Weights & Whips

Chapter 10

Why was I here? I needed ice, but why didn't I go to a shop and buy some? I don't really know, but here I am, shaking, nauseous, standing outside Leather Rose. I rushed inside, keeping my head hung low so nobody noticed the bruising that was building on my face and went straight to the bar. "Hi Spice, two double measures of whiskey and a bag full of ice if you can" I said as I slowly raised my head "BLOODY HECK! What happened to you? Sorry I'm being nosy I'll get them now, I hope you are OK?" Spice said as they rushed off to get what I needed. As soon as the goods were placed infront of me, I threw back the first drink, before placing a single ice cube in the other and gathering my stuff leaving to go to the smoking area. I found a quiet bench in the corner out of the way and began to ice my face.

After 20 minutes of icing I placed my bag of ice on the table, sipped my whiskey and lit a cigarette, slowly processing what happened. No matter how much I told myself I was safe, I didn't feel safe, I was still shaking and all those buried traumas were resurfacing. Tom Kelly was pure evil, I shouldn't still fear him, but he was right I was conditioned to fear him, I would never break free of the trauma.

I heard someone calling my name but was too locked into my own thoughts to respond. His words replayed in my mind, the look in his eye, I couldn't stop thinking about how the fear gripped me and took over. I am a strong, powerful woman. Men submit and kneel at my feet, I had self defense training, I could lift and carry more than most men! How could I still fear him?

I was startled as someone shook my shoulders, I flung my head up to see who dared touch me, anger visible in my scowl. Sandra. The moment our eyes locked I broke. The tears flooding my eyes, the sobs clawing at my throat. "Sab, what happened? I'm here honey, I've got you, tell me what happened?" She whispered as she pulled my head into her chest. I couldn't form any words, the only sounds leaving my lips were whimpers and gasps. "Its OK, I understand, I've got you." She muttered as she held me. "Hey, you, go grab Axel or Harry for me please? Quickly! If they ask what's up just tell them it's Sab" she shouted to someone across the smoking area.

A few minutes passed as I tried to gather myself before Sandra let me go and knelt down infront of me, stroking my swollen face "If you wanted my to kneel at your feet you should have ordered me to" Sandra said with a grin, I sniffled and gave her half a smile "I need.... help" I whispered. "SAB?! WHERE IS SHE?!" Axel shouted as Sandra shot up calling him over before whispering in his ear as he approached. I lowered my head, not wanting him to see me in this state as he stood infront of me, watching me in complete silence before pulling out his phone and typing for a few moments.

"Sab, I'm going to help you, please trust me? I promise you are safe, I'm going to take you somewhere safe" Axel spoke gently as he watched me with tender eyes. All I could manage was a tentative nod confirming, Axel approached me slowly and gathered me into his arms before standing tall and carrying me to a large truck, a shiny black Ford F150 and placing me in the passenger seat. I watched him round the bonnet while typing on his phone again before getting into the driving seat and driving us away.

It was a short drive, maybe 20 minutes. We spent the entire time in silence, however it wasn't awkward, it was peacefully quiet, as if he was allowing me to process in my own time, no expectations or need of answers. I watched as we left the city, long gone were the tall buildings and crowds, now there were blocks of houses and well kept parks either side of the road. I saw a large house in the distance, with a large iron gate separating it from the rest of the world. It was beautiful, the lawns were bright and green, lined with wildflowers and roses. Several cars parked outside its doors. I glanced at Axel as he pulled up to the gate and typed in a code before the gate slowly opened before us. My jaw dropped "Where are we?" I mumbled. "My house" he replied with a smirk.

How does a bouncer at a s*x club come to afford to live in a house as lavish as this? Who do all those cars belong to? Are their other people here? My mind swimming with questions as we park, Axel opened my door and carried me inside "I'll explain later, just remember you are safe" he whispered in my ear as we approached the door. I could hear people talking inside and my throat tightened. Axel gave the door two taps with his foot and it opened to a huge foyer, a staircase set in the centre and rooms leading in every direction. A short man stood infront of us with a smile "Hey Axel, I've set up the rooms as instructed, Amy has gone to the shopping centre, dinner is served buffet style in the dining room and your guest await you in the sitting room" he explains while glancing at me. Axel nods and carries me into a room on the left as I drop my head to his chest hiding my face from view.

The voices stopped as we entered the room, "Dining room" Axel exclaimed and feet shuffled into the next room as we followed "You are safe, we are here to help." He whispered as we moved "do you want a seat or are you hiding in my chest for the foreseeable future" he asked as I chuckled "Can I sit next to you please?" I asked as he answered with a nod, carrying me to a seat near the end of the table and placing me on to it before taking his seat at the head of the table. "First food, then we talk, please help yourself and enjoy" he spoke before returning his attention to me, leaning in and gently stroking my face. "Sab, are you hungry? Can I get you something to eat and drink?" He whispered "Yes please" I muttered while staring at my hands in my lap. A few minutes later a plate was placed in front of me filled with slices of meat, salad and cheese, a glass of water on the side. I began to pick at my food, eating whatever I could manage before the strangers around me inevitably started ask questions.

Axel was the first to speak up "Thank you all for coming here, I know I didn't give much warning or a reason, I presume to reason is clear to you all now. Sab, we are all here to help and support you, you don't need to tell us anything you aren't ready to, but please, let us help you." My eyes darted up to him before glancing around. These weren't strangers at all! Harry sat next to me eagerly watching me, Sandra was seated across from me giving me a smile. The Captain was not seated, he was stood in the doorway, leaning on the door frame watching us with a scowl. My breathing hitched as my eyes reached him. Leo always oozes raw power, confidence and a sensuality. But today there was an aura of anger and rage surrounding him too. I broke my eyes away returning them to my hands, trying to steady my breathing and fight off the tightening of my throat as Leo approached and slammed himself into the seat next to Sandra so harshly it made me flinch.

"How about instead of telling us the full story, I guess some bits and you nod your head if I'm right?" Sandra asked as I peaked up giving her a small nod.

"Are you hurt?" Nod.

"Are you scared?" Nod.

"Is it related to him?" Nod.

She drew in a large breathe composing herself.

"Did you see him?" Nod.

"Did he talk to you?" Nod.

"Did he touch you?" I nodded again as tears slowly filled my eyes.

"Did it trigger you?" Nod.

"Did he do that to your face?" I shook my head slightly.

"Who did?.." I glanced around the table clearing my throat preparing myself to answer "I did it."

Sandra just nodded and picked at her nails "That's everything I need to know for now" she muttered.

Harry cleared his throat, "No matter what happened, I'm here to help, just tell me how to help, I'm here to serve you." He said as he lowered himself to his knees at my feet watching me, waiting for instructions. I guided his head to my lap and spoke softly "Thank you". The room went quiet again. I looked over to Leo as he was the only person left to speak. I watched as he tensed his fists and rolled his shoulders. He was tense. He was angry. His eyes met mine as he spoke "Who is 'him', who dared to upset and scare you? I'm going to rip him in half!" He snarled at me.

"Tom Kelly, My ex husband" I whispered as stroked my fingers through Harry's hair "Please, don't touch him, you will only make it worse."

"Tom Kelly did this?.... IM GOING TO KILL HIM" Leo screamed before storming out of the building.