Dom or Sub

Marina’s POV

I rushed across the room and grabbed Adrian's arm just before he could open the door. My heart raced with worry for Lucian, who stood there looking so vulnerable. 'Wait,' I said, my voice firm but pleading. 'Let me take him.'

Adrian turned to me, his broad shoulders tense under his suit jacket. The club's dim lights cast shadows on his stern face. 'As your bodyguard, I don't like you being alone with him,' he replied, his tone protective and unyielding.

I nodded quickly, not wanting to argue. 'Fine, you can come with us then.'

From the corner, Vale's voice cut in, sharp and commanding. 'No, Marina. You stay.'

I ignored him for a moment and pulled Adrian aside, leaving Lucian standing alone by the door. He looked like a lost puppy, his eyes wide with fear, hands fidgeting at his sides. The room felt smaller, the air thick with tension from the music thumping outside.

'He's obviously scared,' I whispered to Adrian, glancing back at Lucian.

Adrian crossed his arms, his jaw set. 'He made the deal. What did he expect would happen?'

I shook my head, frustration bubbling up. 'I want you not to scare him. Just try to act like a human.'

His eyes narrowed. 'What is that supposed to mean?'

'Just try to be gentle,' I said, softening my words. 'That's what I'm trying to say.'

Adrian's face hardened like stone, anger flashing in his dark eyes. He stepped closer, his voice low and hurt. 'You may hate me, Marina, but I am a person with feelings. I know how to be kind, and if you never ever give me a chance, maybe I could show you some time.'

His words stung deep, hitting a raw spot I didn't expect. I watched as he turned away, his movements surprisingly gentle as he approached Lucian and guided him toward the door with a light touch on his shoulder. They slipped out into the hallway, leaving me alone with the echo of Adrian's confession.

I buried my head in my hands, frustration washing over me like a wave. My fingers pressed against my temples, trying to steady the whirlwind in my mind. Then I lifted my gaze to Vale. 'What?' I demanded, spinning around to face him.

But he was gone. The spot where he had stood moments ago was empty, the shadows swallowing any trace of him. 'Oh, he's not getting off that easy,' I muttered to myself, determination hardening my resolve.

I stormed out of the room and into the pulsing heart of the club. Bodies moved under flashing lights, the bass vibrating through the floor and up my legs. Laughter and shouts blended into a chaotic hum as I weaved through the crowd, my eyes scanning every corner. Sweat beaded on my skin from the heat, but I pushed on, checking the bar, the dance floor, even the VIP lounges.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity of dodging strangers and ignoring the club's seductive pull, I spotted the security office door slightly ajar at the back of the complex. The hallway leading there was quieter, lined with cold metal walls that muffled the party's roar. I pushed inside without knocking and slammed the door shut behind me, the bang echoing in the small space filled with monitors and glowing screens.

Vale sat at the desk, his back to me at first, but he turned slowly in his chair. His face was illuminated by the blue light of the security feeds, showing Adrian and Lucian moving through the dimly lit corridors of the complex. 'You will no longer force me to follow your commands against my will,' I said, my voice steady despite the anger boiling inside. 'I don't do anything I don't want to, Vale. I have a safe word.'

He leaned back, his eyes locking onto mine with that intense gaze that always made my stomach twist. 'I know that, Marina,' he replied calmly. 'But Lucian does not.'

The realization hit me hard. 'So you tricked him.'

Vale nodded without apology. 'I needed an angel, so yes, I tricked him.'

I stepped closer, the monitors flickering behind him like distant stars. 'Vale, why Lucian? Does he mean something to you? Is he of some sort of importance?'

'Yes, Marina,' he said, his voice dropping lower. 'Lucian is essential in my plans.'

I glanced at the screens again, watching Adrian's protective stance beside the smaller figure of Lucian as they navigated the maze-like halls. A pang of nostalgia hit me. There was a time when Vale and I shared everything, no walls between us, our trust as solid as the club's foundations. Now, he felt so distant, like a stranger wearing a familiar face.

'We used to trust each other,' I said softly, my voice cracking with emotion. 'What happened?'

His eyes softened, the hard lines around them easing for a moment. It was like watching a fortress crack, vulnerability peeking through. He reached out, his hand hovering near mine, warm and inviting. 'I haven't lost trust in you, Marina.'

'But what about the security breaches?' I pressed, pulling my hand back just enough to feel the space between us.

He took a deep breath, his chest rising and falling visibly. The walls around him seemed to thicken in that instant, invisible barriers growing harder to breach. 'I cannot tell you all my plans, Marina. Maybe not yet.'

A cry of frustration escaped my lips, raw and desperate. It echoed off the monitors, making the room feel even smaller.

Vale suddenly turned fully to face me, his presence commanding the space. 'Strip,' he said, the word slicing through the air like a whip.

It caught me completely off guard. My breath hitched. 'What?'

'I said, strip, Marina,' he repeated, his tone brooking no argument. 'Take your clothes off now.'

I blinked, heat rising to my cheeks. 'Vale. You want to play games right now?'

'This is not a game,' he replied, his eyes darkening with intent.

'Then why do you want me to be naked?' I challenged, though my voice wavered.

'You have been more than a little defiant as of late,' he said, leaning forward slightly.

'I... I'm sorry, sir,' I whispered, the submission slipping out instinctively, stirring something deep within me.

He held my gaze, unyielding. 'Before I can even begin to consider sharing my plan with you, I need to know you're still my sub. If you strip right now, I'll know you trust me as a dom, and I'll share at least part of my plan with you.'

My heart pounded in my chest, a wild drumbeat echoing the club's distant rhythm. The promise in his words tugged at me, but it was more than that. He knew me too well. He understood how losing control terrified me, how it left me exposed and raw. Yet, this was the way he helped, the only way I craved being guided back to center. His dominance wrapped around me like a familiar chain, pulling me toward surrender.

'I gave you an order, Marina,' he said, his voice a low rumble that sent shivers down my spine. 'So make up your mind. Are you my sub or not?'