Avenge or Revenge: Chapter 4
Declan has died. Jessie has died. Grandmother Bernadette has died. Sabine struggles to deal with life, death, college and her business. She meets Christian Grey and begins a D/s contract with him, despite Elena's interference.
I do not own the characters from FSOG. They belong to E.L. James.
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August, 2006 - Four years later, before Sabine's 24th birthday
Locke and Keyes
Sabine's POV
"I need a bar girl to work Saturday evening. It's a big event. The woman I usually ask is now in a relationship and can't do it. I know I've only asked you to waitress before, but I need an experienced submissive to do this. You would sit on the corner of the bar in your AP bondage underwear. You will allow patrons to tie or bind your hands, ankles, knees, elbows. No one ties/binds without permission. You will not be touched inappropriately after you are bound. The patrons only practice tying knots, and converse with you. You can hold their drink while they tie parts of you, but no one walks away and leaves you bound. No one binds so hard that you lose circulation. No one buys you a drink. No one invites you to a suite where they can practice knot tying in private. No one uses their own ties or binds - you will use the Japanese silk ties we provide. I can't pay you, but the tips are excellent." Aedan asked.
"I could do it; I'm not doing anything Saturday night." I said softly. "I don't need the money, but I don't feel like being alone."
XXXXX
"RED, SIR!" Sabine screamed at Aedan as Elena continued to stroke her leg. "RED!"
"Hands off, Elena!" Aedan snapped, inserting himself between Sabine and Elena. "Don't make me break that errant hand of yours!"
"If you're going to work here, you should be more willing to be touched!" Elena snapped at Sabine.
"You know the rules and you didn't have permission to touch me!" Sabine snapped back. "You know the meaning of the word RED. I should not have to scream it over and over. You have no right to ignore me!"
"We're almost done for the night, pretty girl." Aedan lifted Sabine off the bar. He untied her hands and walked her to the office. "Go through the office to the locker room and change into your street clothes. One of the bouncers will walk you to your car when you are ready to go."
"Yes, sir," Sabine acknowledged his orders with downcast eyes.
Once Sabine left Aedan's eyesight, he turned to Elena. "Sabine was just helping out because we had a staffing issue." Aedan announced. "She lost her Declan eight months ago and is skittish. Don't fuck with her Elena."
"She wasn't wearing wedding rings or a collar. I thought she was a free agent. Or, have you tapped that by now," Elena purred.
"Declan was her man and her Dom. She left the rings and collar in her locker so she could work the bar tonight. Jessie was my woman and my submissive. We lost both of them this year. I'm not ready to replace Jessie, so no – I haven't tapped that!"
"Do you think she's looking for a new Dom?" Elena inquired.
"You would have to ask her," Aedan shrugged more nonchalantly than he felt.
"I'd like to interview her." Elena's predatory look repulsed him.
"Not alone," Aedan snapped. "You don't respect boundaries in a public domain; I'm not allowing her behind closed doors with you unless you are handcuffed and restrained against a St. Andrew's Cross." He would do whatever was necessary to prevent Elena Lincoln from sinking her teeth into Sabine's pale, perfect flesh.
Elena chuckled. "You haven't lost your kink, that's for sure."
XXXXX
Sabine's POV
I slipped off the stilettos and fled to locker room. I shoved my tips in a bank bag to give to Aedan for the fundraiser. I pulled on a black cashmere sweater, jeans and Kate Spade flats. I grabbed my purse and car keys but before I could run for the door, Aedan texted and asked me to come back to the bar for a minute.
"Elena Lincoln, this is Sabine Locke. Elena wants to interview you…"
"Not interested," I said, turning to walk away. I wanted to go home, smell Declan's cologne, sleep in his bed, and mourn my lost love. But, I've cleared the house and am putting it up for sale. I'm almost completely settled at the apartment above Falcon Financials.
"It's rude not to hear the lady's offer," a tall man blocked her way for a minute.
"I don't care for people who don't respect my boundaries, I don't do one-night stands, I don't do threesomes and I'm not into Dommes. All of those are hard limits." I said quietly. "Step away, Mr. God's Gift to Women - you are in my personal space and I did not give you permission to be that close to me."
He stepped back, but leaned one hip against the bar and grinned at her. "Actually, I'm conducting the interview, not Elena. Interested yet?"
"Perhaps," I said. "At least you appear to have manners."
"May I buy you a drink?" Christian asked. "A glass of wine?"
"Thank you no, I'm responsible; I don't drink and drive," I explained. "I know my limits."
"Knowing your limits is important. I would like the opportunity to discuss limits." Christian smiled his famous how can you resist smile.
He's just like Declan…all he has to do is smile and I forget what I was thinking…I let out a soft sigh, lowered my eyes and nodded permission.
Christian smirked. Yes, if she interviewed well, he was prepared to offer her a contract depending upon her background check. "Elena, I'll take this from here," Christian announced. "I like petite brunettes with long hair," he smiled down at Sabine. He steadfastly ignored Elena's furious glare.
"I like tall, physically-fit men," I replied, looking up at him through my eyelashes.
"Use the office, Sabine," Aedan ordered. "It's private, you won't be interrupted. If he doesn't respect your boundaries, just hit the panic button by the door. One of the bouncers or I will come to your rescue." He glared at Christian Grey, suddenly feeling protective of his best friend's widow. He called one of the bouncers to come forward to watch the office door and make sure Elena Lincoln stayed away.
"Christian Grey," he offered his hand to shake.
"Sabine Falco," I offer my hand, which he does not shake. Instead he pulls an old dominant trick by running his thumb over my knuckles. Jessie taught me it was a way to remind a submissive to settle down and not be nervous. It was also a way of asserting dominance. It was also a way of expressing affection. "Please sit," I offer.
My inner Catholic school girl taps a ruler over her knuckles. Why didn't I tell him I'm Sabine Locke? Since I was in a rush to dress, I haven't put my rings or collar back on.
My inner tramp is skinny dipping in a vat of his cologne. It's gone to her head and she can't think straight.
"I'd rather stand." Mr. Grey looks around the office like it's not up to his standards.
"Whatever works for you," I remove my hand from his; I walk over to a control console on a desk and turn off the CCTV to the office.
"What are you doing?" He asks.
I'm not sure he's interested in what I'm doing. He's just watching my ass as I bend over the console. My inner tramp knows to slide one foot forward and stretch one leg back to maximize the butt effect on men. Jessie was a good teacher. "Turning off the CCTV. It activates when either office door is opened." I walk to the back office door and lock it. I take a position opposite him on the bare wall.
My inner tramp puts my hands behind my back and flattens my shoulders against the wall. The pose pushes my breasts forward which usually derails a normal man's thoughts. To a Dominant; it's an almost submissive pose.
"I need you to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement before we have this conversation." He tries to ignore my breasts and establish himself in control of the conversation.
"Do you have one on you?" I inquire.
"No, but I can have one faxed," he offered.
I go to the desk, open a drawer and pull one from the files. "Will this one do?"
He read it; made a few changes; and offered it back to me. I read his changes and signed it. I took it to the copier and made a copy for me, giving him the original. I dropped the copy in my tote.
"Are you always so prepared?" He smirked.
"It's the nature of the business." I shrugged, leaning against the wall again. "We try to keep the basic paperwork on hand: membership form, complaint form, NDA, standard contracts, etc."
"You seem to know where to find everything," he observed. "Do you work full time as a bar girl?"
"I waitressed a dozen times over the last four years when Locke and Keyes had staffing issues. Tonight is the only time I've been a bar girl. My previous Dom never allowed me to work as bar girl. Aedan asked; I agreed to work as long as I could wear a mask. I've been doing their books for a few years now." I acknowledge.
'Accountant?" He asked.
"CPA. I'm taking courses for my MBA. I have been in business with my grandmother since I was sixteen. She passed away this year and I inherited the business; Falcon Financials."
"Parents?" He inquires carefully.
"Father unknown, mother unwed seventeen-year-old who dumped a three-day old child at her parents' house on her way out of town. She went out to get formula and diapers and never came back. Haven't seen or heard from her since. Don't care to search for either one of them. My grandparents are my real parents."
Mr. Grey sounds like he's interviewing me for a job…which I guess he is…but it wouldn't hurt if he were a little less stuffy about it. My inner Catholic school girl tosses her hair primly.
"Are you in a relationship? Grey asks.
"No, my last relationship ended eight months ago." I admit. It's the first time since I've said that aloud that I haven't burst into tears, or at least had tears well up in my eyes.
"Would he be willing to give you a reference?" He asked bluntly.
"He's deceased. If you want to know my training and qualifications, you might ask his best friend and business partner, Aedan Keyes."
"The bartender," he raised his eyebrows at me.
"Not just a bartender; he owns the club." My voice is cool and passive; but if he denigrates Aedan again, I will make him pay.
"Do you like that?" He asks.
"Like what?" I act confused. I know where this conversation is headed.
"Do you like business men?" Grey asked.
"I told you, I like tall, physically fit men. My business operates in the black. It supports me and enables me to go to college. I'm not looking for a sugar daddy." Read between the lines on a dollar sign, my inner Catholic school girl snaps. I'm not for sale. I could be for sale, my inner tramp whispers. I would dress in school girl costumes if he wanted it. I would put a bit between my teeth and prance like a pony and give him the ride of a lifetime. I'd fuck in a public place if that's what he wanted. Sabine, don't you ruin this for me. I want to get laid…hard, hot, fast and OFTEN.
"Gratifying to know. What are you wearing?" He inquires.
"Vintage cashmere sweater, DKNY jeans, Kate Spade shoes, Agent Provocateur underwear." I coldly appraised his clothes. "Brioni suit, John Lobb shoes," I announced. "Now that we've done the fashion 411, let's move on to more interesting questions."
"Do you work long hours to pay for your fashion fix?" He asked casually.
"I shop consignment. I am the accountant for three consignment stores in the Seattle area. They know my sizes and tastes. They let me know when something new comes in that might interest me. I barter my work for their services. I also shop upscale rummage sales like the ones organized by doctors' or lawyers' spouses. I work full time Monday, Wednesday and Friday. I take classes and study on Tuesday and Thursday. I go to the gym daily for one to two hours."
"Do you save your weekends for quality family time?" He inquired.
"No quality family." I replied. "No husband, significant other, children, parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins. I have a great aunt Lucia who lives in Tuscany. She is my grandfather's sister. She's a nun. We exchange letters at Easter, birthdays and Christmas. I'm working tonight because Aedan was short staffed and because I didn't feel like staying home."
"Does being alone bother you?" He asked casually.
"I'm not alone, I have the community. I have friends. I have employees. I'm self-sufficient." I watch his assessment of my reply. "How about you?"
"What color are your eyes?" He moved closer for inspection.
I recognized the diversion. Mr. Grey did not reveal much. I wondered about the connection between him and Elena Lincoln. "Grandfather called them Tuscan Sunrise. The dark blue is like clouds at sunrise. Then there's a hint of sunshine gold in them. Poets might call them sapphire. DMV calls them blue." I looked at him, when he's back in Dom mode, I might drop my eyes to submissive mode.
"Interesting," he murmured, coming closer. "I missed the gold sparkle."
"It's usually dormant; less I'm vexed. However, my eyes are not as interesting as yours… grey to match your suit, then silver, charcoal, slate, gunmetal, ash and now smoke." I smile and then press my lips together.
"Did I amuse you?" he asked.
"Grandmother Bernadette would say stay away from you…you've got bad-boy eyes." I shrug.
"Bad boy eyes?" He's amused now.
"Yes…one color for each personality." I quip.
"I'd like to kiss that smart mouth of yours." He planted his hands against the wall on either side of my head. He planted his feet between mine and leaned toward me.
"That surprises me," I say softly, casting my eyes to the floor.
"Why? Don't you think you are kissable?" Mr. Grey smirks.
"Usually you Dom types want to fuck my smart mouth." I say honestly. My inner tramp shops for more AP lingerie. My inner Catholic school girl is writing "don't be a slut" a thousand times on my mental chalkboard.
"That too," he murmured and pins my body to the wall with his, one hand holding my face, one hand wrapped around my braid, pulling my head up as his lips crush down onto mine. I know this kind of kiss too, Declan taught me. Oral domination… plundering my mouth to assert his will over me. Testing to see how long I can stand the onslaught of his lips, his tongue. It's just a tactic, not emotional. It doesn't mean a thing. However, it's been a while since I've been kissed like that. It will probably be a long time before I'm kissed like that again; so I surrender to the enjoyable physical aspect of it. I return the kiss, showcasing some of the oral skills taught during my submissive training. I keep my hands behind my back. I was not invited to touch and I will wait for the invitation.
Grey rolls his hips as he pins me to the wall, one of his thighs pressing against the apex of my thighs. It's another dominant move; the sensual dry hump against the wall to build anticipation. I am relieved Grey performs it well. I can feel his semi-arousal and am pleased. Jessie told me it was important for me to see the Dominant's equipment as well as him viewing mine. She said a lot of contracts are broken when the anticipated equipment is subpar. Her words not mine.
Eventually I break the kiss. "Yellow…Please stop, sir. I don't want to come without permission. It's been a long time since I've…"
"Why haven't you?" He murmurs, his hips pressed against me again. It is a classic Dominant body block. "Don't you touch yourself?"
"I learned how for the pleasure of my Dom. I don't when I'm alone. The solitary experience is not the same, sir." I say quietly. My inner Catholic school girl blushes. My inner tramp enjoys the body block too much. She's wearing a toga and ready to fuck Adonis, and his multiple personalities, Apollo and Ares.
His lips brush against the corner of my mouth, my jaw, my ear. "You smell good."
I smother a giggle. "Thank you sir."
"You find it amusing that I think you smell good?" He pulls his head back and gives me a heart-stopping stare. It's probably worked for him dozens of times.
My inner Catholic school girl is immune to his charms. Used car salesman, she hisses. My inner tramp whines that I never analyzed Declan like this, and she worries I'm going to chase him off by being so unsubmissive. "I think you'd find the name of my perfume amusing," I smile. "Romance by Ralph Lauren. I was introduced to it by one of the consignment stores. It's an addiction now."
He breaks contact and chuckles. He crosses the room, leans against the wall, crossing his arms over his chest. A manly move…posed to counterbalance my almost submissive pose of my hands behind my back. His semi-arousal is evident in his pants. "I don't suppose you'd show me the underwear that had the bartender ready to do bodily damage to Elena?" He cocks his head to one side.
"I don't mind showing, but you can't touch." I reply.
"I'll ask for permission if I get tempted," Grey counters.
"Do you want it with or without the mask?" I'm stalling for time and wonder if he knows.
"Your decision," he smirks.
Iknow how to perform the perfect enticing strip. I practiced stripping daily for three months until Declan declared it was second nature to me. I slip off my cashmere sweater and slide out of my shoes. Stripping off my jeans requires a few wiggles of my ass. I place my hands down at my sides and complete a 360 degree turn. "It's the Whitney collection from Agent Provocateur. The bands over the quarter cup are adjustable to show or hide nipples as desired." I slip the mask on my face.
"May I?" He approaches and twirls his finger to indicate he'd like to see my back again. "Nice."
"I thought this lingerie coordinated with tonight's work. The tips are better when I wear AP lingerie. Since I've never been a bar girl before; I preferred the mask just for the mystery."
"You have lovely skin. May I touch?" I can feel heat emanating from his body as he stands very close to me.
"You may stroke or feel. You may not strike." My inner tramp anticipates melting at his touch. My inner Catholic school girl stamps her feet. What do you mean, you may not strike? She yells at me. You are being interviewed for a position as a submissive. Striking is a given! Come to your senses and walk away!
One of his hands wraps around my braid, pulling my head back and to the side, his mouth caresses from behind my ear to the top of my left shoulder blade; a typical predator move. I remain calm. If he wanted to strike, he would have by now. His index finger runs across my back, following the crisscrossed bands. His thumb brushes hard against my shoulder blade, watching the skin rebound from pink to white. His breath hitches and I know it excites him. "That thong is interesting. Almost as interesting as the stockings and garter belt," he comments as he strokes my legs above the edge of the stocking. Eventually he stops and steps away from me. "You can dress now - do you always wear AP underwear?"
"I wear what the situation requires. I dress as a student for campus; I try to dress as a business woman for work. If I'm waitressing here, I wear a cocktail dress and stockings. I purchased the AP lingerie for working tonight. I wear lingerie or bare skin to bed or in the playroom." I dress, knowing he's watching me. My inner tramp knows how to put on a good show, bending over to retrieve my jeans first, giving him a cleavage shot. She slides them gently up my legs and over my stockings with a couple of hip twists. Her hands caress the material as she rearranges the pockets. She slowly zips and fastens the button. She straightens her leg and does a perfect ballerina point of the toes into a shoe while her hands splay across her hips. She repeats the process for the other shoe. It has the effect of showing off legs and makes any foot fetishist cream his jeans. She bends over again and retrieves my sweater, gathering it to the neckline; sliding it over my head, sliding arms through sleeves. Her hands brush my sides as she settles the sensual cashmere over my breasts and around my hips. My inner tramp tips her head back, and one hand retrieves my braid out of the back of my sweater and loops it over my shoulder, the ruffle hair tie draws attention to my left breast. Damn she must have been good, because he swallows hard before he speaks.
"I prefer just panties in my playroom," he says casually. "I'd like to discuss a contract with you," Grey said. "Can you come for an interview next Saturday afternoon, say four o'clock?" He offers me a card. "My personal email and cell numbers."
"Would sir like me to email my list of soft and hard limits?"I put his card in my tote, and find my business card. I write my personal email on the back.
"It would facilitate the process," Grey said.
"You can email me your list also, with a proposed contract. Please use my personal email to contact me, not the business email." I hand him the card.
"Acceptable," he smiled and put my card in his pocket. "A satisfying start?" He asked.
"Yes," I smiled. "If you will follow me, I'll let you out through the staff exit. It's more private than exiting out the front door." I put on my jacket, tucking my braid down inside my jacket. I pick up my tote, dig out my car keys and lead him out Locke and Keyes.
"It was a pleasure meeting you, Mr. Grey," I say softly, and lower my eyes. I know I am expected to wait until he releases me from the conversation. It is rude to turn and walk away.
"It was a pleasure meeting you, Sabine Falco. I look forward to your emails and to our meeting next Saturday." He leans down and gives me a lingering kiss on my hair before he steps away.
Somehow, my inner tramp manages a ladylike walk to my vintage Mustang. I put my tote in the trunk and unlock the car. I give him a nod of acknowledgement as I slip into the car. I lock the doors immediately, fasten my seatbelt and double-check the mirrors before I start the car…all the little safety protocols Declan imbedded in my head. Grey stands there watching me until a black Audi SUV arrives to pick him up. I depart ahead of him and keep my eyes on my three, six and nine. I'm not supposed to know he's following me, but I do.
I stomp on the accelerator and whiz through a yellow traffic light and slide down a dark side street, taking the next corner right, and haul ass north for four blocks. I disappear into an underground parking lot and reappear on the other side of a main road. Two alleys are followed by four consecutive right turns…I know I lost my tail. I've put the house up for sale, and as of tomorrow, the house will be completely empty. The first thing I did to prepare the house for sale was have Aedan and two of the bouncers remove the equipment and furniture from the playroom. Because of the ensuite and the size of the room; it qualifies as mother-in-law or servant quarters. There's no security there, so I can't sleep in my car in the garage for the night, trying to avoid Mr. Grey. It's late, so I head for the business. I have an alarm there if needed.
I enter, reset the alarm and climb the stairs to the apartment. I lock up, turn out the lights, draw the drapes and retrieve a glass of wine from the refrigerator. I step out onto the balcony, my head tilted toward the sky, my downcast eyes performing a sweep of the streets below. Sure enough, when a few cars go by, his SUV slides into an open parking place. It obviously took his driver a few minutes to get navigation coordinates. I turn sideways toward the SUV, giving them a profile of my tits and ass.
I double dog dare him to try to punish us for escaping him; my inner Catholic school girl shakes her finger no, no, no. My inner tramp feels the thrill of the chase. Yeah baby, she croons. I know you are parked there watching me. Should I put on a show for you, or just pretend you aren't there and go to bed?
I settle for bed. I empty my wine glass, go back inside, strip and go to bed. There will be no more free floor shows tonight.
XXXXX
Christian's POV
"Sir, she's evading," Taylor announces as Sabine blasts through a yellow light.
"Is there anyone following her other than us?" I asked.
"Just us, but she knew." By the time we're stopped, she's gone. Taylor waits for the green light; and turns where she turned, but she's nowhere to be found. "It's too late at night for this shit!" He mutters and pulls over. "There are too damn many drunks out at this hour of the morning. She's disappeared – and I'd bet Sophie's tuition fees for next semester that she's not running a standard engine under that hood." He pulls over and pulls up a GPS layout of a fifteen block radius. "She could be anywhere in a ten block radius by now."
"Here's the address," I hand Taylor her business card; he inputs the address into the GPS system and hands it back to me.
"The address is in the opposite direction; a twenty minute drive from here." Taylor says, turning and going back the other way as quickly as possible.
"Welch, I need a background check on Sabine Falco, personalized license plate Falco." I spell it for him. "Taylor, be as discreet as possible. I want a chance to observe her, the business, the neighborhood, etc."
XXXXX
Monday Morning
Escala
Christian's POV
"Incoming," Welch announces as Sabine's background check hits my email. "I've got a half dozen more background checks and I've asked Barney to run an assessment on her business computer."
"Thanks. Welch." I ask Andrea for a fresh cup of coffee and then sit back and read.
Background Check September 1, 2006
Name:
Sabine Claire Falco
Married name: Locke
Kept Maiden Name for Business Purposes
SS#: #########
Born: November 10, 1983, Seattle, Washington
Current Age: 23
Mother: Mary Claire Falco
Born: May 1, 1966, Seattle, WA
Parents: Carmine and Bernadette Falco
Current location: unknown
Social Security number: unknown
Left home November 13, 1983, family has had no contact since
Father: Unknown
Adopted: November 30, 1984 by Carmine and Bernadette Falco
Banking Details:
Wells Fargo Bank, Seattle
Acct. Number #########
Balance: $2017.54
Personal Acct: Sabine Falco
Status: Active
Wells Fargo Bank, Seattle
Acct. Number #########
Balance: $3618.32
Personal Acct: Declan M. Locke or Sabine C. Locke
Status: Intestate
Wells Fargo Bank, Seattle
Acct. Number: #########
Balance: $875, 364.18
Business account: Falcon Financials
Status: Active
Wells Fargo Bank, Seattle
Account Number: #########
Balance: $22,589.13
Trust Account: Bernadette Falco or Sabine Falco
Status: intestate
Occupation: Owner/Certified Public Accountant
Falcon Financials
1795 Chart Road, Lynnwood, Seattle
Phone: 206-403-2555
Listed on Falcon Financials Payroll since 1999
Co-owner since 1999 upon death of Carmine Falco
Owner since 2001 upon admission of Bernadette Aita Falco to St. Jude's Adult Center, Seattle
Taxes, payroll and utilities are current for the business.
Current Addresses:
1795 Chart Road, Lynnwood
Building owned by Sabine Falco
Business downstairs, 2 BR, 2 Bath apartment upstairs
Personal Cell: 207-444-5518
62751 Copperfield Court
Brier, Washington
Listed for Sale: August 15, 2006
Home is owned by Sabine Falco Locke and Declan Montgomery Locke with right of survivorship, estimated property value: $325,000-$400,000
Prior Education:
Seattle Prep, to 1999
Seattle Online High School, 1999-2000
GED: May 25, 2000, Cumulative Score: 2175
SAT Score: 2085
College:
University of Washington, Seattle
Early admission September 1, 2000
Accounting Major
GPA at Graduation June 6, 2005, 3.85
Admission to MBA program: September 1, 2005
Current GPA: 3.50
Spouse:
Declan Montgomery Locke
Born: December 1, 1977, Dublin, Ireland
Deceased: February 1, 2006, Seattle, Washington
Married December 1, 2003, Bellagio Chapel, Las Vegas, NV
Business: Locke and Keyes – nightclub, Seattle, Washington
Political Affiliations: none found
Religious Affiliations Roman Catholic
Sexual Orientation: Heterosexual
Relationships: none indicated at present, widow
Attached:
Background Check: Declan Montgomery Locke (husband)
Background Check: Aedan Liam Keyes (business partner, Locke and Keyes)
Background Check: Jessica Jane Morgan Keyes (business partner, deceased)
Background Check: Mary Claire Falco (mother)
Background Check: Carmine Falco (grandfather)
Background Check: Bernadette Falco (nee: Aita) (grandmother)
