Page 61 of Saint
Honestly, I’ve never thought of him beyond the pretty face and a willing arse. He’s always been jealous of other subs. I didn’t think he would have such a strong negative reaction to Noah being with me, not just as a sub, but as a partner. He’s been talking of breaking us up, that Tate was with me outside of the club, that I’d made promises to him about our future. I need to find out why and make him leave me and Noah alone.
“Tate.” I call him when he steps off the demo stage, he’s wearing nothing but a black jockstrap, sweat covering his torso and face. His blond hair sticks to his forehead, and I know for sure if he turns around, I’ll see the stripes and bruises developing on his bare arse. He’s going to be feeling them for a while. I admit he is a good sub when he’s in a scene and has very few hard limits, but it’s the person he’s become away from thescenes that is the problem. The troublemaker that seems to have it in for my boy.
His eyes light up as he smiles. “Master Saint, it’s good to see you.” He looks past me, probably seeing if Noah is with me. “You’re alone,” he states. “What can I do for you? My arse isn’t up for any beating, but other than that, I’m yours.”
I don’t smile, and his face falters a little, his smile fading. “Nothing, I want nothing from you. I want you to put any stupid ideas of me and you out of your head. There’s nothing between us other than a few previous scenes, and there never will be. I’m in a committed relationship with Noah, who is both my sub and my boyfriend. So, drop all the crap you’ve been spreading, and if you want to keep your membership here and in any of the other clubs, you need to leave your attitude behind you and leave me and Noah alone. I have more power than you, boy. Don’t forget it.”
He looks at me, stunned that I’ve called him out. The hurt is quickly replaced with a sneer. “Fuck you, Saint, and fuck your amateur sub. He’s shit at it and making you look like a fool. He’ll never be able to satisfy you the way I can. And when you come crawling back, you’ll get nothing from me or any of the other subs. You’re not the only one with power, the subs listen to me.”
“Watch yourself, Tate. That’s sounds like a threat, and there isn’t a Dom in here who will take that. It’s simple, cut the crap and leave us alone.”
There aren’t many cars left in the car park when I pull up, the gym quietens down this late, and I am later than I planned to be. The last client took longer than I expected, a much lower painthreshold than he thought he had. I sent Noah a text to tell him but didn’t get a reply.
When I walk in, Knox is standing outside his office, his arms across his chest and his feet wide apart. He looks angry, angrier than I’ve seen him in years. He also looks huge, seriously ripped, in a wifebeater vest. What surprises me the most is it’s aimed at me.
“Hey, what’s up?”
His fist hits my face before I even notice it coming, and pain bursts around my eye. “For a big flash Dom, you’re a fucking idiot.”
I stagger backwards but keep my footing. “What the fuck! Shit, Knox. That fucking hurt.” I touch the skin by my eye, and it comes back red, he’s split the skin, the bastard.
“You went to meet up with Tate, fucking Tate. Jesus, you’re a stupid twat. You’ve got the best fucking sub and relationship with Noah, and you pick Tate!”
That brings me up short. I straighten up. “What the fuck are you talking about? I went to see Tate to tell him to back off. Aaron called me, told me that he’s been spreading shit. I didn’t want Noah to know. It’s more than that. Tate’s out for trouble, and he’s been seen with Oscar. The guy that fucked with Noah. They’re both trouble.”
“Tonight, not only did Tate tell Noah that you chose him, that Noah was an embarrassment as a sub, he brought Oscar with him. They were going to take him.” Knox is so angry. I can’t believe what he’s saying.
“They were going to kidnap Noah? You’ve got to be kidding me. That little shit is dead. I’m going to rip his fucking head off.”
“Hey, hey, calm down. You need to focus on Noah—he’s a mess. You’ve got a shit-ton of explaining and apologising to do.” He gestures with his head to the office.
“Tate needs to have his membership revoked here. As of now, he’s banned. I’ll sort it at the club, he’s out. No one threatens my boyfriend. Can I go in?” I put my hand on the doorhandle and wait for Knox’s nod.
“It’s already been done. I’ll get you some ice.” Knox has the cheek to laugh, the bastard.
As I enter the room, Noah is on the sofa, his arms wrapped around his tucked-up legs. “Hey, baby, I’m so sorry I lied to you. I’ll tell you everything when we get home, but I promise you Tate means nothing to me. You’ll never have to see him again. Did they touch you?”
He shakes his head. “No, Knox came out before he could. I was so scared, Saint. He wanted to finish what he started.” He trembles at the thought. “Am I an embarrassment to you? Did I make a fool of myself on Sunday night?” His voice is low, scared.
“What? Fuck no, every eye was on you. The subs wanted to be you, the masters wanted to own you. You were beautiful up there, I promise. I’ve had calls and messages from Doms asking if we share.”
His eyes brighten up, and the corners of his mouth lift just a little. “Really? Are they hot?”
Knox comes back in before I can reply. “Here you go, dickhead.” He’s smirking, the fucker.
“What the fuck!” Noah suddenly jumps up from the sofa and looks at me properly, then at Knox. “You punched him?”
“He deserved it, he lied to you and made you feel like crap, thanks to that little shit, Tate.” Knox folds his arms back across his chest.
I bark out a laugh. “I can still take you down, little brother.”
“Oh, stop it, the pair of you. Can we go home now, please? We’ve got shit to deal with.” Noah, with just enough annoyance, makes me realise he wants to hear why I lied and what did it have to do with Tate.
“I’ll tell you on the drive home, I’m not taking it into the flat with us,” I tell him, and he nods, agreeing with me. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Knox. I owe you.”
I offer my hand out for Noah, grateful he takes it without any hesitation. “Thanks, Knox,” he says quietly.
We get out to the truck, and instead of opening his door, I spin him around, pushing his back against the door, caging him in with my arms on either side of his head. “I am so sorry, baby. I thought I had him under control.”
