas accent was just the icing on an unintelligible cake. "Howdy y'all," he said as he climbed on to the platform. "Have I got a treat for y'all – Tad, come on up here, boy..." As the young man with the portfolio approached, Mr. Antiquity was gently urging people to give him some room on the floor in front of House Chorale's Seniors. He took the folder, almost larger than he himself, untied the bows and opened it, laying it on the cushions. "These are the rough sketches of my ideas for your Samhain Fetish Ball costumes – now, before you go sayin' you might not attend," he said, waving down a rising objection from Harry, "even though you done won this fight right here, right here tonight, the Ball is tradition an' you will be goin', if for no other reason than to rub ol' Laney's face in it, got me, buckaroos? "Fine, now you can see," the shriveled little man continued, "I'm goin' for a Grecian gods and goddesses theme," he turned his eyes to the assembled host of Dominants and submissives, "an' I'm purty sure I can fill out the whole blamed pantheon, some roles may not be sexually accurate, so to speak, an' there may be some subs playin' gods, and use the rest of your subs for servants o' the Gods ... easier costumes an' as I got about a month to make all this happen that's a durned good thing." The sketches that kept appearing and being put on display before them, filling more and more of the open space, were stunning: Zeus with his steel lightning bolts; Hera and a basket of metallic-hued pomegranates; Poseidon and his shimmering turquoise and sea foam trident; Demeter with her golden sickle and basket of grain; Athena with her long spear and shield adorned with the face of the Gorgon; Dionysus decorated with clusters of grapes and bearing a great goblet of wine; Apollo with bow and quiver upon his back, lyre in his hands; Artemis portrayed as the twin of Apollo, weapons slung across her back, lyre in hand; Ares armored in black and red, sword on hip and shield across the back; Aphrodite, whose costume appeared so diaphanous as to be merely a suggestion of clothing; Hephaestus bare to the waist with his hammer hanging from his belt; Hermes with his winged helm and sandals ... they all looked stunning. "Now, I dunno if'n you want to come in on chariots drawn by your subs or not, but I thought I'd throw it out there, pardners," the little man continued. "We could make it work but I'd have to subcontract out the chariots and tack just like I'm doing with the submissives outfits to Carmine Landau's granddaughter..." "Hold on, Uncle," Carol said, "are you telling me your tribute is you're making all this, in a month, plus assorted other costumes, at a discount?" "Oh hell no," Mr. Antiquity said, "all the costumes and such are the tribute, free and clear." He was almost bowled over by Carol and she leapt across the sketches and hugged him. "In addition," he squeaked, "twenty-five percent off fer you an' your House, fifteen percent off fer allies an' I'm sorry if'n that ain't good enough but really, it's as low as I can go." "Don't worry sir," Harry said, getting up to pull his wife off the elderly man. "It's more than enough and you've already got the appointment, we'll just be waiting 'til it's proper to make the announcement." "Good," Mr. Antiquity gasped. "Girl, you got to be more gentle with your ol' uncle ... it's a deal an' we'll get y'all in fer fittin's next week." "Uh, we're on vacation next week," Kelly began. Margo shut her down. "Yes we are and part of that vacation will be going in whenever he needs to see us." Margo glared at Eddie and Karen. "All of us, whenever he needs us – what night is the Ball?" "On the 31st, no matter what day that falls on," Carol answered. "A Tuesday, this year." "Okay then," Margo continued, "this dear man only has thirty days to perform multiple miracles – we won't slow him down, no matter what." And, as with so many decisions concerning House Chorale, that settled the matter. ------- "Certainly one of the more tasty gifts we're likely to see today," Thad whispered as House Antonio wandered away after sealing their alliance. "Now I understand why they own the club Absinthe & Opium – it's just a front for their distillery." One hundred bottles of mead, brewed by the House, in four wooden crates, ornately carved with erotic scenes. "I say we break out a bottle and sample it," Harry said, gazing at the crates with a look of lust in his eyes. "Which kind?" Dayna replied. "You have House Antonio's full product line – two cases of their sparkling mead – that you should serve chilled, a case of their dessert mead – that should be at room temperature, and a case of their spiced mead – that should be served hot." "Let's go with sparkling right now, dessert after we eat and spiced later tonight," Margo said, flagging down one of the serving girls. "And they've pledged one hundred bottles a year to the House, a twenty-five percent discount on more, a table at their club whenever we want it and at-cost drinks at their club for the House's members forever," Dommi said. "Damn, I may have a reason to go to a club other than my own." "Is that going to bother you, Dommi," Margo asked. "I mean, we'll have to visit these others some time or another." "I don't care if you visit them regularly," Dominique replied. "In a way, it's like your marriage – I always know where you'll be coming home to." Carol hugged her tightly. "You've got that right, sweetheart," she said. "Your club will always be our home away from home. And now," she continued, caressing Dommi's body, "there will always be a member of the House at the club." "One we trust enough to negotiate for us and speak in our name," Margo said. "That," Dommi said with tears in her eyes, "is one of the sweetest things anyone's ever said to me." Drying her eyes after a moment, Dommi said, "Well, this has been ... wonderful, but I have to get back to the club's tent ... I imagine business is getting backed up. But really, I love you guys.' ------- Stefan and Lourdes walked over to find a large goblet of mead making the rounds of the Chorale tent. After hugs and gropes were exchanged, a rather lengthy process given the size of House Chorale, and mead tasted and exclaimed over, Master Franklin and his submissive dropped to one knee, bowing their heads. "Come the fuck on, Stefan," Galena said, "that's hardly necessary, is it?" "It is," he replied. "Rise, damn it," Margo said. After they got up, Stefan said, "Our gift to your House is not the equal of many you'll receive tonight..." "I'm about to have Eddie and Karen start whuppin' on you, Stefan," Harry said. "First off, you know no gift is necessary, and whatever it is, we'll all be pleased as punch." "May I?" Lourdes asked, head still down turned. After Stefan gave her hand a quick squeeze, she continued. "I am very close to getting my teaching certification and it would please both of us if you would accept me as a member of the faculty of your school." "Certainly, and we'll pay you," Margo said, rising to hug the two of them again. "No, Madam, you won't – my place on your faculty is unpaid," Lourdes said, raising her face and meeting Margo's eyes. "That is our gift. If you have a medical plan, I would accept enrollment in that, but it isn't a present if you're paying for it, now is it?" "All right, you work for free and insurance – and a monetary bonus, paid monthly, for every day you show up for work," Margo replied. "But for your defiance, I sentence you to some cuddling with me up here," she continued, drawing Lourdes into her arms. "Damn, my life is hellish," Lourdes said, laughing. "Well damn, that leaves me at odds," Stefan said. Galena and Andrea dragged him down to the cushions with them. "Nope, don't think so," Galena said. ------- "Madam Grimes, there are some people I'd like you to meet," said Minerva Cornelius, whispering softly. "In a few minutes, make your way to the house to speak to the catering staff, and follow the hallway from the north end of the living area all the way back, last door on the left." Margo nodded, and wondered what her friend was getting her into. "Lourdes darling, it's been lovely as ever, but I need to go," she said to the lovely woman on her lap. "I understand, Madam, it's been fun, you go tend to business," Lourdes replied softly. ------- Chatsiree Sukhawari lounged in the corner of House Chorale's tent, not exactly playing the submissive, but certainly not playing the Dominant either. No insult to her hosts, or their delightful enslavement of her, but she was enjoying the chance to socialize as a guest – although if she read the crowd correctly, it was going to be hard to stay in the middle all night. Sooner or later she'd be on her knees or standing over someone ... as she lay there, enjoying her drink and occasional hits off the water pipe, she rather thought she'd enjoy being the one on her feet for a change. Her friends were busy with House after House presenting their compliments and giving them gifts. It was like some odd costume drama, but with no set time or culture. Everyone seemed to have dressed comfortably, but in a very ostentatious way, as if showing off just how beautiful their less formal wear could be. Her aunt would never believe half the stories Chatsiree would bring home that night. Then again, given what had already happened in the restaurant, perhaps she would. ------- Meanwhile, at their clandestine meeting in the back bedroom of the estate's faux farmhouse, Minerva had introduced Margo to Master Israel Ruiz and Mistress Lera Pena of El Paso. "Madam Grimes," said Mistress Pena, "our city's population is within about one-hundred thousand of your city, but we're not allowed recognition or representation on the state level. Those douche bags who run DFW - and don't even get me started on Fort Worth not being considered independent - they've blocked us every time, deadlocking any vote at two to two – Dallas and Fort Worth against San Antonio and Houston." "And now that we're back in the game," Margo said, "you're hoping I'll support official recognition for you..." "And in return, we'll gladly throw our vote behind a move to make Fort Worth independent," Master Ruiz said. "That breaks Dallas's hold on the state and once the mid-cities between Dallas and Fort Worth are divided up in the same process, will probably bring Dallas's population, for the purposes of Societal precedence, down to around 3.2 million, Fort Worth at 1.3 million, San Antonio at 1.3, Houston at 2.1 ... and then you at roughly eight-hundred thousand, us at about six-hundred-and-fifty thousand." "But I can guarantee you," Mistress Pena said, "Fort Worth won't forget her friends – you'll meet the city's Senior Dominants later tonight, I know. While I may not trust Houston or San Antonio too far, I can trust that they don't want Dallas lording it over the entire state. Fuck them ... if they want to be New York so badly, they can move to New York – the rest of the state is happy to be in Texas." "What do you mean," Margo asked. Madame Cornelius motioned that she would take that question. "Margo, Dallas Society has long emulated New York Society – and in so doing shown that they are ashamed to be who they are and where they are from," Minerva said. "So when the rest of the Societies in the state refused to follow their lead ... well, I am sure you can imagine the friction." The elderly Dominant blinked her eyes, shaking her head back and forth. "There may be many aspects of Texan culture that I am not fond of, but I have never been embarrassed to say I was a Texan ... well, perhaps a bit during the run of that wretched television soap opera, but otherwise ... so, generally speaking, the population of the largest metropolitan area – and because of that the largest Society population – has looked down their nose at the entire rest of the state – and been insufferable asses - because of their pretensions." "It's been grating on a lot of nerves for a lot of years," said Master Ruiz. "And now we have the chance to take the pricks down a few notches," Mistress Pena grumbled. Margo looked at Minerva Cornelius with an expression the Madame knew well – it was Margo's "what have I gotten us into?" look. Then she composed herself and turned to the duo from El Paso. "Of course I'll throw my support behind your bid to be recognized – and behind Fort Worth's as well. It only makes sense for us to enter statewide Society politics by angering the two most influential Dominants in the state." "I knew I liked you for a reason," Mistress Pena said with a nasty smile. "We'll kick 'em in the balls, see if we can wipe that snotty look off their faces." "All right," Minerva said, "I had hoped you'd feel that way, Madam Grimes. Now then, everyone has been playing 'court politics' and waiting on Vanson and Saenz of Dallas to deign to notice you at your own party and make their bid for your support. As it is my plan to resolve the issues of El Paso and Fort Worth very shortly after midnight..." "Minerva," Margo said, "sorry to interrupt, but I did want to put two items of local business on the agenda before moving on to state business." Madame Cornelius smiled, having a very good idea what those items were. "So noted ... after those are handled, we'll deal with the aforementioned state issues, and then see what happens next," Minerva finished. "You mean you don't have a plan after that?" Margo said, feigning astonishment. "My dear, after that, my immediate plans are realized – earlier than I expected - and I could die in peace, knowing you well enough to have faith that my long-term plans for our city's Society would be fulfilled," Madame Cornelius said. ------- Philip McCracken had never imagined anything like the party. So many people, so much sex, he thought that if human cum made grass grow, the estate would be a rain forest inside a few weeks. He'd been doing some of that himself, quite enjoyably so, and thus he was waiting in line to present his House to the Grimes and give them his tribute. Not that he minded waiting in line, there were interesting people to chat with, the staff were very good about bringing chairs when asked, as well as food and drink – the line seemed more like a long stream of partiers. While it meant that his wait was longer, he was pleased to see that no one was getting rushed through their visit with the Grimes. No one was getting too comfortable, it seemed about fifteen to twenty minutes was the norm, but it wasn't "Hello, how are you? Thank you for your gift, goodbye" either. They were taking their time to visit a little. Philip appreciated that. As he finally reached the front of the line he couldn't miss the very annoyed couple across from him. Whoever they were, they evidently didn't think waiting in line was something they had to do. Philip watched Harry Grimes studiously ignoring them. He turned to the next House in line, House Steel, three women – one of them a biker by the tats she was wearing, the other two seeming to be typical suburban soccer mom types. "Mistress Tammy," he said, "you got any idea who those two over there are?" The biker answered, "You don't know? Geez, those two are the rulers of Dallas and Fort Worth, Master Vanson and Mistress Saenz, real big shots in the state. Fucking cunts, both of 'em. Glad to see them havin' to cool their heels while us little people get our time with House Chorale." "Thanks, Mistress Tammy," Philip replied. He thought on what that said about the area's new leaders while he waited his turn. When he was called up, he presented himself, Serena, and Desdemona to Harry and Kelly Grimes. After the introductions, they sat and ordered drinks. "Master Grimes," Philip said, "if you were willing, we'd like to form our own House, or join a larger House, if you think that would be best. I mean, I wasn't willing to make that offer to Laney ... we've been on our own so long, I don't really know what's best..." "I think you do, Philip," Kelly replied. "You want your own House – that's good and that's what you should have. Do you want to subjugate your House to a more senior House for a period of teaching and training?" "Mistress Grimes, that's just it, I don't know." "Tell you what, Master McCracken," Kelly replied with a smile. "Let's see about getting you a mentor. David," she called to Master Wilcox, "get your tongue out of Nicki's delectable ass and get over here!" In a few moments, David Wilcox was standing by Kelly and Harry. "Master McCracken, this is Master Wilcox of House St. Paul. Would you accept him and his submissives as mentors for your House?" Harry asked. "David has a good grip on what's it like to be a small House, and his House is an ally of ours." "Uh, certainly, sir," Philip replied. "Good then, that's settled," Harry said. "So, Master McCracken, tell me a little about yourself and your submissives..." "Well sir, I'm a master mechanic – foreign and domestic – hell, I love working on Porsches. Got my own shop, me and three other guys, well, two other guys and a woman. We do all right. That brings me to my tribute. I don't know how many cars there are in your House, but you got free labor on maintenance for six of them, parts at cost. For the rest of the cars your House might have, thirty percent discount on total costs. Plus, you planning on buying any new cars, I figure my advice might come in handy." Harry looked at Philip with a smile of pure joy. "You are a godsend, Master McCracken! I'll even be kind and not let Eddie over there put his truck in as one of the six freebies. That piece of shit's been held together with baling wire and bubble gum for years and I wouldn't wish it on you without you getting something for the labor." "Hey," Eddie said, "I love that truck!" "You're the only one that loves that clunker," Harry said. "Am I right, Tamara?" The little woman looked at her Master and said, "Harry, I refuse to hurt my Edward's feelings by answering truthfully. Edward, I love your truck. It's a classic." "Okay, all right," Eddie said as everyone laughed, "I am the only one who loves my truck." ------- Master Dunham and Mistress Snyder of Fort Worth weren't at all what Margo was expecting. He was a quiet, bookish individual who looked like he'd be far more comfortable in a library somewhere and she was a big woman, built on a heavy-duty chassis, that carried her weight in a way that reminded Margo of Karen. "So," Margo began after introductions were made, "you're the two thorns we're going to stick into Vanson and Saenz' sides." "I hope more than that," Mistress Snyder said. "I personally want to be one of the nails you crucify them with." "That would be pleasant, wouldn't it?" Master Dunham said. "Are you sure we can't be both – thorns in side, and nails in wrists?" His eyes twinkled and Margo understood a bit more clearly how he had ended up in his position. "Not a problem for me," Margo said. "You can add in 'cock that we rape them with' if you so desire." "That language seems a little strong for someone who has never met them," Master Dunham said. "Not that I have any problem with it," he continued, "as I hate them with the passion of a thousand burning suns, but you haven't had time to get to despise them yet." "Part of what makes our rise to the leadership of the area possible is the advice and mentoring of Madame Cornelius," Margo said. "Between her opinion, the history of their interaction in state politics, and the impression I've developed of Master Ruiz and Mistress Pena of El Paso – as well as the impression of the two of you that I'm in the process of forming – I have faith that the two of them deserve all the bile I can heap upon them." "Well, I sure as hell don't think you're wrong," Mistress Snyder said. "If you're serious about supporting our break away from Dallas, they've made their last visit to Fort Worth so long as I'm one of those in charge. I sure as shit ain't adverse to the idea of them suffering a very embarrassing, but non-fatal, accident as soon as they step foot inside our territory." "Sheryl, you realize that we may well have to play nicely with them at some point in the future," Master Dunham said. "I'll put on as good a happy-face as anyone if I have to, Darrin," she replied. "But there won't be anymore of them coming into town whenever they feel like it to rub our noses in the fact that we're little more than their lackeys. They may still be the biggest metropolitan area in the state when this is through, but their days of being King and Queen of DFW are, I hope, over and done with." "They are," Margo said, smiling. "Provided of course that Houston and San Antonio vote the way we've been assured they will." "Don't worry about them," Master Dunham said. "They'd vote for the Devil himself if it meant the undoing of Vanson and Saenz as the 800 pound gorillas of Texas Society. Luckily, they're going to be voting for much more pleasant people." "Good ... I'm just thankful for the chance to meet with you before our ... coronation," Margo said, her lip curling. "After that, things are going to move very quickly, and while I look forward to meeting with you later..." "For now," Madame Cornelius said, "we need to get you back to your House, Margo ... I'm sure Vanson and Saenz will be moving in soon, if they haven't already." ------- "So let me see if I'm clear on this," Harry said, leaning forward and regarding the senior Dominants of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex with a very interested expression. "Our city would be wise to support yours, not only to present a better image of the state to the other states as a whole, but to ensure our Societies are not overrun with the wrong kind of people." Anyone who knew Harry Grimes recognized the anger in his voice ... and perhaps Master Randall Vanson and Madam Purisima Saenz did as well. "We don't mean that to sound prejudicial," Madam Saenz replied, "we have valued friends of every ethnic background. It's just that too many minor Houses, groups too small to truly deserve the name, groups that would be better served by making themselves a ward of a larger entity, one such as House Chorale ... they clutter the scene with too many voices. Our Society is not a democracy, and power belongs where it has always traditionally been – in the hands of the few that have proven they have the wisdom to wield it. Your House is a perfect example – in a very short time you've managed to bring this city's Houses behind you. That shows you're infinitely more worthy to rule than Dick Laney, who won elections but wasn't fit to reign over the city pound, let alone our capital city." "But what of the Elder Houses in our area, the ones that haven't given us their support?" Harry asked, almost amused by the pair's arrogance. "They seem to be of the same opinion as you in these matters." "Trust me, Master Grimes," Master Vanson said, "supporting our efforts is the surest way to bring them into the fold. Tonight, after your election by proclamation, you will have enough support from us to dissolve minor Houses and instruct others to accept positions as wards of larger Houses – to clean up your city's Society and return it to a few wise and educated voices, overseeing the Society for the good of all. Furthermore, you can help us project a vision of Texas Society that isn't rural, not some 'hick' cliché, but that reflects our cosmopolitan status as a state that is the equal in culture and refinement to any in the nation – in fact, the equal to any in the world." Harry looked at Master Vanson thoughtfully. "Have you considered just disbanding Houses that aren't up to your standards – perhaps banishing certain members altogether?" Harry asked, remembering the trial of Dayna Spyderchylde and the measures they'd had to take to protect House Sandalwood from Wilma Fruehauf. "We've done more than consider it," Madam Saenz said, a smile decorating her perfect face. "In our cities, a House is free to disagree with us – even to vote against us – but once that vote has been taken, once our will has been made clear and ratified by our supporters, the issue is resolved – period. To bring it up again is to risk censure." "Uh huh..." Harry said, nodding. "Part of the proof that Dick Laney wasn't fit to be Senior Dominant in your city was the fact that he couldn't marshal that kind of support and use his power effectively," Madam Saenz said. "It's clear from the turnout here tonight that you can command that kind of support." Harry was relieved to see Margo and Madame Cornelius approaching the pavilion. "Allow me to introduce my wife," he said. "Madam Grimes, these are Master Vanson and Madam Saenz of Dallas ... we've had a most interesting discussion." After Margo had greeted them, Mistress Saenz said, "Now that you're both here, allow us to present our presents and congratulations on your rise to leadership. This is one of my paintings – I don't mean to brag, but I've had several gallery shows at galleries in Deep Ellum in Dallas." Harry felt a smile slide onto his face, a smile he had to wear a lot in his professional life – the "remain-calm-and-pleasant-no-matter-how-much-you-want-to-point-and-laugh" expression. The painting Mistress Saenz was so proudly displaying was crude and amateurish. Harry was quite sure that her showings at galleries had been bought and paid for solely to boost her ego. He'd seen more attractive pictures in crayon, drawn by three-year-olds. "Oh my ... that's lovely," Harry said, completely in control of his facial expression. "It will be hung proudly on our wall." "And this is my humble contribution," Master Vanson said. He pulled the cloth off a bronze ... something. Harry was sure it was meant to be a human figure, but past that he was at a loss. He supposed it was meant to be a heroic pose, but "So you cast your own bronzes," Harry said, keeping his professional face on. "That's interesting – I almost dabbled in that myself while I was in college, but decided to focus on creative writing instead – turned out to be more useful in advertising than producing works such as yours. Personally, I'm envisioning placing this somewhere in one of our gardens. Wouldn't you agree, my dear." Margo's smile was almost as good as his. "Certainly, benches on all four sides to encourage contemplation." "Exactly," Harry replied. He smiled at their two guests. "Thank you both so much for the lovely gifts – we will treasure them forever. Politically, you've given me much to think on, and I'll pass on your ideas to Madam Grimes – we'll discuss them, you may be sure of that. I think you'll be very pleased by our decision. But for the moment, my apologies, I'm afraid we have so many more of those little Houses to deal with." He sighed dramatically. "That's a strong argument in favor of your policies." The two Seniors from Dallas smiled in return and wandered away. "You ever meet people you just instantly want to kick in the crotch?" he asked as he hugged his wife. "Oh yeah," she replied. "Minerva and I have been doing some deal-making ... we're gonna kick the shit out of those two by the end of the evening." "And is it just me," Harry asked, "or are those two of the ugliest goddamn pieces of ... whatever the fuck they are, it sure as fuck isn't art, that you've ever seen in your life?" "I'm not sure we have a closet remote enough to hide them in," Margo said. "I wouldn't want anyone to see them – the psychic scarring could be devastating ... not to mention the trouble of cleaning puke up off the floor." ------- Veronika and her submissives had walked into the party in their preferred costumes – naked, save for their piercings, scars, brands and tattoos. It was hard for them not to sneer at those around them – the attendees that pretended there was nothing at all unusual about five barbarians walking among the civilized party guests. But in the end, House Chorale had shown House Risotti an acceptance and inclusion they'd never known before, so they left their smirks at home, along with their attitude, and gone to the party happy to be invited and welcome. The entire pavilion struggled to hide smiles as Veronika, One, Two, Three and Four approached. As it was, Harry and Margo were openly laughing. "Mistress Veronika," Harry said as he got up to hug her, "you do know how to make an impression." "Would you expect anything less, Harry?" she replied, sliding a hand down to caress his crotch. "Not from you and yours." As Margo hugged her, Veronika said, "Madam, our tribute may require a bit of explanation." Margo returned to her seat and Veronika pulled up a cushion while her submissives stood behind her, Three holding the box that contained their gift. "Harry, Margo ... we're big believers in tribalism ... ya mighta noticed," Veronika said, grinning. "Part of that for us has been using peyote ... well, religiously, in both senses of the word. Problem is, the whole vomiting thing that's common with peyote ingestion ... it ripped up Two something fierce ... I mean bleeding and shit, y'know? So we decided that rather than forgo the whole experience, or leave Two out, we'd move on to something a little easier on the system." She motioned and Three walked forward handing Harry a plain wooden box, with brass hinges and clasp. "We don't expect you to use this like we would, but there you go," Veronika said as Harry opened the box. "One hundred doses of laboratory grade synthetic mescaline." Inside the box were one hundred vials, each in its own padded hole. "You run outta that, we'll get you more. That's our present," Veronika said proudly. She looked sideways at where the gifts from the Master and Madam of Dallas sat. "Now, I wouldn't go tripping with that shit around, but otherwise, I think you got a pretty safe house for that kinda thing. You need help or guidance, you know, from some veterans of the psychotropic wars, you give us a call." Veronika smiled. "Now, unless I've gone full-blown batshit crazy, I hear Brides of the Anti-Christ playing – if you'll excuse us, we have some dancing to do." ------- Billy and Helen sat a ways off from the dance floor and talked quietly as they watched the DJs work their asses off trying, and succeeding, to keep the dance floor full. "Darling," Billy said, "I know what the hospital did hurt you ... I didn't know how much until tonight, but just think – now you can work a little at G & P, you'll have clients through the clinic Margo works at, plus you can help at the free clinic." He softly moved his hand over her arm, watching her nipples tighten as he did so. "I think you're going to be busier than ever," he continued, "and your new clients will be happy to see you, no matter what you have tattooed on your skin." "True ... it's just ... this isn't at all how I saw my life going," she said. "I feel like shit because I can't support myself ... I feel like I'm moving back in with Mom." "You don't take me for your mother, do you?" Billy asked, grinning. "Most emphatically not," Helen replied. "But still..." "My dearest one, don't look at it as moving back in with Mom – you're moving in with a family of people who love you and cherish you – me most of all. You're not moving back in with your mother because you have to, you're moving into your home because you can – you're welcome and wanted. "Besides, if you look at your new roommate, it's not all bad, is it?" Billy asked, his insecurity almost completely hidden. "No, baby, it's not," she replied, turning to him. "Parts of it are wonderful and glorious – in those parts, I'm the happiest I've ever been." Helen leaned over and kissed him. "And those are the parts of my life I need to start focusing on, quit worrying about the parts that momentarily suck." They sat in companionable silence for a while longer, watching the dancers. "Do you ever miss dancing?" she asked suddenly. Billy smiled wistfully. "A little – I used to love the club scene ... poppers and a little speed, a little Exstasy ... dance and fuck all night. I made good money in those days." His voice turned grim. "Everybody wanted me then." Helen squeezed his hand as his naturally sunny disposition returned to the fore. "But now, as with your life, I'm happier ... and if we're careful," he said, nodding toward his prosthetics, "I can still dance..." Helen whispered something in his ear, her face a mask of naughty. "Or we can go back to the tent and dance like that," Billy agreed. "That dance I don't have to stay on my feet for." ------- "This is nice," Hal Stallings said to his wife Tori as they, their 'children' and Helga-the-Office-Fuhrer were shown to a very large pavilion. "Yeah," their guide, a young man from Suburban Submissives said, "not sure why you and the other folks I'm to bring here are getting the special treatment, but these are mostly reserved for recognized Houses – besides, you're real close to the House throwing the party." He pointed down the row of tents. "They're just ten down from you." "Other folks you're supposed to bring here?" Hal asked. "Yeah, a Susan Lowenstein and her husband, and a Mike and Rochelle Lowry and an Adelaide Corken and her husbands," the guide replied. Hal and Tori began to laugh, much to the puzzlement of their children, Sam and Jessie, as well as Helga. "They put us all in one place," Hal wheezed. "What?" Jessie asked. "What are you talking about, Daddy?" A thrill ran from his brain to the base of his cock every time he heard that word from her, but Hal Stallings fought the urge to throw her down and fuck her on the grass. "Two headshrinkers, a doctor and a private nurse, sweetheart – all in the same tent ... it's like the beginning of a joke." "Herr Doctor," Helga said, "zere is a gift basket und a note..." "To the Corken's, Lowenstein's, Lowry's and Stallings's, Sorry about the crowding, but space is at a premium. We love you all, and thought you deserved a place close to the center of things. Also, we're all praying that none of your professional services are needed tonight. Enjoy the party and make sure to come by and see us, Margo" "They also know how to pack a bazket for a party," Helga proclaimed as she went through the items. "Zere is fruit und cheeze und vine, ja, but zere is also dope und a pipe wiz a lighter, mazzage oil und zexual lubricant, condomz und body paint ... I zink zey vant us to haff a gut time." "Well then, Helga my dear, we'll just have to do our best to accommodate them," Tori said, giving Helga a hug. ------- The Lowenstein's arrived with their daughter and son-in-law in tow. "Honey, have I told you how happy I am that you're taking the night of to hang with us," David Lowenstein said. "Papa Dave," John Nolan said, "you aren't half as happy as I am. Your girl works way too much..." "Don't let him give you that 'abandonment and agony' crap," Rose said, running her hand through her Mohawk. "I fuck near had to pry him out of the apartment to come tonight." As his in-laws laughed, John replied, "Hey, most of the time, even when they're performing, the whole group doesn't go, so there's always someone in the apartment – I have to go down to my office to get any peace and quiet." "Oh, you are so mistreated," Rose said, pinching his cheeks. "Hot and cold running blow jobs this man has, and he complains." "Only in the morning! One a morning," John exclaimed. "Oh, daughter dearest, he's right, his life is a tale of woe," Susan Lowenstein said, hugging John and drawing him in-between her large breasts. "Tonight ... tonight may be the night I have to love away all his pain." "If you do, Mama, I get to watch," Rose said, grinning. "Beat me, hurt me, love away my pain," John murmured, nestled close to his in-law's Earth-Mother body. As they approached their pavilion, they saw that some of their tent-mates had arrived and were making merry. "Now that's what I'm talkin' about," Rose said, smiling. "Any idea who's who, Mom?" "The man with the young woman on his cock is my esteemed colleague Dr. Hal Stallings, that zaftig beauty getting the good lovin' from the young man is his wife, Tori. The young people are their son and daughter, I forget their names..." "Ew, that's really icky," Rose said, holding her hands up to stop her mother and father's protestations, "I know, no judgment, just so not for me!" "Well, they're not biologically related, they just live as if they are," Susan continued. "And the stern looking woman in the black leather bra must be Helga-the-Office-Fuhrer ... one of his patients that he's just had to learn to live with – she refuses to deal with the world except through this borderline-Nazi persona she's created." "Who's the woman on the chain that's eating her out," John asked. "No idea ... let's go make our introductions, maybe we'll find out," Susan replied. Indeed, after everyone was introduced, Helga proclaimed, "Und ziz iz Piglet ... she has been loaned to me by ze Grimes. She lickz cunt und rimz azz kvite vell! Tongue out for Helga, schnell!" she cried, bringing her crop down on Piglet's ass. "Well, at least the evening won't be boring," John said, cuddling up to his mother-in-law. ------- "David, I could kiss you," Harry said as he gazed at House St. Paul's tribute. "Uh, he might even blow you," Kelly said. "God knows I will, if you'd like." "Guys, c'mon, I know you and know what you like," David Wilcox said. "This was a no-brainer." "Still, it's an expensive no-brainer," Margo said, "and one we won't forget." "Uh, you know that Karen's going to be wanting to have breakfast at your house every day," Patricia said. "Edward as well," Tamara added. "Tough, don't want to see y'all every day," Harry replied. "But I will share – I hereby proclaim this a special occasion tribute – whenever we have something to celebrate, I'll dip into this." He ran his hands lovingly over the certificate – every month two pounds of Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee beans, vacuum-sealed, would arrive at the house. "In fact, I predict we'll be finding special occasions where we might not have before." ------- Adelaide Corken and her husbands considered sending their guide away and just wandering around a bit before settling in, but the weight of their bags put an end to that plan. By the time they arrived, Hal and his family were resting up, and the Lowenstein's were still settling in. Adelaide smirked at Hal. "Dr. Stallings, this is a view of you I never thought I'd see." Hal was too tired to cover up. "Like I give a damn, darlin' ... I'd say come give me a hug and I'll introduce the family, but you probably want to wait a bit on the hug ... thankfully there are showers a-plenty. So let me do the introductions anyway..." Adelaide, and her husbands Tom and Chris, were no strangers to swinging, and their relationship had been open since the day the three of them came together, but the world they had entered when they arrived at the party ... things were far more bizarre than even they were used to. As the introductions continued, they stashed their bags and made themselves comfortable, no shyer than if they'd been behind the closed shades of their own bedroom. It was hard to contemplate modesty when the Stallings and their guest were all nude or mostly so, the Lowenstein's were already out of their clothes and lounging naked ... not that it would have given Adelaide and her husbands any issues anyway, but they found it strange to be in such a large and open place where none of the normal rules of social convention seemed to apply. Adelaide had known Harry and his family were odd when she was hired as his private nurse ... the full extent of it had simply been unimaginable for her. She put on a flowing, soft cotton gown, comfortable as could be and so thin as to hide nothing of the curvy red-head's sex appeal, while her husbands wore nothing more sexually charged than terrycloth bathrobes ... but then again, as they were reasonably handsome men, little more was really needed. Adelaide had never thought of her marriage in terms of Dominance and submission, but there was no doubt who the senior member of the trio was – the joke around the house was "She who has the pussy makes the rules" – and while her husbands weren't push-overs by any stretch of the imagination, they were definitely betas to her Alpha. Looking around them, looking at the parade of people passing in front of them constantly, Adelaide began to wonder if maybe Harry and his family's Society might be a fun place to play. ------- Rochelle Lowry was having severe second thoughts on the limo ride out to the party. The last several weeks had been wonderful, and she'd learned so much about herself and what was required to make her happy, instead of miserable as she seemed to have been through a lot of her adult life. Her husband Mike, as always, supported her and encouraged her and was there for her whenever she needed him, but the whole idea of acquiring submissives ... it had seemed so right, but her self-doubt had been working overtime on her. "Mike..." "Rochelle, stop it. We're going to find you a pair of submissives – I'm hoping for a guy and a girl – and they both better be bisexual ... and then you're going to be happier, I'm going to be ... well, I'm going to be pretty much as happy as I've always been..." "True ... you are irrepressible that way," she said fondly. "But I'm also going to be getting laid a lot more often, and while it would be shallow of me to intimate that would affect my happiness in any way, it's certainly going to put more of a spring in my step." He took her hands in his. "Stop trying to get in the way of your own happiness ... please." She looked at the man she had loved, and tortured, for the duration of their marriage. "Why have you stayed with me all these years?" "You want the truth?" he asked and she nodded. "Because every so often I've seen the woman you're capable of being, the woman you're becoming now, and she's worth it. She's worth everything to me ... she's worth anything to me." The rest of the limo's passengers thought it adorable when the two of them snuggled up close to each other and made out like high school students. Thirty minutes later they were being led to their pavilion by a young man that they both agreed had one of the cutest asses they'd ever seen – even though Rochelle's attention was drawn more by the collection of fetishes and delicious perversity all around them. It was like the party at the Grimes house times a hundred and on steroids. People were doing – apparently – whatever they wanted, wherever they wanted, and while passers-by might look on in admiration or curiosity for a few moments, or casually watch for as long as they cared to, out-and-out staring seemed to be against an unspoken rule ... and it wasn't like there wasn't plenty else to look at. Most of the tents had various bondage and torture gear erected outside – and where there was a device there was someone on it, enjoying it ... even if that enjoyment was measured both in orgasms and tears. Around the crowd entertainers were wandering – juggling, doing acrobatics, fire-eating, street magic – and their thongs were invariably stuffed with bills. It was like a Renaissance Festival for freaks and fetishists. One tent seemed to be offering young Japanese girls for sale – literally – and at another lactating women were giving out free sucks to any and all ... they seemed to be for sale as well. In another tent, two transvestites – beautiful, elegant women if you ignored their erect cocks, were fucking a biker, judging by his tattoos, who was tied to a sawhorse. One was up his ass with a cock of truly prodigious length while the other was fucking the biker's face like it was a cunt, holding on to her prisoner's head and slamming for all she was worth. From his moans of lust and the erection the biker was sporting, he should have come buckets, if not for the tight cock-ring around the base of his dick. With her face and eyes, Rochelle asked the transvestites if she could tease him and they nodded. She walked up, wet her hand with the saliva pouring out of the victim's mouth around the dick he was sucking, and caressed his straining penis, sliding her warm and wet hand up and down the shaft while she leaned close and whispered in his ear, "You love this don't you? You're a big ol' teddy bear, getting fucked just the way you want it, aren't you?" The biker moaned and cried in agreement, while the dick pistoning in and out of his throat never missed a beat. She saw that Mike and their guide were waiting for her, so she sighed and whispered "later". As she rejoined them and they continued on, Mike said, "That looked like fun." "Oh, you should have heard him, Mike ... that poor bastard would've eaten shit straight from a monkey's ass for the chance to come." "Charming image, my dear..." "True ... that might have been too graphic even for me," she admitted. "Although there may indeed be a monkey present somewhere around here," Mike said thoughtfully, "and if not, certainly someone who resembles one." Rochelle hugged her husband. "It's true, you really do love me." "Guilty as charged." As they approached their pavilion, Rochelle said, "It seems we have roommates – or tentmates..." "Yes we do," Mike replied, before running forward and throwing his arms around a curvaceous little redhead. He turned and motioned Rochelle over. "Honey, this is Adelaide Corken, and her husbands Tom and Chris Corken." "Brothers?" she asked, shaking hands. "No, we took her name instead of her having to worry about taking one of ours," Tom said. "Yeah, never worried much about it, wasn't that fond of my last name anyway," Chris added. "This is the threesome you wanted us to swing with, isn't it?" Rochelle whispered. "Umm hmm," Mike said through his smile. Introductions continued around the tent and gear was stashed. Mike and Rochelle were in the middle of changing clothes when Rochelle spotted Dominique talking with some of the staff. "That's the woman I need to see," she said and ran out of the tent, naked but for her panties, which she was in the process of removing as she left, resulting in an odd, hopping sort of run that was anything but dignified. After she and Dominique hugged hello, Dommi said, "This is a nice look for you, I like it." It was only then that Rochelle realized she was stark naked out in the middle of everyone with her panties in her hand. She grabbed Dommi and dragged her back to their tent. Rochelle threw her panties to the floor and used that hand to grab one of Mike's. She said, "Dommi, I need you to find us some submissives!" ------- 10 PM Cletus Mavreaux smiled to himself. While Callie Courtland's music wasn't exactly his style, he thought she was going to be more than a little surprised at how close they were, musically. He walked up to the microphone and said, "Hey y'all, I'm Cletus Mavreaux and we're Nuclear Feces ... one, two, one-two-three-four..." And then the crowd was introduced to punk-bluegrass with a thrashing cover of "Orange Blossom Special" that ran thirteen minutes and some-odd seconds long. ------- At the front gate, where cell phones were allowed, calls started going out to the Houses in opposition, encouraging them to step out of their homes at midnight, look to west, and enjoy the fireworks signaling the ascension of Master and Madam Grimes to the rulership of Central Texas Society. Some of the calls went to voice mail, some were answered angrily, and generally with obscenity. Some were answered with resigned grumbling and half-hearted profanity. No one who was called was happy to hear the news. The submissives making the calls couldn't have cared less. ------- Bizoumet had dressed in her finest gown and moved around the party, eyes wide at most of the attendees. She'd had little idea what she was getting into and had frankly been surprised by the change of venue. It wasn't until she climbed out of the limo and walked onto the estate grounds that she understood just how big the party was. She'd strolled by the tent where her old friend Eddie and her new friends sat ... they seemed so busy meeting and greeting ... and doing other things ... that she'd felt reticent about interrupting something, especially something she didn't understand. Recognizing a waitress as a waitress, no matter how non-existent their costume, she asked for a Cosmopolitan and some explanation. Fifteen minutes later she had downed a good stiff drink and had a much better understanding of what was going on. Trusting that her friends would forgive her lack of preparedness, she approached the tent. As soon as Eddie saw her, he let out with, "Girl, get your sexy butt up here! I've been meaning to get to the club and introduce you to my fiancé!" In the swarm of hugs and introductions, Bizoumet's nervousness disappeared. "Listen, I'm sorry I didn't know I was supposed to bring a gift or anything," she said after the tumult had died down, and then was surprised by the protests that rose up. "Honey, you didn't have to bring anything but yourself," Carol finally said. "Having you here is present enough." Eddie whispered something to Merry and she got up and ran out of the tent. As Bizoumet sat and visited, Eddie smiled smugly to himself. ------- Wan-Yin had been promised something special by Li Kuan for the party, and when her adored tormentor showed up grinning, her pointed teeth shining brightly in the lights that illuminated every pavilion, Wan-Yin knew her time had come. The frame erected outside of her House's pavilion made her immediately wet – hanging from the edges were suspension hooks, large and wicked-looking, as well as a small battery pack with a timer and several wires with contact pads at the ends. Underneath the frame were several blocks of ice covered by a rubber mat, forming a long, narrow platform. "Lay down, Wan-Yin," Li Kuan said. "I will suspend you and as the ice melts beneath you more and more of your weight will be resting on the hooks ... the mat will protect you from the water, while still nicely chilling your back, butt and legs, and allow electric shocks to be applied periodically to your crotch." Wan-Yin, pain slut that she was, had orgasmed before the first hook was all the way through her flesh. ------- Meanwhile, Wendy was suffering torment at the hands of her roommates. Jessica and Quan had dressed in their sexiest outfits – Jessica in a leather skirt and silk corset, Quan in little more than lingerie – and they had trapped Wendy in a corner of the house's exterior and were rubbing all over her. "Pretty little French maid," Jessica purred, "How's that surprise you keep between your legs feeling? How's that tape job holding up?" Quan whispered in Wendy's ear, "Bet you just want to let that bad boy loose, put it someplace even warmer than where it is now, don't you?" "Warm and wet, just waiting for what you've got, little girl," Jessica continued. "But I bet you're too busy, too many things to do for your boss, huh?" "No," Wendy wailed, "I'm off the rest of the party ... please Mistress..." "Oh no," Jessica said, "If you're not working for Antoinette I have very special plans for you." Without another word she dragged Wendy toward House Chorale's tent, Quan dancing along beside them. Jessica had been doing some talking with Margo on the phone over the last week and had come to a decision that felt right. ------- Merry returned to the tent, smiling and nodding. "Biz, darlin'," Eddie said, "you've got a present for us – you just didn't know it. My friend Cletus, his band has a spare electronic piano. Later tonight, I want you playing and singing." He looked over at Carol, who was grinning ear-to-ear, and laughed. "You too, Short Stuff – Billy as well ... I figure we can run it through the DJ's sound system, y'all give a nice little concert of torch songs ... something that'll actually get me out on the dance floor with Tamara." "And me, Master," Annie Beth said. "Me too, Master," Merry added. Then it was Bizoumet, Carol and Billy's turn to laugh at Eddie and his discomfort. "No problem, Eddie darling," Carol said. "You'll get your concert and we'll get our floor show." As the laughter died down, Harry smiled and said, "Kelly – get your head out from between Candy's legs – company's coming." As Carol cleaned Kelly's face, Kelly saw Jessica approaching with her roommates behind her. Kelly's old lover was looking good – confident and smiling and still almost as devilish as Kelly. Margo leaned over to Harry. "Prepare for a surprise," she whispered. Jessica came to a stop before Harry and Margo, smiled, bowed deeply, and pushed her two roommates to their knees, careful that they would land on cushions. "Jess, what..." Quan began. "Shut up, slut!" Jessica barked. "Madam and Master Grimes, greetings ... I wish to become a member of House Chorale, as a Domme, with these two subs, Wendy and Quan. I place myself and my submissives in your hands for pleasure, as well as training." "We accept you into our House gladly, and pledge to train all of you properly," Margo replied while Harry and Kelly watched with mouths agape. "I regret I have no tribute to offer," Jessica said, "except our service to you and your House." Harry looked at the young woman before him, so much more confident and self-assured than when he'd seen her last. "So, how do you wish to seal this agreement?" he asked her. "First," Jessica said, "we've prepared a little gift for Mistress Kelly." She dragged Wendy to her feet and pulled her over to Kelly. "Mistress Kelly, we've been torturing this poor little girl mercilessly, and if she doesn't receive some relief soon, I'm afraid she'll hurt herself." As Kelly pulled Wendy over and handed her to Candy, with the order "Undress her – slowly. I want to watch", Jessica entwined her fingers in Quan's hair and urged her forward on her knees. "Madam Grimes," Jessica said, "this one will seal our agreement with you – she has a very talented tongue and I've found she performs much, much better with a hard cock inside her." Quan put up a pro forma struggle and Jessica jerked her head back, squatting down to whisper in her ear, "You're mine and you'll fuck who I tell you to fuck ... unless you'd like to debate the issue?" "It ... will be my ... pleasure ... to be used however my Mistress sees fit," Quan growled, her wet pussy almost quivering with delight. "Thad, if you'll do the honors," Margo said, smiling. She looked down at Quan's face, the Vietnamese woman's defiance still visible under her mask of obedience. "It will be fun training you," Margo said. She reached forward, putting her hand in Quan's hair as Jessica had. "Unfasten my pants and eat me, little slut." Behind her, Thad Newton had already slipped out of his pants and was kneeling behind Quan. He unfastened the crotch of her lingerie and began running his finger back and forth between her cunt and her asshole, moistening the one from the other. "Now then, which hole should I use?" he mused, watching Quan squirm at the idea. "I shall seal our bargain with Master Grimes," Jessica said, reclining on the cushions at his feet, and opening her legs. Harry was delighted to find she wore nothing underneath the leather skirt which was bunched up around her hips. "I'm sorry, but I'm afraid Madam Wife would kill me if I got on top," he said, raising his pants leg to show the brace beneath. "If you wouldn't mind..." Jessica got to her feet in a rush and helped Harry get up, then aided him in lying down on his back. As she knelt to open his pants she said, "Not a problem, sir" before throwing a plump leg over his waist and settling down upon his cock. Meanwhile Kelly was watching Candy undress Wendy. Kelly stopped her as she was about to undo the strapless bra Wendy was wearing. "Let's not destroy the illusion just yet," she whispered, wetting her lips at the lovely young transvestite before her. "Have you ever wanted to take this any further, little Wendy?" she asked breathlessly. "No Mistress," Wendy moaned, "although Antoinette assures me she'd be happy to help finance the transition if I ever did. But I confess, Mistress, I'm going to enjoy what's about to happen with my original equipment far, far more than I could ever imagine enjoying it otherwise." As Candy's strong grip restrained Wendy, stripped down to her bra and panties, Kelly crawled towards them. "Little girl, if you don't have a big surprise for me in those panties, I'm going to eat ... you ... alive ... and not in a good way." Kelly smiled at Wendy – the kind of smile that made Wendy think of a hungry animal. "I'll make your first training sessions so torturous that you'll be in tears for hours, begging, pleading for someone to save you, but there will just be you and me, little girl, and I'll laugh at you." She squatted before Wendy and very carefully pulled her panties down to her knees. "Candy, reach back there and pull that tape loose – don't be too gentle about it," Kelly said, waiting for Wendy's penis to make its appearance. With a tearing sound and a gasp from Wendy, her erection swung out and away from the front of her body. "Oh! You do have a big surprise for me," Kelly said, clapping her hands in delight. "Angela, there better be a condom on this before I count to three. One..." Angela scrambled to one of the open bags with supplies and toys in them. "Two..." Ripping the package with her teeth, Angela had the condom out and was inches away from starting to roll it down Wendy's cock. "Three ... so sad, Angela, you were too slow." Angela looked at Kelly, smiled provocatively and jiggled her breasts. "Luckily," Kelly said, "I have a weakness for brazen women ... stick a nipple in his mouth and hand me that condom." In a moment Wendy's cock was wrapped and stowed away safely inside Kelly. "Wendy, darling, can you hear me?" Kelly said. "Mrphlehuh." "Good ... if you come before I tell you that you can, you're going to wear a cock ring any time you're in training to help you learn to control yourself. Wave your hand if you understand me." Wendy's right hand ceased caressing Angela's breast and waved for a very brief time before returning to its earlier activity. "Good, little girl, we'll get along just fine," Kelly said, sliding up and down on her new play toy. Margo was busy being impressed with Quan's facility with oral sex. "Woman, you're very good," Margo said. Quan pulled her head away from Margo's cunt. "I have plenty of practice, Madam ... my Mistress is very demanding." "Is that a complaint?" Margo said, smiling pleasantly. "Uh ... no, no Madam ... not a complaint." "Are you lying to me, Quan?" Margo asked, all trace of warmth gone from her voice. "I would swear you were complaining." Quan realized that she was trapped – she had been complaining, but if she continued to maintain her innocence, she'd be calling Madam Grimes a liar. "Yes Madam, I was complaining." Margo peered out through her 'Madam mask'. "Is your ass virgin?" "Oh hell no, Madam, not with Jessica around ... I've been penetrated plenty." "All right, dear, just needed to check ... Thad, fuck her in the ass – make sure she's lubed then fuck her hard." "My pleasure, Madam Grimes," Thad replied, smiling. "Now, you little complaining, lying slut – eat me," Margo growled. A few feet away, Harry looked up at Jessica. "You are pure evil, assigning Wendy to Kelly for training." "Sorry ... Master ... she's not Kelly's ... Kelly's just ... playing with her ... I was thinking Kelly should train Quan ... subjugating her ... will be ... a trial." Jessica stopped sliding back and forth on Harry's cock, shifted position slightly, and began moving again. "Of course ... who trains us ... is your choice ... as Senior Dominants of the House ... but I imagine ... we'll learn from all ... of you..." "I imagine it'll work out that way, yeah," Harry said. "Why ... aren't you breathing hard ... or anything..." "Well, Jess, you're doing all the work, I've come twice tonight already and Viagra's a wonderful thing." "Shit ... so you won't mind ... if I collapse on you ... and twitch ... before you come?" "Not at all ... you fuck me as you wish, stop when you wish." He reached up and pulled her down to lie atop him, and wrapped his arms around her. "It's just good to have you back as a part of the family." Harry pretended not to feel her tears on his chest as she replied, "Yes it is." ------- Russell Sterling and Sunny Harker of House Ra wandered the party wearing Sunny's idea of fashion-forward loungewear – neon-pink and neon-yellow pajamas, with Sunny's traditional trim of pink bands with blue bunnies. To say that the two large men brought a lot of smiles to faces as they wandered around would be an understatement. They were sharing a tent with two other small Houses and while the sight of their tent-mates having sex didn't upset them, it really wasn't their kind of show, so they'd set up camp at a table in the café, leaving one of the submissives they were temporarily sheltering to hold it for them while they strolled about. "Do you ever wonder how many gay Houses there are?" Sunny said, smiling at a wandering entertainer's dildo-swallowing act. "I've contemplated the idea," Russell replied. "From what we've seen, or rather, haven't seen, I'd guess there aren't many." "Or if there are, they don't come out and play much," Sunny said, pulling out a five dollar bill and dropping it in the performer's hat. "And I can understand that, to a degree," Master Russell said. "Can you imagine Jason at an affair like this? All his issues with 'woman bits' would have him screaming..." "More than he already does," Sunny interjected. "And running for the gate," Russell finished. "Flaming all the way," Sunny added. "The man can set off fire alarms from a hundred yards away," Russell agreed. "There do seem to be a lot of bisexual men here though," Sunny said, watching a couple of men who were locked in a '69' while their female partners watched. "And a lot of very attractive men of every orientation," Russell said with a sigh. "I think we need to go pay our respects to our hosts and go have a drink or three." "You're going to want to leave early, aren't you?" Sunny said. "Probably," Russell replied. "It's not the company so much..." "As the fact that neither one of us likes crowds," Sunny finished. They circled back by their tent and picked up their tribute. "Perhaps we should form a sub-group," Sunny said. "No pun intended. Gay Houses of Bondage or somesuch. It might make parties a little easier to organize." "And potentially more frequent," Russell replied, as they approached House Chorale's tent. Inside the pavilion the sex had wound down and the members of House Reynolds were relaxing with their hosts. Kelly was holding Wendy and stroking her face and hair, Jessica and Harry were cuddled up in front of the thrones, and Quan was passed out on the floor with Thad's spunk oozing out of her ass. "Looks like we missed the floor show," Russell said as they arrived. After hugs and, in Harry's case, a wave from where he lay, Russell and Sunny took seats and ordered drinks. "This has been an eye-opening party," Russell said. "While a lot of it isn't exactly to our taste, it's still an amazing thing you've managed to put together." "But as the crowd of people isn't exactly comfortable for us, we'll be heading home early," Sunny said. "Still, we wouldn't have missed it for the world. Besides," he continued, "it gave us a chance to show off my latest flash of fashion genius." Harry laughed. "You're braver men than I – while I might sport the pink and blue trim, the eye-blinding neon is more than I'd dare." "Another reason for us to leave early," Russell said. "Tomorrow morning, hung-over people, these colors – why, it's a recipe for projectile vomiting." As everyone laughed, Margo said, "You have a point ... you could just go naked and save people the trauma." "That, Madam, would be a trauma of a different kind," Sunny replied, smiling. "We pondered your tribute ... something distinctively us, yet actually usable by you." "It was not an easy deliberation," Russell said, sipping his drink. "We appreciate your House and its recognition of us and while we could have gone traditional and got you equipment or some other impersonal gift, we decided to play to our strengths ... or rather, our passion." He pointed to the large package they had brought in with them. "Sunny, if you would be so kind..." Sunny struggled to bring the long, cylindrical, brown-paper-wrapped bundle to Harry. "Madam Grimes, you might want to join your husband on the floor," he said. "It would make it easier for the two of you to open this." Curious, Margo joined Harry and the two of them began to open the package. "People have asked us where we get the fabrics for Sunny's creations," Russell said. "Relying on the fabric industry to match his vision would be futile, so we have contacts that deal in small lot patterns and dying." "It's true that I love bright colors and bizarre patterns," Sunny said, "but I neither want, nor can we afford hundreds of yards of them." Harry and Margo had partially unwrapped the package and were laughing at what was revealed. Four large bolts of cloth – red with black bunnies, black with red bunnies and then the same color schemes but with the individual bunnies replaced by two bunnies humping. "Oh my God," Kelly said, "please tell me we have a seamstress somewhere in the Household?" "If you don't, I do," Galena said, pointing to Martha. "Of course, we'd need to get her a sewing machine and other such equipment." "Yes Mistress, that would be most helpful," Martha replied. "What would you like made from the material?" "Lounging pajamas, of course," Margo said. "That was what we had envisioned," Sunny said, "something you could wear around the house in comfort." "Wear around the house hell," Harry replied. "Once they're made, we're wearing them out to hold court at clubs. Thank you both, so much. We will wear our new loungewear proudly." Russell and Sunny both were rather taken aback by the reception of their gift. "Well, if you need more material," Sunny said, "here's the name of the company that made it." He handed Margo a card. Russell said, "You know, I doubted you when you said they'd appreciate this, Sunny my dear ... I am most happy to be wrong." ------- "Dominique..." Tattie began. "Call me Dommi, we're family," Dommi replied. "All right, Dommi – I need help. Raising the kids is almost a full-time job, even with Julie helping, and she's over-worked as it is. Either of us getting a night off is rare, and if it weren't for the Karg's childcare tonight, at least one of us would've missed the party." "So, what are you looking for?" Dommi asked. "Someone responsible, of course, preferably with teaching experience – I don't require a degree – and if there was someone who fit both of those and spoke Russian? I'd probably just have an orgasm and collapse right here." "Do you need anyone with domestic skills?" Dommi asked. "I imagine with the two kids and running your own business and all, that might be falling by the wayside." "It wouldn't hurt," Tattie replied. "When it was just me and, most recently, Pyotr, well, he took care of the domestic bullshit. Julie and I don't have time, really, and while the kids help out ... it's a big house, far bigger than I need. Or rather, far bigger than I needed." "All right, I can help you pretty easily, actually. I've got a cute little girl, speaks fluent Russian, pretty good English, and she's a whiz at housework ... not much of a teacher-type, though." Dommi shrugged. "And I know of someone else who fits your qualifications for a teacher-type, even down to speaking Russian – and about five or six other languages as well – but he's going to be harder for you to get your hands on." "Why?" "Another House owns him ... now, before you get too discouraged, he's perfect for what you're looking for, and I'm sure they'd be willing to deal for him, but it won't be cheap," Dommi said. "Do they play poker?" Tattie asked, smiling sweetly. ------- The senior Dominants from Houston approached next. "Madam and Master Grimes," Trevor Yeats began after introductions were made, "please accept our humble gifts in honor of your elevation." Jeannie Hoffman motioned forward a young man and woman, wiry and thin, dressed in work clothes. Harry noticed before Margo that both of the submissives were cross-dressing – even though the effect was muted because of their outfits' somewhat unisex style. "We're very proud of our gardens and green areas in Houston," Madam Hoffman said. "These two have been trained to nurture any kind of garden you might wish, from a simple vegetable or flower garden," she said with a nod and a smile toward Margo, "to an English country garden to an Oriental garden to a Zen rock garden – they still have much to learn on all counts due to their age, but they have a firm foundation of knowledge to build on." Carol leaned forward and whispered in Harry's ear, "They've done their homework, addressing Margo first, knowing about her garden plans – Mistress Velacourt wouldn't have revealed so much unless they showed an interest." "Truly exquisite and useful gifts," Margo said. "Your foresight and planning is appreciated. I admit that while I might want beautiful gardens, my life has not prepared me to be a gardener." "I understand," Madam Hoffman said. "Mine would be disasters if not for help of submissives from House Yeats." "So you're the true gardening aficionado," Harry said, looking to Master Yeats. "The advantages of having more money than I can lose without trying really, really hard," Master Yeats replied. "I was able to indulge my interests while the family businesses were managed by older siblings who show far more interest in making money than I do." Margo looked at Trevor Yeats' hands. He had worked with them - that much was clear as even a manicure couldn't erase all the signs of hour after hour working in the soil. That told her more about him than he might have thought. "I see that Vanson and Saenz gave their traditional gifts," Madam Hoffman said, motioning with her head toward a hideous mess of a painting and a crude and poorly-formed bronze sculpture of a man's form. "Yes, your House is now proud owners of both a Vanson original and a Saenz original," Master Yeats said, smiling. "Put them somewhere no one can see them and only drag them out when necessary." "I was thinking of burying them in the back yard and letting them age a bit," Harry said, "but I wasn't sure how much of a fight my wife wants to start." "That remains to be seen," Margo said, "but if they don't play nice later on this evening, they'll be appalled at what I do with their precious offerings." ------- "Danny! Jomayra!" Carol screamed as she saw them approach the Chorale pavilion. The little woman ran full tilt and launched herself at the huge bear of a man who was wearing nothing but his tats, scars, and jewelry. He caught her with one arm and held her up between his lovely brown wife and himself as the two of them gave Carol a full body hug. "You know," he said as he put her back down, "if I'd known just how huge this party was going to be, I'd have brought stock – this is the kind of place I could make a lot of sales." "Oh my God, Danny," Carol said, "I'm so sorry, I wasn't thinking ... is there any way I can make it up to you?" "Other than inviting me to the next one of these you throw, don't worry about it. Jomayra's been handing out our business cards all night. I haven't been shy at all about telling anyone and everyone that I'm the jeweler who made the rings that adorn all the House members of the new heads of Central Texas Society. Plus," he said, "a lot of people have been asking about the stuff we're wearing." Carol stood back and admired the rings, necklaces, ear studs and earrings that adorned Danny and his wife. "How come she gets to wear the panties and bra, and carry the fanny pack, and you're all naked," Carol asked, grinning. "I mean, you're handsome, but she's gorgeous." "Several reasons actually," Danny said. "Number one, the sight of me, naked, tends to head off any unfortunate attempts to hit on my wife. Two, I either wear boxer briefs – which would look ridiculous and undignified – or I wear no underwear at all. And three..." "I do not like to expose myself to the eyes of strangers," Jomayra said softly. "Good reasons all," Carol laughed. "So," Danny said, "let's negotiate for your custom and the custom of your allies as well..." ------- William Vickery wasn't, strictly speaking, a fan of BDSM. He dabbled a bit, and his association with the Karg over the years had helped him to make a living – martial arts instructors were a dime a dozen – and gotten him started in his own business, but in reality he just enjoyed practicing the various fighting techniques he enjoyed, getting fucked a lot and providing security personnel to an unconventional group of people. On Thad Newton's recommendation, he and a group of his people come to the party to make nice with the new big shots, and to offer them a discount on his employees and services. "Madam Grimes," he said, reclining in their tent, "your security has impressed me – I have to go against every instinct I'd normally have to pitch for a contract and say I don't think you'll require my services – not for this event anyway." He looked minorly confused for a moment. "I'm getting an odd read off of y'all – you've got really good security for this party, but you don't strike me as particularly paranoid ... which is what would usually be indicated by the measures you've gone to." Eddie smiled at him, "It ain't paranoia if they really are after ya." Margo chimed in, "Surely Thad's told you enough to realize that we're not everyone's favorite people." "Oh, he told me ... you have to understand, most of the people I deal with in my business will really never need the service I and my employees provide – not that I try to convince them otherwise, you understand, but I do try my best to keep myself somewhat honest by not gouging them too badly, not having them hire more security than they'd conceivably need if there really was some threat. I don't like to pad the account, so to speak. You've got a pretty decently sized security force, but you're just not reading like your egos are so inflated you think you're entitled to have this many people patrolling the perimeter." "It's a big perimeter," Margo replied, "and the party is rather exclusive ... plus there's the fear of unwanted eyes ... and cameras. Surely you've run into that at the affairs you and your people have worked at." "Yes Madam," William said, "but normally they're not outside – I'd worry a lot more if this weren't out here in the boonie-bumfucks, but unless anyone plans on flying over – which none of us can do a damn thing about – or hiking through some rough scrub and rocky terrain, there's only one road running out here and your friends with the county sheriff's department have got that pretty well watched." "Benefits of a private road," Eddie said. "But still, there are people out here who don't want to show up on the internet, and things going on that nobody ever wants seen outside of their own kinky little home movies ... and as Madam Grimes said, we do have a lot of people pissed off at us." "Good point ... listen, I've taken up enough of your time," William said, eyeing the people waiting patiently nearby for their chance to speak with their hosts, "whenever you do feel you might need my services, twenty percent off for your House, ten percent off for your allies." "Enjoy the party, Mr. Vickery," Margo said, rising to see him off. "I hope you don't mind me saying that even if they were free, I hope we never need your services." "Even though it's bad for business, I agree ... of course, I hope you often want them," he replied with a grin. ------- Ophelia Vanderhagen had never worked harder in her life. The duties Li Kuan had assigned her had kept her scurrying back and forth between Dominique's and the estate, making sure gifts and the House's various equipment made the trip safely, and then once the majority of that task was handled, she was running back and forth between the van and the Chorale pavilion to make sure items had arrived intact. And at the Chorale pavilion, she was completely and totally ignored. They looked through her as if she were made of smoke ... and a few months earlier it would have infuriated her. That night she accepted it as no more than she was due, put her head down and worked all the harder. Still, she ached to have some fun at the party – her life in recent months had contained nothing that even remotely approached fun, just one long and lingering agony after another. She did not feel she was owed any fun at the party – her hours of solitude and pain had left her much time to think ... in fact, there was little else she could do but think, and somewhere deep inside she realized the damage she had done, the pain she had caused ... and she regretted it. She also knew there was no way for her words to show that regret, her mouth would win her no absolution – her only path to redemption in the eyes of her Aunt was with work and sweat and still more tears to come. After escorting a beautiful, and very large, cloisonné vase from the van to the pavilion where a group waited their chance to approach House Chorale and ask for recognition, she took a moment, ran to the big tent and knelt before her Aunt – then stayed on her knees, waiting to be recognized. Minerva didn't make her wait long. "You have been working very hard," she said, "very diligently as well – I am pleased. Was there something you wanted?" "Madame ... it has been a very long time since I had the chance to enjoy myself – I believe the majority of gifts have been ferried here from town – it won't take me long at all to make very sure of that – and afterwards..." "You were hoping you might attend the party, enjoy yourself a little ... forget your troubles for an evening?" Minerva said, her voice revealing nothing. "Yes, Madame, that was my hope." "You have earned the chance to enjoy yourself..." Madame Cornelius began. Ophelia almost squee'd with delight. "But child," Minerva continued, "if you embarrass me or our hosts in the slightest, if you legitimately offend anyone here, I will flay the skin from your back – literally – and it will be a cold day in hell before you are granted any freedom whatsoever again." "Yes, Madame, I will not make you regret this decision." Minerva Cornelius leaned down and kissed her niece's head, so gently Ophelia might have only imagined it. "No, Ophelia, I do not think you will." ------- Master Salazar and Mistress Guzman of San Antonio approached the pavilion gracefully, almost as if they were dancing instead of walking. Behind them, walking with his head down, was a large man in a breech cloth. Looking at him, there was no doubt that he worked with his body, worked hard, and had done so for many years. Not a handsome man, but undoubtedly a powerful one. After Harry and Margo welcomed them, chairs were put in position, and drinks were ordered, Mistress Guzman began. "I know that tonight you're going to be receiving a lot of new submissives – among our Society they're the gift that truly keeps on giving, and most of them are going to be young and attractive ... not that Herman here isn't attractive, but he's obviously not a pleasure slut." "What he is," Master Salazar said, "is one of the best all-around construction people we've ever found. While he could do anything as far as construction or remodeling that you require, it would take him a rather long time to do so, being just one man, so it's a very good thing that he's also an excellent teacher and overseer. He can't turn your untrained workforce into competent carpenters and masons and such overnight, but given enough time, he can. He's also very good with landscaping and has an architectural degree from UT-San Antonio, although he finds more joy in actually getting his hands dirty. So, in one gift you get a pet architect, construction foreman, and teacher." "Plus, while he's not the prettiest of men," Mistress Guzman said, lifting Herman's breech cloth, "he's really very well endowed as well." "Uh, yes ... yes he is," Harry said. "I know we said we needed more cocks in the House ... but damn." "Don't worry, Master Grimes," Master Salazar said. "It looks impressive when flaccid, but it doesn't really get appreciably larger when erect. Which is a good thing, according to most of the women I know – if it did get significantly larger, most of my female friends and acquaintances have said they wouldn't let it anywhere near them." "You're so very right about that," Mistress Guzman said. "Length and size are all very well and good – up to a point. Past that point, the penis becomes a monster. I'm as diligent at exercising to keep my muscle tone as the next person, but not that fond of it. There is a House in San Antonio that has a true monster cock as a submissive – luckily the Mistress of the House is a size-queen or else the poor dear would get very little action." "Thank you so very, very much," Margo said. "Not that I was going to bat too many eyelashes, but the amount of work I have planned to make our compound a reality is going to be expensive – anything that can help lower that is greatly appreciated." "We had heard through the grapevine..." Mistress Guzman said. Madame Cornelius snorted. "Thorough me, you mean." "Yes, through Madame Cornelius," Mistress Guzman continued, "about your plans and that made our choice of gift very easy." She leaned forward. "Now, one last thing about Herman ... he is not exactly comfortable in his own skin." "What do you mean?" Harry asked. "He is not quite comfortable being ... a man," Master Salazar said. "He doesn't want to undergo sexual reassignment surgery, but unless you require him to dress differently, most of the time he's far more comfortable in women's clothing than in men's. And ... because of that orientation issue, while he's functionally bisexual, well, Master Grimes, he's really more interested in your equipment than that of your lovely brides. He has not problem with them, will service them gladly, but he prefers men, just as he prefers more feminine attire." Harry tried very hard to ignore Eddie's snickering. ------- In the time since their visit to Dominique's and Laurie's admission of her desire for her brother and fellow Dominant, Marcus, there had been some relatively major changes to the household, and the House. Laurie had moved into the master bedroom with her brother – supposedly to give Stephanie, Marcus and Marcie's daughter, her own bedroom, away from her brothers, who still shared the one they'd all been in before. There was even a single bed in the corner of the master bedroom, supposedly Laurie's, but in reality, no one slept there. Not even Marcie, who in a move that warmed her submissive heart, had been banished to sleeping on the floor at the foot of the king-sized bed. None of them were exactly sure what they were going to do when the kids grew old enough to suspect what was going on – Marcie feared their eldest, John, was already suspicious, but the three of them were too deliriously happy with the new state of affairs to worry much. But they all agreed it was good that they'd finally begun discussing what to tell the children about all parts of their lifestyle when the time came. As Marcus and Laurie settled in to being lovers as well as brother and sister, and a Dom and a switch sharing the same submissive, the closeness they'd felt since they were children intensified. As Marcie put it, "their two whips were welded together into a cat o' nine" that left her no wiggle room whatsoever ... a development that left her ecstatic – bruised, swollen and ecstatic. They had thought very carefully about their tribute – the recent addition of a pool to their backyard had left money a bit tight – and had finally decided on a set of stocks with plenty of bells and whistles. That left money even tighter, but there was no way they could skimp too much ... not for their friends the Grimes. "So, we offer this," Laurie said, translating from Marcus' flying hands, "as a very small token of our esteem and thanks for your leadership, but more and most importantly for your friendship. We are all at your disposal whenever you should have need of us, for whatever purpose pleases you." "I swear," Harry said, "if Marcie doesn't quit wiggling her ass at me, part of that purpose is going to be kinky sex with your wife, Marcus, and the 'whenever' will be right goddamn now!" Marcie didn't stop shaking her ass, and no one at all minded the various outcomes of her intransigence. ------- Julie Elliott spent the first part of the evening soaking in a hot tub with Elenore Landau and Jerome Hackler. The three of them had continued to grow closer, primarily through the kinky fantasies they roleplayed out with each other. Their real lives didn't intersect too much – Julie's full-time work with Svetlana and Vashti, Elenore's tailoring apprenticeship, and Jerome's distracted pursuit of artistic expression. Elenore and Jerome, they were a couple, they had history together on their side, but all Julie really had in common with either of them was a love of how they played together in bed. Julie was all right with that ... for the time being. Until Tattie got her some help with the kids, she didn't have time for more than the occasional torrid night of fucking. She wasn't bitter about it, she'd known how all-encompassing the job would be when she took it – and no matter what, it beat the hell out of dealing with the bullshit of employment at a public school. She had loved the kids she'd taught – well, most of them at least – but she'd struggled constantly with bureaucratic bullshit and a lack of funds that should have made Texas a world-wide embarrassment – instead, year after year, she was told to do more with less and 'teach smarter'. Not to mention the complete and total idiocy of teaching children just to pass tests – that policy was going to bite public education in America in the ass sooner rather than later. Still, she knew her housemate and employer was going to be looking for more help at the party with Dommi's assistance. She'd seen enough red scarves around – surely there was someone who would meet Tattie's standards and then things would be easier ... and Julie would have to start thinking long-term about her life outside her job. In the meantime, she and her two young lovers moved out onto their towels and formed a daisy chain of oral sex, in front of God and everybody. ------- 11 PM Nancy Holzer had tagged along with Cletus and his band. Cletus knew she was Eddie's cousin, knew there was bad blood between them, and believed her bullshit about setting things right. Cletus played a hell of a fiddle, but wasn't the sharpest crayon in the box. Oh, she intended to smooth the bad blood over, all right – she had too much riding on her success to do less than her best. First though, she'd have to get past the double-team of personal fuck-ups – not just Eddie, but Harry as well. She found the party to be an eye-opener – she was no stranger to freaks and mutants – 'Federal Prison Camp, Bryan' had taught her all she needed to know about them – but she had no idea there was so many of them in the area. She supposed some of them could've come in from out of town, but still ... then again, what did she know – Harry Grimes gone from being her doormat to being a Dom. Who'd have thought that would ever happen? She did her part as one of the band's roadies and then wandered off to see if she could find one or the other of her targets alone. ------- House Owens was more than happy to discuss selling their submissive, whom they'd named 'Chiron', to Tattie. It was Ali Owens opinion that a cool hundred thousand would be a fair price. "You must be joking," Tattie replied. "A hundred thousand dollars for him?" She motioned with her head to the balding man in his late fifties, little pot belly slightly overhanging his loincloth, grey beard reaching down to the middle of his chest. "You're the one who wants him, we're the ones who have him," Ali replied, smiling sweetly. "He's very well-educated, has taught at every level of education from grade school through tenured professor at UT." "Fine," Tattie said. "Let's play cards for him." "Certainly," Ali replied. "The buy-in is one hundred thousand dollars. Let's see about getting a table set up. I'm sure there are cards and a set of chips in that house somewhere." ------- Sampson Collins would have said he was bored – but such complaints were beneath a 'thumb' ... duty was what duty was and his complaints would not change things one bit. Jason and Donna had sat and watched the movie, paused it and gotten popcorn and sodas, watched more of the movie – all the while he hid out in the Tanner's back yard like a Peeping Tom and hoped no neighbor noticed him and called the police. The movie ended, and Donna chose another one. She and Jason were sitting very close, but not close enough that Sampson felt the need to worry. ------- Claudette Baxley of House Evensong was enjoying the party as the opposite of the Samhain Fetish Ball – she and her entire House were clothed in light cotton shifts that came down to mid-thigh, but were slit on the sides up to the waist. No belts, no excessive ornamentation other than necklaces with the symbol of their religion on pendants and wreaths of flowers in their hair – that had taken a trip to the greenhouse – there was no makeup or perfume, just hand-made soap and water. Mistress Claudette hadn't had to think long or hard about Evensong's gift to House Chorale. She had seen their neighborhood and had a rough idea what Madam Grimes had planned as far as landscaping and gardens. As Evensong's financing was primarily their business, Silver Moon Nursery, the answer was obvious. Like the defunct Sandalwood before them, they danced their way along the green belt, bestowing hugs and kisses as they went, and leaving everyone whose path they crossed smiling. It was odd that no matter how hard core a House might be, the light and laughter of Evensong and the former Sandalwood could pierce their serious demeanors and bring at the very least grins and chuckles. As they approached Chorale's pavilions, the submissives all slipped on finger cymbals and their gentle chiming filled the air as Mistress Baxley approached Chorale's pavilion. She was amused to see that Mistress Kelly and Master Grimes were very pleasurably occupied and hadn't even noticed her House's arrival. Margo, however, while writhing on her chair and also occupied, had noticed and was motioning her forward. "Mistress ... Mistress Baxley ... we are ... oooooh ... I am very ... very pleased ... mmm ... uh ... I am very pleased to see you and your ... ah ... mmm ... damn it! Thad, drag this slut off and keep fucking her 'til she collapses!" As Madam Grimes collected herself and corrected her dishabille, she muttered "damn, that girl is good ... damn good..." Finally she composed herself and rose to hug Mistress Baxley. "Claudette, it is so good to have you here ... so, how are you enjoying it so far?" "Madam..." "If you don't call me Margo I will spank you, Mistress Baxley." "Margo ... we're having a blast – it doesn't look like your group has had much of a chance to examine the spread at your own party, but trust me – it's huge and all of it's tasty. If you don't give the caterers a bonus, you're a silly woman and I don't believe that's the case." As if responding to a psychic command, servers appeared and took drink orders from the members of House Evensong. During that break in the conversation, Margo looked around at her House – Harry and Jessica had stopped to smoke mid-fuck. Kelly was riding Wendy like she was in the Derby - Angela, at an odd angle, had a nipple in each of their mouths. Eddie blissfully napped with Tamara on his chest and Annie Beth and Merry cuddled up to his sides. Karen and Patricia seemed to have wandered off somewhere. Thad was pounding Quan into the cushions while Vida had replaced Margo under the Vietnamese girl's tongue – the rest of their Karghold was off enjoying themselves or they'd have overflowed the tent all on their own. Carol had curled up in Usagi's lap, nursing on her breasts while they fingered each other to gentle orgasm after gentle orgasm. Jackie and Lisa were spending their time keeping the pavilion somewhat orderly by removing drink glasses once empty, keeping the water pipes safe from accident, and generally being in six places at once. Kim's first suspension of the evening was done and she was kneeling beside Minerva's chair, enjoying the occasional rough caress from Li Kuan. Camille was in somewhat the same position, still chained to Harry, she was a picture of contentment and readiness. Billy and Helen were cuddled up in a corner – the loss of her job had hit the physical therapist hard and she was feeling more than a little fragile. Galena and her subs had wandered off to explore the party. Candy was acting like she was on guard duty – for all Margo knew perhaps she was – standing off to one side in front of the pavilion and watching everyone like a hawk. Piglet was blowing one of House Evensong's submissives, her cunt a soggy mess. Minerva Cornelius was sitting and watching everything and smiling almost beatifically while Li Kuan was running errands for her Madame and acting very much like Candy when she had a moment. Dominique hadn't spent too much time in the tent at all, preferring to oversee the rebel submissives as well as those members of her staff that were working the event. Margo forced herself to forget the expense for a moment and accept that her family had been correct – everyone knew their jobs and the party was going along well, by all indications, without Margo stressing over it in the least. As House Evensong settled in to visit and wait for their drinks, Margo reflected that she loved her extended family, her friends, and a good number of her acquaintances – and that she was blessed with copious amounts of each. ------- Salome, aka Susan Raymond, kept her mouth shut and her eyes open. She remembered the voices of some of the Grimes family from when she'd made her escape from Sisters of Mercy – in her business, nothing was too insignificant to remember. It amused her to be crossing their paths again, but working for Nick Philouma, she was almost guaranteed to. While Gianetta Bruno had dressed for the party in an obscenely short red silk kimono dress, with a black sash for a belt and black panties, Salome had dressed in a comfortable suit, grey pinstripe with dark blue sneakers. The jacket hid a multitude of sins, including just how well she was armed. She found it interesting that a simple half-mask and no one asked any questions. Oh, there had been some issue at the front gate when their security patted her down, but the Grimes had smoothed that over. Evidently, there weren't a lot of armed people wandering around. That made Salome happy. While the man on the throne – she suspected he was the 'Harry' Nick had spoken of, although no introductions had been made - was licking his way up the back of 'Jan's thighs, Salome was amused to see the big man seated on cushions nearby watching Salome with an appreciative smile. He saw her eyes scanning the crowds, never still, always shifting, and he knew what she was, what she was doing. He had to be Eddie ... he understood security. Everyone else's eyes slid off of her, not inquiring, not analyzing ... all because of a mask. If she chose – or was paid to – she could kill anyone there ... the only person who might stop her was the big man. And he wouldn't, because he'd be the first one she put down. Kill him, kill her target, get away clean. But she'd only been hired to guard 'Jan'. Her eyes kept searching the crowd for threats. ------- Harry finally gave in to his base desires and abandoned his seat to drag Gianetta Bruno off to some cushions where they made out like teenagers. Kelly sat tentatively on the edge of Harry's seat. It didn't feel right – while she might be far more of a Dominant than him, it still wasn't her chair. She eventually came to a compromise by sitting down directly in front of it, watching Piglet perform oral sex on Galena's new submissive, Martha. The older woman clearly hadn't been expecting such treatment, but seemed to be enjoying herself. Behind her, to her right, she could hear Margo and Mistress Claudette enjoying themselves ... she was surrounded by sex and yet Kelly was strangely calm. She knew what the evening meant to Margo ... she knew Harry was in many ways just along for the ride, and while Carol cared deeply about what was going to happen, she'd be just as happy if the four of them dropped out of the scene altogether. For her own part, Kelly thought they were all going to have a lot of fun ... and a lot of headache and heartache – as if that hadn't been the case already. Kelly motioned to Jackie and smiled as the large woman sashayed over to her. "Darling, get me something very mildly alcoholic to drink, something with caffeine in it as well," Kelly purred. "I see some guests approaching." ------- Wilma Fruehauf sat in her office and contemplated her options ... as if she had any. The younger, lesser Houses were going to proclaim their victory, the echoes of which would be heard state-wide and no one would be able to ignore them. The din would overwhelm any importance the Samhain Fetish Ball might have had, it would sweep House Odessa before it like dust bunnies in a hurricane ... and unless she 'bent the knee', in the long term it would do the same to her own House. Earlier in the evening she'd put out feelers and what she'd gotten back was unequivocal – the movers and shakers in Texas Society had flocked to the party like it was goddamn Bethlehem. Still, if she couldn't stop their elevation, she could spoil it, perhaps terminally. She called an old and trusted family retainer to her office and gave him his marching orders. ------- Janet Hart had been monitoring the Fruehauf bugs since Perry and Bevy had gotten stupid looks on their face and gone trailing after some silicon-enhanced nightmare in a flow-y gown and when she heard Wilma's orders to her flunky, the color drained from her face. She flagged down a server and handed him a note to relay to Eddie immediately. ------- Chatsiree found herself at loose ends. The political goings-on at the Grimes' tent weren't particularly her thing, and so she wandered around the estate, watching people do things in public she wouldn't have believed anyone would consider doing just a few months before. She danced with a couple of cute guys, both of whom wanted to be on their knees at her feet – not a bad idea when she thought about it. She danced as well with more than several sexy women – all of whom wanted to add her to their Houses – also not an unattractive idea, but if she was going to go that route, she knew the House she'd become a part of. That thought led to others and she wandered to the showers, got out of her clothes and started to wash the sweat off – the DJs were merciless bastards who played long strings of songs she just had to dance to. "Mind if I help?" came a voice from behind her. She turned and saw it was Master Mays of House Crimson-Glove – a man who'd given her the skin-crawlies when he and his subs had allied themselves with House Chorale. "Yes, as a matter of fact, I do," she said and smiled in quiet triumph as he moved off to shower elsewhere. Chatsiree had never thought about it before, but realized that she felt safer in her current surroundings than she had at almost any club she'd ever gone to, not to mention the occasional private party where alcohol and teenage testosterone were mixed in potentially berserk amounts. Even on her knees, when she wasn't exactly sure what the Grimes's were up to, she felt secure in the knowledge that once her safe word flew, everything would come to a complete and total stop, no matter how horny someone was or how blue the balls. That was liberating – she'd grown up knowing what a hazardous world she lived in, especially for women, and the younger and prettier the more dangerous. Yet among a group that society would judge perverts at the very least – and as she thought about some of the more extreme fantasies that had been role-played out – potential criminals and sexual predators, she walked with no fear. There might be some, but at least it was such a small amount that it felt as if there were none at all. She could prance about naked for the rest of the night and 'no' would mean 'no' – and if someone believed otherwise, there were hordes of people nearby who'd change that in a hurry. Her mouth hung partially open in surprise as she thought about that while she wandered to the back of the showers and looked out over the lake, back toward the lights of the city. There, she was always at risk, always aware of potential threats, but with the freaks and perverts, she was as safe as if she was in her own home. It was a strange and yet very decisive realization. Drying herself, she noticed that her towel boy was a handsome young man, early twenties, and wore a red scarf around his arm. She snapped her fingers at a passing server. "Chair and a glass of Bordeaux," she ordered. Returning her attention to the young man she said, "Let's talk, you and I..." ------- Daniella Fruehauf 's tent was to the left of Chorale's ... almost all the way to the opposite side of the ring of green belt, but that didn't upset her – she knew she was new to the alliance and not all that trusted to begin with – and so she and her boys settled in and relaxed, letting the rush to acknowledge the new leadership thin out before they made their long way around to ask permission to form their own House and offer their tribute. She was very surprised though when her 'old friend' Eddie and Mistress Karen came to collect her. Before her submissives could do more than blink, Eddie had picked her up on one side, Karen on the other, and they had her on her feet and moving, their hands on her elbows, guiding her and forcing her into a near run to keep up with them. "Down boys," she said to her slaves, who had finally gotten to their feet and were preparing to stop Eddie and Karen. "They don't mean me any harm. Come along." ------- A masked trio approached Chorale's pavilion – two women, both incredibly voluptuous, and a very good-looking man. One of the women was short and looked Mediterranean, the other was tall and appeared Native American, while nothing of his ethnicity showed on the man, who stood between the two women in height. They were wearing matching black cloaks, although the Native American woman was wearing a most incongruous dark brown cowboy hat, beat-up and battered, perched back on her head. Kelly sat and watched them approach, already in lust with all three long before they were close enough to speak to. As they approached her throne, the shorter woman in front of the other two, Kelly held out her hand and said, "That's close enough – y'all get any closer I'm going to eat all three of you up, real quick." She didn't understand their laughter and the looks they exchanged, but it didn't bother her. "So what brings you three gorgeous creatures here tonight?" Kelly continued. "I wanted to meet my brother's friends," the short woman said, spitting the words out in a rush. "I'm Paula Philouma and these are my friends. You must be Kelly." Kelly bounded from the chair and hugged Paula. "I am so glad to meet you. You'll have to stay around until the rest of us are back from ... well, wherever they've gotten off to," Kelly said, not wanting to talk about what was going on elsewhere. "Please, enjoy our hospitality." She motioned for chairs to be brought and returned to her seat. Their cloaks fell open slightly and Kelly saw they were all dressed comfortably, not in any kind of fetish wear. She wondered why they were wearing the cloaks at all until she got a better look. All three were armed with pistols of varying sizes in shoulder holsters. Kelly thought for a moment and subtly scratched her hair with three fingers, looking somewhat like a 'W'. Candy nodded and left the pavilion. "So, did you just happen to be in the area tonight?" Kelly asked, smiling. "Something like that," Paula replied. She smiled at Kelly. "I gather security is on the way?" "Yeah. How'd you get in carrying those? I'd hate to think our security had that big a hole in it." "It doesn't," the woman with the cowboy hat replied. "We didn't come in the front door and we don't want no trouble. We just don't go out in public unarmed." "Trust me," the man said, "we ain't gonna start nothin'." He paused and looked around. "It'd be a shame to mess up a party this nice." With the familiarity of long-time lovers, the woman in the hat said, "Don't you let your eyes be wanderin' too far, young man – you know what a jealous bitch I am." "Lo ... uh, darlin', don't worry," he replied. "Besides, if I was lookin' for temptation, there ain't been anything more temptin' that this lovely creature in front of us." Kelly smiled in spite of herself. From their easy-going tone, she didn't think there'd be a problem, so she brought her knee up to her chest – giving the man a very clear shot of her cunt, perched her elbow on her knee and put her hand on her hair, all five fingers extended. "Well then, let's just sit and talk a while, shall we?" she said, glad it was probably a false alarm, and gladder still that they had worked out a system of subtle signals for security. ------- "Look, if we keep hanging around and just watching her it's gonna get all creepy stalk-y," Perry said as he and Bevy sat at a table and kept an eye on Antoinette as she lounged in one of the hot tubs, all alone. "Too late, done there," Bevy replied in a fit of verbosity. "Balls check, now or never," Perry said. In response, Bevy just stood up and began walking toward the hot tub. When Antoinette noticed him, he smiled, bowed and said, "Mind if we join you?" "Not at all," she purred. "I take it you're fans?" "Yes'm," Perry said as he shucked out of his clothes. "I'm Perry, this here is Bevy. We've seen you eight times, I think." "Nine," Bevy replied as he finished pulling off his shirt. "I mean, we haven't gotten all fanatical and followed you around the country," Perry said, easing down into the roiling tub. "San Antonio, Houston," Bevy said as he did the same. "Well, except for the 2004 tour, that show was so amazin' we had to see it twice more," Perry said, the redness in his face undecipherable as to whether it was a blush or the heat. "You don't strike me as my usual drool-y fans," Antoinette said, "you're actually coherent in my presence." "Well Miss Antoinette," Perry said, "we would have sounded real stupid after the first couple of times we saw you..." "2005," interjected Bevy. "And after the 2005 show as well," Perry amended. "That was totally awe-inspiring, but no ma'am, I hope we're a little more socially adept than most of the mouth-breathers who follow you around." Antoinette smiled – she'd long ago emotionally dealt with the fact no one but her fans and a few close friends wanted to be anywhere close to her. She was a self-made circus sideshow freak and had come to terms with what that meant as far as most people's reactions. Even most of the people she considered friends preferred not to be around her unless she was clothed. "You boys seem too normal for this crowd," she said, "what brings you here? Hoping it wasn't just little ol' me..." "Oh, no ma'am," Perry said. "We work for Eddie Janak, of House Chorale..." "The really big yummy one?" she asked. "Well, he's big but I don't think of him as yummy," Perry replied, "that'd put all kinds o' weird into our workin' relationship. So we're here 'cause we're friends with him and the Grimes. You bein' here is just a bonus." "Hell of a bonus," Bevy said. "Yeah," Perry replied, definitely blushing. Antoinette waved down a server to take drink orders, thinking about the two lovely cocks she'd seen on her guests a few moments before. "Perry ... Bevy ... Perry Covell and Bevy Henslin?" "Yes'm," Bevy said. "Oh my God, you're the guys who do 'Dinosaur Ho'," she cried, clapping her hands together. "I love your comic! I got the limited edition compilation from IDW! Number 328!" She looked at the two young men on the other side of the hot tub. "You two come on over here," she purred. ------- When she was shown into the basement of the 'farm house', Daniella had gotten a lot more nervous than she'd been when the journey started. She had no idea what was going on, her escorts had refused to say a word, but no one had objected to her submissives accompanying her so she'd felt that it couldn't be anything too sinister. Finding Harry and Margo Grimes waiting for her in the basement ... she wasn't sure if that was reassuring or not. "Make yourself comfortable, Daniella ... calm your boys down," Harry said, motioning to a chair that obviously didn't belong in the cellar. With Quintus and Flavius on either side of her, Marcellus at her feet, Daniella Fruehauf waited to be told what was going on. "Through the bugs in your mother's office, your mother was heard to summon someone named Chapson, and instruct him to come out here and take care of you ... and make it impossible to miss," Margo said. "Does that mean what we interpret it to mean ... that your mother ordered you killed in the middle of this party, in a really visible fashion?" Daniella fought to swallow back the rush of warm saliva from the back of her throat, motioning wildly for a nearby bucket. Marcellus had seen her hung over enough to recognize the signals, so when she vomited, the bucket was ready to catch it and the other two submissives were holding her hair and outfit out of the way. "I'll take that as a 'yes'," Harry said, feeling sympathetic for the woman in spite of his intense dislike of her. "He uses ... he uses knives..." Daniella heaved, trying to catch her breath. "Mother's used him ... to punish ... and intimidate opponents ... for years." "What kind of a monster is that bitch?" Margo asked, her stomach none too steady itself. Daniella looked up at her, not cognizant of the tears streaming down her cheeks. "The kind that could pay me back for my treachery ... and completely disrupt your party ... exposing a lot of people who'd rather not publicly be associated with us perverts ... to the intense scrutiny of a murder investigation. That's what my mother the monster is capable of." Her boys huddled close around her. Quintus asked, "Could anyone, perchance, find us something to defend her with?" "Yeah," Harry said, sickened once again by the whole mess. "Karghold Newton's people have some spare batons ... but don't worry – you and she aren't going anywhere. You'll stay here, there's security on the only door in, and we're putting a lot more people out on the perimeter. We're going to catch this asshole before he ever has a chance to get close to you." "What will you do with him if you do?" Daniella asked. "Send him back to your mother with a message," Margo replied, "one she will not want to receive." ------- "Mr. Vickery, it's a pleasure to see you again," Margo said as she approached the table where he and his people were relaxing. "How many of these would you say were competent to go stomp around out in the brush and provide extra security?" "All of them," William Vickery replied. "I don't train them for high teas and nights at the opera ... well, better said, that's not all they're trained for. What's up?" You've been affiliated with the scene long enough to recognize the name Wilma Fruehauf?" Margo inquired. "Oh yeah," he replied. "She's a piece of work." "Yes, yes she is, and she's decided she wants to play very dirty," Margo replied. "Ideally I'd like your people out from our perimeter, in the scrub, south side of the property since I'm very sure the man she's sending doesn't know we have any reason to suspect he's coming." William recognized the look in Margo Grimes' eyes. "You realize my people are trained to bring threats down, not necessarily gently, but after that, we usually hand them off to law enforcement." "Not in this case, Mr. Vickery – I expect you to hand him over to us and never to breathe a word about any of it." Vickery examined his conscience, thought about what he'd heard about Wilma Fruehauf from sources he trusted... "Will he be alive when you're through with him?" "Mr. Vickery," Margo replied coldly, "I'm a doctor and I assure you he will be. I will make sure of it personally." He looked at Madam Grimes and realized he never wanted to be on her bad side. "Fair enough, I'll have my people in position in the next twenty minutes – I'll bill you Monday." "Fine, Mr. Vickery, you'll be paid by Tuesday." ------- Harry, Carol and Margo returned to the tent tiredly. Seeing the masks their guests wore, they didn't ask for names, and Margo ordered a round of warm drinks. "Don't know about any of the rest of you, but I haven't talked this much for this long in years ... my throat is going to make me pay for this," she said. She turned to the three cloaked figures. "Please, enjoy our hospitality." Kelly hugged Margo and whispered in her ear, "The short woman is Paula Philouma, Nick's sister – pass it on, quietly." Margo did so and soon the four Grimes, Paula, and her two unnamed friends were sitting in a circle, their heads together as they talked quietly. "We were in the area tonight, thought we'd stop in and say 'hi'. Nick has talked a lot about you..." Paula's rapid-fire delivery faltered. "You've been good friends to him – for that I owe you big time. You ever need anything, you call me." She handed Margo a card. "I got ways of solving problems that don't include my brother or his business ... very discrete." Margo tucked the card away and smiled. "I'm hoping I never have to call you for that help..." She saw hurt in Paula's expression. "No, not because your help isn't good enough or anything like that," she said, seeing the pain fade, "I just don't like being in a position where I need to call in outside assistance." The woman in the cowboy hat looked around at the security that was around them, very subtly keeping an eye on the group. "Don't appear to me like you got much to worry about, Madam Grimes," she said. "Your people are pretty damn good. Still, Paula's told us about some o' the hot water you done landed in ... an' much as I love Nick, bein' associated with him could draw some unwanted attention your way." "Sometimes," the man said, "it's a real good thing to have help that's completely off the books and off anyone's radar." "Don't ever think I'm going to get rid of your card, Paula," Margo said. "I've already learned not to turn down freely offered aid." "Yeah, heard you put a bee in ol' Vic's bonnet just the same," the woman in the hat said. "Ain't many people willin' to piss in his face." "I know my father wasn't too keen on your associatin' with my brother in the beginning," Paula said, "but he's come around. He likes you and your family, in spite of himself." She shrugged. "He's old-school, but that also means he rewards loyalty above almost anything else, and tries his best to stay loyal to the people that have helped our family." "I could almost like him ... if he weren't such a son-of-a-bitch," Kelly said, her smile taking some of the sting out of her words. "He does have excellent taste in jewelry, I'll give him that." "Oh yeah," Paula said. "Vic may not have taste in a lot of other areas, but he's got a real good grip on high-class bling." She looked at her friends. "I think it's about time we got a move on. I've got business elsewhere tonight and these two have a date. Thanks for the hospitality ... I hope we see you again under such happy circumstances." Paula put her almost empty wine glass on a nearby table. "It was nice," said the woman in the hat. "Y'all got some damn fine whiskey at this party." She put her glass down as well. "Yes, thank you so much," the man said, He put his Dos Equis bottle down beside the others. "But yeah, time we got a move on." "Oh," Paula said, "I've arranged for a gift for your House – you'll know it when it arrives." The Grimes made their farewells – all except Carol, who had sat still and quiet the entire time. As the three guests made their way down the path in front of the tents, Li Kuan stepped out and surreptitiously followed. "So Baby Girl," Harry said, hugging her to his chest. "Our visitors disturbed you?" "Oh, very much so, sir," she replied. "They don't mean us harm ... they're just ... I don't know. I've only felt like that around someone once before – a man named ... something ... Lanier, came to see Tony once. Him I didn't like at all. These three ... I don't know. I trust Paula because I trust Nick ... I'm not sure I can trust the others just because I trust Paula." "Well little one, they're gone now," Margo said, joining the hug. "We'll probably never see them again." ------- Li Kuan wasn't the stealthiest person she knew – she was aware of several who were far better at following someone and not being seen, but she was pretty good at it. Still, she had no doubt that somehow, the three strangers not only knew she was following them, but were amused by it as well. That feeling made her very, very uncomfortable. She smoothly slid in and out of the crowd, always keeping the three black cloaks just in sight, as they moved down the path and then off through the crowd listening to Sister Mary Dominatrix and the Brides of the Anti-Christ playing. They seemed to be heading for the edge of the property line, nothing but Texas Hill Country night and the extra security patrols awaiting them on the other side of the fence line. And somewhere in-between the end of the party light's illumination and that fence line, she lost them. One second they were there, three vague shapes, black cloaks barely visible ... and then there was nothing but the night and the estate's lawn. She wasn't sure, but after her string of softly muttered Mandarin curses, she thought she heard laughter on the breeze from somewhere in the dark of the night. ------- 12 AM/Midnight, 10/1/06 "As the most senior House present, it gives me great joy to officiate at this proceeding," Nancy Velacourt said to the assembled heads of Households. They were all crowded into the farmhouse living room. "While it's truly nothing but a formality, it's a formality I have been dreaming of for quite some time. "All in favor of electing Harry and Margo Grimes of House Chorale Master and Mistress of our city, signify your assent by shouting "Fuck Laney" at the top of your lungs!" The din was deafening as the assembled Dominants yelled their approval. Once the tumult died down, she continued. "Any opposed?" "I better not hear a fuckin' peep," Mistress Veronika growled. She needn't have worried as the crowd remained quiet. "Then by unanimous acclaim of the Houses assembled here this day, September 30, 2006, it is my great pleasure to announce that Master and Madam Grimes of House Chorale are Master and Mistress of the city. Let's go make the announcement to the rest of the guests." Harry and Margo endured the pomp and ceremony with as much good humor as they could manage. While they were more than a little embarrassed by all the hoopla, they understood the value of theater. They were escorted out of the sprawling farm house and Nancy presented them to the crowd. The yelling, whistling, cheering, and clapping echoed through the Central Texas hill country night. "We'll now proceed to their tent for the first true session of court this Society has seen in many a year," Nancy said. From the speakers of Radio Free Mordor, Handel's "Zadok the Priest, Coronation Anthem No. 1" began to play, rolling grandly over the grounds, almost as loud as the cheers at the announcement. The newly crowned Master and Mistress shot dirty looks at Minerva Cornelius, who – being who she was – chose to ignore them. By the time they were seated in their tent, upon the chairs that now looked unmistakably like thrones, the coronation anthem was finishing up. When the final notes were done echoing through the air the Brides of the Anti-Christ cranked out "God Save the Queen", full of punk bravado and heavy metal feel, their guitars sending a wall of sound out through the speakers, louder than the cheers had been. And then the sky lit up with fire. As the music blared, the mortars on the bluff edge fired off shell after shell and the explosions filled the heavens with chrysanthemums, palms, crosettes and spiders, all in three colors – red, gold, and violet. Salutes fired off intermittently, so loud they even drowned out the Brides of the Anti-Christ. ------- To the south, Wilma Fruehauf stood on her bedroom's balcony and watched the display. Even so far away she could hear the faint reports of the shells as they detonated, punctuated by the intentionally loud booms of the salutes. She smiled to herself. Wilma didn't begrudge them their celebration – they had done an amazing thing, a previously unthinkable thing, and at some point in the next two hours it was all going to be undone by her command. Then different lights would glow in the night – police light bars, and ambulance lights, helicopters overhead, the press clustering to the scene like flies to a corpse ... exactly like flies to a corpse. Her cell phone rang, she glanced at the number and answered. "Hello Albert," she said to the head of House Thacker. "Can you believe the audacity?" he splurted. "How dare they..." "But Albert, they did dare," Wilma replied, "and they won, fair and square, by being so daring. Let them have their celebration. Next year at the Samhain Fetish Ball, we'll beat them." They were hollow words and she knew it. They were going to be beaten, but she didn't trust Thacker further than she could through the fat little toad. No election was going to beat House Chorale – in fact she knew through the grapevine that the new alliance considered the Fetish Ball a chance to party and nothing else. In a few short months years of tradition had been overturned and unless the Grimes were bigger idiots than she could possibly dream of them being, they had insured their dynasty that night – a reign that she couldn't end by fair means. It was such a very good thing to be so very good at unfair means. "Good night, Albert," she said. "I really don't have the patience to listen to you tonight." ------- Dick Laney had sworn he wasn't going to go outside and watch any celebration of his defeat. He had drank heavily and fallen into a restless sleep in his chair, the submissives left in his House creeping around him, trying not to disturb him. In his dreams he went to the one place and time he most wanted to avoid. It was the night in the club, Carol Riley licking his boots. The elderly gentleman's foolish bet, "Kill him", the clicks of the guns, the smell of his own piss and shit... He awoke to those same smells, fresh and pungent in his nostrils. He looked around for someone to clean up his mess while he went and showered, but the house was strangely empty-feeling. Normally there were the sounds of some submissive somewhere puttering about, no matter what the hour, but there was nothing. From the front yard he heard happy chattering and he stomped out the front door, still in his soiled clothing. "You ignorant fucking bitches get back in the house – clean up my chair. Cassie, you're coming to the shower with me." "Did you shit yourself?" Mona asked. "Yes, cunt, I did – and now you have the shower duty instead of Cassie!" Dick snarled. The seven women remaining in his House as submissives looked at each other, then at Laney, then back to themselves. No words were spoken, no words were needed. They turned and went into the house and began packing to leave. ------- The crowd assembled for the party stared in amazement – this was no amateur display – tens of thousands of dollars had been spent, and as the display of pyrotechnics kept going, the cost kept mounting. Ten minutes, then fifteen, finally winding down around twenty minutes of non-stop fireworks, a display worthy of a national holiday. Three-quarters of the way through, the Brides of the Antichrist stopped playing and the DJ's cranked up the stirring finish to the "1812 Overture". As the music and the aerial display died down, the applause of the crowd filled the night. "Not a bad way to be crowned, Harry," Eddie said, leaning over to Harry. "Loved the colors – red for the House, purple and gold for royalty, all against the black of the night. My kind of coronation..." "Not mine," Harry muttered through gritted teeth. "Suck it up, Master Grimes," Eddie replied. "Remember, it's good to be the King..." "I'm gonna hit you in the head with a rock ... a big one..." "Temper, temper," Karen whispered. "If you make your wife upset with your bitching, she'll probably have me beat you." "No," Margo hissed, "I'll beat him myself. Now all of you behave, our part of the show is about to start." "Take it away, Madam Grimes," Harry said, grinning. He was incredibly happy to be able to stay off his leg for awhile, and leave the official pronouncements to the family's real Dominant. "Oh no, time to stand up and wave and do some more smiling," Margo said as the fireworks came to a close and the applause began. She saw the wince on her husband's face and added, "Candy, help Master Grimes stand comfortably." "With all respect, Madam," Helen MacCready said, "that's my job." In a flash she was helping Harry to stand and keep weight off his aching leg. They continued to stand there, embarrassed by the applause until at last, to share the adulation, they motioned for first the other Dominants in the House to stand up, which renewed the applause, and then finally had the submissives stand. After what seemed like forever, but was in reality only fifteen or so minutes, Margo had had enough. She motioned to the crowd to stop their applause and as it petered off, she motioned to the rest of the Household to make themselves comfortable and approached the microphone that had been placed before her. "I never expected us to be here," she began and the applause began again. She waved it down and continued. "Hold any further applause or the beatings will commence." "Please?" came from somewhere in the audience. Margo grinned. "Not the fun kind ... let me finish the business part of this and y'all can go as crazy as you'd like... "Now then, as I was saying, I never expected us to be here. It's more than we could have hoped for when we took our first tentative steps into Society, and while I'm having the time of my life, I really wish this position hadn't fallen to us – not because we're unwilling to shoulder it, but because it does so after years and years of neglect from the Houses that should have been tending to it. We have a lot of old business to clean up and take care of, and it will be a bit before we get it all handled, but some of it, we can and will deal with this evening." She motioned for something to drink and after a sip of juice, she continued. "Our first order of business is to recognize that because of the city-wide – hell, area-wide support we've received, certain older, more staid and serious Houses no longer wield the authority they once did." "cough, Fruehauf, cough, cough," said Harry, loudly enough to reach the microphone and as the crowd laughed, Margo looked back at him and smiled. "Yes, they and their friends would be the ones I was referring to, Master Grimes," she said, returning her attention to the crowd. "So it's my special honor to ask the members of the former House Sandalwood up to the front here." As they moved forward through the crowd, Margo shot a look at Nancy Velacourt and mouthed the words, "You're next". Nancy beamed in appreciation. When the members of the former House were gathered before her, Margo said, "You gave us your status as a Household to protect it from someone who would have maliciously destroyed it – it is my sincere pleasure to return it to you, slightly tarnished by the very fact that you had to relinquish it, but yours once more." She looked up to the audience. "I present to you House Sandalwood." Margo was glad she had allowed for applause at that point, because there would have been no stopping it, and any good commander knows to never give an order if they're not sure it would be obeyed. Telling the crowd to quiet themselves would have been futile. When hugs and tears had been shared all around and the furor finally died down, Margo beckoned House Sandalwood to sit on the right side of the pavilion with House Cornelius and some of House Chorale's people. "Now then, in a case of hypocrisy that truly boggled my mind when I learned of it, House Velacourt has not been viewed as an Elder House because everyone wanted to pretend they didn't exist during the Second World War. They did exist during that period, and the recognition of the rest of Society at that time is immaterial – they were in existence, they continued to function, they continued to play. "So, to all you assembled, shall we return Elder House status to Velacourt? All in favor..." The crowd's response was very vocal. "All opposed?" No one voiced opposition. "So be it – House Velacourt, you are once again an Elder House in our community – anybody who wants to dispute that can come discuss it with the Houses assembled here." Nancy Velacourt hugged Margo and was unashamedly in tears. "I owe you big time for this," she sniffed. "Shut that shit up," Margo said, her voice also breaking, "or the crowd will see me spank a House Mistress." "It would be worth it ... but I'll table the discussion – for now," Nancy said. As the inescapable applause died down again, Margo said, "If I might, I'd like to call the following people to the front – Master Vanson and Mistress Saenz of Dallas, Master Yeats and Mistress Hoffman of Houston, Master Salazar and Mistress Guzman of San Antonio..." she paused for effect, "Master Dunham and Mistress Snyder of Fort Worth and Master Ruiz and Mistress Pena of El Paso." Harry savored the looks of confusion on Vanson and Saenz's faces as they made their way through the crowd to the front. He saw Li Kuan prepare a circle of five pairs of chairs – two pair on the right and left, and the final pair across from the thrones. The Dominants from El Paso and Fort Worth sat closest to the Grimes, with San Antonio and Houston flanking Dallas – sitting directly across from Harry and Margo. "A short bit of business," Margo said. "Since we're finally a participating partner in state matters, I propose we accept El Paso's petition to be recognized as a full member of the state Society's governing board, all in favor..." "This demands discussion!" Master Vanson spluttered. "Master Vanson, I think you've had more than enough time to discuss this issue to death," Minerva Cornelius said coldly. "Wouldn't you agree, Madam Grimes?" "I would indeed," Margo said, smiling sweetly. "But these matters aren't handled in public," Mistress Saenz said. "They are handled in private sessions." "I imagine they have been, yes," Margo agreed. "All in favor?" The Grimes were joined by the Houston and San Antonio representatives in voting 'aye'. "All opposed?" Margo asked, smiling sweetly. "Nay," proclaimed Vanson and Saenz. It was already evident they knew how things were going to go, and were infuriated by it. "Pity, with us finally back in the mix, you're outvoted," Margo said. "By population, you're narrowly outnumbered." The representatives from Dallas looked disgusted. "And next, as to the matter of Fort Worth's petition to be split off from Dallas as far as the governing board..." "You can't!" snarled Mistress Saenz. "Oh, I think we can," Margo said. "All in favor?" The Grimes, and the delegates from Houston, San Antonio and El Paso voted 'aye'. "All opposed?" Vanson and Saenz voted 'nay' again, got up from their chairs and stalked away. Mistress Saenz turned as they were about to enter the crowd and said, "You know, I thought you were our kind of people..." "Goddamn happy to disappoint you, Mistress Saenz," Margo replied. "Damn, they're really bad sports, aren't they?" Harry said as the rest of the representatives began congratulating the two newly recognized cities' delegates. "You certainly know how to enter Society with a splash," Mistress Snyder of Fort Worth said as she hugged Margo. "Yeah well, I learned the art of 'subtle' from my husband," Margo replied, laughing. "He's generally of the opinion that if you're going to piss someone off, do it loud and proud." "Well, it doesn't get much louder and prouder than that," Master Ruiz of El Paso said. "I hope you know you just made two really powerful enemies." "They're not as powerful as they were, thanks to you," Master Dunham of Fort Worth said. "Now they're going to learn what it feels like to be in a minority." "Assuming we continue to agree on things, yeah they are," Margo replied. "And hopefully when we don't agree, we can handle our difference better than they're handling theirs." "You know," Mistress Hoffman of Houston said, "it occurs to me that perhaps we should throw a party, much like this one, in the mid-cities area between Dallas and Fort Worth ... show Vanson and Saenz's people exactly what they're missing..." "I happen to own a large piece of property south of the mid-cities," Master Yeats said. "Wooded, relatively secluded ... I think it would do rather nicely for something like this..." Madam Grimes sighed heavily and rubbed her eyelids with one hand. "So," she said, "what's the protocol for something like that? Would we be stepping on Saenz & Vanson's toes?" "Wise question," Mistress Snyder said. "If you are within the boundaries of Dallas proper, or if you fail to invite them – or both – you're stepping on their sovereign rights. Now, realistically, you'd be wise to hold it outside their territory, invite them, and all of their supporters, even though I'm pretty sure they wouldn't show." "I would not expect them to, no," Madame Cornelius said, bringing all background chatter to a screeching halt. "Neither will any House that fears angering them – at least not openly. I would expect some masked emissaries, and word of mouth will spread your message through their city, no matter what they do." Master Salazar of El Paso spoke up, clearing his throat nervously beforehand. "I'd like to make a suggestion ... an offer, actually." Madame Cornelius almost answered him, before smiling and bowing her head in Margo's direction. "Yes, Master Salazar," Margo answered. "Well ... I was wondering if perhaps, maybe every two months or so – except for the hottest part of the year – we could meet face to face somewhere." "Good idea – perhaps rotate the meeting place – allow each city to host the conclave once a year?" Mistress Hoffman of Houston said. "Not that we expect Dallas to participate, of course ... I'm afraid that those bridges have been well and truly burned ... at least until after the next election." Harry grinned. "You mean you all don't already do that kind of thing?" "No, Master Grimes," Mistress Guzman said. "When there were only three recognized cities, there really wasn't any need ... or given Vanson and Saenz, desire to do so. Oh, we'd get together informally, but pretty much a unified Texas, much less one able or willing to have a presence in national Society, has been a dream. That hasn't been the case since before Vanson and Saenz' parents took control in the Metroplex." "Okay, so Texas is in the same position we were in – until very recently. Now then, who wants Christmas Court, who wants Easter Court?" Harry said. Master Dunham of Fort Worth smiled, recognizing a kindred spirit. "And who gets Halloween Court ... or at least pre-Halloween Court?" "Every city has its own Samhain Fetish Ball?" Harry asked. "Or something very much like it," answered Master Ruiz. "If we block off July, August, and September, and have get-togethers every two months, making sure the big three holidays – other than Independence Day of course – fall on months we're gathering..." Harry began, staring off into space. "February, April, June, October, and December," Madame Cornelius answered. "I move we assign Dallas the June meeting, thereby extending the hot weather hiatus. Not that I'll be attending, of course..." "Yes you will, if you're willing," Margo said. "It will be quite some time before I feel comfortable without my dear friend and advisor by our side." Madame Cornelius worked her mouth silently for a moment, then nodded in deference. "As you wish, Madam Grimes," she said. Behind her head, Li Kuan smiled in appreciation and nodded to Margo as well. "Why not a rotating schedule – leaving Dallas with June of course, unless there's a change of leadership and they want to play nice with the other children," Harry said. "Go alphabetically, shifting who starts the Society's season after each summer break. I think," he said, looking around, "that this little festival could count as us starting the season, and it's almost October so unless someone really wants to get cracking and put together something in about a month at best..." "I invite you all to attend Halloween Court in El Paso," Mistress Pena said, "the weekend of October 21st and 22nd, 2006." "Can we pull that off on such short notice?" Master Ruiz asked. "Baby, as long as we've been waiting, we could pull that off on two weeks notice," Mistress Pena replied. "Means we have Christmas Court this year," Master Dunham said. "We have Valentine's Court," Mistress Hoffman said. "The holiday of love in Houston ... it's going to be grand, I promise you." "So we would have Easter Court?" Margo asked. "Yes, and after the break, Fort Worth would begin the cycle again with Halloween Court," Harry replied. "That is, if I'm understanding this right..." "You are, Master Grimes," Madame Cornelius said. Everyone agreed to meet in El Paso in less than a month and there was another round of hugs. "Fine, now let's hold court for the locals," Margo said. "I need a drink and to sit the hell down for a while." ------- Ali Owens and Tatiana Turov didn't notice the music, or the fireworks, or the fact that for a time their audience dwindled down to a few submissives from House Owens – the rest of the House having gone to the coronation. Compared to Ali, the crew Tattie'd played with at Dommi's club were below amateur – they were infants barely able to read the cards at all. Tony Juliana had taught Tattie to play poker, and there were few, if any, in the Philouma family that were better at poker than he was. Tattie had been a very good student, but the woman across the table was a demon – a demon that as far as Tattie could see, had only a slight tell, almost imperceptible. Unfortunately, Tattie discovered it when she had less than two thousand dollars worth of chips left. "Can I take out a marker for another fifty-thousand?" she asked. Dominique had vouched for both sides as she knew Ali Owens and Tattie were both good for the money, so Ali had no problems at all with extending her the credit. ------- Annette "Antoinette" McRaney had been fucked a lot, but only very rarely in her life had she actually been made love to. Most of those incidents had happened before her cosmetic augmentations. She was very realistic about some things – she had traded love for adoration. She'd become a freak to hear the roar of the crowds, and given up the soft whispers of a real lover. She had made herself a fetish doll, and been used with no more regard than any other plastic, inflatable lover. But the two young men in the hot tub with her, Perry and Bevy, they were making love to her, they were doing their utmost to reach the person beneath the augmentations and, to her great surprise and joy, they were succeeding. She hadn't felt such honest affection in a sexual situation in far too many years. At last, after what had seemed a rapturous eternity, she had to call a halt. "Gentlemen, gentlemen ... I need a breather ... the two of you are ... intense." "Hell, Annie," Perry said, pulling out and sliding around to her side, "I'm glad you called a break. We were scared to say anything." "For heaven's sake, why?" Antoinette said, secretly pleased that the two of them had already started referring to her by a version of her real name. "We figure we aren't ever gonna have another chance to be intimate with you, barrin' some natural disaster that left ever'body else in the world dead, or maybe an alien attack where ever'one else got sucked up into spaceships an' hauled away. We were in it for as long as you'd let us be, an' didn't want it to end ... but damn, you're a lot o' woman and while lovin' you is a dream come true, we was gettin' real tired." "What makes you think this is a one-time thing?" she said, trying to keep her voice calm so she didn't burble like a schoolgirl. "Well ... uh..." Perry said. "Shut up, be happy," Bevy said quietly. "Good advice," Antoinette said, hugging them both. ------- Far away from the party – from the city as well – in a tiny road-side motel, two old friends had drinks in a room neither of them would ever set foot in if not for extenuating circumstances. "At least you brought the good stuff," U.S. Federal Attorney for the Western District of Texas Emily de Jesus said as she tipped back her white plastic up. "Bitch, drink it slowly," Nick Philouma said, reaching for the bottle. "This is 50 year old Glenfiddich – it's not like you'll ever be able to afford it on your salary." "True enough," Emily replied, extending her plastic cup forward. "I should be more respectful of your ill-gotten fruits." "Woman, I'm already so slumming it by drinking with a Fed, much less out of plastic cups – you keep it up and I'll go get you a six-pack of Hamms and drink this all myself." "Then I'd be forced to arrest you for driving drunk when we finish here – that would be bad, Nick – I'd advise against it." "You'd have to be sober enough to arrest me." "On one lousy six-pack of Hamms?" she said. "Okay, I'll buy you a case of Hamms." "And I'll admit that might be enough of that weak-ass shit to give me a buzz ... but I'm still not sure I'd fail a breathalyzer." The two of them laughed and then there was a long silence as they both stared into their drinks and thought about what they were doing together in the cheap motel room by the road-side. ------- Harvey Chapson enjoyed the outdoors – hiking around on the Fruehauf's property was one of his favorite pastimes - and there wasn't much in the way of flora and fauna in Central Texas that he felt particularly threatened by – there were of course snakes and such, but if you knew what you were doing and respected them, you rarely had any trouble. He wondered if there was any way he might actually be able to have a little alone time with Miss Stuck-Up-Rich-Bitch-Daughter ... while Mistress Fruehauf kept him well-supplied with prime pussy, he'd always fantasized about Daniella, even though she pretty much ignored his existence. Seemed she wasn't fond of him because of the uses her own mother put him to. Probably wouldn't have time for anything interesting – and that was too bad, because he'd always wanted to see her cry while a white man gave her a proper fucking, instead of the big, black morons she populated her stable with. He'd have to make do with killing her quick and then making a real mess of things – he favored gutting her like a deer. The place they were throwing the party had to have toilets of some kind; he could catch her in there, do his business, and slip away. The mask he'd be wearing would ensure no one asked any questions, assuming him to be far more important than he really was. It wouldn't be the first time he'd killed for the Fruehauf family, and when he considered the rewards that would be awaiting him when he returned to their compound, he certainly hoped it wouldn't be the last. ------- 1 AM Janet Hart didn't know whether to be relieved or pissed off. She'd been very nervous about attending the party in the first place, but at the urging of her boss and co-workers she'd made the effort. And for her trouble, she ended up monitoring the bugs planted at the Fruehauf estate while Perry and Bevy went and did only God knew what with the silicone nightmare they seemed to be so enraptured by. It wasn't how she'd planned to spend the party – truth be told, she hadn't had any idea how she was going to spend her time, but she was pretty sure that being stuck at a table staring at a laptop wasn't on the list. Of course, there were the upsides ... she was waited on hand-and-foot, great food, good booze ... if she could find someone to go to the bathroom for her, life would be perfect. Finally, out of frustration, she sent a note via waiter to Eddie. ------- "Nick, I don't know if I can keep everybody out of this for too much longer," Emily de Jesus said. "Your little war ... you're keeping it real quiet, clean for the most part, but still – no crime organization can be fighting three others at the same time and no one notice. So far, the lack of civilian casualties ... everybody's been taking the 'who gives a fuck, let them kill each other' attitude – even so, it's gone on so long that veteran law enforcement is starting to get sick of it. Everyone's tired of the morgue overload, there's a lot of question about where the Philouma family wounded disappear to – you've just been plain lucky with that. If the locals, hell – if the FBI knew where they could go to get their hands on a bunch of your people, with gunshot wounds that no one's reporting? They'd come blood in their jockey shorts and land on that place with both feet and a SWAT team." "Emily, I've lost friends, people I've known my entire life, keeping that location secret. No one makes it in unless we're willing to bet everybody's life that we're not being followed," Nick replied, staring into his empty plastic cup and wondering if he should have another drink. "I know, and I don't want to know any more than that ... I just can't believe you're so enamored of these thieves and murderers..." "Yeah, Emily – I'm well aware of that. You're a Fed; they're thieves and murderers to you. To me, that's just their occupation, like ... I don't know, being a Federal Prosecutor. It's just a job. You've never been able to wrap your head around it ... I know these people from their lives out to their profession. You know them from their professions inward ... it changes how we see them, it changes how we react to them. You're too much of a cop at heart to ever get this..." She looked at her old friend sadly. "I don't know, Nick ... you're probably right. If I hadn't known you before you took over, I probably wouldn't be able to get my head around the fact that you order men to kill and do God knows what else to find my way to the really nice guy inside." Emily settled the drink situation by grabbing the bottle and pouring them each another. "This is going to kill you – not the life, although that's always a possibility. This war of yours is going to kill you – you look like a thousand miles of bad road and I'm sure that Randy's been giving you no end of shit about it as well. How much longer do you intend to carry this on?" "Not much further, thank God," Nick replied, staring at his Glenfiddich. "Even the hard cases in the organization are starting to make noises about a peace treaty. Once one of my lieutenants comes out and demands that we open negotiations, I'll yield to their wisdom and start the process." "Everything else is in place?" she asked. "Yeah ... once we hand over our drug operations to the Mexicans and the Japanese, my computer team will have shit so deeply buried in our own supply chains that once our supply lines are integrated with theirs, we'll be able to move on and have a picture of everything they're doing. Emily, I just have to keep going long enough to make sure no one will object too strongly when I give up our shares of the drug business in return for peace." He shook his head, seeming a thousand years old. "I'll be so glad to get rid of that shit..." "This Uncle Tony of yours must have been one hell of a man," Emily said, pitying her old friend more than she could say. "Yeah ... yeah he was ... you'd have liked him ... if you could've gotten past the fact that he was a hit man," Nick said bitterly. ------- Elenore was tired of worrying about her tribute – they were either going to appreciate it or they weren't, and knowing her friends, they were going to love it. "I hope you understand," she said, "that while my grandfather can't attend himself, he very much wishes to continue doing business with you..." she took a deep breath, "as do I, since after the first of the year I will be a partner in Landau & Landau, Tailors." Elenore wasn't prepared for the rush of hugs and congratulations and kisses and more hugs she received. When the furor died down, she continued, "We've decided that any business of a more ... kinky nature ... will come my way, and for the time being my grandfather will continue to handle the more formal attire." She blushed. "He recently tested me, let me try to construct a suit for a rather understanding client ... let's just say I still have a lot to learn about that side of the business. He realizes that you and your associates may not often have need of fine suits – what he's built the business on, but if they do, he's offering a fifteen percent discount to your House, ten percent to members of your alliance. On the fetishy side of things ... look, I know you've got a lot of people here who make fetishwear, and make it out of materials I'm simply not qualified to handle ... yet. But if you throw any business I am competent to handle my way, I'll do them for materials and labor plus ten percent. To quote Carmine, at that price, I'm cutting my own throat. If I don't win your business, I'll understand. There are a lot of more established fetishwear folks here tonight." "Elenore, you'll have all of our House's business that you can handle," Harry said. "More than discounts or gifts, we prize loyalty – you've done your best for us, we'll do our best for you." "Oh ... my ... thank you, thank you so much," Elenore replied. "I hadn't realized how tense I was about that 'til ... oh..." She motioned for a waitress and ordered a stiff drink, then wiped her face with her hands and continued. "Speaking of which, gifts that is, I seem to remember Carol telling me something about Chicago, and how you had hoped to vacation there at some point. We have a family friend who leases one whole floor of the Peninsula Chicago..." Dayna Spyderchylde whistled softly. "But he's almost never there," Elenore continued. "He's only in residence a few weeks out of the year, around Christmas, and the rest of the time he lets friends use the rooms as they desire. Now, I checked with him, and he'd be honored if you'd be his guests anytime he's not in residence." Dayna whimpered, "If you go, can I come along? I looove Chicago." "I gather from our slut's reaction," Margo said, "that the Peninsula Chicago is something special?" "Madam, it's the hotel – most luxurious, most beautiful, most discrete, most... most," Dayna replied. "It's so grand it really demands a rating above five stars." "Do I want to ask whose hospitality we'd be accepting?" Harry said. "No, not really, Harry," Elenore replied. "Not that he's a criminal or anything..." Elenore wondered at the snickers from some of the people in the tent, "but he's very private and he wouldn't be too happy with me if I mentioned his name. He made his money in computers, and when he was very young and just getting started, he was in town for a meeting with a potential investor and realized he needed a suit – a real suit – as what he had was off-the-rack and not in the best of shape. He walked into Carmine's shop and asked grandfather if there was anything there that this young man could afford. Carmine got him to talking, threw together something in a day for a promise that this man would pay him back when he could. The suit was gorgeous, of course, the deal happened, and this man has been using grandfather as his tailor ever since." "That's a lovely gift," Margo said, getting up and hugging Elenore. "Thank you so much, and thank your grandfather, and our mysterious host." She looked back at Harry and Carol. "We will be taking advantage of it at some point in the future ... perhaps next spring." "Perhaps sooner," Harry said. "So we should just check with you when we want to head to Chicago, let you arrange things?" "Yes sir," Elenore replied, "that would be best." "You thinking before the wedding or after?" Kelly asked, draping herself over her husband's shoulders. "I'm thinking right after the Samhain Fetish Ball," Harry replied. "While it's not going to be the nightmare of stress this party was, we'll still be in the mood for a break ... and this time we'll take some of our staff with us." The squeal from the submissives in the tent was deafening. ------- Tattie felt surer of her reading of Ali's tell. Tattie had come back with a good run of cards and was ninety-thousand up when she'd bet big on two pair, aces and eights, and Ali'd come up with a full house. Tattie's luck had changed after that and she found herself taking out another marker for fifty thousand. She'd growled at Chiron that he'd better be worth the effort. The submissive had simply smiled in response. ------- Eddie was not happy. It wasn't that he minded taking a break from the comforts of House Chorale's sumptuous pavilion, it was that Perry and Bevy were off fucking around somewhere while they left Janet monitoring Wilma Fruehauf. There were damn few people who knew what they had done, and he really wanted to keep it that way. "All right, Janet, you're off duty," Eddie said, sitting down at the table. "Go have fun – in fact, go to Chorale's tent and tell Carol I said for her to find you someone to have fun with." "Boss, that isn't..." "Do it, or I'm going put you back on duty as soon as you get back from a potty break!" "Yes sir." Janet began a tight, very rapid walk to the nearest toilet. "Waiter!" Eddie bellowed. A cute little red-head with no tits but an ass to make grown men weep headed over. "Will I do, sir?" she asked. "Maybe – you remember the two guys who were sitting here several hours ago?" "Yes sir." "Go find them. You have no other duties until you do that. If your employer has a problem with that, hell, if anyone has a gawddamn problem with that, you have 'em talk to me. When you find them, you tell them that Eddie says one or the other of them better get their worthless butts back here immediately or I will kick their asses. Got that?" "Yes sir," she replied before heading off to carry out the very angry large man's wishes. ------- Tysche Raine hadn't expected to make the party – she wouldn't have even known it was happening if her friend Antoinette hadn't gotten hold of her. Tysche was supposed to be doing a tour of avant-garde theaters across the country in her one-woman play, "Tits Can't Define Me" – in fact, instead of wandering around the party, she was supposed to be in Kansas City performing at the Tempest Theater through Sunday. But the reviews had been blasé, tepid ... the attendance had been poor ... and after three months of that, she was tired, she was discouraged, and there was no way she could face another two months of the tour. A doctor gladly agreed she was suffering from exhaustion – it was obvious he'd been insufficiently breast-fed as a child – and so she'd cancelled the rest of the tour, promising to finish the rest of her performances in a month or so. What rankled her even more was that if she'd been doing another tour of strip clubs, she'd have all the attention and money she could have wanted – but she was very tired of the strip club circuit. She wanted to do something meaningful, her friends and associates had urged her to try a one-woman-show, she'd written it herself ... and it just wasn't doing well. At 34, Tysche was still cute – her lifestyle hadn't worn her down too much – slender legs, tight belly, tight ass, long brown hair and green eyes in a pixie-like face ... and enough breast mass for six other women. She liked to joke that "the Titty Fairy fell asleep on my chest and there are a whole lot of women who are flat-chested because he did". She'd often considered breast reduction surgery – if for no other reason than an end to her 20 years of back pain, but her 42M bra size had provided her with a living – even if, at the moment, she wasn't too thrilled with that living. She supposed she could do some more porn, but the thought was really too depressing to contemplate for longer than a second. So she'd come back home, back to having her groceries delivered and very rarely leaving the house – if people were going to stare at her then by God they'd pay for the privilege – and back to the loneliness of being well-known to porn enthusiasts. But Antoinette had told her about a party where she'd still be a freak, but just one freak of many, and she'd wrangled an invite as a 'plus one' on an acquaintance's ticket. The ongoing panorama of deviant behavior was mind-boggling, even to a porn star ... or a former porn star. She wandered around, her breasts at least somewhat comfortably supported by a bra that had to be special made, a silk blouse, and a wrap-around floral print skirt. She wasn't much into BDSM, but she'd had some experience with it in her films, and while that lifestyle was very prominently featured, there was plenty else to wonder at as well. Beyond even that, there were the elements of a traveling circus or Renaissance Faire that were just very sexualized versions of what she'd expect to see at either venue. All in all, there wasn't anything at the party that caused her nearly as much surprise as the time the director of one of her films wanted her to have sex with a bull – she'd kicked him in the nuts and left Romania as quickly as she could – but likewise all the surprises she was discovering were pleasant ones ... especially finally finding her friend Antoinette in a hot tub with two very handsome young men. ------- "Perry, Bevy, this is my friend Tysche..." "Star of "Tysche – Tits in Tijuana", "Hooter Heaven Volumes I, IV, V, and X", "Breast- man's Fancy Volumes III, IV, VI, VIII, and IX" and too many other films to count," Perry said, standing up and offering his hand. Great, fucking fan boys, Tysche thought, shaking his hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you," she lied. "C'mon girl, get in the tub," Antoinette said, motioning toward the inviting hot water. "Nobody here but us freaks..." "These two don't seem too freaky to me," Tysche said, standing by the tub uncertainly. "Trust me, they are ... I gather you've never read their online comic "Dinosaur Ho"?" Antoinette said, laughing. "Uh no..." Tysche said, smiling uncertainly. "Trust me honey, they're freaks," Antoinette replied. Tysche got out of her clothes and slipped into the water as quickly as she could. After flagging down a waitress, she ordered a drink. As she relaxed with Antoinette and her friend's new paramours – because it was obvious the three of them were very comfortable with each other and planned to go on being so – she started to revise her opinion of the two young men. They weren't striking her as typical brain-dead porn fans. At a lull in the conversation as another round of drinks was ordered, she asked Perry about it. "You don't strike me as my usual type of fan," Tysche said, putting it as diplomatically as she could. "You mean we ain't droolin' morons?" Perry replied, smiling. "No ma'am, we ain't. I admit to a fondness for large-chested ladies, Bevy enjoys makin' fun of whatcha might call "less than realistic" orgasms in such films, but we wouldn't call ourselves fans. Couple o' weekends a year we devolve into beer-swillin', knuckle-draggin' degenerates an' spend our time on a non-stop porn fest. Then we crawl back from the primordial ooze an' are normal again..." Bevy snickered. "Or as normal as we ever are," Perry continued. "I'd like to write it off as research for our web-comic, but truth is every once in a while, we just got to get in touch with our inner Neanderthals..." Tysche found herself laughing with the three of them. Once they'd all relaxed a bit, Tysche found three sympathetic sets of ears. She talked about the tour – the low attendance, the mediocre reviews. "Listen, Tysche darling," Antoinette said, "Perry's far too shy to admit it, but he's a hell of a writer..." Perry started to protest. "Hush, dear, you are. And he and Bevy here have seen a lot of experimental theater and one-person shows." "Don't miss any that come through Texas," Bevy said quietly. "So maybe they could give you some help reworking yours," Antoinette finished. "What's the worst that can happen? They give you some ideas that you decide not to use. The best that happens is that you do the rest of your tour with a revamped production that wins you ecstatic reviews and lots of attendance." "I'm not really sure I want to..." "Hush, Tysche," Antoinette replied. "You as much as said you're thinking about another porn film – give the two of them a chance." "I guess I could..." "Good then, it's settled," Antoinette said. "You'll meet with these two at my place on Monday..." She looked at her two lovers speculatively. "Make that Tuesday – you email your script to them tomorrow, they'll have some notes for you by then." "You sure we're gonna have time, Annie?" Perry said, grinning. "Yes, yes you will. Even though I plan to exhaust the two of you Monday night, after a day in the shop I'll be heading off to dreamland at a decent hour. You can come to bed after giving her script a once-over." "Really, we'd be glad to offer you our advice," Perry said to Tysche. "I don't think we've got much on the schedule at work for Monday, so between then and Tuesday evening, we'll be able to give your play several passes. It's no trouble at all." Tysche found herself nodding her acceptance, and was quietly joyous that her friend had evidently found two young men that made her very happy ... and had apparently already come to some arrangement with them. ------- From time to time during the evening, Harry thought he saw her – Eddie's cousin Nancy – and realized hers was the face he'd been forgetting from his recent nightmares. But she couldn't be at the party – okay, she could, but it was a massive coincidence if she was. So it was Harry's imagination, and on the up side, he knew what memories had been making his nights so unpleasant. He'd intended to get back in touch with her, return her call ... but he hadn't, and he had a good idea why not. If she was the woman in his dreams, he'd probably feel safer dropping his legs in a meat grinder than getting back in touch with her. Whatever she wanted ... she'd just have to go on wanting. It wasn't his problem. ------- The cute little red-head's message had brought something remotely akin to clear thinking to both Perry and Bevy. "Annie darling, one of us has got to go, it's business," Perry said. "Not both of us though." He looked at Bevy and held out his hand the time-honored fist-and-hand gesture that began games of 'rock-paper-scissors'. The game began and when it was done, Bevy was smiling, even though his scissors were broken by Perry's rock. "Don't say I never done nothin' for ya," Bevy said in his quiet East Texas twang. Perry hugged his friend and roommate. Bevy headed off to see Eddie, pulling on clothes as he hopped across the lawn. Perry turned to Antoinette. "So Annie, you serious about this moving-in thing? Aren't you rushing things a bit?" "If you or Bevy don't want to, that's fine with me," she replied, smiling mischievously. "No fuckin' way, that'd be crazy of us," Perry said. "We ever get that stupid you know our brains done been eaten by cerebral parasites from the Planet of Terror or something ... I'm just worried about you." "Silly man," Antoinette replied in a breathy voice, "I know what my life has been missing well enough to recognize it when it lands in my lap." She ran her long fingers across Perry's cock. "Speaking of things in laps..." ------- "Time for a more formal meeting," Master Ruiz said as he and Mistress Pena took their seats in the tent. "Indeed," Harry said, smiling. "While I don't envy my wife the task of skulking around in the shadows arranging the humiliation of the Dallas Asshole Twins, I was hoping for a chance to meet the two of you under more civil circumstances." "That's good, Harry," Margo said. "I'd hate to share the skulking and plotting duties – they bring me such joy." "Uh, Madam Grimes," Kelly said, "you are gonna have to give up some of them, from time to time. There are gonna be those situations where the two of you, as the seniors of the House, are going to need to be very visible..." she chuckled evilly to herself, rubbing her hands together like a stereotypical villain, "leaving me to be the unseen wicked emissary that speaks for you in secret meetings with others who are up to no good." "She enjoys that prospect far too much," Mistress Pena said. "Oh yeah," Harry replied. "Kelly's definitely the most evil of the three of us." "Proudly so," Kelly said, laughing. "It's interesting that your House controls both thrones," Master Ruiz said. "Every other city in the state it's two different Houses in charge." "Thank Dick-head Laney for that," Margo said. "He caused so much dissension in the area that large Houses got disgusted and ignored the whole scene. If we hadn't been surprise contenders, real dark horses, maybe he could have allied with one of the elder Houses in time to actually stop us ... but I doubt it, given the number of refugees that showed up tonight. Among the area's submissives, except those in the elder Houses, far too many people were ready and willing to vote for change with their feet." "That must be really pissing Fruehauf and some of the others off," Master Ruiz said. "The very thought that submissives could help decide anything is anathema to them." "I agree ... and I'm not sure why we didn't get many refugees from the elder Houses, as bad as I hear things are with them," Margo said. "Okay, let's try a lesson in submissive psychology," Mistress Pena said. "Milady Carol, correct me if I go astray." Carol nodded, secretly pleased that she was involved in the discussion. "Submissives crave order – that's part of being dominated. Even though the behavior of their Dominants may be chaotic and compulsive, the order is that they are ruled from above – Master may be crazy, but Master is Master." "What about switches?" Harry asked. "Switches are their own special set of rules," Master Ruiz replied. "In general, one of the reasons older, more established Houses tend to regard switches as dabblers and posers is that they're used to dealing with absolutes. The child of a more established House may have switch tendencies, but those are trained out of them in favor of their predominant orientation. By the time they're old enough to officially play, they are effectively one orientation or the other," Mistress Pena continued. "So, submissives crave order and in those with a true vocation, there is more than a little bit of the same emotional makeup as you'd find in the weaker spouses in abusive relationships. They perceive their condition to be safe – they know the rules and even if those rules don't hold true all the time, they hold true most of the time and that's good enough for the submissive. It may be a hell, but it's a hell they know, and under most cases, a hell they believe they've chosen for themselves or somehow deserve. In submissives, they know they're free to leave anytime they want to, but even if they have outside jobs and some semblance of a life outside the confines of their House, better the devil they know than the one they don't. Plus, submissives that leave their Dominants aren't looked upon as trustworthy or dedicated. The fact that they left in the first place shows that they're far too independent to be easily adopted by another House – and as long as the majority of Houses taking in new submissives are of the old guard, so to speak, a submissive that willingly leaves her position is pretty much shit out of luck." "We've seen that with a young man we took into our House, not as a submissive, but to shelter him," Margo said. "He wasn't going to leave his previous House unless he knew he had somewhere to go, and he really couldn't look for another House while he was still a member of the one he was trying to leave." "So, it comes down to a self-imposed illusion of freedom," Master Ruiz said. "They can go elsewhere, but for a multitude of reasons, most don't. They're not the slaves of their Dominants, they're the slaves of their own desires and fears. And don't think for a moment that the elder Houses, and a lot of not so elder Houses, don't know that and use it to their advantage. Emotional manipulation is very easy with many submissives. Yes, they're nominally in control of the relationship, but the more devoted they are to their role, the less realistic that really is." He pointed to where Piglet was sucking the cum out of Helen's cunt. "That one there – right now she might be able to summon the will to leave your service, particularly if she had another option that she thought was better. In another year? You could abuse her however you wanted, ignore her safe word at will, make her do things she would refuse to do today, and she wouldn't leave you. Submissives tend to stratify themselves – those that are more independent and self-reliant tend to gravitate toward smaller Houses, where they're more responsible for themselves. Seriously submissive personalities tend to look for people who will take care of them in every way, and in return, they offer a total-power exchange without ever truly realizing they're doing so. If they don't have to be responsible for their own lives, they're willing to give up every shred of self-determination." "True sir," Carol said. "That's why I stayed with Rick, even though I was sure someday he'd kill me. While I was intellectually able to grasp the concept of leaving, emotionally it wasn't an option. That's why you had to take me – I couldn't bring myself to walk away from him to you, even though you'd made the offer and I so wanted to take you up on it. It isn't how I'm built, emotionally." She climbed into Harry's lap. "And every day I'm glad and thankful that you figured out what the problem was and took me as your own." "And the situation is getting worse," Madame Cornelius said. "More and more young people are finding themselves willing to trade their bodies and obedience for safety and security, entering a cycle where they are encouraged to become more and more dependent upon their Dominants. The more dependent they become, the more power their owners have over them. I am not surprised we had so few deserters from the elder Houses – I am amazed that we had so many from the lesser Houses. It is a hard thing to take responsibility for your own life when everything in your emotional makeup argues against it." "I think I understand things a little better now," Margo said. "And our enemies are an unpleasant topic of conversation for such convivial circumstances." "Ooh, 'convivial'," Carol said. "Big word, well used..." "That's it, you're getting a spanking later," Margo laughed. "Although I can more than probably be persuaded to allow happy time afterwards." "Oh ... damn..." Carol replied, grinning. "By damn, we forgot to give you your present," Mistress Pena said. She motioned toward the side of the tent. "This is my nephew," she continued, motioning toward the skinny and very nervous young Hispanic man who was approaching. Even Harry and Margo had been in the scene long enough to know he was submissive, just by the way he held himself. "Alberto will be going to the university next year – he's taking a year off to deal with other things, such as his submissiveness. He is yours, both as a submissive and a fostering between my House and yours. With that, obviously, comes the restriction that he is not quite yours to do with as you would – his education is not to be interfered with and if you choose to remove him from your House, he returns to mine and, depending on the reasons for you doing so, things might get a little tense between Pena and Chorale." "Excuse me," Harry said, "isn't a fostering usually between allies?" "Yes, it is," Mistress Pena replied. "That's another bit of business we need to conclude before I leave, with or without you, Raoul," she said, looking at Master Ruiz. "Mistress Pena and I are very close," Madame Cornelius said. "She knows my opinion of you and your House and has decided to take this move based on her trust in me." Mistress Pena got up and walked to where Harry was seated. "Sorry, Master Grimes, but for this kind of alliance..." "Submissives just won't do," Harry said, smiling at the prospect. Mistress Pena was slender and muscular, like a gymnast, and very pretty besides. As she helped him down from the throne, she motioned to another man on the sidelines. "Madam Grimes, please allow my husband, Clyde, to seal the deal with you." Margo shifted nervously, but Clyde was a handsome young black man who looked to be half Mistress Pena's age. The collar around his neck was gold, and Margo was willing to bet it wasn't gold-colored or gold-plated. "Madam, if I might," Clyde said, offering his hand. Margo yielded to the inevitable with grace and, she had to admit to herself, a little joy as well. ------- Janet didn't particularly want to go get Carol's help with anything, but one of the things she'd learned by working for Eddie was that she never had to worry about Eddie not checking on the little things ... and he'd check to see if she'd done as he'd told her to. In a way, it almost amused her, taking orders from her boss about her private life, but one of the things she'd had a hard time adapting to when she started working with them was that her boss and her co-workers viewed her as part of their family. She knew that Perry and Bevy both would be incredibly apologetic – sincerely so – for leaving her and following their dicks. Janet laughed to herself. For the first six months she'd worked with them, she'd been convinced that Perry and Bevy were lovers. Finally the moment arrived and there was nothing else she could do to avoid it ... not if she wanted to avoid the Wrath of Eddie. "Miss Carol," Janet said, "Eddie told me to let you help me find someone to have a good time with tonight." "All right, Janet, glad to," Carol replied. She looked at Janet, examining her up and down. "So, what's your taste in partners?" Janet looked down at the ground, shifting her feet back and forth. "I'm not ... I'm not sure," she replied. "You mean you've never..." "No ... that's not what I ... I've dated a few guys, never really saw what all the fuss was about ... then when I was inside ... well, prison ... there were a few times ... they were nice and all, but I never saw what the fuss was about there, either." Carol looked over at Billy and for just a moment wished he weren't so happy with Helen – he'd be able to show Janet what all the fuss was about in no uncertain terms. "Come on, we're going to go talk to Dominique," Carol said, taking Janet by the hand and leading her off into the crowds. ------- Margo and Harry were relaxing in their chairs, recovering from sealing their alliance with House Pena, when Vida Newton entered the tent. "Okay," Vida Newton said, "there are some people coming up that are going to disturb you – just remember that you don't have to like their kink, you just have to be tolerant of it." "What..." Margo began. "No time," Vida replied. "Here they are." Margo heard Minerva's snort of derision, but doubted anyone other than Vida and Harry had. The couple approaching them looked respectable enough – they appeared to be in their late forties, and were dressed in the kind of comfortable, flowing linen pants and shirts her own House preferred. "Master and Mistress DeBlanc of House Camelia," the man said, introducing them. "If we might speak with you a moment?" "Certainly," Margo replied, motioning for chairs to be brought. After exchanging a few pleasantries, Master DeBlanc got down to business. "I was most heartened by your acceptance of House Velacourt," he said. "We are in a somewhat similar ... business ... as them." Harry raised an eyebrow. "You deal in a particular kind of slave?" "Yes, very much so," Mistress DeBlanc replied. "One that's not so socially acceptable as Oriental women..." "You deal in black livestock, don't you?" Kelly asked quietly. "Yes, Mistress," Master DeBlanc replied. "They are no more true slaves than the sweet young things of House Velacourt, and no one is ignorant of the social implications, but there are those who wish to serve, and those who wish to be served. It is the same as in any other group of people." Harry leaned over and raised his eyebrow, looking at Kelly. He could tell she was not happy, but appreciated her restraint in showing it. She met his gaze and smiled, albeit somewhat tightly. "Harry, we have no problem with me when I'm feeling submissive, or Papa Stripper – this is not an issue." She turned to Master DuBlanc. "I notice you're not leading your submissives around the party. "No Mistress Grimes, they're back at our pavilion. We don't walk around with our stock because of the ... history ... of both slavery and our House..." Master DeBlanc said. "My great-great-grandfather was Alcibiades DuBlanc. He formed the Knights of the White Camelia – a rather upper-class, and short-lived, version of the Klan. While the Knights, thankfully, didn't last long, their members joined other groups, and my great-grandfather got involved with Society and hit upon the idea of gathering itinerant blacks and ... training them. I suspect there was quite a bit of actual slavery going on as well, but our family has reformed its ways," he continued, glancing toward Nancy Velacourt, "as have other Houses." "They also handle Hispanics as well," Nancy said, smiling at the DeBlancs. "We don't train them anywhere nearly as thoroughly as Mistress Velacourt's girls are trained, but they're quite compliant servants, skilled in the household arts," Master DeBlanc said. "Do you teach your African-American students the Step-and-Fetchit, Master DeBlanc?" Margo said, her voice deceptively calm. "Instruct them in how to properly react to all the old slurs and insults?" Harry and Kelly both put a hand on Margo, willing her to calm down. "No, Madam Grimes," Mistress DeBlanc replied. "We haven't included that kind of training in their curriculum since the mid-sixties. At that point, new political and social realities brought an end to that kind of training – although a surprising number of our clients still prefer it, and an equally surprising percentage of our trainees are more than okay with it. Sometimes, it seems, everybody's taste runs to stereotypes but no, we don't train them in those areas. Such things are left for private negotiations between them and their new Dominants." "I'm sorry," Margo said, "because of Kelly's place in our lives, our hearts and our marriage, I'm having a rather visceral reaction to your family business." "That's understandable, Madam Grimes – it's one of the reasons we're a Shadow House. If you decide that you would accept tribute from us, come by our pavilion," Master DeBlanc said. "Until then, we bid you good evening, and congratulate you on your coronation." Bowing deeply, the two DeBlancs backed away and then strode away to become lost in the sea of people. "What the fuck is a Shadow House?" Harry asked under his breath. "What my House was during the war years," Nancy Velacourt answered. "A dirty little secret of Society that everyone knows about and quite a lot use, but no one wants to acknowledge. There are several more here tonight as well, and Vida's advice will serve you well with each of them." "More of them?" Margo groaned. "Oh yes," Thad said. "There are a lot of kinks that everyone wishes didn't exist ... except when they're balls deep in them." "And Madam," Candy said, "they're playing very nice – not bringing you gifts you might choose to refuse, leaving the ball completely in your court as to whether you'll 'recognize' them or not. Accepting tribute is tacit acceptance. It's a hard thing to be a Shadow House, and they're giving you every opportunity to ignore them gracefully." That didn't make Margo's headache pound any less. "Pain relievers and water, my love," she said, sending Candy scurrying off. ------- Alison Kendry grimaced – she'd been enjoying the party and hadn't really planned on standing guard in the dark in the middle of the Central Texas hill country. Still, it wasn't the worst duty she'd endured since getting out of the Army and ending up in Vickery's employ. It was buttloads better than when she'd served in Kuwait, and at least it was cool – the last time she'd been posted outside had been in late July during the daytime – even in the shade it had topped a hundred on the mercury and she'd sweated through her clothing in less than a half hour. It was a cool night, the terrain reminded her a bit of some time she'd spent in Colorado, in the foothills of the Rockies ... not bad duty at all, really. Especially since as soon as someone caught the asshole they were looking for, the hosts had promised all of Vickery's people a very enjoyable time – the really pissed-off woman had said they'd be treated like royalty. Alison had never been treated like anything close to royalty and she thought it sounded pretty damn good. As long as she kept her eyes out, away from the party, there was enough starlight to see pretty well by ... she wished for some low-light goggles, but wishing didn't put them on her head, so it was a waste of time. No, the best she could do was crouch in the little thicket of bushes she'd found and wait ... the sounds of the party behind her, far enough away that she could still hear a little of the ambient noise around her – not as far away as she'd have preferred. Still, her blind was secure and she scanned her quadrant for any signs of movement. Coyote ... followed by a lot of boredom. Owl ... followed by more boredom. Bat ... followed by a stick snapping and when she noticed movement closer to the ground she saw it was someone dressed very much like her – black on black on black – trying to approach the party stealthily. She studied the figure as it approached, looking to pass within a few feet of where she hid. Male, had some skills, but she'd bet he was self-taught. Small backpack, several sheathed blades ... definitely up to no good. Her eyes shifted in their sockets as she followed his approach – otherwise she didn't move at all, breathing slowly. He did indeed pass just a few feet from her and once she was out of his peripheral vision, she slowly, noiselessly, turned on the balls of her boots... Then she stepped out of the scrubby bushes, baton at the ready and slammed her stun gun into the man's shoulder, following him down to the ground and keeping the trigger depressed until he was in no shape to do anything but endure his pain. A few moments later he was completely disarmed, everything she'd taken off of him stuffed into his own backpack, he was gagged, constrained with zip-strips at his ankles and around his wrists behind his back, and she was whistling for her closest associate. "Whoa Alison, you caught a big one," Joey said. "Yeah, now get him up on your shoulder and huck him back to the estate," she replied. "The rest of us will cover your quadrant." ------- Between the two of them, it hadn't taken Carol and Dominique long at all to find someone for Janet ... two someone's, in fact. She looked at the couple, both of them in their mid-to-late thirties, attractive but not like models or anything, more like real people. The man, Artie Michaels, was of average height, brown hair that he was just beginning to lose, long fingers, a nose that had been broken once or twice, but a nice smile and a very positive response to Janet – it was raising a tent in his loincloth. The woman, China Fowkes, had laugh lines on her face, black hair in almost a chili-bowl cut, and a comfortable, lived-in and well-loved body. "So ... uh, what do we do now?" Janet asked. Her only answer was China grabbing a bundle of large towels as Artie led them behind the tents to an open stretch of lawn. ------- Harvey Chapson was awake through it all – unfortunately. Who would've imagined they'd have pickets out in the brush beyond the estate perimeter? Still, they'd turn him over to the police and Mistress Fruehauf would, through intermediaries, get him out of this mess with minimum fuss. He continued to feel that way until he was unceremoniously dumped on the floor of one of the estate's bedrooms. The man who'd carried him in walked away and a frightening Chinese woman with piercings and filed teeth began to undress him. ------- Sampson was still crouching, uncomfortable in so many ways, when the second movie ended. Jason asked "So ... uh ... what would you like to do now?" The necking began ... and Sampson felt more like a Peeping Tom than ever. He managed to assuage some of his personal discomfort at the whole situation by watching the two of them out of the corner of his eye, with the rest of his attention on the starry sky above. Which provided no excuse at all when, about twenty minutes later, he realized that Donna Newton, his Karg Chief's daughter, was naked and about to lower herself onto Jason's erection ... and the only person more surprised than Sampson was Jason himself, who's eyes were open wider than they'd probably ever been before, while his face bore a strange, mixed expression of "I can't believe this is happening" and "Holy shit, what if I mess this up". Jason was even more surprised when one of the babysitters the Newton's provided busted through his back door into the den, grabbed the naked girl off his lap and held her on his hip. "You, put that away," Sampson said, pointing at Jason's rapidly deflating penis. "And what were you thinking, Donna Newton? You know better than this – your parents are going to be so unhappy that, if I were you, I'd shudder to think what they'll do." He didn't reveal his own worries as to how they would handle his failure to stop the situation earlier – those concerns were not to be shared with children. Still, Donna was more than familiar with his situation and asked, "Wouldn't it be easier for you, Sampson, if nobody mentioned this to my parents?" He put her down and motioned toward her clothes. "Get dressed. Yes, it would be easier but not mentioning this, to both your parents, is not an option." Jason Tanner had gone from having one of the best nights of his life to having one of the worst, all in the space of two minutes. ------- The dance floor was packed and Jack, a member of the crew of Radio Free Mordor, was like his fellows - so far into previously unknown and barely dreamt of territory that they were wandering around in a state of happy shock. Grateful dance attendees kept filling the tip jar, which was more than okay, as well as sending their submissives up to express gratitude for playing requests and such ... Jack had had to break one of the group's few rules and take to the microphone to explain that while the two young men that had been sent to entertain the DJ's were appreciated, all four of the crew were straight. Privately he might have wondered at the glint in Scott's eyes when the young men bowed before them, and if Scott was bi that was just fine with Jack ... something to talk to him about later. If Scott was bi, he wasn't showing any real signs of wanting to come out in the middle of the DJ booth at their biggest gig ever. When he'd made the announcement, there'd been a lot of good-natured laughter from the attendees, along with some loud comments as to how their orientation might be changed, but after that only women had been sent up. While all four of them might have been a bit self-conscious when the party began, after beautiful women knelt in front of them, unzipped their pants and pulled out their dicks, they'd become somewhat acclimatized to the overall vibe of their surroundings. If nothing else at all had happened, the time the woman called "Piglet" had spent in the booth would have gone a long way to acclimatizing them. Among the many things Jack had never seen in real life was someone 'pulling a train' – "Piglet" had pulled one and pulled it gladly and while he might have had some problems with sloppy thirds any other night, that night it didn't bother him at all. Anyway, with all that had happened, Jack was wearing only his shirt, Mick was still in a tee shirt and his boxers, Keith was down to just his shirt, and Scott wasn't wearing anything at all except his headphones as he prepped the playlist. Jack didn't know about the rest of them, but his cock was very tired and he was pretty sure he wouldn't be coming again anytime soon. Until she approached the DJ booth ... short and light brown, curvaceous and smiling so openly and honestly that Jack wanted her to be the sister he'd never had ... as long as he was allowed to fuck his sister anytime the urge struck him. He recognized Carol as one of the family that organized the party, so he tried to keep his head on straight. "Hey Jack," she said, "y'all're having one hell of a night, aren't you?" "Miss Carol, you have no idea ... well, okay I guess you do, but we've never played any show anything like this before." "Well get used to it. We like the job you're doing and there'll be work for you in the future ... some of it out of town. You'll be paid well and we'll cover expenses. But that's for later ... we've got a special request for y'all, and we've come up with an incentive..." "Miss Carol, please ... no more incentives ... my ... well, my dick's so ... tired..." he stammered, blushing like he didn't know he could anymore. "Don't worry, the incentive isn't for tonight ... well, not for tonight alone. You have the next ten or so songs queued up?" "Yes ma'am." "You four come with me," she said, grinning evilly. Jack didn't know whether to be hopeful or scared out of his mind. ------- 2 AM "House Tolliver is on their way to see you," Li Kuan said, strolling into the pavilion. "We have a little while before they get here though – they stopped to do some business." "Another Shadow House," Madame Cornelius clarified. "Why do they even want our acknowledgement?" Margo asked from where she sat between Kelly's legs. "Well, everybody knows they exist, everyone knows where they are, but due to their business, like ours," Nancy Velacourt answered, "they aren't too comfortable being close to major urban centers. The only reason I'm as close as I am is that my family liked the Hill Country enough to purchase land here a long time ago. The Shadow Houses have always found it convenient to be way out in the sticks. A certain degree of seclusion is very useful. "So they're not very accessible, they'd really like to have a presence at any big get-togethers – gives them a chance to show their stock - and without recognition by the local Master and Mistress, it's tradition that they don't put in an appearance in their city." "So they're not going to move as much ... stock," Kelly said, "if they're not recognized." Nancy smiled. "Not only that ... it's not purely financial. Just like all of us, they want to be accepted. They may not always be a Shadow House – that status can prove malleable. Our House came out of the shadows and never went back in. They might as well. They used to simply be part of the way things were done. Now they have to, to some degree or another, hide. We are a social group of people..." "Tell me about it," Harry interjected, looking at the massive party they were responsible for. "And they've been ostracized from a lot of Society for being what and who they are," Nancy finished. "Everybody's willing to do business with them when it suits them, but they're not all that welcome socially." "Where do the other cities in Texas stand on the issue?" Margo asked. "You take this one, Madame Cornelius – I'm too close to the issue," Nancy replied. "Houston and San Antonio have recognized all of them – but at a price. The Shadow Houses are charged a percentage of each transaction, which goes to finance get-togethers such as their Samhain Fetish Balls. Dallas has recognized none of them – not even Mistress Velacourt's House," the grand dame said. "You're not welcome in Dallas?" Harry asked. "No, dear man," Nancy replied. "Vanson and Saenz ask for far too high of a percentage, so my customers from that area must come to me. No one's willing to pay what those arrogant cunts charge for what was the privilege of doing business in the single largest market in Texas. Now that Fort Worth has split off, I expect my sales to rise considerably. I'll gleefully sell to Dominants from Dallas who are willing to drive to Fort Worth – a much shorter trip than they'd have to make otherwise." "My, my, my," a new voice said, "the thrones are barely warmed and politics are in the air." "This would be Master and Mistress Maxwell of House Tolliver," Minerva said, gesturing to the couple approaching the thrones. Master Tolliver was a large, round man, dressed in a stylized but very tasteful Bedouin outfit, while Mistress Tolliver – much younger and very thin – was dressed in a traditional sari and decked out with more gold jewelry than any of House Chorale had seen in a long time. "I'm Kyle Maxwell," the man said, bowing low. "This is my daughter, Kari." The young woman curtsied effortlessly, her butt almost touching the carpet as she did so. "Impressive," muttered Madame Cornelius. "Years of ballet and other training," Kari replied, nodding to the Madame. "Well, by now you folks may have heard about our business, or guessed it from our attire," Kyle Maxwell said. "We deal in stock from the Middle East and Indian subcontinent." "And despite my figure, we tend to play to the cultural traditions of weight denoting standard of living, so they are curvy and voluptuous," Kari added. "Something I can tell would be appreciated in this group." Harry found himself liking House Tolliver and motioned for chairs and refreshment to be brought. "Sit down, stay a spell," he said. "House Tolliver instead of Maxwell?" "Effects of no sons for my grandmother," Kyle said, "so my father married into the family, leaving me a Maxwell. I've considered changing my name, because our House won't change its name – too much history." "So I gather you're not at all surprised at the political deep end we find ourselves swimming in?" Margo said. "Not at all," Kari Maxwell replied, smiling her appreciation as she sat. "Dallas has had a stranglehold on the state for far too long and we had hopes when we heard of your run for leadership here that you would somehow break that hold." She looked at her father. "Although I don't think either of us dreamed you'd do it so quickly." "No, I thought in terms of months," the elder Maxwell said. "But I hadn't counted on your star rising so far so fast, or on El Paso and Fort Worth's decision to shoot the moon. If you hadn't decided as you did ... well, Fort Worth would have paid for their decision to approach you, no matter how covertly they did so." "Too many spies from Dallas?" Margo asked. "Oh yes – they were elected by the narrowest of margins as their city's Master and Mistress - a purely nominal title until today," Kari replied, "as so many in Fort Worth were trying to curry favor with Dallas. Now that they're independent, I think the next election won't be anywhere near as close. People will feel free to vote as they wish without worrying about Saenz and Vanson's vindictiveness – which can be considerable." "I'm not too worried about that," Margo said, smiling. "What can they do to us now?" "Not very much, actually," Madame Cornelius replied. "Although they will blacken your name with certain Houses and organizations on the national stage, there are more people tired of them than I think they could possibly imagine. They tend to armor themselves in their own arrogance and so are quite immune to reality." She smiled. "Until, as recently proven, they can't ignore reality any longer – then they become petulant children, which should come as no surprise to anyone who has had to deal with them." "Well, not to steer the conversation away from ragging on the King and Queen Shits of Dallas," Master Maxwell said, "because bashing them never gets old, I don't want to take up too much of your time and business calls. Stop by our tent, if you wish." Harry and Margo nodded as Kyle and Kari Maxwell said their good-byes and moved on. ------- "Mistress Turov," Chiron said as they walked back to Dominique's tent, "Mistress Owens hustled the shit out of you." Tattie ground her teeth, her mind still in the moment when Ali had cleaned her out and said, "That's enough for one night I think. For two hundred thousand I'll even gift-wrap him for you." "Mistress," he continued, "don't' be that way. She didn't have to let you have me at all." Tattie whirled around, ready to bite off his head and shit down his neck. Then she stopped and smiled a tight little smile. "You're right," Tattie said, "she didn't. But so help me God, if you're not worth two hundred thousand, I'm going to take great joy in finding a very deep shaft to dump your body down." "Trust me, Mistress – I'm worth it. And I shall take great pleasure in sharing your bed." If Tattie's hands hadn't been frozen in position like the claws of some great jungle predator, the sight of her eyes bugging out would have been comical. ------- Master Dunham and Mistress Snyder sat and enjoyed a companionable drink and nothing but small talk for the first twenty minutes. Margo had wandered off with Harry and Kelly was sitting on the throne, with Angela and Twilla at her feet. She wasn't sure why they weren't getting down to business – granted, the two of them looked as though they could use the rest – but it was one of the more odd audiences she'd seen in the tent that night. Then it snapped for her. "You're waiting for our Senior Dominants to return!" Mistress Snyder looked at her like she'd grown a second head. Master Dunham chuckled to himself and said, "Is that what you think, Mistress Grimes? Oh no, far from it. We would like to meet your husband before we go, but we've already met Madam Grimes and were quite impressed with her. No, we're just enjoying a chance to get off our feet and relax." "Yeah, you've thrown the most interesting party I've ever been to," Mistress Snyder said. "Too much to see ... too many people to talk to – you've been out there, Mistress Grimes – you know how chaotic it is. We're just using our presence here to make sure neither you nor we are interrupted and enjoying the peace and quiet ... well, relative peace and quiet." She grinned. "I admit it's a little selfish of us, but it's a madhouse out there, and there are a lot of folks who want to congratulate us, a couple who want to ask us favors ... although that won't really start in earnest until we get back home. Here, the company's good, the view is beautiful, and the whiskey ain't watered. Not a bad place to just sit for a while." "Candy," Kelly said, "remove Mistress Snyder's boots and work on her feet for a while. Usagi, you do the same for Master Dunham. Is there anything else I can do to make you comfortable?" "No, Mistress Grimes," Master Dunham replied. "It probably is time to start winding things up though. I'm sure you have other Houses waiting to meet with you." He sighed with pleasure as Usagi began working on his right foot. "Mistress Grimes, there is literally no way that I, my House, or my city can properly repay our debt of gratitude. It simply can't be done. If you had sided with Dallas, our chances of every being out from under their thumb ... well, as you might imagine, our Society is real big on tradition, and the longer we remained a part of Dallas, the more 'right' that seemed to a lot of people. On one level, I'm sure it seemed right to the heads of Houston and San Antonio – they only voted in our favor because they hate Saenz and Vanson. At heart, I'm moderately sure they were okay with anyone other than those two controlling all of Dallas and Fort Worth. And to be truthful, if it wasn't for them, we probably wouldn't have wanted to be independent as badly as we do. For all our city's history we've been linked to Dallas – hard not to be given the way things worked out." "But with those two rampaging assholes in charge," Mistress Snyder said, "well, they're more than any city should have to bear, but if Dallas wants them, it can have them. We definitely do not want them." "But you didn't side with Dallas," Master Dunham continued. "You sided with El Paso, you sided with us. And so there's no way we can ever repay our debt. We didn't exactly know what to expect when we came to this party. Madame Cornelius had told us what kind of people you are, but dreaming that we'd be our own city ... well, a lot of people get more and more skittish the closer they get to their dream. We were very skittish indeed on the way down here. We didn't know how we'd be received, we were unsure of how things would go..." From her seat, Madame Cornelius chuckled. "Well, Minerva, we didn't," Master Dunham said. "Your assurances are all well and good, and about any other subject than finally gaining our independence we'd trust you implicitly, but this we weren't sure about. Sarah and I discussed several possible gifts, but finally decided on one in case things went well, and one in case they didn't." He smiled and his eyes grew distant for a moment. "Well, as things have gone, we want you to have them both ... and another besides. "First off, if things didn't go well for us, we wanted a gift to show that there were no hard feelings, as well as to curry favor for a future vote concerning our independence." He nodded to Mistress Snyder. "Kati-Anne, come on out here," she said. From the crowd, a young, nude woman made her way to kneel by the two Dominants from Fort Worth. Dark-ish brown hair hung in two long braids from her head, her skin was tanned all over, no tan lines to be seen, and as Kelly looked at her, she was very sure if Kati-Anne had a tan line anywhere, it would be visible. The woman kept her head down so Kelly couldn't get a good look at her face, but everything else was very nice, if slightly less curvy than Kelly and her spouses seemed to prefer. "Mistress Grimes," Sarah Snyder said, "this is my daughter, Kati-Anne Snyder. She's chosen to kneel right now, but she's a switch – just as I've heard you are. As such, I can't truly give her to you, at least not without her permission, but she's granted that – did so before we even left to come down here in the hopes that she could help smooth a deal for our independence if Minerva wasn't right about you." "Kati-Anne, come here," Kelly said. The young woman got to her feet, moved up and knelt again in front of the throne. Kelly reached down and turned her face up so that she could see her. The woman was lovely – definitely related to Mistress Snyder and if the mother had looked anything like her daughter when she was younger, Kelly had to admit she probably would have already made a move on Mistress Snyder. "Is it still your choice to be ours?" she asked. Kati-Anne nodded solemnly. "Yes Mistress, it is." "Do you prefer, at this time, to wear the collar or hold the leash?" "The collar, Mistress – I have to be comfortable in a situation before I take hold of the leash." "Hetero, homo, or bi?" Kelly asked gently. "Bi in theory, Mistress – I've never been with a woman but I'm not adverse to the idea." "Fine then, for now, go suck that big Neanderthal's dick like a good girl," Kelly replied, pointing to Eddie. "And not a word from you, knuckle-dragger, or I'll have Karen beat you." "Yes, Mistress," Kati-Anne replied, moving toward Eddie. Kelly hadn't considered the effect her order might have on Mistress Snyder. As she thought for a moment on it, she realized there was no real reason she should have. Kelly looked up at her guests. Mistress Snyder was smiling proudly; Master Dunham had a little half smile on his face. "Something amusing, Master Dunham?" Kelly asked. "I gather you're going to be broadening her orientation as soon as you get the chance," he answered. "Oh, yes sir, beyond a shadow of a doubt," Kelly replied. "But now isn't the time, and there may well not be time in the next week, but trust me, it will happen." "Good," Master Dunham said. "If someone is willing to consider broadening their horizons, they should be encouraged to do so." He paused, took off his glasses and cleaned them on the hem of his loose cotton shirt. "Our second gift, the one if things went well..." he stopped, put back on his glasses and continued, "I'm sorry to say we weren't confident enough to bring it with us. We'll have it delivered to the address of your choosing no later than Tuesday." "May I inquire what it is?" Kelly said, her curiosity burning a hole in her brain. "You may inquire, if you wish," Master Dunham replied. "But I prefer to let it be a surprise." "All right then," Kelly said, taking a sip of her drink, "I'll be patient. Candy, when you're through with Mistress Snyder's feet, give Master Dunham our address at the Omni." "Yes, Mistress," Candy replied. "The third gift, also a surprise, will arrive with the second," Master Dunham said. "But I have little doubt you'll appreciate the one with the other." "You know, Master Dunham, if you weren't who you are, I'd spank you," Kelly said, smiling. "If I wasn't who I am, I'd enjoy that," he replied. ------- Jack couldn't believe his eyes – a line of people, twenty at least, were kneeling in front of the rest of the crew and him. Carol said, "We know from Dayna that you're all living on your own, you have good jobs, this is something you do for the fun of it ... but you're not exactly having much luck in the lover department." "Yeah," Scott said, "we're a little too geeky, we're not buff or ripped or even..." He looked at his fellow crew. "I mean, there are girls into what we like, but not enough of them to go around ... uh, if you know what I mean," he finished, blushing. "Come on, Scott," Jack said. "You think I don't know I'm overweight?" "Well ... I just didn't want to..." "Don't worry about it," Jack finished. "These are some of the submissives who left their previous Dominants in support of us," Carol said, smiling kindly at the young men's discomfort. "You let me do a little matchmaking, and we'll see if your luck can change – they may not share your interests yet, but whomever I find for you will probably come around to enjoying the same things you do." "All this for playing a request?" Mick asked. "It's an unusual request," Carol replied. ------- Twenty minutes after Carol began matchmaking, Scott had had to go queue up some more music, but he'd bought them around forty-five minutes. It hadn't taken quite that long for her to finish and for the four of them to go back to the booth – very happy, and very accompanied. Jack reflected that maybe it was Scott's time to come out – he and a very sexy transvestite named Jennifer were cuddled up together. She was so cute that Jack might've lusted after her ... if not for the cock. Mick had looked a little scandalized about it at first, but after he and Jack had talked for a few minutes, he'd shrugged his shoulders and said, "As long as Scott is happy." Mick had ended up with a tall woman called Didi. She wasn't stacked like the women Mick always drooled over, but she had hips and ass that more than made up for it. She was curled up at Mick's feet like it was where she'd always longed to be. Mick's body language couldn't have screamed "She's Mine" any louder if he'd tried. Keith was adapting to the new state of affairs quite easily. He and Thera, a short and curvy brunette, had been the first pair Carol had put together, and had plenty of time to talk. Thera was wearing a bright new collar, Keith was holding the leash, and they both looked quite happy with the state of affairs. Of all of them, Jack was pretty sure Keith had the strongest Dominant tendencies. As for Jack himself, he had scored better than all of his friends, at least in his opinion. Joy was cute, perky, good-natured, built like a dream, and most importantly was already well-versed in a lot of Jack's passions. As they prepared to fire off Carol's request – already programmed into the play queue – Jack and his new pet were cuddled together discussing the television program "Firefly". If Jack wasn't in heaven, he was very close indeed. ------- "Package delivered, identified as target – time to come in," crackled very softly over their earbuds and William Vickery's people began to make their way back to the party. As they settled back at their tables, Alison Kendry pulled her long, dark braid out from the back of her shirt and motorcycle jacket. A drink was sounding very, very good at the moment, and she figured in this party's crowd, no one would say shit if she stripped down and soaked in one of the hot tubs for awhile. Vickery sat down beside her. "Good job, Kendry," he said. "Perhaps a little too good – someone here wants to talk to you about a job." He leaned a little closer. "Give me a chance to better the offer when he makes one." He got up out the chair and the large man Alison had seen at the party organizer's tent, Eddie, if she remembered correctly, sat down in Vickery's place, along with the little submissive named Carol. "Hi, Eddie Janak," he said, putting out a large hand. As she shook it, he continued, "Your pal Joey told me what you did out there. I got a business tryin' to embarrass private security firms, find the holes in their coverage – but that ain't why we're talkin'. I've got my little sister comin' home to live with us, she's..." Eddie swallowed hard, "she suffered significant brain damage in an accident..." "I'm not a nurse," Alison said, not unkindly. "Those I've got ... what I've also got is people who don't like me much, and I can't be at home all the time. I've got a little, tiny fiancé and two fierce-as-polecat nurses. "Between my fiancé and my sister ... Ms. Kendry, that's puttin' too many precious eggs in one basket, you get me?" She nodded slowly. "Yeah, I think I do." "I can't offer much – your own bedroom, basic room and board, maybe a grand a month ... but you impressed me, a whole lot, with the way you took down that asshole. I guess ... I'm askin' ... I dunno." He turned to Carol. "Whaddaya think, Short Stuff?" "She's what you're looking for, but I think you're going to get more than you're bargaining for," Carol replied with a smirk. Alison Kendry smiled. She'd been alone for a lot of years – while she had a submissive streak, the average Master tried to dominate her with personality and attitude, and that didn't fly with her. She wanted someone who could throw her over his shoulder and haul her away – not necessarily a violent relationship, but she just wanted someone whom she felt could dominate her physically as well. And Eddie was handsome as hell, in his own rough, looks-like-a-biker way. She slid her chair closer to Eddie and put her hand on his arm. "I think we can come to some sort of arrangement, Mr. Janak, at least on a trial basis." "She talkin' about what I think she's talkin' about, Short Stuff?" Eddie asked, with a look of suffering on his face. "Oh yeah, Big Man," Carol chuckled. "Tamara is going to be so pleased." ------- Sampson Collins dreaded the phone call he had to make. Still, to not make the call would be dereliction of his duty ... something that would be worse, even if no one but he and Donna Newton ever knew of it ... and Jason Tanner as well, he supposed, although the boy really didn't figure into his calculations in any way. "Karg Chieftain Newton ... there's been an incident involving your daughter. No, she's fine ... she was about to have unprotected sex with the Tanner boy. Yes, him. No sir, I will let her explain it to you, as I'm quite unable to figure out what she was thinking." He handed the phone to Donna, now dressed and sitting beside him, miserable, in the Tanner's back yard. Jason remained inside, mortified, still seated on the couch. "Father ... I did ... I was going to do what I believed to be in the Karghold's best interest. He is a nice enough boy, and he's tied to House Chorale. I'm ovulating so it's very possible there would have been a pregnancy, especially as I planned to give him several chances to impregnate me. That would give their House and our Karghold a connection, as I expect they would have at least supported co-custody of the child, if not a marriage. No, Father, as I said, he's a nice boy and I wouldn't have minded continuing to try however long it took ... perhaps it would have moved beyond 'like', I don't know. Yes sir," she finished, her chin quivering as tears flooded her eyes, "I understand." She handed the cell phone back to Sampson. "Yes sir, I'll keep them separated – I recommend someone be sent from House Chorale to sit with him, he'll be far too embarrassed to go back to the party ... yes sir, most definitely someone not his mother. Yes sir, I understand ... no sir, I have no excuse at all. I was trying not to feel like a pervert for watching, so my attention wandered. Thank you, sir." "You're to go back to the party and report everything you've done to Elaine. She'll handle you from here on out." Sampson looked down at Donna. "If you're lucky, your father will be arranging your marriage tonight to someone – possibly him but I rather doubt it. There are a plethora of Houses at the party that we would benefit from an alliance with. If you're not lucky – well, I hope you're ready to wear the collar for quite some time." "I wasn't planning on requesting my Hand ... I just ... I saw an opportunity and went for it," she said, sniffing. "Why was that so wrong?" "I'm not sure it was," Sampson replied. ------- Harvey's night kept getting worse. With his clothing cut off his body, the Chinese nightmare identified his House Fruehauf brand. When she left, he was sure she'd return with Wilma's fucking cunt offspring and he was right. "Hey Harvey," Daniella said, looking down on him yet again. "I wonder what you're doing all the way out here with all those knives." ------- Once she'd vacated the basement, Daniella had watched as Harvey was taken down there and placed on the large dropcloth that Dayna Spyderchylde had directed them to. She didn't want to watch his interrogation or his torture – her soul was still too sickened by what her mother had ordered done. Harry and Margo were sitting in the living room when she slowly staggered out, surrounded by her boys. She made her way to stand in front of them, and fell down on her knees with no attempt to catch herself. "Master, Madam, I beg for your permission to form my own House, House Augustus, and furthermore to place it under your control until such time as you judge me capable of running it ... and may that take many, many years. You have saved my life and everything I am, everything I own is yours, merely for the asking." Her sense of abandonment, her sense of disconnectedness, and the sadness that accompanied them had increased and totally overwhelmed her. There was nothing left of the arrogance she had once possessed. Daniella Fruehauf was adrift with nothing to tether her except perhaps, if God smiled on her, the kindness of these relative strangers. ------- William Vickery had a problem in his team. Alison Kendry was probably gone for good – he'd seen her eyes as she looked at Eddie Janak. While ex-military were easy to find, and generally eager for work, finding people that fit his business' special qualifications wasn't such a breeze. He and the rest of his people were sitting poolside, enjoying special treatment every bit as extravagant as Madam Grimes had promised them. Willing young things, of any sex or orientation one could ask for, were seemingly materializing out of thin air, eager to do whatever he or his people wanted them to, be it sex, fetching food and drink, massages ... one of his men, Carlisle, had a girl who didn't look to be over fifteen, strapped to a swivel pole upside down, a bottle of beer in her gaping cunt. He tilted the girl over to bring the bottle to his lips whenever he wanted a drink ... and he was on his fifth beer since they'd finished their job for the Grimes. The girl was still smiling. But then again, Carlisle had always been an asshole. Sure, Vickery had accepted a blow job ... or two ... and didn't mind being waiting on hand and foot, but it was all making him a bit uncomfortable. And he still needed a replacement for Kendry. ------- Travis Shomshak and his wife, Gay, were firm supporters of Laney, even though they hated the pathetic bastard – while he and his House were far from Traditionalists, and further yet from hard-core, as far as the Shomshak's had been able to determine, Laney and House Odessa were closer than the upstarts, House Chorale ... even if they did have the very hard-core House Cornelius backing them. The two of them knew Laney was counting on their support, and that of their friends and associates, when the Samhain Fetish Ball came around. Travis and Gay Shomshak were also realists, very practical people ... business people, with their fingers on the pulse of local Society and so they'd realized early in the week that Laney was going to lose, no matter who did what. Backing a losing horse was never good for business. So it was the owners of Chains of Desire, the city's most hard-core club, found themselves spending two grand for the privilege of attending a party and there paying tribute to a House they were sure they'd hate more than Odessa ... because it was good business to do so. "Master and Mistress Shomshak," Margo said, rising from her chair. She was thankful that Minerva had coached her about these two. "You honor us with your presence." The Shomshak's were impressed – never in the history of their involvement with local Society had they seen a party such as this – aside from elaborate costumes and tons of pretension, it outshined the Samhain Fetish Ball several times over. "Madam Grimes, Master Grimes," Travis said, his smile never reaching higher than his lips, "it's such a pleasure to meet you at last." Mistress Shomshak continued, "As our tribute we offer a table at our club, any time you should desire one..." Dommi, who happened to be reclining in the tent at the time, letting Ricky massage her aching feet, snorted in amusement. "And we offer drinks at cost to you and your House, and a fifteen per cent discount to your allies. There is no competition here," Gay continued, looking over to Dominique, "we realize that you and the majority of your friends will be more comfortable at other establishments, but as you will be the Senior Dominants in our area, tribute is offered, and we hope you would guide those with more extreme tastes in our direction – we will welcome them gladly." Harry motioned the two of them to cushions. "Won't you sit and visit for a while?" he asked. Surprised, the Shomshak's sat. Before they could even get settled, a server appeared for their drink orders and Piglet, oozing cum from both bottom holes, dried cum caked on her face, was stumping over on her knees with a hookah. "Smoke?" she said, eyes downcast. The Shomshak's smiled, pleased by their reception, but still not quite trusting it. "You are very correct," Harry said. "We won't often visit your club for pleasure, but Madame Cornelius has instructed us that it is a tradition that the Senior Dominants visit all the fetish clubs in the area on a semi-regular basis, to show their support, to hold court, so to speak," he continued, obviously uncomfortable with the idea of 'holding court', "and to make sure that no faction in local Society goes unheard." Margo said, "Now, once we have a better feel for how many clubs are interested, we'll be setting up a schedule of what Friday or Saturday nights in the month we'll be where, and while we can't promise every club owner will be pleased with our scheduling, we will try to accommodate everyone's wishes." She leaned forward. "Master and Mistress Shomshak, we don't have to like each other – but for the sake of the lifestyle we all enjoy to one degree or another, we do have to play well with each other." As planned, Dayna Spyderchylde knelt beside Margo, naked – her scabbed and scarring wounds clearly visible on her chest and abdomen. "We aren't as extreme as you ... in general," she continued. "But we've proved we can be as hard-core as the position requires." Travis and Gay had heard about Wilma Fruehauf's vengeance, but it was another thing to see it. Even they viewed the punishment as extreme and unwarranted. After Madam Grimes made her point, both of the Shomshak's prepared to be dismissed ... and so were pleasantly surprised by the fifteen or so minutes of casual conversation that followed as the Seniors of House Chorale made every effort to get to know them better. ------- Nancy Holzer was as frustrated as she'd ever been in her life. Not only was she surrounded by sex with no time to get some, not until she'd talked to at least one of the boys, but she couldn't catch a break on finding them alone to save her own cute ass! They were always traveling with people – lots of them women – and Nancy knew she did her best work on male audiences ... no matter how bi most of the women escorting them seemed to be. Prison had made that tolerable to her, not desirable, and it was not something she could sell convincingly. She stopped being angry for a moment and realized she was on her fifth tequila shot and her stint in prison had made her a bit of a lightweight – especially considering her former tolerance. Time to stop for a while and try to sober up a bit. She stripped off her clothes, put them in a neat and folded stack on her chair, and jumped into the pool, letting the cold water and the cool, late September air clear her head. As she surfaced the anger returned. The bastards didn't even go to the bathroom by themselves! ------- Victoria Matthews was at a loss. Four years in college, then a stint in the Army, all looking for that magic moment when she'd have some idea what she wanted to do with her life. It had never happened, although her time in the military had taught her one important thing about herself – she had a thing for older men ... and older men in uniform were a double threat. So much of one that it had occasionally been hard for her to avoid making a play for a superior officer – even the ones that had indicated they wouldn't be adverse to such a relationship. She was smart enough to know that no matter how much she wanted it, no matter how much they wanted it, the likelihood of things going pear-shaped and her ending up with a dishonorable discharge were far too high. So in the four years since she'd gotten out, she'd drifted around, doing security work for various companies, a couple of gigs as a less-obvious bodyguard for local celebrities. She'd thought of going out to Hollywood – quite a few of her friends had told her that with her dark skin, beautiful features, trim and toned body, and long, lustrous brown hair, she'd find film work in a heart beat. She was smart enough to know it wouldn't be anywhere near that easy. So, she wandered through her life, lost and aimless, still searching for a direction, as well as a man who met her standards – not that she was looking all that hard for the latter. She'd pretty much relegated that search to the back burner. She'd attended the party – truly the most bizarre and uncomfortable social situation she'd ever found herself in – as security for a friend of a friend of an acquaintance. She hadn't met Nancy Velacourt until the day before the affair, and had gladly taken the job as it paid very well for 48 hours work. Watching the freak show she found herself in the middle of, she was convinced it hadn't been enough. Victoria was no prude, but the sheer amount of bizarre, kinky, sexual, licentious behavior, concentrated into a space that didn't seem small until it was packed chock full of deviants, out in the open in front of everyone, had been an unimaginable concept to her. She had her sexual fantasies just like everyone else, but she didn't play them out on a stage in front of strangers ... or even friends – not that she had that many people she truly considered friends. She'd lost her parents years before, her sole sibling – her sister Jess – hadn't approved of Victoria going into the military and so there wasn't really family to fall back on either. So she was pretty much alone, still unsure about the course of her life, and at age 30 was starting to feel like it was time she got her shit together, instead of wandering around like some slacker. A fire-eater wandered by, cheerfully doing his act while wearing a string of paper mache clown heads on a chain attached to a butt plug that was lodged firmly in his ass. Victoria thought that she really should have charged more. ------- Charlie Mays, Master of House Crimson-Glove, knew the opinion most people in Society had of him – that he was a coward, never declaring his position until he could be assured of being on the winning side – and he didn't give a fuck. While he and his House was no one's best friend, they were no one's worst enemy, either. He'd thought long and hard about his tribute to House Chorale. No matter what, he couldn't give a gift that would buy his way into their inner circle and he wasn't even going to try. Still, he had to prove his sincerity – a sincerity ensured by their unavoidable victory – and put him at least nominally on their good side. So he'd asked the one person who would know beyond a shadow of a doubt what they might like – Madame Minerva Cornelius. He knew he was far from her favorite person, yet not disliked enough for her to try and screw him with bad advice ... even though at first he'd thought she was trying to sabotage him. Eventually she convinced him she wasn't. So, at their last appearance at Dominique's, he'd had his submissives Francine and Morgana covertly taking pictures – very special pictures – and then an artist friend of his had gone to work. "So I ally my House to yours, and offer my tribute to you. It's a portrait – of sorts." Francine pulled the sheet of the painting and Harry and Margo examined the canvas – a series of hills, four pairs, of different shapes, lighter in the foreground and gradually darkening, pair by pair, towards the background. Harry was used to working with abstract images – he caught it and began laughing, barely able to calm down enough to make himself understood to Margo. "Honey ... Honey ... they're our ... they're our ... they're our butts!" Margo peered at the painting again and saw it herself – the first pair, pale and sloping on both sides was Harry, the second pair, a little darker and rising gradually to drop off suddenly was her, the next pair, darker still and grandly jutting out like domes was Carol and finally, at the back, very dark and gradually swelling into magnificence was Kelly – as if they'd all laid down on their stomachs, sideways - on an incline - and posed. The laughter they, and everyone else in the tent, shared convinced Charlie he hadn't been wrong to ask Madame Cornelius' advice. "Master Mays," Margo said when she could speak again, "it's beautiful, both to look at and as a representation of the four of us – thank you so much." She looked at her husband. "Living room." "Living room," he agreed, still chuckling. "Very clever, Master Mays." "Well," he said, "I'm very happy you like it – but I cannot take credit. I was at a loss and asked for advice – you have Madame Cornelius to thank ... and I'm so glad I decided to trust her advice. At first..." He paused, then continued in honest admiration, "It's rare to find anyone, much less Dominants, who would appreciate such a portrait." "That's us," Harry replied, "rare ... and damned odd." ------- "How many goddamn people in this town create custom fetish clothing?" Harry muttered beneath his standard smile of welcome. "There do seem to be a hell of a lot of them," Kelly replied softly, keeping a very similar expression on her face. "On the upside, dear husband, I'm not going to need to go shopping for quite sometime, and when I do it won't cost nearly as much." "This is true," Harry said, turning to her and smiling more honestly. "Of course, with us holding court at some club or other once a week, and at Dominique's, you're going to have so many chances to show off the wardrobe." "I know," she replied, "won't that just suck?" "Not at all," Harry replied. "The holding court thing, on the other hand..." "Oh come on, it won't be that bad – and we can split up the duty," Kelly said. "You and Margo, Margo and me, you and me ... a couple of attendants..." "Of which we have more than plenty," Harry muttered. "It'll be fun," Kelly finished. "Speaking of clubs," Carol said, leaning in, "here comes the owners of Whips & Clips, the most tourist-y, dabbler-type club in town." She had almost settled back down when she got back up on her knees. "Steve Trussoni on the right and Nick Cantu on the left ... be nice to them, they generally don't get much respect in Society." Carol settled back down at Harry's feet. "Gay or straight?" Kelly murmured. "Very straight," Carol replied softly. Kelly rose to greet them, still only wearing her shirt and it hung completely open. "Mr. Trussoni and Mr. Cantu, it's a pleasure to meet you," she said, gliding forward to hug them. ------- "Sir, Madam – they're here!" Carol said, a look of panic on her face. "Sweetheart, calm down – who's here?" Harry asked, motioning Kelly to disengage herself from between Jan's thighs and join them. "The Order of Mary, sir ... they're ... they're a cult, that's the only way I can describe them, and they scare the hell out of me. They tried to suck me in when I was just starting out in the scene," Carol babbled. "I don't know why, they don't do that generally, they work with children, lost children, abandoned children..." Carol gave up her attempts to speak and huddled on the floor, trying to work her way back in-between the thrones where Harry and Margo sat. "Minerva," Margo said, "can you perhaps explain what's going on?" "The Order of Mary is a group that trains submissives," Madame Cornelius said, standing and moving closer to the Grimes. "Their methods, whatever they may be, do not produce anything like you've seen before. I suspect little Carol looks at her relationship with you as a total power exchange – she has literally given you the power of life and death over her. The products of the Order of Mary will place that level of complete and total trust with whomever they are told to by their superiors in the Order. If they were to present you with a submissive, that young man or woman would do whatever you told them to, without question, or die trying – immediately. It is some sort of mental conditioning that no one outside the Order has ever been able to break ... or duplicate." Minerva looked down to where Kelly had pulled Carol out from between the chairs and was holding her tightly. "Your pet is quite right to be scared. They are ... I will not use the word 'supernatural', but I will use 'unnatural'. They produce perfect submissives, compliant in every way, in everything. They have little other training, that would be the responsibility of their owners, but they are an effectively blank slate upon which to create whatever kind of submissive you want." "Why do they call themselves the Order of Mary?" Harry asked. "They sound far from religious." "Au contraire, my dear Master Grimes," Minerva replied. "They are very religious ... just not in a way most of us would understand. They are submissive to the Will of God, just as was Mary the Mother of God, Mary the sister of Martha, and Mary the supposed prostitute. They perceive their superiors in the order and their owners as the Voice of God's Will. They believe themselves to be sub-human, barely better than trained animals, and subservient to the wishes and whims of those God has put over them in order to earn their salvation. They may not act in a particularly religious or spiritual fashion, but trust me, every moment that they are performing the duties assigned to them, they are thanking their God that they are being allowed to show their devotion and prove their worthiness for a blissful afterlife." "Surely someone has tried de-programming some of them," Margo said. "Yes, and those attempts have unilaterally failed. Their programming is unbreakable by any means anyone has thought to try. They're a Dominant's wet dream, and any House in the business of training submissives would give a fortune to know the Order's secrets ... or even some of them." She sat back down. "The Order is very picky about who they give them to, and not at all picky about what those recipients do with them. If someone received one of the Order's submissives and commanded her to eat her own arms and legs, the Order would gladly stand by as the new owner gave the submissive said instruction, knowing full well the sub was going to cannibalize themself and eventually die in the attempt to completely consume their own body. Then they would watch as the submissive did so, and smile the entire time." "That's a bizarre hypothetical example," Kelly said, holding Carol as she whimpered. "It is not hypothetical," Madame Cornelius answered, her voice cold. ------- The two women were dressed in a manner very reminiscent of Madame Cornelius' everyday wear – old fashioned, restrictive, uncomfortable and black. Neither of them looked to be over forty, both had shaved heads with the same tattoo upon the right sides of their head, an 'O' with an 'M' in the middle. "Master and Madam Grimes," said one of them, pleasant-looking with soft brown eyes, "I am Sister Lucy, this is Sister Glenda. We have gifts for you, courtesy of a woman in a mask." Harry and Margo looked at each other, neither doubting this was what Paula Philouma had been referring to. "Before we bring them to you, please understand – unlike most of our members, they are trained – well trained – in the art of personal security. It seems that your friend does not want you to come to any harm. That being said, they will still gladly perform any service you require of them, so long as they do not feel that your safety is jeopardized by their doing so. In that they are both more and less than a usual member of our Order, who should under no circumstances refuse you anything at all." Sister Lucy looked troubled, and Sister Glenda spoke. "It has provided us with a quandary – normally no member so trained is allowed to depart the Order, we retain them for our own protection, but your friend was most insistent. It is not so much a problem giving you these two ... bodyguards, for lack of a better term, but that in so doing, you are not receiving free and unfettered members of our Order to do with as you please." "That is unacceptable to us," Sister Lucy said, "so we giving you another member of our Order as well, one with no overriding directives. Unless you order her to, she will stand by and watch you die, should the situation arise. She has no will and no agenda other than that which you provide her. She is, as we strive for all of our Order to be, a tabula rasa." Margo sighed softly and shook her head. "I am sure there is no way we can talk you out of this – out of any of it?" "No Madam, there is not," Sister Glenda said. "Bring them in, then," Margo said, resigning herself to the situation. ------- "These two are for your protection," Sister Glenda said. "We refer to them as 'Alpha' and 'Omega', but of course they will respond to whatever names you give them. They have been trained since a very early age as a pair. They will work separately, but it is not their optimum use." 'Omega' was average height for a woman – roughly 5' 10" – and had a physique that reminded everyone of Karen's ... just a little more slender and defined. Naked and hairless except for her eyebrows, she moved with a barely controlled energy. Her pale blue eyes, like her face, were expressionless and blank, as if she were a machine waiting to be activated. 'Alpha' was somewhat the same, albeit a few inches taller. His motions spoke of an almost sleepy casualness, perhaps even laziness. Yet like 'Alpha' his brown eyes never stopped moving, never stopped scanning his surroundings. He was wirier than his partner, his muscles more defined but less bulky – a dancer or toreador, compared to a wrestler or boxer. The two of them were on alert the moment they were presented to Harry and Margo. It was evident in their every move that they considered the party a situation full of potential threats. "And of course, this one has no name either," Sister Lucy said, referring to the third gift, a young woman with slender limbs, smooth skin, breasts, bottom, and thighs perfectly suited to her build. She had a sweet look about her, but her soft green eyes were as blank as the other two's. "They're like dolls," Kelly whispered to Harry from where she sat between Margo's legs. "Um hmm," he murmured. "And not in a good way – I wish we had Carol here." "Speaking of your little spouse," Sister Glenda said, "where is she? We so looked forward to meeting her." "She is indisposed at the moment," Margo said, her voice as strong and hard as a steel I-beam. "I'll pass along your greetings." Sister Lucy stepped forward, seeming almost hungry. "We could use someone with her talents," she explained. "Many of our recruits are taken into our care while they're still babes, but we also look among society's refuse for those who might benefit from our discipline. For those, we require people gifted at discerning peoples' true natures. We never have enough, far too few of them, far too much need for them. If we could just speak with her..." "Not a chance in Hell," Harry said. "She's ours' – before that, she's mine, and no further discussion is necessary or permissible." Sister Lucy stepped back, her hands clasped in front of her in an attitude of prayer. "My apologies, I beg your pardons – I did not intend to offer offense." "None taken," Margo lied, a smile upon her lips, reflected nowhere else on her face. "I trust our business is concluded?" "Yes," Sister Glenda said. "We should go." "No, I insist, please, sit and enjoy our hospitality for awhile," Margo said, managing to sound completely sincere. "I'd like to see how these two handle themselves," Eddie said as he walked around the bodyguards. "Me too," Karen said. "I as well," Li Kuan added. "Me ... what is it ... me four," Candy said. "A sparring match then? Once you hit the ground you're out?" Harry said. "Remember to instruct Alpha and Omega that it is just sparring and no one is to be seriously hurt," Sister Glenda said. "Please, think of them always as firearms – always loaded and always dangerous." After giving the two of them such instruction, Harry said, "So, one on two, two on two..." "Three on two or four on two ... it will not change the outcome," Sister Glenda said, her voice betraying no arrogance, simply a stating of facts. "The dyke and I have fought as a team before," Eddie said. "We'll take them on first, I guess. You two willing to wait your turn?" he continued, turning to Li Kuan and Candy. "We shall do what we do," Li Kuan replied. "Yeah, what the scary lady said," Candy added. "Okay then, let's clear us a space," Eddie said. Surprisingly, most of the guests had drifted away from the pavilion – in fact most of them seemed to be actively avoiding the area. It wasn't hard at all to make an open area for the contest. "All right," Eddie said, "the two of you ready?" Almost as one, the pair nodded. Karen raised an eyebrow in Eddie's direction. They did have experience fighting together, although their styles were different. Eddie grinned and shrugged and Karen returned the gesture. Eddie went into a very stylized martial arts stance, loose and ready to react to whatever move their opponents made – the very picture of Karen's fighting style – while Karen lowered her center of gravity and raised her hands in a rough approximation of Eddie's opening position. As they'd hoped, the two bodyguards focused the majority of their attention upon Eddie, enabling to Karen to flow out of her rough stance and land a solid kick on Alpha's side ... a hit which the woman took and recoiled from, without her facial expression changing in the least, while Karen danced back, hopping lightly on the leg she'd kicked with. "We're in trouble, Neanderthal," Karen said. Eddie wasn't paying too much attention because he'd feinted right and come around left, trying to hit the same area on Alpha that Karen had. Somewhere between him committing to the strike and actually landing it, Omega swept around, landed two blows to Eddie's ribs and knocked him off target. Alpha pivoted around her partner and landed two more on Eddie's back as he went by, driving him to the ground. While their attention was diverted, Li Kuan whirled into the middle of them, eliciting 'oomphs' of pain as she landed blows, but they used her own momentum against her she joined Eddie on the grassy lawn. Meanwhile Karen had gone low and fast. She came up under Omega, lifted him off his feet, then bore both their bodies to the ground in a slam. Candy had gone in and thrown an arm around Alpha and slung the woman around on Candy's hip before dumping her unceremoniously onto the ground, taking several hard elbow shots to the midsection while doing so. In forty-five seconds or so, it was all over. Candy was the only one still standing, even though she was bent over in pain. Eddie and Li Kuan were spitting dirt from their mouths and a little slow in getting up and Karen got to her feet while holding the side that had slammed into the ground when you she took Omega down. Alpha and Omega popped up onto their feet like they hadn't been hit at all. "That was fun," Omega said, a tiny smile on his face. "You did much better than we expected." "Yes, we would enjoy sparring with you again some time," Alpha said, bowing slightly. "They'll do, Harry," Eddie said, wincing. "They'll do." ------- Once the Sisters were gone, Kelly went and brought Carol back to the tent. "Honey, we understand completely why they make you uncomfortable," Harry said. "We need you to go talk with the gifts they left us and make sure they're okay." "Yes, sir," she replied, although being that close to members of the Order clearly discomfited her. "You think she's going to be all right?" Margo said as their spouse went to speak with the newcomers. "If she's not, we'll step on a lot of toes and get rid of all three of them," Harry said. ------- "Look at it from his side, Tattie," Dominique said. "He's a submissive, you're his Mistress, and he expects to be taken care of. Part of that 'care' is sexual. Now either you can do it, or Julie can, or this sweet young thing," she said, pointing to Tattie's other new submissive, a little Georgian girl named Bedisa, "or there's always Vashti or Svetlana – they wouldn't have a problem with it, although all the rest of us would. It's part of the package. The same will hold true for Bedisa here. "I do not mind if it is you," Bedisa said. "You are very handsome woman." Tattie breathed deeply, trying to find a calm center in herself – someplace that didn't leave her wanting to either weep or kill someone. ------- "They're okay, Harry ... I'm not comfortable around them, but I'm not uncomfortable either ... to me it feels like they're not all there. Whatever the Order does to them, I don't like it ... but at the same time, they're happy. They believe in what they're doing and the service they provide – I can't find a real issue with them." Carol sat down with a look of disappointment on her face. "Would they really do anything we told them to?" Kelly asked. "Well, not so much the two bodyguards," Carol replied. "They've got an overall imperative to protect our family." She paused. "Note – our family ... not necessarily Karen and Patricia, or Eddie and Tamara ... just the four of us." Carol picked up and drank from a glass of water. "The other one ... well, I'd tell you to try it for yourself – see if there's an instruction you could give her that she wouldn't gladly perform, but that could be dangerous with you at the helm, Kelly." "Hey, what have I done to deserve that kind of disrespect?" Kelly asked, unable to keep a straight face. "Other than all your 'Queenly' commands?" Margo said. "Not much really ... but those are enough!" "I would warn all of us, though," Carol said, "she's very literal. They all are, with some reservations where Alpha and Omega are concerned." "Explain, just so we're clear," Harry said. "Don't ever say anything, even jokingly, that you aren't ready to have carried out immediately," Carol replied. "Don't ever say 'blow me' in a public place. Or 'kiss my ass', or 'fuck me', or anything that might be meant figuratively or in jest, but could be taken literally ... unless you've really impressed on their minds when and where such instructions may be safely carried out. It's a total power exchange headspace with no safeword, no moral or ethical safeguards. If you called the girl over and told her to kill Karen, Harry, she'd try. With the previously discussed limitations on the other two, they'll all do whatever they're told to do, to the best of their ability, and they won't question why." "What the fuck does the Order do with people like them?" Kelly murmured. "That, my beloved wife, is the $64,000 question," Carol replied. ------- "So I'm going to guess that you have no preference as to a name," Harry said to their other gift from the Order. "No sir," the little blonde replied. "Whatever you and your spouses decide to name me is fine." "So, what's your favorite flower then?" Margo asked. "The little bright yellow ones that grow around here," the young woman replied. "About this big across," Madame Cornelius asked, holding her fingers apart about an inch, "small center, long petals, more orange-yellow toward the center?" "Yes Madame," she answered. "That's the one I mean." "Engelmann's daisy," Minerva said. "So, 'Daisy' does suit you?" Margo asked. "Of course, Madam, if that's what you wish." "Daisy it is," Harry said. "Now if you would, go back and sit with Alpha and Omega." As she went to do so, Harry muttered to Margo, "I'm not sure if we should let them keep those names or not ... I thought it a bit pretentious to call them that 'til I saw them fight, now I'm thinking calling them that might make some people nervous." "Let them be nervous," Margo said. "Those two aren't here to make folks feel warm and cuddly." She turned to Harry. "Honey, I feel really fucked up right now," she whispered. "I'm accepting security, more security, and hiring security, and it feels right, it feels normal ... it feels like a sensible precaution." Margo shook her head sadly. "That's fucked up." "Yeah it is," Harry said softly, "but you're not alone in feeling that way, okay? You ask Kelly, or Carol ... hell, ask Eddie – he hired someone to be live-in security at his house." His voice lowered even further. "One of our close family friends is the head of the local mob, Carol and I were attacked, Eddie had thugs come after him, a psycho bitch tried to have her daughter killed at our party ... we'd be crazy if we weren't getting a little paranoid and security-conscious." "Okay," Margo said, her face brightening a little as she smiled, "as long as we're crazy together." ------- Nigel Phillips and his sub Suzette were an odd couple. He was tall and thin, leather pants and trenchcoat, red shirt and brilliant white paisley tie, goateed and handsome, while she was shorter, almost a physical match for him in physique with a tiny waist and smallish ass ... until her chest was taken into account. Large and natural, her breasts made the difference between them quite plain – that and her long black hair. And the fact that she was mostly naked, her breasts supported by a web bra who's back straps were threaded through the rings in her pierced nipples. Her body was decorated with dark turquoise tattoos – not tribal per se, but if Harry had to describe them, he'd say they were close. Lines of dots encircled her legs, bands of color and dots around her arms and legs, dagger and diamond shapes above her breasts and on her face, jagged teeth-like patterns on the sides of her cunt and more, many more. While he couldn't put his finger on it, she seemed very familiar. Nigel had taken an offered chair, while Suzette had demurred and squatted on the ground beside him, watching the goings-on with curious, intelligent eyes. "So," Nigel said in an English accent that displayed his Cockney roots more often than not, "I'd like to get the fight business goin' again. Nofin' much to it, really, but with fose cunts runnin' Dallas an' Houston an' San Antonio starin' at the ceilin' an' whistlin', the profit went away, an' the scene wif it." Margo remembered the recent bouts at Dominique's and although she didn't approve, they had brought in a lot of money for the clinic. "So, Mr. Phillips..." "Call me Nigel..." "Interrupt me once more and I'll call you a cab, Mr. Phillips," Margo said, ice in every word. "As I was saying, what would reopening the fights entail, what are the rules, and what do we get out of it, should the fights reopen?" "Yes'm," Nigel said, swallowing loudly. "Reopenin' 'em is just a matter of findin' places to hold 'em, places the police aren't likely to go, an' puttin' together a card o' matches. Rules depends ... the crowds really like a bit o' blood an' spurt, an' since some people – not me, mind you – but some people like bettin' on such fings, illegal as 'at is, fey can't be no arranged performance – it's got to be real. Maybe somefin' like the Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts – they seem to keep the casualties to a minimum." He screwed the side of his face up and sniffed, thinking for a moment. "As to what you get out of it ... percentage of the take, you'd have to make arrangements wif the site that's hostin' 'em." "That wouldn't be a problem," Dominique said from where she'd been sitting beside Margo. "I'd be hosting the fights." "So you'd be Dominique Duvalier, right?" Nigel said, standing. He put forth his hand. "Pleasure to meet you – I heard you put on a hell of a card last weekend." Dominique shook his hand and then settled back into her chair. Standing behind Harry, Eddie whispered, "Don't say a word, Harry, or I'll beat you senseless long before the girls can stop me." "No you won't," whispered Li Kuan, who had appeared behind Eddie like a ghost. "Shit," Eddie muttered. "Nigel, I'd like to introduce two of the fighters from last weekend, Eddie Janak and Li Kuan," Harry said, smiling. As the two of them came around the thrones, Nigel was up on his feet again, putting his hand out. "Right, you're the two what buggered each ofer! A show like 'at, wif a bet like 'at on the side ... oh, wif enough promotion, you coulda made a fortune off tickets an' such." Harry reflected that it might strike some people as odd that he had seen a particular smile of Eddie's often enough to give it a name. Eddie was wearing his "I'm-gonna-get-even-with-you-Harry" smile. Remembering past occurrences of it, Harry turned just a little pale. Nigel had pumped both Eddie and Li Kuan's hand like he was trying to get water from a well and then started looking the two of them up and down. "Oh yeah, enough publicity beforehand, you coulda raked in the big bank on fese two." He turned and looked to Dominique. "Lemme guess – you charged somefin' less than a hundred a head for the night these two fought." "Considerably less," Dominique said, trying to keep a smile on her face. "I been in your club a time or two," Nigel said. "For the tables ringside, you shouldn't o' charged a dime less fan a fousand dollars – fifteen hundred if the tables sat more fan eight. Fat's on top o' the hundred dollar door fee per person. Tables in the next circle out, five hundred an' seven-fifty. Past that it's catch as catch can for seatin'. Now, I unnerstan' you raised money for your charity," he continued, nodding to Margo, "an' you raised a tidy sum. I'm just sayin' you let it be known fat fese two were fightin', you coulda made a whole lot more." "I'm not sure I like you," Dominique said as Nigel sat back down and Eddie and Li Kuan returned to their previous positions, "but I like the sound of what you're saying." Margo looked at her, eyebrows raised. "You'd consider this? Regular fights at your club? It's barbaric!" "Yes dear, it is," Dommie agreed. "But it's a barbarism people will pay a lot of money to see, and it's something the club has done before, although more for purely entertainment value. The Dommi-nators exist for a reason – people want to see physical contests. Fighting and fucking, Margo, fighting and fucking." "Right," Nigel said, "an' in our Society like nowhere else, you can combine the two. Darlin's..." Both Margo and Dominique looked at him with poison in their eyes. "Ladies..." The looks didn't improve. "Madam Grimes, Mistress Duvalier..." The two women smiled a little. "Ah ... well, people would've driven in from all over the state, maybe from furfer out even, to see that card. All it woulda taken was a little promotion, and someone wif a little experience in the field. That's what I can bring to the table. I've done this in the outside world, quite successfully, for ten years. Now I unnerstan' there won't be two like fese on the card every time you host an event – it was a once in a decade event, if that, but wif a good stable o' fighters, each city what wants to participate raisin' feir crop o' young men an' women willin' to try to beat the shit out of each ofer for fame and glory – well, as it stands now, four cities, location rotatin' monfly, free events a year – you'll make money – lots of it." He moved his chair closer to the thrones. "Look, somefin' else – Madam Grimes, your proceeds fis last time went to your clinic, an' that's fine an' all. Bein' in your position fough, it takes money – lots of money. I know you inherited some, an' fat's fine, but you got to fink long term, an' long term, your House will need a source o' funds. Now you can go into business like a lot o' fine Houses have," he continued, nodding toward Nancy Velacourt, "but unless you can fink o' somefin' really new an' excitin', somefin' the market don't already 'ave, you're buggered. You'd be breakin' into a market fat already has established vendors in your area. You might make some, you might not, but I wouldn't bet on you, if I was a bettin' man. Now fen, you start backin' the fights, let fese two start trainin' people for the arena, so to speak, you could do very well indeed. Plus, you got Karghold Newton – fose people are right crazy, but fey know how to fight. You get a little stable o' willin' fighters – fat an' your share o' the door take, you've got income." He leaned back, aware of how many people were glaring at him. "I'm just sayin' is all..." "And how much is your share of all this, should you end up being the one who organizes the whole thing?" Harry asked, the pleasant tone of his voice fooling no one. "A small percentage, Master Grimes, a little off the top is all." "How much is 'a little percentage'?" Harry asked, his tone a little less pleasant than it had been before. "Ten percent..." A general growl arose from the audience – Karen, Eddie, Candy, and Li Kuan prepared themselves. "Did I say ten, pardon me, I meant five – five percent." Before a response could get started, Harry raised his hand. "Chill ... how about five percent base plus a percent per city you get to agree – if you somehow magically get all five, another two-and-a-half on top of that? For things to come out that way, of course, you'd have to get the other three cities to agree – and agree to you being in charge of getting it going," Harry said. "Oh, fat ain't nofin', Master Grimes," Nigel replied. "I've been a forne in feir sides for years, fey've heard me out a hundred times. Oh, I'll go pitch it to 'em again, never you mind, but I figure it's up to you an' fem to come to a meetin' o' the minds an' beggin' your pardon, fat's a meetin' I've got no business at." He thought for a moment. "And if I pitch it just right, I fink I can get Dallas as well." He rose from his seat, looking very calm and sure of himself. "You ask around, you'll see – I've got what it takes to make fis work. Alfough, you got any ofer candidates makin' femselves known, you let me know." He bowed and smiled, and then he led Suzette away on her leash. After the two of them were a distance away, Carol rummaged in a bag while she called, "Dayna?" Dayna scurried over. "Yes, miss?" "Does your family have wireless internet out here?" "Satellite modem, yes, miss." Carol pulled out a laptop. "What's the access code?" As the two of them hunched over the machine, Harry leaned over to Margo. "He may rub all of us the wrong way, but he has a point ... several in fact." "I know," she replied. "It's just that I don't like the thought of any of us, or any of our submissives, fighting for the enjoyment of others. I have a problem with it even when it's absolutely necessary, but doing it for sport..." "Not to mention that you'd feel honor-bound to be on hand in case a doctor was called for..." Kelly said. "Yeah, not to mention that," Margo said, her smile drawn and tight. "Found her!" Carol said. "She models under the name 'Jezette'." "Models what?" Margo asked. "Better to ask what she doesn't model, as far as fetish wear and gear is involved," Carol replied, bringing the laptop over. Webpage after webpage of their former guest in everything from clichéd kink-wear to PVC to leather to rubber, demonstrating gear and equipment from the most basic set of stocks to fucking machines to suspension rigs and everything in-between. "Gawddamn, is there anything she hasn't modeled?" Eddie said, looking over their shoulders. "I haven't seen her in a perverted panda costume ... nope, there that is," Harry said. "No, I think she's covered everything, and by the looks of her resume, if someone in the scene has avoided using her as a model, they'll probably remedy that in the next month or so." "Didn't know we had a celebrity in our midst," Margo said. "Or better said, one we can actually talk about," she finished, thinking of Gianetta Bruno. "Well, y'all better decide when y'all want to pow-wow about the fight idea," Eddie said. "Our boy Nigel is going to want an answer some time tonight." Margo sighed. "Is this a part of the job I can leave to my spouses?" "Sure, darling," Kelly said. "You let me, Harry, and the hoodoo woman handle it. When we have a meeting set up, you can stay here and mind the fort, we'll go see what's what." ------- "Look darling," Nancy Velacourt said, "it's very obvious this isn't your kind of party, but at least try to look relaxed. Wander around a bit, get a drink, something to eat... relax. Things are calm enough that you can take a breather – it's going to be a long night and it's probably best that you pace yourself." "You hired me to..." Victoria said. "Yes," Nancy interjected, "and now, as your employer, I'm telling you to take a break. Run along now." Victoria shrugged and strolled down the lane between the tents and the estate's inner grounds. Relaxing might be out of the question, but as it was still relatively early in the night – and given that she'd still be around to see all of the freaks in the morning, when undoubtedly they'd look even more disturbing, perhaps a little acclimatization wouldn't be a bad thing. As she walked along she reflected that none of the partygoers were hurting anyone, at least not without permission, and they seemed happy enough. In fact, it seemed like they were having the time of their lives. Victoria found it disturbing that she couldn't remember the last time she'd had anywhere near as much fun as the people at the party were having. Maybe she should give up on searching for a purpose in life, and just descend into hedonism. Perhaps she should forget she'd ever had that idea. She reached the patio where the caterers had set up and found herself slightly in awe of the sheer amount and variety of food that was cycling through the area. Waiters and waitresses were moving in a constant stream, bringing back empty plates and bowls, glasses and goblets, and taking out fully laden serving ware. Five bartenders were handling drink orders brought in by the waitstaff, with another two handling walk-up orders. In the background she could see row after row of chafing dishes, constantly being emptied and refilled by the staff. The smell of the food hit Victoria's nose from a fair distance and her stomach informed her she hadn't eaten since a power bar and cup of coffee early that morning. She found an empty table and sat down, examining the menu from a rack on the table. It took her a moment to realize that the menu wasn't a joke – she could clearly see items from it on tables all around her. A waiter – dressed like the rest in nothing but leather briefs – came to her table and took her order. Within minutes he returned with her food and drink – a large slab of prime rib, a vegetable medley that actually looked and smelled divine, and a large mug of coffee. Silverware magically appeared at her elbow and she unwrapped them, unwilling to slow down for a second due to the heavenly odors rising from the plate. Twenty minutes later she was leaning back, satisfied, strongly considering giving the lobster a try, a second mug of coffee already half gone. She took the time to watch as partygoers, sticky and sweaty and covered in substances Victoria did not want to speculate on, headed for the showers, washed, and came out clean if damp, before making their way to the area where people were eating. She didn't want to think too hard about the condition of people who were eating in their tents or elsewhere, but at the very least the attendees were mindful of the sensibilities of their fellows when it came time to eat together. She waved her waiter over, and ordered the lobster while he refilled her coffee. ------- Years of schooling and even more years practicing medicine left Margo with an all-too-realistic view of just what trauma could do to the human body. She had found a quiet moment by the pool to sit by herself and think, and her mind went to the issue of Society-sponsored fights. Margo loved her family and friends, but even though Eddie and Li Kuan, there were so many ways the fight between them could have gone badly, referees or no referees. Now it seemed as though all her loved ones were blind to a group of risks that she could not help but see. She thought about just having someone else there – she was absolutely positive that Mike Lowry would gladly fill in for her – he was a sweetheart and wouldn't raise an eyebrow at the request. In the end, she decided that while she wouldn't mind having Mike on hand, it wouldn't look good for her to foist the duty off on someone else. She would be at the fights, she would doctor the injured, and she would maintain her sense of calm by distancing herself from what was going to be happening ... as much as she could. ------- "Look, all I'm sayin' is fat the rest of 'em have gone for it ... you'd be silly not to. Fey're gonna be rakin' in money fat you won't be, so why not get some for yourself?" Nigel Phillips put his hand over the receiver on his phone and turned to his slut. "Fey're gonna go for it – never known no one as arrogant as fese two what would let ofers profit wifout takin' a piece for femselves." He turned back and pulled his hand away. "Yeah? Good fen, you're in, an' you agree to the recommended fee structure? Lovely, Master Vanson. Fank you so much." He terminated the call, slipped the phone back in his pocket and turned to Suzette. "Five for five, no quibbles about our share, less fan an hour. Now fen, who's a bleedin' genius?" he asked, grinning. She began to remove his clothing and bore him down to the ground, lowering herself onto his erect cock. "You are, my dear," she said, before neither of them had anything else to say that wasn't a groan of pleasure. ------- "And because I haven't shit on your head enough for one night, Nick," Emily said, firmly putting the bottle on the dresser across the room from them, "the DEA has started poking around in your area ... they think that the current chaos will provide a perfect opportunity for them to do some rooting around. From what I hear in the grapevine, they've got someone who knows those friends of yours..." "You mean the ones I told you were strictly off limits if you wanted any cooperation from me at all?" Nick snarled. "Yeah, those ... they're going to try to back door their way into your operations through your friends..." Nick, barely in control, got up from his chair and began preparing to leave. "Nick – I've got no control over them, this is something they cooked up all on their own!" "Emily," he said as he walked to the door, "I don't care. They get brought into this and any cooperation from me vanishes. Nothing I get from our infiltration of Mexican and Japanese computer networks will ever make it to your desk – not one single solitary bit of information. The Philouma family will lock up tighter than a drum; I'll hire more lawyers and prepare to ride out whatever the hell comes. You put an end to their investigation and keep the Grimes and their associates out of this – I don't care if you have to steal a nuke and blow the DEA to hell and back. Just do it or all deals are off!" As Nick drove away he fought to calm down – all he needed was to be pulled over for driving recklessly. He had once told Margo Grimes that he would do whatever it took to keep his family safe ... he just didn't know at the time that he'd end up considering her and the others a part of his family as well. ------- The wait-staff had been spreading word throughout the crowd and all the interested parties had made their way to the dance floor. As "Sex on Wheels" faded out, Katie Melua's cover of "Blues in the Night" began to play. While some couples continued to dance, slow and dirty, all of them migrated to the edge of the dance floor and picked up large throw pillows. People coming on to the dance floor carried them as well and as dancers found their spots on the floor, the pillows were dropped nearby. In the DJ booth, Jack looked at Joy. "You're sure this is going to work? Playing the same song for like, twenty minutes?" She took his face in her hands. "Trust me, sir. It'll work just fine. It's a bit of a tradition among local Society. It started at a club called "Nightwings" back in the late '80's. They played Joan Jett's "Do You Want To Touch Me" and had a near-orgy break out on the dance floor. The DJ was so intent on what was going on in front of him that he just looped it and kept it playing. By the time it started its third play-through, there wasn't anything 'near' about the orgy. The song, and what happened on the floor, became legend, so it's become tradition." "But the whole 'Blues in the Night' thing?" Jack asked. "They needed something identifiable to announce that 'Do You Want to Touch Me' was coming up, and that's the song that ended up becoming the lead-in," she said, snuggling up to where his limp cock was nestled in the crack of her ass. "Watch – it's going to blow your mind." As "Blues in the Night" faded out and the next song began, the crowd's dancing changed to meet the beat of the song. During the first play-through, the dancers looked each other up and down, and new partners were found by almost everyone. A few dancers left the floor; a few people from the crowd standing around the edges were pulled in. There were a few final adjustments during the second go-round, and by the time the song faded in for a third time, people were lowering to themselves to the pillows all over the dance floor. None of the guys in the DJ booth had ever seen anything like it. As casually as if the participants were in their own bedrooms, they started fucking, sucking, licking, biting, poking, prodding, caressing, stroking, and rubbing. Jack's cock slowly began to harden and Joy leaned back against his shoulder. "Not so tired as you thought, huh?" she giggled. ------- "Quite something, isn't it?" Carol whispered as she sat on Harry's lap. Submissives were stepping gingerly through the maze of fornication on the dance floor, retrieving used condoms, bringing fresh ones, providing extra pillows or taking away ones that were no longer needed. "What the hell are the rules for something like that?" Harry asked, caressing his pet's thighs. "Pretty simple, actually," Carol replied. "No means no, you ask politely, refuse politely, and don't take it personally. You practice safe sex. It's all purely voluntary and – in theory anyway – what happens on the dance floor stays there." She preened under her Master's touch. "That's not to say that people haven't met on the floor and continued their relations elsewhere, but just as discussing what goes on in Society with someone not in the scene is taboo, discussing what you might see – or might do – on the dance floor is even more taboo. For those who go out on the floor and are in relationships, all sides have agreed that once out there, anything goes. If they can't agree to that, they don't go play. There have been a lot of parties where some really unlikely couples formed, a lot of steam was blown off, and no one ever said anything about it afterwards." "So," Harry said, shifting so that his cock went further inside Carol's wet cunt, "it's not only playtime, but can also function as a pressure valve?" "Yeah ... oh, that feels very nice, sir ... but people being people, some pretty bad shit has gotten its start out there as well. But generally, I think if a situation gets ugly because of what happens during "Do You Want to Touch Me", it was ugly already – whether the participants knew it and weren't saying anything or whether they were in denial, something was already going bad." "I know I've seen similar orgies ... in our very own living room in fact," Harry said, nibbling on her neck, "but I never thought I'd see it out in the open like this ... or any semi-public place..." Carol grinned. "There's something even more ... severe, I guess you'd say. In ways it's like Patricia's Shark Tank, sortakinda, or a Wesson oil party gone completely crazy. You provide a room with good air-conditioning, put plastic everywhere, throw in pillows or blankets you never want to use again, chunk in protein bars and bottles of lube and water, everybody who wants to participate has a very recent clean blood test, every one has an enema before hand and women better be on birth control or be ready to get pregnant, should they be ovulating at the time. Same number of men as women – usually – but special mixes have certainly been done." "So ... what are the rules once you go in?" Harry asked as his eyebrows rose. "There aren't any ... there is no asking, there is no refusing – by entering, you agree to whatever conceivably could happen. There's no edgeplay, just sex, but saying that what goes on in a 'Dark Room' is just sex is like saying that the Roman Coliseum was just chariot races. Things can get real intense in the dark, everyone going by feel, and anything they feel they can use any way they like." "How long does that insanity last?" Harry said, trying to deny to himself that it sounded like fun – with the right mix of people. "Six hours is pretty standard – longer and things get messy. From what I've seen, it generally takes folks a couple of days to recover." She turned to kiss Harry. "Why," she whispered, "you want to go in a Dark Room?" "Not sure I'm ready to yet ... I've always known I was theoretically bisexual, but I never really wanted to take it to the practical level," Harry said, somewhat amazed at the discussion they were having. "That – and the approval of my spouses – would be my only reasons to avoid it." Carol caressed his leg. "Well, and this..." she said. "Good point, darlin'," Harry replied. "I don't even want to know how much stress my leg would undergo." "But if you were ready to explore that side of your sexuality, and your leg was fine, and we all agreed?" Carol asked. "In a heartbeat," Harry answered. "I wouldn't go in with you, you know that," Carol said. "It's not my thing." "No honey, you wouldn't ... and I'm betting Margo wouldn't. I'm pretty sure Kelly would, though." "Yeah, yeah she would," Carol said, grinning. ------- Keith Thomas had enjoyed a reasonably sane life. He had a good job, he had a nice apartment filled with books, comics, movies, games, and computer equipment. His last girlfriend had left him over a year before because she realized that they didn't want the same things out of life. She was aiming for a home and family, he was aiming for a more laid-back existence. Keith had his friends, he had Radio Free Mordor – he was happy. And then he'd come to play a dance at the Grimes' kinky soiree, and his world view had been almost painfully widened. Even a familiarity with a lot of internet porn hadn't prepared him for the reality of it all. He was smart enough to discount ninety-eight percent of what he saw in porn ... but he couldn't do the same with what was happening all around him. There was no denying the evidence of his senses ... or the young woman sitting at his feet. At Thera's request, he had tied her leash firmly around his wrist, so that she was forced to go everywhere with him. That had included the bathroom. He'd never felt too comfortable going to the john with anyone else around, whether he was in a relationship with them or they were complete strangers. He certainly wasn't ready for a cute young woman to offer to be his urinal ... or to help clean him when he was through ... to tell him as long as they were together, he'd never have to wipe his own ass if he didn't want to. He'd gotten over the discomfort, and had let her wipe his penis dry with some toilet paper. Keith had figured that was as strange as it could get. Then they talked together as they watched the orgy on the dance floor and it got so much stranger. ------- 3 AM Full as a tick, Victoria was walking toward the toilets when she noticed one of the rocking back and forth vigorously. She didn't care to think on possible reasons why it might be doing so, but then she clearly heard a woman's scream from inside the porta-potty. The lock on the door wasn't made to keep out a determined person, and she kicked the door out, knocking the man standing directly behind it forward into the rear of the enclosure. The woman who was crouched on the toilet seat had curled up even tighter to avoid him. Victoria grabbed his hair and jerked him out of the toilet so hard that half the hair in her grasp pulled out of his head. He landed on the ground, one hand trying to stop his fall, the other clutching at the bleeding patch on his scalp. Victoria quickly looked back at the woman and asked, "Are you all right?" "I am now," the woman replied, breaking into tears, trying to hide the swelling on the side of her face. Victoria returned her attention to her opponent. He was trying to scramble to his feet and to her way of thinking that just wouldn't do. Preferring to carry a nightstick rather than the more modern tactical baton, she whipped hers out of the loop on her belt, brought it down on the back of his knees, and as he crumpled to the ground she said, "Put your hands together behind your back or I will stomp your goddamn dick into the dirt." The man on the ground looked back at her as her taser cleared the holster on her left side. "Three," she said, "two..." Somewhere around one-and-a-half, his hands were behind his back. By the theoretical 'zero', she was zip-tying his wrists. ------- Master Yeats sat back and put his phone away, returning his hand to the back of Piglet's head, forcing her further down on his cock. "Phillips pulled it off," he said, surprise on his face. He looked at the other cities' Dominants, relaxing in the living room of the farmhouse. "I don't know how, but he got Vanson and Saenz to agree to a state-wide arena system. They want April and September." "I'm not too surprised," Mistress Guzman said. "Easiest thing in the world to appeal to their greed. If it works anywhere near as well as he claims, we'd have a source of funds they won't, and nobody here would turn down new income streams." Harry nodded thoughtfully. "Yeah, from what Carol found online before we came over, he might seem a little smarmy, but he's got a good head for business and promotion. He's doing real well in the wrestling and mixed martial arts business. Lots of shows, high attendance, satisfied attendees, happy fighters..." "And you want to fuck his wife very badly," Kelly said as she caressed Harry's cock. "That too," Harry said, surprised by his lack of a blush. "All right, he's pulled it off, he's pulled it off quickly and efficiently – now we decide what to do in the two off months," Mistress Snyder said. "We can't get three shows a piece, so we're stuck with two apiece and two months unspoken for." "Uh, Phillips said that Vanson suggested a state-wide tournament, the site of which is to be rotated – men's and mixed one month, women and mixed the other – he also wants Dallas to have the honor of the first tournament," Yeats said. "The exact scheduling can be worked out some other time – Phillips told Vanson it'd take him six months at least to get everything up and running, also give us time to find fighters for the tickets." "Then since we've decided to go along with this, and don't have to decide anything else for a while, let's get out of here and go enjoy ourselves," Mistress Pena said. "Uh, yeah," Master Yeats said, "you go ahead, I'll catch up to you." He tilted his head back and closed his eyes, ignoring their laughter and letting Piglet work her magic on his cock. ------- Li Kuan looked worried as she approached the tent. That, in and of itself, was unnerving. As she entered the pavilion, she bent to speak to Madame Cornelius, but before she could get a word out, the grand dame said, "You forget your place. I do not rule here – speak to those that do!" Margo had never seen anyone drop to their knees as quickly as Li Kuan did, bowing her head toward the thrones. "My apologies." Margo smiled. "No worries, Li Kuan. What seems to be the problem?" "Ophelia, Madame's niece, has been involved in an incident. She and the other party are being brought here now by one of Mistress Velacourt's security people." Margo watched Minerva's good mood disappear. She had had such hopes that Ophelia was finally growing up and realizing the damage her actions had wreaked not only on her aunt's business, but her reputation as well. By the look on Minerva's face, she considered the entire effort to rehabilitate Ophelia a failure. Margo got up and went to her friend and without thinking took the woman in her arms and held her close – a familiarity Margo wouldn't have even considered under most circumstances. Minerva Cornelius welcomed the gesture. Of all the attendees, of all her associates, Margo was perhaps the only person she would allow to touch her in that manner in public. Not even Li Kuan was allowed to do so outside the confines of their home. Margo wondered at her friend – a woman who could weep without tears, who could appear so distant, remote, and cold, yet be so vulnerable where her niece was concerned – a niece Minerva knew she should have cut out of her life so long before. Even if Minerva lived another fifty years, Margo was sure that her friend would remain a mystery to her. It was then that Victoria Matthews walked up with Ophelia and a man in a mask with his hands bound behind his back. Margo quickly realized that the situation was quite different than the conclusion they'd all jumped to. She patted Minerva's shoulder, and went to Ophelia's side, giving the woman a hug before bringing her to her aunt. "I don't know what the protocol is around here," Victoria said, "but this man assaulted this woman." "The protocol, as you so nicely put it," Minerva said, the steel back in her voice, "is that he be turned over to the police ... if possible. If he's a member of Society, things are relatively simple. He won't say things that shouldn't be said, because it's not in his best interest, or ours, that he do so. And if he's not in Society, what's he doing here?" Minerva took Ophelia into her arms and held her as Margo returned to her seat. "Let's see just who this man is," Margo said. "Uh, they told me the mask was like, sacred or something. It assured my anonymity," the man said, his voice strangely familiar to Harry. "Yeah, jackass, that's normally the rule," he said as he got up from his seat. Camille moved to support him and Candy stayed at their side as they walked toward the masked man. "But when you attempt a..." Harry looked down to confirm the man's dick was exposed. "When you attempt a sexual assault, the rules kinda fall by the wayside." Harry and his escorts stopped in front of the prisoner. "But I'm pretty sure you expected that it might ... right, Paul?" Harry reached out and flipped the mask off Paul Winchester's face. As he did so, he wondered which of their family and friends would be first to make it to Paul – as one of them was bound to take a swing at him. "Candy, keep folks away from him..." Before he could finish his sentence, before Candy could block her, Galena had burst from the crowd and slammed into Paul. Victoria figured it wasn't her fight, so she released her grip on the zip-tie binding his wrists and let the young Dominatrix knock him to the ground, where Galena proceeded to rain blows on his gut, pounding his abdomen as hard as she could. Candy moved to pull her away and Harry stopped her with a hand on her arm. "Relax – he's earned it, and it's likely to be the nicest thing that happens to him from here on." In the end it was Andrea who pulled Galena off of Andrea's soon-to-be-ex-husband. "Leave him, Mistress," Andrea said. "He's not worth the effort, and there are other people waiting to deal with him." Paul was pulled back to his feet by Candy. He was a pathetic figure – sobbing, snot running down his face, his scalp wound had reopened and blood was seeping down his head. "Dude," Harry said, moving back to his chair, "could you be any more ball-less? What the fuck were you doing here in the first place? You remember what I told you?" "Yeah ... yeah..." Paul said, his breath heaving. "But they told me ... they told me nobody would question me ... with a mask on ... and I could get my shot at ... that little whore ... Andrea ... I wasn't planning on getting caught." "Who told you?" Harry asked coldly. Paul Winchester looked scared – more scared than he had before and that was very scared indeed. "Some ... uh ... people ... in the scene ... you know, I just talked to people," he stammered. Harry calmly motioned to Li Kuan. She knelt before him and bared her teeth, running her tongue across the sharp points. "Who, little man? Who told you about the party, about wearing a mask? Who told you? Who bought your ticket to the party?" Li Kuan asked. "You want to tell me now, while you can still do so in a voice softer than a scream." For a second, Paul eyed the crowd that had gathered to watch, and he paled slightly. "Dick ... uh ... Dick Laney ... he told me ... it was all his idea. He'd heard about everything through the grapevine and he sent me to ... you know, make a scene, get the cops called out here ... embarrass you." "You'll put that in writing? Write out a confession and sign it?" Li Kuan asked, her lips – and more importantly her teeth, almost touching his ear. "Yeah, yeah, Jesus Christ, I'll write it down and sign it, just gimme pen and paper!" Li Kuan got to her feet and stepped away. "So how did you end up assaulting Ophelia?" Minerva asked, her voice deceptively calm. "You have ... too much ... security around you ... and all your little ... freak friends ... so I recognized ... that cunt ... and decided to finish ... what I started at the party." Harry got out of the chair and very carefully got down on one knee. "You've signed the divorce papers, yes? All Andrea's waiting for is the decree to be granted, and there's no reason you need to be there for that, is there?" "Noooo," Paul wailed, terror-stricken. "Good, I wouldn't want things held up because you weren't ... available," Harry said, getting back up and returning to his seat. "You," Harry said, pointing to Victoria. "Who are you and where did you come into all this?" "I'm Victoria, Victoria Matthews, part of Nancy Velacourt's security team. I was just wandering by when I heard this woman," Victoria said, pointing at Ophelia, "crying for help from inside a porta-potty." "All right Victoria," Harry said, realizing even more people were gathering in front of their tent and watching the proceedings. "What's Nancy paying you?" "Five thousand dollars for two days work, Harry," Nancy said, making her way through the crowd. "I like my girls to remain safe." "Cool, thank you Nancy," Harry replied. "Carol, get the checkbook from the duffle bag. Victoria Matthews, was it? You're getting a bonus." While he was writing out the check, William Vickery and some of his people showed up. "Heard we had a problem," Vickery said. "Sorry none of my people were there." "Relax, Mr. Vickery," Margo said. "Your job here is done, and there was someone around to stop this asshole from raping a family ... friend. But I'm pretty sure you can count on contracts from us for any future get-togethers. Your people really impressed us with that earlier matter." "If you're hiring though, you might want to look into employing Ms. Matthews," Harry said, signing his name at the bottom of the check. "I'm sure Nancy would be happy to give you a recommendation for her as well." "Long as you don't hire her away before the end of her current contract with me," Nancy said, "I won't have a problem at all with seeing her get steady employment." Victoria looked at the check Harry had thrust into her hands. "Uh, sir ... I can't accept this." "Give me one good reason why you can't," Harry replied. Victoria stood quietly for a moment, trying to come up with one. "All right, sir, I can accept it, but..." she said. "No 'but's, take the money, say thank you, and let Mr. Vickery hire you," Margo said. "Go do what Nancy hired you to do instead of cleaning up our messes." "Before I do, this is that asshole's personal effects," Victoria said, handing over a wallet, a thick envelope, and a set of keys. "Thank you, Ms. Matthews," Harry said as Candy brought him Paul's things. Victoria walked away with William Vickery. He was not only making a very generous offer of employment, but she thought the older man was quite attractive as well. Perhaps attending the party wasn't the mistake it had seemed like earlier. ------- Party security had moved everyone away and was maintaining a cordon around the tent, so no one could eavesdrop on what was being said. "Paul, you remember what I told you the last time we saw each other?" Harry asked, his voice pleasant and relaxed. "You remember what I said would happen to you?" "Please, you don't understand," Paul said, his voice an annoying whine. "I've lost everything, literally. Without Andrea ... I'm living in my car, no one will hire me – they do a background check and the restraining order shows up and no one cares..." "We don't either, asshole," Harry said. "I don't give a goody-goddamn if every night rats chew on your fingers and toes while big hairy men rape you in alleys, holding you face down in shit! None of that would change a thing – you knew the rules, you broke the rules, then on top of that you assaulted one of our guests. Is there any reason in the world why she shouldn't file charges on you? Is there any reason at all you shouldn't disappear forever?" "You can't..." Paul stammered. "You can't do that, these people, these other people, they'd know and you'd..." "None of these people would do or say a goddamn thing," Karen said. "And you've already told us that no one gives a shit about you out in the world, so why shouldn't we just make you go away?" Minerva Cornelius spoke up. "I think I have a solution to our problem..." "I shall take care of it, Madame..." Li Kuan began. "You shall do no such thing," Madame Cornelius snapped. "Hans, call Gordon, Gordon Stephenson – his number is in my phone." "Who's Gordon Stephenson?" Margo asked, as Hans headed stepped away to make the call. "Someone who is very, very good at destroying a person's credibility," Minerva replied, smiling coldly. "By the time he is finished with Mr. Winchester, people would doubt his word if he were saying the sky is blue and grass is green, much less any babbling about what and who he might have seen here tonight." Her smile disappeared. "Or perhaps Mr. Winchester will be dead, terribly injured, or insane." She returned her gaze to her friends. "Better if you do not ask any questions you are not absolutely sure you want the answer to." Minerva smoothed out a wrinkle in her skirt. "Either way, trust me; Paul Winchester is going to cease to be a problem for any of us. But do refasten his hands in front of him, if you would please? Then take him to wait at the front gate." As Paul Winchester was led away, Carol turned to Harry and Margo. "He was lying, I'm sure of it. It wasn't Dick Laney, much as I'd like to believe it was." She wiped her forehead tiredly. "Only an outsider would've heard what was going on in the porta-potty and thought someone was in trouble. Anyone else, anyone familiar with Society? They'd have ignored it because this sort of thing does not happen at our events – they would have been sure it was role-playing or something like that. We got very, very lucky." "You're right, we did get lucky and yes he was lying," Candy said. "I looked in that envelope, sir. For someone who's destitute and living in his car, he had a buttload of money." "He'd tell us Dick Laney paid him," Harry said. "He'd tell us that because either someone told him they were Dick when they hired him and he's smart enough to know no one would give him their real name, or he's so scared of them he'd lie in the face of the worst we could do to him to keep from revealing their identity. And from the way he looked at the crowd while we were questioning him? I think whoever it was is here tonight." "Fucking lovely," Kelly said. "Just what we need – more goddamn intrigue." ------- A wall of bodies stood around Minerva Cornelius and her niece. All of the people protecting them from view faced outward, all of them pretended they heard nothing of what was said between Ophelia and her aunt. "I have wronged you, Ophelia," Minerva said. "How ... oh..." Ophelia replied. "You assumed I was the guilty party." "I did, and I most deeply sorry," Minerva said, her head actually hanging in shame. "At news of trouble, I ignored the evidence of these past weeks – I ignored the most glaring evidence – how you have performed in preparation for this very party, and I assumed you had backslid into your old behavior." She brought her head up and faced her niece. "I apologize, Ophelia – what can I do to earn your forgiveness?" Minerva expected Ophelia to answer "Forgive me." The grand dame was surprised at her niece's answer. "Don't start taking it easy on me. I'm smart enough to know I'm not where you want ... where I need me to be." She kissed her aunt on the cheek. "But I think I can see it from where I am now." "I think you can as well, child," Minerva replied, pride in her voice. ------- Tattie had visited briefly with her hosts, making her farewells and thanking them for a lovely evening. She'd even managed to find Julie in the hordes of people – making out with Elenore while Jerome fucked Elenore and had his face buried in Julie's pussy – and after waiting a bit for them to finish had introduced her roommate to the two new members of the household. During the limo ride back to town, Chiron had snuggled up under one arm and Bedisa under the other, both of them drifting to sleep while Tattie considered the realities of her new situation. Although she hadn't thought of it in such terms before, she realized she'd gone from having a roommate and two dependents to having a roommate and four dependents. Their gentle snoring comforted her somehow, and she had been carefully watching to see if their desire to serve her sexually had any hint of pity or duty in it. So far, she was cautiously pleased by the genuineness of their attraction. Maybe it would turn out that her evening had been worth two hundred thousand dollars after all. ------- The Dominants of House Anson looked like they'd stepped out of a body-building competition with a quick stop off at a leather shop. They'd arrived with their own slaves scurrying along behind them, carrying camp chairs for the two of them. No deep bows or curtsies from Master and Mistress Anson, just nods and a questioning glance concerning the chairs. Margo had nodded her agreement and with sharp, clear cracks and snaps, the camp chairs were opened and placed directly behind House Chorale's visitors. "I feel like we're the Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come," Master Anson said. "Of course, House JO still hasn't paid you a visit – I think they're getting their courage up." A slight sneer curled at the edge of his mouth. "Ray, hush!" Mistress Anson snapped. "Forgive my husband – there are times he's too much of an arrogant ass to deal with." She gave him a fierce look. "And he's right on the edge of that now." Master Anson rolled his eyes and remained silent. "So, now that you know the reason I generally do the talking for our House, how are you doing?" Mistress Anson asked. "I'd guess that all this is a lot to take in – I know it is for me, and I've been playing for fifteen years." Harry raised an eyebrow, and Margo carefully avoiding thinking of how young Mistress Anson looked. "Almost every time we turn around I find myself with a lot to catch up on and try to understand," Margo replied. "Luckily, the vast majority of people we've met seem to be understanding and patient," she continued, shooting a smile at Madame Cornelius. "Otherwise I'm pretty sure we would have run screaming by now." Master Anson started to open his mouth and his wife stopped him by hitting him in the arm with enough force to rock both of their chairs sideways. "Be nice, Henry, or I'll send you back to the tent," she said, before smiling and returning her attention to their hosts. "He is housebroken – some days that's all the socialization I allow him to claim." She motioned for one of Anson's submissives and sent them off with a drink order. "So when not being a prick, he's Henry and I'm Kate. Our House deals in a particular type of submissive – the ones that are going to give you trouble. The ones that will invite punishment and drama as often as they can get away with it, from the little teenager who demands her Daddy's attention by breaking every rule she can, soaking up the negative response to her misbehavior to the sullen slave who must be beaten before he'll do anything, to the ones that will stretch their Masters and Mistresses to the limit, always pushing for punishment that might have them using their safewords – it can be interesting, exploring each side's furthest limits." She smiled wistfully. "Not to slight House Velacourt," she nodded to Nancy, who'd pretty much taken up residence in Chorale's pavilion, leaving her overseer to handle sales at her own House's tent, "but I think we train better rape slaves. They may not have all the other sterling qualities of Velacourt's ladies, but their training is more focused." Kate Anson's drink arrived, a tall margarita that she drained half of before placing it on the back of the slave who'd brought it as she knelt by her Mistress's side. There was no disguising the results of many whippings upon the woman's back. "And we're debating getting into training submissives for the arena, but that issue's still up in the air here in Texas. Dallas finds it undignified, Houston and San Antonio have been non-committal since they couldn't make it state-wide without Dallas' support and unless the idea is accepted state-wide," she nodded to Harry and Margo, "or almost state-wide, it's really not worth it to invest in the stock and training." She turned to where Thad Newton was resting between Galena's legs on the floor before her. "I wouldn't put anyone we could train up against your best, Master Newton, but people with your Karghold's dedication are rare and that would leave a lot of room in the second tier competitions." She slipped her middle finger deep into the cold margarita and held it there. "So that's who we are, and it shouldn't be any trouble for you to discern why we're stuck off in the shadows. Things with our stock can get very violent and that gives a lot of people pause." She turned to her husband. "And if you say anything right now, I know where you sleep." "I'll be nice," Henry Anson said. "One of my failings is that I'm an arrogant ass – one of my saving graces is that I know it. I may not always try to keep it under control, but I've never been silly or stupid enough to deny it." He turned to his wife. "Might I have a sip of your drink, dear?" Kate nodded, handed the drink to him and after he returned it, put it back on her slave's back, before ramming her ice-cold finger into the slave's ass. She watched the woman force herself to remain still, so that the drink didn't spill. Once the woman had gotten complete control of herself, Kate pulled out the finger and slipped it into the woman's mouth. Meanwhile, Master Anson was saying, "We were very happy to hear about your clinic initiative – whether or not you acknowledge us, you're getting a donation before we leave in the morning. We take care of our stock while it's under our care, but once we've sold them ... some of our clients can find the cost of keeping up with a litany of minor, and sometimes not so minor, injuries is prohibitive. The problem being, it's what both sides crave, so they give in to their desires which can end up with another trip to the doctor. Your clinic would be very helpful." "So how many of your former submissives have ended up dead or severely damaged?" Margo asked, her anger evident in her voice. "Surprisingly few," Henry said. "No deaths in over a hundred years, quite a few serious injuries, one case of paralysis that I'm aware of." He looked Margo square in the eyes. "Everyone's an adult, everyone's responsible for their own actions, and shit sometimes happens. That's the nature of the game. We train our people to play responsibly, but after they leave us, it's out of our hands – but think on this. If our stock gets a reputation for being too reckless, it hurts our business." Margo's tongue was working beneath her lips, polishing her teeth as if to sharpen her words. "True enough. My apologies, Master and Mistress Anson – sometimes things come at you so fast and furious and for such a length of time that you get a little testy. Our kinks are not your kinks..." "And your kinks are not our kinks, but all our kinks are okay," Mistress Anson interjected. She smiled at Margo. "It's all right, Madam Grimes. While my dummy of a husband might say that you're just too soft-core warm and fuzzy, not hard-core like us and the people we deal with, I've been listening while he has not – I've heard the stories from Dominique's, and about your little Piglet. I have some suggestions concerning her – if you're interested, look me up later. In the end, I'm convinced you can be as hard-core as you need to be. I even have faith that some day, you'll be able to take care of your little Chinese prize as she so deeply desires – although the satisfaction you take from it won't be from the acts themselves, but from giving her what she needs." Out of the corner of her eye Margo saw the little smile of agreement that flickered across Minerva Cornelius' lips. "You see, that's the real keystone of our Society," Kate Anson continued. "You give the people who trust you what they need. From them you take what you need. If you don't need it and can't use it, you don't take it. It's simple really, but sometimes many folk in the scene get caught up in all the trappings and wrappings and forget the simple underpinnings of all this." She stood, within a second Master Anson was standing as well, as if he'd been coiled up and waiting for her to move. She took her drink, snapped her fingers and faster than anyone would've believed, their chairs were folded up and in the arms of their submissives. "I hope we'll see you later. I know we have something that you'd enjoy, we would just have to hunt for it together." With that, she and her husband turned and left. After they were out of earshot, Margo said, "Her I like ... him I want to beat senseless with a rock." Minerva Cornelius laughed. "Then my dear, they have drawn from you exactly the reaction they desired. Not that Henry Anson isn't capable of being a complete ass – he is – but in the end, they play a very old game. The more you dislike Henry, the more you like Kate, and the more likely it is that you will do business with her. It is a method of doing business that they have evolved to deal with the bad press their House collects, and as you see, it works." Margo Grimes didn't know whether to admire them or to order Karen and Eddie to go beat the shit out of them, so wisely she said nothing. ------- Papa Stripper had watched her all night from a distance, whenever he could – she was inside the faux farm house for a long time, for reasons he couldn't fathom. That had worried him, as had the way she was rushed there by Chorale's security. She had looked shaken and lost when she left it, her boys clustered protectively around her. He so wanted to go to her, take her in his arms and comfort her, hold her, protect her ... but he was just livestock, and more importantly, livestock that had left her of his own free will. He had thought strongly about getting so stoned he couldn't see straight. He had thought about getting so drunk they'd have to pump his stomach. Instead of any of that kind of foolishness, he had gone to the front gate, reclaimed his phone for a moment, and made a call. He laid out his problem, and the tentative solution he had arrived at to the woman on the other end of the line, and while she gave him her calm opinion of his idea, he had begun crying – not tears of sadness or pain, but of joy. Kissie Culberson had told him that while she didn't know if his plan would work, it was the only way she could see that he might attain what, or rather who, he wanted. After thanking Kelly's mother for her advice and her ear, Papa Stripper went to find Thad Newton. ------- House Chorale's tent was almost empty – some of the House and its guests had gone to hear "Brides of the Antichrist", the rest had headed for the dance floor or the hot tubs, leaving Kelly in charge, with Carol, Twilla and Abhilasha to attend her. The two spouses were talking about their upcoming family vacation while Abhilasha and Twilla sat nearby listening when Thad came in. "My apologies, Mistress Kelly, I'm afraid I must speak with you or your spouses immediately." "What's up, Thad?" Kelly asked, ready to do her best to represent her family. "One of my daughters ... my daughter Donna ... she tried to seduce and get pregnant by your Piglet's son, Jason." "Uh huh," Kelly said, furrowing her brow at him and awaiting more explanation. "She ... she wanted to strengthen ties between our Karghold and your House ... she found him attractive and thought if she became pregnant, then a marriage or some other arrangement would be reached, linking our families." "Thad, that's ... medieval..." Kelly stammered. "That, my dear, is the way of things between major Houses. It is medieval, that's the whole point! When you deal with Houses that have been in existence for generations – some over a century, in many ways they're not thinking in terms of the modern world – they live in a world of codified, stratified dominance and submission, masters and servants, owners and slaves. Lincoln freed the African Americans but he didn't do a damn thing about submissives – they are where they are because that is what they are! It's not a game, it's not a weekend fling or a casual experimentation – those who don't feel a genuine calling for the lifestyle don't remain in it – not in the major Houses, not in our Karghold. The Elder Houses, the larger Houses, they don't look at it as bluntly as we do ... which is why I prefer our way over theirs, but like us they see it as 'there are those who are born to stand, and those that are born to kneel'. It's a very black and white viewpoint – that's why Traditionalists don't like ... hell, most of them don't believe in - 'switches' ... you are or you aren't. Anything less is posing, play-acting, dabbling." He sighed and slumped down on to some cushions. "Your House will do fine as our leaders ... but you'll do better when you understand the attitude of the serious members of the scene, the Society. It's not a face they put on, it's a face they reveal. The mask is what the everyday world sees when these people are out among the normals, the mundane. When they come home at night, do Jackie and Lisa get comfortable and put their feet up and ask someone to bring them a soda?" "No ... no," Kelly replied, "they're undressed and on their knees because that's what they are." "Same reason they put up with Dick Laney – it's what they are and they saw no other choice ... no other choice that didn't mean leaving behind what they are." He turned to Carol. "You haven't had much luck explaining it to them, have you?" "No, Master Newton, I haven't," she replied, "but I keep trying." "All right, all this is a discussion for another day ... or God help us, later this day," Thad said. "You need to send someone to sit with Jason – one of our floaters is watching him now. Don't send his mother ... he's so embarrassed, it'll just be bad all around if he has to deal with her right now. Tomorrow afternoon will be soon enough." "Get me a pen and paper, Carol," Kelly said. "Abhilasha, I'm giving you the address – have one of the drivers get you there. Take care of the boy." Once the note was written, the Indian woman was off and running. "Now," Kelly said, "Twilla, fetch me Piglet." ------- Tommy Atkins was a man in heaven. He couldn't blame his ex-wife and as divorces went, theirs had been remarkably civil. In a community property state, she'd actually volunteered to leave with less than half of everything. There might have been a few tense moments here and there during the division of marital property, but she'd been willing to give up any claim to some big ticket items in return for some items that, truth be told, meant more to her than they ever did to him. In the end, it really hadn't been anybody's fault. Sure they'd had similar goals when they'd gotten together, but they'd married too young and too naïve. By the time Tommy was 32, it was clear he was looking for something different in a woman and she was looking for someone less ... well, she called it 'extreme'. The truth was, courtesy of a friend's invitation, he'd discovered the world of BDSM and while it fascinated him, it turned her off. Tommy had even let her hold the leash on a several occasions, just to get a feel for being dominant, and it still turned her off. They'd been smart enough not to have kids, they'd been smart enough to realize it was over before they'd drug each other's hearts through the mud. These things happened. At almost the same time as the court had made the decree final, his friend Charlie Mays had told him about the party. He had no problem with accepting – for the time – a subordinate Dominant position in Charlie's House Crimson-Glove. But he had money, he had urges, and the party was the perfect place to exchange one for a way to resolve the other. He'd browsed the offerings of the various Houses, both Shadow and otherwise, and while he really wanted a cute little pleasure girl from House Velacourt, their merchandise was pricy – not completely out of his price range, not for one of the lesser-trained girls, but it would leave his savings empty. He resolved that he would save up for a girl from Velacourt, and in the meantime see if the club owner Dominique could find him someone ... maybe more than one 'someone'. ------- "Good God, woman, you look exhausted," Nancy Velacourt said upon finding Dominique at a table in the 'café'. "Feel that way too," Dommi replied. "I knew I'd do business tonight, but I had no damn idea it would be anywhere near this busy. It's like half these people have forgotten I have a normal place of business and regular hours!" "It's the whole festival thing," Nancy said, sitting down beside her. "Out at a party, being entertained, good food, good drink, feeling fine, why not see about another submissive?" Nancy stretched her eyes open and rubbed her forehead. "It's been the same at my tent – don't get me wrong, I'm doing very well and am quite pleased with the amount of business, but it's been a little crazy." "Don't it suck to be working instead of partying?" Dominique said, grinning. "Oh, don't think it's been too arduous for me – I've got overseers I trust to handle a lot of the transactions," Nancy said. "I've been partying plenty. But you, well, you've got Sinfonia..." "Yeah, and I still don't trust her with as much of the business as I should. She's earned it – and after I move into the Corral..." "Yeah, then you won't want to be at the club every night and she's going to have to handle more of it. You know," Nancy said, looking thoughtful, "you could let her start handling more of it right here, tonight. I know the Grimes have been missing you – way too many people in House Chorale love you and love making love with you. Let Sinfonia start handling the business tonight – life's too short to go without some fun." The two of them looked up to see a young man, maybe in his thirties, blue eyes and red hair, standing nearby, keeping a respectful distance, but clearly waiting for them to notice him. "Let me guess," Nancy said, "you're looking to purchase someone." "Yes ma'am, but your fees are a little out of my price range – for now," he said, smiling a lop-sided, close-mouthed smile. "The name's Tommie Atkins, I was hoping to speak with Dominique?" Dommi turned sideways in her seat. "Tommie, I'd love to help you, but I desperately need to go do some partying." She took a card out of the pocket of her comfortable linen lounge pants. "You got a pen, Nancy?" Nancy Velacourt pulled out a pen and handed it to her. Dominique scribbled on the back of the card, returned the pen to its rightful owner and handed the card to Tommie. "You take this to my assistant – you know Sinfonia?" "No ma'am, but I know where your tent is. I imagine she's there?" "Yes she is. You give her that card and tell her she's in charge for the rest of the night." Dominique stood up. "Wish you the best of luck, and of course, if you're not satisfied with Sinfonia's help, come find me. I'll probably be at House Chorale's tent." ------- Tommie Atkins had no problem with Sinfonia's help. He sat and talked with woman after woman, and by the end of an hour and a half, he was signing the papers, with his friend Charlie vouching for him. "You know if he doesn't pass the background check, Master Mays," Sinfonia said, speaking to Charlie, "Dominique will be most unhappy with you." "I'll pass, no worries," Tommie said. Although the party wasn't over, he was ready to head home with the girls, and crash out for few hours before getting better acquainted. "Charlie, I'm taking off," he said. "Not used to this much excitement, figure to get Sherise and Dolly home, get them settled in and crash." "See, that's what marriage does to you," Charlie Mays said, laughing. "Makes you old before your time. You go have a good night, I'll talk to you sometime later this week." Tommie Atkins grinned at his friend's cynicism. He put one arm around the statuesque blonde, Dolly, and his other arm around the cute little brunette, Sherise. "Ladies, follow me, it's time we were leaving." "Yes Master" came from both their mouths simultaneously and together they all walked toward the front gate. ------- Jason Tanner had no idea what he was going to say to his mother ... in reality, he didn't feel he had much to apologize for – given what he'd heard over the years, she could catch him lying on the kitchen table, masturbating to pictures of the Queen of England and he wouldn't have anything to apologize for. But still ... his mom ... he didn't understand her ... maybe he would someday. He thought Donna was a lot like his mother in ... that ... way. Maybe if he could understand Donna, he'd be able to understand his mother ... not that he was going to get the chance. What father would ever believe that it hadn't been his idea, that he hadn't made a move? His chances of ever seeing her again, much less going out on a date ... much less anything more ... were slim and none. No matter what the big guy who was still sitting in his back yard said, he was scared to move off the couch. So he lay his head back and closed his eyes and wished like hell that everything would be much better when he opened them again. ------- Piglet arrived at the tent to find a very serious Mistress Kelly and Master Newton ... something which frightened her terribly ... until the situation was explained to her. "Mistress," Gloria said, "you acted correctly – he doesn't need to see me right now. In addition to the whole 'mother – son' dynamic..." she hung her head, "there are too many things he's heard, perhaps seen, that he shouldn't have had to. I have no moral leg to stand on about anything he chooses to do, and I know it. I will still counsel him as his mother, but sexual matters are something I am incapable of being hypocritical about." She smiled grimly. "Someday I hope he'll be able to forgive me for some of the shit I've put him through because of my predilections, I think he will, he's a good boy and he does love me ... but it may be a while." Kelly pulled Gloria up from the floor and hugged her. "Like we've told you before, you may have fucked up a lot of things, but you raised a good kid. You and he will be fine, especially with us taking care of your needs in those areas that make you twitchy." Gloria turned to Thad Newton. "Sir, please go easy on your daughter – I wouldn't presume to advise you, but she did what she did both out of honest attraction and with good, if somewhat extreme, intentions. Negotiate with my House if you wish to consider a marriage of your daughter to my son – they speak for me in all such matters. It will, of course, depend upon Jason as well – he has not been raised to think in those terms, but at least we could see if he would be amenable to the idea." Gloria was entertaining a new concept ... her son in these people's Society ... a Master himself, with a submissive wife – an important marriage linking two major Houses. She might never be anything more than a cum-guzzling slut in her chosen lifestyle, but her son could be something much, much more. ------- Brian Northey had been a player in the scene for a long time – a Dom in a House not his own, nor was that likely to change given his job. Households required a certain amount of income, especially if there were dependent submissives, and his job, along with his submissive partner's income, barely produced enough to keep them in food and shelter. It wouldn't have been so bad if the House he associated with was large enough to be recognized, but under Laney's leadership, it hadn't been, so he'd been a Dom and his sub, under another Dominant's House, a House that wasn't invited to any of the reindeer games. Still, he really couldn't gripe too much – it was a happy, if somewhat frustrating existence. Then the rules changed as Chorale was in and Odessa was out. Suddenly the House was invited to a big shindig, and the senior Dominant had been ecstatic. As a collection of lower-middle-class families, their House's tribute wasn't much, but it was what they could give, and from everything he'd heard, it would be graciously accepted, no matter what. He was doing his part by working perimeter patrol – being a security officer in his day job qualified him to work the party – only four hours of it, there were a lot of security personnel and taking shifts was the only fair way to handle it. The problem was, his Senior was presenting their tribute while he was on shift – it hadn't been planned that way, but that was how it had worked out. ------- House Cherrywood scraped together all the individual families in the House could spare and had purchased an ornate yoke, with lined collar and cuffs, fully adjustable and striking in its design as the skeletal metal arms could be – theoretically – swiveled and locked at any point of the compass. "It is lovely," Margo said, smiling at Mistress Lodz of House Cherrywood. "I assume the weights can be attached anywhere along the yoke arms?" "Yes ma'am," Velma Lodz replied nervously. Margo looked at their party finery, or lack thereof, and noted that the House was composed of smaller groups of two or three – no one was showing a wealth of anything. She leaned toward her right side, where Carol stood between her and Madame Cornelius. "Poor as church mice," Carol muttered sotto voce, her lips almost unmoving. "Bring chairs for the Masters and Mistresses of House Cherrywood," Margo said. After they were seated she continued in a lower voice. "I can't help but notice that although you're a proud House, you're also not a very wealthy one." She held up her hand for silence. "That's not a problem and we welcome you to our alliance gladly, I just have seen myself how hard it is to keep a family's head above water, much less when some of the relationships aren't exactly recognized by the government or insurance companies. You've heard of the clinic we're putting in at Dominique's?" "Yes, Madam," Mistress Lodz replied. "When I first conceived of the idea, I was thinking purely in terms of submissives, but tonight has showed me that there is a need among our Society for a clinic that caters to everyone, submissive, Dominant, or significant other that may not even play in the scene. Everybody needs some help from time to time, and I want you to know that we won't turn anyone in the scene away. Not that you'll ever need its services," Margo said, smiling warmly, "as I'm sure you can take care of your people, but if you would do me a favor and help spread the word, I would greatly appreciate it." Mistress Lodz smiled. "I certainly will..." she rose to her feet only to kneel before Margo, taking Margo's hand in hers and softly kissing it. She turned her face up and said, "It is so very good to have leaders who are willing to take care of their people." "Thank you," Margo said, blushing. "Now get up and let's see if we can get a round of drinks served while we visit for a while. "Nice, helping her save face," Harry murmured behind his hand as a waitress took drink orders from the members of House Cherrywood. "They have a lot to offer," Margo replied softly. "Noblesse oblige can pay great dividends if you treat your people well. I intend to." ------- As a member of the security force, Brian was armed during his time on patrol. He would have felt a little better in full kit, but was making do with his Springfield .40 and a spare clip in his pocket. Even carrying that had been doubtful until something changed earlier in the evening. He wasn't exactly sure what had gone down, but there'd been a lot of movement on the southern side of the estate, and when he'd reported for his shift, he'd been told to reclaim his weapon from the front gate guard post and be extra vigilant. That was why he drew down on the group of people sneaking in from the south. "You can stop right goddamn now or I can shoot you," he said calmly, his weapon pointed toward the man leading the group. "Uh, we'll stop," the stranger said. "Look, I imagine your orders are to take us to the front gate and have us tossed out," he continued. "I don't have a problem with that at all, so long as you first take us to see the heads of House Chorale. We were denied an invitation, but we brought tribute anyway, hoping for just a chance to see them." Brian called for backup as he considered the group. He'd seen the man and his submissives around, although he couldn't recall their House or any of their names. They were fringe-dwellers, same as his House, and so he was inclined to cut them a little slack. That didn't stop him from searching them thoroughly when his backup arrived though. The man and his three submissives were dressed well, although a trip through the scrub in the middle of the night had done their outfits some damage. "Okay guys," Brian said, "I'm going to take these four up to see the Grimes – yeah, I know it's not according to regs, but I got a hunch." ------- Brian was surprised to see his House still there when he arrived, and impressed that they were sitting down and visiting with the new Master and Mistress of their Society like they were old friends. He was much less impressed when he saw Madame Cornelius' reaction to his prisoners. "Sherrod, I told you that you were not welcome at this party," she said, standing up and pointing at the somewhat scraggly man. "Take him out of here immediately, him and his chattel." "Minerva," Margo said mildly, "aren't you forgetting something?" Minerva Cornelius started as if she'd been goosed from behind. The anger drained from her face and she bowed, ever so slightly, and said, "My apologies, Madam, they are, of course, at your disposal." "First off," Harry said, "who the hell are you?" "My name is Wilt Sherrod, sir. I'm the head of a very small House, House Deepwell. I offended Madame Cornelius one night, without meaning to. I was drunk, but that is no excuse. She has borne a grudge against my House ever since," he bowed to Madame Cornelius, "with good reason, no argument there." "Do I want to know how he offended you, Minerva?" Harry asked. "No you do not," she replied. "Okay, so I don't ... got it. All right, talk to us, Master Sherrod," Harry said. "Master, Madam, Mistress ... my House is small, and although my wife and I make enough money to support more submissives, we're happy with ours at the size it is. For that reason, in a story I'm sure you've heard a lot of variants of this evening, Laney didn't want to have anything to do with us, and that was just fine with me. He's a loathsome little turd and I never cared for him at all. However, being on the outs with him has left us somewhat secluded, and my own stupidity compounded the problem where Madame Cornelius was concerned. We've been pariahs as far as pretty much everyone else is concerned ever since – that's been my penance and my House has paid it. I'm here, humbly imploring you to accept our tribute and let us back in." "What do you say, Minerva?" Margo asked. "Why ask me..." "Minerva, don't give me that shit! I won't let you make my decisions for me but I damn well expect your input, especially when I ask for it." Harry heard Eddie whisper to Karen, "Did we just see Margo spank Madame Cornelius?" Karen shushed him while Harry smirked. "His offense was against me and I ... I ... I have reacted in a petty fashion," Minerva replied. "Accept his tribute, accept his alliance, but do not ask me to like him." "Don't worry, Minerva, that wasn't on the table," Margo said. "So, Master Sherrod, what is your tribute?" "These three submissives, Madam Grimes," he replied. "None of them are trained and one of them will require breaking," he pointed to the woman in the middle. "The other two, Gina and Sally, are hopelessly devoted to her, compliant with their Dominant's wishes, and very ... open-minded. But Ruthie here," he touched the one in the center, smiling as she squirmed away, "she wants to be broken. She's here of her own free will, but she wants to play hard-to-get, to put it mildly." He turned to Margo and Harry. "They're yours, and I wish you nothing but fun in training them as you'd like." Harry and Margo looked at each other with very slightly cocked eyebrows. "We accept, Master Sherrod. Bring the rest of House Deepwell to visit us sometime in October," Margo said, snapping her fingers for one of the House's business cards. "We would like a chance to visit with you more..." "I understand completely, Madam Grimes," he replied. "I will take my leave of you then, and look forward to a later visit." He bowed deeply and turned to Brian. "Just one of us going back to the main gate." As Brian led him away, Margo looked at their newest acquisitions. Ruthie, the troublemaker, looked like one, scrawny and skinny, dark hair cut short and spiky, face hard and scowling. The other two had the same color hair, but otherwise were nothing like their companion. Gina wasn't chubby, just a little thick in the middle, but with decent curves, while Sally looked to be a little closer to chubby, and not quite as well developed. "So, which of you wants to speak for the three of you?" Margo said, looking at Ruthie. "You?" "Fuck off, cunt!" Ruthie spat. "Obviously not her," Margo said, shaking her head and smiling. Candy was already behind the girl with a ball gag and the new yoke they'd just received. "I will, Madam," Gina said softly. "What would you like to know?" "What's your story? Where are you from, how did you get here?" Margo asked. "The three of us grew up in the same foster home, Madam," Gina replied. "When we reached the age where our foster father found us interesting, Ruthie got us out of there and we went to live on the streets." She looked up into Margo's eyes for the first time. "Ruthie did everything to keep a roof over our heads and food on the table." Her eyes lowered again. "Everything and anything..." "How old were you when you left the foster home?" Margo asked. "Sally and I were twelve and thirteen – Ruthie was sixteen." "Good God," Harry said. "How long ago was that?" "Seven years ago, sir," Gina replied. "Ruthie got us fake IDs, enrolled us in school again, kept us in until we both graduated – that was this last May for Sally. Then she made a deal with Master Sherrod – he wanted playthings and it was better than the life we had." She looked up again, with a smile on her face. "He and his wives were too lazy to train us, but it was fun, and the two of us found we really liked being submissive. Life with Ruthie had trained us to depend on someone to take care of us." She looked back at her angry, struggling companion. "Ruthie learned a different set of lessons." Gina turned back to Margo and Harry and came forward on hands and knees to kneel at their feet. Eyes downturned she said, "Please do not take anything Ruthie says or does personally – to be forced is the only way she knows to deal with life. She felt she was forced to care for us, to make the deal that insured our future, she views life very antagonistically. Please never doubt for a moment that she's enjoying herself. There will be times she'll tell you that herself." With a head nod, Harry sent Carol to talk with Ruthie. "We are sheep," Gina said, "and she is our sheepdog. But dog and sheep alike, we belong to you now and will do as we are told, gladly in our case, happy to be of service." Kelly hopped up and led Sally over, pushing her down in front of Margo and pushing the young woman's face into Margo's crotch. "Prove it," Kelly said, taking Gina with her to lie on some pillows to the side of the thrones. Harry watched Carol and Ruthie's conversation while the family's new submissives got acquainted with two of his spouses. After a moment, he turned back to the members of House Cherrywood. "Never a dull moment around here, damn it," he said, smiling. "Now then, where were we?" he continued. ------- By the time Brian Northey finished escorting Sherrod to the front gate and seeing him on his way, his shift was almost at an end, and his replacement told him to sign out and go have fun. He hurried back to Chorale's pavilion, hoping his House was still visiting there. After introductions, he sat down beside his submissive, Diana, a cute young woman, ten years younger than him that looked ten years younger than that. "Hey sweetheart, what have I missed?" "Other than the excitement you brought to the party, not much," she replied, pushing her dark brown hair away from her face. "A lot of pleasant chitchat, the head bitch in charge..." Brian's hand lit up her bare asscheek. "Watch your tongue, slut." "Yes sir," she said, bowing her head in shame. After a moment of regaining control of herself, she continued. "Madam Grimes made it clear to Mistress Lodz that we're all welcome at their clinic, should we need its services. She did it pretty slickly too. Leadbutt Lodz..." The smack was as forceful, but this time Diana was smiling as she bowed her head. "Mistress Lodz was allowed to keep our House's pride intact, as Madam Grimes didn't intimate that Cherrywood might need the clinic's services so much as she asked us to help spread the word." "Good, anything else I should know?" Brian asked, flagging down a waitress. "Yes sir," she said, reaching over and caressing his cock through his pants. "Once this meet-and-greet is done, I plan to take you back to our tent and suck your brains out through the end of your dick." "I wonder if I can hurry up the end of this little confab," Brian muttered to himself. ------- "This can go easy, or it can go hard," Carol said, watching Ruthie's face carefully. "If it goes hard, it's going to go diamond-hard and it may take you days to recover. Some other time we might have the leisure to let you play your games as long as you wanted, but tonight's a party, we want to be having fun, we want you to be having fun, so let's keep this short and sweet, okay?" "You're not like any submissive I've ever run across," Ruthie replied, chewing on her lip as she regarded Carol. "That's because right now I've got my 'working-face' on – I have a job to do, and I don't want to spend all night doing it ... okay ... all morning doing it," Carol amended. "Look, it's a cute little game you play – I get it, I really do. I've been known to play the same one, although not nearly as seriously as you do, and my wife Kelly plays it further than I do, although still nowhere close to you. So I do understand a lot of where you're coming from. Not all of it, of course, I haven't walked in your shoes." Ruthie's snort of derision was loud ... as was the slap Carol laid across her face. "And you haven't walked in my shoes, Ruthie," she said, rubbing her hand to help ease the stinging. "I know you've been through a lot, some of my questions are going to be finding out just how much. But you need to talk to me, and not play around. I'll know if you're lying and it won't go well with you." "Bullshit, I'll lie circles around you any damn time I feel like it," Ruthie sneered. "Give it a try, cunt – tell me ten things about your life and I'll peg you as lying or telling the truth ten for ten," Carol replied. "Fine ... whatever. Okay, I was born here," Ruthie said, grinning. "Wrong, you're lying," Carol calmly replied. "Uh, fine ... it was born in Talmadge," Ruthie said, her grin not so big anymore. "Still lying. Where were you really born?" Carol said, smiling. "The birth certificate says Jonesville," Ruthie said, struggling to keep her face expressionless. "Very good, you were. That's three statements down, keep going." Carol smiled encouragingly. "I've never turned a trick to support my sisters, never whored myself," Ruthie said. "True ... and I'm very glad to hear it. Was tempted to do that a time or two when things were really rough and I regularly thank God I managed to avoid it," Carol said. "I've stolen to support my sisters," Ruthie said. "Not like burglary in houses or anything, but I've mugged people, shoplifted." "True and false ... you have robbed people and stores, but you've also burglarized houses," Carol replied. "Starting to believe me?" "Yeah ... maybe," Ruthie said. "Let's say I do – what questions you got for me?" "So, did your foster father ever abuse Gina and Sally?" "No, I got us out of there before he had the chance ... I knew the way things were gonna go, and I'd been planning our getaway," Ruthie replied. "Did he ever abuse you?" Carol asked. "No, I kept myself too skinny, looked like a boy – he wouldn't touch me." Carol hugged her. "I'm so sorry, honey ... he didn't care if you looked like a boy, did he?" She felt Ruthie stiffen in her arms. "No..." Ruthie said, her voice tight, pain leaking through her self-control. "He didn't give a shit one way or another. Said if I wanted to be a boy so bad he'd do me like a boy." "Sweetie, I am so sorry..." "Look, it's nothing. That was then and this is now – ain't no big thing." "Bullshit," Carol said, releasing her and leaning back, but keeping her hands on Ruthie's arms. "It is something. It will always be something. How you deal with it, that's the important thing." She paused. "Listen, we have a therapist our family uses, she's good, real good. If you wanted to try talking with her, we'd pick up the tab ... your sisters as well." Ruthie looked at Carol like she was studying an alien life form. "Why?" she finally asked. "Why what?" Carol replied, honestly confused. "Why would you pay some shrink to treat your subs?" "Because you're going to be with us for a very long time – it's to our advantage to keep you healthy in mind and body ... and because it's the right thing to do, which if you asked my husband would be his first and probably only response." Ruthie looked at Carol and cocked an eyebrow. "Yeah, he's really that nice of a guy," Carol replied. "Well," Ruthie said, "I'd have to meet this shrink first." "Not a problem," Carol replied. "Come on." She got up and pulled Ruthie to her feet and off they headed into the crowd. ------- "Sir, if I might have a moment of your time?" Papa Stripper said, bowing his head toward Thad Newton. "In private, sir." Thad looked at Papa and shrugged, following him out onto the lawn behind the tent. "Sir, I be wantin' ... Sir, I wish to take de collar of your House ... your Karghold, an' become one of your slaves." "Papa, what's going on," Thad asked, quite sure he didn't need any further complications that evening. "Sir, dere is a woman ... I'm in love wit' her, but she don't look at me like I'm a man. She look at me like I'm property." Thad looked Papa in the eyes and realized the young black man was doing the most difficult thing he'd ever done in his life. "So you're going to be wearing our collar only so long as it takes you to fight your Hand and take up the leash?" Thad asked kindly. "Yes sir, dat's my plan." "You know it won't be easy, and it won't be quick? You're going to have to learn to fight and win." "I already know some of dat, sir, de problem I see is dat I need to learn to fight an' not kill." In Papa's face, Thad saw the man wasn't joking, and he wasn't bragging. "All right, Papa, welcome to Karghold Newton." "Sir, if it's all right wit' you, could I be called by my name?" "Certainly son, if that's what you want. What is your name?" "John Christopher Odell, sir – my Mama called me Johnny," Papa replied. "Certainly Johnny," Thad said, already impressed with how much taller Johnny seemed to stand than Papa Stripper ever had. ------- Master and Mistress Wynton, a stunning woman in her mid-thirties and a young man who wore a hood and cloak, hiding him from view, said little when they arrived. They bowed, handed Harry a card and bowed again as they turned and left. "You have got to be kidding me!" Harry said, looking at the card the two Dominants had left with him. "Nope, Harry – that's what House JO deals in," Vida said, sitting at his feet. "They spell it with two capital letters for a reason – 'JO' stands for Jocasta and Oedipus – they've branched out, but they sell pairs ... related pairs ... pretty much any combination you can conceive of." "Okay ... I have to admit, a mother and daughter would be ... well ... interesting," Harry said, shifting to hide his erection. "So I see," Vida said, smiling at his reaction. "It's a very common male fantasy – as is the next generation – although that takes a while." "We males are hard-wired to want to spread our seed far and wide," Thad said. "Not that we should, but the urge is there nonetheless ... and it's just fun and kinky to spread it in several generations of the same line." "You speak from experience, Master Newton?" Margo asked, smiling wickedly. "Yes my dear, I do. A four-generation spread, although the great-grandmother was actually more of a formality – we fucked in only the loosest sense of the word. She was eighty-nine at the time." Thad smiled. "Still, she was a sweet woman with a pleasant temperament and a good sense of humor who was good company in bed." Margo shook her head, but was smiling as she did so. "Vida, how the hell do you stay so non-judgmental about all this?" Kelly asked from where she sat next to Harry. "Kelly darling, you know our Karghold's secrets ... well, some of them. I have no room to judge anyone. Every Shadow House has nasty rumors floating around it. House Camelia is reputed to not always take the willing, but sometimes take the unwilling and break them for sale elsewhere in the world. House JO offers up only strictly street legal slaves ... and even the barely street legal ones bear all the marks of having been trained extensively in the sexual arts. House Anson supposedly breaks the very-unwilling for the right price. They're how Marcus Hurley met his wife, Marcie – make of that what you will." She smiled in the direction of Nancy Velacourt. "And House Tolliver deals in lovely jewels of the Middle East and India ... and if some of their Middle Eastern slaves have no papers then there's no record of them when they disappear ... much like Velacourt's position in the Second World War. It's odd that they started showing such a profit after the events of 9/11 that they jumped to the highest tax bracket, isn't it?" Vida kissed Harry's thigh. "But I don't judge them. I can't. Our Karghold's hands may be morally and ethically clean in our eyes, but wouldn't be judged so by any but the most lenient and liberal society. Acceptance and tolerance are very important in this lifestyle – now, I won't tell you that you always need to accept some of this stuff up close and cuddly – there are people here I wouldn't associate with anywhere else, even if you paid me ... a lot. But accept them I do ... just way the fuck over there, away from me. Those two aren't so bad, if you leave your pre-conceptions and judgmental attitudes at home." "What's the deal with them?" Harry asked. "The cloak, her speaking, him not saying a word?" Vida got up from the floor and then sat herself astraddle the inside arm rests of the two thrones. "They're mother and son..." she whispered, "and he's only thirteen. It's not as extreme as House Bessie Naughty," she laughed softly, "but trust me, they're both very happy. Odd, but happy." "I should report her," Margo said. "No, you shouldn't. You're not their doctor, and trust me, there's little to no proof. But like Harry and Nicki, it's a rather open secret." "Vida, that's different! Nicki's a grown woman!" Margo hissed. "Yes, and under Jewish tradition, as well as many others, that teenage boy is a man," Vida replied. "Trust me, such couplings are inevitable given their stock-in-trade, and Milt put the moves on her, not vice-versa. Amy was open to the idea, being exposed to the same influences as him, and having been raised in the House. She seduced her own father and mother when she was a year older than he is now. They're brought up taking their cue from plenty of older civilizations and believing our culture is the sick one. They avoid offspring, but they live their way and are happy – that's all that matters." Margo rubbed her temples with her hands. "I let me talk myself into this why?" "Sweetheart, go take a walk," Kelly said, taking Margo's hand and gently pulling her to her feet. "I'll handle the hot seat for a while." She hugged her wife. "Don't make me order you," Kelly whispered into Margo's ear. "You're stretched a little thin right now." "Yeah I am, thank you darling," Margo said, stepping down onto the carpet and heading toward the promenade outside their pavilion. Alpha and Omega moved out to shadow her as she left. Kelly sat down next to Harry. "Now what's this about wanting a mother/daughter pair?" ------- After Carol and Ruthie returned from talking with Dr. Lowenstein, Carol spotted a friend, had a few words with her, and then rushed Ruthie back to the tent, settling her in a corner with some of the other new submissives. "Beloveds, we have more guests on the way," Carol said as she hopped on Harry's lap and cuddled. "Not properly a House – they're too informal and not really in the scene per se. Cami's a performer, like Antoinette. She's done some porn, but mostly she does a traveling show, her and her crew." "Okay..." Kelly said. "So what should we expect?" "Sex Dwarf and her Circus of Penises," Carol said happily. "Uh huh..." Kelly said. "Is anyone else worried?" Harry raised his hand, as did Karen and Eddie. Madame Cornelius merely chuckled. "You'll enjoy it, trust me," Carol said, sighing contentedly. ------- Ruthie avoided the small talk that was going on as the new submissives started getting to know each other. Without thinking, she scooted back into the corner of the tent, almost completely in the shadows – just as she had when she'd first tried hiding from her foster-father. She'd understood the rules while she and her 'sisters' were with Sherrod and his group – the three of them were taken care of in exchange for playing. That was fine – sometimes it felt dangerously close to whoring themselves out, but it never got so bad that she couldn't see it as a rational business transaction – not prostitution, but an exchange of goods and services. They did what they were told, did housework, fucked like bunnies, partied like maniacs ... whatever was required. In exchange for that, they ate better than they had in years, they had a roof over their heads and even though the three of them had to share a bed, it was a king-size, and they were comfortable. They didn't have much in the way of clothes – Sherrod would be dropping off what little they owned sometime in the next day or so, but it didn't matter, since they rarely left the house. That had been fine with all three of them. The bedroom and bathroom they shared was half as big as the whole apartment they'd been barely affording, and while Sherrod and his women weren't exactly sweethearts to deal with sometimes, they were kind enough, if lazy. All of the housework had quickly fallen on Ruthie and her "sisters'" shoulders, and that had been okay; it had edged the overall vibe from prostitution to more like house-maids-who-were-benefits. But then Sherrod had heard about House Chorale and desperately wanted to curry favor with them, so Ruthie, Gina, and Sally had become tribute. It amused her to think what life would be like at House Cherrywood for a while. All of a sudden Sherrod and his three women would be responsible for the housework again – that was going to come as a shock to their systems. Ruthie hated uncertainty. She had lived with it as an inescapable part of her life for seven years – longer really, thirteen years or more. Cherrywood had been stability, and it had shaken her that they had been so cavalierly given away. She'd always known it could happen, intellectually, but emotionally she thought they'd found a safe haven, some place they would be able to stay for a while. She'd been prepared to hate their new "owners" ... and was surprised to find she didn't. Ruthie wasn't sure what to make of them yet. Carol scared her in a spooky witch-woman way, and she hadn't really had a chance to get to know the others. She knew that of course she and the girls were free to leave at any time ... although sometimes it was hard to remember that, having sunk into the submissive role, even as troublesome a submissive as Ruthie was ... but somehow, she thought everything was going to work out. She liked Dr. Lowenstein ... she still wasn't sure she could trust the doctor enough to open up to her, but she liked the large, friendly woman. And she'd been shocked when Dr. Lowenstein had said, "You know, if you told the Grimes tomorrow that you never wanted to have sex with them – or anyone else for that matter – they'd be okay with it. They'd keep you on as household staff and nothing else." Ruthie was very conflicted about sex – it wasn't that she didn't enjoy it, but with anyone other than Gina and Sally it had a difficult set of rules as far as Ruthie was concerned. Nothing soft, nothing tender ... at least, not until afterwards. Every sexual encounter began as a war, a battle for her partner to win by force – if they didn't, then Ruthie would comply with their wishes, but she was a thousand miles away during the act itself. Afterwards, she'd go find a corner and huddle until she came back from wherever it was she went. Now, if she lost, lost fair and square, then she enjoyed herself immensely, and cuddling afterwards was fine. Then it was time for the soft and gentle ... at least until a couple of hours passed and the war was on again. But the thought that she could refuse, and it wouldn't change the rest of her relationship with her Dominants ... there had never been any doubt with Sherrod that sex was part and parcel of the deal. It confused her, but she'd asked Carol about it on the way back and Carol had agreed with what the shrink had told her, and in spite of the fact that Carol scared her, Ruthie found herself trusting the little woman. Ruthie put those thoughts to the side and thought about other, darker things ... the things she'd want to talk to the doctor about if she felt sure she could trust her. The man who'd tried to rape her in an alley, the woman who'd held on to the purse Ruthie was trying to steal a little too tightly, the guy in the neighborhood who'd threatened to turn she and her sisters out as whores ... the three people she'd killed. The three people who haunted her dreams. Ruthie disappeared into the darkness of the tent corner completely, wrapped so tightly around herself that she was barely recognizable as a human being. ------- Cameron Vesey had found a place in the world – she performed upon the stage and in films as 'Sex Dwarf'. Granted, it wasn't the place her parents had wanted for her, but she had a place that she had chosen and it was all hers. As were her paramours and fellow performers, and for a short time to come, her adopted daughter. She led her troupe down the promenade toward House Chorale's tent, wishing that Amanda had chosen any other life than the one she had. In that, she felt the hands of her parents on her shoulders, telling her this was God's revenge for the choices Cami had made in her life. Behind her, the Circus of Penises – five men with cocks ten inches in length or longer. She could barely fit the shortest of them all the way inside her – it was somewhat painful to even try, but none of them seemed to mind not bottoming out in her cunt. David had been the first to join the troupe – she'd met him at a porn shoot. Then had come Peter and Frank, courtesy of an ad she'd placed in the alternative lifestyle papers. Finally there had been Benjamin and Barry, both guys who'd seen her stage show and asked for an audition. Five submissive men who were all good sports, at least decent in bed, although they'd all improved in that area over the years, and who were willing to be on the road a goodly part of the year, performing an ever-evolving act that was part sex-show, part comedy, and all orchestrated by Cami. She was legally married to David, and it had been early in their relationship when she'd conned the adoption agency and brought Amanda into their lives. Cami hadn't wanted a 'normal' child – she was a dwarf and knew how hard it could be growing up – she wanted a child that suffered the same abnormality as she did, someone she would be uniquely qualified to help. Cami Vesey had no idea what she would be getting with Amanda – it was undoubtedly true that she had learned as much from her daughter, or more, than her daughter had learned from her. Cami had kept Amanda away from as much of Cami's professional life as she could – Cami's parents had done most of the raising of Amanda, but Cami had made sure she was home at least a few days during the week to be with her daughter. It hadn't been an ideal existence for any of them, but they'd made it work, and she'd looked forward to her daughter going to college and making something of herself. Well, Amanda had sure showed her. The girl had gone to college ... clown college, and had finished rounding out the skills she'd been learning and practicing and swearing her grandparents to secrecy about. Amanda had come home from clown college very much the sweet, witty and talented girl she'd been when she left ... she'd just also come back as a mostly hairless - she had wisely kept her eyebrows - and tattooed dwarf ... tattooed in tribal patterns, in traditional motley colors of red & green, all over her body. Literally all over her body – there wasn't much of her that wasn't tattooed and while it was lovely work, Cami had passed out when Amanda first walked into the living room naked to show off the entirety of her tats. When Cami had come to on the couch, David and Amanda hovering over her, she'd asked why. Amanda had explained to her that she'd known she was submissive for a long time, since her first boyfriend – and what a trial that had been in so many ways, for all concerned. Being Amanda, she'd explored the lifestyle and picked out her place in it – very much as her mother had found her own place in the world. She knew about Houses and all their pseudo-feudal posturing, and loved the idea ... and determined that she would find a House she liked that was in a position of authority and become their jester. A jester in the traditional sense of the word – one who could speak truth to power and be at least as wise as she was foolish. In other ways, the House would fulfill her needs, emotionally, sexually, and fiscally, and she would be happy. She'd gone for the full body tattoo to insure she didn't back out. God had a sense of humor – Cami was sure of it. Her daughter was more pretty in the face than Cami was – and Cami was still quite attractive – so Cami had no doubt her daughter would be able to find someone who wanted their own little submissive slut of a jester. The thought terrified her – until she started hearing rumors through some of her contacts in Society that her old friend Carol Riley had found a House that was making a name for itself. Then the pieces had started falling into place and continued to do so, leading Cami and her troupe ... and her daughter ... to House Chorale's Coronation Party. ------- Margo wandered the party, two shadows behind her. Alpha and Omega evidently felt the pavilion had enough protection and had wordlessly followed her when she left. Margo reflected that it was entirely likely that shit would get old in a hurry – and if the two of them thought they were going to go everywhere with the family on their upcoming vacation, they were in for a big surprise. She found it somewhat discomforting that everyone bowed their head in her direction if she came to their notice. Not overblown bows from the waist or curtsies – those they saved for formal meetings like those at the tent. Just simple, deferential bobs of the head ... and Margo was completely unprepared for them. She found herself nodding in response as often as she could – she was sure there were nods she was missing, but realized fretting about them wouldn't help. Then she stepped off the path and took a long moment to just breathe, while her shadows effectively blocked her from view. This was a game they'd all agreed to play – a big playground sandbox and she'd somehow ended up at the top of the hill – the game was only as serious as the players wanted it to be ... which led to the discomfiting thought that most of the players seemed to want to take it very seriously indeed. That brought on the need to squat and put her head down. After a moment to collect herself, she stood up and moved in between her bodyguards and headed on. She had passed Carol and Ruthie on their way back from visiting Dr. Lowenstein. She realized she hadn't stopped in to see the Lowensteins, the Stallings, the Lowerys, and the Corkens ... and she and the rest of the family definitely owed them a visit. It occurred to her that rank had its privileges. She stopped a waitress. "Honey, do you know who I am?" Margo asked. "Yes, Madam Grimes," the young lady replied. "Deliver a message for me – there's a tent down the way, four families together.' "Yes Madam, they're in my section," the waitress said, rattling off their names. "Nice people. What's the message?" "Tell them that the Grimes family would be pleased to entertain them in House Chorale's pavilion in ... oh, a half-hour." "Yes, Madam," the girl replied and hurried away. Margo followed her nose to the 'café' and sat down to get a bite to eat. It had been a long evening, and she might not have a chance to catch a bite anytime soon. ------- Cami and her Penis Circus were entertaining the folks in Chorale's tent, as well as onlookers in the immediate area. Cami was doing 'the Hammock' – holding on to one penis with tightly clinched sphincter muscles while holding on to another with her teeth and lips. She was very careful not to move around too much, as she was very close to breaking the skin, but Frank and Benjamin were very slowly moving in sync, rotating around while Cami breathed through her nose and hoped that all the suction she could manage on Benjamin's cock would help her keep her grip. It was generally a show-stopper when they performed, causing both sexes eyes to bug out, albeit for different reasons. She had told Amanda and Carol to talk, imploring Carol with her eyes to please be sure Chorale was the right place for her precious daughter before accepting her into their House. Carol seemed to have gotten the message just fine, and the conversation she was having with Amanda was only slightly less serious than the one she'd just finished with Ruthie. Cami prepared for her dismount – a ticklish proposition involving her using Peter's and Barry's cocks as handholds. It was really more for show than support, although she did need them to give her just a second to reorient herself immediately after releasing her sphincter and mouth. When it went well, she tucked her feet in and swung her legs down, allowing her to land on her feet and look really skillful doing so. When it failed, it was part of the comedy portion of the show. It worked, although the strain she was feeling in her sphincter let her know she wouldn't be doing 'the Hanging' that night, where David was held up, face down, by the other four. They would lower him to insert himself in her bottom, then raise the two of them back up. She had no desire to suffer a prolapse that evening, so no Hanging. Still, it looked like everyone but Benjamin was up for one more trick, so she brought out the manacles and the dick cuffs and got ready to do 'the Stretch'. She really hoped Amanda wasn't about to make the mistake of her life. ------- Carol found Amanda as beautiful and charming as she found Cami to be. "Mistress..." "Milady," Carol corrected her. "I'm as submissive as you are, probably more so." "But you're the one deciding if I'm right for your House!" Amanda said. "Yes, I am. Your point would be..." "Uh, yes Milady ... uh, do you... need a jester?" Amanda asked. Carol brought the little woman into her arms. "I've known your mother for a lot of years," Carol said. "You realize she's sweating bullets over there about your decision and mine?" "Yes Milady," Amanda said, nuzzling her face in-between Carol's breasts. "But from everything she's heard, from everything I've heard, you're the House for me." "That remains to be seen, little one," Carol replied. She looked around the tent at all their friends and family. "In answer to your question, no, we don't really need a jester – there are more than enough people around here to pop any big egos that start getting out of hand." Carol motioned over Billy and he buried his head between Amanda's thighs. "The question, delightful one, is do we want a jester?" From between Amanda's short, stubby legs, Billy made positive, encouraging sounds. "Talk to me about why you want this as a lifestyle." As Amanda talked, Carol listened – not only to what she said, but to what she didn't say as well, and how Amanda's facial expressions changed and how she moved while she talked. In the meantime, Billy had replaced his tongue with his cock and was slowly fucking Amanda. "Milady ... it might be a little ... easier ... to do as you ... requested ... if he weren't ... doing that..." "Amanda, darling, your job is going to be performing and entertaining no matter what's being done to you..." "Yes ... Milady ... uh ... overall, if I had to pick any one thing ... about your House ... it would be that ... true to the rumors ... you're, ah ... happy. Happy with yourselves ... and with others ... you have a loving sense of play ... and you all seem to ... like each ... each ... each ooother ... oh ... mmm ... my ... he is very talented, Milady..." "Yes he is dear. All right, one last part of your audition – I know your mother so the whole 'pricking our egos when they need it' thing is covered ... but you not only need to be able to entertain us sexually, you need to be able to do in a more conventional sense. Go get ready to hit us with your A-List material." "May I have ... a moment..." "Certainly." ------- Carol watched as the little woman dug into a bag of props she'd brought with her. Carol had no doubt Amanda was going to be part of the House – a well-loved and well-used part – but she still wanted to see what Amanda could do as far as comedy was concerned. She sat between Kelly's legs in front of the throne and watched her old friend Cami hanging from four penises. She knew Cami and the guys also did more convention suspensions as well, although she'd never caught that act in their repertoire. She rubbed Kelly's inner thigh with her head. "What you thinking, sweetheart?" Kelly asked. "I'm thinking we're going to have a court jester," Carol replied. "That won't suck – she's a delectable little morsel – any chance of getting her mother and the guys as well?" Kelly asked. "No," Carol replied, slapping Kelly's knee. "Not tonight, certainly – perhaps another evening, when Cami isn't watching us take her only child as a member of the House." Benjamin was supporting Cami as the other four removed their penis cuffs before helping him lower her to her feet. "Damn boys, did we get enough of a stretch that time," Cami said, shaking her shoulders. "Who needs a rack?" "Uh, ma'am," Eddie said, "we do. I ain't volunteering for that," he looked down at Tamara, "no matter how much someone might beg." "Don't worry, sir," Tamara replied. "I have no desire to suspend myself from your cock." "Uh, I wouldn't mind giving it a try," Karen said, getting to her feet. "Do you think I could borrow one of those cuffs, Cami?" "Dyke, I will beat you to death with the nearest blunt object – that happens to be Harry, so think real long and hard about your next words," Eddie growled. As the inhabitants of the pavilion laughed, Tamara got up between Karen and Eddie. "No, Karen! Bad Karen! No Karen cookies," Tamara said. "Patricia, please get hold of your woman before I whup her ass!" Karen looked down at the fierce little woman in front of her as they scowled at each other. "You're lucky you're so cute," Karen said, fighting to keep from laughing. Tamara put up her hands in a boxing pose. "No, you're lucky I'm so cute." Karen scooped her up in her arms and hugged her as the crowd continued to laugh. After handing Tamara back to Eddie, Karen sat down and Patricia slid onto her lap. "If cuddling with you is the price I have to pay to keep you out of trouble, dear, I am willing to make that sacrifice," Patricia said. "What did I ever do to deserve someone as wonderful as you?" Karen asked. "Nothing dear, I'm a gift, like all the best things in life are," Patricia replied. "Just like you're a gift..." "I dunno, Patricia, she's a foul-tempered beast. You might wanna return that one," Eddie said, smiling. "Nope Eddie, not gonna happen," Patricia replied, "although you are right about her being a foul-tempered beast, especially in the morning, pre-coffee." "I resemble that remark, my dear," Karen said. "And Eddie Janak, don't you dare try to make my woman think about giving me back." She leaned over and leered at Tamara. "I might be tempted to come take your woman away and then where would you be?" "Shit out of luck, Dyke, shit out of luck," Eddie replied. "All right, I'll be good." As the two old friends grinned at each other, from the front of the pavilion came a peculiar sight – Amanda Vesey dressed in a brown robe, a great hump upon her back and a fringe of hair glued to her bald head like a monk's tonsure. "Ladies and gentlemen," she began, "and others," she continued, looking at Eddie and Karen, "I am Sister Septum the Deviate and I'm here to spread the good word of the Temple of the Ever-Erect Penis." She staggered into the center of the tent, apparently straining under the weight of her own hump. "Now some of you may believe that the ever-erect penis is a myth, or something you only see in a Viagra ad as an unfortunate side effect, but I'm here to tell you friends that the Temple of the Ever-Erect Penis can help change your mind about that. I bring you the good news of..." she paused for dramatic effect, "cock rings!" Sister Septum hobbled over to Harry, opening his pants with one hand. "Has this penis been reinforced with the use of man-made chemical erectile enhancement medications?" she asked, peering at Harry closely. "Alas, tonight it has indeed," he replied, grinning. "Good," Sister Septum said. "Not sure I had one that would fit you." She wandered over to Thad Newton. "Have you polluted your precious bodily fluids with the bane of chemical penile enhancement?" "Oh, you betcha," he replied. "Damn," she muttered, "striking out all over the place." She made her way to Eddie. "Little sister, would you mind?" she said to Tamara. Eddie's beloved hopped off his lap. "Now then, have you taken any drugs tonight that might affect your performance in the sexual area?" she asked. "Pot and booze count?" Eddie replied. "Nope, we're good to go," Sister Septum said, reaching down and grabbing his cock. Eddie was visibly taken aback, but went along with the gag. She began to stroke his penis and sure enough it began to grow. Sister Septum eyed it comically as it did so, her face a shifting expression of studious examination and lust, her line of patter never faltering as she did so. "The Temple of the Ever-Erect Penis doesn't deal in patent nostrums, foul potions, or the little Blue Pills of Evil, no ladies and gentlemen, it only deals with all natural proven practices that have withstood the test of time." She rooted around in her robe, pulling out a large metal manacle. She looked at it, looked at Eddie's cock, and looked again at the manacle. "Nope, too large." She threw it aside and continued. "When the all encompassing power of the human orifice, be it mouth, pussy or ass is not enough..." She pulled out a retainer band, looked at it, looked at Eddie's cock, looked back at the band. "Nope, too damn small ... where was I, oh yes, ass, pussy or mouth is not enough, you don't need help from salves or lotions," she looked at her audience and waggled her eyebrows, "although a little lubrication now and then certainly doesn't hurt," she said with a wink, "what you need is a..." she pulled out a rubber chicken and blushed. "Nope, you don't need that," she said, tucking it back inside her robe, "but I will later. What you need is," she pulled out a wedding ring, "nope, that's not 'til later." She looked back at Eddie and Tamara, "and not for you, evidently." You need a..." she pulled out a slinky, looked at it, looked at Eddie's cock, looked back at the slinky, "nope, too damn long," and threw it to one side. "What you need is..."she pulled out a dog collar, looked at Eddie and said, "I don't know you that well, though that could change," she continued as she eyed his dick. "What you need is..." she finally pulled out a cock ring, a leather strap that snapped into place, "one of these, yeah, that's what I've been looking for!" She handed it to Tamara and said, "Do something entertaining with that," while Sister Septum continued to stroke Eddie's cock. "Now some of you may be wondering if a cock ring is enough, if the Temple of the Ever-Erect Penis has anything else in its store of wisdom," she looked back to see that Tamara had wrapped the strap around Eddie's tongue, which he'd obligingly stuck out for her. "You, little sister, are in need of mental help," Sister Septum said. "Gimme that!" she continued as she pulled it off Eddie's tongue. "Here, smartass," she said, putting Eddie's cock in Tamara's hand, "do something with that!" Tamara complied by hopping onto it and settling down on Eddie's lap. "Wise girl," Sister Septum said. "Where was I, oh yeah, something to offer besides the magic of the cock ring..." she pulled the robe up over her head, and struggled with something underneath it. In a few seconds she shrugged the robe back onto her shoulders. Her huge hump was gone, and held in both her hands out in front of her was a green, sparkle-filled gel dildo attached to a harness. It looked to be four feet long and nine inches across, complete with two great green testicles below it. It was draped over her hands and the weight of it in front of her, as opposed to on her back, had her leaning back to balance herself. "Now this is what I'm talkin' about," roared Sister Septum the Deviate. "This is a holy artifact of the Temple of the Ever-Erect Penis!" She carefully stepped forward, aiming the huge cock at Kelly. "A gift for you, Mistress Grimes – where do you want it?" Playing along, Kelly brought her feet up into the throne with her and shrieked, "Mounted over a fireplace! Get that monster away from me!" Chaos ensued as Sister Septum proceeded to threaten anyone she could reach with the huge phallus as people scrambled to get out of her way, and everyone squealed with laughter at the sight of the dwarf with a dildo that almost dwarfed her chasing people around, albeit very slowly, while men and women alike tried to hide, crossed their legs and covered their bottoms. Finally, tired and sweating, Sister Septum stopped beside Thad Newton and slung the end of the dildo at him. "Here, hold that for me for a while, cutie," she said. "Sister Septum is plumb tuckered out." She took a moment to catch her breath and allow the laughter to quiet down before she continued. "All right, maybe you lot are a bunch of lightweights who'd be better served by something smaller. That's fine, the Temple of the Ever-Erect Penis doesn't discriminate ... we may sneer a little, but we don't discriminate. We may point and snicker, but we don't discriminate. We may laugh at you behind your back, but we don't discriminate. We serve all equally, men and women and those that are both and neither. The Temple of the Ever-Erect Penis doesn't care about gender, race, creed, or character – all we care about is the size of your orifices, and how we can help you with those." With a sharp twist to the right, she unlocked the dildo from its harness and took it back from Thad, slinging it over her shoulder before trudging back out of the tent to the applause of the crowd. ------- Margo had returned to the pavilion near the end of Sister Septum's act and had stood with the crowd, laughing at the dwarf's antics. She realized that the performance probably meant their Household had another member and found that the night's events had so numbed her that she couldn't be upset or worried about it. Not right then. The majority of them would bunk at Dominique's until there was room at the Corral, everything was in flux, but a calmer time was coming ... she just had to hold on a little longer. The hard part was done, their victory was assured. All she had to do was not go completely bugfuck insane before everything worked itself out. As she laughed at the sight of Candy and Helen helping Harry flee from the little woman with the big green penis, she thought their latest member might be of some help in keeping her head above crazy. Once the routine was over and the applause had died down, Margo grabbed a member of the security staff and had them clear the area. Once their guests arrived, the drapes across the front of the tent would be drawn and they could have some privacy. She laughed to herself at her new definition of 'privacy' ... just her family, their submissives, some friends, their submissives ... she remembered when it had just been Harry and Carol and her ... it seemed like it had been years, but in reality just a few months. She wouldn't do anything differently, given the chance to do it over again, but there were times she couldn't help thinking of how simpler her life might have been. Margo shrugged and went into the tent to get situated. "Madam, your chair," Kelly said, getting up. "No sweetheart, you keep it," Margo replied. "I see a pile of pillows with my name on it." She motioned to Amanda. "Honey, I'm sorry, I don't know your name yet, why don't you go grab a quick shower and come see me when you're done?" "Thank you, Madam Grimes," Amanda replied. "I'll do so immediately. Is there anywhere I can store my bag?" "See to it, Sheila," Margo replied. As she settled in on the pillows, she turned to her spouses and said, "I don't know about anyone else, but I need some coffee, preferably of the Irish variety." Within minutes, large mugs of Irish coffee were being brought in by the waitstaff. First to arrive were the Corkens. Margo found herself up and almost running to hug Adelaide, who had taken such good care of Harry while he'd been in the hospital. After a round of hugs and introductions, Adelaide and her husbands settled in to visit. "So," Harry said, "any idea when the rest of your tent will be arriving?" "No," Adelaide replied, "your messenger is going to have a harder time than you might have thought – we were the only ones 'at home', so to speak. Everyone else was off exploring the party. This is, by the way, the biggest collection of sheer deviance I've ever seen. It's wonderful. Not that all of it's to my taste, but holy cow, there's a lot to see and ... consider." "I know what you mean," Thad Newton replied. "We might have had a better idea what to expect, but still, the sheer scope and breadth of it ... y'all do realize you're dangerously close to a kinky Burning Man here? Really wouldn't take too much to tip it over to that." He paused for a moment, stroking his wife's thigh as he thought. "Come to think of it, that might not be such a bad idea ... once a year, open it up to any House in Texas that wanted to come." He raised his hands. "Not to say that you'd be footing the bill – au contraire in fact – make it fee-based per House, not per person. That might help with the problem of smaller, poorer Houses..." "No, make it per person," Minerva Cornelius said. "Smaller Houses could be sponsored by larger ones – very much in the spirit of the way things used to be, when smaller Houses were very much vassal entities. If someone wanted to attend badly enough but didn't want to put themselves in a larger House's debt, they could find a way to do so, paying part of their fees through service to the festival." Margo sat back and wondered just what a monster she had helped midwife into existence. "Harry," she said, "I blame you." She smiled to soften her words. "You were the one who wanted to throw three parties – one for the neighbors, one for employees, and one for our freaky friends. It's your fault. I don't know how I'm going to get even with you, but it will be uncomfortable, I promise you that." "I live in fear," Harry replied, deadpan. "I proposed a simple little get-together. I cannot be held accountable for the Fucking Folk Festival. Blame Thad." "Not me, Madam Grimes," Thad said. "I merely observed the state of things and reported what I saw..." "Bullshit," Kelly said, laughing. "You said, and I quote, "Come to think of it, that might not be a bad idea". You cannot weasel out of your share of the responsibility." "Okay ... but only part of it," Thad replied. "If I take the full blame, Vida might lose a husband in the ensuing insanity and that..." "Would lead to the first House/Karghold war in history," Vida said, grinning. "Right now, I'd bet that we'd lose. We're big, but your alliance is bigger." She shrugged. "But being who and what we are, we'd go for it anyway." "All right," Margo said, "Thad can't take all the blame." She laughed, "It could lead to the end of civilization as we know it if he did. Besides," Margo continued after a sip of Irish coffee, "we're already in a two front war as it is." "Fruehauf and the Dallas crew?" Kelly asked. "Those were the two I was thinking of, yes," Margo replied. "I'd say they were cold wars ... but..." she stopped herself from mentioning the attempted murder of Danielle Fruehauf and Paul Winchester's indictment of Dick Laney. "Well, they're cold wars for now. I'm not in any great rush to have them go hot." The serious tone of the discussion was derailed as the Lowenstein's arrived. After Susan introduced her husband to the group and everybody had gotten a nice long hug from Susan, they settled down and produced a baggie of weed. "Figured it never hurts to bring some along," Susan said as Usagi brought over the hookah. "So where are Rose and her young man?" Harry asked. "Well," David replied, "if she's smart Rose is keeping John away from Susan." "Bad blood?" Margo said. "No, I have plans to make love with him," Susan replied as she loaded the water pipe's bowl. "Rose says she won't mind if I borrow him, even says she wants to watch, but I think her head is arguing with her heart on that. I've never known her to be jealous of me making it with anyone she's dated, but John seems to be a different case as far as she's concerned." Margo wondered at the casual nature Susan displayed as she talked about having sex with her daughter's boyfriends. "I'm really in the dark, Susan," Margo said. "You and your daughter share men?" "It's simple really," Susan replied, "with the exception of her father – because Rose finds the idea "icky" – we have very similar tastes in men. She's liked my lovers, I've liked hers. There's only one man in my life I get jealous about – I married him. That doesn't mean he isn't free to explore his love with other people – it just means I have that jealousy to deal with when he does. My problem so I deal with it. That's why I think Rose and John have something deeper than she's found in any other man she's dated – she's feeling jealous and possessive." Still somewhat confused, Margo turned to David. "Maybe you can help me understand this, David. How are you avoiding getting jealous, or do you?" Susan's husband regarded Margo with a kindly smile. "I wouldn't get jealous if Susan went to the movies with another man, I wouldn't get jealous if she went out for drinks with another man, why should I get jealous if she goes to bed with another man. I'm confident and secure in our relationship – I know she's "going out" with them, not "running away with them". I know she's coming home. Why waste time and energy on the unproductive angst of jealousy?" "And you have other lovers as well?" Margo asked. "Very few, very seldom," David replied. "The universe has given me all that I need in Susan – she's more prone to express her love physically than I am – I wouldn't ask her to change that, but neither do I feel the need to change how I express my love to match her." Margo thought for a moment, then said, "Susan, every day I'm more convinced that you are the best choice we could have made for a family therapist." "Thank you, Margo. I love you and your family too," Susan replied, firing up the water pipe. As they sat and smoked, Mike and Rochelle Lowry walked up, with a young couple behind them; a rather average-looking guy with pale blond hair and a cute sprite of a woman with flaming red hair. Rochelle did most of the talking after the hugging ended, introducing the couple as their new roommates, Brody and Gail. "Dominique was very helpful," Rochelle went on. "Only thirty minutes of talking and she knew just the pair for us. She was so right, wasn't she, Mike?" "Very much so," Mike said as he made himself comfortable on a pillow. "I could use her in my practice – she got all the information she needed without seeming to rush us or lead us – we just talked and she made it look effortless." "That's our Dommi," Carol said. "In her defense, she's been doing this for a while as well. Did she happen to mention if we'd see her back here any time soon?" "I don't know," Rochelle replied. "She seems to be very busy, but that was quite some time ago – we ... took the subs out for a test drive, so to speak. We were just finishing up when your messenger found us. So I've got no idea where Dominique is ... you might have to waylay her and force her to relax for a while." She smiled. "And that could be a lot of fun, if you decide to go that route." Then, while Mike grabbed a hose and took a pull off the water pipe, Rochelle took their new submissives and cuddled. Everyone was taking it easy, enjoying the relative peace that party security was providing as they kept attendees away from the pavilion. "Good gawd almighty," Eddie said as Tamara crawled around on his back, massaging him, "I'm having a good time, don't get me wrong, but this is a hell of a lot of people." "Yeah," Patricia replied from where she cuddled with Karen. "And not just the people I expected to attend ... I thought it would be nothing but dungeon gear, leather, latex..." "You have not been members of the scene long enough to understand just how broad and diverse our group is," Madame Cornelius said, smoking from her own pipe. "In theory, we welcome anyone who engages in BDSM to any degree, no matter how small a part of their sex life it might be. There are of course the more hard-core members of our Society that look down on anyone who does not make it the primary part of their sex lives, but for the most part you can ignore them. They are generally too involved in their own race to see 'who is more serious about the scene than anyone else' to make life too difficult for anyone who just plays on occasion." "I still wouldn't recommend anyone who's a dabbler going to some of the more hard-core clubs or parties," Nancy Velacourt said. "There the hobbyist would be inviting abuse from the more serious types, but generally as long as everybody knows the local ... geography, I guess, for lack of a better word, they can find their niche and enjoy themselves." Security let Helga through the cordon. Her blonde hair was braided tightly against her head that led to a long braid down her back. Her black leather bustier, black panties and thigh-high black leather boots completed her ensemble. "Look, it's Heidi-from-Hell," Eddie whispered. "I heard zat," Helga said. She looked him up and down. "You are not too far from wrong – remember zat!" "Hi, Helga," Margo said, shaking her head and grinning. "Any word on your boss and the rest of the family?" "Zey are on zere vay ... now, who vants to play vit Auntie Helga?" Rochelle Lowry lifted her hand. "Helga, come meet our new toys!" Between what Margo knew of Rochelle and Helga, the new subs were going to be in for an interesting time. Amanda Vesey came back from the showers, waddling into the tent. "What's going on, Master Grimes?" she asked. "Didn't think the guards were going to let me back in." "Just setting up for some semi-private time," Harry replied. "Go meet Madam Grimes – then, if you're amenable, I have evil plans for your body." "My favorite kind of plan, Master," Amanda replied. She made her way to where Margo reclined. "Good morning, Madam. I'm your new court jester, Amanda." "So what do you prefer, Amanda? Dwarf, little person?" Margo asked. "Well, Mom performs under the name 'Sex Dwarf', but I prefer 'little person' myself," the woman replied. "Doesn't really matter, Madam – I'll answer to whatever I'm called." Margo regarded their new Household member. A well-shaped head, attractive face, her chest and abdomen only slightly smaller in proportion to her head, disproportionate arms and legs that were shorter than one would expect, given the rest of her body. "Planning to keep your head shaved?" Margo asked, running her hand across the top of Amanda's head. "Not unless you want me to, Madam," Amanda replied. "Unless you ask, I'll probably be letting my pubic hair grow back in as well. Shaving either is a pain, shaving both is just crazy." "Well, we're not too intent on shaved pussy around here," Margo said. "You might have noticed, with as much of it on display as we have around here." "Yes, Madam, I had noticed that," Amanda said, laughing. "I want to thank you, your family, and your House for accepting me. I wanted to stay in this area, because it's Mom's home base, but I'd decided I'd go wherever, just so long as I found what I wanted." Margo hugged their newest sub. "I'm happy you found it here, sweetheart. Now, take it easy, get to know us. We have a few more people coming before we close up for a little while." "With Madam's permission," Amanda said, "I'll start getting to know your family better right here." She slid down between Margo's legs and made herself at home, licking and kissing Margo's clit. "You ... are off ... to a very ... good start..." Margo sighed. ------- Harry watched Amanda and Margo together. He wasn't sure he would have been comfortable with the lifestyle choice Amanda had made if she was his daughter, but she wasn't and from where he was sitting, he was very happy with her lifestyle choice. Harry saw Tori Stallings passed through the cordon, with her husband and children behind her like the wake of some great ocean liner. He had to admit that even at her size – somewhat larger, in every sense of the word, than Jackie, she was incredible and erotic and more than a little daunting. He had chairs brought for the four of them but Victoria waved them away. "Come on down, Master Grimes," she said as she and her family picked a spot on the floor and made it their own. She sat cross-legged and patted her lap. "Come lay down for a while." "Happy to oblige, Tori," he said as Candy helped him down to the floor. As he lay his head down on her thigh, he smelled the evidence of a shower. She stroked his hair and smiled down at him. "It's a lovely party," she said. Behind her, Harry heard some scrambling and commotion, low-key but unmistakable. "What's going on back there?" he asked. He was curious, but not curious enough to give up his position. "My kids and my husband," she said, her smile lighting up her face like the sun. "I'm willing to bet, based on past experience, that Jesse whispered something like "I love you" to her daddy. That's generally all it takes. I mean, for me, Sam at least would have to say "I love you Mommy" to get me from zero to sixty that fast, but as brilliant as he is, Hal's a simpler creature. Those three little words and the two of them are off and running. Hold on, let me check..." She turned to look behind her and Harry watched the great orbs of her breasts pass over his head. "Yep, and evidently Sam as well ... we've got a pretty little daisy chain going back there." "So Hal's very comfortable with his bisexuality?" Harry asked. "Not very, not yet ... he's kind of plateaued at just comfortable ... but that's fine. He'll take it at his own speed," she replied as she bent down to look into Harry's eyes. In so doing, a large and very erect nipple was tantalizingly just out of reach. "Not nearly as comfortable as dear Dr. Lowry," she said, her voice a bit more breathy. "The way that man sucks cock, I'd figure he was gay instead of bi ... except I've seen how he reacts to women. Him I'd describe as extremely comfortable. Back at the tent," she continued, in a conspiratorial whisper, "we were playing a game of truth or dare, and he ended up with his lips around Hal's cock and Sam's dick up his ass ... oh, Harry, very erotic." "Perhaps for you, dear," Harry replied. "I'm pretty sure it wouldn't have had exactly the same effect on me." "Probably not," she laughed, "but it was very sensual and you might've been surprised by your reaction." "Mayhaps, but at the moment, my plate of erotic delights is full courtesy of my contemplation of your charms." "You are a smooth-talking charmer, aren't you?" she asked, lowering her head, and breast a little closer. As Harry's cock twitched and began to grow, he said, "Oh, I certainly hope so." "You're doing fine so far," Tori replied. She turned to look away for a moment. "I see the curtains have been drawn across the front of the tent." She turned back to Harry. "Does that mean the fucking lamp is lit?" Harry laughed. "I hardly think we need one of those," he said. "Or if we have one, it seems to have been lit since the party started. I don't think this tent has seen too many moments when people weren't fucking in it." He looked to his right and saw Margo leaning against Kelly. Amanda's head was still between Margo's legs, but Margo was returning the favor as well. He heard Carol's soft sounds of pleasure from somewhere to his left, but with the drapes across the front closed, the interior of the pavilion had gotten darker. It made the atmosphere more intimate ... and more conducive to the erotic vibe that seemed to be swelling in the tent. He looked up into Tori Stallings' face, watching the twinkling of her eyes and the captivating smile on her face. She was roughly the same age as he was, but in the moment she seemed older, more mature, more... "Tori ... what would you do if I looked up at you and said "You're beautiful, Mommy"?" The woman snapped her fingers at someone Harry couldn't see and carefully lifted his head, holding it up while Angela shifted into Tori's position as pillow. Once Harry was comfortably situated again, Tori settled on his erect cock, leaned forward placing a nipple at his lips and said, "Mommy likes it when you say that." Harry felt all of his hips and upper thighs and lower belly warmed by her body. His cock was encased in a delightful tunnel of heat and moisture. Taking her nipple in his mouth he began to nurse on it while her hips rose up and down in a rhythm like the breath of some great animal. His arms went up to her sides and caressed her generous curves and soft rolls of flesh. Her head was thrown back in pleasure and that divine smile still decorated her expression. Within her welcoming cunt, he felt the pulse of her sphincter as she tightened and loosened it in rhythm with her riding of his cock. While she was seemingly lost in the experience, he caught the eye of Alpha and motioned him over. With one hand, he tried to tell Alpha to lube up and take Tori's ass. Evidently the message was understood as a few moments later he felt a penis smoothly slide into position on the other side of the layers of tissue separating her ass from her cunt. "Ummm, Mommy likes that very much..." she moaned. "Still ... one hole ... left..." Before Harry had a chance to motion to anyone, Thad Newton was standing next to Angela, his cock at Tori's lips. A quick breath and she inhaled it into her mouth. The full body shiver of satisfaction was delightful. In deference to his leg, Harry let her do the work, feeling Alpha match his rhythm to hers, and from what Harry could hear, Tori was sucking Thad's cock at roughly the same pace. As everything continued on, Harry had no problem understanding Hal's devotion to his wife. Tori was a wonderland of sensation and appetite, much like Dommi, but on a larger scale. Her senses of fun and naughtiness were delightful. Then for a time, Harry stopped thinking and just flowed with the sensations. Tori on his cock, her nipple in his mouth, the feeling of her so close and warm, Angela's gentle massage of his temples, the softness of her thigh beneath his head, the scents of sex and pot and booze and sweat floating in the air like a haze... He felt rather than saw Thad stagger. Harry opened his eyes to see Thad's cock, limp and spent, fall from Tori's mouth, not a drop of semen anywhere to be seen. Her mouth was opening and closing, not quite like a fish, but it was obvious what she wanted. Chris Corken took Thad's place and Tori's body began to sing again as she deep-throated his erection. Once again, Harry's eyes drifted closed and he lay there, soaking in the vibe of the tent. He was reasonably sure that there wasn't a Dominant anywhere around that wasn't being pleasured, and most of the submissives were probably being entertained as well. He felt himself approaching orgasm – somehow Tori knew and slowed her pace. Harry smiled as he felt Alpha shift gears to match, then was surprised by the tremors that ran through Tori's body as she shifted and ground her clit on his pubis. Her climax tightened her cunt down on his cock, and he rode out the waves of pleasure that ran though her body, feeling his own orgasm growing more distant as she took her pleasure from him. Another orgasm, and another, shook her body as Harry lay there, and he was amused to find that the nipple he had sworn couldn't get any harder did, becoming so tight and so crinkled that it hardly felt like flesh anymore. After her third orgasm, she shifted the pace again and faster than Harry would have believed possible had him teetering on the edge of his own climax. Chris almost fell on his ass as Tori sucked him dry, and Harry felt the nipple pulled from his mouth as she bent down to whisper in his ear, the scent of Chris's semen faint on her breath. "Mommy loves her little boy very much," she whispered. Harry exploded inside her; somewhere in a corner of his brain he sent his arm the message to give Alpha a thumb's up sign, hoping it would relay the information that he was to orgasm in the woman as well. Either by design or happenstance, Harry felt Alpha's cock spasming in her bottom while Harry's own tremors were slowly winding down. Tori's fourth orgasm was more intense than the previous three put together and he felt her arms trembling with the strain of holding herself up. "Lay ... down ... Mommy," he gasped. She slowly maneuvered herself to one side, leaving Harry with the sight of Alpha standing in front of him, his cock slowly deflating and just the slightest hint of a smile at the corners of his mouth. Harry smiled and nodded at him, and Alpha sat down at Harry's feet, leaning against the throne. "That was ... very nice..." Tori said. "Not exactly ... through yet..." Harry replied. "Angela, clean Tori's cunt... Piglet, Piglet?" As Angela put his head on a pillow she'd snagged from nearby, Piglet appeared on her hands and knees. While Angela got into position to suck Harry's load out of Tori's cunt, Harry said, "Piglet, clean up Tori's ass." Sensing her resistance, he added, "Now!" "Yes sir," Piglet replied, and then, from the sound of it, performed her task with a will. Someone nearby lit up a pipe and Harry, with a sardonic smile on his face, reflected on how - sometimes – it was very, very good to be the king. ------- House Purple Rose's head had dreaded presenting herself and her House to House Chorale for most of the evening. It was why Isabella had come to the party, why she'd faced up to the stress of calling Madame Cornelius for tickets. She was proud of her House, tiny as it was, but it was a House of switches – not a dedicated Dominant or submissive in the group. All four of them could play either role easily and sometimes changed roles in the middle of play time. A House full of switches wasn't a concept much loved by any of the more serious players in the local scene, and Purple Rose had largely been ignored because of it. Isabella had at first been angered by it, then upset by it ... for years the problem had just depressed her and she was tired of feeling that way. She and the other members of the House had even discussed opting out of Society altogether, just playing on their own, until they realized the sense of isolation would make them even more disheartened than they already were. There were a few Houses that acknowledged them, that would interact with them as equals, but not enough. And for completely different reasons, Isabella hated Dick Laney with the passion of a thousand burning suns. On occasions where they had interacted in public, Laney treated her, as the head of her House, like she was just another stupid slut who really wanted nothing more than to prostrate herself on the floor in front of him and lick his boots. He was a pig – nothing less and certainly nothing more. So there was a new player in the scene ... Isabella really didn't hold much hope that things would change – the attitude was far too ingrained in Society. You were Dominant or you were submissive – anything in between was play-acting, posturing, dabbling – if you didn't have a firm vocation for one role or the other, you weren't to be taken seriously in any way. The fact that a staunch member of the Traditionalist Old Guard, Madame Cornelius, was their mentor and advisor filled Isabella with even more dread. Still, the Madame had seemed pleased to hear from her when she called for tickets, and had actually urged her to come, as well as discounting the ticket price to a ridiculously low ten dollars per person. Isabella had heard of Houses being charged three hundred dollars per person. She wasn't sure what was going on, but she still found enough hope in her to pay the forty dollars and bring her House to the party. She'd been very surprised by their reception. Her House was sharing a pavilion with another small House, House Ricci ... a lot more stratified and much more hard-core than Purple Rose, but friendly and welcoming. There was plenty of room for the two Houses. The food at the party was excellent, the booze was top-shelf – Isabella didn't even want to contemplate the expense of the affair. But the moment had come to take the last big step and present themselves to House Chorale ... so Isabella, Jonathan, Vincent, and Stacy got back into their party finery, picked up their tribute, and started the long walk around to the other side of the circle of tents. ------- An hour after the front of the tent had been closed, a pair of sweaty hands drew back one side of the draped silk and motioned for one of the security personnel. Carol stuck her head out and said, "We're about to open up, but we still need you to maintain your cordon until we've all had a chance to freshen up a bit." "Yes ma'am," the guard said, reeling back from the smell of pot and sex that billowed out. The guard turned and passed the instructions on to her fellow security people. Carol and Usagi drew the front wall of the pavilion back and tied the sheets of silk in place. As light from outside illuminated the interior, Carol looked back inside and shook her head. It would take their submissives at least a half hour to air the place out and make it presentable. "All right," she said loudly, "who's remaining in the hot seat while the rest of us ... all of us ... go hit the showers?" "I'll stay," Kelly said. I spent most of the time out of the action, I don't smell too bad." "No honey, but the second Harry or Margo get back, you still need to go hit the showers," Carol replied. "Not so much the smell, but since you let your hair go natural ... well, I'll help you brush it out after you shampoo it." "Gimme a mirror," Kelly said, looking around. Vida Newton handed her a compact and Kelly regarded her kinky hair with it, holding the tiny mirror as far away from her head as she could. "Oh God, girl, you're right ... I'm having Foxy Brown flashbacks. Y'all hurry then." "Okay, everyone, including you, Madame Cornelius if you would, make your way to either set of showers – the big public ones or the more private units." Minerva Cornelius looked at the small submissive down the length of her nose, with one eyebrow raised. Li Kuan stepped in front of Carol, facing her Madame. "It's true, Madame," Li Kuan said. "While few would dare say it, you look like you've had a very wild time..." Carol smiled – for Madame Cornelius that meant her hair was disheveled, her face and neck were sweaty, the top two buttons of her dress were undone and the sleeves were rolled up. "Very well," the grand dame replied, taking Li Kuan's hand and allowing her submissive to help her stand. Together the two of them led the procession out of the pavilion, until eventually only Carol and Kelly were left. "Honey, you go on as well. I heard you while we were in there," Kelly said. "You got well and royally fucked. I'm not sure how many times or by whom, but you were having a blast." Carol walked over and kissed her wife. "With Tamara's help, I had me a heapin' helpin' of Eddie in my ass," Carol said, grinning. "After that, the three of us cuddled a bit." "I was listening – that was some mighty vigorous cuddling," Kelly chuckled. "Well, our cuddling mostly consisted of him fingering me to several very nice orgasms while I ate out Tamara as she lay on his chest. Quite enjoyable – you should try it some time." "I think I will, in the meantime, go! Shower before I plop your well-fucked butt on this chair and go shower myself." "I'm outta here," Carol said, kissing her and running away. Kelly motioned one of the waitstaff into the tent. "Could you please find me some folks on the general staff to come start straightening this place up?" The waiter nodded and scurried off to fulfill her wishes. ------- Isabella and her people reached the security cordon and were momentarily confused. She heard a voice call out, "Let 'em through, they're allying with us in good times and bad..." As House Purple Rose was let through they saw the mess Chorale's tent was in, and a beautiful black woman on the throne. The black woman finished her statement. "And while this isn't 'bad' per se, it's sure as hell messy." "I'm guessing you would be Mistress Kelly," Isabella said. "You're guessing correctly – listen, give me a minute," Kelly replied, motioning over one of the people cleaning and straightening up. "Find us four chairs that are reasonably clean for our guests, flag down a server and have someone come get our drink orders." She returned her attention to House Purple Rose. "I'm sorry – we closed off the tent to visit ... okay, let's be honest, to fuck like bunnies with some friends, and you're not seeing us at our best." She smiled. "I hope you'll forgive us. You are?" "I'm Milady Isabella of House Purple Rose, these are my fellow House members, Milord Vincent, Milady Stacy, and Milord Jonathan." "Pleased to meet you ... here comes our waiter." Isabella and her House gave their orders, then Mistress Kelly said, "And a very light bourbon and coke for me ... make sure to tell that demon bartender very light!" She turned back to her guests. "Otherwise I'm gonna end up with another drink like my last one – tasted great, but you could barely tell there was coke in it at all. So, tell me about yourselves ... first off, the "Milady" and "Milord" instead of "Mistress" and "Master"? You're all switches?" "Yes, Mistress Kelly," Milady Isabella replied. "Some people get angry if a switch refers to themselves as Master or Mistress. I have to admit," Isabella continued, "it doesn't feel right to me either. The alternate titles mean we get looked down on a lot, like we're not 'real' members of the scene, but it's better than pretending to be something we really aren't." "Interesting take on things," Kelly said. "I'll let you in on a little secret ... that's not such a secret if you know who to ask. Of the four of us, my wife Margo's probably seventy-five percent Dominant, my husband Harry's maybe thirty-five percent Dominant, I'm about fifty-five percent Dominant, and my wife Carol can play one convincingly, but she's pure submissive. We wear the titles for appearance sake – and because when we are in that headspace, we damn well are Dominant. We're just not there all the time." Isabella leaned back in her chair and took a relaxed breath for the first time since she'd arrived. Most of her stress flowed out of her body like water from a faucet. "Madame Cornelius knows this about you?" she asked, incredulously. "Oh yeah, honey," Kelly replied. "She's suggested we not switch in public – in fact, she'd prefer the three of us who are dominant to some degree or another hold the leash when we're in public and don't switch. It's a small accommodation to make, so we do. In private though? Girl, there ain't no tellin' who's gonna be on top." Their drinks arrived and Isabella smiled as Kelly tasted hers. Their hostess looked at the waiter. "Tell him that's much better, but still a bit strong – I got to keep my head on straight tonight ... a little less bourbon next time." Kelly settled back onto the throne. "So, I hope you're a little more at ease now ... so let me guess – Tricky Dick Laney not y'all's cup of tea?" "No," Isabella replied, conscious of how hungrily Kelly was eyeing her. "Even when I was being a Dominant, he treated me like someone who was one cock-suck away from becoming his bitch – the same with Stacy. Vincent and Jonathan he just pretty much ignored." "Not that we minded," Vincent said. "Although if it wouldn't have finished us as far as the scene was concerned, Jonathan and I seriously wanted to kick his ass pretty much every time we saw him." "That's our Tricky Dick – making friends and influencing people," Kelly said. "I wonder how the hell he held on to power in this town for so long?" "Relatively easy answer," Stacy replied. "If you keep your opponents split up and at each other's throats, nobody builds a power block large enough to threaten you." Kelly snorted. "So," Isabella asked, "are you even planning to bother with the Samhain Fetish Ball?" "Of course!" Kelly replied. "Miss a chance to take a shit on Tricky Dick's whole faction and then rub his nose in it? We wouldn't skip that for the world. Plus it'll give us a chance to get all dolled up and pretty. Speaking of which, you're very lovely," she continued, licking her lips as she stared at Isabella. Kelly shook her head slightly and stopped leering. "All of you are, actually," she continued. Isabella blushed. She and Stacy both had some body image issues, and although the males in the House told them they were beautiful, it was different hearing one of the new leaders of the city's scene telling her so. Rather than continue to embarrass herself further, Isabella changed the subject. "So, we're not a wealthy House," she said, "but we did want to bring your House some form of tribute. Jonathan and Vincent work with leather a lot..." Isabella was shocked to find Kelly in her lap before she'd had time to blink. "Do tell me more..." Kelly purred. "Uh, they do some whips and things, but mostly they're into hand-crafted leather clothing..." "Oh, your House could be some of my new best friends," Kelly said, nuzzling Isabella's neck. "So, your tribute is..." "Although it will take a while, a dress, pants or shirt for each of you. Is that good?" Isabella said. "Marvelous," Kelly said, "absolutely marvelous." ------- Margo and Carol walked back into the pavilion to find guests – two men, two women, each of them naked below the waist. The reason for their dishabille was clear – Kelly was performing oral sex on the woman who sat at the back of the group. Margo seated herself on her throne while Carol began to brush her wife's hair. "Let me guess, you're a new ally and your tribute involves leather?" Margo mused. The woman sitting in front looked confused. "How did you guess?" "I know my wife. Leather for her is like catnip to a kitty, or chocolate to almost anyone ... we've seen this reaction before. I'm Madame Grimes, and you are?" As Isabella went through the second round of introductions and explanations, she could hear Stacy in the background winding up to a whopper of an orgasm. Once Isabella was finished, she said, "Your wife is ... very talented, orally." Carol laughed and Margo joined her. "Milady Isabella, there's nothing about sex that our wife isn't skilled at, or at least enthusiastic about getting better at. She's still weak on deep-throating cocks..." "If I may, Madam Grimes," Vincent said, "I can speak for Jonathan and myself on this. She may not have deep-throating down pat, but everything else she's real good at." Margo watched Kelly's hips twitch at the compliment. "So our husband says," Margo continued, smiling. "But otherwise, she's very skilled at everything." Margo looked pensive. "You might want to be careful if you're ever tempted to hand her the leash, though. As a Dominant she's..." "Evil, Madam," Carol said. "That would be a good word for it, 'evil'. She relishes driving us toward our limits, both in private and in public. As an example, to pay off a promise I'd given her, I had to walk out of a dressing room at a clothing shop in the mall completely naked and call for one of the salespeople. Now, I wasn't too visible from outside the shop, but everyone in the shop saw me. I didn't have to stay out there, mind you, just step outside of the changing room, call for some assistance, and duck back in." Margo smiled. "I got some very strange looks when I came out again." "She's had me drive naked down the freeway," Carol said. "Our Kelly loves to extract promises to do her bidding without question and call them due at the most difficult moments. We've started playing that game as well, though, so now she owes Harry and Margo some promises as well. I think Margo's been restraining herself from getting too creative, but I know my husband – he's planning something devilish..." The sound of Stacy's orgasm interrupted Carol – she grinned and waited until Stacy had calmed down somewhat. "And when he calls that promise due on Kelly, she might learn a thing or two about evil," Carol finished. "God I hope so," Kelly said from where she sat on the floor, working her mouth and lips around. "It's been a pleasure, Milords, Miladies, but I need to go get clean. I hope to see you all again, very soon." With that Kelly got up and skipped off to the showers. ------- Richard Ricci had enjoyed his discussion with the four members of House Purple Rose. Far too switchy and far too soft-core for his tastes, but that was fine. Each to his own – life would be boring as hell otherwise. He wanted to yawn – the hour was late and it had been a hell of a party, but Sigrid had a sounding probe two inches into his urethra and moving around wasn't the brightest thing he could do at the time. The feeling was exquisite, a kind of intimate penetration he'd come to enjoy when it had first been done in preparation for his very first genital piercing, a Prince Albert. Although the insertion had been shallow, it had left him with a feeling of excitement, as well as a desire for the probe to go deeper. Training in safe sounding techniques had been his primary prerequisite for the very next submissive he acquired. It hadn't been easy – most of the women and men knowledgeable about it were on the other end of the leash. But eventually, he'd found the perfect girl for him at that point in his life. Older, more experienced in many things, she'd become his body servant. She bathed him, cleaned him, trimmed his hair and goatee, and in the bedroom did things to him that he trusted none of his other submissives anywhere near. He smiled at Sigrid – six foot five, blonde hair and piercing blue eyes, probably more muscular than he was, truth be told, beautiful smooth pale skin and gently rounded curves – and more willing to hit her knees at any given second of any given day than any of his other submissives. She gently moved the probe's head around inside him, putting on a full show for the audience watching from outside their tent. The party was providing not just his House, but a lot of Houses the chance to let their freak flags fly in an event large enough to expose their skills to Houses they'd normally never even interact with. Richard had nominally supported Dick Laney, mostly because he was the only game in town. Once he wasn't, Richard had made a phone call and told Laney a lot of things he'd been wanting to for a very long time. He might have burned that particular bridge a little more concretely if he'd pissed on Laney's head and shot his dog – if Laney even had a dog – but it would've required more energy than Dick Laney was worth. The phone call had been enough. "Do you want me to do an inflation in the urethra, Master?" Sigrid asked. "You'd feel comfortable doing one under these circumstances?" Richard asked. "Yes Master, and little Magda should learn sometimes," Sigrid said, motioning to the dark-haired and curvy Ukrainian woman she'd been carefully training to fulfill this particular set of her Master's needs. Richard signed happily, the movement of his body making the light sparkle on the numerous steel piercings that dotted his dark Italian complexion. "Yes then, please," he replied, before raising his voice. "Now folks, we're going to pull out this probe, insert a tube into my bladder, then a smaller tube with a balloon attached to the end through that, and gently inflate it inside my bladder. Trust me," he continued over the sounds of dismay from some of the audience, "if you ever try it, you'll love it." ------- Harry, Candy, Amanda, and Camille stopped off at the dance floor on their way back from the showers. They sat and ordered water with lemon and listened to the music for a while. It took Harry a moment to realize that at some point a woman in a breechcloth and the arm band of one of the refugees had approached and knelt at the edge of his peripheral vision. He turned to regard her. She was tall, with long, light brown hair, most delightfully full-bodied – good muscle tone, but lots of delicious curves everywhere he looked. In keeping with her height, she had a longish heart-shaped face and full lips. "May I help you?" he asked. She raised her head from the slight bow it had been in, and looked in Harry's direction, still not meeting his eyes. "If this one may be forgiven for disturbing you," she said, "this one's name is Hikari and she would petition you for membership in your House." "You don't look very oriental," Harry said, smiling. "This one is not," Hikari replied. "She was given her name by her former owners. While it is a painful reminder of the times she spent in that House, she is used to it. She was raised as an experiment, to see if a young girl of western extraction could be trained to be as compliant as the stereotypical Japanese woman." "Did they succeed?" Candy asked. "Yes, but not completely," Hikari answered. "Didn't think so," Candy said. "House Wexler tried this after they got in a fight with House Velacourt. Nancy cut 'em off and so they tried their hand at creating Western pleasure girls." "Hikari, my House is full to bursting with submissives – you're lovely and I'm sure you're talented, but with as many submissives as we're receiving as gifts and tribute, I can't see taking on one just because she wishes a position with us." Silently, with no expression on her face whatsoever, tears began to flow down Hikari's cheeks. "Do me a favor, tell me what you're skilled in, other than sex," Harry said. "This one has been taught to cook, to clean..." "House Wexler is very picky about their domestics," Candy said, "she's been trained very thoroughly." "She has been trained in Reiki, eight different massage methods, gardening..." Hikari paused. "This one is sure there are other things, but she cannot remember them." Tears rolled down her impassive face. "Camille," Harry said, "go get Patricia and bring her here, please." ------- Hikari sat passively, revealing almost nothing of what she was feeling. She was ashamed that her tear ducts weren't under such tight control. When she had decided to leave House Wexler, she believed it had taken all her courage, every ounce of it. She arrived at the party convinced there was nothing left – she would take her chances with the rest of the refugees and perhaps find a good home. As the evening had progressed, as she came to realize the kind of people the new heads of local Society were, she had begun to hope that they would take her in, that they would find her worthy. Something about her, something special would draw their attention and she would become a part of their family. But as the evening became morning, she'd seen that there was so much going on, so many people, so many submissives ... there was no way they would simply stumble across her. Once again, if she wanted something, she would have to go after it. She had wanted out of House Wexler badly enough to leave a sure, but unhappy, thing, to take her chances with strangers. Hikari knew she would have to find even more courage inside her somewhere. She had thought back to her mother – not in some storybook childhood full of happiness and joy, but in her real childhood where she was emotionally abused, often beaten, but even more often simply ignored. At one point her mother had been almost sober, and had looked her daughter in the eye and said, "If you want something in this life you have to take it because all you're ever going to be given is shit." Less than two weeks later, twelve-year-old Geri Lightman had run away from home. She'd been trying to find a safe place to sleep downtown when one of House Wexler's people had found her. She supposed it was better than being raped and killed, but the training and education she'd received from the House was good for little else than keeping her in her place. She was a slave. Her spotty schooling prior to running away had left her functionally illiterate, and her years with Wexler hadn't included lessons in reading, or any other of the subjects she might have learned in school. She had been taught a different set of skills and attitudes and had lost whatever formal education she'd been given. But rather than any lessons, it was her mother's words she remembered when she felt all was lost at the party that night. Somewhere inside her she found more courage than she had thought possible and actually dared to approach one of Chorale's senior Dominants and petition for membership in their House. He had refused her ... then inquired as to her training. He had not dismissed her, so after she answered him she continued to kneel in submission and her tear ducts continued to betray her. ------- "Patricia, we both know it's going to be you making the decisions about submissives for you and Karen – she's too much like Eddie in this," Harry said, trying to ignore the reaction a mostly naked Patricia was evoking. "This girl, Hikari, asked us to take her in, but we've already got far more submissives than we need. There's something about her, though. Talk to her, see what you think." "Are you trying to take over Carol's job, Harry?" Patricia asked. "No, just learning to listen to my instincts more often than ignore them," he replied. Patricia walked over and asked the woman to come with her. Harry watched them move further away from the music, sit at a table and talk. From the look on Patricia's face, Harry was reasonably sure the family would be seeing more of Hikari, and that Karen would be in a grumpy mood for at least a week. That didn't bother him much, as he and his wives were going to be spending the week away on vacation. But when he got back, he had no doubt his partner would make him pay. ------- "Karen, Karen honey," Patricia said as she walked up to her partner. "Oh shit, what have I done now?" Karen asked. "Nothing, honey, it's what you might do. I'm pretty sure I've found the first of our submissives, but you need to be nice to her. She's been through a lot, and she won't react well to grumpy-bear Karen acting gruff and angry. Emotionally she's gone through a lot in the last several days, so for me I'd like you to be gracious and accepting. If she doesn't work out, we'll both know it and we'll work to find her another position." Patricia looked imploringly at Karen. Karen heaved a heavy sigh. "I will be nice, but she had best understand that I'm not at my best in the mornings." "That should be okay," Patricia said. "As long as the grumpy isn't aimed at her specifically, I think we'll be okay." She turned to go bring Hikari to meet Karen, but then turned around again. "Do you have any idea how much I owe you for giving her, and us, this chance?" "You haven't made a dent in the amount I owe you for giving us a second chance," Karen replied, smiling. ------- Nancy helped Cletus and the band get everything ready for their first set, and decided she'd just have to bite the bullet and face the two of them together, surrounded by people – if nothing else, she hoped that having an audience would mean she didn't get bounced out on her ass. She found them surrounded by their harems, resting in their pavilion after a trip to the dance floor, evidently, given the conversation. "I told you I was up to dancing if we took it slow," Harry said, looking at the woman in the seat next to him. "If you'd tried one more turn on that brace I was going to have Candy drag you back here kicking and screaming," the woman said. "I was fine." "Uh, guys ... just thought I'd drop in and say 'hello', while I was here," Nancy said, ducking her head slightly and waving as she stood in front of the tent. She understood the looks on Harry and Eddie's faces ... she didn't get at all the reaction of the short, vaguely Hispanic woman sitting at Harry's feet. She was looking at Nancy like she was a pile of shit someone had tracked into the house on their shoes. Eddie rose up like he was about to beat her within an inch of her life, and Nancy tensed, rising on the balls of her feet and preparing to either run or defend herself. A short dyke a few pillows away got up as well, mirroring Eddie's reaction within seconds. Nancy had to breathe a sigh of relief when Harry put up his hand and said, "Whoa guys, I've got questions." "I hope I've got answers," Nancy replied, smiling ingratiatingly. "How the hell did you get in here and is there any reason you can think of why we shouldn't have you removed?" "Got an answer to one of them," Nancy replied. "I'm working as a roadie for Cletus's band ... the other question," she bowed her head. "I don't really have an answer for that one. No reason that I can think of why you shouldn't kick me out." "Harry, who is this?" the woman in the chair next to Harry asked. "Margo, this is Eddie's cousin, Nancy Holzer ... unless you've gotten married in the interim?" he said. "No, still 'Holzer'," she replied. "Never quite got that stupid." The small woman at Harry's feet was looking at Nancy and shaking her head. "Harry," she said, "I know you've got history with this woman, I know she's Eddie's cousin ... still, get her the hell out of here, fast as you can manage." "Right," Harry said, motioning for someone. "Candy, take her out of here – on the way, get a picture of her. Put her in a limo and make sure the drivers know not to bring her back." "Harry, Eddie, listen – I've got some things I need to say!" Nancy said. "Maybe, Cuz," Eddie replied, "but the hoodoo woman's spoken. You're out of here." Nancy Holzer wasn't happy – she didn't understand exactly what had happened, or why the little woman, the 'hoodoo woman', had taken a dislike to her, but before she could get another word out a very strong woman was frogmarching her toward the exit. Her 'friends' weren't going to be happy with her ... they weren't going to be happy at all. ------- Nick Philouma wasn't surprised to come upon his sister standing in the middle of the road as he headed back toward the city. Everyone else had put in their two cents about his leadership of the family; he didn't expect her to be any different. He slowed to a stop and she slid into the seat next to him. Paula looked good and although physically she was a far cry from the girl he'd known most of his life, inside, she was the same old Paula. "What the fuck do you think you're doing, Nick?" She smoothly buckled her seatbelt. "I don't like to tell tales outta school, but there are some higher-up types in the family that think you have lost it completely. I mean, I'm in on the general plan, and I approve, but I got reservations." "Soon, Paula, soon ... within a few weeks at most, those 'higher-ups' will be begging me to make peace at any price. That's when I'll be able to make Tony's dream a reality." "Good ... sooner done the better. I've already had to tell a few folks that we stand behind you a hundred percent, and that we'd take a very dim view of anyone who tried to change the family's leadership. Now, you know, that'll hold 'em still for quite a while, but 'quite a while' ain't forever." She shifted nervously in her seat, something of the old Paula that Nick hadn't seen in a long time. "Another thing ... my superiors want to make sure ... look, the deal blows – it blew when I helped make it twenty years ago, it blows today. But there are those who are a little worried that you might be rethinking Philouma participation..." "No..." Nick said and then paused. "I'd like to, you know it, I know it, and they know it. But I won't. Lanier's been too valuable a friend. I'm sorry that the Russians moved their families out of town – I was thinking of using some of their orphans, but they're safe from us now. Still, I'm making plenty more with the Mexicans and the Asians. I should be able to fulfill our family's tithe for the next several years in advance. Tell B.D. he has nothing to worry about." "Good ... you know, he didn't think you were going to renege, but some of his partners ... they ain't so trusting." She settled back into her seat. "Now then, on to something really important. "Nick, I'm worried about you. This is gonna kill you if you don't slow down, shed some of this stress. It's eating you alive..." She held up her hand in protest to forestall his objection. "I ain't saying it shouldn't ... it bothers the shit outta me and I ain't the one the widows and families blame. I know you – this is tearing you apart, it's written all over you. You gotta end it as soon as you fucking can, or it's gonna kill you and we'll all be up a creek." She put her cool hand on his arm. "You got someone in place to handle things for a while when this is over? You need a vacation worse than anyone I ever seen." "Yeah ... I already promised Randy I would take some time off after things settled down. Two weeks, probably no more than that, but still ... two weeks away from everything seems like paradise right now." He slowed down and pulled to the side of the road. Once the car stopped, Nick Philouma slumped on the steering wheel and began to sob. "Too many ... fucking funerals..." Paula Philouma took her older brother in her arms and held him for a long time. ------- 4 AM By four in the morning, the crew of Radio Free Mordor had rarely been so happy to be told they were done. Their normal dances ran from 10 PM to 2 AM – sometimes they started a little earlier, sometimes they ran a little longer, but they'd never worked a dance for effectively eight hours straight. Not that it had been bad, just long, and there were enough people at the party so that the dance floor had remained pretty much full the entire time. With the four of them, there'd been no problem with them going to the bathroom, or grabbing a bite to eat ... or time to screw their hormone-loaded brains out. None of them had ever really imagined being as ... naked ... with each other as they'd ended up. Each of them had hit the showers more than once during the evening – even ignoring any sexual activity, sitting in the middle of stacks of electronic equipment could get hot very quickly. So when Jack announced, "Thank you folks, it's been great. We're done for the evening, but the dancing will continue as we have some talented performers coming up to play and sing torch songs and smooth jazz. Please stick around and enjoy their show." He took a deep breath and sighed, a big smile on his face. "We're Radio Free Mordor, it has been a pleasure to spin for you, and we will gladly play any party you want to hire us for – you're the greatest crowd we've ever seen." It was also the loudest, longest, and most enthusiastic applause the four of them had ever received. As they walked out of their booth, their new companions by their sides, Scott asked, "Anybody got a count on the tip jar?" "As of the last time I emptied it," Keith said, "we were over two thousand dollars ... it's full again but unless someone wants to take the time to count it right now, I say it can wait." "Holy shit," Mick said, "I love these folks." ------- With Li Kuan and Bizoumet taking turns at the piano, Billy and Carol sang to their hearts content, the dance floor full of people swaying to the music. After a first set of ten songs, the two of them sat down for a while, letting honey-fortified hot toddies sooth their throats. As they did so, Usagi tentatively approached them. "Miss Carol, Mr. Billy ... if I might be so ... audacious." "What is it darling?" Carol asked. "Cletus's band also has a pedal-steel guitar ... I was wondering..." "Of course you can play with us," Carol replied. "Let's get our heads together on our next set." ------- Tamara and the three new women of the household were more than happy to let Bizoumet have a dance with Eddie while Li Kuan played "When Your Lover Has Gone". "So gorgeous, glad you came?" Eddie asked as he held her close – purposefully as close as he held any of the women in his House. "Eddie, I've had the best time," she said, her head on his shoulder. "It's been worth the night off of work, although Pansy might be a little less than pleased when I straggle into work tomorrow..." She snickered. "Okay, later today..." "Well, I'd say I'd be there to cheer you on, but I kinda doubt I'm gonna move much 'til sometime Monday morning. Although I can't say my life sucks – I've been told by four women that I'm getting pampered once we get home and get some sleep." "That doesn't suck, Eddie," Bizoumet replied. "That doesn't suck at all." "No ... I'm still holding out on letting Tamara know how right she may have been," he said. "Not that she doesn't already know, but I'll be damned if I'll let her know that I recognize it yet. It's scary, Biz ... after so many bad relationships, this one ... and the way she wants things to be, just to make me happy." He corrected himself. "Happier." She hugged her old friend even tighter for a moment. "It's good to see you happy," she said. "There were so many years you seemed to go out of your way to get into situations that would make you even more miserable." She kissed his cheek. "It was a hard and ugly thing to watch. Now it's all beauty, and shining so brightly it could blind a girl." "Speaking of which, darlin'," Eddie said, "how's the savings looking?" "Not enough ... things happen, you know how it is. The car breaks down, I get sick and have to go to the doctor ... one thing after another. I'll get there eventually." "I know you will, sweetheart. I know you will." "And when I do, you owe me..." "I know, I know ... somehow, I don't think my fiancé will have any problem at all with that." After dancing through another song, Eddie kissed her and went to sit down with Margo and Harry. "Margo," Eddie said, "I got a favor to ask, and I really hate asking..." ------- When Billy and Carol came back to the microphones, the crowd applauded. "Thank you all," Billy said. "Courtesy of a fellow sub, this next set is going to sound a little different." Then he and Carol waited to begin while Bizoumet and Usagi played the intro of Patsy Cline's "Crazy". The set was strange in a way – while the sounds of the piano and the pedal-steel guitar went together well, it was an unusual pairing. But when another ten songs had come and gone, the applause was louder than ever as the five of them took their bows. ------- "I'm sorry, as much as some of them give me the squick, it's a matter of inclusion. They've given us every out, but I had Candy check and all of the Shadow Houses have been recognized by El Paso and Fort Worth," Margo said. "If we don't, then we're either prudish and probably shouldn't be sitting in these chairs or we charge too much of a percentage and we're like Dallas – a fate I really want to avoid." "Fine then, let's go talk to them," Harry said, getting to his feet. "Problem with that," Helen said, "is that you don't need to be walking anywhere." "No, you don't," Margo said. "You spent too much time on your feet on the dance floor, which I am partially to blame for. So you have your choice – wheelchair, and yes we have one here, being carried by sweaty slave women in a sedan chair, or not making the rounds at all." "You have got to be shitting me," Harry said. "You think I'm going to have these poor women haul my ass around, or I'm going to be pushed around like an invalid – 'cause I'm definitely going. Come up with a fourth option." "There isn't one," Kelly said. "Maybe if we'd thought about it earlier we'd have brought a golf cart, but we didn't. Do not even start to get uppity, Harry – this is one of those 'the whole House vs. you' issues. You don't have wiggle room." "Didn't think of a golf cart but I'll bet the left cheek of my ass that you've got a sedan chair around, don't you?" "Two actually," Madame Cornelius replied. "The bearers are all from the new batch of refugees ... well, rebels actually, and they are looking forward to the opportunity to show their appreciation." She rose from her chair and walked to Harry's side. "If I might advise you, Harry," Minerva said in a low voice, "this is one of those fights you cannot win. Quit fighting, let us take care of you, and to avoid having you appear as an invalid, your wife as well. Besides, it adds to the spectacle." "Some day, I'm getting even with all of you," Harry said. "I don't know how, I don't know when, but I'm going to get even with you." "Long as it doesn't involve fucking up your knee, sir," Carol replied, "I think we're okay with that. Well, most of us," she amended, looking at Madame Cornelius. "I don't think getting even with her would work out well for you," Carol said, motioning with her head. "Li Kuan might take that badly." "Good point," Harry laughed, "but the rest of you ... watch your ass." "Or we'll just watch yours, Harry," Karen said. "And if you come gimping after us, we'll scamper away." "You scampering ... that I got to see," Eddie said, chuckling. "Neanderthal, you're about to see it coming after you with a big ol' stick," Karen growled. "Let's get moving before things get even more ridiculous," Harry said. "Bring on the chairs." ------- The procession made its way around the ring of tents to the far side where the Shadow Houses had set up. The sedan chairs led the way, with a goodly number of House Chorale's pavilion following along after them. On Thad Newton's advice, Kelly stayed behind to maintain the House's presence. She'd accepted the job with a quip about being 'third in line for the crown'. First they arrived at House Anson's tent and once the chairs had been lowered to the ground, Harry and Margo walked the short distance to where camp chairs had been set up for them. "You honor us with your visit," Mistress Anson said. "Now then, is this purely social, or..." "We're here to acknowledge your House and accept your tribute," Margo said, "with some conditions..." "How much of a percentage do you want?" Kate Anson replied. "Ten percent – but not for us. We want you to drop your prices ten percent for those who live in this area of Texas. We'll reduce that to five percent if you refuse to do business with Houses that are not part of our alliance," Margo replied. "Yes, it's extortion, thievery, knavery, highway robbery, probably quite a few more as well, but it's what we want." "May we have a few moments to discuss this?" Mistress Anson asked. "Certainly," Harry replied. "In the meantime, can you have your overseer show us your stock?" ------- "So, your decision?" Margo said as Henry and Kate Anson returned from their discussion. "You drive a hard bargain," Kate said. "Well, not so hard as it will prove to be for some of the others. We don't do a lot of business with the more senior Houses – they find their own troublemakers and break them in their own ways. Here's our counter proposal. No business with those outside your alliance, not a problem. Five percent discount – that's no problem. A further two-and-a-half percent of each sale in the area going to your clinic fund, or, should you choose not to take your tribute as something from our stock, five percent of each local sale to go to your clinic fund." Harry and Margo looked at each other and smiled. "Well, while your stock is lovely or handsome, as the case may be," Harry said, "we have enough troublemakers as it is, and have no desire to push the boundaries of our comfort zone at this time." "The five and five is remarkably generous," Margo said, "and I thank you on behalf of those the clinic will serve." After hand shakes all around, Harry and Margo got back in their sedan chairs and prepared for the next leg of their journey. ------- House JO's tent couldn't hold all the stock they'd brought and they were doing lively business. "Vida said it's a common fantasy," Harry said, somewhat defensively. "It may be," Margo replied, "but dear God – do you think all these couples are really related to each other?" "Yes they are," Mistress Wynton said as she approached their chairs. "We have the documents, DNA, and fingerprints to prove it. Fantasy you can get anywhere – we offer reality." As she welcomed them to House JO's tent, Margo looked around at all the local Houses, examining stock and haggling with overseers. She knew this was a scene that had existed throughout history – she was just lucky enough to live in a time where it wasn't literal, but figurative ... at least she hoped so. "Excuse me for a moment, Mistress Wynton," Margo said as she rose from her chair. "Nancy, if I might speak with you a moment," she continued, motioning to Mistress Velacourt. The two stepped away from the flow of traffic on the far side, away from the tents. "What happens if any of the ... livestock ... you or any of the Shadow Houses sell becomes unhappy?" Margo asked. "Well, your purchase of Usagi was rather rushed, so I'll excuse you for not reading the fine print," Nancy said, her lips in a small smile. "In case either party becomes dissatisfied in the first five years, we attempt to mediate the problem, and if a mutually satisfactory accommodation cannot be reached, we refund a pro-rated share of the purchase price, remove that amount from the matching amount we invested for the submissive in question. The House doesn't lose money – except in some cases." "Such as?" Margo asked, raising an eyebrow. "If the owners turn out to be at fault – clearly at fault – we take the loss and never do business with that House again. It hasn't happened often. Most times, disagreements can be mediated or, even after all the training we give them, our girls find they don't like the life they've entered. It's rare, but it happens. The Shadow Houses operate under much the same policies. It's really the only way this kind of business can work." Nancy shook her head. "Although the first time you sit through a mediation process that goes on for more than a day, you long for the good old days of honest-to-God property." "That bad?" Margo asked. "Worse. Not everyone is pleasant, reasonable, rational ... there have been times I wanted to kick both sides in the head until it stopped feeling good to me. But as it's in my House's best interest – financially and image-wise – to have everyone end up happy, I restrain myself and so far, it's worked." "Thank you for easing my mind, Nancy," Margo said, kissing her on the cheek. "I looked at this place and the business they're doing ... I started to wonder if it all really was consensual, and that led to me worrying about how to insure it was." "Understandable ... now, let's go relieve Mistress Wynton's fears. I'm pretty sure she's thinking she's done something wrong ... or more wrong than usual. She's rather used to the hypocritical nature of her House's relationship with the rest of Society." As they strolled across the flowing traffic that moved around the great circle of tents, Margo wondered at all the people she didn't recognize, but that, by their attitude and deference, knew exactly who she was. She expected a flash of self-doubt at that moment, but was rather pleased by its absence. Instead she felt humbled by the faith that had been placed in her. She smiled to herself. The self-doubt would come, there was no question about that, but evidently her mind was going to let her enjoy the moment. Harry greeted her with a hug, whispering "Are you okay, sweetheart?" "Just fine," she whispered in return as she continued to hold him. "Tell you about it later." Together they turned to deal with House JO. ------- Mistress Wynton had been eager to show them everything she had, so they had taken the offered chairs and sent a waitress for drinks. Roughly thirty minutes later, they were glad they had, although at times they had shifted uncomfortably in them. House JO's stock was displayed in a simple fashion – all nude, standing either together, or a short distance apart. Closeness meant they were sexually involved with each other, distance indicated that the couple wasn't having sex. It was the couples standing side-by-side that caused Harry and Margo the most distress. Predictably, they reacted more strongly to father/daughter pairs than to mother/son's. Neither batted an eye at brother/sister pairs. Father/son and mother/daughter pairs that stood closely together evoked interesting reactions – Margo found the father/son pairs intriguing, Harry was uncomfortable. Harry found the mother/daughter pairs very enticing, Margo less so. When the parade of relations finally drew to a close, the two of them put their heads together with Carol and quietly discussed their options. After a time, they finished and sat back in their seats. "Mistress Wynton, show us the mother and sons again, please," Margo said. Mistress Wynton looked a little surprised, and as the overseers were arranging the showing, Margo explained their decision. "Harry's said, several times, that the shortage of cocks in the house needed to be corrected, Mistress Wynton. And while I agree that strap-on's are a wonderful thing, there is a definite difference between being pleasured by a woman wearing a strap-on and a man." "So, my poor, over-worked equipment is going to get some relief," Harry said. "Yes, dear," Margo laughed. "And while the disparity in male and female submissives is pretty severe, Carol and I felt that we could easily accommodate another woman, someone a little older and more experienced." "A wise decision," Mistress Wynton said, "and a tribute we'll gladly pay." "About that," Margo said, "we will also require an arrangement be reached concerning price. We require a ten percent discount for Houses in our area – we'll drop that requirement to five percent if you agree to do no business with Houses that aren't allied with our faction." "Nothing for your House?" Mistress Wynton asked. "No percentage of sales, no fees?" "Nope," Harry said. "Just discounts for our people." "Fine," Mistress Wynton replied, "ten percent for your people and my House won't do business with anyone in the area outside your alliance. It's in our interest to make sure your reign is a long and happy one." By the end of the process, Carol had given the nod on four couples, two that stood together and two that stood apart. After the three spouses talked with all four couples for a while, Linda and Malcolm Waldron joined the procession as it departed for the next Shadow House. The two of them had stood very close to each other on the sales block, their skin touching everywhere it could. ------- House Camelia welcomed them with open arms, proud to show off their stock and entertain the whole party. They had even brought their own booze and their own bartender so they could serve the House specialty, Mint Juleps. "I know it's somewhat cliché," Mistress DuBlanc said, "but there are plenty of Houses that deal with the same sort of stock that we do." She shot Nancy Velacourt an admiring look. "We weren't in a position to procure a monopoly in our commodity, so we try to stand out from the rest with our history and our hospitality." As the conversation continued and the overseers prepared to show off the House's finest, Margo leaned over to Harry and whispered, "I cannot do it. I cannot accept an African-American as tribute. Help me out and don't make me have to say that out loud." "I'll handle it, dear," Harry said, the smile never leaving his face. "Mistress DuBlanc, for your tribute, we're looking for a gift for the newest Domme in our group," he looked around and didn't see Galena or Andrea anywhere, "and apparently she and her first sub are somewhere else, enjoying themselves." He sighed, "I'll just have to use my best judgment. While your black stock looks enticing, I was looking for someone Hispanic – a well-mannered and well-trained young man, perhaps?" As the House's overseers went into overdrive scrapping part of their presentation and moving the other part up, Margo's hand caressed her husband's hand, sending a clear signal of her appreciation for his handling of the matter. "Candy," she called, "find Mistress Galena and get her here quickly – pull her out of whatever she's doing and if she protests, tell her it's by my command – carry her if necessary." ------- Nancy Holzer fumed impotently in the back of the limo on her way into town. There wasn't anything she could do – she couldn't make her cousin and her former lover trust her – but sure enough, her puppet-masters wouldn't understand that. They'd tell her to try harder, in that lovely way some law enforcement types had of thinking that just because they wanted an asset to do something, it was automatically possible. Gaining her cousin and Harry's trust wasn't a brute force proposition, no matter what her new friends in the DEA thought. She would have thought that people as used to the concept of undercover work as they were would have understood that, but evidently the concept of subtlety only applied to their own agents – former convicts were just supposed to be able to bully or bullshit their way in. ------- Abhilasha Venkatesan got out of the limo in front of the Tanner house with her bag from the all-night drugstore and waved the car away. She walked to the front door and knocked. A nice-looking boy in his middle teens opened the door and peered out at her. "Who are you?" he asked. "My name is Abhilasha," she replied. "Mistress Kelly sent me to take care of you. May I come in?" He showed her into his home and she put an arm around him. "I understand you've had a very confusing evening, but everything will be all right now. Let me go talk to the man who has been watching over you and tell him he can go on. Then we'll talk." After relieving Sampson Collins, she came back in the house. She had no idea what she had done to earn such favor in the eyes of her new House, but she was going to do her best to live up to their trust. "So, I imagine you have questions, yes?" she asked, sitting down next to him on the couch. "So ask." "Are you ... are you like my mother and Donna?" "Yes and no, Jason. Am I submissive to the will of others? Yes. Do I live a life of service to those who command me? Yes. Does anyone force me to be this way? No. "But just as you are different than your friends and schoolmates, I am different from your mother and Donna. What other questions may I answer for you?" "I ... why did Donna ... I mean, we just met!" Jason said miserably. "First off, Jason, she is a teenager and you are a teenager," she said, caressing his arm. She turned sideways on the couch, tucking her leg under her, and in so doing exposed a long expanse of brown flesh on her other leg. "Secondly, she thought you an attractive young man – she told her father this. But also ... she would like her family and the Grimes family to be closer. If you and she were involved with each other, that would bring your families together." "But I'm not a member of the Grimes family," Jason said, his eyes tearing up as he blinked furiously. "It's just me and Mom!" Abhilasha took his hands in hers, pulling him around to sit sideways, facing her. "Jason, that is not true. The Grimes have accepted your mother into their service – in more ways than not, she belongs to them. They help her get the treatment she needs to feel good about herself, she serves them. Part of that bargain also involves you. Surely you've seen the way they're looking out after you?" "Yeah ... I just haven't really understood why." She smiled at him. "In accepting your mother into their family, they have accepted you as well – they are responsible for your well-being no less than they are responsible for mine, or your mother's. That is why they sent me to take care of you." "I don't really need taking care of," he said, a small note of sullenness in his voice. "When Mom used to go out and do stupid shit, I was by myself a lot." "Yes, I'm sure you were ... have you ever been picked on in school?" "Uh ... yeah ... what about it?" "Does the fact that you were picked on make it right that you were picked on?" "No..." "Neither does the fact that you were left on your own make it right that you were left on your own. Everyone involved sleeps better knowing that you have somebody taking care of you, taking care of your needs." She shifted on the couch, her top falling open slightly, offering Jason a look at more of her cleavage, an opportunity she noticed he did not let pass by. "So, what other questions do you have?" "Is Donna gonna be okay, I mean, is she gonna be in any kind of trouble?" "I cannot say for sure, but as she acted for the good of her House and, she believed, for yours, I think she will be fine – punished, but fine. Anything else?" "Uh ... I don't know ... someday I want to know about what ... what my mother does for them and what they do for her ... but I don't really think I'm ready for that answer, so I won't ask." He shifted, attempting to hide the erection that was growing in his pants and failing miserably. 'I don't think I have any other questions." "Fine," she said eagerly, "then let me take care of you, Jason." She leaned over to kiss him, as her blouse fell open and her breasts spilled out. As her tongue parted his lips, she had to try very hard not to laugh – the boy was terrified and as stiff as a board – in more ways than one. Abhilasha pulled him into her arms, up against her bare breasts, and slowly he began to realize there was something he should be doing with his lips and tongue, while below his neck he continued to be, mostly, unresponsive. The kiss continued to heat up – Jason was inexperienced but enthusiastic – until he suddenly pulled away. "Abhilasha," he said, "what are you doing?" "Taking care of you – your House has entrusted me with your education in these things. It is a very singular honor, one that I will treasure the rest of my life. They knew that this evening's events would leave you confused and in pain," she smiled, "both physically and emotionally. I am to help you with this. I am to take care of you." She reached out and caressed his erection through his pants. "Now, Jason – where would you be most comfortable beginning your education?" ------- When his tears finally ran out Nick tried to straighten up, only to find himself bound in unyielding arms. "You just stay right there for a while, Nick," Paula said. She stroked his hair, comforting him as he had comforted her so many times before. She finally relinquished her hold upon him, opened the console between the seats, and handed him wad after wad of Kleenex. "Goddamn, Nick – you're a sloppy crier," she said, her love for her brother unmistakable even under her feigned disgust. "Clean yourself up before you get kicked out of the well-dressed Gay club or somethin'..." He laughed at that, and realized just how long it had been since he laughed at anything. Paula smiled to see some of the care lift from his face, even temporarily. "Visited your friends the Grimes earlier tonight," she said, dabbing at the wet spots on her blouse with tissues. "They send their regards." She looked up to see him glaring at her. "Don't worry, Nick, we're not gonna darken their door all that often. I figure we'll be at the Fetish Ball 'cause Tommie likes all the costumes, and L likes showing off her body any chance she gets. Otherwise, I just let 'em know I owed them one." She stared right back at her brother. "Anybody who does anything to make your life even a little easier right now stands real goddamn high on my list of good people. That's all this was, nothing more." As his expression softened, so did hers. "But the little one, Carol ... she knew something was different about us, sure as shit. Don't know how..." "Be careful around her, Paula," Nick said. "I hate to use the word, but she's almost supernaturally good at reading people, and her family is smart enough to trust her opinions about others ... trust them implicitly. If she'd decided the three of you were dangerous to her loved ones, things would've gotten messy in a hurry." "Yeah well, I wish we'd known that going in," Paula said. "But what's done is done, no one got out of line ... although some scary Oriental bitch tried to follow us out. Wasn't hard to lose her." "You know the Order would love to get their hands on Carol," Nick said. "Yeah ... I already told 'em she was off limits," his sister replied. "They didn't like it, but they agreed. There are times I think they're one of B.D.'s best ideas, and there are times I worry they're going to be the death of us all." 'I know what you mean ... although I find it disconcerting that they worry you as much as they do me." Nick smiled a tight little smile, putting on his 'business face'. "I'd ask you to rethink your attendance at the Fetish Ball if I thought it would do any good," he said. "You and the crew staying around long?" "For a while, Nick," she said. "The boss wants us to keep an eye on things – we'll be around." She looked out the window. "I got to get going, it's getting near bedtime." She kissed her brother on the cheek. "Laugh more, Nick – it'll add years to your life." With a quick opening and closing of the car door, she disappeared into the night. ------- 5 AM When Candy returned to the group at House Camelia, she was indeed carrying Galena – on her shoulders, while Galena tugged on locks of Candy's hair to steer her. "Whoa, Candy," Galena said. "Down, girl!" As the assembled crowd laughed, Candy got down on her knees, then dropped to her hands, and Galena dismounted. "You summoned me, my liege," Galena said, bowing to Margo. After the situation was explained to her, Galena hopped on Harry's lap, shifted back and forth to settle herself, and said, "Let's see what they've got." House Camelia's overseers paraded out a line of very handsome and well-built young men. Galena read the signals from Carol as she squeezed Galena's thigh for ones she approved of and Galena would motion them out of the line-up. Between Galena and Carol's choices, the field was eventually narrowed to three, and Galena got up off Harry's lap with a wet slurp and stood on wobbly legs a moment before going over to examine the three candidates. Camille smiled and put Harry's erect cock in her mouth and went to work on finishing him off. The young Domme whispered something into each of the young men's ears, waiting for their whispered reply before moving on to the next. Once she'd spoken with all three, she pointed to the slave in the middle. "That's the one, Master, Madam – that one right there." She looked insufferably pleased with herself. In a few moments, Javier was wearing a temporary chain and collar and being led around by Galena. "Now then, let's talk about the price of doing business," Margo said. Ten minutes later they had acquired another ten percent discount for the local Houses, although Master DuBlanc had apologetically refused to stop doing business with their opponents. "My apologies, Master and Madam, but I can't cut my House's throat that way. We do a lot of business with your enemies, and while I won't show them preferential treatment with a discount of any kind, I can't cut off that much of my business." Assuring him that there were no hard feelings, Harry and Margo climbed up into their chairs for the trip to the last of the Shadow houses. ------- House Tolliver's tent had been decorated to resemble a harem, with women reclining everywhere in costumes that were just slightly on the 'indecent' side. The women weren't nude, but their outfits gave the impression that a moderately strong breeze could change that. Margo looked at the panorama of pulchritude and said, "Well, I can't see too many practicing Muslims in this crowd." "Oh, you'd be surprised, Madam Grimes," Master Maxwell said as he helped her out of the sedan chair. "There are quite a few that I would qualify as good Muslims, even though they don't follow all the strictures of their faith. They believe that Allah makes allowances for circumstance ... call them liberal Muslims, even farther out to the left than progressives. They still practice and believe in the Seven Pillars – they are of the Nizari sect, and follow a most ... casual ... Imam. But other than them, no, you probably wouldn't find any practicing Muslims in our ranks. Luckily for us, most of our Indian women are Hindi, and rather selective of the precepts they acknowledge." Harry, fascinated as he was by religious discussions, completely missed what his wife and their host were discussing. His eyes were ensorcelled by the array of loveliness before him. Despite what had been said at Chorale's pavilion, there was a size range among the women – although none of them were even as thin as Nicki had been when she first came down to visit, from that rather slender build they ranged all the way up to the size of Lisa and Jackie, and even a little bit higher. It didn't matter – thinking with his 'little head', there wasn't a one of them that Harry would have thought twice about taking to bed. On a purely physical level, it was the most beautiful assortment of women that he'd seen at any Shadow House. As he stood there, his eyes ranging back and forth across the scene, Margo noticed he was pre-occupied, while Carol noticed something else, lower down. The two of them looked at each other and shrugged. It was clear they were going to be bringing a new girl home ... in truth, not a prospect Carol minded at all, although Margo felt a characteristic twitch of worry that she quickly ignored. While she couldn't eliminate her fears completely, day by day she received ample evidence that her spouses weren't going to kick her to the curb. She was where she belonged. "Well, I can tell our display has had the desired effect upon Master Grimes," Mistress Maxwell said as she walked up to greet them. "Daddy, why don't you and Madam Grimes discuss business, I'll show Master Grimes and their pet around, see if we can find them something nice to take home." ------- By the time Margo had finished closing the same deal with Master Maxwell that they had made with House Camelia – including House Tolliver not stopping sales to non-allied Houses, Harry and Carol were deep in conversation with a stunning young Iranian woman named Nadereh. Mistress Maxwell was sitting back smugly, sure she'd found the perfect addition to House Chorale. Nadereh was skilled with the setar and the khombak, could recite poetry and stories beautifully, and had a voracious appetite for knowledge – something Kari Maxwell was confident wouldn't be an issue for House Chorale. Nadereh's dark brown eyes and smooth olive skin – as well as her generous curves – obviously found favor with the Master of Chorale and his pet. While the price for Nadereh, due to her talents and intelligence, was a bit more than the Maxwells were hoping to their tribute would run, Kari was content. It was obvious to her and her father that Chorale was a rising star in Society and how high they would go would be limited only by their ambitions. She also recognized the reformer spark in Madam Grimes, and knew that because of that alone, the House would not stop until she'd taken it as high as she possibly could. Kari had no doubt that Margo Grimes would bewail and bemoan the effort and the bother, but she would still throw all of her House's considerable talents into their rise through the ranks. Kari was intent upon hitching her House's wagon to the Chorale star, and was prepared to go even further to gain their approval. With a slight wave, she caught her father's attention, and nodded to him. "Madam Grimes," Kyle Maxwell said, "my daughter has indicated to me that she has found a suitable tribute for you and your family. I am, at most, a year or so away from retirement – voluntary I assure you – as I wish time to enjoy my life and leave the tedious business of commerce to my daughter, who shows more of a flair for it than I ever have. She wishes to speak with you in her capacity as Mistress of our House, and of our business as well." Kari rose gracefully from the pillow she had sat upon and made her way to where her father and Madam Grimes were seated. He rose to his feet and bowed, leaving the two women alone. Kari sat down as effortlessly as she had risen, and motioned for coffee for the two of them. "Madam Grimes, I know what you have asked of my father, and I know that he has declined. I am sure you understand the necessities of business. Not all of us can demand the prices that House Velacourt does, even though our training is as lengthy, if not as thorough." "How do you know what your father and I discussed?" Margo asked, her smile never reaching her eyes. "Madam, one does not survive in Society without ears – ears that listen carefully to the comings and goings of great Houses. Within moments of your arrangement with House Anson, all of the serious players in this game of ours knew the arrangement you'd reached with them, and my House's information grew with each subsequent deal. I know what you wanted, I knew what you would get." Margo smiled more openly. "If I may ask, how old are you?" "I am only twenty-three, Madam, a mere babe it's true, but a babe who absorbed her family's business through her mother's milk. My father has raised me with the express purpose of taking over the family business as soon as I was able. We both feel I shall be competent enough to do our House justice soon. "I wanted to talk to you about the future, Madam Grimes. I want to soothe even the slightest hint of ill feeling between us with a gift. While I am sure your House has many women whom are more than competent at serving as a ladies maid, I doubt any of them have been trained as such as thoroughly as the young woman I would like to give to you. She was originally being prepared for a similar role with another House in Virginia, but they disbanded under a somewhat scandalous cloud, and I was left with an investment and nowhere to place it. They had paid much of the fee in advance, and I reimbursed them what was proper, but still I was left with a highly trained slave and with little prospect of being able to sell her to a House at anywhere near her true value." "You could take less, as so much of her training had already been paid for," Margo replied. "I could indeed, but possessions are valued by the price paid for them, to sell her cheaply would be devaluing her ... as well as robbing me of potential profit. But by making of her a gift to you, I reap a suitable profit in a different currency." Margo snapped her fingers in Carol's general direction and in a heartbeat her wife was kneeling by her side. "Tell my wife what you have told me," Margo asked, smiling at Kari. As Kari repeated her story, Carol listened carefully, realizing that her wife was relying on her to evaluate the woman's trustworthiness. When she was finished, Carol did nothing and said nothing, and remained kneeling at her wife's feet. "All right, now that I've done as you asked," Kari said, "might I ask for an explanation?" "I'm still very inexperienced in Societal matters, while Carol has been playing for years. In many things, I ask her council. This is probably going to be one of them. So you, who speak of Houses having ears, want to place a highly trained and very valuable slave at my elbow," Margo said. "A slave that could conceivably act as your ears inside my House, and more importantly, inside my family." "She could indeed, Madam Grimes, but only in one regard. She is to watch for someone in your House or within the Houses of your allies, someone special. Someone that might make a suitable match for me – I am single and likely to remain that way until a marriage is arranged for me. I am interested in men, sexually, but far more interested in women. While I might meet a man that would entice me to the altar, whether or not he would make a good marriage for me in Society is doubtful." "And if he is from our House or the House of an ally, you'd have ties to us – ties that might prove useful," Margo replied. "Oh no, Madam, there is no 'might' to it. Alliance by marriage with your House would be advantageous, and would allow our Houses to grow closer without impinging upon my House's neutrality. An alliance of Houses because of ideology is a much different animal than an alliance by marriage. It has had to be, many times in our Society's history – as an example, peace might be made in your feud with House Vanson and House Saenz by an advantageous marriage – probably of convenience only. But it is no way the same as if you found a common ground ideologically and ironed out your differences." "I don't know if I'd call it a feud," Margo said. "That would be your inexperience speaking," Kari said. "Vanson and Saenz surely think of it as a feud – one that just saw them get their asses spanked in front of a very large crowd. Don't ever doubt you're in a feud with them, and their staunchest allies in the DFW area. Granted, there are a lot of Houses that will gladly come to your side in this disagreement, but the rulers of Dallas and their hard-core supporters are still a force to be reckoned with. Just not as much of one as before you helped strip Fort Worth from their fold." Margo looked at the young woman sitting across from her, and found herself rather surprised by the woman's transparency and openness. Margo looked Carol in the eyes and raised one eyebrow. Carol's only reply was an almost imperceptible nod. "Fine," Margo replied. "Let's take a look at this girl you plan to give me." ------- The first thing Margo noticed about Radhika was her height. Margo was tall for a woman, Radhika stood 6'5" – tall for almost anyone. The second thing that Margo noticed was that Radhika was still a curvaceous beauty, her dark brown skin tone setting off her golden jewelry and the round cut diamond on her nose stud. It was obvious that unless everything was gold-plate and the diamond cubic zirconium, Radhika carried her fortune on her person. In spite of this, the woman did not wear the traditional bindi on her forehead between her eyebrows, so Margo assumed she was not a traditionalist, no matter how much jewelry she wore, no matter how gorgeous her sari. "She's a bit ... tall ... to be a ladies maid, don't you think?" Margo asked. "Traditionally, yes," Kari replied. "But we had no idea her grandfather's genetics would have her growing so. He was a black man – it's a very long and involved story, but needless to say, neither she nor her mother grew up as traditional Hindu women. She's barely nineteen, and has been trained since she was five, first under my mother's tutelage and then by me. I will be sorry to see her go, but happy if she fulfills the purpose she's spent her life preparing for. If she manages to help you find me a suitable husband, I'll be even happier." "So, what else, other than being a ladies maid, has she been trained for?" Carol asked, angling her head back to look up at Radhika. "Oh, she's been very thoroughly trained as a slut," Kari replied. "I've seen to that personally..." "In the little over two years since she came of age under Texas law," Margo said. "Surely," Kari Maxwell replied. "She's learned so very much in those two short years." Margo sighed. Beside her, Carol snickered. "We graciously accept your gift, Mistress Maxwell. I shall be looking for you a suitable husband, and will of course ask Radhika's advice and opinion of anyone I might find," Margo said, taking Kari's hand. "There are two questions I have avoided asking until we were agreed, though." "Yes?" Kari Maxwell replied. "One, what does my House get out of the alliance of our two Houses by marriage?" "Other than my sparkling wit at your functions and some marvelous cuisine at Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner? Your House will receive a non-voting share of my House's profits ... a rather sizable share." Kari brought Margo's hand to her lips and kissed it. "So you see, Madam Grimes, you really do want me in the family. What's number two?" "Number two is what are the rules for marriages of this type?" Margo asked. "In the short time I've been in the scene, I've seen Dominant to Dominant, Dominant to submissive, submissive to submissive ... I won't even go into the whole question of switches. So, what are the rules, or at the very least the customs or traditions?" "Generally, there aren't many, although a submissive offered to a Dominant as a match had best be very close to the family offering it. You pick up a sub from Dominique's and offer him as a match, it's an insult. So the closer to your House the sub is, the better. Dominants can be offered from allied Houses, so long as those alliances are in some way familial – either marriage or fostering or some other such arrangement. Alliances without that level of connection aren't suitable places to draw matches from. Personally I think Dominant to submissive is preferable, since I'm a Domme. I don't want another voice arguing with me – two Alpha personalities in a marriage and business isn't the best of ideas. It might work, but I'd prefer to play it safe and have a partner who is not my equal, but who is intelligent enough to offer advice I'd be stupid to ignore. Of course, that could well be me asking for my cake and wanting to eat it too. As far as switches, if the House being offered the marriage is okay with them, then they're multi-useful, as they can serve either role as needed. For the record," Kari said, "I'm very okay with switches. You'd never think it to look at him, but my father is a switch. In general, you should do exactly what you did, after a fashion, and ask." "All right then," Margo said, "thank you for clearing that up for me ... I find, though, that I have one more question. Why us? Why us instead of an elder House, or some other ruling House in another city?" Kari laughed. "Because other than Dallas, you've got the strongest alliance behind you of any city in the state. Houston's close, but they're farther away from our compound. San Antonio, El Paso, Fort Worth – those Dominants may hold on to power, they may not. Things tend to become traditional in our Society. Vanson and Saenz keep winning, to a large degree, because in the Dallas area, it's become traditional to have their families on the thrones. It really is like royalty – you have some good rulers and some bad and some mediocre out of a family line, but you think long and hard before you go about changing family lines once one has firmly established itself as a dynasty. You're well on your way to building such a dynasty here. Linking our Houses helps you with that in some ways, and doesn't hurt you too much in others. It might raise a few eyebrows, but again, it'll be a marriage for money on your part, and that's a motive any House can understand. The carrot I dangled in front of you was simply too big to pass up. My House's money helps keep you on top, your position benefits my House's prestige ... perhaps one day we can even come out of the shadows. My relationship with you is an investment I'm making on behalf of my House. Your relationship with me is, at least officially, purely for monetary gain." Her voice lowered to a whisper. "And as many possible revenue streams as you've passed up dealing with we Shadow Houses tonight, you're going to need some funds and you'd be silly not to ally with my House in this fashion." Margo looked at Kari Maxwell and smiled. "Thank you for being so honest with me." "How do you know I've been honest?" Kari said. "I don't believe the stories I've heard about your Hoodoo Woman," she said, gesturing to Carol. "What you believe, my dear, is irrelevant," Margo said before climbing into her sedan chair. As they rode away from the tent, making the rest of the great circle back around to their pavilion, Margo motioned Carol to her side. "So sweetheart, when do you think Kari started making Radhika her personal fuck slut?" "Margo darling," Carol replied, "if you truly want to know, ask Radhika." Margo thought for a moment, shrugged and summoned her new maid. "Radhika, answer me honestly. How old were you when Mistress Maxwell first had sex with you?" "Will you use this information to hurt her?" Radhika replied. "You have my word of honor that I will not," Margo replied. "Madam, I was fourteen and Mistress Maxwell was eighteen when she first took me to her bed – I was happy to go to her." "Different rules, Madam," Carol said as Margo choked off a gasp. "We've been warned repeatedly about different sets of rules. This is another case of that." The rest of the way back to their tent, Margo sat quietly and thought. ------- Gordon Stephenson enjoyed his work. He was a quiet man who worked in a local pharmaceutical testing center, evaluating the effects of new medications upon volunteers in drug trials. He was also an amateur chemist, and the happy owner of two sweet young pets – a pair of young women who were more than happy to make him the center of their lives. He was also a very old friend of Minerva Cornelius. "You know, I had to leave a very nice warm bed because of you," he told Paul Winchester. "On the up side, Minerva Cornelius is financing a month in the Bahamas for my girls and me, so it will all work out in the end." His terrified prisoner sat in the car next to Gordon on a back road to the southwest of the airport. "I don't want you to worry," Gordon said, "it'll be a few hours before the man we're waiting for gets here. Would you like something to drink?" Paul nodded nervously. "I'm sure you're hungry as well ... pity I don't have any food, but what I do have will help with the hunger somewhat. Do you like chocolate milk?" Gordon asked. "I'm addicted to the stuff and have some in a cooler in the back." Paul nodded, hoping that somehow the hours they had to wait might provide him with an opportunity to escape. Gordon handed him a cold quart of store-brand chocolate milk, opening the carton for him and placed it in Paul's bound hands. Paul tipped the carton back and drank it greedily, the thick, sweet fluid running down his parched throat. When he finished the quart of milk, he handed the carton back to Gordon with a sickly smile. "Now we wait," Gordon said. "I think my calculations were off, the man we're waiting for should be here in about a half hour." ------- 6 AM "I feel funny," Paul said, blinking his eyes. Gordon looked at his watch. "Twenty-three minutes and some-odd seconds – about what I expected." "Expected ... what?" Paul stammered. "Mr. Winchester," Gordon Stephenson said, unfastening the restraints around Paul's wrists, "the man who's coming for you is Dr. Albert Hofmann and you ingested about three-hundred doses of his creation in that chocolate milk." "What creation? Is it going to kill me? Have you poisoned me?" Paul gasped as his visual perception began to flow and change. "LSD; no – but you may kill yourself or Dr. Hofmann may kill you; yes, yes I have, but not fatally," Gordon said, leaning over, cutting Paul's restraints, opening the car door and pushing him out into the Central Texas pre-dawn. As Gordon drove away, he chuckled at his little joke about Hofmann – the Swiss chemist was ninety years old and quite unlikely to be stomping about the countryside. He would go home, email his office and arrange time off. Kitty and Pussy would be so happy at the prospect of a vacation. ------- The man who'd followed Gordon after he hit the county road on his way back from the party called his employer. "Looks like they dosed him with something," he said. "You want me to collect him?" "Yes," said the voice on the phone. "Take him to my place out in Manor. Restrain him if you have to. If he dies, he dies, but I'm sure he could be of some use in the future." "Yes, sir," the man in the car replied, pulling up to a stop close to the staggering and dazed Paul Winchester. The man on the other end of the phone tapped his Bluetooth headset and hung up as he wandered down the promenade in front of the tents at the party. He was smiling, but it wasn't a pleasant smile at all. ------- 8 AM Janet Hart looked happier – and more naked - than Eddie had ever seen her. "Just wanted to stop by and say thanks, Boss," she said, her arms around Artie and China. "Gonna go home now and sleep ... then fuck some more. You need me before Monday morning, you better be really goddamned sure you need me, 'cause if you interrupt me for no good reason, I'm gonna hurt you." She'd also never sounded so assertive before. Overall, Eddie was happy with the change. "So little Janet has herself two new subbies," Eddie said, watching the three of them saunter away. "No way, Eddie," Carol replied. "Artie has himself two new subbies ... that wasn't Janet being a Domme, that was Janet being relaxed and well-fucked." Shaking his head and chuckling, Eddie continued packing up his household's stuff. ------- 9 AM "All right, to all of you who are here 'til clean-up is through – thank you so very, very much," Harry said. "You're getting paid for it, I don't give a goody-goddamn if you think it's volunteer work or your contribution to the cause, or a holy quest God his own self put you on, you're getting paid. Those of you who were hired to do clean-up, you're getting bonuses." The remaining refugees cheered while the clean-up crew that had been hired to do the job stood dumb-founded. The job was a big one and no one was particularly eager to spend more of their Sunday than they had to doing it. Finding out they had help and were getting bonuses was an unexpected and pleasant surprise. "Y'all get to work – we're keeping the catering crew here to feed you while you're working – take advantage of that. Before the custodians of this estate sign off on the job as completed, they're going to want it in as pristine a state as can humanly be achieved. From what I've heard, they may want it more pristine than can be humanly achieved – don't disappoint them," Harry said. He turned to his House. "Time to go, folks. This next week, my spouses and I are off-duty..." "Except for our fittings with Mr. Antiquity on Monday," Carol said. "Yes, except for that," Harry continued. "Eddie and Karen are in charge until we get back in most things – if it's something serious Society-wise, Madame Cornelius will take charge." He turned to smile at her. "Minerva, thank you so much for everything. I'd offer to bear your illegitimate three-headed love child, but I don't think you'd take me up on it." "Correct you are, Master Grimes," Minerva replied. "Everyone has my contact number. Use it if you need to ... hopefully there will not be a need for the next twelve or so hours as I have a date with my bed." "So again, thank you all," Harry said. Candy and Helen helped him begin his weary walk to the limos, with the rest of the House following behind. ------- Gloria Tanner was exhausted. She'd managed to catch a few hours sleep in the pavilion before dawn, but there's been a lot of people fucking around her, and with her at one point – she hadn't minded, she had pleased him and orgasmed herself without ever fully waking up. So when sunlight started to brighten the Hill Country, she had woken up and viewed the landscape with bleary eyes. Bodies were everywhere, some of them beginning to stir as well, the smells of breakfast were wafting over her from the house, she was sore in every hole and happy as she could be. After breakfast, a shower, and helping to clean up a bit, Master Grimes sent her back home – even hugged her fondly as he said goodbye. She shared the limo with other partiers, who looked as sated but tired as she did. Thankful for the copious amount of coffee she'd consumed, she'd gotten into her car in Dominique's parking lot and made it home safely - with no thought other than to kiss and hug her son and fall into bed for several more hours of uninterrupted sleep. She let herself in very quietly, thinking Jason might still be sleeping after the traumas of the night before, but soon determined he was far from slumber. She followed the sounds of sex down the hall to his bedroom door, open just a crack. Inside she saw her son, balls deep in Abhilasha, his lips wrapped around her breast, milk oozing from the corner of his mouth, as the woman murmured to him, "Oh, yes ... I love young men ... they are always ready ... always thirsty ... always horny ... and very glad for instruction in the ways of love ... mmm..." Gloria noticed that he was indeed practicing safe sex ... not only was he wearing a condom but his bedside table was littered with torn condom wrappers and used condoms. She very quietly moved on down the hall to the living room, out the broken door to the back yard and pulled out her cell phone. "Hello, Master Grimes please ... of course I'll wait. Hello sir ... yes sir, I know we just parted company ... I'm at home and I had to call and ask just what exactly did Mistress Kelly instruct Abhilasha to do last night?" ------- 10 AM "I know we said we'd be going directly to the Omni," Harry said as the limousine drove them back into the city, "and we will – we'll even have Jackie and Sheila drive the cars back, keep the limo and have it wait for us outside the house, but..." "Yeah," Margo said, "this problem has to be dealt with immediately. Thad, Vida ... thank you for coming along ... we could use your advice on this." Nobody in the limo missed the looks that Thad and Vida Newton exchanged. "Okay you two ... what aren't you saying?" Harry asked. "Things that would better be discussed over your kitchen table, Master Grimes," Thad said, his tone formal and respectful. "Why am I not feeling the warm and fuzzy?" Kelly asked of no one in particular. ------- 11 AM Evan Rogers was surveying the party site. Things were moving slowly, even with the extra help. He estimated his crew still had five or more hours of work before they were through, and he was very thankful that the caterers were still there. There really weren't any nearby places to get food for his people, or the volunteers. "If this is how this House throws a party, almost makes me sorry I wasn't here," he muttered. He and his crew were hired to clean up after most of the Society's events in the area, even though they weren't in the scene, per se. Over the years, they'd learned what to watch for, and special requirements that Society parties had that others might not ... such as the disposal of a lot of pillows, towels, and cheap rugs. They weren't allowed to clean them and donate them to Goodwill or some other charity – their employers were very paranoid about DNA trace. Besides, he doubted there was any way they could clean them that wouldn't ruin them in the process. "Mr. Rogers, Mr. Rogers, sir," called one of his staff. "A volunteer found this tucked away under the tent flooring of the big-ass tent." He was holding out a digital video camera. It was a Canon, about $1200 worth of Canon Evan saw as he took it from the young woman. "This isn't good," he said. "Looks like someone was being naughty." Then he saw the note tucked under the fold-out view screen. He pulled it out. "House Chorale – I couldn't, I just couldn't let them do it. I'm so sorry." He checked and saw that the memory stick was still in the camera. "Well, it's not as bad as it could be," he said. "Call Mr. Janak, tell him what we found." ------- For once, in her relationship with the Grimes household, Gloria Tanner found herself on the judgmental side of things. Around most of the kitchen table in the Grimes home sat Gloria, Harry, Margo, Kelly, Carol Thad, and Vida, all looking stern or worried or both – in the space that was left sat Jason and Abhilasha, both refusing to meet anyone's eyes. "Let me start things off," Thad Newton said. "I heard exactly what Kelly said to Abhilasha – she said 'take care of the boy' – and if my mind hadn't been pre-occupied with my daughter's part in all this, I may well have snapped to how Abhilasha was likely to interpret that and suggest Kelly clarify her instructions. If you have to lay blame ... a good chunk of it belongs with me. You're really not acclimatized enough to submissive-think to catch something like that." "Don't beat yourself up too hard, Thad," Carol said. "I might not have caught it and I am well-versed in sub-think, although I've never been attached to a major House – I've never been in that situation." Margo said, "Carol, go run and get Candy – she needs to be here too ... she's got more experience in all of this than anyone else in our House." A few moments later, Carol was back in her seat and Candy was leaning up against the counter. "Well, this bird came home to roost sooner than I thought it would," Candy said. "Look, right now, all of you, take Abhilasha off the hook for any of this. She did what she was told, plain and simple. She went and took care of Jason – he'd almost lost his virginity to Master and Mistress Newton's daughter, he was confused, scared and horny as hell. Abhilasha took care of him. In fact, I imagine he was feeling just peachy 'til he walked out of the bedroom and found his mother waiting for him. Weren't you, Jason?" "Yes'm," the boy muttered. "Abby told me she was doing what you told her to, Kelly. I..." he looked up at them for the first time, "I really hoped she was right – all this is too weird for me to be sure she wasn't." Harry smiled at him. "Thanks for admitting you were hoping she was right ... for a teenage guy to deny he's in hormonal overload – especially after what happened earlier ... that's just crazy." "I don't think any of us are mad at Abhi ... what did you call her, 'Abby', Jason?," Carol asked. He nodded. "We're not mad at Abby or Jason," Carol continued. "I think we're all just confused as hell at what to do now." "The door's wide open, the horse is out of the barn, the barn's burned down and the horse can't even remember where the damn barn was, in my opinion," Candy said. "Abby went into this thinking she was being honored above all your servants, entrusted with the very important task of educating a young man of your House about all things sexual. She believed she was given the holy privilege of initiating him into the mysteries ... am I right, Abby?" "Yes ... very much so..." "I'd recommend not taking that away from her..." Candy sighed deeply before continuing, "or taking her away from him. Right, wrong, or indifferent, planned or accidental, a young man of your House formed a bond with a submissive of your House last night." No one at the table missed how Jason's hand reached out and squeezed Abhilasha's hand tightly. "You never forget your first – there's a reason for that," Candy continued. "I'd say let her continue educating him." "Vida, Thad ... what do you think?" Margo asked. "I think you need to put on another pot of coffee and get out the whiskey to go in it," Vida replied. "Thad and I have some explaining to do." "Then we really need to adjourn this discussion and reconvene it at the Omni," Carol said. "Our limo bill's already going to be astronomical and he's just sitting out there, cooling his heels and racking up the hourly." ------- 12 PM/Noon Forty-five minutes later, the same group was sitting around the hotel suite's living area, cups of whiskey-laced coffee in hand – even Jason. "This all started because of things about our Karghold we haven't told you ... and some lies that I've told to keep ... well ... to keep secrets we don't easily share ... it would be very dangerous if we did," Thad said. "Go on, if you feel you can," Margo said. "I not only feel we can ... I think we must," Thad said as Vida nodded beside him. "Harry, you've discussed with me what Candy told you about major Houses and how they handle the issue of children and sex and dominance and submission ... all of that. This involves how we handle it." He motioned for his wife to take over. Vida said, "Our children are watched – all the Karghold's children, not just Thad's and mine - very closely. It's not hard to tell when their reaction to everything we try not to let them see goes from 'ew, icky' to 'hmm, I wonder what that's about?' At that point, we pair that child with a mentor and they begin what we call 'orientation'. The mentor doesn't have sex with them," she said, nodding to Abhilasha, "– they give them an individualized, very intensive course in all aspects of human sexuality. Most of their other studies are put on hold for the duration – we consider the subject far too important not to. After the basic biological facts are dealt with, they go on to study the reasons to practice safe sex – pregnancy and what that will mean to them for the next eighteen or so years of their life as fathers or mothers, sexually-transmitted-diseases and just how easy it is to catch them. They're educated on the different sexual ... well, orientations – hetero, homo, bi, the less-well-defined, and then the broad spectrum of sexual fetishes and practices. They're taught to be courteous, sexual etiquette, they're instructed in the basics of massage, the importance of personal hygiene, including douching for the girls and the proper way to administer and receive enemas ... there's so much, and even Margo probably couldn't come up with much, if anything, that we don't cover. This is all independent of whether they feel they're going to take the collar or face their Hand or leave our lifestyle altogether. It's all textbook and very clinical lab work ... well, the massage gets a little more than clinical from time to time, but overall, it's school, it's classes – the toughest they'll ever face from our home-school. They're drilled and drilled and drilled and then finally, there are their exams. There is no grade, there's pass – which isn't easy – and fail, which means they continue to go over the parts they didn't get until they do. We kept one poor girl in 'orientation' for three years plus a month or two because she just couldn't get a grip on the 'courtesy' part. "After they pass," Vida continued, somewhat tiredly, "then there's the practical exam – or 'breaking them in'." "Let me guess," Margo said. "You turn them over to an older member of the tribe and they're ... how did you put it, Candy?" "Initiated into the mysteries, Madam?" "Yes, that was it ... initiated into the mysteries." "Yes – if they wish. They're free to refuse, or request a different person to initiate them – never a family member - but if they don't take the practical exam ... they're untouchable, sexually. If anyone breaks that taboo, young or old, they're out ... and remember how closely we watch our children. "But that's never happened – no one has refused. The young people pass their practical – no one's ever failed – given the 'orientation' course itself, that's not too surprising," Thad said. "After that, they're free to have sex should they so choose ... we frown on it if there's too much of an age difference, but exceptions have been made, contingent on the Hold's elders being convinced that it's a healthy, honest case of mutual attraction." "Something like y'all and Galena," Vida said. "Not quite," Margo replied. "What are your age restrictions? How old do the children have to be before they can be 'initiated', Vida?" "There isn't an age restriction per se, Madam Grimes," Vida Newton answered. "All that is required is that they make it through orientation. If they can do that, then they're already demonstrating a level of maturity most people won't hit until they're past 'legal age'. However, we keep them on the leash until they're fourteen, simply because it prevents physical issues with size. You're welcome, at any time, to observe one of our youngsters while they're in orientation; you're welcome to look over the curriculum ... I don't think you'll be able to rationally object after that. You may still have hang-ups, but they won't be based on logic, they'll be the product of emotion and cultural taboos." "And before anyone asks," Thad said, "the youngest female was twelve-and-a-half – she was most unhappy about waiting another year-and-a-half. The youngest male was fifteen, just barely. He might've graduated at fourteen, but some of his responses in testing indicated he was still a bit too immature." "His responses in testing?" Harry asked softly. "There were still certain subjects he couldn't discuss without snickering and blushing," Vida replied. "The average age is early fifteen for girls, late sixteen for boys." She leaned back in her chair and looked grim. "Now let us have it – fire off the indignation and holier-than-thou." "I don't think so," Harry said. "I think you've taken a mess of hormones and opportunity and made the best of it." "I would like to examine the course," Margo added, "but I'm sure enough of the theory to agree with Harry. Kids are going to fuck – there's no way to stop it short of putting them in a barrel and keeping them there ... and closing up the bunghole, or sure as hell a tongue or dick's going to go through it, one way or the other ... and the 'initiation by an elder member of the tribe' is a common sociological response to awakening sexuality. I do wonder how you survive outside scrutiny though." "Very carefully," Thad laughed. "We're more security conscious than we probably need to be ... just like every major House ... just like you will be." "We have friends in law enforcement that keep an ear to the ground for us," Vida said. "We have it a little worse than most Houses because of the perception of our lifestyle based on assholes like that crew you chased out of town. That's where the Karg series bites us in the ass – one of the few things it's truly unequivocal about is each Hold's right to run things as they like. Otherwise ... well, I'd put our crew up against any other Karg I've ever met and bet the farm on us – then beat some sense into the Neanderthals that get us all the negative attention ... but we can't do that." "Overall, even with our casual disregard for many laws," Thad said, "the reason that 'orientation' is so strenuous is that we don't every want to feel that we are, in any way, taking advantage of these children ... our children. It may not be the best solution, but it's the one we decided best fit our situation." "So, Gloria," Harry said, "you're his mother – what do you think?" "For reasons of my own, I don't have a lot to say ... Jason, I'm sorry – you know all the things I'm sorry for, you could probably catalog them better than I can. What do you want to do? This is a place where, as your mother, I really can't make the call – I gave up that right a lot of years ago." "Could you give me advice if I ask for it?" Jason said. "Yes ... it's just ... when it comes to sex ... I can't judge and I won't dictate." "Then what do you think I should do, Mom?" he asked as he reached across the table and took her hand. Gloria Tanner looked at Abhilasha. "Have you ever done this before?" "No ma'am – I have taken care of children, as a nanny, as a babysitter ... I've taught children in a home-schooling situation ... I have never been the one to teach a young man this subject. He is a good man, your son. He is gentle, respectful, tender. We talked quite a lot over the course of last night. He knows what I am, but he does not speak to me as if I am property, he speaks with me as a friend." "I think you and she ... I think you..." Gloria stammered, "I think she should continue on as your teacher." "That raises some other concerns then," Harry said. "Do you want Abby to live with you, Gloria?" In Gloria Tanner's eyes Harry saw something strange, something like relief. "No sir, I don't want Abby to live with me – I want her to live with my son. I wish to live in your compound, once it's finished, as your House's slave." She held up her hands to forestall the objections. "I have no problem with continuing to support my son and Abby, I do not plan to quit my job and I will certainly see my son every night and every weekend – I am not relinquishing my duties as his mother - but once it's possible, I do not want my son to see the way I choose to live – not yet. If he decides to live in this world, as I have, on either side of the whip - that may change. But if there is someone there who cares for him, someone there to take care of him and see to his needs – especially the ones I cannot – and I am still a part of his life, I do not feel the need to be there, so long as he is cared for by someone I ... by someone my owners trust ... and it would be very, very hard for me to hear them in bed together at night." "Mom, we could sleep in separate rooms, we have the guest room, she could..." "Jason, if she's to teach you, if she is to truly care for you, then your bed is where she belongs ... or rather what used to be my bed – yours is too small." "Fine," Margo said. "You'll abide by our decision in this, Gloria?" "Yes, Madam, gladly." Margo, Harry, Kelly and Carol adjourned to one of the bedrooms to talk. "Jason," Thad said, "we need to talk..." "Sir," Jason began, "I'm sorry if I was disrespectful of you or your daughter..." "Shut up, Jason," Vida said with a smile. "Let him finish." "Jason," Thad said, smiling, "my daughter graduated from orientation two years ago. No matter how she appears, she is far from a bashful virgin. I've approved of her choice of lovers since she graduated, I approve of you – the problem is, she is quite firm in her intent to take the collar. That could change, and if it does, that will be fine with her mother and I – she could choose to leave the Karghold and this life altogether, and that would be fine with us. "What isn't fine with me is her dating, and potentially getting involved with, someone who isn't a part of this life. Not so long as she's a part of it. She's safe here, everyone operates by rules – master and servant alike – rules more stringent than most outside our Society. If you're not part of our Society, you don't know those rules and no matter how much I may like you, I won't feel safe with you being involved with my daughter. So here's the deal – Abhilasha can tell you a lot about this lifestyle – if you decide that you're interested in being a part of it – either above or below the whip, or both, and you play by our rules, I have no problem with you and my daughter seeing each other. She has expressed to me her wish to date you, should you decide to give our lifestyle a try." "You'd be okay with ... but there's Abby..." Jason stammered. Abhilasha took his face in her hands. "Oh no, my sweet boy, you and I are teacher and student, lovers and friends, foster-mother and son perhaps, but we are not dating, we are not the stuff of marriage and long-term commitments. In some Houses, you might be married to Donna someday, and only see her periodically to father children by her, returning to my bed, or some other woman's bed, or indeed a bed with many women at once, or men, or both. I am transient, only yours so long as my Master says I am. What we have is ours forever, but what I am is only yours so long as House Chorale says it is so. Master Newton understands." "I don't think I'm old enough for all this," Jason said, rubbing his forehead. "I'll tell you a secret," Vida Newton said. "We never are." Fifteen minutes later, Margo and the others returned to the table. "Gloria, you're bunking down in the living room with Candy and Usagi until such time as our neighbors start moving out and we can spread out some. Abhilasha, you're the guardian and protector and ... teacher ... of Jason until you're told otherwise. Jason, you continue to treat her well and all will be well – you do otherwise, and there will be a wealth of repercussions and you won't enjoy any of them." "I will, I'll be good to her," Jason said, panicked. "We know you will," Kelly said. Carol was nodding as Kelly continued, "It's just that Madam Grimes feels the need to sound threatening from time to time." "Now then, love you all as we do, get the fuck outta here," Harry said. "Abby, you and Jason go home, Gloria – you go to our place with Candy. Thad, Vida ... it's been a hell of a couple of days ... go home." "We good, Master Grimes?" Thad asked. "We're good, Master Newton," Margo answered. "But it's time for our vacation." In a few minutes and a round of hugs, the four spouses found themselves alone in their suite at the Omni. "Wow, time to have crazy hot monkey sex," Kelly said. "Right after about ten to twelve hours of sleep." Within a half hour, all of them were freshly showered and asleep, crowded together on the king-size bed. ------- Eddie was driving back out to the party site having barely had time to grab a shower. He had been planning on going to sleep, praying for the chance to go to sleep actually, but instead he'd swung by to pick up Perry and Bevy, then halfway across town to pick up Alison Kendry. "So someone was filming the party, someone who wasn't supposed to be," Alison said, her head back and her feet up on the dash of Eddie's extended cab truck. "Yeah," Perry said, "and since we know it wasn't no government agency trying to get evidence of Bigfoot mating habits or lizard people from the dawn o' time, that means it was somebody who doesn't like our friends." "Is he always this strange or is it sleep deprivation?" Alison asked, looking at Perry with a cocked eyebrow. "Oh, he's almost normal today," Eddie replied tiredly. "Yeah, normally much worse," Bevy added. "That three hours of sleep I got this morning wasn't enough to prep me for this," Alison said, rubbing her eyes. "Welcome to life around House Chorale," Perry said. The truck shuddered to a stop at the estate entrance and Eddie slowly got out. "Movin' mighty slow, Boss," Perry called. "Shut the fuck up before I assrape you like the littlest baboon," Eddie growled. He walked up to a member of the clean-up crew who was waving at him. "You got something for me?" The man handed him a ziploc bag with the camera inside. "Thanks. Tell your boss that knowing Harry, there's another bonus in his future." Eddie crawled back into the truck and handed the camera back to Perry. "Scan it, just a quick once-over, tell me if there's anything really incendiary or any clue as to who was doing the filming." "Gotcha Boss ... battery's low," Perry said, after opening the camera and turning it on. "Got a charger should fit it," Bevy said, rummaging in his bag. A few moments later the camera was plugged in to the truck's cigarette lighter and Perry was hard at his work. ------- 1 PM "Well Boss, ain't much doubt who left it for us to find," Perry said as they sat around Eddie's kitchen table. "Motherfucker good as signed it before he hid it." Eddie stared at the face frozen in the view screen. He knew the face – it was the sole submissive that House Bates had brought with them. He and his Domme had been the ones who delivered the really good Oaxacan. "Gawddamnit," Eddie growled. "I knew they were too good to be true." He rubbed his forehead. "All right, if they're like most of us, they went home, got their crap inside and then crashed. They'll leave the unpacking and such until later, when they've gotten some sleep. We've got some time." "Why are we worried?" Alison asked. "We've got their memory stick." "You willing to bet my friends' and all those people at the party's reputations that this is the only one?" Eddie asked. "Uh ... no," she replied. "Fine then, like I said, we got a few hours. Perry, call Li Kuan, find out an address for House Bates a.s.a.p. Once we know that, we'll know how to proceed. Plan on visiting them after dark tonight and tell Li Kuan we'll want the Madame along – I think this is going to get really ugly. When you're through with that, call Thad Newton – I'm gonna want to borrow some of his people as well. We've got no real idea how many members Bates has." Eddie smiled grimly. "In the meantime, we get some sleep. I'm gonna want us all sharp tonight. ------- 4 PM The guard at the front gate of House Fruehauf's property was half-asleep Sunday afternoon. Very few people came without prior notice, and no one at all was scheduled until Wednesday afternoon when Mistress Fruehauf was expecting a delivery. He was very surprised when a non-descript black van with tinted windows pulled up outside the gate and Daniella Fruehauf popped out of the back. "Hi George," she called, waving, and for a moment he forgot she wasn't supposed to set foot on the property ever again and waved back. "Don't worry," she continued, "just have a delivery for Mother." Quintus climbed out of the van behind her, shoving a naked man before him. George recognized Harvey and recoiled in horror at his condition. Harvey had long, evil-looking bois d'arc thorns piercing him everywhere and it was evident he'd lost a lot of blood\as it was caked all over his body. "We didn't want to pull them out, George," Daniella said. "We were afraid he'd bleed to death. Damnedest thing I ever saw, a naked man running around and accidentally impaling himself on bois d'arc spines. Tell Mother to be more careful where she leaves her toys." She and Quintus climbed back in the van and it roared away. George tried to make out the license plate number, but they were obscured with mud. He rushed out to help Harvey limp into the guard house. Inside George was smiling a snarky little smile – from the number of long, dark-brown thorns through his hands and fingers, the cocky son-of-a-bitch wasn't going to be intimidating people with his knife skills ever again. ------- 8 PM "Perry, anything going on," Eddie asked. "Nope, Boss, nothing much happening," Perry replied. "You'd think if the lazy fucks had unpacked by now, they'd have noticed something was missing. I don't see anything suspicious. All I see are women and they seem to be enjoying a late supper." Li Kuan had come through with the address and luck had been with them. House Bates owned property in the sticks, south of the city toward Wimberley. Nobody around for quite some distance, and Eddie kept trying to convince himself that wouldn't work against them. There was some cover around the house, but mostly open ground. If the members of the House were paranoid, someone would be watching. If they weren't, things would go much smoother. He'd told Perry to get as close as he safely could, and evidently Perry had more confidence in the House's laziness than Eddie had. He'd crawled up on top of a shed just twenty-five feet from the front of the house. "Okay folks, it's a go in five minutes," Eddie said over the radio. "Please dear God, don't let us fuck up." The last line of his message was echoed by Perry and Bevy, another tradition of their crew. At two minutes, power was cut to the house, and the four cell phone jammers – one on each side of the house – were kicked on. ------- Madame Cornelius sat in the back of her Range Rover, Hans and Andre in the front. There was no way she could have justified keeping Li Kuan out of the action, and her submissive had insisted that 'the boys' stay with her in case things went wrong. What House Bates had attempted was not unthinkable – quite evidently they had thought of it, and the insistence on cameras and phones being left at the entrance of such get-togethers showed that many members of Society were worried about it. She knew next to nothing about House Bates – they weren't active in Society, she'd barely heard of them before they bought tickets for the party. The name on the credit card they'd used to buy those tickets had led Eddie Janak to their home ... and their disbanding as a House. Minerva didn't know what would be found in the sprawling home down the road, but she did know that it would not be the residence of a House in Society by the end of the night. She was going to - as Li Kuan put it - land on House Bates with both feet. ------- The house had been built on to at various points in its life, turning an already large ranch-style home into an even larger residence, though most suspiciously, one with few windows – other than in the original structure, and only two doors – the original front door and the garage, which Eddie assumed had a door into the house proper inside. The additions were all cinderblock and cheap gray paint. Eddie had spent far more time thinking about the assault on the house than he had sleeping. There wasn't any way he could foresee all the ways things could go very wrong, so he planned for absolute disaster and hoped it ended up nowhere near as bad as that. He was leading the nine Karg that were going in the front door, while Li Kuan was in charge of a smaller contingent watching the garage. People were stationed on all sides of the house, watching for what Eddie didn't know. The lack of doors and windows gave Eddie a very bad feeling, and his mind had been entertaining him with horrific imaginings of what they might find inside. Half of each group was armed with shotguns loaded with beanbag rounds, the other half with staffs, something he'd been assured the Karg were all very skilled with. He'd wondered why Thad had brought so few people. The head of Karghold Newton had told him several of the rest of his people were otherwise occupied – and that if Eddie ended up needing more than the twelve he'd brought, things were going to be fucked up no matter what. Eddie had to agree. At one minute both teams made their approach. Eddie had considered just going up and knocking, that was the course of action he would have preferred, but then he thought about the doorless, windowless additions to the house. He'd considered going in with ski masks, he'd considered buckshot rounds, he'd considered tear gas ... in the end, it was a handheld battering ram on the door and sticks and beanbag rounds for the troops. Through the front windows of the house he could see people stumbling around with flashlights. Every shotgun his teams carried were outfitted with LED flashlights, and everybody had been warned repeated not to look into them, and not to point them at each other. It was a kludgefuck of a plan, but it was what he had. "Steady," Thad Newton said from behind him. Eddie found it strangely comforting. The battering ram slammed into the door, the flashlights went on, and the assault began. ------- Later it would make sense to Thad Newton – his mind would put order and structure to the chaos, but at the time it was nothing but a blur of confusion. Lights swaying around the rooms, the inhabitants of the house putting up surprisingly little struggle. A few beanbag rounds being fired off, a few more staffs hitting flesh, zip strips securing their prisoners, sweeping through room after room of the house catching just brief glimpses of what was in them, faint sounds of Li Kuan's battle cry as her team went in through the garage to capture a few residents who were trying to flee. Finally, the bright glare of the LEDs in the face of Mistress Bates while Eddie calmly asked her how many people were in the house. She answered "twelve" before being herded into the living room with the rest of them. Indeed, she and eleven others were sat in a group on the floor when he followed Eddie in. Calls of 'clear' rang out through the house, but the voices of the team were strained as they did so. Eddie motioned him forward and Thad asked the question he'd been dreading. "How much livestock in the house?" Mistress Bates and the other eleven women stared at him defiantly. "You know what a beanbag round does to a head at close range?" Eddie growled, putting the barrel of his shotgun against Mistress Bates' temple. She remained silent. "Neither do I, but I'm betting it's a concussion at best." "Forty-one," she answered. Eddie knelt beside her. "If there any surprises behind those locked doors, surprises with guns, surprises that attack us, no one will ever find your bodies. You can take that to the bank, bitch. Now, is there anything you want to tell me about what's behind those locked doors?" "Nothing but livestock," she replied, staring down at the floor in defeat. "Then where are the keys?" ------- Minerva heard the air horn go off, the signal to restore power to the house and stop jamming cell signals. Almost immediately the radio crackled. "Madame, we need you at the house." Hans started the Land Rover and drove down the road. When she got inside, she saw the prisoners, but Eddie motioned her forward, and escorted her into the first of the three additions to the house. She found a full house full of rooms, bedrooms, kitchen, living room, bathrooms, with moveable walls. She looked at the cheap paneling, mismatched furniture, ugly carpet, and lighting rigs. "Movie sets – they're making porn here," she said coldly. Eddie nodded and they made their way to the second addition. Same basic layout as the first, and much nicer, much classier, but still the lights gave it away. "More movie sets," she said. "But why two different styles?" Eddie led her to the third addition to the house and she understood. The House's submissives were crowded into bare-bones bunkrooms, with crude showers at the far end of the addition. Two of the large bunkrooms held adults – two did not. "I'll have Perry go through their computers," Eddie said, "but I'm already guessing some of what he'll find. The adults all have their IDs on file with a third party – that's required for regular porn. I'm betting that's what they're shooting in the nicer of the two sets. He walked down and looked at the teenagers, staring at him with mixed fear and hopefulness, lying in their bunk beds, scared to move. "With these, production quality isn't such a big thing, and there won't be papers on them anywhere. All their films will go out through unregulated channels, and be much more profitable than the other." He looked back at the adult rooms to see the young man who had escorted Mistress Bates to the party, standing in the door and waving to him. "Sean – it's Sean, isn't it?" Eddie asked. "Yes sir ... I'm glad you came, sir," the young man answered. "So am I, son, so am I." ------- 9 PM "So your Mistress was planning to blackmail attendees of the party anonymously?" Thad said. "Yes sir – we had been told what horrible people you all were, and since they keep us away from any other parties and such, we had no reason to doubt them," Sean replied. "But Mistress Bates took me along – I've been the most ... trustworthy, I guess, and I saw that she and the others had been lying to us. I couldn't go through with it." "But you could go through making underage porn films?" Thad said. "Sir, to be honest, their lot here is a lot better than on the streets. They get clothes and food, and after they make five films, they're free to go if they want. Mistress Bates has one of the others blindfold them and drive them to another city where they're let out on the streets with some money. The kids come and go – no shortage of them anywhere. A lot of them stay here, though. And all the teenagers we use have started puberty – we don't use any of the real young ones – they gotta be at least fourteen." Thad shook his head at Sean's naiveté. It would take a long time to convince him of the truth, if he ever could – and he wasn't sure he wanted to try. "Minerva, we have a hell of a problem on our hands," he said. "Indeed we do, Master Newton. If we file charges, a lot of people will get dragged into court who really do not wish to go there ... still..." A half hour later the two of them were satisfied that none of the House's submissives, either adult or underage, wanted to press charges against their Dominants. The question they all seemed to have was "what now?" That was a question that was going to require some more thought and deliberation. ------- "Viola, surely you understand that there is no more House Bates – not after what you attempted," Madame Cornelius said, her lip curled as she regarded Mistress Bates and the others. "Yeah bitch, we got that when your thugs came through the door." Minerva smiled at her. "You do realize he was not speaking in jest when he told you your bodies would never be found?" Viola Bates stayed silent. "Good. Now then, what to do with you..." Madame Cornelius was interrupted by a Rebel Yell from the computer room. "I'll go see what's got him spooging in his pants," Eddie said, getting up. ------- "Boss, I found their money – better said, I found where most of their money goes," Perry said, cackling. "Super-villain-hacker-sperm is running hog wild and pig crazy through their computers?" Eddie said. "Oh fuck yeah, Boss, I've jizzed all over their system - what passed for their security couldn't have kept me out when I was in high school and I was a script-kiddie then," Perry said. "Of course, the money doesn't go by a direct route – it's disconnected enough to discourage anything short of a serious federal investigation. The majority of it eventually ends up in another account which, when you get through digging, traces back to a Marye Wexler." "I would assume of House Wexler fame," Eddie said, remembering the name from discussions of the Houses who stood with Laney. "Would be my guess, Boss – it looks like Bates was just a front to make Wexler money. Smart but stupid way to do it, though – evidently someone in House Wexler is an artist – the income is declared as 'profits from art sales'. They pay taxes on it and everything." "What's stupid about that?" Eddie asked. "I can think of a thousand ways to launder it that would leave them owing no taxes," Perry said. "Good thing you're on our side," Eddie said. "Damn right, Boss." ------- "So, Viola, your secret is out – tomorrow House Wexler will go down the same way your House has," Minerva said. "You and your friends are going to lose everything, we are going to take everything, and that will leave you with..." "Nothing," Viola replied. "So, what deal are you offering?" "We decline to offer a deal at this time," Minerva said. "You have nothing we want or need." "What if we were offering confessions, on video? That might help you make your case against Wexler?" "Edward, how much is in the House accounts at present?" Minerva asked. "Perry says a little over seventy thousand," Eddie replied. "Confessions would buy you five thousand apiece as 'get-out-of-town' money," Minerva replied with a cold smile. "What about our individual bank accounts?" Viola asked worriedly. "Oh, you don't have those anymore," Eddie said. "Perry said to tell you that writing down your passwords is not the brightest thing to do..." "You can't do this to us..." "Would you like me to call the county sheriff's office, Viola?" Minerva replied. "Do you really think that will go well for you?" "We have money, we can get lawyers!" "But Viola, you stupid, stupid woman, you also have enough evidence of child pornography sitting around to convict you a thousand times over," Minerva replied. "And most of your money is already gone. After tomorrow, House Wexler will no longer be able to support you ... you are on your own, and you need to make the best deal with us you can." "How much will you give us for this property?" Viola asked, defeated. "What was its last appraised value?" Minerva asked, confident at last things were going to go her way. "Ask your computer geek." A few moments later, the answer came. "Perry says the last county tax appraisal valued this place just shy of a million-five – they own a lot of acreage here," Eddie said. "It's all in the name of Viola Bates." "Because you are such a pathetic case," Minerva said, "I offer a penny on the dollar." "That's ... that's not even fifteen thousand!" Viola said. "Yes," Minerva Cornelius replied. "Would you like me to go lower?" ------- 10 PM "They're all locked up in the submissive quarters, safe and sound," Eddie said. "Good," Minerva replied, "I have already gotten my lawyers out of bed and they are drawing up the papers as we speak. They are having them delivered out here sometime in the next few hours. Then we can send this gutter trash on their way." "Y'know, I'm getting real fond of running shitheads out of town," Eddie said. Minerva raised an eyebrow, and Eddie explained what had gone down with Karggark and his friends. Minerva laughed when he was done. "You do seem to be making a habit of this," she said. Bevy walked through, nodded to Eddie, and went on to help Perry. "So, we're keeping the confessions and evidence locked up somewhere very safe," Eddie said. "What do we do with the subs? Personally, I want to shoot the adults and bury them in an unmarked grave – they're complicit in every criminal act that went on here ... I got no idea what to do with the kids..." "The submissives go with their Mistresses," Minerva said. "Let them take all four SUVs. As for the young ones, I am at sea as well." Thad Newton spoke up. "I'm offering them a place in our Karghold. We can try to give them the therapy and training to deal with what's happened. If they don't want that, we give them some money and a bus ticket to anywhere else. From what they've said, none of the subs know where this place is, they were all brought here blind-folded – even Sean, the one they trusted most. But we get the Dommes and the older subs out of here first." "I need to go talk to Bevy," Eddie said, getting up. "Sounds like a good plan to me." He turned to Thad. "I know it's going to be a pain in the ass for you and your people, Thad, but I really hope they take you up on your offer ... otherwise I don't see things ending well for any of them – they're just gonna wind up in some other bad situation and we won't be there to get 'em out next time." "How long before we can get those assholes out of here?" Thad asked. "The papers should be here by 1 AM or so," Minerva replied. "Then the boys and I will leave you to it. I am old and very, very tired – and tomorrow is going to be a most unpleasant day." ------- 11 PM Late Sunday evening, Wilma Fruehauf sat in her office and tried her best not to grind her teeth. Her favorite enforcer was ruined for life – he'd never be up to par physically – mentally and emotionally he was a wreck as well. He'd been one of those bullies that are only effective until they're beaten. He'd never been beaten before, but House Chorale and her allies had broken him most thoroughly. Her daughter was gone, undoubtedly telling her new friends more about House Fruehauf than Wilma wanted anyone outside the family knowing. Her faction had lost, and lost decisively – even if she packed the Samhain Fetish Ball with five times as many people as supported Chorale, it wouldn't make any difference at all. The Ball was a formality at best – an embarrassment at worst. She had lost, Dick Laney had lost ... their whole idea of Society was lost. She found it odd that she was thinking of herself in the same group as Laney. She despised the little toad and could take some small amount of comfort in his defeat ... not enough to soothe the ache of her own, however. Still, she and her peers would still have their fetes and parties, the submissives that had defected could be replaced, and the rabble, the smaller, unimportant Houses, were no longer her problem. Wilma and her peers were still relevant, still vital. No matter how many times she said it to herself, she still knew she was lying. She looked at her computer screen – she was replaying footage of a scene she had staged the night before when she still had hope that Harvey Chapson would turn things around for her faction. As she watched, Wilma purposefully ignored the signs of her age, clearly visible courtesy of the high-definition cameras. Instead, she focused on the quivering mass of suffering that had been in front of her. The woman had made the mistake of talking back to a minor overseer in the house, and while Wilma would normally have left the slut to the overseer's tender mercies, she'd needed a work-out and the stupid slut had given her the opportunity for one. Wilma caressed her breast through her blouse as she watched the submissive's blood flow onto the floor, and listened to the woman's piteous cries for mercy. Wilma echoed what she was saying on the playback... "There's a price for the security of belonging to this House, it's time for you to pay it." She murmured it again as she watched herself kicking the woman in the kidneys ... Wilma's other hand crept underneath the desk and started pulling up her skirt. ------- An old, battered '76 Buick Centurion, a land-barge of a car, hurtled down the road outside the estate, weaving drunkenly. The erratic driving seemed to cease as the car drew closer to the pole from which a power line ran to the estate, and in the final hundred yards, no one could have missed the car homing in like a torpedo as it increased in speed. Shortly before the Buick hit the pole, a figure in black rolled out of the driver's side door and tumbled into the brush. As the car hit, the pole broke away to minimize damage to the vehicle, and in so doing took the power lines down with it. The Fruehauf estate went dark. ------- Four figures in camouflage that matched the scrub of Central Texas almost perfectly had spent an hour-and-a-half crossing the open area between the tree line and the Fruehauf estate, moving so carefully, so slowly, that it would be hard to tell they were moving at all. They were already in position when the power went out. One, on the south end of the massive home severed the lines from the emergency generator before said generator had even had a chance to come on. The other three went in through Wilma's office window as soon as the lights went out. Wilma Fruehauf barely had a chance to squawk before one of the figures had moved in behind her and slammed a ball gag between her teeth, savagely tightening the straps behind her head. Her clothes were ripped from her body and three tactical batons worked her over in a very professional and restrained manner. Not a word was spoken. Every time Wilma swore she could endure no more pain, she was proven wrong. She passed out once to be brought around by a capsule of smelling salts, and the infliction of pain continued. Her beating was cold and impersonal. No undue liberties were taken, she was simply hurt, hurt badly, hurt repeatedly. She had no sense of time, the agony seemed endless and eventually she passed out again. There was no further attempt to awaken her. ------- She was found in her office a short time later by household security. Her body had been battered, even broken in a few places, but she would live. She would also always remember the note that was found on her desk, a plain piece of paper with computer printing in the exact center of the page. "You only get one chance – you've had yours." There was no police investigation – they were never called, and as best as household security could tell, the assailants had left no trace, anywhere. Not in the car, or at the generator, or in the office. House Fruehauf's personal physician was used to odd injuries – and worse things as well - and had long before abandoned any pretence of operating within the law where such cases were concerned. He patched the Mistress of House Fruehauf up and had someone watch her constantly. She was in shock, had suffered a concussion, and he waited to see if a trip to the emergency room was going to be called for. He hoped not – it would raise too many questions. But House Fruhauf did not have a personal psychologist, psychiatrist, or other such therapist in the field of mental health ... and that was what Wilma Fruehauf needed more than anything after her assault. Wilma Fruehauf had a moderately long recovery to look forward to. Her body would heal, but many in the House doubted her mind and spirit ever would, and talk began concerning her successor within hours of her discovery. She and Harvey Chapson were more alike than anyone would have dreamed – easy to break and hard to heal. ------- 12 AM/Midnight, 10/2/06 ------- Chapter 61 Sunday, October 1, 2006 When Carol opened her eyes, the hotel room was dark. So at least she'd slept until sundown. Her spouses were still snoring away as she carefully slid off the bed and looked at the clock – 1:15 AM. She'd slept for over twelve hours. That explained why she felt so stiff. It was probably time to get the others up and moving for a bit. Their sleep schedule would be blown all to hell, but they had time to correct it. She left the bedroom and used the phone in the suite's living room to call for a fruit, juice, and pastries assortment from the kitchen. After the stress of preparing for the party, and the long party itself, she wasn't even thinking when she answered the soft knock at the door, the bellboy's tip in her hand. "Uh, ma'am, your order," the young man stammered. It was then Carol realized she was naked. Smiling at her unwitting addition to their legend as guests of the Omni, she handed him his money and wheeled the cart in herself. It was time to start the coffee, and she knew the effect that would have on her spouses. ------- Harry was the first to come stumbling out of the bedroom. His eyes were only a quarter open and while he winced as he walked, the brace was on. "Remind me, Baby Girl," he said, "that the next time we throw a shindig like that, we get plenty of sleep beforehand – maybe even a good long nap the afternoon of the party, just to make sure we're ready." "Yes sir," Carol replied. "I think even Kelly's too old to do that kind of party and feel good afterwards." "You got that goddamn right." Kelly's voice came from the bedroom, barely above a mumble. "Six Hours, eight hours, okay – but last night was crazy long." She walked out of the bedroom, raised an arm, pointed her nose in the general direction of her pit and tentatively sniffed. "Oh, I'm gonna go run the bath now – you can bring me food and coffee once I'm in." "As I remember, there's room for all four of us in that tub," Harry said. "Serve us in there, sweetie, and once everyone's got at least a first round of food in front of us, hop in." "Yes sir," Carol said, happily. She'd had to spend far too much time in a non-submissive headspace the night before. She was happy to hear that her spouses, or at least two of them, were remembering to give her what she needed. Margo shuffled through, grunted at her, and continued on toward the sound of running water. ------- An hour and two refills of the tub later, the four of them were clean, tucked into thick terrycloth robes, and sitting in the living room. "I thought I'd enjoy it more than I do," Harry murmured. "What – the sex, the drugs, the rock and roll?" Kelly said. "No," Harry replied, "the peace and quiet. There's no pitter-patter of little submissive feet all around us. This place is so silent compared to the house." "Well sir, I can run around and around the suite, if you think it'll help," Carol said. "No darling," Harry replied. "I just didn't realize how acclimatized I'd become to it. I wonder what they're doing at the house." "If they're intelligent, still sleeping," Margo said. "With Dayna nominally in charge of keeping the house going, I'm not worrying too much. I'm more worried about Minerva – last night couldn't have been easy on her at her age." "I'm sure she's getting lots of rest and care," Harry said, sipping his coffee. ------- "Fine," Minerva Cornelius said as the last of the papers were signed. "Now your property belongs to me, and you and your companions may leave." "You're not giving us a lot of room for luggage, cramming all of us into four cars," Evelyn Carter, one of House Bates' former Mistresses said. Eddie walked over, slapped her to the ground with one backhand blow, and said, "If I plant you in an unmarked grave, you won't need any fuckin' luggage at all, bitch." There were no further complaints. The Dominants and blindfolded adult submissives crammed into the four SUVs and drove away. Eddie handed Thad a piece of paper. Thad then walked a short distance away from Eddie and Minerva and pulled out a phone. "Hey, it's me. Need a favor. Load of garbage I need hauled to the dump." He listened for a moment. "Yeah, that would be just fine." Then he peered at the paper and rattled off four sets of numbers. "I really appreciate it. My truck's broke down and I can't do the hauling myself." He ended the call, and crushed the phone under his heel, picking out the SIM card when he was done. He walked back to the group, handed the card to one of his people, Ken Anderson, and said, "Take care of it." "What have you done, Master Newton?" Minerva asked. "Sorry I can't answer that," Thad said, "a boy's got to have his secrets, doesn't he?" He smiled – it was not a pleasant smile at all. Li Kuan grinned back at him and said, "Madame, it's time for us to go. You have a busy day ahead of you." "Yes, yes I do. Master Newton," Minerva said, "might I trouble you to come along with us later today?" "Yes Madame," Thad replied. "I'll bring some people with me as well. Who else is on the guest list?" "Nancy Velacourt is the only Elder House to side with us so far ... there may be one or two other more neutral Houses I can call," Minerva replied. "I'll see if they're willing to stand in judgment of another Elder House. I plan to leave for their compound at 6 PM. Meet at Dominique's?" "Sounds like a plan," Thad replied. "I'm going to go talk to the kids now – I've got some vans coming from our place to transport any of them who want to go. The others, if there are any others, we'll give some money, put them on a bus wherever they want, and give them the address of a mailbox I keep for reasons I shouldn't have to explain. They want to let us know where they end up, we can send them more of their money as things get settled. After that – I was already taking the day off. I'm gonna go home, fuck somebody – my wife if she's available – and go the hell to bed. See you at 6, Madame." As Minerva walked toward the Land Rover, she turned. "Master Janak, you and Mistress Pinard, as the senior available Dominants of the House, need to be there as well. I shall see you then." "Well shit," Eddie muttered as he and his people headed toward their van. "Calm down boss," Alison said. "I'm sure Miss Tamara will give you a nice massage to help calm you down. I'll gladly do my part by blowing you, should you so desire." As Perry and Bevy started snickering, Eddie growled, "Not one word, not one gawddamn word..." ------- "I can't promise you everything will be easy – we're very hard on our children – and no matter what you've seen and done, that's how we'll view you, until you prove otherwise," Thad said to the assembled teenagers. "But I can promise you no more mistreatment, no more film shoots, and a chance to make anything of yourself that you want. You want to remain in the BDSM scene, that's fine, you want to stay with our ... House ... that's fine. Whatever you want to do with your life, we'll help you. You just have to be honest with yourself and with us and let us know." He paused, looking at their faces for a moment, wondering just how much of a burden his Karghold was taking on. "Now, how many of you want to come stay with us?" Knowing submissive psychology, he wasn't at all surprised that everyone raised their hand. ------- Once he was home, Eddie banned all submissives from the bedroom for a time, so he could be alone with his beloved. "I don't see why we can't just call Harry and Margo and have 'em show up for the House Wexler thing," Eddie grumbled. "Because, sir," Tamara replied, "they need this vacation and you know as well as I that if they get pulled into this, it'll end up somehow eating most of their week." She continued to work on his chest muscles as she sat on top of him. "You and Karen, more than anyone, know how much they need this time off." "True," Eddie said, "but I don't know shit about dealing with Elder Houses or any of that political bullshit." "You won't have to," Tamara said. "Madame Cornelius will take care of all that for you. All you and Karen have to do is represent the House, and look menacing. I know the two of you are capable of that." "Still..." "Sir, how much longer do you intend to bitch and whine?" Tamara asked. "Until you kiss me and shut me up, silly woman." "Well then, let me take care of that right away," she replied. Monday, October 2, 2006 "There was so much about this place you didn't tell me," Margo said as they walked through the frigid environs of Mr. Antiquity's warehouse. "Why spoil the surprise, dear," Harry said, hobbling along. "Everyone should have the opportunity to see this place with fresh eyes." "Well, the fittings were thorough, I'll give him that," Kelly said. "It'd be a toss-up as to who measured us more thoroughly – Mr. Antiquity or Mr. Landau." "Well, are we ready to get out of here and get on with our vacation?" Harry asked. "Uh, I think the three of us would like to do some shopping," Carol said. "Do you mind?" "Not a problem in the world, darlings, so long as I can get out of here to someplace warmer ... Antarctica would qualify, but so would right outside the doors," Harry replied. "I'll be at the car, wondering what marvels of kink you'll come home with." "Fashion show in the suite later?" Kelly asked, looking at Margo and Carol. "Definitely," replied Margo. ------- Thad Newton was glad in so many ways that he'd taken that Monday off. His wife had been busy elsewhere when he arrived home, but a cute little submissive giggled as he picked her up under his arm and hauled her into the bedroom. Afterwards he had indeed slept – he'd slept for ten hours straight and then showered, called for food, and gone into his office to spend some much needed time dealing with Karghold business. So he was at his desk when one of the disposable cell phones in his desk began to ring. "So, you've hauled that load of trash to the landfill for me?" he said into the phone. "Good. Thank you so much." Since he wasn't wearing shoes, he crushed that cell phone with a paperweight from his desk. "Anderson," he said into the intercom, "come to the office – I've got something else for you to deal with." Thad Newton looked at the SIM card in his hand and thought just how wonderful technology could be. ------- While watching his spouses model their purchases from Mr. Antiquity's, Harry reflected that the changes in his lifestyle over the intervening months since Carol had come into his life had both an upside and a downside. The three lovely women parading kinky fetishwear in front of him? Definitely an upside. The growing-ever-more-painful boner they and their purchases were giving him? More of a downside. He sighed. If they were at the house, he wouldn't have to do a thing. More than several very willing someone's would have been more than happy to help him with it. As it was, he'd just have to deal with it himself. So the fashion show continued while Harry slowly stroked his cock. The women were taking bets which outfit would cause him to 'pop', and it was Carol who won with her bet on Margo's new bustier, panties, and boots outfit. All three items were made from beautifully dyed red leather, with lots of very nice but for the most part completely unnecessary silver buckles. Not wanting to worry about making a mess, Harry had gotten a towel out of the bathroom and laid it out long-ways in front of him. As Margo walked into the living room in the red leather ensemble, Harry's eyes glazed over and a long, thick stream of semen launched from the tip of his cock. Carol did a quick arm thrust of victory and then rushed to pick up the towel and wipe her husband's cock before she had to change into her next outfit. ------- Thad Newton had secrets, just like the head of any House. He had secrets, and every time he turned around it seemed he was acquiring more. There were plenty of members of his Karghold that thought getting involved with House Chorale was a bad idea, and when he brought the teenagers from the Bates ranch in, those who felt the alliance was unwise only found further justification. He addressed the kids from the former House Bates while members of his Hold scrambled to find room for all of them. "You're going to be educated," Thad said. "That's part of the deal here. You will go to school, you will study hard, you will learn, and on top of all that, you will earn your keep. You will not do so on your back. Trust me, there are plenty of people here who wear our collar – submissives to please us sexually is not something any of us are lacking. Your meager talents in the art of seduction aren't going to interest us. What will move mountains with any of those holding the leash here is an absolute willingness to do as you're told in areas that aren't sexual. You're going to be watched so closely that you won't be able to have sex even if you want to – not until both your academic and sexual education meets our standards." He stopped to rub his hands in his hair. "Look, any of you who want to opt out, go ahead and do it now. Save me and my Hold the trouble of finding out the hard way that you don't have what it takes. We'll give you money, take you to the bus station, send you wherever you want to go." None of them took him up on his repeated offer. In the moments when it was just him and Vida, he could be honest – he didn't expect half of the underage Bates submissives to stay more than a week. He was sure the rest of them wouldn't last three months. The children of the Karghold were, for the most part, raised from birth with the Hold's traditions, rules, and regulations. The newcomers were at least of a submissive mindset, but they were runaways who had sold their bodies, and more importantly their self-determination, for a place to sleep and food to eat. His best hope was that they would somehow adapt to the rigors of classes and discipline as just part of submission to a different Dominant. They were all going to be undergoing a modified form of the Hold's normal sexual education – the entire Bates group was so deficient in anything passing for a standard education that he couldn't see allowing them to focus solely on the sexual education courses like any other child of the Hold. They were going to be working their butts off in both curriculums, or they were going to face stiffer and stiffer punishment until they shaped up or accepted a ride to the bus station. ------- In addition to the "Bates teenagers", Vida saw how heavily other operations were weighing on her husband. Tradition in the Hold was that while most decisions were open to discussion and debate, there were some powers granted to the heads of the Karghold that weren't questioned – they were the prerogatives of those who had fought their way to the top. Thad had been exercising those powers a lot in recent days, and the strain was telling on him. Not to mention that several younger men were eyeing the position of Chieftain. She wouldn't mind it so much if both of them had to step down, but heading the Karghold with someone other than Thad wasn't her idea of a good time, and simply volunteering to step down wasn't in her nature. If someone beat Thad and took his position, they'd be bound to honor any agreements made under previous leadership, but House Chorale might find it a much less friendly alliance than they'd enjoyed previously. Not that Vida would normally be worried – Thad could hold his position ... if he wasn't overstressed and short of rest. Unfortunately, even with his long sleep, he was both and that made the whole proposition a crap shoot. ------- They had given him a little time to recover before continuing the show, for which Harry was profoundly grateful. By the time the final outfit had been modeled and appropriately appreciated, all of them were thinking of food. "Steak work? Steak good for everybody?" Kelly said as the other three nodded. "Fine, Muldoon's and let Nick pick up the bill, Persian Gulf Surf Club and we pay for it?" The vote was for Persian Gulf, so an hour later they were enjoying the ambiance and relaxing with cocktails, waiting for their steaks. ------- At Dominique's, people were gathering for the trip to dissolve House Wexler. "Master Newton, Mistress Velacourt, you already know these gentlemen ... Master Janak and Mistress Pinard of House Chorale, this is Master Werchan of House Malmedy and Master Gemmler of House Tall Pines." To Karen, they both looked like prosperous Texas businessmen – suits and ties and cowboy boots. Both Werchan and Gemmler appeared to be in their fifties, with Werchan having a rather sizeable beer gut. "Pleasure to meet you, gentlemen," she said. Both of them nodded to her politely. The two newcomers insisted on taking their own trucks, so she and Eddie rode with Madame Cornelius and Hans in the Bentley. "Where's Li Kuan tonight?" Eddie asked. "I left her at home on purpose," Madame Cornelius replied. "She became overly excited at the thought of dealing with Wexler and an excited Li Kuan is sometimes ... problematical." "Werchan and Gemmler sure are a chatty pair," Karen observed. Minerva smiled. "They are not happy in the least to be involved in the dissolution of an Elder House. Not that they wish to shirk away from their duty to Society, but it is a serious matter, and that other Houses are having to take notice of Wexler's impropriety is disturbing. Like me, they remember the days when no House would ever expose itself to potential public scrutiny by doing something so rash. Too many tongues around to wag about their underage porn. Our Society exists in an uneasy relationship with conventional society. If we become too visible, the people who help insure we are not noticed will no longer be able, or willing, to do so and we will come under some very unwelcome scrutiny." Madame Cornelius looked at each of them, eyebrow raised, and said, "There is no House of any size that can afford to be examined that closely." Karen almost protested that Chorale had nothing to hide and then thought better of the idea. "So, they are here to strip an old and respected family of its status because its activities threaten that uneasy relationship," Minerva continued. "They do not play well with others, their Houses have neither needed to nor wanted to for many years. But unlike Fruehauf and her cronies, Werchan and Gemmler will not turn a blind eye to such things simply because it is easier for them to do so. They are not happy men, and they are not having a good day." A tiny smile crossed Minerva's face. "Although there was some interesting profanity, in both German and English, when I presented them with the evidence of Wexler's wrongdoing..." ------- Thad and the five other Karg rode in silence on their way to the Wexler compound. Six months before, any proper member of local Society wouldn't have even thought of asking for a Karghold's help – now he was 'one of the family', with even Minerva Cornelius considering the Karghold just another House in the alliance. "Be careful what you wish for..." he muttered under his breath. Ken Anderson chuckled. "Boss-man, you should've known that ... as I remember, you were in a similar mood for weeks after you won your fight to become Chieftain." "You're not helping, Anderson," Thad growled. "Ain't my job, Boss – according to you and your lovely wife, my job is to make sure nothing can get tracked back to us." Thad spared a glance for the man beside him in the front seat. Ken Anderson was their resident tech guru. He was also 6'5" and looked like he could bench-press Buicks. "That and kicking anyone's ass that needs kicking," Thad said. "Well, that too, Boss," Anderson agreed. ------- After another round of drinks, the Grimes' food arrived. Not that the food was slow in hitting the table, but everyone was slurping down their cocktails pretty quickly. For the next twenty minutes or so, there was no conversation at the table, just the sounds of happy carnivores in a feeding frenzy. Once the plates were cleaned and after-dinner coffee ordered, Harry leaned back a bit and said, "I've made an executive decision – we're extending our vacation through next Monday. I've already called Nick to postpone dinner with him and Randy until the following Saturday." "Not that I'm complaining, oh husband-o'-mine," Margo said, "but any particular reason why?" "Yeah ... but it's a surprise." "So you're just going to sit there and be smug and secretive?" Kelly said. "Yep, sure am." "Fine," Kelly replied. "Just for that, I'm calling a promise due." "Oh shit," Harry said. "Don't worry, it's not too bad," Kelly chortled. "Tonight, once we're back at the hotel, we're going to take our usual place in the back of the bar and get very pleasantly smashed. You are going to do so in the nude – with your naughty bits mostly concealed by the table. You're going to get to bring each of us off while we sit on the table in front of you – skirts and no underwear, ladies. The trick is going to be, can you do it in-between visits from our waitress who, with the size of the tips we'll be leaving, should be most attentive?" "I like you," Carol said. "You're evil." "Yes I am, sweetheart," Kelly replied. "Yes I am." ------- House Wexler's compound wasn't the equal of House Fruehauf's – the house was smaller and the submissives' quarters were much less comfortable. The garage, however, was a wonder, and filled with very expensive toys. No one in the living room was thinking about that too much at the time. "You have dishonored yourself, your House, and all of us," Master Werchan growled. "This whole business is goddamned disgraceful. If you have any defense, I'm sure we'd like to hear it." Marie Wexler and the rest of the Dommes of House Wexler sat silent. They knew that Minerva Cornelius was insulting them intentionally by letting a man speak for their group, even if he was the head of an Elder House. The silence stretched on between the two sides until Master Gemmler had had more than enough of it. "Gus, if I may," he said, deferring to Master Werchan. "Go ahead, Abe," Master Werchan replied. "The way I see it, you have several choices," Abraham Gemmler said. "You can let us buy you out – and you're not going to get anything close to a penny on the dollar. You do that, we'll make sure you live comfortably for the rest of your lives – wearing collars." Marie Wexler stood up and said, "There's no way we'll ever agree to that!" "Good, Marie, I was hoping you'd take one of the other options. We turn you over to the police – there's even more evidence here in your home that'll help put you away for child pornography, probably for the rest of your lives," Abraham continued. "Or you disappear completely, never to be seen again." "How could you possibly enforce that?" Marie sneered. "Dead cunts tell no tales," Gus Werchan said. "I know we all have things about our Houses that we wouldn't want exposed, but you really went whole hog with the stupid shit. If the police had become involved before we did, they would have found things about our Society that we never want known sitting in the same goddamn computers with the evidence of your little child porn operation. We would have all been under a microscope then, all because you couldn't be happy with a legitimate porn racket." "It's getting harder and harder to make money that way," Marie Wexler said. "Not our fucking problem," Abraham said. "Our problem is how to handle your fuck-up. So, what's it going to be; the police, the grave, or do you want to reconsider the collar?" ------- Minerva wasn't surprised with Marie Wexler's – and the other Dommes' – decision. They were all going to take the collar and disappear into the care of Houses Werchan and Gemmler. She was more surprised when that was all the two Masters wanted from House Wexler's property. "We didn't do any of the work," Gus Werchan said. "We just got to deliver the spanking – that's enough for us." He looked back at the house and outbuildings. "This is a pretty place – you might want to offer it to your new leaders. I hear they're planning a place in town, but some place like this might be good to have as well. Whenever you have the paperwork ready, you come on around – they'll sign whatever they need to sign." "Sir, if you don't mind my asking," Karen said, watching the line of naked women as they were marched out, "what are your plans for them?" Gus smiled. "A lot of pain, a lot of dirty, hard work. It's amazing how miserable someone can be, cleaning out hog pens ... with a spoon." Karen walked over to where the former Dommes of House Wexler were standing under a tree, waiting for vans to take them to their new homes. She admired the hastily appropriated collars and chains that all of them wore. "You bitches are going to have so much fun – do enjoy the rest of your lives, okay?" Karen said before walking away. She was very sure that any court in the land would view the fate of the Wexler women as true slavery, and when she remembered the faces of the children they'd filmed, she realized she didn't care. ------- Eddie stood, looking into the garage, almost in a reverie. "There had to be some serious gearheads in that group," he murmured. Three motorcycles – a Ducati Diavel Cromo, a Harley Davidson Electra Glide, and an Indian Dark Horse – and four sports cars – a red '57 Corvette convertible, a black '64 Jaguar Roadster, a stunning purple '94 Lamborghini Diablo, and a metallic blue Ferrari 458 Spider – sat in the bays. The rest of the garage was fully outfitted to work on the vehicles – a point which had Eddie running into the house. House Wexler's submissives were spread out between the dining room and the kitchen, sitting around and waiting to hear what was going to be done with them. Hans stood in the dining room, Andre in the kitchen, watching them. All of the former House's submissives were men, and Eddie had rarely seen a more destitute group. Fifteen forlorn guys, all looking like they'd lost the most important person in their lives. Maybe they had, Eddie wasn't one to judge, it was just impossible for him to imagine a life under the hateful group of women that were waiting outside. "Got a question, guys," Eddie said. "Who does the work maintaining the cars and the bikes in the garage?" Two men raised their hands. "Would you like to continue taking care of them?" The two looked at each other, then the older of the two, perhaps in his mid-forties replied, "Not for you, not for any of your friends either. Fuck you." "Okay – I guess that answers that question. Fuck you too." Eddie turned and walked out. He found Madame Cornelius, Karen, and Thad sitting on the patio, talking. "What's wrong with those guys in there?" he asked, sitting down. "You mean the gentlemen whose lives we just completely uprooted?" Minerva replied. "The ones who are going to be taken away from their home and the Mistresses they adored? Are those the people you are referring to, Master Janak?" "Uh, yeah, those would be the ones." "Never imagine that the life you know is the only life there is," Minerva said. "They were happy, or at the very least, they were institutionalized. We have taken that away from them." She paused, shaking her head slightly, and staring into the distance. "I know of some Houses that they would fit into very well – my week will be busy finding them new positions. "I am leaving Hans and Andre here," she continued, "to watch the grounds and begin the work of cataloguing. I trust your young computer genius is available?" "Uh, not today, Madame," Eddie replied. "I can arrange for him to take some time off, God knows he's got enough leave squirreled away. He can be out here sometime tomorrow. Now, I don't know if you've thought of this or not, but keep the subs away from the computers, and don't fiddle with them until Perry's had a chance to look them over. I'd hate for someone to either intentionally or accidentally erase evidence or any other valuable information." "A good point, Master Janak," Minerva said. "Well then, does anyone else have anything we particularly need to tend to before we leave? I am quite tired this evening." "I'll drive you home, Madame," Eddie said. "Karen can follow behind and pick me up at your place." "I'm going to stick around a while longer," Thad said. "At least until Werchan and Gemmler get those bitches out of here." "Very well," Minerva said. "Master Janak, shall we go?" ------- Eddie Janak had rarely been more uncomfortable than he was on the drive back into town – it wasn't a short drive, either. The Wexler compound had been out to the northwest quite a distance, and it was a very quiet drive back. Until they were only twenty miles outside the city; then Madame Cornelius said, "Enough awkward silence, young man. Tell me, how are you liking your new life?" Eddie fought to overcome his surprise. "Uh, honestly, not too well, Madame. I mean, don't get me wrong, physically it's a gawddamn wonderland, but this ain't exactly the life I'd choose for myself." "A man turning down a harem? How very ... odd." "I dunno, Madame," Eddie replied. "You've had a lot of years – no offense – to rewire your brain from the way you were brought up to how you view the world now. I ain't had that long – it's just been a matter of months." "Your friends the Grimes seem to have managed." Eddie looked at his passenger in the rear-view mirror. "Madame, there's no way you're silly enough, or stupid enough, to believe that. Of 'em all, Carol's having the least problem – like you, she's rewired herself. Kelly ... I dunno. She's young an' wild an' havin' a blast, but sooner or later, somethin's gonna happen that'll rein her in an' it ain't gonna be pretty. Kelly's gonna melt down into a heap of confusion an' the only saving grace is that she'll have the rest of them to help put her back together again. As for Margo, you know damn good an' well she's at war with herself about the openness of their marriage. She and I are prolly the closest in the way we think about things. I dunno how she's coping, but she is ... although some days I get the feeling she's only barely copin'. Harry ... Harry's like ... well, if Kelly's rippin' through this new life in fifth gear, Harry's still like in second. I think he's headed for the same kinda thing as Kelly, I'm just bettin' it'll take longer. When it does happen though, he won't bounce back nearly as quickly – you know kids, they're elastic. Harry ain't elastic no more." "I imagine you would be quite happy to be proven wrong, Master Janak," Madame Cornelius said. "Oh hell yeah," Eddie replied. "And I may well be proven wrong – I learned a long time ago that I'm wrong more often than I'm right. Sometimes, that's not so good, but bein' a pessimist, a lot o' times it's just fine." He paused, almost scared to open his mouth. "So ... what do you think?" "I think ... a great many things. I think Margo is avoiding seizing the reins of her own power, sexuality, and ability. Not too surprising, given her past. If she ever fully gets over that hump, so to speak, she will be fine. I think you are correct about Kelly – and it will be ugly when it happens. Harry ... you have known him much longer than I, but I still think you are wrong. He will have his crisis, and he will let it wash over him with relatively little impact. Harry will come out the other side with that irreverent grin on his face and carry on marvelously. "We have, however, strayed from the question of you," she continued. "Damn, I was hopin' you hadn't noticed," Eddie replied. The low chuckle from the back seat didn't surprise him. "I love Tamara, Madame, more than I love anything else in the world, except my sister. Luckily I ain't gotta choose between the two of 'em. This makes her happy, an' it's somethin' I'm slowly comin' to terms with. But I can't see how, bein' raised like I was, it wouldn't feel unnatural. I mean, all guys got dreams of a life like I'm livin', but the smart ... no, make that the wise ones among 'em realize that the pitfalls in the situation ... well, it's scary an' there are so many ways it feels like it can go wrong, and only the narrowest of paths to keep it right." "If I might make a suggestion, Edward," Madame Cornelius said, surprising him with her use of his name. "Uh, certainly." "Do not worry about forgiving any of the others in your arrangement for the mistakes they are going to make. They will make them, you will forgive them, and it will be easier than you think. Concern yourself with learning to forgive you, for sins old and new. You too are going to make mistakes, and people you care about are going to be hurt – it is inevitable. Your heart is large enough to forgive all of them, but you will need to work very hard on forgiving yourself." Eddie saw her look out the window and far into the distance. "I know of what I speak – it was the most difficult lesson I had to learn." She chuckled to herself mirthlessly. "Of course, for many years, Ophelia was a special case." The rest of the trip passed in companionable silence as Eddie pondered the unlikely revelation that Madame Cornelius considered the two of them alike in any fashion. ------- Alpha and Omega had been thoroughly trained, but nothing in that training prepared them for the task of covertly escorting the very people they were supposed to be protecting. It was frustrating the two of them no end – within hours of being assigned their new task, they had been told by the Grimes that they were not welcome while the family vacationed. Did the Grimes really think that they were safe, or somehow invincible, simply because they were 'getting away from it all' for a week? The two bodyguards had heard the Sisters tell the family exactly how things worked, and then the four of them thought that simply because they had told Alpha and Omega 'no', they were going to go against a lifetime of training and conditioning. The idea was preposterous. So they did the best they could to accommodate both sets of instructions. Alpha watched them during the day, as she could much more easily blend into crowds. Omega took the nights, lurking in the hotel corridors. There were of course problems with their strategy – Alpha had to acquire a car, and Omega had to deal with hotel management. The first was achieved with a phone call – and the Sisters had praised their resourcefulness. The second had taken some social engineering – convincing the manager that the family would expect him to make allowances for their security detail whether they mentioned it to him or not. Luckily, both their training had included such deception. So the two of them had a room one floor below the family – directly below the suite's living room, and Omega had already finessed his way into the suite and set up cameras and microphones while the family was at Mr. Antiquity's. He'd also taken the liberty of creeping in the night before while they slept their exhaustion away, and planted trackers in wallets. Luckily, none of the Grimes went anywhere without wallets or pocketbooks – or cell phones, for that matter. He'd taken the opportunity to clone those as well. The necessary equipment had been purchased with the Order's funds – they didn't skimp on requests from their superiors, people like Paula Philouma. Their new owners had no idea how challenging they'd made Alpha and Omega's lives. The two of them hoped the Grimes never had any cause to know just how closely they were being monitored as the most likely scenarios for that revelation meant something had gone disastrously wrong and the family was in danger. Omega had taken the duty from Alpha when their owners got back to the hotel and disappeared into the depths of the bar. He wasn't surprised at all to see what happened once the drink orders were taken. ------- Neela Hanson wasn't shocked at finding Harry Grimes shirtless in the back of the bar – stories about the Grimes and their visits to the Omni were many and entertaining. The manager had told the staff that they were to ignore every irregularity they could, and if they found they couldn't, the staff was to come to him directly and he would deal with it. The Grimes were hardly the only guests to enjoy such loosening of the rules – but they were the only ones that there wasn't a clear reason for. Yes, if a major entertainer was in town, they were probably staying at the Omni, and the staff understood why the rules didn't necessarily apply to them. These people, putting all stories aside, seemed far too ordinary to merit such treatment. She was a little disconcerted when she returned to check on them and found Mr. Grimes' face buried in-between Mrs. Grimes' legs. Ms. Culberson was laughing so hard she was about to fall out of her chair and the younger Ms. Grimes just smiled. "If you would be so kind, Neela, another round of the same," she said, "and please forgive the two of them. We're on vacation and tend to get a little wild while relaxing." "No problem, Ms. Grimes," Nicole replied. "Another round it is." She left the back room blushing, and wishing there was someone in her life she felt that comfortable with. Tuesday, October 3, 2006 Even with Carol's water regimen, the next morning was an ugly thing – three severely hung-over people and Carol wasn't feeling all that well herself. Still, she was pleased to have been the first one awake so that when her spouses awoke, there was food and juice. "Is there anything on our schedule for today?" Harry asked as he sat in the tub, rubbing his temples. "Nothing that I'm aware of, beloved," Kelly said, her voice barely a whisper. "Living through this hangover is all I can see doing any time soon." "Agreed," Margo said. "I'm sure there is an ancient proverb somewhere that speaks of seeing past one's pain into the future, but if there is, whoever wrote it is a crazy person." "Well," Carol said, walking in with a pitcher of juice, "once I get you rehydrated a bit, Dr. Carol recommends going back to bed and sleeping some more." "Oh God, that sounds like a helluva plan," Harry replied. "I won't argue we needed to get good and loaded last night, so I don't begrudge paying the debt for our good time today. But I'll be damned if I'm going to push us to do much of anything until we feel better." "I agree, but let's not do this again any time real soon," Margo said. "I hate the thought of using vacation time to recover from hangovers." "Right, just light drinking and a lot of weed from now on," Kelly said. "Speaking of which, do you think that might help?" "Couldn't hurt," Harry replied. "Baby Girl, load up the pipe." ------- Carol made sure to take the 'Do Not Disturb' signs off the doors to the suite when they were all up again that afternoon, since the gifts from Fort Worth were scheduled to be delivered to the hotel. It took two pots of coffee before anyone realized that the 'message' light was blinking on the phones in the suite. "Yeah, you've got a message for the penthouse suite?" Harry said when he called the front desk. "Yes sir, a delivery arrived for you earlier this afternoon, approximately 1:30. Do you wish to come down or shall I send her up?" Harry sighed, not caring whether the woman manning the front desk heard him or not. "We'll be down in a few moments. Please tell me there's just one person waiting for us?" "Yes sir, just the one." "Reserve us a table for five in the restaurant, if you would please?" "Certainly sir, they'll have the Travis room ready for you and your party." Harry hung up, amused that the hotel still wasn't comfortable putting them in the dining room with the regular guests. Thinking back on their behavior the last time they'd stayed there, he really couldn't blame them. "The tribute from Fort Worth has arrived – it's human," he announced. "Let's throw on some clothes and go meet whoever over some supper." ------- A part of Jason Tanner knew better than to hope he was headed for nothing but sex with Abby and goofing off. It was a nice dream, but that's all it was. Not that the sex wasn't astounding, but it kind of took the spontaneous joy out of things when he was told he had to finish his homework first. And then there were the nightly dinners with his mother – a modification to their old tradition. Abby would cook, serve dinner to his mom and him, and then she'd disappear into the kitchen and start cleaning up. Once they'd finished eating, he and his mom would head into the den to talk a while. "So I told Abby I was instituting a new rule," Jason said. "I told her the house was a 'no clothing' zone." Gloria chuckled. "I don't imagine that turned out too well." "Yes and no," Jason replied, smiling. "She doesn't have a problem with it when I don't have homework to do, and we're not expecting you to visit. When I proposed the idea, she looked at me with those big brown eyes and said, "Jason, if you were naked and I were naked, even though we were in different rooms, do you really think you'd be able to concentrate on your homework?" I had to admit, she had a point." "I'm liking her more and more," Gloria replied, laughing. Then her face grew serious. "Are we ever going to talk about how we got to this point?" she asked. "About how my needs almost screwed everything up?" "Yeah, Mom ... eventually. I don't think it's a conversation I'm ready to have just yet. I mean, everything's worked out fine – I like the Grimes and their friends, I love Abby ... I'm still not sure about Donna and me. I know there will be times I'll miss you, but after all those years wondering when you were going to do something crazy and sooner or later land us in some really hot water ... I'm okay with letting that talk wait a bit." "How'd I get such a smart kid?" Gloria said, giving him a hug. "Maybe because neither you nor Dad are stupid ... were stupid," he said. "Do you still miss him, Mom?" "Honestly," Gloria replied, "almost every day ... but it's gotten easier the older you've gotten. I see a lot of him in you and so I know at least in one way, he's not really gone." Jason smiled, but it was a sad smile. "I still miss him too." "Listen kid," she replied, "before we start getting all maudlin, I'm gonna head back to the Grimes ... I'm gonna head back home. You finished your homework?" "Yes ma'am, all done – and Abby has been helping me with my algebra. It's starting to make more sense to me." "If you need some more help with it, ask Galena," his mother replied. "She's scary smart..." "Will do, if I need the help," he said as they got up and headed toward the door. "Mom, is it true that Dayna used to hold the leash?" "You've been talking with Abby about the scene, haven't you?" "Yes ma'am ... I really like Donna, and I'd like to see her again, but you heard Master Newton – I don't play by the rules, I don't date his daughter. Abby knows a lot, but she's only ever worn the collar, and she suggested I talk to someone more experienced on the other side of things." "Smart woman ... yes, Dayna used to hold the leash. I'll ask her if she'll talk to you..." "No Mom, I'll ask her. It's only polite for me to ask a favor of her personally, rather than using a submissive as a go-between ... even if the submissive is my Mom ... especially if the submissive is my Mom." Gloria hugged her son and whispered in his ear, "You're going to do just fine, son." Jason waited until his mother had had time to get back to the Grimes, or almost there at least, before he stripped out of his clothes, throwing them into the hamper in the laundry room. "Ready or not, Abby, you sexy beast, here I come!" From the master bedroom came the sound of delighted laughter. ------- Meanwhile, Dominique Duvalier had a massive problem on her hands. While the majority of the rebellious submissives had found new homes at the party, the sheer amount of submissives that had been given as tribute to House Chorale had overloaded her capacity. She had the excess sleeping on pallets on the floor after the club closed each night – very difficult for those who had real jobs. She had resolved that problem by putting those who were employed in a nearby hotel. Still, after closing her club was a giant dormitory, filled with people who had been uprooted from where they'd been, and were living in a state of limbo. It wasn't easy on them, and because she gave a damn, it wasn't easy on Dominique. There was a light at the end of the tunnel, though. Dayna had called with news that one of the Grimes' neighbors had left word they would be out of the house by the 13th of October – less than two weeks away. She sat in her office, looking out over the club as the staff prepped to open for what was expected to be a moderate Tuesday night crowd, and wondered if it was too early for a drink. ------- The person waiting for them in the private dining room was a woman, dressed in a black leather chauffeur's outfit, the hat sitting beside her on the table. All four of the Grimes family hoped she was also a submissive – average height, curvy but not voluptuously so, pale white skin with freckles and a short cut head of red hair. Her eyes were dark brown, instead of the expected green, and to be brutally frank, all four of them thought she was a wet-dream-walking. She stood respectfully when they approached the table. "Devon Tennyson," she said, extending her hand, "I'm your driver." "Our driver?" Harry said as he took her hand and shook it. "There's a car outside." "And it's a..." Margo said. "Surprise – Master Dunham would have my head if I spoiled it for you," Devon replied. "Food first, or car?" Kelly mused. "Food, car, food, car..." "Food first," Carol said. "If the car is 'ooh, shiny', as I expect it to be, we'll want to go for a ride, and who knows when we'll get around to eating. Eat first, drool later." After they'd ordered, Harry leaned back and took a drink of his iced tea. He'd known Eddie long enough to have picked up a few things. "Is that bulge under your left arm a firearm, or are you malformed?" he asked. "Well, I'm not malformed, sir," Devon replied with a smile. She opened up her jacket. Black leather straps supported a horizontal holster under her left arm, a double-magazine ammo pouch under her right. She popped the strap on the holster and pulled out a stainless steel SW1911.45. Devon turned it this way and that, allowing everyone to see it, then slid it back into the holster and resecured it. "And yes sir, I'm licensed to carry concealed in the state of Texas. You need me to go anywhere else, it might be an issue. To finish out the salient points of the resume, I've also taken and passed with flying colors every security driving course Advanced Driving & Security, Inc. offers. I'm also a Certified Security Specialist by way of Executive Security International," Devon said. "Why the fuck does everyone think we need bodyguards and such?" Kelly said. "We're nobodies, well, outside of Society at least..." "Yes ma'am, you'd be correct about that," Devon replied, "but I've been informed that you're nobodies that attract an awful lot of trouble." "In that, you'd be correct," Margo replied. She glared at the rest of her family, daring anyone to contradict her. Intelligently, her three spouses held their tongues. ------- After a lovely meal, Devon walked them out and had the valet bring around the car. "This is Oliver," she said as the black 2007 Rolls Royce Phantom pulled up in front of them. "He'll do zero-to-sixty in five-point-nine seconds, has a V-12 under the hood, run-flat tires, and gets pretty shitty gas mileage no matter how the tires are inflated. He isn't armored, so if we draw gunfire, I'm getting us the hell out of Dodge and I will disregard any instructions to the contrary. Want to go for a spin?" She opened the rear door. "As you can see, there's room for three comfortably – I won't feel safe with four back there as the seat belts don't allow for four to be properly strapped in. That means yes, someone will be riding shotgun with me in the front. You decide who." "It should be me," Carol said. "Dominants in the back, submissives in the front." "But who will attend to our needs if you are in the front, dear girl?" Kelly asked in a passable upper-crust British accent. "Kelly darling, if we can't see to our own needs for however long a car trip we're on," Harry said, "then I guess we're just shit out of luck." "Well, if you've settled the seating order," Devon said, "shall we go?" ------- The family's familiarity with limousines had prepared them for luxury in automobiles, but it was a gaudy luxury compared to the subtle, restrained elegance of their new car. They were also pleased to note that there was no glass separating the front and rear. "I could get very used to this," Kelly said as they cruised down the highway, anonymous behind the tinted windows. "That's good," Devon said. "Master Dunham suggests that unless there is a very good reason for any of you to take separate cars, I should drive all of you anywhere you need to go. Not necessarily in Oliver," she continued, "as I'm really not kidding about his gas mileage, but carpooling allows me to do my job more easily, and prevents me having to report to Master Dunham that he needs to send another driver." Cries of protest burst forth from all the spouses. "If you please," Devon said, her voices cutting through theirs. "I'm here to serve, but I'm also here to protect, and the only orders I will not accept from you are ones that violate that second part of my duties ... and those that would keep me from reporting any need for further personnel to Master Dunham." For a time she questioned the somewhat-mollified spouses about their schedules ... and watched the car that had been following them since they'd pulled out of the hotel's front driveway. ------- Alpha appreciated the new car almost more than the family. Neither she nor her partner had had a chance to put a GPS tracker on it, but Rolls-Royces were rare, and traffic was being relatively accommodating. Then, without warning, the Rolls changed lanes, slowed down, got more than close enough to see her, and then sped up, driving evasively, and attempting to lose her in the early evening traffic flow. Alpha was amused at the thought of the family's new driver thinking Alpha was a threat. Then again, not having been introduced to each other, it was a logical, and proper, mistake to make. She approved of Devon's driving, and really wished they had a bug inside the car so she could hear what was being said. ------- "What the fuck do you think you're doing?" Harry yelled as Devon took off down the highway, dodging around traffic. "Okay, shut up, question and answer time," Devon said. "Do you know anyone who drives a black 2004 Corvette, license plate 'C12 LGR'? Driver's female, wearing a wig, built muscular, scary-blank expression. If you don't, we got trouble." "It's Alpha," Margo sighed, and explained the situation to the newest member of their unwanted security team. Within moments, Devon's driving had returned to its former sedate pace. "Madam, you don't mind me saying, if they're anywhere near as good as you say they are, you should just accept the fact that people have a vested interest in your continued good health, and deal with it," Devon said. "Quit trying to hide from them ... and me, should you be so inclined. Let us do our jobs, and we'll do our best to be unobtrusive. The harder you make our task, the more bull-headed we're likely to get about it." "You have a point ... goddamn it," Margo said. "Pull over somewhere." "If I might make a suggestion," Harry said. "I know this nice little bar called 'The Pearl'." ------- Twenty minutes later, the spouses, Devon, and Alpha were sitting in a booth, waiting for their drink orders. "This place brings back some memories," Carol said. "Wish they were better ones." "Well, I can't be too hard on those memories," Harry said. "They brought the two of us together." "True enough ... still..." Carol murmured. "Yeah, I know – bad shit, bad memories ... just the price we pay for good ones," Margo said, smiling as their orders arrived. "Trust me, I have to remind myself of that quite often." Over drinks and appetizers, the family discussed with their bodyguards how best to keep everyone happy ... or at least not actively upset. "So, to recap, either Alpha or Omega and Devon will be traveling with us wherever we go," Harry said. "Question ... do the two of you have legitimate ID's?" "Yes sir, we do," Alice replied. "We are legally 'Alice Jones' and 'Melvin Smith', with Social Security cards, drivers' licenses, and concealed-carry permits." "Isn't it hard switching between the two names?" Kelly asked. "No ma'am. And should it be required, the Order can procure us different identification with any names you choose," 'Melvin' replied. "We've been very well trained." "Okay," Harry continued. "'Alice' and 'Melvin" will be splitting the duty as the family is split. The three of you do your best to blend in when we ask you to – in return, in situations like Society functions and parties, you get to be all big, bad, and menacing as hell." Devon, 'Melvin' and 'Alice' nodded somberly. "Okay," Harry said, "let's settle up and get out of here. Nothing like negotiations with your own bodyguards to take the fun out of an evening." "I think we can inject some fun back into things," Kelly said. "We could even get things good and started on the way back to the hotel." "Well, y'all go ahead," Harry said. "I'm riding back with Alice – we have some things to discuss." "Mysterious things?" Carol said. "Maybe I should ride with you, sir." "No, Little Cunt," Harry said. "You shouldn't." ------- "I really get twitchy about surprises," Carol said as Devon drove them back to the hotel. "Relax, dear one," Kelly said, holding her close. "You know it's going to be a pleasant surprise ... or at the very least, that'll be our husband's intention." "Perhaps we should plan such a surprise ourselves," Margo said. "Let me see ... I know the middle of the week is a slow time for some of the spas in town ... I'm thinking either tomorrow or Thursday we enjoy a day at the spa." "Not something most guys would get into," Kelly said, "but I think Harry will enjoy the hell out of it." "I agree," Carol said. "Madam, if you could make us reservations, I say we spring it on him the day of, and no sooner." The rest of the ride back to the hotel, Margo was on the phone. ------- Abby had volunteered to stay at home and tend to some cleaning while Jason went to speak with Dayna. He had called earlier, and so they were expecting the knock at the door. Jackie threw the door open and hugged him. Jason wasn't prepared for her nakedness. "Heya sweetie, good to see you," she said, releasing him and closing the door behind him. He found it very strange to walk through a house where the only person fully dressed was his mother. Everyone else was in various stages of undress, and didn't seem to care one way or another if he saw them or not. Jackie showed him through to the back door. "She's outside, relaxing," Jackie said. Jason hadn't seen Dayna's scars before. He did his best not to stare, but Dayna laughed raspily at his efforts. "Don't worry, Jason," she laughed. "I expect them to draw attention. I really don't mind." "That ... that looks like it hurt ... a lot." "Worse than I'd even imagined," she admitted, taking a sip from her drink before sitting up on the chaise lounge and crossing her legs. Dayna wasn't wearing a stitch of clothing and the view was both enticing, and disturbing at the same time. "First lesson, young sir, is happening right now. Naked doesn't matter." Dayna snapped her fingers and Usagi came out, wearing only a thong. "You want something to drink?" Dayna asked. "Uh, yeah ... a beer?" "Nice try, youngster. You're not old enough – lesson two. Don't overreach. Bring him some juice, Usagi. Now, Jason, shuck your clothes off and we'll talk." "Excuse me?" Jason squeaked. "You heard me. You want answers, I'm happy to give them, but you're going to have to get naked." A few moments later Jason was sitting across from her, very embarrassed and trying to keep himself covered without looking like a total dweeb. "Relax ... trust me," Dayna said, "you haven't got anything I haven't seen before. Part of being a Dominant is being comfortable in your skin, or in any outfit you want to wear. Once Margo gets this place evacuated and walled off, there's going to be a lot of naked, or nearly naked, people running around. You're going to be going to school here, you're going to need to get used to it. Also," she continued, "that boner you're trying so hard to hide isn't a problem. The fact that you're trying to hide it is. You're a young male of the species – you get a hard-on when the wind blows. That you're sporting wood is understandable. The civilized thing to do is not mention it, or worry about it, or try to hide it. It's there, just like your arms and your legs, your hair, any other part of your body. It's really nothing to be ashamed of." Jason forced himself to sit upright, with his hands at his sides. "Better, kid, but you're stiff as a board, and I'm not talking about your penis. Relax ... you're among friends here." Dayna grinned. "Lean back, let your dick fly free in the breeze, and chill." As Usagi brought his juice out, Jason made every effort to do as Dayna said. "I'm afraid this lesson is going to take some time, Dayna." "I know it is, which is why we're starting it now. Back to lesson two ... right now, you're living a life that none of your friends, with the exception of kids raised, more or less, in the scene would believe. No matter what any of your male classmates say, I guarantee you're getting laid a lot more than they are. Or are you and Abby showing admirable restraint and only fucking once a week?" "Uh ... no. Every chance we get." "Exactly. You have sex at your fingertips, pretty much whenever you're home. Be satisfied with that ... realize just how lucky you are, how special your relationship with Abby is. Cherish it. Don't slight it by grabbing for more before you're ready. You've got a hell of a lot on your plate to adapt to as it is." Dayna took another sip of her drink, and leaned forward. "Lesson three – no matter how it appears, no matter what they say, remember that the others playing this game we call Society are there voluntarily. It may seem like they've given over complete control of their lives, and in some cases they may indeed have done so, but you will treat them with respect, even when you're calling them a 'fuck pig' or 'cum dump' or 'cock-mongering sissy boy', no matter what persona they're wearing, or how often they wear it. You have to respect them as people, people who've made a choice to play the role they're playing and can change their minds at any moment. "Now, sooner or later, you're going to forget this, almost every Dominant does at some point in their lives. God knows I did," Dayna continued. "When that happens, if you're lucky, your submissive will tell you, and you'll work things out, and you'll realize you were being a dickhead. If you're not that lucky, someone more senior and more experienced will land on you with both feet. You'll regret your actions, you'll learn from your mistakes, or you'll be shunned. You'll end up playing your little power games with anyone needy enough to put up with your shit, and your friends will be as fucked up as you are." "Is that what happened to ... Laney ... is that his name?" "Yes, it's his name and exactly ... the problem is that he was ... well, okay as a Master for a lot of years, and then he started believing his own ego, and by that point, there was really no one active in Society who could rein him in. It took some new blood to put him in his place, and as much of a shithead as he's been, I have no doubt that if he got his shit straightened out, House Chorale would be the first to welcome his House back. I don't think there's much chance of that happening, but I've been wrong before. "Lesson four – and this is a lesson you will learn and learn well, or you'll end up hurting someone very badly, physically and emotionally. Safe words exist for a reason. And if the way you're playing involves your submissive not being able to speak, you will set up some way for them to signal you if things go too far for them. When the safe word or signal flies, you stop! Everything, and I do mean everything, comes to a halt, and you get them out of whatever restraints you might have them in, and you have a cell phone close at hand so you can dial '911' if they need you to." She looked at him and smiled a tight, drawn smile. "You know that moment when you're jacking off where it's like the point of no return? That moment when you're taking a piss where it's inconceivable that you tighten down and stop pissing? You have to be able to stop, even when everything feels like there's no way you could possibly stop, short of dying. That's what being a good Dominant is ... being aware every second that you might have to stop everything. Being Dominant is about control – you will enjoy the illusion of control – because that's all it is – but much more importantly, you will have to control yourself at all times. Even if you're playing well within a submissive's comfort zone, things could still go badly for your subbie and you could be called upon to make sure they're okay." "You know, this isn't sounding like a lot of fun," Jason said, worry furrowing his brow. Dayna laughed. "Okay, you need to be aware, but not scared. I've been a Domme for over ten years, and there've only been three times I've had a safe word used. And yeah, every time it scared me when I heard the word, but I held my shit together and did what I had to do, and nobody got hurt, and everybody was happy. Yeah, it can be a little exhausting ... especially when you're operating out of a submissive's comfort zone, when the two of you are pushing their envelope, seeing just how far they're willing to go, but it's worth it. "And," she said, pointing to the collar on her neck, "right now I'm very comfortable with not being a Domme anymore. It's very, very relaxing to be the one not in control. I'm free to experience and enjoy and if things get too much I know I'm in the hands of people who will stop everything in a second, to make sure I'm okay. I think, ideally, I'm a switch – I can be in either headspace, as the situation requires, but this is the first time I've ever really allowed myself to let go of the leash – I had too much of my self-image foolishly wrapped up in being a Domme." She looked around, realizing she had opened up to a teenager and had been comfortable doing so. "Anyway ... that brings up an idea. I want you to go home, and think about what we've talked about tonight. I've ordered a book for you, an introduction to bondage and domination, and sado-masochism. It should be here in the next couple of days. You're going to study it like it's a textbook – because for you, it is. In the meantime, talk to Abby and see if she's willing to switch roles tomorrow night, let you get a taste of the other side." "But she's a submissive..." Jason said. "Honey, a lot of submissives can pretend to be dominant, or have a dominant side. It's the other side of being a switch. Even if she is truly submissive, and it makes her uncomfortable, I'm betting she can play the role well enough for the purposes of your homework assignment." Dayna got up, drew Jason to his feet and hugged him. "Get dressed and head on home to your lover," she said. Jason did so, completely unaware of how comfortable he'd been in his nakedness once he was no longer paying attention to it. ------- That evening, the spouses got well and truly stoned and cuddled on the bed. "Anyone feeling the urge to do anything too strenuous tonight?" Margo asked. "Unless someone requires me to, no," Carol answered. "Fine right where I am," Harry said. "Kelly's not home right now, but if you'd care to leave a name and number," Kelly replied. "Fine ... Buttslut, go find some very mellow station on Pandora and then come back to bed," Margo said, hugging Kelly with one arm, Harry with the other. "If we go to sleep this way that's just fine with me." Carol found a mellow jazz station on their laptop, and crawled into bed, and spooned against Harry's side. The four of them relaxed until everyone except Carol was asleep. Once the other three were softly snoring, she pulled the sheet up over them and went to sleep herself. All four of them were asleep before ten. Wednesday, October 4, 2006 The next morning, Carol woke up first and peered at the clock ... no, eight o'clock wasn't too early to start rousing her spouses. Room service anticipated her breakfast order before she had a chance to give it to them, and assured her they'd have it to her in ten to fifteen minutes. She started the coffee, Harry was the first to emerge from the suite's bedroom. "You know, sweetheart, we should do this vacation thing more often," he said. "I haven't been this relaxed in ... I honestly can't think how long." Carol hoped he didn't catch her smirk. "Yes, sir, vacations are a very good thing, and I strongly advocate more of them." "I'm looking forward to staying in this room all day and engaging in kinky, truly perverted sex with my spouses," Harry said, pouring a cup of coffee. "Sorry honey, that isn't happening," Margo said, walking out of the bedroom as she struggled to get both her arms in the hotel robe. "We have plans today." "We do? What are we doing?" Harry asked. "It's a surprise, sir," Carol replied sweetly. "And we need to get our butts somewhat in gear if we want to have time for showers, which we need, and breakfast, which I damn well want," Margo said, finally wrestling the robe into submission. "It's on its way," Carol said. "A bath would be more fun and lead to potential wastes of time – showers it is. I'll go get mine out of the way." She kissed the two of them on her way through to the shower. Kelly stumbled out in time to hear room service knock. She was wearing a thong that wasn't quite properly adjusted, her hair was sticking out in all directions, and she looked very much like a woman who had smoked prodigious amounts of dope the night before. Naturally she insisted on opening the door and giving the bellman his tip. ------- "I'm thinking this is one of the nicer surprises I've gotten in a long time," Harry said as his masseuse placed hot stones on his back. "I am so glad," Margo replied from the table where she was receiving similar attention. "I just wish we hadn't had to basically lease the whole place so we could do this nude." "I would have thought in a city as weird as this one, a spa with relaxed social customs would already exist," Kelly mused. "One was attempted," her masseuse, Charity, replied, "but things got out of control rather quickly. Too many of the male guests, and surprisingly quite a few of the female guests, thought that 'spa' was another name for 'bath-house'. I worked there for a month or so, but the guests who were inclined to think of it as a place to ... well, you know ... had a tendency to look at the staff like we were working in a massage parlor. The owners and their backers pretty much lost everything. Shame really, because a well-behaved group like yourselves is exactly the kind of clientele they were looking for. You appear to be here to enjoy a spa experience in each other's company, the way it's enjoyed in most of the world, not looking at it like some sort of singles bar." "Would you happen to know how to get hold of the owners?" Margo asked, the business side of her brain whirring into action. "Yes ma'am," Charity replied. "Even after bankruptcy they're still slowly paying off the people they owe money. I'm one of them." "Very admirable of them," Harry said. "They're good people," Charity replied. "And they had a good idea, they just had a lot of problems making it work." ------- As the four of them soaked in mud baths, even Harry had astringent cream on his face and cucumber slices on his eyes. At their request, the usual 'new-age trance' music had been switched out with smooth jazz. Gentle snores were coming from Carol, and the rest of the family was controlling their urge to giggle. "Poor dear," Margo said softly. "She's working more than any of us on this vacation, and enjoying every second of it." "We really do have to start making sure we let her be in a submissive role more of the time," Harry said. "So, I gather you're thinking about a real spa, friendly to our type of people, my beloved." "Yes ... Kelly?" Margo said. "Yes dear?" "How would you feel about being ... well, something like an office manager for such a place? Watching over the family's interests, so on and so forth." "You want to put me in a place with lots of naked people?" Kelly asked, fighting to keep her voice down. "Yes I do – it would be good for you, build up some self-discipline. And, if things work out as I'd like, you'll already be familiar with the majority of the clientele. "As many Houses as are in our area, and our alliance, I think such a place could be profitable," Margo continued, "even with a sliding scale of rates. We keep it a Society matter, possibly even build it close to Dominique's. There've been quite a few nights when we left the club that I would have really enjoyed some time in a sauna and a massage." "That would mean some odd-ass business hours," Kelly said. "Yeah, I can see being 'office manager' of such a place." "I don't have a problem using part of my inheritance for the clinic, really I don't, but I would like some of it to create a new revenue stream for the family as well," Margo said. "I don't see our role in Society getting any less expensive as time goes on." As Carol slept on, and Harry and Margo fell silent, Kelly was muttering to herself. "We could run specials in concert with Dominique's, submissive appreciation days, allow reservations for larger Households..." ------- "What's your safe word, boy?" Abilasha asked. "What's your safe signal?" Jason found himself frightened, but oddly excited, by the change in his lover's attitude. "The word is 'Capricorn', Mistress Lasha, and uh ... you know that thing I do when I curl my toes up and they pop, you know, the one that makes you cringe?" "Yes I do." "That's my safe signal." Her riding crop flashed out and laid a stripe of pain across his bare bottom. "That's my safe signal, WHAT?" she shouted. "That's my safe signal, Mistress Lasha, ma'am. I am sorry!" "Good boy – you can be taught. It's good I wasn't planning to bind your feet." She bound his wrists and ankles securely. As she walked away from him, her newly-purchased leather underwear, corset, and boots gleaming in the lights of the den, Jason tested his restraints. Abby'd done a good job – there was no way he was going to get out of them without her help. He was also enjoying the view – his lover looked hot, totally hot, and he chuckled a bit at the bullshit stories his schoolmates told about their sexual experiences. His normal life, not counting this special evening, was so far beyond what they were imagining that he was glad he had a reason to keep quiet about them – even if he felt like bragging, there was no way he'd ever be believed. At the far end of the room 'Mistress Lasha' turned around and gently stroked her breast. A thin trickle of milk dribbled out and landed on her boot. "Come clean this up, boy!" "Mistress Lasha," Jason replied, "I can't move..." "You can crawl like a worm, boy, and if you have any dream of even smelling my pussy tonight, you'd better get to it." Jason began to scoot his way across the carpet, wincing at the rug burns beginning to form. Still, he couldn't deny the hard-on that waving as he inch-wormed toward his temporary Mistress. ------- That evening, the four of them had felt very relaxed and mellow, so they'd put on appropriate music, cuddled up on the bed and talked, until Harry drifted into a doze. In that way that, half-asleep, one could direct one's dreams, and in those dreams, his mind tried to take him back to the bad old days, but he was able to shift the dream to the future instead, when the Corral was finished, and everyone was moved in, and they were safe and sound. Children played in the yards, staff went about their duties, and all was well. It was a good dream to have while he drifted further into sleep. Thursday, October 5, 2006 Jason had gone to sleep sucking on his Mistress's asshole the night before, more tired than he imagined he could be, still bound, and with a butt plug that had looked small, but felt as big as Abby's fist, in his ass. When he woke up, everything felt normal – except for the places he hurt. He was untied, in bed with Abby, who was lying on her side and looking at him lovingly. "Does my Master wish to drink from my aching breasts this morning?" she asked, and in spite of his soreness, Jason was across the intervening space and nursing at her breast in a second. She stroked his hair as he did so. "I am so proud of you ... you tried everything I suggested, and never once gave any sign that you wanted to quit." Jason didn't reply, he just wrapped a leg over her and suckled harder. "In fact, I think you did so well that you deserve a treat, Master. Shall I prepare for a special evening tonight?" His happy moaning was all the answer she needed. ------- Carol rolled out of bed, stretching languorously before checking the clock. They had nothing too extreme planned for their Thursday. Margo wanted to track down the former spa owners, and while everybody agreed that was not exactly 'vacation-like', she had convinced them that she just wanted to get the ball rolling. After an initial meeting, she would put it on a back burner until they got back home. Still, it was only 9:30, plenty of time to let the rest of them sleep for a while. She decided that a hot bath would be a wonderfully decadent and lazy way to start the day, so she started filling the tub. While bending over, she felt her butt being poked by something, and looked around, startled to see Harry behind her, hard-on jutting out from his crotch. "Is that for me, sir?" she asked, already growing wet at the prospect. Harry started to say something, then stopped, and a moment later replied, "It is – bend over again." She did so, grabbing onto the edges of the tub for support. Harry made his way to the collection of lotions, soaps, shampoos, and conditioners thoughtfully provided by the hotel and returned. "I trust you've gone to the bathroom this morning?" "Yes sir, but I'm not clean..." "I don't care," Harry growled, and Carol smiled to herself. This was exactly the kind of treatment she enjoyed – well, other than her lack of cleanliness - and so rarely received from her family. She reached out, turned off the water, and opened the drain. With half the bottle of lotion around her sphincter and the other half slathered on Harry's cock, he rammed through into her ass. Her knees went weak and she was glad for the support of the tub. She was close to coming almost immediately, her body racing to catch up when how excited her mind was. Her master was having his way with her, apparently not caring about her enjoyment – although she knew better. She had quivered through her first orgasm and was well on her way to another when Harry said, "How stressed are you about tomorrow's surprise?" "Sir ... sir I ... I'm okay..." "I think you're lying to me, Little Cunt. If you don't convince me otherwise, or tell me the truth, I'm going to have Madam wear out a whip on your ass, and we'll leave you tied up and whimpering while we go out about our business today. Is that how you want to spend a day of our vacation?" "N-n-no sir ... it's ... it's kind of fucking with my head ... I know it won't be anything unpleasant, but ... I trust all of you, sir ... but ... there's a lot of baggage you're trying to work through, sir, and it's bothering me. Mostly, I've been actively not thinking about it." Harry brought his down in a hard slap on first one butt cheek, and then the other. "So, Buttslut, do you think me telling you what the surprise is would be wiser, or would it be better to let you worry about it as a way of hopefully working through your issues about such things?" "I ... I honestly don't know. Telling me would make the rest of the next day or so a lot more pleasant for me, but I'm not as upset as I would have been a couple of months ago ... no, don't tell me." She paused as another orgasm snuck up on her and she shuddered and shook, deep groans coming from her mouth. When she was done, she said, "I'm hoping ... you'll tell us before we get where ... we're going?" "Yes, darling, you'll have some time to prepare, don't worry." ------- Thirty minutes later, Carol was a limp rag doll, while Harry still plowed away at her ass. Kelly and Margo had wandered in, used the bathroom, and stayed to watch. "Harry," Kelly said, lowering her head and peering into Carol's eyes, "I think you've fucked her brains out. You plannin' on stoppin' any day soon?" "Going to have to," Harry said. "Leg's starting to hurt, even with the brace, and there's one other part of me that's in agony..." "What?" Margo asked, all doctor for the moment. "My bladder ... this is a piss hard-on ... the only way it's going down is me getting it to relax and let me pee." "Stupid man," Margo said as she and Kelly moved to help him away from their senseless wife. "Put me in the shower," Harry said. "Just sit me on the floor ... it'll go down in a bit, I can pee, then get clean." "I'll act as bathgirl this morning," Kelly said as they reached the shower. She turned the water on and fiddled with it until it was the right temperature. Then she and Margo got him inside and set him down under the warm, rain-like water. Margo kept half an eye on Carol, still slumped over the edge of the tub. Kelly knelt by the shower stall and watched. "Damn Harry, that's a diamond-cutter all right. Seems like a damn shame to waste it..." "It wasn't wasted at all," he replied. "Fucked our wife senseless ... it's just..." Slowly his cock began to deflate. "It's just damn painful right now ... I mean sometimes it's really good to have a boner that will not go away ... but after a little while..." Urine began to shoot out of his cock like it was a fire hose, splashing against the far wall of the shower stall. "Oh ... my ... that's ... heavenly..." Harry moaned as his bladder emptied. "Go start some coffee, Kelly darling. By the time you're done, I'll be ready for some help with a quick shower, and then you and Margo can drag the buttslut in here." ------- Twenty minutes later he and Kelly were enjoying hot mugs of coffee while Margo took care of Carol in the shower. "So, care to tell me about this surprise you've got cookin'?" Kelly whispered. "Well, do you want the truth or do you want me to lie to you?" "The truth, silly man, otherwise I wouldn't have asked." "Can't tell you the truth. Settle for an entertaining lie?" "No, that's all right ... when are you going to tell us?" "Once we're in the air, headed to our destination." "Fair enough," Kelly replied. "I'll let you keep your secret for now." "You know, I'm thinking that while my cock may be temporarily out of action, there's nothing at all wrong with my tongue," Harry said, grinning. ------- Margo and Carol wondered what their spouses were up to, and not finding them in the suite's living room, followed the sounds of Kelly's pleasure to the bedroom. Harry was stretched out on the bed, while Kelly rode his face, bracing herself with her hands against the wall. Margo looked at his erection, and made a gesture to Carol, offering her a chance to hop on his hard-on. Carol smiled and shook her head wearily. Margo smiled and grabbed Carol's hair, leading her to a chair. Margo sat down, Carol knelt between her legs, going to work on her wife with a will. A few moments later, suitably lubricated, Margo climbed over Harry's crotch and lowered her cunt down onto it. She began to move back and forth slowly, and from the sounds coming from between Kelly's soft, black thighs, Harry was enjoying what she was doing. Carol plopped down on the bed next to him. "So Kelly, how you doing?" she asked. "Ummmm, very well ... although I'm thinking I'm going to get off of this tongue here in a bit and go order breakfast for us all ... this is fun... um, such fun... but I'm ... I'm ... I'm hungry..." she moaned, riding out another orgasm. "Well then," Carol replied, "whenever you're ready..." "Okay..." Kelly sighed. "Ready now ... five very nice ... climaxes ... time to order food ... lots of food..." She climbed off Harry's face and she and Carol went back to the suite's 'living room'. Margo lowered herself down to lie atop her husband and began gently licking his face, enjoying the taste of her wife's cunt. The combination of her talented pussy, the face-licking, and the sensuous fog enveloping Harry's morning brought him off rather quickly. "I'm so sorry, sweetheart," he said, looking up at his wife. "Dearest, there is no problem whatsoever..." she leaned up and turned around. "Buttslut, your services are required immediately!" Carol came running in as Margo rolled off Harry to lie beside him. "Clean up your master, and then you have until breakfast arrives to get me off at least three times or you'll wear a vibrator set on low up your ass all day ... with no release this evening." Once Carol had finished slurping and licking him 'clean', followed by a warm wet towel and a gentle drying off, he left two of his wives in the bedroom and made his way back into the living room. It had been a damn fine start to the day. ------- Finding the Poulsons, the couple that had backed the co-ed spa, didn't turn out to be very difficult at all. The family arranged to meet them for dinner, and spent a good part of the rest of the day by the hotel pool. "Helen will be so happy to know I haven't completely abandoned my therapy regimen," Harry said after finishing twenty laps of the pool. "She was concerned," Margo replied. "If there'd been any way we'd have allowed it, she would've been showing up here to put you through your paces this week." "And she wouldn't have been at all happy about the way you treated it this morning," Carol added. "How is your bottom, darling?" Harry asked as Kelly helped him out of the pool and into a waiting chair. "Overall, pretty good," she said. "A little sore, and doing my exercises in that area is going to be just a bit painful for the next day or so, but really, that was so far from the longest or hardest ass-pounding I've ever taken. This morning was delightful." "You're a freaky little woman," Margo said. "So I've been told," Carol replied. "So I've been told." ------- That night they waited for the Poulsons in a private room at Muldoon's. Margo had held out for somewhere else, but everyone else was craving steak – a more serious carnivore feast than they could get at Persian Gulf Surf Club. "Fine," she had relented at last, "we'll let Nick pick up the tab for this one." When they arrived, John and Becky Poulson were a pleasant-looking middle-aged couple, but they still wore their failure like a weight around their necks – and since the family knew they were still trying to pay off their debts, they were pretty sure of exactly what was weighing the Poulsons down. The Grimes stood and a round of handshakes and introductions ensued. Once the Poulsons were seated, Margo took charge and said, "If you have no objections, no business during dinner – we can talk afterwards. And please, we asked you to dinner, we're picking up the check. Order whatever you like." The Poulson's eyes only popped a little when they saw the prices, but hearing how the Grimes were going hog wild and pig crazy with their orders made them feel a little more at ease ... and they had recognized Margo from the newspaper articles on her husband's and mother-in-law's deaths, so they knew their hosts could afford it. Pleasant small talk filled any silences during dinner, and it was only after the meal was done and coffee served that Margo got around to the purpose of their meeting. She explained how they'd heard of the Poulson's failed spa, "Wellspring", and explained that the family was interested in doing something similar, albeit with a very select clientele. "What kind of clientele?" Becky Poulson asked. "Are you at all familiar with the BDSM scene?" Harry asked. Both the Poulsons stammered "No". "Not a problem, I wasn't either until earlier this year," he continued. "For the most part, we're just with folks with sometimes extreme lifestyle ... peculiarities. But there's a very large and vibrant community here in Central Texas, statewide, in fact, and we would like to operate a spa to serve our friends and associates. There would be some fraternization between the clients encouraged, but only in certain parts of the spa, and no one who works there would be hired without knowing exactly the kind of the people they were going to be having as clients and what sorts of situations might occur. I think for the most part, you can think of members of our Society as belonging to large, extended, very kinky families." The Poulsons looked shell-shocked. "And in return for your employment, should you prove amenable," Margo said, "not only will you be paid a good salary and benefits, but we'll be using 25% of any profits to pay off your earlier debts." The Poulsons looked at her like they'd been struck between the eyes with a two-by-four. "Now before you start thinking this sounds too good to be true, you're going to be dealing with some damned odd folks. The spa is, in all likelihood, going to be constructed next to a rather large kink club, and my wife here," Margo said, gesturing to Kelly, "will be our eyes on the business, learning from you, not meddling in how you run it, but making sure our family's interests are being looked after." She smiled. "The day may well come where she will be put in charge of the business, managing it overall instead of the two of you. But that's a long way off; she has a lot to learn. In that case, your positions will not be significantly altered, she'll simply be ... promoted over you. Should we decide to do that, we will consult with you as to your feelings on the matter. "Oh," Margo added, "the hours of operation will probably be something like 3 PM to 3 AM on the weekdays, 9 AM to 6 AM on the weekends." "Uh," Becky Poulson said, "would it be possible to get a little better grip on what type of clientele we'd be dealing with?" "Not a problem," Kelly replied. "Come by the club Dominique's a week from tomorrow, say... 8 o'clock. We'll leave your names at the door." She looked to her spouses for support. "I think we can have a good cross-section of the family and friends there." The Grimes nodded their heads and smiled pleasantly, and that seemed to settle some of the Poulson's uneasiness. The two of them left Muldoon's with a sense of hope, which was noticed by their hosts. "That went well, I thought," Harry said. "They left looking better than when they arrived," Carol added. "I like them, I think they'll do a fine job for us." "I think they're going to freak the fuck out at Dominique's," Kelly said. Margo sighed, worried that Kelly might be right. Friday, October 6, 2006 The next morning was a blur of last minute packing, and three women who were worried about what to pack for their weekend forced Harry to reveal that upscale casual clothing, suitable for the Midwest in early October would be a good idea. That necessitated a call to the house, instructions to the house staff, and a quick trip by Dayna to bring them items from their closets. Through it all, Harry sat and read, occasionally chuckling to himself as he thought about the surprise. ------- Among themselves, Alpha, Omega, and Devon had decided that 'Melvin' and Devon would travel with the family. 'Alice' was going back to the Grimes home and organizing their security, which she figured would be minimal to non-existent. She couldn't have been more wrong. ------- At the airport, there was no longer any way that Harry could hide their destination. Margo and Kelly looked at him curiously. "Why are we going to Wichita, Kansas?" Margo asked. "Not exactly a place I'd think of going for rest and recreation," Kelly added. Carol looked at her husband, at her Master, with tears and love in her eyes. "We're going to meet my brothers and sisters," she said, barely managing to control her voice. "You're going to meet the only blood relatives I have left that I care about at all." She smiled and continued. "You know, if your leg were in better condition I'd be launching myself into your arms right now, Harry." "I know," he replied. "And I'll take the thought as the deed." He hugged her tightly. "We're taking them to dinner tonight, introduce ourselves, discuss how best to present our relationship to their families, and then we're spending most of tomorrow with the entire family, flying back here on Sunday." Whatever trepidation either Margo, Kelly, or Harry might have felt about meeting Carol's siblings was softened by just how ecstatically happy Carol was at the prospect. The speakers crackled with the boarding call, and under the watchful eyes of their bodyguards, they boarded their flight. ------- To Be Continued... ------- Posted: 2005-06-26 Last Modified: 2012-11-09 / 11:43:32 pm Version: 1.10 ------- http://storiesonline.net/ -------