Regaining Command Read online

  Slavern's lips twisted in a smile, and he bowed at the waist. “It has been extremely interesting."

  She returned his bow. “For me as well."

  The ambassador's gaze swerved to Donny. "Chenachi ach’ soostola Rachlania."

  Donny's eyes widened with surprise. After a heartbeat, he bowed deeply. “Tenoke eh’ petache"

  Slavern whirled around and strode towards the Causeway's central meeting room, and Elise watched him and wondered.

  * * * *

  Rage ripped through Donny's blood until it roared in his ears. Rachlania. The planet of origin. The story that Kliro fed him to drive him to murder and genetic suicide.

  He followed behind Elise and did not note where they were going or why. Anger sliced through his mind, and a red haze drifted over his vision. All he had believed, the hours he'd spent learning the twisted language Dormrekian, the emotions he'd shed along the way to be the trained assassin Kliro needed, washed over him in a rush and made him stumble.

  Tears burned his eyelids. Tears! What right did he have for tears? Hadn't he chosen every step? Hadn't he bought the legend of a master race because it gave him some place in the universe that didn't involve being the bastard son of a failed military man? He was responsible for so many deaths, so many tears. All for a legend, a lie, told to a child to make him a killer.

  Often, Kliro spent hours on the stories of Rachlania. Heroes who overcame adversity and dark mysteries that surrounded the location of the planet were fascinating to a twelve-year-old boy from a hostile home. Kliro romanticized the planet and vilified the Ang. In Kliro's stories, the Ang took the Dormrela from their ancestral home of heroism and peace to live a life of slavery and experimentation. He'd raised Donny on the world view of DNA manipulation and success. It was an intense version of natural selection with Donny deciding who was worthy of survival and who wasn't.

  Kliro had ordered the first woman killed, but the other three were Donny's choices, based on their genetic code. Though he could blame Kliro for the first woman's death, the other three were his own burden. He'd been under the influence of neural suppressing injections, but the guilt would not be assuaged by facts.

  He stumbled again, and this time a hand gripped his arm to steady him. His gaze met Elise's concerned one. “Donny, what is it?"

  How could he tell her? All of Dormrelian culture was based on a legend he killed for. She was fascinated by the very thing that made him hateful, a killer.

  "Nothing.” He jerked his arm from her grasp. “I need to sleep. I'll ask Paul to take a turn for a while. Will you be okay with that?” He didn't meet her gaze but kept his focus over her shoulder.

  She frowned, but nodded slowly. “I have some work to do and then I'm going to the Asberek Moon."

  He jerked his glance to her face. “Why?"

  She shrugged. “I'll be using the VFR."

  "And Jonah?” He kept any emotion out of his tone.

  Her head cocked to the side. “Does that bother you?"

  Yes, it bothers me. You're mine. He shouldn't touch you. He doesn't even know how. “No. I'll meet you there tonight then."

  Her eyebrows rose. “You plan to watch again?"

  He almost groaned. “If I have to, yes.” He managed a weak smile. “I don't think Jenia will tolerate Paul being involved in your VFR escapades."

  She smirked. “Probably not."

  * * * *

  As soon as Paul Lestrano showed up, Donny handed him the handheld computer with Elise's schedule and left immediately. Both Paul and Elise seemed surprised by his abrupt departure, but he didn't care.

  He found a VFR access panel, flicked a few buttons and then used his wrist vid phone to make a call.

  "Donny! I thought I might hear from you when I got the news about Kliro."

  "Hey, Dr. Zoelner. Do you have a few minutes? I need to hash something out."

  Through the video feed, Donny noted the younger man checked his watch and touched some buttons on his console. “I can give you fifteen minutes. You've got the VFR set?"

  "Yes."

  "Okay. Let's get started."

  Dr. Zoelner was generous and signed off thirty minutes later instead of fifteen, and Donny felt a little better. His program of a beautiful Asberek forest scene helped with the process of finding calm.

  Only Alan Zoelner knew why the Asberek forest was his haven. Here, in this peaceful glade, he'd touched Elise for the first time. Here, he'd discovered he was a human being, not a freak. For a moment, he'd been normal and sought comfort in the sexy body of Elise Fleming. That obsession ran deep, and Dr. Zoelner didn't judge him for it. Often, the doctor had to remind him that Elise didn't know about Donny's fantasies about her.

  In their thirty minute session, Donny told the man everything—from watching Elise have sex with another man to Slavern's visit. He'd learned to trust the doctor, even though he knew the therapist had to report it all to Earth Central.

  All Dr. Zoelner had said was to remember he wasn't a freak, that underneath his skin was a human soul. It was difficult to remember.

  The cool stream in his forest gurgled and the silence was a balm on his frayed nerves. He could conjure up a hologram of Elise. He had done it many times. But somehow, the empty physical response of a hologram wasn't going to soothe him today. After the ambassador's words, he just couldn't pretend anymore.

  "Chenachi ach’ soostola Rachlania"

  "Until we meet in the fields of Rachlania".

  It was a farewell for an equal, another Dormrela. The ambassador had acknowledged him as one of their own. It disturbed and awed him at the same time. How could Slavern know Donny had dreamed of being a Dormrela, wished for it, almost died for it?

  Only Kliro knew the depth of Donny's need. And Dr. Zoelner.

  It was his favorite fantasy programmed in the VFR. In it, he had four arms, thick scales and four piercing blue eyes. All the culture and strength of the alien race was his to command.

  But it was a wish made on a dying star.

  He was Adonis Pasquel, named for the Greek god of desire by a woman who never really wanted him at all. Human, bastard, killer. He was no Dormrelian hero who would some day reside in the fields of Rachlania. He was a fool.

  And Elise was just another foolish fantasy he would never have.

  [Back to Table of Contents]

  Chapter Four

  Another day, another visit to the Asberek Moon.

  Donny came back and sent Paul Lestrano on his way four hours later. He seemed calmer than before and Elise wondered where he'd gone.

  She dressed differently tonight for her meeting with Jonah. Tonight, she wore red. A flaming red blouse with a plunging neckline that ended somewhere above her belly button and hot red leather boots that encased her calves and very high heels. Her skirt was black, but not leather. It was soft and flirty and drifted just above her knees.

  With trembling hands, she applied a minimum of makeup and headed out the door. Donny hadn't said a word to her as she dressed for the evening.

  As they walked, side by side, to the nightclub, she asked him, “Where did you go after you left me with Paul?"

  His gaze flicked over her face and back to the corridor. “I went to relax in the VFR."

  "Oh.” Her heart fell. He went and had sex. That's why he looked so relaxed. Well, why not? She'd kneed him in the balls when he wanted to have sex with her. She pursed her lips. Why did it bother her so much that he went to the VFR to jack off with some hologram?

  Because he should have fucked her. If he hadn't scared the shit out of her, she could have had him, too.

  "Mostly, I slept. I haven't been sleeping well."

  "Oh."

  "What is on the menu for you and Jonah tonight? More Twisted?” His voice was a little harsh, and she shot a glance at his face. He seemed ... resentful.

  "No. We only do that on the nights I get back. It adds a little spice to the whole thing."

  He said no more, and they reached the Asberek Moon in no
time at all. Jonah greeted her at the entrance and indicated they follow him down a corridor off the bar. “I see you still have your friend with you."

  "I do.” She turned to Donny. “I don't want you to watch this time.” It was too disturbing, too close. What she wanted was Donny. But having him watch was not how she wanted him tonight. She'd rather just fuck Jonah without the added titillation.

  "I promise, as I did before, I won't interfere."

  "You can't. I'm going to have sex with Jonah.” She emphasized the words. “I don't want you to watch."

  Jonah said nothing but watched them with his sharp gaze.

  "Then don't have sex with him.” The tone was without emotion, but the words shocked her.

  "Donny, just wait out here.” She couldn't say anymore. She couldn't tell him that she didn't want Jonah, she wanted him. She couldn't admit that Jonah pretended to be him so she could have her fantasy. It was too humiliating. More humiliating than having him watch.

  "No.” The one word was soft, but firm.

  Elise turned her pleading glance to Jonah. His gaze was wicked and he smiled. She gave up hope and sighed. Like last time, Jonah wanted Donny to watch.

  Jonah took a deep breath and manipulated the VFR console. “I think you'll like this one, Elise."

  The door slid open and a dark, richly furnished room came into view. Candlelight flickered and cast shadows on the walls. There was no bed, but a long bench rested in the center of the room covered in black leather. A table in the corner held floggers, crops and vibrators.

  It was rare that Jonah chose this fantasy. He knew she liked pain, but since he was a switch, he liked to be on the receiving end as well. On occasion, he enjoyed playing a dominant. He called it “feeling toppy". Those were the nights they spent here, in this dark, shadowed room.

  She was no submissive, but she often enjoyed the equipment Jonah would use.

  "On your knees.” He ordered her and she instantly responded. She only hoped he wouldn't hold back.

  Jonah shrugged out of his clothes and slid her skirt off until she was only wearing her blouse and her boots. He strode to the table and chose a crop with a heavy leather piece at the end of it.

  The snap of a crop on the back of her legs reached her ears, but the blow was too light, too unsure. Two more blows were pretty good, but she was going to need more to “get there” as she considered it.

  "Stop.” Donny's order halted Jonah's swing in mid-air.

  Elise glared at him over her shoulder. “I thought you wouldn't interfere."

  He had been leaning against the wall, and now he stalked the room like a panther. “Unless it became necessary. You're not going to get off with those clumsy strokes."

  Jonah said nothing. Donny studied him, and Jonah closed his eyes. Elise knew that feeling. When Donny assessed her, looked at her with that barely contained lust, she, too, closed her eyes with the same expression. Jonah's erection strained his pants.

  She was fascinated. Did Donny do this to everyone?

  His piercing gaze met hers. “He's not going to give you what you need.” He strode to her side and gripped her arm to raise her to her feet. “You need a lesson."

  As she struggled, pain laced her arm and sent her senses sizzling. He slammed her against the wall. “Computer. Authorize Pasquel.” His gaze pinned her to that wall with the same strength his arm did.

  The computer responded. “Pasquel. Tribunal override authorized."

  "Prompt. Wall restraints #34."

  Four restraints appeared on the wall, two at her wrists and two at her ankles. Without releasing his grip, he kicked the ankle restraints around her legs and clicked the wrist restraints on her arms. She hung there, helpless, completely under his control. He stared at her face and added one more torture for her. “Prompt. Spikes #87."

  Small spikes twanged as they protruded from the restraints around her extremities. Constant pressure applied, Elise couldn't move without a small prick of pain. If she tried to break free, intense pain would follow. Donny smiled. “Don't move. Just watch. Watch what you do to me,” he whispered in a low erotic hum that sent shivers along her skin.

  He turned and faced Jonah, who hadn't moved since Donny had given the order to stop. In a smooth motion, Donny removed all his clothing and stood before Jonah naked. The expression of stark need and lustful appreciation on Jonah's face made Elise's body flush with warmth. Though clearly attracted to her, Jonah also had an intense desire for Donny as well.

  "Why did you pick this fantasy?” Donny demanded to know as he circled the man.

  Jonah swallowed. “Because I wanted Elise."

  Donny's gaze met hers, and she winced as she squirmed and the small spikes dug into her flesh. His attention returned to Jonah. “And she's a submissive."

  "No.” Jonah cleared his throat.

  "No. You're right. She likes pain. That's her thing. You hoped to give her pain.” Donny ran a hand over the man's bare skin on his spine. “To give pain, you must know pain. Do you know pain?"

  Elise almost echoed Jonah's groan. They were the same, she and Jonah. Donny had been right. Jonah wouldn't give her what she needed because he needed the same thing. But Donny could give the man everything. She knew it. She envied it. And Donny was going to make her watch as Jonah got everything she wanted. True torture.

  "Get on your knees, Jonah.” At the sound of his name on Donny's lips, Jonah dropped to the floor.

  Donny stripped the pants off the prone man and raked nails down his back. Red marks appeared and faded almost instantly. Jonah groaned. A crop in one hand and a flogger in the other, Donny began to work Jonah like a virtuoso. Elise was fascinated by the controlled strike of Donny's tools. The blows increased in strength and frequency until Jonah cried out in need.

  "Oh please! Let me suck you. Let me get you off!” The man was trembling and his cock quivered and jerked. Elise was enthralled by the scene. Donny's naked body was bathed in sweat and his cock, too, was solid and hard. His gaze stayed on her face.

  "Do you want to suck my dick while Elise watches?"

  "Yes. Yes!” The words come out in a shout as Donny slapped him again with the flogger.

  "Do you want me to come in your mouth or your ass, Jonah?” he asked the man. Elise groaned out loud. She knew what she'd want. And she knew what she wanted to watch. Her own excitement at watching Donny sexually control another person was at a fever pitch. Her thighs shook, which caused the small spikes to dig into her legs and more pleasure to shoot up her spine.

  "I want you in my ass!” Jonah shouted.

  "This isn't about what you want.” Donny purred his gaze still on Elise's face. “It's about what you need. Are you close, Jonah?"

  "Oh, God. Yes."

  Donny reached down and gripped the man's cock. He dropped the flogger and with his bare, open hand, he slapped Jonah's reddening skin on his ass. “You'll come when I tell you. Not before."

  Elise could only stare, fascinated by the intense pain and lust on Jonah's tightened features. Her pussy was so wet and pulsated with unfulfilled need. She watched as Donny's hand worked Jonah's penis with skill and his measured strikes from his other hand added a sharp sound that added to her excitement.

  Then, Donny stopped the rhythmic slapping to slide a finger in Jonah's ass. The cords on Jonah's neck stood out as he thrust his hips back into Donny's hand. A long groan escaped his from his lips, and Donny worked his cock harder. Two fingers now and Jonah's hips bucked and the strain of holding back his release showed in every taut muscle of his body.

  Elise thought he was beautiful.

  When Donny leaned down and whispered in Jonah's ear, Elise strained to hear it. “Come for me, Jonah. Come for me.” And Jonah cried out.

  But as Jonah spurted onto the floor, Donny's eyes were riveted on her face. She couldn't help it. She squirmed and arched which slammed the spikes against her skin and she convulsed as she came. Her body jerked and then went limp.

  Jonah was still on all fours, his
head bent and his breath came fast. Elise was completely unable to move. Donny's cock was still hard as iron and she longed to take care of it, suck it, make it hers.

  But Donny apparently had no intention of relieving his discomfort. He helped Jonah to his feet.

  Jonah lips met his and he thrust his hands in Donny's hair as he brushed his tongue along his mouth. “Let me take care of you. Let me suck you."

  Though Donny didn't return Jonah's passion, he didn't reject him either. “No. I'm not the man for you. Though I think you should quit wasting time with pussy. It's not your thing."

  Jonah snorted. “Pussy is easier to get on Asberek."

  Donny turned and released Elise's hands and ankles. He handed her the discarded skirt and then got his coveralls back on covering his erection. “Perhaps. But Elise's pussy is off limits."

  She shook her head to clear the fog. “What?"

  He glared at her. “When you're out of danger, you can go back to your tame, friendly fucking. Meanwhile, I don't want you to take risks anymore."

  She found a reservoir of energy and stepped up to get in his face. “You can't tell me who I can have sex with."

  "I can tell you who not to have sex with. I just did.” His face was stone.

  "Fuck you."

  "If that's how you want to deal with it."

  Stunned, her mouth fell open. She closed it with a snap and turned on her heel to go. With a flick of her fingers, the door opened and she snapped it shut in Donny's face.

  * * * *

  "I hope you know what you're doing.” Jonah's voice was filled with amusement.

  Donny shrugged. “I really don't, but she'll get herself killed if she's not more careful."

  "You think I'm a threat to her?"

  Finally, Donny met the man's gaze. “No. But she and I have unfinished business. You're a confusing factor to me."

  "You really think I shouldn't waste time on pussy?"

  Donny grinned. “You're good, no doubt about it. But I was thinking of what you needed, not what you can give."

  Jonah nodded slowly. “You'd better catch up."

  "I know where she is."