Chapter 4

Li Kuan

Mr. Xu was a Waterloo institution. In a world with pawn shops in seemingly every strip mall along the roads, “Xu’s Pawn” was a throw-back to the pawn shops of old, and was located on South Congress Avenue, which served as Waterloo’s Main Street. Oh, it had its share of mass-produced garbage, but it also had odd, truly one-of-a-kind items, and generally served a higher class of customers than its sleazier strip mall cousins.

Above the long center counter was a sign.

“If you don’t think you’re getting our best price, please ask to speak to Mr. Xu.”

In-the-know patrons knew that was not likely to bring them more money, or save them money, depending on whether they were pawning or buying.

Even while being unflappably courteous, it was far more likely Mr. Xu would confirm his employee’s assay of an item’s value. And woe betide the patron who became rude or abusive. The assay would drop, precipitously, or the price would rise to stratospheric levels, with the hulking Wei, supposedly a nephew of Mr. Xu, always ready to eject the unruly.

Of course, it was a crap-shoot as to whether or not Mr. Xu was on the premises, so it might take him awhile to arrive. “Xu’s Pawn” might be his best known business, but it wasn’t his only enterprise.

His other two were ... less than legal. Also, more profitable than “Xu’s Pawn”.

Fencing stolen property – something he and his employees were extremely careful to avoid at the pawn shop – was handled at a warehouse in east Waterloo. At the same location was his other service – the procurement of ‘specialty items’ for the criminal underworld and other unsavory individuals.

Such as Li Kuan.

“Good day,” he said, sitting in his nondescript office, sipping his tea.

“And to you as well.”

He smiled, and nodded in response.
Neither of them paid any mind to the two submissives kneeling at his side – one, blonde and heavy-breasted, Li Kuan knew to be a cow from House Bella Notte. The other, Li Kuan wasn’t sure of.

While she’d seen him engaging in electric play with the whipcord thin, wiry brunette ... something about her said ‘bodyguard’.

Li Kuan considered the 6’, dark-haired, handsome Chinese-American man before her. She shared his interest in electric play, as well as other business interests. He had propositioned her once – and after her polite refusal – had never mentioned it again.

At the time, she had entertained a few fantasies of what it might be like to be subservient to him. Those fantasies were ultimately, for the most part, unsatisfying. Li Kuan found far more satisfaction serving powerful women.

“Tea?”

“Certainly,” she replied, sitting down across from him. Puppy knelt at her side, also ignored by both of them.

“As I remember,” Mr. Xu said, “you take milk?”

“Yes, and one lump of sugar.”

The cow was obviously suffering, and looked somewhat relieved to be able to express out a small bottle of milk, from which Mr. Xu finished Li Kuan’s tea.

He handed her cup and saucer, and began preparing another pot.

After a few moments enjoying the tea, she said, “I am traveling to San Francisco, and will need a full range of weaponry, as well as explosives.”

He smiled.

“I’m afraid the explosives will be a problem.”

“Because of what happened after the last time you supplied me?”

“Exactly. Were it any other of my clients besides you – and perhaps two others – we wouldn’t be doing business at all.”

“I must admit, I didn’t foresee such a reaction from law enforcement when I planned things,” Li Kuan said. “I expected a ‘who cares, they’re just gangbangers’ response.”

“That might well have been the response were it not for the renewed heat in organized crime’s war in the city. Simply bad timing.

“And please do not think the problem is one of personal pettiness or pique. An event like that explosion has everyone’s feelers out. I doubt anyone’s having an easier time procuring explosives than I am.”

“Is it impossible, or does it simply require far more effort and risk?”

Mr. Xu leaned forward.

“Nothing is impossible.”

“Name your price. I’ll pay it.”

Mr. Xu was silent for a moment.

“I assume your visit is related to the situation involving the former House Nelson and House Chorale?”

“Yes, very much so.”

“Will the city still be standing when you’re done?”

“Probably, although I expect parts of it will be ... damaged.”

“Try to minimize the damage, I have family there. I would hate for anything to happen to them. I imagine you’re flying, and would like to pick up your purchases somewhere in or near the city?”

“Ideally, yes. Also, while I’m sure you could acquire what I need from suppliers closer to San Francisco, I would appreciate it if I might choose the equipment here, and have it shipped.”

“Of course. Better the known and trusted, no matter how identical others might claim to be.”

“Exactly.”

“Same billing?”

“Yes.”
“Very good.”

His phone rang.

“Excuse me for a moment,” he said, getting up and stepping away. He pulled the phone out of his pocket, and listened to it for a moment.

“I’m needed downtown. If it’s acceptable, I’ll have Esteban take care of you.”

“He hasn’t shot his own balls off yet?”

“No,” Mr. Xu replied. “Although the pool is still open on how badly he’ll hurt himself when he finally does. Interested?”

“No,” Li Kuan laughed. “I came to the conclusion long ago his ‘macho moron’ act was just that. Please, go tend to your customers. Esteban and I will tend to my shopping.”

Eddie

“We’ll be leaving for San Francisco tomorrow,” Li Kuan said.

“Good hunting,” Eddie said, sitting at the ‘family’ table near the kitchen.

It was strange ... he hadn’t expected her to tell him anything, even if he was temporarily occupying the ... throne.

“I...”

He’d rarely seen Li Kuan hesitate about anything.

“I’ve been talking with Danielle Fruehauf,” Li Kuan said. “Don’t ... don’t be too quick to attack her sister Roberta, and the rest of the her crew.”

“Why not? They’re a bunch of neo-nazi punks...”

“If Roberta Fruehauf hadn’t had years to choose her entourage, make sure of their willingness to follow her orders ... maybe. It’s Danielle’s opinion Roberta has sifted through a lot of ‘wannabe-tough’s, and so her crew is severely hard-core. Sticking your nose in that hornet’s nest ... it would be a lot uglier than you might expect. She’s of the opinion they’re ready to kill at a moment’s notice, ready to die if that’s how things come out, ready to do life-time prison sentences if they live.

“They’re not ‘punks’, Master Janak, they’re fanatics, storm troopers.”

“So, you don’t think Mama Kissie’s right about “cutting off the head”?”

“It would have an effect, I’m just not willing to bet the life of anyone in this House it would be the effect she foresees. They’re hard-core, and not necessarily smart.”

“What do you mean?”

“Truck, loaded with assholes and explosives, comes through the front gate shooting, accelerates all the way to the house, explodes. How many die?”

Eddie stared into his coffee cup.

Finally he said, “But they’re ... bullies ... cowards...”

“Fanatics. And you and I both know fanatics are capable of anything. Now, I could be wrong, Danielle could be wrong, they might be exactly who and what you think they are.

“If you poke that hornet’s nest, and you’re right, no problem. Well, no more problems than are to be expected. If you poke the nest and you’re wrong...”

“Tragedy.”

“Yes. My suggestion is you play “let’s you and them fight”. If the FBI and the ATF had a reason to go looking at Fruehauf and her people...”

“Funny as it may seem, Li Kuan,” Eddie said, “I haven’t cultivated any friends in the federal government ... not even the embassy personnel in Pyanmar. Oh, we were friendly enough, but living with them so long...”

“House Vicente in Dallas,” Li Kuan said, smiling. “They could help.”

“Vicente ... okay ... I suppose once Margo’s back in town...”

“No, Master Janak. Don’t wait. Go this next weekend. Take Mistress Dominique with you.”

He looked at Li Kuan, his jaw working.

“What do you know that I don’t?”

“Nothing, Master Janak. Just a feeling ... a feeling I wish I could ignore.”

Andrew

“Do you have any idea, Madam, how much I don’t like you right now?”

“Andrew, you’re going to be vacationing in Hawaii, on a lovely estate, in a truly luxurious guest lodge, and you don’t like me.”

“I don’t. I have no desire to interview her, I don’t like her, and I’m disgusted by what she did.”

“Fair enough. I understand your feelings on the matter.”

“Nevertheless, I will ... we will ... come to Hawaii and I’ll do as you ask. But I won’t go easy on her.”

“I know I don’t need to remind you...”

“But you will anyway.”

“But I will anyway ... no details. You can be just as unhappy as you want to be, let that be reflected in your tone and questions, but no details.”

“I understand. Don’t worry. In return, I want to interview you to arrange an interview with Master Janak for me. He’s been ... avoiding ... returning my calls.

“Also ... I want an interview with the heir-apparent and his women.”

He sat quietly as his employer argued with herself, and fought down the anger he’d raised in her with the ‘heir-apparent’ crack.

“No details there, either,” Margo said finally.

“Of course not. Don’t even intend to bring those matters up. I figure they’ve had to talk about them more than enough. No, straight out ‘getting-to-know-you’ interview for the three of them.”

“What about Yan?”

“Oh, her time is coming. I just figure to wait until she’s properly married to them.”

“Fine.”

“Oh, since you’ve seen fit to disturb my evening, Madam, one last matter. I’ve had feelers from other high muckety-mucks – or rather from their flunkies – wondering about being invited to appear on the show. Folks like Vanson and Saenz, other city heads. Not just from Texas either.

“Any problem with that?”

“Nope, long as your work doesn’t suffer. Hell, we’ll even cover your travel and such.”

“No need ... travel and lodging seems to be part of the offer. ‘Come to Dallas, or wherever, we’ll wine and dine you, put you and your guest up in the best accommodations... ‘.”

“Look at you, getting all popular...”

“Yeah ... although if I decide to deal with those two Dallas shitheads ... popularity could be a two-edged sword.”

January 16, 2007 Tuesday

Donna

Estrellita was a very appreciative woman ... so appreciative Donna had to rely on Abby’s help to walk after Donna’s time with their chef.

The appreciative woman in question didn’t walk away from Jason’s attentions. Estrellita passed out and was carefully laid to one side.

“So,” Donna said softly, “how badly is your tongue cramping?”

“No’ ba’...” Jason replied. “Aw tha essersize it’s ge’ing ... mos’ly ‘ust ‘ired.”

The conversation paused as Randi carefully cleaned her Master’s face. Donna took the time to send for drinks from the bar.

Thoughts of their former bartender and playmate darkened her mood, so Donna settled down on the spermy mess that was her husband’s three-quarters erect cock.

“You came twice,” she said, no longer in the least concerned with whether or not her birth control pills were capable of preventing ‘accidents’. “No help, nothing ... Abby and I were taking bets.”

“Which way did you bet?” he asked, his diction still a little slurred.

“Alas, I bet against you getting off with no assistance ... first time, because it’s a rare thing to happen. Second time, because you’d already managed it once – no way you’d come a second time.”

“What did you bet?”

“Orgasms ... and yeah, I don’t mind losing at all,” she said, slowly starting to develop a rhythm. “Third one’s going to be all mine, though.”

“Damn,” Jason moaned, “that feels so good ... I’m surprised though ... betting against me when you know how much I enjoy eating women out.”

“I’ll know better next time,” she said.

“You knew better this time.”

“Yeah, but win or lose I’d win. It was something ‘low-energy’ to do while we watched your cock bob and dance.”

She lay down on top of him, her hips never missing a beat, as conversation became difficult for either of them.

Karen

The bed was shaking.

Why is the goddamn bed shaking?

Karen cracked an eyelid, saw the bedside clock dancing in her vision.

6:22... 6:23...

“If that’s you, Hikari,” she said slowly, “I’m gonna spank you so hard -”
“It’s not her it’s me, Liz,” Patricia squealed. “We’ve got reservations! Had to pay a premium but we’ve got reservations!”

“Where?” Karen asked with a groan.

“The Cape Angelina Resort! Clothing optional, lesbian-owned-and-operated, couples only, best of all, we check in this afternoon!“

“When’s our flight?”

“A little before 3!”

“Wonderful,” Karen growled. “I’m looking forward to it, really I am. But now, I’m going back to sleep, and if you don’t want to be strolling around the resort with a red and swollen ass, you will not wake me up again for at least three hours, and you will have coffee ready when you do.”

“I’m gonna pack!”

“I imagine you will...”

Even with the full load of grumpy she was carrying, Karen was asleep in just a few minutes.

Thad

“Are you coming to bed anytime soon, sir?” Kjirsten asked.

“Probably ... maybe...”

He looked at the clock ... a little before 4:30.

“Driving yourself half-mad with worry won’t help, sir,” she said.

“No, it won’t ... have you had any children with Nelson?”

“No, sir,” Kjirsten replied. “I was married for my looks, not as a ‘brood mare’, to use his term. But I was ... close ... to several of the women he did breed.”

“I’ve been thinking about the children who went for a sea cruise and never came back.”

“So I gathered, sir.”

“How did they handle that horror?”

“Several of them committed suicide, sir. Others took ... cruises ... of their own. Simon never trusted any breeder after their children were disposed of ... probably wise of him. If he’d been alone with them, or as alone with them as he was with any of us, I know several of them would have tried to kill him.”

Thad heard the hatred in her voice, and wondered how often she’d considered trying to kill him.

“Those who weren’t despondent enough to kill themselves, or violent enough for him to have killed ... eventually they were sold to people even more cruel than he was, sir.”

“No chance of getting them back, getting them ... help?”

“No, sir, I doubt it. You might get some ... thing ... back, but I’m sure, in my heart, the kindest treatment you could give them would be a quick and painless death.”

He decided to ask the question.

“Did you ever think about trying to kill him?”

“Often, sir. But ... I’m ashamed ... I was never willing to die in the attempt. Even if I’d succeeded, I wouldn’t have survived him by more than a few moments.”

He heard her slump into the chair across the desk from him, and her quiet sobs brought tears to his own eyes.

“There was ... there was one night ... a party in Los Angeles ... large rooftop area, with a pool ... all the guests were enjoying the view ... we were standing close to the railing...”

Kjirsten took a moment to collect herself.

“That was the closest I ever came ... I thought of grabbing him, throwing us both over the edge. Perhaps he saw it in my eyes, or maybe he just felt my hate, but he led us away from the railing, more toward the center of party.”

“Come here, sit in my lap,” Thad said.

As she cuddled up close to him, he wrapped his arms around her.

Thad wouldn’t tell her he wished she’d tried, and succeeded. He was very fond of Kjirsten, but couldn’t help but think things would have been very different, and probably better, if Simon Nelson had died before the kids had come to San Francisco.

Sinfonia

It was one of the trials of nightclub managers.

While the majority of their jobs required late hours, deliveries invariably required them – or some employee they trusted – to be up and about early in the day.

As she sucked down her coffee, Sinfonia considered yet again the possibility of just staying up after the club closed, not going to sleep until the deliveries were made.

Two small problems with that. Checking in those deliveries required more attention than she’d be likely to muster after remaining awake that long ... and she was willing to bet real money if she did stay up, the deliveries would run late.

“And a happy good morning to you.”

Sinfonia glared at the speaker – Val Dobrev, who was in charge of ‘resident services’, handling the subs who actually lived at the club.

“I could have you beaten, you know...”

“You could indeed,” Val answered, a smile lighting up her face, a face almost as tired as Sinfonia’s own. “I might even enjoy it, depending. But you won’t, because deep down, you love my bright and bubbly bullshit.”

Sinfonia chuckled.

“You might be right, but until I’ve had some more coffee, I wouldn’t push it if I were you.”

“Noted.”

“Any problems with our guests?”

“No, other than ... did you have Ziggy doing anything special? He didn’t come in last night.”

“I’ve had him keeping an eye on our unwanted watchers...”

“That’s what I thought,” Val replied. “Probably just didn’t make it back last night, probably crashed out on someone’s couch.”

“Yeah,” Sinfonia said. “Probably...”

She shook herself.

“I’ll talk to him when he gets back. With what he’s doing for us, I’m going to have him start calling in if he’s not going to be back overnight.”

Sinfonia found herself more worried about the hyper fuck moppet than she’d thought she’d be.

Patricia

Liz’s threat to spank her made Patricia wriggle with delight as she, with Hikari’s help, continued the packing Patricia had surreptitiously begun days earlier.

Not that she was a fan of being spanked so much as Patricia was happy to see any sign of her beloved acting as a Domme. If the cost of that was a glowing-red bottom, she’d gladly pay it.

The only issue darkening her anticipation of the honeymoon was Hikari.

Their girl had shown no indication of expecting to go with them on the honeymoon, but Patricia couldn’t imagine the thought hadn’t crossed her mind, and worried about Hikari’s feelings.

The packing was very close to being finished when Patricia decided she needed coffee, and to discuss the issue with Hikari.

“Come on, break time, sweet girl.”

“Yes, Milady.”

Sitting at the ‘family’ table near the kitchen, Patricia gathered her courage while she and Hikari sipped their coffee.

“Sweet girl,” she began, deciding to just come out and speak her mind, “are you okay with not coming along on the honeymoon?”

Hikari laughed, and Patricia marveled at just how much Hikari’s mood had brightened as she became more comfortable with her new situation.

“Milady, you are the sweet one, to worry about that! I would have asked to remain at home had you invited me. This is a time for the two of you, it’s your honeymoon! I certainly wouldn’t turn down an invitation to a vacation, but this ... this is, and should be, so much more than a vacation.”

Patricia thought on that for a moment, then asked, “Hikari, do you ever ... do you think about marriage for yourself?”

“Not seriously, no. Milady, you’ve seen some of the emotional hoops Billy and Helen have had to jump through to have a relationship where he’s in service and she isn’t, not really, even though she pays his obligations to Master Grimes. If my head’s where it should be, the only marriage that should be possible for me, given where my devotion lies, should be to my Dominants, and that’s far above what anyone in my position should aspire to. If it were to happen, that would be a wonderful gift to any submissive, and certainly there are young and inexperienced subbies who yearn for it, not having properly accepted their role in the scheme of things, but to any submissive with a realistic outlook, no.”

Hikari looked at her brightly, but Patricia could see a hint of sadness in the young woman’s eyes.

“We can look forward to being concubines, at best,” Hikari finished.

Patricia wished she could offer the Hikari even the possibility of that, but as the second phase – and third, she supposed – of her relationship with Liz developed, Patricia was getting a firm grip on just how far Liz would bend, and taking Hikari as a concubine was way over that line.

Upon their return, they finished the packing with a good half-hour to spare before Patricia could wake up Liz.

“Hikari honey,” she murmured, “go arrange for a full coffee service to be brought up at ... let’s let her sleep a little longer, 10. Might save our lives...”

“Indeed, Milady,” Hikari replied with a smile.

Jason

His talk with Dr. Lowenstein had gone well, and while the jury was still out on whether he’d be able to trust her as his therapist, she’d agreed to advise them ... and to keep it as advice, not an attempt to be ‘the adult in charge’.

She’d apologized profusely again, so had he, and by the end of their talk he was feeling hopeful.

“Heading for the gym,” Jason said, walking into the master suite.

“Hold on then,” Abby said, Constance and Otter nursing at her breasts. “I’m almost empty.”

“No rush,” he said, slipping into his workout clothes. “Donna,” he called, “you coming?”

“In a moment,” she replied from the bathroom.