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Rising, Raine sucked in a deep breath and pressed down the anxiety bubbling in her stomach. They’d only been in this dungeon a handful of times. She knew Hammer and Liam had tried to give her time to heal after the ordeal with Bill. And while she was iffy on the bondage right now, she ached to submit to them—show them her growth, prove she was ready to surrender her control, and hope that someday soon she’d feel their collar around her neck.
When Macen placed a possessive hand at the small of her back, she drew in a steadying breath. Something shifted inside her. Jagged nerves began to smooth. They would take care of her.
He led her to the cross and pressed her against the cold, polished wood. A shiver rippled through her. Her nipples drew taut. Excitement and anticipation hummed in her veins.
“Arms above your head. Spread your legs wide,” Hammer growled in her ear.
Trying to control her thoughts and her breathing, Raine braced herself to feel the fleece-lined leather cuffs clamp around her wrists. But Hammer’s hand simply remained fixed at her back. She turned a quizzical glance at him over her shoulder.
“No, I’m not going to bind you to the cross. But you will remain exactly in this position throughout the duration of your punishment. Is that understood?”
It was a comforting mercy. “Thank you, Sir.”
“I’m going to talk. You will remain silent. Don’t speak or try to justify yourself.”
“Yes, Sir.”
“Good girl.” In long, sweeping circles, Hammer drew his hand up her spine, over her shoulders, then down to her ass before repeating the motion again. “You broke your promise to me and scared twenty years off my life I’d rather spend enjoying you.”
Because I had to help you, she screamed internally.
“Instead of coming to me and explaining your plan, you simply left. Oh, I know why you chose not to inform me. You didn’t want to upset me, didn’t want to cause an argument.” He leaned close to her ear. “You didn’t want to hear me say no.”
That’s part of it, but not all. Those words burned her tongue like hot coals.
“While I’m grateful you convinced River to recant his ridiculous story, your actions jeopardized the trust I have in you. You risked damaging the connection between the three of us. Keep at it, and we’ll fall apart.” Hammer continued trailing his hand over her flesh, but his slow, reassuring caress almost hurt now. He gave to her even when she’d disappointed and scared him. “From now on, you will ask permission from both of us before you run off half-cocked. Is that clear?”
“Can I speak now, Sir?”
“Only if you’re going to respond with a yes or no.”
She sighed in frustration. “Yes, Sir.”
With a snort, Hammer slapped her ass with a stinging swat, ignoring her yelp. “I’m not convinced you meant that, precious. But you will before your punishment is through.”
Raine didn’t have time to question his meaning. He left her, stalking toward the toys displayed on hooks and shelves along the wall. Without hesitation, he grabbed a black leather whip.
Her eyes widened. The breath left her body. Her mouth went as dry as the desert, and her heart thundered triple time.
“What’s your safeword?”
“Paris.” The answer slipped out automatically.
“Keep that in mind. You may need it tonight.”
Every muscle turned to stone. She looked for a place to retreat, but with Macen scrutinizing her every reaction and Liam at her back, she had nowhere to turn.
“I don’t like punishing you.” He uncoiled the whip. “I prefer to claim your submission by drowning in your soft body, but you’ve left me no choice. Hopefully, I’ll leave a lasting impression on you tonight so you’ll think to include me in your future decisions.”
Macen closed in until they stood face-to-face. She searched his eyes for mercy. All she saw was censure. Her belly flipped.
He took possession of her lips in a savage kiss. She gasped, grateful for the sign of his affection. Then he shocked her by gliding the cool leather plait of the whip over her cheek. Fear and desire collided inside her in a tangle she didn’t understand.
Then Hammer tore away from her lips and looped the whip behind her neck, releasing the popper. The snake-like implement slid across her back as he circled behind her again. She felt him breathing against her nape as he dragged the tail over her back, arms, and legs. Raine shuddered and struggled to pull herself back from the ledge of rising panic. She’d always been terrified of the whip, and icy panic raced under her skin now.
Liam paced up on her left, watching wordlessly. Raine shot him a beseeching gaze.
“Do you trust Hammer, love?” he asked, strolling to the cache of toys.
“Of course. But—”
“No buts. You do or you don’t. And if you do, then don’t look to me to save you from the punishment you’ve earned.” Liam grabbed a blindfold from a small drawer and dangled it from one long finger. “You’re trying to play your Doms, one against the other, sub. Again. That stops here and now. Understood?”
