Bound by the Red Thread Read online

  Bound by the Red Thread

  Rose Nickol

  A Novella in the

  Suspenseful Seduction World

  Bound by the Red Thread

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  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, organizations, places, events, and incidents either are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

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  Copyright ©2020 Suspenseful Seduction Publishing and Author Rose Nickol

  All Rights Reserved.

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  Please note this book contains material aimed at an adult audience, including sex, violence and bad language.

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  No part of this book may be reproduced or used in any manner without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review. This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this ebook with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite ebook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  Contents

  Introduction

  Who’s Who and the History of Trident Security and The Covenant

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Epilogue

  Afterword

  Acknowledgments

  About the Author

  Other Books By Rose

  Books by Samantha A. Cole

  About the Author

  Introduction

  Dear Readers,

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  Welcome to the Suspenseful Seduction World!

  The author of this book has borrowed (with my permission) one or more of my characters from the Trident Security series and/or the Doms of The Covenant series. Some are minor characters who are now getting their own story, thanks to the authors writing in my world, while others are major characters who are being mentioned to connect the story to my series. This book, and others like it, is being published through Suspenseful Seduction Publishing with a contractual agreement between myself and the author.

  While I may have provided some suggestions for including my characters in the storyline, this book is the sole work of the author who wrote it. I was not involved in the writing or editing process, however, several Beta Readers familiar with my characters helped review the final product. While the BDSM lifestyle is included in most of the books in my series, it may or may not be included in the SSW authors’ storylines.

  If you’re not familiar with my series, I’ve included a brief history of Trident Security and The Covenant, along with a Who’s Who of current (at the time this book was published) major characters in both series.

  I’m honored so many authors loved my characters and series that they wanted to include them in their stories.

  Thank you for supporting the author and me, and I hope you enjoy this extension of my Trident Security and/or Doms of The Covenant series.

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  Love,

  Samantha A. Cole

  Who’s Who and the History of Trident Security and The Covenant

  ***While not every character is in every book, these are the ones with the most mentions throughout the series. This guide will help keep readers straight about who’s who.

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  Trident Security (TS) is a private investigative and military agency, co-owned by Ian and Devon Sawyer. With governmental and civilian contracts, the company got its start when the brothers and a few of their teammates from SEAL Team Four retired to the private sector. The original six-man team is referred to as the Sexy Six-Pack, as they were dubbed by Kristen Sawyer, née Anders, or the Alpha Team. Trident had since expanded and former members of the military and law enforcement have been added to the staff. The company is located on a guarded compound, which was a former import/export company cover for a drug trafficking operation in Tampa, Florida. Three warehouses on the property were converted into large apartments, the TS offices, gym, and bunk rooms. There is also an obstacle course, a Main Street shooting gallery, a helicopter pad, and more features necessary for training and missions.

  In addition to the security business, there is a fourth warehouse that now houses an elite BDSM club, co-owned by Devon, Ian, and their cousin, Mitch Sawyer, who is the manager. A lot of time and money has gone into making The Covenant the most sought after membership in the Tampa/St. Petersburg area and beyond. Members are thoroughly vetted before being granted access to the elegant club.

  There are currently over fifty Doms who have been appointed Dungeon Masters (DMs), and they rotate two or three shifts each throughout the month. At least four DMs are on duty at all times at various posts in the pit, playrooms, and the new garden, with an additional one roaming around. Their job is to ensure the safety of all the submissives in the club. They step in if a sub uses their safeword and the Dom in the scene doesn’t hear or heed it, and make sure the equipment used in scenes isn’t harming the subs.

  The Covenant’s security team takes care of everything else that isn’t scene-related, and provides safety for all members and are essentially the bouncers. With the recent addition of the garden, and more private, themed rooms, the owners have expanded their self-imposed limit of 350 members. The fire marshal had approved them for 500 when the warehouse-turned-kink club first opened, but the cousins had intentionally kept that number down to maintain an elite status. Now with more room, they are increasing the membership to 500, still under the new maximum occupancy of 720.

  Between Trident Security and The Covenant there’s plenty of romance, suspense, and steamy encounters. Come meet the Sexy Six-Pack, their friends, family, and teammates.

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  The Sexy Six-Pack (Alpha Team)

  and Their Significant Others

  Ian “Boss-man” Sawyer: Devon and Nick’s brother; retired Navy SEAL; co-owner of Trident Security and The Covenant; husband/Dom of Angelina (Angel); father of Peyton Marie.

  Devon “Devil Dog” Sawyer: Ian and Nick’s brother; retired Navy SEAL; co-owner of Trident Security and The Covenant; husband/Dom of Kristen; father of John Devon “JD.”

  Ben “Boomer” Michaelson: retired Navy SEAL; explosives and ordnance specialist; husband/Dom of Katerina; son of Rick and Eileen.

  Jake “Reverend” Donovan: retired Navy SEAL; temporarily assigned to run the West Coast team; sniper; husband/Dom of Nick; brother of Mike; Whip Master at The Covenant.

  Brody “Egghead” Evans: retired Navy SEAL; computer specialist; husband/Dom of Fancy.

  Marco “Polo” DeAngelis: retired Navy SEAL; communications specialist and back up helicopter pilot; husband/Dom of Harper; father to Mara.

  Nick “Junior” Sawyer: Ian and Devon’s brother; current Navy SEAL; husband/submissive of Jake.

  Kristen “Ninja-girl” Sawyer: author of romance/suspense novels; wife/submissive of Devon; mother of “JD.”

  Angelina “Angie/Angel” Sawyer: graphic artist; wife/submissive of Ian; mother of Petyon Marie.

  Katerina “Kat” Michaelson: dog trainer for law enforcement and private agencies; wife/submissive of Boomer.

  Millicent “Harper” DeAnge
lis: lawyer; wife/submissive of Marco; mother of Mara.

  Francine “Fancy” Maguire: baker; wife/submissive of Brody.

  Extended Family, Friends, and

  Associates of the Sexy Six-Pack

  Mitch Sawyer: Cousin of Ian, Devon, and Nick; co-owner/manager of The Covenant, Dom to Tyler and Tori.

  T. Carter: US spy and assassin; works for covert agency Deimos; Dom of Jordyn.

  Jordyn Alvarez: US spy and assassin; member of covert agency Deimos; submissive of Carter.

  Tyler Ellis: Stockbroker; lifestyle switch—Dom of Tori; submissive of Mitch.

  Tori Freyja: K9 trainer for veterans in need of assistance/service dogs; submissive of Mitch and Tyler.

  Parker Christiansen: owner of New Horizons Construction; husband/Dom of Shelby; adoptive father of Franco and Victor.

  Shelby Christiansen: stay-at-home mom; two-time cancer survivor; wife/submissive of Parker; adoptive mother of Franco and Victor.

  Curt Bannerman: retired Navy SEAL; owner of Halo Customs, a motorcycle repair and detail shop; husband of Dana; stepfather of Ryan, Taylor, Justin, and Amanda. Lives in Iowa.

  Dana Prichard-Bannerman: teacher; widow of retired SEAL Eric Prichard; wife of Curt; mother of Ryan, Taylor, Justin, and Amanda. Lives in Iowa.

  Jenn “Baby-girl” Mullins: college student; goddaughter of Ian; “niece” of Devon, Brody, Jake, Boomer, and Marco; father was a Navy SEAL; parents murdered.

  Mike Donovan: owner of the Irish pub, Donovan’s; brother of Jake; submissive to Charlotte.

  Charlotte “Mistress China” Roth: Parole officer; Domme and Whip Master at The Covenant; Domme of Mike.

  Travis “Tiny” Daultry: former professional football player; head of security at The Covenant and Trident compound; occasional bodyguard for TS.

  Doug “Bullseye” Henderson: retired Marine; head of the Personal Protection Division of TS.

  Rick and Eileen Michaelson: Boomer’s parents; guardians of Alyssa. Rick is a retired Navy SEAL.

  Charles “Chuck” and Marie Sawyer: Ian, Devon, and Nick’s parents. Charles is a self-made real estate billionaire. Marie is a plastic surgeon involved with Operation Smile.

  Will Anders: Assistant Curator of the Tampa Museum of Art Kristen Anders’s cousin.

  Dr. Roxanne London: pediatrician; Domme/wife (Mistress Roxy) of Kayla; Whip Master at Covenant.

  Kayla London: social worker; submissive/wife of Roxanne.

  Grayson and Remington Mann: twins; owners of Black Diamond Records; Doms/fiancés of Abigail; members of The Covenant.

  Abigail Turner: personal assistant at Black Diamond Records; submissive/fiancée of Gray and Remi.

  Chase Dixon: retired Army Ranger; owner of Blackhawk Security; associate of TS.

  Reggie Helm: lawyer for TS and The Covenant; Dom/husband of Colleen.

  Alyssa Wagner: teenager saved by Jake from an abusive father; lives with Rick and Eileen Michaelson.

  Dr. Trudy Dunbar: Psychologist.

  Carl Talbot: college professor; Dom and Whip Master at The Covenant.

  Jase Atwood: Contract agent/mercenary; Lives on the island of St. Lucia; Dom of Brie.

  Brie Hanson: Owner of Daddy-O’s in St. Lucia; submissive of Jase.

  The Omega Team and

  Their Significant Others

  Cain “Shades” Foster: retired Secret Service agent.

  Tristan “Duracell” McCabe: retired Army Special Forces.

  Logan “Cowboy” Reese: retired Marine Special Forces; former prisoner of war. Boyfriend/Dom of Dakota.

  Valentino “Romeo” Mancini: retired Army Special Forces; former FBI Hostage Rescue Team (HRT) member.

  Darius “Batman” Knight: retired Navy SEAL.

  Kip “Skipper” Morrison: retired Army; former LAPD SWAT sniper.

  Lindsey “Costello” Abbott: retired Marine; sniper.

  Dakota Swift: Tampa PD undercover police officer; submissive girlfriend to Logan.

  Tahira: Princess of Timasur; wife of Darius.

  Trident Support Staff

  Colleen McKinley-Helm: office manager of TS; wife/submissive of Reggie.

  Tempest “Babs” Van Buren: retired Air Force helicopter pilot; TS mechanic.

  Russell Adams: retired Navy; assistant TS mechanic.

  Nathan Cook: former computer specialist with the National Security Agency (NSA).

  Members of Law Enforcement

  Larry Keon: Assistant Director of the FBI.

  Frank Stonewall: Special Agent in Charge of the Tampa FBI.

  Calvin Watts: Leader of the FBI HRT in Tampa.

  Colt Parrish: Major Case Specialist, Behavioral Analysis Unit.

  The K9s of Trident

  Beau: An orphaned Lab/Pit mix, rescued by Ian. Now a trained K9 who has more than earned his spot on the Alpha Team.

  Spanky: A rescued Bullmastiff with a heart of gold, owned by Parker and Shelby.

  Jagger: A rescued Rottweiler trained as an assistance/service animal for Russell.

  FUBAR: A Belgian Malinois who failed aggressive guard dog training. Adopted by Babs.

  BDSM: Bravo, Delta, Sierra, and Mike, two Belgian Malinoises and two German shepherds, the guard dogs at the Trident compound: Ian named them using the military communication’s alphabet.

  “An invisible red thread connects those who are destined to meet, regardless of time, place, and circumstance. The thread may stretch or tangle. But it will never break.” – Ancient Chinese Proverb.

  1

  Nicole Swafford wasn’t sure what kind of welcome she would get, but she didn’t know where else to go. She wasn’t sure Nick Donovan’s brother Ian Sawyer would even remember who she was. It seemed like it was forever ago since she and Nick had been in high school together. They had been best friends but nothing more. Even back then, Nicole knew Nick was more interested in the guys than he was in the girls. Not that she told anyone or even let on to Nick that she knew.

  She and Nick had been teased savagely for the first few weeks of school. They’d been assigned to the same class and had seats next to each other. Having the same color eyes and hair and same initials hadn’t helped anything. They were a couple in the eyes of their classmates before they even got to know each other.

  That’d been years ago, and now Nicole needed Nick’s assistance, or more to the point, Nick’s brothers’ help. Trident Security was the name she was given over and over again when she asked for recommendations. She needed someone good who could get the job done. Money wasn’t a problem. She had her inheritance that she’d received from her maternal grandparents and would spend every cent of it to get her son back.

  After they’d graduated high school, Nicole and Nick had gone their separate ways. Nick had joined the service, following in his brothers’ footsteps. Nicole was off to college and then took a job as a traveling nurse after she received her bachelor’s degree in nursing. It was during one of her first assignments that she met Jin Peng. What a mistake that had been.

  She’d just turned twenty-one when she’d met Jin. After cramming four years of college into three, she then started right away with the traveling nurse agency. She’d been on her second assignment when they’d sent her to China. She and Jin had dated a few short months before Nicole had found out she was pregnant, and Jin had insisted they marry.

  Nicole had thought she’d been in love. At first, everything had been wonderful. Jin had been very willing to return to the United States and live there with Nicole. After she’d had the baby and took some time off, he’d insisted she return to work, if only on a limited basis. She’d made three to four trips a year before Clifton had started school. When he was five and began kindergarten, she’d begun to travel more. Jin had used that against her, even though it’d been his idea.

  Even though he hadn’t been able to keep a steady job, with all his traveling back and forth to China, Jin always seemed to have more than enough money. Nicole didn’t know much about Jin’s family but was sure that was where most of his wealth c
ame from.

  Thinking back over the last few years, she realized that she hadn’t known much about Jin at all, and everything she thought she’d known was a lie.

  It was after she’d started traveling more frequently that she noticed the changes. Not only with Jin, but also in Cliff. Both of them were more standoffish and less affectionate. It tore Nicole’s heart out to think of the things he might have been telling their son.

  She’d tried talking to both of them, but nothing had changed. She tried taking fewer trips, but that made things worse. Now, she realized Jin had been setting her up all along. And she had fallen right into his hands. She didn’t know how long he’d been planning what had happened, but she thought it’d been a long time, maybe even years in the making.

  She’d ignored all the signs for the sake of her son. She didn’t want him to grow up in a broken home. Clifton was her heart. She’d fought hard with Jin to name him after her father. Jin had finally given in when she said they could use his father’s name, Huang, as his middle name. Jin called him Huang more often than Clifton or Cliff, but Nicole couldn’t change that.