Conquering Jude (6 page)

Jackson rubbed the back of his neck. “I can’t blame you for not wanting to deal with them. My mother’s side of the family has always been a bunch of snakes in the grass. Claude excluded of course. But we still have to consider that there may be people out there wanting to hurt you because of your tie to them. If I, as part of your family, didn’t know about you giving it back, I can guarantee there are plenty of others who don’t either.”

Tipping her head back, Olivia sighed. “All right, Jackson. I’ll allow the twenty-four hour surveillance on Olivia’s as long as Jude Larson isn’t part of it.”

A moment later, she felt his hands land on her shoulders. “What happened between you, Olivia? I’ve never known you to ban anyone from your club without a good reason. What did my bone-head of a friend do to earn his banishment?”

She stiffened. “I’m not discussing this with you, Jackson. He knows what he needs to do to get his membership reinstated. If you want answers, ask him.” She pushed back from the desk, nearly running over Jackson in the process.

A low growl escaped him. “I didn’t ask him! I’m asking you, Olivia. I’m tired of seeing my friend struggle with his sexuality. When his ex kicked his ass to the curb, he buried all of his submissive tendencies.”

Closing her eyes, she mentally counted to ten as her temper flared. “You mean to tell me Jude has had experience in the lifestyle?”

Jackson moved back from her. “Hell, no! Old man Larson would’ve had a cow if he thought for a moment his son was a submissive. But Jude has always gravitated towards strong-willed women. When Kathleen dumped him, his dad told him he’d better stick to sweet, old fashioned ladies who knew their places since he couldn’t handle strong-willed ones.”

Tugging on the end of her braid, she moved away from Jackson. “Grrr. What an ass! But how do you get Jude being sexually submissive out of that bullshit?”

“Exactly! Give me credit here, Olivia. I’ve been in the scene nearly as long as you
and
I’ve known Jude almost all of his life. I recognized the signs. If my best friend isn’t the perfect submissive for you, I’ll give you that whip you’ve been drooling over.”

“You’re willing to wager your four hundred dollar hand-made leather whip over the fact that Jude is submissive?” Her eyes widened with disbelief.

He grinned. “Of course I am. I know Jude. Once he gets past all the bullshit his dad fed him, I haven’t a doubt in the world that he’ll make
you
the perfect submissive.”

“You know I should take you up on that, but it would be like taking candy from a baby.”

Jackson grinned. “Really? Or is it you don’t think that you can win over Jude?”

She sobered. “It’s not that I can’t win him over, I can make him submit and even like it, Jackson, but what good does it do if he feels like shit afterwards?”

Jackson moved closer to her. “Is that what happened last night? Did he go off the deep end because you gave him what he wanted?”

Gritting her teeth, she glanced away. “I’m not going to talk about this or him with you. You want answers - go talk to your friend.”

“Stubborn bitch!” Even as he said it, she could hear the deep affection in his voice.

She gave him a small smile. “You betcha! Now I have to prepare for tonight. Let me know who you’re sending over for the surveillance team so I can let Carlos know.”

* * * *

Olivia watched on the monitor as Jackson left the club. She was just reaching for the phone when Caelan Doherty, one of her closest friends and pseudo brother, strode into her office. She frowned.

“What can I help you with, Caelan?” Considering the hour, she’d figured he’d be at home still buried up to his neck in design requests or whatever the hell it was that graphic designers did these days.

“Why was Jackson here? Do I need to kick his ass?” Leaning against the now closed door, Caelan crossed his arms over his chest, his amber eyes dark with genuine emotion.

Ah hell, he’s in his protective big brother mode. It must be my day to have to deal with dominating men who think they know what’s best for me.
Arching a brow, she decided to try and defuse the situation. “He does have a membership, Caelan. He’s allowed to frequent the club just like you are. He could’ve been here getting ready for an evening of play.”

“Like hell. He wasn’t wearing his leathers, nor did he stop in the main room to peruse the available subs as is his invariable routine. Want to try again, Olivia?”

Leaning back in her chair, the leather creaked ominously as she propped her feet on her desk. “Last time I checked this was my club, Master Caelan. If I want to talk to a Dom before hours or even during hours that is my business.”

His expression softened. “So sue me for caring what happens to my little
peathar
.”

Giving a rough sigh, she pushed back on her chair until she was staring at the ceiling.
God damned Irish bastard, I should’ve known that he’d try to play the big brother card.
“For the love of God, Caelan, I’m not your poor little
adopted
sister anymore. Nor am I the orphan that your mother dragged home. I’m a grown woman and more than capable of handling my business.” She threw an arm over her face. “If all you came by for is to bust my chops, just go. I have a long night to get ready for. I have not only your advanced shibari class with Gabriel, but Josh is also holding his first class on beginner’s whipping and flogging.”

“Then quit ignoring the issue, Olivia. Give me a straight answer, and I’ll get out of your hair.” He paused thoughtfully. “On the other hand, don’t tell me. I’ll just call Mum and sic her on you.”

Letting her legs drop to the floor she surged to her feet. “Don’t even think about it!” She finally straightened and faced him. “Jesus Christ! I’ve been running Olivia’s without your help or guidance for over ten years now. I ought to kick your ass to the curb. Any other Dom who tried to get into my business like this would be gone already.” Her bluster was just that – bluster, and they both knew it.

“But I’m not any other Dom, I’m your brother. Now spill or I
will
call Mum. I’m sure she’ll have a bone to pick with you anyways, considering that you haven’t been home in over five years. She still asks about you when I talk to her on the phone. I’m sure she’d love to hear from you.” He tugged his cell phone out of its holster. “Hell, Master Alastar and she might even make a special trip over here to just see you.”

“Put that damn phone away, Caelan!” She clenched her fingers before reaching for the flogger sitting on the desk.
The last thing I need is Mum and Alastar showing up here. My life is already in enough upheaval because of that damn ‘I’m not a submissive’ man. I don’t need the headache of dealing with another aggravating know-it-all man plus my Mum standing over me.
Standing, she began to pace, her particular custom when she was stressed. For each two steps she took, she smacked the flogger against the outside of her thigh. Finally she stopped and looked at him.
Perhaps telling him would just be easier and smarter.
“This goes no farther than this office, Caelan, and I’m not joking. If you even whisper a word of this to another person, including your slave and I hear about it, I’ll revoke your membership without a qualm. Friendship or no friendship.”

He studied her for a moment. “Damn, it must be really serious.”

She nodded. “It is. If this gets out it will be detrimental to my business. Earlier someone tried to break into the club. They triggered both the silent alarm and an alarm here in the club. That’s why Jackson was here today. If any of the other members find out that there was a break in the club’s security, they’ll quit coming here.”

Caelan stared at her impassively for several moments. “Why wasn’t Jude here then? He’s your security adviser; he should’ve been the one handling this for you, not his partner. After all how well do you honestly know Jackson Levough? He’s a fairly new member. What’s he been coming to the club for … two years?”

Olivia gave a laugh. “Relax
,
bràthar
. I know him better than you think. Remember when I was married for about two years after you left home?”

Caelan nodded, sadness creeping into his eyes. “Yeah, I always regret not being able to come back and meet your husband.”

“Well, Jackson is Claude’s nephew. I introduced him to the BDSM scene in Northern Ireland in the late nineties, long before Claude became ill. So it was only natural when he moved North with Jude for me to offer him a family membership. He’s one helluva a Dom, even if he wasn’t trained as we were by Master Alastar.”

Great, now he’s got sex on his brain.
“Get your mind out of the gutter, Caelan.”

“Why? It’s so much fun.” A sensual grin tugged at the corners of his mouth.

She shook her head in exasperation. “Incorrigible! Stop thinking about what you’re planning do to Nisey in a couple of hours and focus on the issue at hand. I don’t have all day, you know. So quit worrying about Jackson. He’s family and as such, I’d be careful about threatening him in the future. You think I’m a vindictive bitch, but Jackson can be bitchier than any man has the right to be. He’s like a god-damned junkyard dog bent on protecting his territory.”

Caelan had the audacity to laugh. “You mean you finally met another Dom that’s more stubborn than you are?”

Smirking broadly, she crossed her arms over her chest. “Could be.”

Another chuckle slid out of Caelan. “Fine. I’ll quit worrying about his motives. How does Jackson want you to play this attempted break-in?”

“Have a seat. I’ll show you the footage and go over Jackson’s plan of action.”

Caelan sat down behind her desk. When Olivia stepped up behind him, he put his hand over the hand she’d placed on his shoulder. “Thank you for telling me, Olivia. I know how hard it must have been.”

She smiled reluctantly at him. “Well, I couldn’t let you rat me out to Mum.”

* * * *

Jude looked up from his computer when Jackson stormed into his office. Raking his hands through his hair, he waited for his partner to unload on him. In all the time he’d been friends with Jackson, he’d come to know that particular look. Jackson was pissed beyond belief. He opened his mouth to ask what the hell was eating at him, when Jackson suddenly stopped in the middle of the office and took several deep breathes.

Well this new. Usually he just blows up and it’s done and over.
He slowly closed the file that he’d been working on.
The last time I saw him like this, he beat the shit out of that guy over in Iraq who backhanded the little kid.

“You know I ought to kick your stubborn ass all over this office.” Jackson paced towards him.

A low growl built in Jude’s chest. “Excuse me?”

Jackson raked a hand through his hair again. “What the hell did you do to get your ass banned from Olivia’s?” He slammed his fist down on the desk. “I told you when she approached me about giving her a security bid that the only way I’d even consider taking her business was if you did the work!”

“And why the hell is that?” Jude surged to his feet, forgetting about treading carefully with him. Intimidation was the last thing he felt. “You’re the fucking Dom. You should’ve been the guy handling the account!”

“Because not only is she my fucking aunt, but I swore that I’d never try to protect a Domme’s ass again! Especially that one!”

Jude groaned but all he heard was the words
“my fucking aunt”
. “You tell me that now? Jesus Christ, Jackson! Do you know what I wanted to do to her?” Spinning around, he paced over to the bank of windows. “Fuck, that’s just perfect. I’m not only a twisted bastard, now I’m lusting after my best friend’s aunt!”

Several long silent moments pasted before he felt Jackson’s presence behind him. “And what’s wrong with that, Jude?” Jackson’s voice was now calm, coaxing, even understanding. “She may be my aunt – even if just by marriage, but I’ve got eyes. She’s a knockout.”

Gritting his teeth, Jude wanted to punch something, preferably his best friend. “The only man she wants is one who’s submissive. What the hell do I know about being submissive! There’s not a submissive bone in my body.”

He flinched when Jackson’s hand settled on his shoulder. “Are you sure about that?” His friend’s voice was still soft but now laced with steel.

“I’m not going to get into this again with you, Jackson. Just because I had the unfortunate luck to date a few domineering bitches in my lifetime, doesn’t mean I’m submissive.”

“Then how do you explain that every woman you’ve ever been attracted to has had no qualms about telling you exactly how and what to do and when to do it…” Jackson’s eyebrows wiggled at him. “Especially in the sack. You can’t deny the fact you loved every minute of it, can you?”

I should’ve never told his ass about Kathleen.
Jude scowled at him, opening his mouth to protest.

“Don’t even try it. I’ve been your friend for how long now?”

“Sixteen years….” He walked away from the window. “And it’s not going to make seventeen if you don’t leave this alone.” Pouring a cup of coffee, Jude lifted it to his mouth.