Ransom Ch. 06

"Malikov," she whispered the Russian surname, trying out the pronunciation herself, then looked up at Paul uncertainly. "You're sure?"

"I'm positive. He's out of town on business."

Kailee nodded and Paul led her towards the front door, but Kailee hesitated. "I'll meet you in the car... I forgot something." She ducked into the kitchen and started rustling through the cutlery drawers before she came across a sharp filleting knife. It had a protective sheath over the blade and was the perfect size. Collecting some duct tape from another drawer, she carefully positioned the knife against her lower leg, just above her ankle and taped it securely in place before letting her dress drop over it. No one was going to mess with her tonight.

***

There was a queue of black and white limousines piling up at the entrance of the building. Never a cliché, the Brooks had chosen to arrive via Ferrari. Nathan tossed the keys to the nearest valet and then opened the side door for Mira, gently taking her hand and helping her out of the vehicle. Paul offered the same to Kailee, but she didn't need the helping hand and shrugged his away. As the four of them approached the entrance, they were bombarded with photographers, the flashing lights causing Kailee to blink numerous times in order to maintain her vision. Nathan wrapped a hand modestly around Mira's waist and the pair posed for a quick photograph. Kailee rolled her eyes; they were a beautiful couple and the press was going to go mad over them. Paul pulled her in for a brotherly hug and the two of them posed for a photo of their own before heading towards the entrance of the building.

The hallways were humming with a mix of conversation, laugher and music. The young man at the register requested their names before recognising Nathan and blushing ashamedly. "I'm so sorry, sir, I didn't recognise you."

Nathan smiled kindly back at him. "There's no need to apologise."

There was a large draped curtain at the entrance and the four of them wandered through, but Kailee turned back at the last minute, a nagging thought in the back of her mind. "I'll be just a minute," she said to Paul, encouraging him to continue on inside without her. She strolled back to the register and the young man looked up at her in surprise. "Excuse me," she said softly, "Would you be so kind to tell me if a Mr Dominic Malikov is in attendance tonight?"

"Certainly, Miss Brooks." His eyes ran down the attendance list, checking all the surnames starting with 'M'. "Ahh no, we don't seem to have any Malikovs listed here, Miss Brooks."

Kailee let out a breath of relief internally, but frowned slightly at the man. "Oh, that's a shame. Thank you for letting me know."

***

She was three quarters of the way through her fourth glass of wine when she noticed Jean Marc approaching her through the crowd of suits and dresses. He looked even more handsome than he had at Nadia's brunch, his black tuxedo perfectly fitted, his light brown hair trimmed and a carefully shaped shadow outlining his jaw. He wore a hopeful smile and collected her hand without hesitation, taking it to his lips and gently kissing her knuckles.

"Kailee," her name sounded sexy with his European accent, but it was no match for another accent she knew all too well.

He released her hand and she half-smiled. "Marc, always lovely to see you."

Marc raised an eyebrow knowingly, "I'm not sure you truly mean that, but I'm determined to make it true." Of course he did. "I was hoping to find you in time for the waltz."

Kailee took a sip from her glass and nodded towards the dance floor, "Looks like you've missed your chance."

"There's another waltz after this," his eyes remained hopeful.

Kailee laughed lightly, "You're persistent, I'll give you that."

"Some things are worth persisting for."

She had to try very hard not to roll her eyes. Europeans were all the same – overdramatic romantics until they had what they wanted. She sighed heavily, "You can have one dance."

Marc smiled confidently, "One is all I need."

The music to the current waltz began to fade and Marc held his hand out for her invitingly. She placed her now empty glass on the table beside her and took a hold of his hand. He intertwined his fingers with hers gently and pulled her towards the sound of the music. Together they walked to the centre of the dance floor and she felt many eyes fall on them before they were joined by several other couples. Marc's eyes were on her intently; it was lucky she'd worn low heels or they might have looked odd with her taller than him. His palm brushed her lower back, pulling her softly into him as his other hand collected her left one. She lifted her right arm to rest on his shoulder and then the music was starting.

"You are so very beautiful," Marc cooed in her ear. She had a sarcastic response building, but the music didn't give her the time to get it out because before she knew it their feet were moving and she was struggling to keep up.

A natural at most things, ballroom dancing wasn't Kailee's forte. She could dance the legs off any girl in a nightclub, but she wasn't passionate enough about something as formal and structured as a waltz so she never bothered to perfect which way she needed to step. Thankfully Marc was a natural and she followed his lead, allowing him to guide her side to side, back and forth. He kept his eyes on hers the entire time, a genuine smile on his face, which was so contagious she soon found herself mirroring it. A couple nearby bumped into them and Kailee looked up to meet Mira's ecstatic face. Nathan was sweeping her along the dance floor and he'd purposefully lined up his path with theirs.

"Fancy meeting you here!" Mira piped over the music and Kailee couldn't help but laugh. Nathan gave a welcome nod to Marc, obviously sussing the young man out and determining whether he was a worthy dance partner for his little sister. Then Marc spun her around and quickened their movement, making her giddy with excitement. All of the thoughts she'd had running through her mind disappeared as the music and the movement took over. She was twirled around again and again until not a centimetre of the floor had been untouched by their shoes. When the music finally began to fade out, she was surprised to find herself disappointed that it was over. She looked around the room, breathless and grinning from ear to ear, then brought her gaze back to Marc. He was looking down at her adoringly. The smile was gone from his face and she realised all too late that he was leaning into her. She felt an inner panic, but couldn't turn away from him while they were in the centre of the dance floor, what would people think? His lips met hers lightly, his fingertips brushing her flushed cheek. She didn't return the kiss, but she didn't pull away either; she simply let the moment happen. It was a nice sensation, but she couldn't help feel a craving for the wild, forceful kisses she'd experienced with Dominic. In that moment, she realised, she craved that loss of control, of having someone take her so passionately and relentlessly.

She pressed her hands against Marc's chest, creating a space between them. "Uh, sorry, Marc. Would you excuse me for a moment? I just need the bathroom." She avoided his eyes, knowing full well she'd see disappointment in them.

She moved quickly towards the ladies room. She needed air. One look at the long queue of women at the bathroom and she knew there was no air in there. She cast her eyes around the corner. Carl's brothers and a few of their mates were sitting at a table, drinking heavily and eyeing off every woman who walked past. She wasn't in the mood to deal with those assholes. A staircase was next to their table and, as a young busty blonde walked past and caught their attention, Kailee dashed to the stairs and ascended them quickly without being seen. She spotted a small, closed off lounge area at the top of the stairs which appeared to be empty. Thank God. She ducked in and half closed the door before taking a seat on the large leather couch. She placed her head in her hands. Jesus, what was wrong with her? Jean Marc was nice. Nicer than any man she'd ever met, not to mention attractive, and yet she wasn't able to make herself interested in him. She heard the door click shut and she jumped up suddenly, her heart beating fast. When she turned around and saw the tall, dark figure standing in front of her, her legs just about buckled from underneath her.

"Miss Brooks," Dominic's accented voice sent shivers up her spine. He bowed ever so slightly and took a bold step forward. "Looking as lovely as ever."

Kailee didn't realise she'd stepped backward until she felt the firm wall against her back. "How did you get in here?" her voice came out more frantic than she'd planned. "The security... it's not possible."

"Yes, well, the funny thing about being a major sponsor for an event is that you tend to get an invite to attend." The corners of his lips turned up ever so slightly.

"But the guest list... "

"A last minute RSVP I'm afraid; how terribly tardy of me."

Kailee quickly reached down to the hem of her dress and pulled out the knife she'd prepared. She tossed the blade cover onto the floor and held the knife up with a shaking hand, pointing it directly at him. "Don't come near me."

Dominic leaned casually back against the door, a dark smile on his face. "Do you remember the first night we met? I said you looked like a quick learner." He placed his right hand on his left shoulder, the same place she'd shot him on the day of her escape. "Turns out I couldn't have been more wrong."

He moved so quickly Kailee barely had a chance to think. His body hit hers with such force that the wind was knocked clean out of her. As she struggled to catch her breath, he grabbed a hold of her wrist and twisted it so hard she cried out in pain. The knife fell to the ground and Dominic shoved her forcefully up against the wall while she struggled frantically in his grasp. Her free fist aimed at his wounded shoulder, but it was exactly where he expected her to aim. He caught a hold of her elbow and used both hands to spin her around. A forceful shove and the front of her body was firmly against the wall, her right cheek pressed into the surface.

"Let me go!" She tried to kick a leg out, but her foot caught on the length of her dress.

Dominic used one strong hand to hold both of her wrists still and used the other to loosen the tie at his neck. He yanked the loop over his head and then wrapped it roughly around both of her wrists. The material cut into Kailee's skin and she squeezed her fingers tight to keep the circulation flowing.

"Stop!" Kailee cried. "You have your damn money! Let me go!"

"You're right," Dominic pushed her harder against the wall and spoke directly into her ear. "I'm sure Jakob will pass on his regards to Nathan next time he sees him."

"Jakob? I thought the money was for you?"

"Ahh, so big brother didn't tell you the full story? That doesn't surprise me." Dominic took a hold of Kailee's bound wrists and gave her a firm push so she landed face first into the armchair.

"Ugh," she used the strength in her legs to heave herself upright and face Dominic. There was a few days worth of stubble on his jaw, but it only added to his masculine sexiness. His dark eyes watched her curiously.

"So are you going to tell me why you did it?" Kailee lifted her chin haughtily, wanting answers. "You both clearly don't need the money." Dominic began unbuckling his belt and Kailee's eyes widened. She clenched her fists and pulled desperately, but the bindings remained tight.

"I didn't come here to give you a history lesson, girl." He slid the belt from his waist and folded it in half before stepping toward her, holding the looped leather in one hand. "I came to collect your debt."

"Wh-What?" Kailee's eyes were on the swinging belt in Dominic's hand. "I don't have any debts, I don't owe you anything!" She glanced behind him at the closed door. Would anyone hear her over the music if she screamed?

"No?" He raised an eyebrow sceptically. "Your little routine earlier this week left Jake with a concussion and my arm in a sling for three days. He touched his injured arm again, "Luckily for you, the bullet only grazed the surface." he took a step forward, "Now are you going to take your punishment quietly or do I have to force you over my knee?"

His words sunk in and panic overcame her. She collected her skirts and bolted headstrong towards the door. Dominic's arms were tight around her waist within seconds and the room spun as she was lifted over his shoulder. Her legs kicked out, but met only air as he kept them at a distance from his face.

"Definitely a slow learner," he huffed.

"Stop!" she cried. The world spun and then came to a halt as Dominic took a seat, Kailee's stomach lying across his lap. She squirmed, but he held her firmly, and all the movement did was send pain through her restrained arms. "I'll scream!" she threatened.

Dominic's hand smoothed slowly over her bare back. "Every news station in the state is here tonight. Your brothers are likely meeting new clients, networking with existing clients, making important business deals..." his hand moved down towards the curve of her arse. "How do you think business will go for them if their little sister is caught in such a state?"

"But I'm not..." Kailee began, but she stopped short as Dominic clenched his hand around the silk of her dress and began to drag the material upward. Kailee clenched her eyes tightly shut and she heard Dominic's slight intake of breath at her exposed flesh. His fingers hooked around the hem of her panties, then slid them easily from her hips and down her long legs, dropping to her ankles. She shivered at the cold air against her bare skin.

"Spread your legs." Dominic ordered, his voice low and gravelly.

"Fuck. You." Kailee gritted her teeth and kept her legs firmly together.

She heard the crack before she felt the pain. The leather of Dominic's belt hit her hard against the bare flesh of her ass and she couldn't stop the loud cry that left her mouth as her bottom burned from the strike. "You fucking bastard!" she roared, squirming in his grip.

CRACK! Another strike, this time against her upper thigh. She yelped in agony and tried to roll off his lap. A firm, warm hand on the flat of her back kept her in one place and she growled in frustration. The next hit came down even harder on the soft flesh of her right butt cheek and she let out a frustrated sob, her vision blurring from the hot tears welling in her eyes.

"Stop..." she choked.

"Spread your legs," Dominic repeated firmly.

Kailee kept her head down and didn't budge. The belt landed on a fresh patch of skin and she hissed. Swallowing her anger, she parted her legs ever so slightly.

"You'll have to do better than that."

She ignored him, but when she felt his arm move to strike again, she cried out in protest. "Okay!" she spread her legs wider and felt the coolness of fresh air on her most sensitive parts. A few tears fell down her face in humiliation.

"Good girl," Dominic lightly brushed his fingertips over the burning skin he'd just flogged and Kailee breathed in deeply at the tingling sensations the motion sent through her body. His fingers traced soft tiny circles around her bottom, and then brushed between her legs, making her jump.

CLAP! The palm of his hand smacked firmly against her upper leg.

"Argh!!" Kailee yelled out angrily. "I did what you asked!"

"You did," Dominic agreed, "and you'll continue to do what I ask until your punishment is over."

Kailee growled in response, then pushed her face further into the side of the armchair. Just let him be done with it, she prayed, let it be over quickly.

"Lift your hips up," he ordered. She bit down on her lip to stop herself from arguing, and lifted her hips off of his lap. He wedged a cushion underneath her so that her bottom sat higher than the rest of her body, allowing him easier access to her.

"Now I'm going to give you four more strikes and you're going to remain absolutely still or I'll start again. Do you understand me?" Kailee nodded her head and clenched her restrained hands into fists. "Good. I want to hear you count them out nice and loud for me." His hand came down on her raw bottom and Kailee sucked in a sharp breath as she felt the sting. It wasn't as painful as the belt had been, but her ass was already tender. She realised after a moment of silence that he was waiting for her to start counting.

"One," she spat out bitterly. As soon as the word left her mouth, his hand came down again on the opposite butt cheek with a loud crack. She cried out this time, but continued the count. "Two." Halfway. He struck in the exact same place, but harder this time and she yelled out louder. "Three!" It took all of her willpower not to struggle in that moment, her ass was on fire and she knew he would make the last strike count the most. There was a lengthy pause and she cursed him for making her wait for it. Her breaths had become heavy and her face flushed with humiliation. She could already feel her skin bruising up from the abuse. Just when she thought maybe he was finished with her, he landed the final blow and she screamed painfully into the armchair. She waited a moment for the pain to subside, then finally choked out, "F-four."

His palm was still on her ass and the skin beneath his touch throbbed achingly. Ever so slowly, he started moving his hand in soft strokes across the places he'd struck. Softly and tenderly he caressed the tender skin and she found her breathing start to calm.

"How do you feel?" he asked her, his hand continuing to stroke her. She almost caught a hint of concern in his voice.

She wanted to scream at him, but knew that wouldn't do her any favours. "Sore," she said, her tone poisonous. His fingers continued to caress and her body relaxed involuntarily. Again, he gently brushed in between her legs, but she didn't flinch at the sensation, wary of any punishment she might gain for doing so.

"And how do you feel... here?" one of his fingers slipped into her and this time she did jump, because she was shocked that his finger had been able to slide in so easily.

"Oh!" she cried out. How was she so wet? A flat hand on her back pushed her firmly back down while his finger delved deeper. Apparently he wasn't as surprised as she was about her apparent arousal. She sucked in a sharp breath and closed her eyes tightly. He stroked down towards her clitoris and her body betrayed her mind, little tremors running blissfully through her. She contained the moan she wanted to let out, and pressed her face into the armchair angrily. Every soft touch seemed heightened after the flogging she'd received, and he obviously knew this. His finger dipped slowly in and out, circling her clitoris and continuing to touch and tease her.

"Mmm... " she breathed into the side of the chair, hoping her voice would be too muffled for him to hear.

He must have known what she was doing, because he suddenly withdrew his finger and lifted her roughly off of his lap. "I want you on your back," he said gruffly. She turned awkwardly around to face him, her bound hands making the motion difficult. His hungry black eyes bore into her greedily. He slid out from underneath her and guided her fully onto her back, her legs stretching out across the length of the couch. She glared up at him, furious at him for what he was doing to her, but also angry at herself for responding so easily to his touch.

He took a hold of the back of her upper legs. "I'm going to leave your legs unrestrained," he said, watching her expression carefully. "But I'm warning you. If you try to escape, I will find you. I'll always find you. And when I do, I'll punish you so severely that you won't sit comfortably for a month." Kailee's eyes narrowed, but she bit her tongue. She didn't doubt him for a minute."Are we clear?" She pursed her lips and nodded, her heart beating hard against her chest. He pushed her legs upward, her knees bent back towards her. His eyes held hers as he lowered his head towards her entrance. Then he planted a warm, wet kiss on her sex, causing her insides to coil. His tongue dampened her folds and then he took her clit into his mouth and sucked hard. She moaned involuntarily at the sensation, her eyes rolling back. He lifted her legs higher and with one long lick he traced his tongue from her rear entrance, to her front and deep inside her.