Author's note: The following is a work of fiction that contains descriptions of explicit sexual acts and is intended for adults only. All people, places, and events are a product of my imagination and any characters described as engaging in sexual acts are over the age of eighteen. Thank you for reading. All feedback is greatly appreciated.
Thanks for sticking around for this next instalment. This episode is considerably darker than previous ones, and depicts painful punishment administered not for sexual gratification. Some readers may find the episode upsetting; however, the scene is brief and does provide some context to character's motivation within the plot. Skipping this chapter if preferred, will however not jeopardise enjoyment of the story as a whole.
Previously on Langley Circle... Megan spent a few days working for Ravenger & Sunder and inadvertently discovered the existence of the shadowy organisation known as the Ruby Club. The shocking scenes of sexual depravity she witnessed, hastened her exit from the company and the realisation that she had been hired in error. Her supervisor, Trena, figured out the mistake and quickly offered Megan a financial deal, to leave and stay quiet about the Ruby Club, that was too good to turn down.
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Season Two, Episode Twenty
"He'll see you now."
Catrina Collins took a deep breath, twitching a weak smile at Sadie, personal assistant to The Boss -- capital t, capital b -- as she got to her feet. She was nervous; truth be told she was more than nervous, she was scared witless. She'd only met the boss -- capital t, capital b -- twice during the years she had been part of the ruby club. The first had been six months ago at a drinks party on an enormous yacht berthed in the marina at Monte Carlo, and then again, more recently when she had finally received her first ring of seniority.
The Boss deserved the initial capital letters for the simple reason that he was the mysterious "Grand Master" who sat at the pinnacle of the Ruby Club. That, and the fact that she didn't actually know his real name; Very few people did, according to the rumours. The Boss had the power to make all her dreams come true in an instant, or have her "disappeared" with a single word, so there was good reason to be nervous.
As Trina turned to the imposing double doors, Sadie leaned forward and smiled reassuringly. "You'll be fine; he's in a good mood today."
That was something at least. Trina nodded in appreciation at the beautiful woman, who'd probably look equally at home gracing the pages of Vogue as she did behind the expensive desk. Another deep breath, a quick hair and makeup check in the mirrored wall to her right, a small adjustment to her dress, and then she lifted a hand to knock.
"Come!" The word rang out loud and clear even before her knuckles made contact with the wood.
Fear and excitement shivered through her. Another reason to be nervous was that The Boss was undoubtedly the most charismatic person she had ever met. When he had kissed her cheek to congratulate her on her first ring, saying how proud he was, she had literally gone weak at the knees, his rich deep voice searing through her body and electrifying all her pleasure centres. Even now, that single word was sending heat to her neck and chest, and a pleasurable pressure between her legs that left in its wake a tell-tale dampness.
She eased open one of the large doors and slipped inside, heart skipping a beat as she caught sight of him. He was seated behind an enormous desk, his commanding presence shrouded in shadows. She closed the door and slowly moved to the centre of the room. He stood and strode around the desk to meet her. Flashes of light illuminated his chiselled features, revealing the hint of a soft smile.
"Catrina, how delightful."
Trina drew in a breath and lowered into a deep curtsey, as the rules required. She held completely still as he came to stand in front of her.
"Grand Master, it is an honour."
"Come now," he said, taking her hand. "No need to stand on ceremony." He bent and pressed his lips softly to her fingers. "Sit, we have things to discuss."
He tugged gently, and Trina rose from her curtsy, allowing him to lead her to the ornate visitor chair facing his desk. Her heart raced; he had used her first name and kissed her hand. Inside she was as giddy as a schoolgirl in the throes of her first crush. The strength drained from her legs, her nipples tightened and the heat of a blush burned at her cheeks. She risked a quick glance in his direction, and the sight of his smiling face sent a thrill of excitement with the intensity of a lightning strike into her.
She lowered carefully into the chair, checking that her dress fell correctly, the modest slit open to the knee; it was important to get these things right, even if he had told her not to stand on ceremony. She knew better than to let her guard down. Despite his easy-going manner and pleasant smile, she knew he could turn in an instant. There were stories about those who had taken liberties with his kindness, becoming over-familiar, only then to be severely chastised after the fact. In one shocking instance, a young man was actually whipped for carelessly making a joke at The Boss's expense. She would not make that mistake.
"Thank you sir, how might I serve you today?" She said meekly, fixing her gaze on his hands.
"How are you my dear? It is indeed a pleasure that we should get this chance to meet again so soon after you receiving your first ring."
"I am well, thank you sir. I have gladly accepted my extra duties and responsibilities, and believe I have performed them to the best of my abilities."
"Indeed," he said, his tone shifting to business. "I understand you to be extremely agreeable and thoroughly professional."
Trina glowed at the praise, allowing a small smile to slip onto her lips. "Thank you sir; it is most kind that you have taken an interest in my progress."
"I keep an eye on all my girls and boys. It is true that some garner my interest more than others do, but even I am not immune to employing a touch of favouritism on occasion. Nonetheless, I am pleased, and will be watching your future progress with interest. I have always seen great potential in you."
Trina was glad to be sitting down, as the feeling of light-headedness would surely have threatened her balance had she been standing. This level of praise from The Boss was almost unheard of, and way beyond anything she could have hoped for. Her chest swelled with an enormous sense of pride, duty and affection for the mysterious man before her. She had to fight the urge to drop to the floor and prostrate herself at his feet. She blushed at the idea, but knew she'd do it in a heartbeat if she thought it would please him.
"There's only one small matter we need to address," he said and returned to sit behind his desk.
Trina's breath caught in her throat. The euphoria was instantly gone as a lance of dread pierced her heart. She had obviously done something to displease him, but the churning in her tummy was distracting her from working out what it might be.
"What matter sir?" She failed to keep the tremble from her voice.
There was a long pause, during which Trina thought she might faint from anxious anticipation. Finally, he spoke, all traces of kindness and familiarity now gone.
"Megan Chambers."
Trina closed her eyes; she knew exactly what that name meant. "Yes sir,"
"A very unfortunate mistake."
She opened her mouth to say that the mistake had not been hers, but he forestalled her with a raised hand.
"I understand that the initial error was not yours. The person who appointed Miss Chambers has already been... dealt with." He let those words hang in the air ominously for a moment, before continuing. "As you know, we work hard to remain in the shadows as much as possible. When something like this happens, we have to take quick and decisive action to minimize the impact."
Trina sagged. "Yes sir." At least she wasn't being blamed for the hire, but she knew her involvement would have come under intense scrutiny. She feared she might have slipped up somehow, but where.
"I applaud the speed with which you discovered the error and the steps you took to resolve the matter."
"Thank you sir, I'm unsure if the offer I made Ms. Chambers was in line with your expectation but--"
He dismissed her words with a casual wave. "Not a matter that concerns me. If the offer secures the silence of Miss Chambers then it is easily justified. You did the right thing."
Trina released a breath she didn't realised she'd been holding. Perhaps this was a meeting to thank her. She sat a fraction straighter and risked another glance at his face. Her demeanour wilted the instant she saw his hard expression.
"That being said, I am disappointed that you chose not to inform those higher up the chain of command; there were other procedures that they would have needed to follow through on."
Trina's eyes went wide. She had hoped she'd nipped the whole matter in the bud, and with the quick installation of Katie Hopkins as a replacement, she had decided to move on and not mention it further. "My sincere apologies sir, I had thought the matter resolved."
"That was not for you to decide!"
The voice was harsh, and whilst not loud, it cut through her like a hot knife through butter. Her bottom lip began to tremble as tears pricked at the corners of her eyes. She must not cry. That would only make matters worse.
"Forgive me grand master, I acted with good intentions and believed I was doing the right thing."
"Look me in the eyes Catrina."
She lifted her head, steadying her nerve as she met his gaze. Piercing dark eyes bore into her, searching, peeling away the feeble layers of self-preservation she had mustered. She wilted under the pressure of his stare, a choked whimper leaving her mouth. He rose and moved to stand before her, forcing her to crane her neck to maintain eye contact. She flinched as he lifted a hand to her face, but his touch on her cheek was light and gentle.
