The Dark Under Light (Book #2 Masters of the Dark Series)

A REMEDY FOR MADNESS

"I think I might need a therapist." Richard said one morning as he looked in the mirror, searching for new wrinkles on his face even though he had memorized them all from the moment they erupted on his skin. He was a handsome man, of course. He needed to be careful about his appearance or else he would end up looking like a hideous version of Indiana Jones. Maybe Richard was a bit narcissistic but that wasn't exactly a crime. Right? No, it is not. He decided quickly; her opinion was the only one that mattered but she was still curious to know what Leah thought about going to the therapist. Richard had discovered that he was suffering from some kind of identity crisis - he didn't know what to do with his life now after letting all his adorable toys slip away. It depressed him sometimes having to settle for playing with Leah. She didn't always have time for him, yet she still managed to give him some space so they could both have fun. Well, it's not like he gave her many options. Leah had to obey him, yes or yes.

"Leah?"

“Yes, Master?”

She murmured with her face glued to the sheets. Richard admired the beautiful scars that now adorned her once smooth back. She had started collecting marks on her back and some bruises on her thighs. It looked exquisite with all those new brandings of his all over her skin. Even the bites that he had left on certain parts of her body.

“What do you think?”

Leah began to roll on the bed hissing as the sheets brushed her skin, no doubt she was experiencing a bit of discomfort from having been used all night. Richard almost felt sorry for her. Just almost. Actually, he was only interested in the fact that she should continue putting up with him for a couple more months and then he would dedicate himself to looking for Madox, after all they still had unfinished business.

“About what?” she groaned avoiding his eyes.

“I need to find a doctor to treat my head.” Leah raised her brows and then barked out a laugh. Had he made a joke? “I don’t appreciate making fun of.” He warned her. Leah immediately fell silent. He could see her shaking from where he was standing, and he knew she would never stop fearing him. Good.

“A psychologist?” She asked tentatively. Had she not listened to what he said a few minutes ago?

“I said I need a therapist not a psychologist!”

She blinked a couple of times in a rapid motion, as if surprised by his sudden outburst. As a matter of fact, he was surprised as well. “Is there something troubling you, Master?” There was, sure. Richard had always maintained a firm, well-collected temper. These last few days had affected him too much. He thought that playing with Leah he might feel better, but this form of therapy had not been of much help to him. Perhaps what he needed was not a new project. What he needed was someone to guide him and help him sort out the ideas in his head. “I can recommend you someone, if you like.” She offered in a shy little voice.

“Excellent. Would you mind setting up an appointment for me? Tomorrow morning. I don’t care if they have someone else before me, squeeze me in the first shift.”

“Am I a secretary now?” She sighed in dismay.

“No,” and then he grinned, rather cruelly. “You are my slave.”

The color drained from Leah's face. What was she surprised about? It was more than obvious that her only purpose - other than making him earn a lot of money - was to serve as his toy and s*x slave. What other use could he have for her? Nothing! Before leaving her apartment that morning, Richard ordered Leah to crawl to where he stood and kiss his shoes reverently. She should be grateful to him for showing mercy this morning and not making her suck his c**k like she did every morning. After that he drove home and locked himself in the dungeon to clean up the equipment and toys that he could not now use with anyone here. Occasionally Carol would bring women down here to play with her and sometimes Richard would watch but even that was extremely boring to him.

At six in the morning the next day he drove to Leah's apartment with the excuse that he needed the office address and appointment time. Of course, he also took the opportunity to play a little more with her. He placed a vibrator inside her and then ordered her to get dressed. She knew the consequences that awaited her if she dared to come or take off the vibrator. Then he went to the address provided by Leah. The office turned out to be three blocks from Leah's apartment. It was a modern building of at least ten floors and on each floor, there was a different office. From what he could see, most of them belonged to doctors, but there were also lawyers and private teachers. The doctor's office, Emily Vargas was located on the fifth floor. As soon as Richard got out of the elevator, he followed the instructions on the map that was posted right in front of the open elevator doors. The office was on the right. Richard's confident footsteps were silenced by the thick navy-blue carpet under the soles of his shoes. Soon he found himself standing in front of a glass door. He rapped gently with his knuckles, drawing the attention of the receptionist, who was gawking reading a magazine and with half a bagel in her mouth. As soon as she saw him, she choked on the bagel and scrambled out of her white leather chair. She lunged for the door and pulled the latch. "I'm so sorry!" she whimpered; no doubt sorry to have been caught looking so slothful. "Normally the door remains closed until we open the office as such."

"Don't worry about it, it's my fault for coming so early and without warning." He genuinely smiled at her. That's how sick he felt. "May I come in?" When she nodded, he winked at her and stepped right in. The place smelled like… orange. He hated oranges. “I’m here to see Dr. Emily?” He enquired raising a brow. He somehow felt a little out of place. Something told him that the moment he chose to come in here he was no longer in charge.

“I don’t know… she normally doesn’t see anyone until the appointment time.”

He grinned at her, knowing damn well he could charm his way into her head. Perhaps somewhere else too. “Can’t you ask her?” He invaded her personal space, stepping slightly forward. “Please?”

“Okay…” she cleared her throat. “And since you’re here super early I must assume you’re Mr. Thorn?”

“Call me Richard.”

She grinned at him and swiveled back to her desk to pick up the phone. She leaned forward more than she should have for she perked her ass high up in the air, swaying it every now and then. "Sorry to bother you, but Mr. Thorn just arrived, and would like to see you now… “Okay!” She hung up and looked over her shoulder. “Five minutes.”

“Thank you.” And just five minutes later the wooden door opened. A woman with black and wavy hair with luscious curves appeared before his eyes. Hello doctor.

“Mr. Thorn?” she asked, a little breathless it seemed to him. He gave her his most trained and warmest smile.

"Good morning, sorry to arrive so early. I was in the neighborhood and it seemed like a good idea to come at once."

“That’s no problem at all.” She said. “Would you like some coffee?”

“No, thank you.” He passed right by her, making sure that at least their arms brushed against each other. He wasted no time and sat in one of the chairs without really knowing which one would be the right one for the patient. Richard's gaze shifted to the reflection on the glass desk. It didn't take a genius or glasses to figure out that the doctor was watching porn before he arrived. Apparently, he had interrupted her. Poor little thing. When the good Doctor and saw him staring at the reflection she bolted from the door to her desk and turned off the monitor. Richard merely grinned at her, no doubt finding the whole thing rather hilarious. He needed to know now, “So, what kind of porn do you watch to touch yourself?”