Lucas Cameron looked out over the bar area and wondered where the hell he’d gone so wrong. Maybe that Taggart guy hadn’t been such an asshole. Maybe he should have turned the whole thing into a family reunion, although he kind of thought Jack Barnes still wouldn’t have been happy to see him.

All around him people in very little clothing partied on, but he couldn’t work up the will to care. He found a quiet corner with a couple of seats and a large table. He slumped down into one of the overstuffed chairs and sighed.

He’d gone wrong by being born.

He’d never been able to do anything right, certainly not in the eyes of his father. By the time he was in kindergarten, he’d been compared to his smarter siblings and disregarded as a nuisance. Over the course of his twenty-three years, he’d managed to get himself kicked out of ten boarding schools and three colleges. Each time his father had sent one of his lackeys to make sure he made it to the next school on the list. He’d simply pack up and move without ever going home. It had become a bit of a game to Lucas. Could he come up with something so awful his father would have to bring him back to DC to handle it?

It wasn’t until he’d threatened to out his father’s love child that Senator Allen Cameron had given him a personal call. Lucas had become a little desperate. After finally making it through a complete four-year degree, he was burning through his trust fund at an alarming rate. He hadn’t meant to. It just happened. He’d come into it at twenty-one. He’d thought ten million would last a lot longer than it had. Getting involved with the Hollywood crowd had gotten him a lot of publicity, but it had come at a cost. He was going to lose that amazing house in the Hollywood Hills if he didn’t come up with some money and soon.

He’d really thought Jack Barnes would cave. From everything he knew, Barnes was a private man. He’d blackmailed their father, but the money he’d made after that was his own. Barnes was filthy rich. He had money to spare. Why would he want to out himself as a complete pervert?

And there was no doubt that his big brother was a perv. He’d spanked his wife and then finger fucked her in public. What kind of a man did that? Lucas was almost sure that the hot, blond guy who’d been kneeling was doing big brother, too. Those two were amazing. The redhead was curvy and soft. Lucas liked her tits and the creamy glow of her skin. The guy was sex on a stick.

He was terribly jealous of Jackson Barnes. He should hate the fucker after that extra scene he’d played out. His throat still hurt from the way Barnes had lifted him up like he’d weighed nothing at all.

And yet, he would like to sit down and talk to him. The big cowboy didn’t seem to struggle with the fact that he liked both men and women. Lucas had been struggling with it his whole life. He’d get in a relationship with a female, and after a while he’d need a man. It was wrong to want both, his father had told him. He’d slapped the shit out of him the first time Lucas had been caught in bed with the gardener’s son. It had been the last time he got to come home for the summer. Lucas had been seventeen, and he could still remember the way that felt.

He shook his head and groaned. His hair was in his eyes again. He shoved it back. Why was he such an idiot? He did look like a douchebag. He needed to be honest with himself. Why had he come here? He’d come because he wanted to meet his brother. He’d come because he wanted to see if one person in his family line might find anything to like in him. How had he gone about it? He’d attempted to blackmail the man.

He thought of how satisfied his brother had seemed when he’d walked through the bar thirty minutes before. He’d been dressed in the same slacks and shirt from earlier, but he’d ditched the tie and jacket. The shirt was slightly wrinkled, likely because it had hit the floor at some point in time. Jack had looked more relaxed and happier than he had before, as though something had fallen blissfully into place. Of course, he’d paid no attention to Lucas, who watched him walk into the other part of the club.

Now Lucas had found someone who he might have been able to talk to, but instead of talking, Barnes threatened him with horrible murder. Barnes would do it, too. How could he tell the man he never would have gone through with his blackmail threats? Did he admit how pathetic he was in his quest for any sort of father figure?

“Hello,” a soft voice said.

He glanced up into brown eyes. The young man was slender, but there was a pleasing strength in his frame. “Hi.”

The young man was dressed in leather pants. There was a small leather collar around his throat. Lucas wasn’t sure what that meant, though he’d heard Julian talking about it with his brother. His brother wasn’t allowed to bring his subs back in without collars. Lucas had touched his throat and wondered what it would feel like to wear one.

“I’m Jeremy.” The young man with dark hair and sultry eyes sank down across from Lucas, gracefully placing two drinks on the table. He slid one across to rest in front of Lucas. “Rum and coke. It’s my favorite. You looked like you could use it.”

He picked up the glass. He wasn’t going to mention to the man that he rarely touched the stuff, despite what the tabloids said. He had a reputation to uphold. He’d done a lot to cultivate and maintain his reputation as a pure hedonist. He took a sip. It wasn’t bad. It was way better than the crap his brother drank.

Lucas smiled at the hot guy sitting across from him. Maybe the night wasn’t a total loss. It would be nice to sleep with someone. He hated to sleep alone. He didn’t like to think about all the stuff he’d done just so he could feel warm skin next to his. Drinking with a guy was an easy thing to do if it meant he spent the night in someone’s arms.

Jeremy smiled as Lucas took a deep drink. That was a sexy smile. Yes, not a total loss at all.

 

* * * *

 

Jack flicked his wrist and the whip cracked, the sound splitting the air around him. Suddenly everyone in the dungeon was watching the man with the four-foot whip. The balloon he’d been aiming at popped, leaving the rest clustered around it completely untouched.

“You always were a master with that thing,” Julian said approvingly.

He stared back at his mentor and shook his head. He reset the whip on the ground behind him and prepared for an overhand throw. There was no need to worry about the speed of his throw. He concentrated on making sure his form was flawless. Everything flowed perfectly when the form was right. “I didn’t intend to use it again.”

Julian shrugged. “Talk to your naughty subs. You could refuse. You haven’t been back to The Club in a long while. You haven’t been down here in the dungeon in years.”

“I visit. Sam and I spend time here.” Jack turned to his target practice. The rhythm was coming back to him. He’d done this a thousand times. It was an easy rhythm to fall into. He let his arm flow, the whip an extension of his body. There was a comfort to letting his instincts lead him, but then hadn’t that been the theme of the whole night?

“You went to the bar to pick up a female,” Julian pointed out. “You rarely went into the playroom, and you never came down to the dungeon after you left my employ. I wondered why that was.”

He turned to his mentor. A mellow happiness flowed through his system. He was even looking forward to tomorrow. He had plans for his lovers. They were going to understand the limits of his indulgence tomorrow morning. It brought a curl to his lips and honesty to his mouth. “I was afraid I would lose Sam. He’s a sub and has a little streak of masochism in him.”

“A little?”

He couldn’t lie to Julian. Julian had seen the same things in Sam that Jack had. “Fine, a lot of masochism in him. I wasn’t ready to be responsible for that. I was afraid he would find someone else. It was selfish, but it’s the truth.”

“And now?”

“I’ll take care of Sam, Julian.” He needed to ensure that his mentor truly understood. Julian truly cared about Sam. “You don’t have to worry about him anymore. He’ll get what he needs.”

Julian’s dark eyes were a bit sad as he crossed his arms. Sally sat quietly at his feet. Julian’s hand came out and gently tangled in her hair. “I’m glad for him. I’m glad for you as well, Jackson. You’ll be happier this way. Is your wife fine with the new arrangement?”

Jack snorted and cracked the whip again. Another pop cracked through the dungeon. “My wife has been pushing me and Sam to get it on since the first night she spent in our playroom. I tanned her hide and as part of her aftercare, I gave her one request.”

“Yes, I like to do that as well,” Julian conceded. “What was Abigail’s request?”

“She wanted me to kiss Sam.”

A brilliant smile broke over Julian’s face. It was a rare sight. “I like your Abigail. She isn’t a very good sub, but she seems like a perfect wife for the two of you.”

He felt a funny twitch in his heart. “She is. She’s everything I ever wanted. She’s smart and kind and ridiculously funny.” Jack took a deep breath. “You know, Julian, you’ve given me a lot of advice over the years. Do you mind if I give you a piece?”

Julian paused and took a deep breath before coming to his decision. “I would love to hear it.”

“Don’t become such a slave to your own rules that you let something special pass you by. You have some hard and fast rules that cut you off from people.”

“Rules are there to protect us. You should know that.”

“Rules protect us, but when we no longer need them, rules are made to be broken.” He switched to a six-footer. He wasn’t going to use that on Abby or Sam, but he was curious. He used to be accurate with it.

Julian took a cautious step back, pulling Sally with him. “Did you break a rule tonight, Jackson?”

He aimed for the balloon on the far left. He decided to try a reverse snap. The whip snapped over his head and cracked. His shot went wild. Nope. He wouldn’t be touching his lovers with that one. He put the six-footer down and turned to Julian. “I did. It was a rule we didn’t need any more. I got the best blow job of my life from breaking that rule.”

Julian made a small motion with his hand. Sally got to her feet. He nodded at her and she began to take off her top, then her skirt. “Go on, dear. He needs a warmer target.”

Jack started to protest but then realized he really did. It was selfish, but he’d rather practice on Sally than Abby or Sam. He looked at the sub. “Are you all right with this?”

She smiled brilliantly. “Oh, yes. I’m a bit of a pain slut. I make no apologies for it. Some people like puppies and kittens. I like spankings and bondage. Do your worst. Master Julian will take care of me after.”

“I will, pet,” Julian promised. “It’s all right. She’s under my care. Have you ever known me to place a slave in danger?”

No, Julian took excellent care of the people who gave him their trust. He might not keep them for long, but he looked after them. Sally walked to the St. Andrew’s Cross and took her position. Julian quickly had her bound. She glanced back at Jack.

“Your wife is a good kisser.” Sally turned her head, staring back at him with a grin on her face. “She tastes sweet. Does she taste sweet all over?”

Jack groaned at the sudden vision of his wife and Sally tongue kissing. He couldn’t help it. He was male, and two women kissing did it for him. He would never allow Sally into their bed, and he would call for punishment if she touched his wife again. He was possessive, but the image still lingered. “I wouldn’t try to find out, subbie. She’s mine and I won’t give anyone permission to touch her.”

“Cheeky sub,” Julian barked. Sally smiled at him. “Blame me. I told her to be accommodating when it came to the three of you. Right now she’s trying to get you upset so you’ll be a bit rougher on her. Don’t fall for it. That one is a bit manipulative, too. Rather like your wife.”

“They know who’s really in charge,” Jack murmured.

Sally was in place, and there was a crowd eagerly watching. He made sure no one was in his range and then cracked the whip. Sally didn’t even move when a delicate line of red appeared across her back. He was satisfied it wouldn’t scar or bleed. He saw Sally relax and knew she would soon be in that place where submissives went. They called it subspace, and they welcomed the pain when they were in that place.

Jack quickly laid three more lashes across her back, buttocks, and thighs. She shuddered, but it was a pleasurable thing.

“Tell me something, Jackson.” Julian watched the scene. His shoulders were relaxed and his stance a bit lazy. Sally was getting something she needed and that satisfied Julian. “Do you remember a very long time ago when I asked you how such a possessive man could stand to share his toys with someone like Samuel?”

He cracked the whip again, forming a pretty pattern across the sub’s skin. “Yes, I do. I remember I told you it was all right to share with Sam. He was my friend.”

“You were lying to yourself. Do you have a different answer for me today?”

Sally sighed as the whip cracked over her left thigh.

“Yes, Julian,” Jack admitted.

“Why do you share with Samuel?”

He turned to his mentor. “I don’t. I don’t share with anyone. They’re both mine.”

“Very good. It’s important to understand and accept our own natures. I believe I’ll take my sub up to our rooms. She’ll need someone to take care of her now.” Julian strode to the stage, released Sally’s bonds, and scooped up his slightly high sub. She had a beatific expression on her pretty face. Her arms floated up around Julian’s neck. “Thank the nice man, Sally.”

Sally smiled at Jack. “Thank you, nice man.”

“Go to bed.” Julian tossed the order over his shoulder. “You’ll be fine tomorrow evening.”

He laid the whip down and began to make his way up the stairs and out of the dungeon. Sam would flourish in here. After all, Sam was a pain slut, too. He’d have to teach Abigail how to handle Sam. She’d never hold a whip, but she could paddle him from time to time. Jack remembered their playful fight from the other day. They had argued about whether they were a triangle or a straight line. Sam was right about that line, but he was wrong about the order. Abigail was definitely in the middle of that straight line.

He walked through the playroom thinking about climbing into bed. He had high hopes that he would sleep through the night. He wasn’t even contemplating sleeping in the room he’d taken out. Sam was right. If he woke up in a cold sweat, Abigail and Sam would hold him until he came down. It was selfish to hold back his fears and problems from them. His troubles were theirs. They were a family.

As he made his way into the bar, he saw Matthew Slater pulling Lucas Cameron out of his chair. Lucas’s eyes were slightly dazed. His body was slack and Slater seemed to be having trouble with him. A brown-haired sub in a collar pulled on the other side of Lucas, and together they managed to get the young man up.

“He’s heavier than he looks,” the sub said.

“We just need to get him out to the car I have waiting. I’ll take him back to my hotel,” Slater promised.

Shit. He stopped, watching the trio. He didn’t like Slater period and didn’t buy the idea of him helping Lucas out. There was something there beyond a desire to get his boss’s son home safely. Jack sighed. Stupid karma. This was what Julian had been talking about. Not the fact that he’d blackmailed his father, and it was karma that Lucas blackmailed Jack. Julian, the sneaky bastard, was referring to how he had mentored Jack at a time when he was lost. Jack had never met a person more lost than Lucas Cameron.

His brother.

“How much did that boy drink?” Jack heard himself ask.

Slater almost lost his footing when he started at the sound of Jack’s voice. The sub immediately averted his eyes. Slater stumbled, and Lucas slumped back down into his chair.

“He’s a terrible drunk.” Slater struggled to keep Lucas upright. “I was going to get him back to my hotel where I can look after him.”

Slater didn’t seem like the paternal type. Lucas likely wouldn’t get any sympathy from the campaign manager. Maybe he didn’t deserve any, but then there were times when Jack hadn’t deserved what he had been blessed with.

Perhaps it was time to take his brother in hand.

He walked over to Lucas and looked down. His brother’s eyes were glassy, but there seemed to be a plea there. Jack reached down and hauled Lucas up and over his shoulder without breaking a sweat. The boy needed to put some muscle on. He didn’t weigh a thing. “Don’t worry about him. I’ve got an extra room. He can sleep it off there. I’d like to have a talk with him in the morning anyway.”

“Wait!” Slater practically shouted. He pulled at Lucas’s shirt as though trying to force Jack to put him down. Jack took a step back, placing a small but needed distance between them. “I don’t think he should be alone with you. I’m standing in for his father, Mr. Barnes. I doubt his father would want some stranger taking off with his son.”

He snorted at the thought that his father would act like a father. “Face facts, Slater. Dear old Dad wouldn’t give a shit. And I’m not a stranger. I’m his brother. He’s going to know what that means in the morning. Buck up, man. Once he realizes what I have in store for him, he might hightail it back to DC with you. Good night.”

He started toward the elevators, ignoring the further protests of Matthew Slater. He strode into the elevator and pushed the button to take him to the seventeenth floor. Lucas pounded slightly on his back.

“Go to sleep, Lucas,” he commanded. “You’ll be fine in the morning.”

His brother grunted. “Thank you,” he slurred.

Jack sighed. He wondered if his brother would be thanking him in the morning.