Read Masks of a Tiger for Free Online

busy in that sense.
He's preparing for a fire play demonstration on stage. I'm going to have to
join him, so Trikus here will be your escort, to make
sure you stay out of trouble."
    "I don't need an
escort. I'm not staying, and I'm not trouble, damn it. I'm merely here
to return his jacket, that's all."
    Ink smiled again and
leant down to cup her chin. Trikus moved behind her,
and sandwiched between the two of them she had nowhere to go. Ink's fingers dug
in just enough to hurt and to focus her sole attention on him.
    "I know you're trouble, girl. I also know that you could have simply sent that jacket
back by messenger if that was your only aim. Do not assume you're talking to
one of the boys you're used to wrapping ‘round your little finger. In this club
you will obey my rules, or Trikus will paddle that
insolent ass of yours, no matter what Grisha says.
Heaven knows what he sees in you."
      He leant closer still and inhaled. The action
made Neeve's stomach flip flop wildly, and the smile he gave her when he straightened up send a shiver down her spine.
    "I meant what I
said out there. You're under my protection, and now Trikus's until Grisha can deal with you. So, be a good little
girl, sign the agreement that Trikus will give you,
and do as you're told. No one will touch a sub under my protection." He
slid his hand down to her throat and squeezed. For one awful second Neeve couldn't breathe, until he relaxed his hand and
smiled again. "Remember that when you're thinking of getting bratty. Who
will protect you from me?"

 
    Chapter Four
     
    "Ink, Sir?"
Cherie's hesitant voice was music to Neeve's ears
right now, and she watched in amazement as his whole demeanor changed. He
released his hold on her, and Neeve gulped in a much
needed breath of air. She hadn't dared breathe under Ink's scrutiny. Trikus's hands slid round her waist, and she leant into
him, grateful for the support, as her knees felt like jelly. Why ever had she
thought setting foot in the lion's den would be a good idea? She couldn't do
this.
    "Yes, baby
girl?" Inks face softened as he said the words, addressing Cherie. The
unexpected endearment rolled off his tongue like a caress, and Cherie lit up.
It was the only way to describe it. Even with her head bowed in submission you
couldn't miss the huge smile lighting up her face. The curvy and heavily
tattooed brunette sank to her knees, and put her hands on Ink's thighs.
    "You seem tense,
Sir. Can I help you relax?" Neeve resisted the
urge to roll her eyes. Something about the connection these two shared, evident
in the way Ink crouched down and framed her face in his large hands, stopped the smart comment she normally would have
made.   He guided Cherie to her feet and
dropped a kiss on her forehead.
    "Not now, baby
girl. I have to be on stage to help Grisha ."
Cherie pouted, and Ink tapped her ass twice. Rather than the harsh punishment Neeve would have expected him to deliver, this was an
almost playful swat, and Cherie giggled.
    "Don't push your
luck, sub." Ink growled the words, but he smiled at Cherie, and she stood
on tiptoes and whispered something to him. His smile deepened, and he then
looked toward Neeve . His eyes narrowed, and he
laughed.
    "You may be right,
baby girl. Time will tell I guess. I need to go. Help Trikus to keep her out of trouble, will you?" He kissed Cherie, and she melted into his long frame. By the time he released
her she was breathing heavily, and Ink had to adjust his trousers before he
strode away.
    Cherie's deep brown eyes
locked with Neeve's , and she got the distinct
impression that she was passing some sort of silent assessment.
    "You okay, doll?
Ink can be a bit overwhelming when you're not used to him."
    "You think?" Neeve couldn't keep the hint of sarcasm out of her voice.
    Trikus chuckled
into her shoulder, and Cherie frowned.
    "You're Estelle's
outrageous friend, right? I recall seeing you briefly at our ceremony."
Cherie paused, smiled, and touched the heavy