Bang!

  The clanging sound of the cage door being closed was an amazing aphrodisiac. She was wet, her pussy juice dripping down the inside of her thighs. Of course, her profile had given him an indication of what she craved. She was no mystery to any man who wanted to enslave her. He was using all her fantasies in a method of total domination. Dear God, this was fabulous. Wiggling, the sound of the tip of the hook slamming against the metal bars was enough to make her mouth dry. She heard herself whine.

  “Patience. You will learn.” He patted her ass and walked away from the cage.

  Click!

  She was pitched into darkness.

  “Wait for me, princess. Wait. Good things come to obedient little girls.”

  His laughter continued as his footsteps sounded on the tile floor. He was leaving her. Jesus. Terror gripping her, she shifted, and the metal dug into the tender flesh of her asshole. Groaning, she planted her palms on the flooring, determined to remain calm. She could still hear the echo of his calculated steps as he moved away from her. Light deprivation. She was instilling her greatest fear.

  Minutes ticked by and her anticipation mixed with anxiety. She closed her eyes, allowing her vivid imagination to take her into her fantasy world.

  From somewhere in the distance, she heard what had to be wheels rolling across the floor. The subtle squeaking sound continued for at least two or three minutes.

  The room was chilly, and the goose bumps became a steady flow of shivers. Bubbles of air from a ceiling vent or fan cascaded along every inch of skin. She continued to swallow, subduing her increasing adrenaline. After a few seconds she was able to calm her breathing. Then a smell hit her nose, wafting in a way she hissed. The stench was ripe, coppery in nature. Why hadn’t she been able to detect this before? She turned her head from right to left in order to try and determine the location of the nasty odor lingering all around her. The taste on her tongue was wretched, sickeningly sweet. What the hell was the smell?

  Minutes passed by, if not longer. Agitated, she wiggled. The biting pain caused by the invading implement created a series of tremors dancing throughout her body. This wasn’t what she’d signed on for. Trust. You have to trust. As if she could.

  A single light was flipped on at the end of the room, a subtle glow washing over a portion of the space. Gripping one of the bars, she blinked until she was able to focus. Light refracted off the mirrors even in the dim shadowed light. Craning her neck, she darted her eyes back and forth. Where was he? It doesn’t matter. Patience. He said patience. Her nipples were hard and the chill in the room kept her tingling.

  Minutes passed into what had to be an hour. Her prone muscles ached, her legs cramping. She’d never spent more than a few minutes in a confined space. The torture waned on her inner mind, creating monsters lurking in the darkness.

  Creak… Boom!

  She jerked her head up, searching for the source of the noise. He was coming. Her gut told her as much. Saliva had dripped from her mouth. Licking her lips, she sucked back a cry of fear. This was a test of her resolve, one she refused to succumb to. He needed a perfect and very obedient submissive. She was just that if not more.

  “Princess.”

  His voice echoed in the chamber.

  “Sir?”

  “Are you ready?”

  “Yes, Sir.” Her voice was weak. The stench seemed to increase. A sickening sensation rose from her belly, filling her mouth with bile.

  “This will be a moment of glory, a gift to me of your ultimate submission.”

  His words seemed garbled, but she could tell there remained resolve if not a hint of danger in his tone. What did he mean? After another few seconds of silence, a series of creaking noises occurred all around her. Objects were being moved. He was here and there, laughter floating all around her. She gripped the bars and rose up, slapping the top of her head on the cage. Where the hell was he? What was he doing? A slice of terror trickled down her spine. She shouldn’t be here. No, she…

  “Princess…”

  A series of overhead lights were flipped on, sending a harsh scattering of fluorescent shimmers all around her. She winced from the intensity as her eyes tried to adjust.

  “Look around you. What do you see?”

  Whimpering softly, she turned her head, unsure of what she was seeing. After jerking toward the metal bars, she opened her mouth, but only a silent scream occurred.

  Bodies of women filled the periphery of her vision.

  They were dead, dozens of them mutilated beyond recognition. Frozen in a time capsule sent straight from Hell, the mangled women were tied to various apparatuses, their haunted and very terrified eyes peeking out as if begging to be found. Flesh was ripped, exposing muscle and bone, dried blood trickling down from jagged wounds.

  “No!”

  “Soon, princess. Soon. Wait for me. I have business to attend to.”

  CHAPTER 5

  Naked, their bodies melded together as he rolled her over onto her stomach, shoving her hands toward the iron bedposts. “Obedience. You must learn obedience.”

  “Yes, Sir.”

  The sound of her voice was melodic, rumbling desire through every cell in his body. She was his finally. He rose to his knees, allowing his swollen cock to drag across the small of her back. He smiled as she whimpered in appreciation before clasping the handcuffs on her wrists. Tugging the steel strand, he was satisfied she wasn’t going anywhere. “Now we begin, my pet.”

  “Yes, Sir.”

  He eased off the bed and studied her porcelain skin dancing in the glow of the candlelight. She was perfect in every way. Well, almost perfect. Soon she would be the slave he’d always wanted.

  “I don’t know how I can help you,” Destiny whispered as she jerked her hand away. She panted and took a step back, breaking the connection.

  Montana realized he was holding his breath. The vision had seemed so real. Blinking, he looked away for a second, unsure of what had just occurred. What the fuck? “I’m sorry?”

  “I said I don’t know how I can help you.” This time her voice was almost inaudible. She looked away, as if embarrassed.

  He managed to collect his thoughts, but a cold chill remained. Still, he had work to do. Swallowing, he studied Destiny’s actions, the way her lower lip trembled. “I have reason to believe that the victims from the recent murders were both your patients.” Whatever the doctor was afraid of had startled her enough the butcher knife remained firmly planted in her hand.

  She turned sharply, walking at a steady pace down the hall.

  Montana followed, still shaken from the out of body experience. He’d had this kind of connection only once before and the event had ended in nasty words and harsh accusations. No, this wasn’t the same. He’d shut down his supposed gift not long after the wretched experience.

  He admired Dr. Blade, studying her sexy features. The doctor was beautiful in every way. Dear God, he was attracted to her. He squelched the thought and trailed behind her, walking into a cozy but lovely kitchen. You could tell a lot about a human being given the space they lived. Destiny Blade was organized, yet there was something too perfect about the space. “I believe you can. In truth, you’re the only one I think might shed some light on a case I’m working on.”

  Destiny fiddled with the wooden handle before deliberately placing the weapon on the kitchen counter by the sink. “The murders you mentioned. You want to learn what I know about the victims.” She hummed as she prepared coffee without asking, adding a sweet-smelling substance to the holder and adding water.

  “Yes. Can we talk for a few minutes?” He could tell she was shivering. He stood where he was, giving her space.

  She remained silent as she flipped the switch and pulled two coffee cups from an upper cabinet.

  “What are you afraid of?”

  “Me?”

  Her body was tense. “You’re pensive. Then there’s the knife.”

  Shrugging, she flashed her eyes in his direction. “I honestly think I’ve been working too much. That’s all. This is a very safe neighborhood.”

  Montana knew the area well. There had been two unrelated murders within blocks of her home in the last six months. “I don’t think you’re a woman who scares easily.” A flash of the previous vision rolled into the back of his mind only the event had changed, moving forward. Startled, he couldn’t take his eyes off of her. He had a belt in his hand and there was someone else in the room. “You have a beautiful home.” The words were strangled. She had to have caught his discomfort.

  She turned to face him, folding her arms. “Do I know you?”

  He could tell by the look on her face that she’d experienced the same intense electricity. “I don’t think we’ve met.”

  Her eyes registered the connection then went flat. For a few seconds she studied the coffee maker as it finished brewing. “Cream and sugar?”

  “Just black.” Maybe a shot of caffeine would pull him out of the moment.

  After a minute of silence, she poured two cups and pushed one toward him, sliding her hand away before they could touch.

  Of course, she was unnerved. “Thank you.”

  Destiny nodded and lifted the cup to her lips using both hands. After taking a sip she walked closer to the window.

  While he wasn’t a patient man, he realized she was trying to sort out her thoughts. The vision of the belt lingered in his mind. He’d never used any kind of spanking implement on a woman, nor had he wanted to. This wasn’t going to be easy.

  “Mark Ramos and Candace Williams were brutally murdered by an unknown assailant, their mangled bodies found in posh and considered very safe areas of town.”

  Shocked, he choked on his coffee, licking at beads as they dripped past his lips. A damn leak in the department. He was going to break heads for this. “Where…how…”

  “As you might imagine, I’m well connected and if you know anything about my background, you realize I’ve treated a few patients some would consider animals during my tenure in Richmond. Correct, Detective Givens?”

  Dear God, the woman was direct. Who the hell was giving information so fucking easily? First the Domme. Now the psychiatrist. They might as well put every scrap of information on Facebook. “Yes. I’ve certainly delved into your background. Unfortunately, I can’t give you any details about the murders. In truth, aspects regarding both cases haven’t and won’t be disclosed to the Press any time soon. Do you understand?”

  “Of course.”

  After a few seconds of silence, Montana cleared his throat. “Good. I just need to ask you a few questions.”

  “How do you think I can help you?” She gave him a harsh glare.

  “Can you confirm that both victims were being treated by you?” Destiny was very guarded, but he would have expected no less. He sipped his coffee, remaining nearly motionless as she paced her kitchen. The only light was the amber glow above the stove. Antsy, she continued to dart glances into the darkness. He could smell her fear. Shit, he was apprehensive himself, unable to take his mind off the call with Mistress Jade.

  “Yes, they were for a time, but both of them stopped their sessions without notice,” she whispered and gripped the edge of the counter, staring out the kitchen window. “I have no reason to believe they knew each other, if that’s what you’re asking. As you well know, all my records are kept highly confidential, detective.”

  “But they were your patients so there is a connection. At this point I’m not ruling anything out. I can’t. I just need you to think about anything that might be a bridge between them, no matter how odd you might think the information to be.” She knew exactly where he was going. Montana kept his tone even. She was skittish.

  Destiny twisted, her disdain becoming evident. “I have no idea, detective. None. I’ve been trying to figure out why the killer would want to haunt down two…” She laughed then coughed before placing the back of her hand across her mouth.

  “You were going to say normal.” He pulled out a chair, sitting down in an effort to get her to relax.

  She nodded over and over again. Easing her back against the counter, she sighed. “They were both very emotional individuals with difficult situations they were fighting from their past. I can’t offer you anymore. You know that. Much like you can’t tell me the details of your investigation or how you’re going to go about catching a monster.”

  “With all due respect, Dr. Blade, they’re dead. Doctor-patient confidentiality no longer exists. I need you to tell me anything that seems out of the ordinary. Anything.”

  Hesitating, Destiny moved toward the opposite counter, dragging two glasses from the cabinet.

  He watched in silence as she pulled out a bottle from underneath the sink. As she poured two shots of what had to be liquor, he leaned forward in his chair. “Why do you think you were being followed and by whom?” When she said nothing, he took a chance with a hunch. “By one of your patients?”

  Her actions methodical, Destiny pushed a drink across the table, gripping hers tightly with the other hand. A slow sigh escaped her mouth as she held the glass to her head. “I don’t know why I honestly think so, but yes. A patient’s behavior was completely off kilter this afternoon. His personality changed. He challenged me. I’m certain I was just alarmed by his performance today. There is no map of emotional stability. No matter how qualified a doctor can be, certain patients can be good at hiding portions of their inner turmoil. This is something I know very well.”

  “Performance? An interesting word to use for the mentally ill.” She knew more than she was letting on.

  “My patient is a good actor. That I’ve learned. However, I have a distinct feeling his actions weren’t necessarily his own.”

  Montana rose from his chair. “What are you trying to insinuate?”

  She hesitated before speaking. “Detective, what do you know about the BDSM lifestyle?”

  “I beg your pardon?” Nothing could have caught him off guard more. There was a link between the victims.

  Nodding, her look was cold. “There is an underlying culture within Richmond. Men and women enjoy a very intense need to dominate or submit. I’m no expert, but I’ve read enough recently to understand the subculture is flourishing.”

  “Are you suggesting this is a direct association with the two patients who were killed, perhaps the one you believe to be following you?” Inching closer, he crowded her space. He’d read quite a bit on Dr. Blade. She was well known in her field, having written several industry White Papers on the subject of various psychosis, including demonic possession, cutting, and the effects of white slavery. However, she hadn’t delved into the dark art of the kink world that he could tell. Still, her words were prodding. Making a connection to the BDSM community was startling. Her patients had a correlation indeed.

  “I’m not suggesting anything. You’re the detective. I’m merely asking a question.”

  Against his better judgment he took a gulp of the drink. The scotch was surprisingly smooth. After swallowing he looked down at the knife. Whoever this patient was, he’d rattled a woman he knew instinctively was formidable. “I can’t give you but so many details about the two cases, but I can tell you that the wounds signified being shackled for an extended period of time. Marks on their wrists and ankles suggest a chain of some sort. Flecks of metal were embedded into their skin.”

  “And?”

  “And welts crisscrossing their bodies would further indicate being whipped systematically. I’m no expert either, but I would have to say the person wielding the whip was trained.” He realized he was giving her far too much information, but his gut told him there were clues to be found.

  “As if the killer knew what he was doing? A practiced sadist for example?” The words lingered in the air. She smiled and held up her glass. “I do my research as you do yours, detective.”

  “I can tell. For all practical purposes I’m drawn to the believe someone in the BDSM community knows or has seen something.”

  Destiny shifted, closing the distance between them. “You also don’t believe the killer has finished. Do you?”

  “At this point, I can’t rule anything out.” She was a beautiful woman, obviously intelligent. He was far too attracted to her, but he had no time for passion or complications in his life. The passionate vision was nothing more than some innate yearning given his lack of anything resembling sex for far too long. “Is there anything you can tell me about your patients that might help in any manner?”

  “I’m afraid not, Detective Givens. As you can imagine, I’ve looked at every detail, trying to make a connection but there just isn’t anything concrete, except they were troubled individuals who came to me for counseling.”

  “Then why the question about BDSM?”

  “A hunch. Nothing more.”

  He sighed, realizing she wasn’t going to say anything else. After easing the glass onto the counter, he took a step back and grabbed his business card from his wallet. “If you think of anything, please give me a call.”

  When she accepted their fingers touched. The second jolt of electricity shared showed in her expression. She looked away almost instantly. “I will.”

  Montana sucked in his breath. This time the vision was clouded but definitely the same.

  She twisted her head until she was able to into his eyes and for a few seconds, her desires melded with his. Inching backward, she glanced down.

  “I’d be careful of your other patient as well. If his behavior has altered from the norm, there’s been a change in his life. You need to protect yourself.” The attraction was evident.

  “Thank you for your concern, but I refuse to succumb to fearing one of my patients,” Destiny said quietly. She fingered the card. “I was simply spooked. Nothing more.”