Bailey: Independence #1 by Karen Nichols Read Free Book Online Page B

red curls before rising. His eyes caught those of one of his friends also seated around the circle and nodded to him. He knew he’d watch out for her while he was busy. “I’ll be a few minutes.”
    “Yes, Sir.”
    Bailey would never have thought sitting as she was, wearing as little as she was would be a peaceful thing. She listened to the deep male choral voices and the slight hint of metal in the music playing. She leveled her breathing and let herself relax in a way she hadn’t been able to in a long time.
    She heard the voices of the others around her. Mostly the masters, she guessed, talking about mundane things like stocks and government and traffic snarls. She almost laughed. She wasn’t sure what she would have expected them to discuss. But she remembered her quick glance at them. Picturing them in suits and ties and board rooms put a smile on her face.
    Bailey let herself drift, her eyes closing as the warmth of the fire and the low, modulated voices around her seemed to create that serene place for her. She didn’t know why. She should be embarrassed. She should be concerned that she sat there with most of her privates areas exposed but she was just too darn relaxed to care. Besides, she rationalized, there was plenty of nakedness to go around out there.
    No one saw his intent. It was not only frowned upon to touch another Dom’s sub, it was forbidden in most formal establishments.
    Jeremy hadn’t seen it coming and didn’t move before it happened.
    Bailey felt the air suddenly constricting in her throat, her hands up and grasping at the collar that had become far too tight, far too quickly. Bright green eyes bulged, trying to see behind her as she grabbed wildly to relieve the pressure on her throat.
    “Up on your knees, slave! That’s no way to present yourself! Who the hell trained you?”

Chapter Six
    “Doug, no!” Jeremy was up and going forward when the large man jerked Bailey to her knees and dropped her onto the pillow. “She’s not yours!”
    “She’s a fucking sub and needs to be trained properly!” He growled back, about to swing with his free hand, his other palm shoving against Bailey’s shoulder until the sound of her scream filled the chamber.
    “And you’re too fucking stupid to realize your mistake!” Gabriel growled before his fist plowed into the younger man’s side. He moved quickly, but not enough to spare Bailey the fall again. “Hold him!” He ordered into the air, knowing it would be handled until he was available.
    “Emma, go find out if Dianna is in the club,” Jeremy issued the order to his sub. He didn’t need to look to see her nod and dash off toward the front. He grabbed Doug’s arm, twisting it behind his back until one of the security team arrived and took over.
    Gabriel placed his hands carefully, lifting Bailey from the floor and carrying her to one of the sofas emptied by his friends. He felt his chest ache when she curled into a ball. He saw tears fall but didn’t hear a sound from her. Tough little sub.
    “What happened?” A brusque, doctor-like tone filled the space, a tall blonde all in leather dropped to her knees, her hands on Bailey’s face, gently checking her eyes before looking up at Gabriel.
    “She had an accident as a child and can’t kneel,” Gabriel spit out angrily. “Master Doug thought he should correct her position and dropped her on her knee.”
    “Little sub…look at me,” Dianna met the wide eyes with a soft smile. “It’s okay. Which knee? Show me.” She leaned back and followed Bailey’s hand to the knee. “Alright. Lay back and close your eyes. Focus on the music. Gabriel, sit with her, please.”
    “Get an ice pack out of the first aid kit,” Gabriel ordered with a glance at the waiter who quickly vanished to find the item requested. His staff was well trained and none of them had ever seen the seething Gabriel before them now. “Dianna?”
    “Don’t be impatient, Gabe. Breathe deeply,” she winked at