The Rules of Love (12 page)

As if on cue, loud yelling echoed down the halls. It was getting closer and Kenneth whimpered, the sound building up to a low wail.

“Fucking hell. Aaron, stand outside the door and do your best to keep that beast out for a moment. I need to get Kenneth away from here before I face an apoplectic Preston.”

“No!”

Saul and Aaron gaped at Kenneth.

“I can take you down the servant’s stairs and Thomas can drive you away from here. You don’t have to face him.”

Even though his eyes were filled with tears, some spilling onto his cheeks, Kenneth had a look of determination. His chin was held high, his lips set in a hard line. Right then, Saul realized that Kenneth needed to have the opportunity to stand up to his abuser.

Saul kept his gaze trained on Kenneth but directed his words to Aaron. “Aaron, could you please grab my smoking jacket off the coat rack?” Saul approached Kenneth then held out his hand. “You won’t be kneeling when he comes in the room.” Aaron handed Saul the garment. After helping Kenneth to his feet, he held the jacket open for him. “And you won’t be nude.”

There was an air of composure about Kenneth and his voice was more assured. “Thank you, Sir.”

Kenneth shrugged on the satin covering then pulled it closed with the sash. As far as Saul was concerned, the man was just as enticing in the short outfit as he’d been naked, but there was no reason for him to be on display for Preston. The weasel needed to know that it would never happen again. Kenneth was no longer his.

They shared a final glance then Saul remained at Kenneth’s side, facing the door. After Aaron had retrieved the jacket for them, he’d stood sentry outside as Saul had originally requested. The yelling increased in volume and in addition to the obvious shouts from Preston, there were other excited voices as well. Saul thought he could discern Theodore and Otis arguing over something.

Saul noted Kenneth’s rapid breathing. He clasped his hand.

“I’m so incredibly proud of you right now.”

Kenneth squeezed back right as the door burst open to an enraged Preston pushing his way past Aaron. His friend grasped at Preston’s coat sleeve to try to slow him down. Preston yanked his arm away and Saul gestured to Aaron that it was all right. More men spilled into the room and Saul had to admit to himself that he’d never anticipated things deteriorating to such a degree.

“There you are, you miserable, ungrateful, disobedient piece of trash.”

Saul surprised himself at the growl that came out of him. He was about to advance on Preston when Kenneth squeezed his hand tighter. He knew Kenneth would never correct him or tell him what to do. It wasn’t in the man’s nature. However, he did understand that Kenneth didn’t want a physical altercation. Kenneth had something to say to his tormenter.

“Why the fuck are you still standing there in that ridiculous getup?” His gaze traveled to their joined hands. He sneered at Kenneth. “What’s this? You offered your ass to an old man and now you think I’ll allow him to simply take away my property?”

“I’m not your property.” Kenneth’s voice was steady, strong.

“
Excuse
me? How dare you speak to me like that. You can bet you’ll get the punishment of your life after such insolence!” Preston glanced around nervously at the other men studying the exchange. “I assure you, gentlemen, I’m in complete control of him. It’s this…board member who’s swayed him over to his side. I’ve trained Kenneth to be so obedient—he’d do whatever
any
man says.”

“That’s a lie.”

Several onlookers gasped.

“You miserable…” Preston’s words came out gritted through his teeth. “I’ve supported and taken care of you for the past four years! I’m your Master. You gave yourself to me. Stop all this nonsense. We’re leaving.”

Preston stepped forward and Kenneth moved back. Saul stood his ground, ready to get physical as a last resort.

“No.”

The tension was high in the room, the rest of the men all appearing on edge as if they were ready to pounce. Saul wondered what had already transpired and whether there were those who had sided with Preston and believed that Saul was interfering where he shouldn’t. Ultimately, Saul knew it was Kenneth’s decision, but after the unsettling board meeting they’d had, he was no longer certain of where everyone stood. There was a tinge of sadness in him at that realization. No matter what, things at Hampton Road would never be the same again.

Preston fumed, his eyes boring into Kenneth with a steely glare. “Don’t you
dare
defy me, boy.”

“I’m
not
your boy.” Kenneth remained calm. It seemed that the longer he stood up to Preston, the more confident he became. “Yes, you kept me clothed and fed, for the most part. Except for the days you starved me in punishment over things I never understood. I had a roof over my head, even if it was sometimes the garden shed where I was kept chained and made to sleep in or the hot and filthy attic where you left me for hours at a time. At least when I slept outside I didn’t have to worry that I might wake up to you trying to choke me to death over something I’d uttered while dreaming.”

More loud gasps and murmurings filled the room. Saul’s gut churned. He’d known Kenneth’s situation had been bad, but the depth of Preston’s evil was even more than he’d realized. He would have to stay strong for Kenneth as he emotionally worked through all that had happened to him.

Otis had remained next to Preston as they’d entered the room. He had his arms characteristically crossed over his chest. “Is this true, Cornwall?”

Preston ran a hand over the top of his disheveled hair. He wouldn’t meet anyone’s eyes. “I don’t have to defend myself over this insignificant, used up man. Obviously, none of you understand the true meaning of mastery. It was a mistake for me to patronize this club.”

“Yes, a big mistake. You can correct it by leaving right now.” Saul made sure to keep his eyes fixed on Preston, whether or not he would meet his. “Never come near Hampton Road or Kenneth again. Be aware we have your file.”

Preston lifted his gaze and stared daggers at Saul. “I wouldn’t dream of coming near such a pathetic excuse for a sadomasochism club again.” Preston straightened his jacket then gestured dismissively in Kenneth’s direction. “And you can have my discards.”

Theodore stepped forward and made to grab Preston’s arm. “That’s enough. You’re no longer welcome here, so it’s time for you to leave.”

Preston pulled away from him then turned on his heel, stomping back down the hall. Running away from Hampton Road. Away from Kenneth.

Once Preston left, the voices of the couple of dozen men who’d been at the nominees mixer all jumbled together. Members clogged the room and the hallway. Everyone was quite agitated, discussing what they’d just witnessed. Saul turned to Aaron, pleading with him silently over what to do next. Aaron shook his head, shrugging slightly. Then Saul noted Kenneth’s hand trembling in his.

He whispered next to his ear. “Is this too much for you? Would you like to go with the submissives in the den?”

“Don’t leave me.” His voice was back to being panicked and he squeezed Saul’s fingers tighter.

Oh dear.

Saul gestured Aaron over, then leaned in to speak to him in a low voice. “Can you send Thomas over to your place to retrieve Sam, Francesco and Linus?”

The original plan had entailed having men who Kenneth would feel comfortable and safe with waiting for him back at the guesthouse that had been readied for him to live in. Things had taken a different turn, but until Saul could get everything settled at Hampton Road, he couldn’t leave. But he couldn’t get anything resolved with Kenneth glued to his side either. The Dominant members conducted all their business away from the submissive men. Thomas had been waiting in the car for Kenneth since he’d first arrived with Preston, so he was already prepared to head there.

“I’ll run downstairs now.”

“Jesus, old sport, I just thought of something. Did anyone alert Bruce and George that Preston was on his way out?”

“As soon as Thomas went to the car, he made sure to let them know to expect anything.” Aaron chuckled, a twinkle in his eye. “I’m sure they’ve given the scoundrel the bum’s rush by now.”

Saul laughed, releasing some of the tension that he hadn’t even noticed he’d been holding. It was advantageous that Thomas had brought his two pugilist friends with him when he’d moved down from Santa Barbara.

“Go on then. We’ll need to deal with this as quickly as possible before things get even more out of hand.”

“It’ll take about a half hour to get them then return.”

Saul nodded, racking his brain. “After you’ve instructed Thomas on what to do, have Michael lock the door behind you.” Saul reached into his pocket for the key. “Give this to Thomas so he can let everyone back in when he returns with the boys. Also, have him tell the valet to close the gate and hang the black wreath. We don’t need any more people coming in tonight. We have enough to contend with as it is.”

“How are you going to handle this mess until they get back?”

“Hooch solves many ills. Send Javier to the ballroom and tell him to set up the bar. I’ll need a good distraction until they return.”

“I’m off then.” Aaron patted his arm a couple of times, winked at Kenneth then turned to leave.

The noisy voices had been rising steadily and Saul knew that he had to temper the situation soon. Kenneth still clung to him and Saul noticed that he’d moved closer and closer to his side until they were flush against one another.

“Gentlemen! Please, gentlemen, can I get your attention?”

Bit by bit, the roar of the multiple heated discussions quieted to only a few whispers. Saul could work with that.

“I’d like to invite all of you to repair to the grand ballroom—”

“We need to discuss what went on here tonight! How long have you been going after Preston’s boy?” Otis was back to doing what he did best, which usually involved him jabbing his finger in the air. “Did Cornwall really do all that crap or was that all lies?”

A few men near Otis nodded, their postures somewhat aggressive. One had his hands balled in a fist and the others had their hands on their hips. But they all wore scowls on their faces.

“I agree, Otis. We do need to discuss this. But this small study is hardly the place. Let’s all take a moment to catch our breath, check in on our partners if need be, then we can gather in a much more amenable space. Javier is on his way now to set up the bar.”

This time the mumblings sounded more cheerful than hostile. Some of the men moved toward the door, but Otis stayed rooted to his spot near the entryway.

“What about the owner?”

Saul had been about to speak with Kenneth, but he paused. “What about him, old sport?”

“I say you give him a ring and get him over here. Me and the guys have had just about enough of this mysterious malarkey. Things have gotten way out of hand and I’m tired of flapping our gums about it. I’ll listen to what the owner has to say and that’s it.”

He huffed, then crossed his arms again in a gesture of defiance. Several of the members gathered around Otis nodded and murmured their agreement.

Shit.

It wasn’t how he’d hoped things would go when he and his friends had planned Kenneth’s escape. He took a deep breath. He wanted to fortify himself with a good brandy, but given how things had crumbled in so many ways, he thought he should continue to keep his head clear.

“All right, gentlemen. Head on over to the ballroom. I’ll have the owner there for you in approximately thirty minutes. Agreed?”

Otis narrowed his eyes. “Agreed. Don’t pull the wool over on us, Liebowitz.”

“No wool, Otis. The owner of the Hampton Road Club will be there. I guarantee it.”

Chapter Eight

After all the men had filed out and Theodore had closed the study door, Saul turned to Kenneth. He didn’t want to disentangle his fingers from his, but he needed to take care of the club business. The current drama was not what he’d anticipated at all. He’d certainly assumed there would be tension and a confrontation, but he’d thought it would be between him and Preston without the entire club in attendance. He especially hadn’t thought Kenneth would be there, let alone standing up to the swine. His lips curled into a smile as he remembered Kenneth’s bravery.

“First Linus, then tonight.” He used his other hand to stroke Kenneth’s cheek.

“Sir?”

“I’m touched by your courage.”

“Forgive me, Sir. I don’t mean any disrespect, but I don’t understand what I did that was so courageous.”

“Linus told us everything. I know how you sacrificed yourself for him. He’s been very worried about you, so I’ve had Aaron go and fetch him, along with Sam and Francesco.”

Kenneth gasped. “Linus is okay?”

Saul caressed him some more, leaning in to steal a chaste kiss. It had finally sunk in that Kenneth really had given himself to Saul, that Kenneth was truly
his
. Saul wasn’t sure he’d ever be able to stop touching and kissing him for even a moment.

“Linus is fine and can’t wait to see you. He wanted to thank you in person.”

Kenneth lowered his head and Saul pulled him into an embrace. As Kenneth wrapped his arms around Saul’s waist, his shaft lengthened, filling with his need for Kenneth. With their bodies pressed together and Kenneth nude under the smoking jacket, Saul was treated to Kenneth’s hardness as well. The timing was awful. However, Saul was comforted by the fact that he wished to go home with him to stay. They would have plenty of opportunities from then on.

“Come along, dear Kenneth. I’m going to take you to a room upstairs that’s quiet. I’ll wait with you until Linus and the other men get here. I’ll need you to stay with them while I deal with the members. Can you do that for me?”

Kenneth brought his arms up to wrap them around Saul’s neck. “Yes, Sir. I’m sorry I’ve caused so much trouble for you.”

“Don’t be silly. The only one who’s caused any trouble has been Preston, and we’re rid of him now, right?”

“I hope so, Sir.”

Saul frowned. “Are you still worried about him?”