Stone: Castle Sin, #1

Acknowledgements

I am amazed by the number of fans my first bestselling series; Club Alpha Cove, has. It truly is humbling to hear that many of them refer to it as their go to series and have read it over and over again.

To all of you, I wish to offer you my gratitude. I can’t express in words what it means to me. Because of that ... the Castle Sin series is for those who kept asking for something in line of the CAC series. I truly hope you’ll enjoy the Castle Sin Masters; Stone, Hawk, Kane, Ace, Parker, Shane, and Zeke.

To my ARC team on Stone, you’re an amazing group of readers and I’m blessed that you’re always ready to start reading the moment the book lands in your kindles.

My super reliable proofreaders; ladies, you’re a blessing. Marie Vayer, Melanie Marnell, Kemberlee Snelling and Charlotte Strickland, I salute you every month. Thank you for all your support. It’s truly appreciated!

As always, my editor on Stone, Kristen Breanne, is a woman with patience untold. Thank you for never complaining when I’m late and for doing a superb job in all the books we work on together.

Finally, to a very special friend and one of the best bosses I’d ever had, Blaize Wulfsohn, whose real-life experience during the 2004 tsunami in Phuket, Thailand, was used in this book.

My constant mentor and soulmate; honeybuns, you keep me grounded and unbeknownst to you, you are the one who gives me inspiration.

Author’s Note

Dear Reader,

Castle Sin is a dark BDSM suspense series.

Castle Sin

Seven Masters

Seven Dungeons

Seven Times the Kink

STONE: MASTER EAGLE

I should warn you, Master Eagle, I bite and have been known to scratch.

Peyton Jackson was a Pulitzer Prize winning investigative journalist, the best in her field, but in Castle Sin, she was known only as Sub PJ.

Peyton had stayed away from the ocean for a reason, yet there she was, on a remote island in Key West, surrounded by the sea, gazing at the majestic castle meant to become her home ... at least, that’s what she made the seven Masters believe ... In reality, she was there for only one reason: to get her cousin off the island.

One unexpected perk ... or detriment ... was that it placed her directly in the sights of her biggest celeb crush. In contrast to finding herself wanting to please her Master at every turn, she also smelled a story, a scoop ... and she had every intention of taking advantage to find out exactly what went on inside the walls of Castle Sin.

Until she awoke the Beast inside the King of the Castle.

And it’s going to be such a pleasure to make you crawl and beg, he promised in a deep growl. As meek as a little kitten.

He was known as Stone Rothman in Hollywood ... Stone Sinclair to his family ... and Master Eagle to everyone else in Castle Sin

A powerful Master, a compassionate man, and a hungry and demanding Beast created the enigma that was Stone Sinclair.

Trust and honesty were paramount in every aspect of his life, and he expected the same from those surrounding him. As the king of his castle, it took a lot to crack his armor ... but this time she had peeved him off. She was one of the trainees who had applied to be a submissive at Castle Sin ... and she was a fake. A liar and an impostor. Two traits this powerful Master had no patience for.

The moment he laid eyes on the tall redhead, the Beast inside his soul began to stir. She was a deceiver, and he was going to enjoy transforming her into exactly what she’d applied for.

A submissive ... his submissive.

Meanwhile, unbeknownst to both of them, a conspiracy threatened to yank their entire existence apart. It endangered not only their lives, but spelled disaster for the entire nation, and Peyton was forced into an impossible situation she had no way to get out of.

With lies and lust and fear at war inside her, helpless to fight the domination of the Master and his Beast, she attempted to find a solution ... but no matter what she did, there was only one way it all would end.

With Stone Sinclair hating her.

Editor’s Note:

Stone will make you want to go out and apply to all the local BDSM clubs in the hopes of finding your very own Master Eagle. Sexy as hell, sweet like candy, with just a vein of mystery and danger that we have come to expect, Stone is woven in such a way that will have your head in the clouds, your blood pounding in all the right places, and your heart cracking as you wonder what you would do if you were in her place...

I truly enjoyed writing the first book in this exciting new series. I hope you’ll find the same enjoyment reading it.

Warm regards,

Linzi Basset

Chapter One

Ugh! I hate all this water.

Peyton Jackson couldn’t suppress a shudder of disgust as she stared over the wide expanse of the ocean surrounding her. For once it was all it was, there wasn't the usual terror associated with being on the water. The streaks of the sun danced over her face, turning the amethyst color of her eyes to a deep violet. Her only salvation was the sight of the green patch in the distance growing bigger as the speedboat carried them rapidly closer to their destination.

She hated everything associated with island life. To her, idyllic wasn’t the description she’d use, rather hot, sticky, and uncomfortable with sand ... lots and lots of sand surrounded by water. Too many dangerous gallons to mention.

Five minutes, ladies.

Peyton glanced at the tall, muscled man at the helm of the boat. The way he handled her was poetry in motion, effortless, and skillful. Danton Hill was apparently the acclaimed Rothman cousins’ Security Director.

Gmphf, imagine that, a Security Director! I suppose being celebrities they do need 24/7 protection. I wonder if he swaps their diapers for them too.

The strangled laugh that escaped her lips drew the big man’s eyes her way. She quickly swallowed her mirth at the childish notion her wayward thoughts brought to mind, but a broad smile remained on her lips.

She looked at the other six passengers. All of them women, who stared with anticipation and excitement at the lush island that loomed ahead. Peyton had been surprised when she got on the boat to find them already waiting. Not because they were there but because they didn’t fit the stereotypical woman she imagined would willingly submit to a life of servitude on a remote island ruled by seven men.

Masters, actually, she corrected herself. Powerful Dominants who knew how to make even the strongest woman bow to their command in willing submission.

Or so she’d heard.

Castle Sin, on the privately owned, The Sevens Keys Island, in Key West was a hush-hush establishment. Only approved celebrities, politicians, and executive businessmen were members of the exclusive BDSM club.

Four of the six women were older, at a guess in their early forties, and the other two, she surmised to be her age, mid-thirty, which left Peyton dumbfounded. It shot all the information she’d gathered over the years about the seven Rothman cousins to smithereens. She had expected to find a myriad of young females under the age of thirty on the island. A place that was inaccessible to the public, only paid members—which consisted of male Dominants—or as a submissive or slave employed by the reclusive owners.

Reclusive my ass!

The Rothman clan had risen to stardom fifteen years ago when all seven of them had been cast in a Marvel action movie that became a blockbuster on release day. Everyone thereafter had followed the same track. That first motion picture had set them up for life. The producers were clever enough to ride on the wave of success. They’d turned it into a series that released a new feature film every eighteen months. Of course, all seven men thrived on being in the spotlight. The regular articles in the tabloids about their sexual exploits and the strings of women that always hung on to them like leeches were proof of that.

The cousins hadn’t stopped their lives the moment they made it big in film. Apparently, they all had various degrees but kept that part of their lives well hidden from the public eye. Apparently, being the key phrase. Peyton had been unable to find any concrete evidence of exactly what they did off the movie set.

No one knew where they disappeared to in between filming; Peyton had a theory that it was nothing but a smokescreen for the dubious shenanigans on the island.

You haven’t joined in the excited blabber since you got on board.

The deep voice of Danton yanked her from her musings. She did her best to glance at him in a subservient manner, an insecure flicker of eyelids as she peeked at him through her lashes.

So, tell me, Peyton Jackson, why are you here?

She was hard-pressed not to snort at his haughty demeanor as he looked at her from his towering height at the steering wheel.

Of course! He’s probably also a Dom.

Like that mattered any to Peyton. She was beyond irritated. If not for her aunt begging her to talk sense into her impulsive cousin, Savannah, who had already been on The Sevens Keys for close to three months, she’d be happily chasing worthwhile and newsworthy stories—well as soon as she was back at work from the forced vacation she was on. As an investigative journalist for CNN and who made the front pages of all the major newspapers and magazines across the U.S., Peyton could afford to choose which stories she chased. Celebrities and movie stars didn’t interest her unless they committed a noteworthy crime.

I asked you a question, Miss Jackson.

The sharp intonation of her name seared through her. She cursed herself for not having the foresight to use an assumed name. If the Castle Sin Masters did a background check on her, it would put them on guard. It was the one thing she didn’t want.

I don’t believe I need to tell you. There’s only one reason all of us are here, isn’t that right? she hedged with a tight smile. She fluttered her eyes and looked down as Danton’s gaze sharpened on her. It wouldn’t do to harvest suspicion about her. She had to blend in and get her cousin off the island.

Lies aren’t tolerated at Castle Sin, he rasped, and a deep slash drew his eyebrows together as he studied her intently. Peyton did her best not to squirm under his piercing stare but failed when an evil smile twitched his lips. Especially from you. I have a feeling you’re going to catch the Beast’s eye.

Th-the Beast? Peyton cursed at how small her voice sounded. She couldn’t help the rapid beating of her heart as he chuckled darkly.

Yeah, the overseeing Master Dom. His eyes did another slow foray over her dark red hair blowing behind her in the wind. I think this time, he’s going to break his own rule.

Ehm ... what rule? she asked, unable to listen to her brain that kept telling her to shut the hell up.

You sound like a scared little girl, for god’s sake!

Oh, shut up!

Not to take a sub for himself. He nodded as his eyes roamed over her curvy body. Yeah ... I think our Master is gonna take time to have a little fun for himself.

Peyton pressed her lips together, lest she say something that would give her away. She couldn’t afford to be kicked off the island before she even made it through the castle doors.

She had avoided digging deeper into the lives of the seven Rothman cousins for six years, ever since rumors about their dubious sexual proclivities had been doused as the actions of a woman scorned. At first, she’d started investigating the claim by the woman, Leigh Simms, that she’d been held prisoner by the cousins—treated and abused like a slave. She’d publicly retracted her claim within days, and Peyton had lost interest, especially as there was nothing at the time, linking them to The Seven Keys Island. Still, her curiosity had been pricked and she’d done some research on and off when time permitted. She’d found nothing outside of what the public already knew about them, which didn’t interest her as a reporter chasing dangerous criminals, syndicates, and corrupt politicians. Seven drop-dead gorgeous, self-made billionaire movie stars was nothing but sensationalism.

Until her aunt had shown her the secret file with information about Castle Sin on The Sevens Keys Island she’d found hidden in the room Savannah used when she stayed over during visits. Leigh Simms had also mentioned an island in her claim six years ago, but she hadn’t given the name or the coordinates of where it was, except somewhere in Key West. It was the first time she’d come across information about the privately-owned club, Castle Sin. Peyton didn’t live under a rock and knew exactly what happened at an exclusive BDSM club. She’d even joined as a member at such clubs since—purely for investigative purposes, of course, or so she tried to make herself believe. She grimaced at the memory of her first visit. She’d been daring that time and ended up with a crisscross butt that had her standing for a week before she could sit down again. To this day, she still didn’t understand why she’d gone back a second, third—hell—a lot more times since.

Finding out that her younger cousin had signed an employment contract that included a tight non-disclosure agreement, to live on the island for a minimum period of one year after being trained as a submissive slave, had stumped her. It made her wonder if her attitude toward Savannah over the past five odd years had perhaps driven her to it. She’d shrugged it off. It was too farfetched. But the woman’s claim from six years prior had come back to haunt her. She began digging deeper and elicited the help of her bestie and next-door neighbor, Taylor Banks. Taylor was a real estate attorney. She’d pulled a few strings to uncover the locked information of the corporation The Sevens Keys Island was registered to.

It listed seven names. The surname wasn’t familiar but the names sure as hell were. They might be known to the world as the Rothman cousins but in real life, she now knew they were from oldest to youngest, none other than Shane, Kane, Stone, Hawk, Ace, Zeke, and Parker Sinclair. Suddenly, she had an angle that sparked the interest of the bloodhound inside her for a story. One she had every intention of writing. Finding her cousin became secondary.

No matter that she was about to come face to face with the ‘Beast’ who would apparently claim her for himself or that he could be there ... the one Rothman or rather, Sinclair cousin, who caused her ovaries to break out in a slow foxtrot until her loins throbbed with lust every time his face appeared on the big screen or television.

Cousin number three.

Stone Sinclair.

Chapter Two

Taylor Banks? I’ve heard of her. She’s a highly sought after real estate attorney, especially by big corporations and property developers. Why would she be interested in information about Seven Keys? Hawk Sinclair rasped. He got up to fill his cup with coffee, dragging in a deep breath as the rich aroma filled his nostrils.

His dark eyes sought out his cousin, Stone, who stood in front of the large mullion bay windows of the boardroom at Castle Sin gazing out over the ocean surrounding them. His straight shoulders and aristocratic tilt of his rigid chin was a clear indication of his anger.

Peyton Jackson. The name spat from Stone’s lips. He didn’t bother to hide the disgust he felt, nor the violence that swirled inside him. If there was one thing he abhorred, it was dishonesty. He spun around and looked between the six men sitting at the large boardroom table. Any of you heard the name before?

Fucking hell, the investigative journalist that never leaves a stone unturned once she smells a story? Ace straightened in his chair as he gave Stone an inquiring look.

The same, known in the industry as the bloodhound bitch. Stone sat down at the head of the table.

He was the CEO of Be Secure Enterprises. A company that no one in the acting industry knew about or was aware they owned. They had made sure the ownership papers were locked tight and not available for public scrutiny.

Acting was a career Stone and three of his cousins had never coveted but had been drawn into when the two oldest family members, Shane, and Kane—who had been successful actors since their youth—had coerced them into a onetime only Marvel movie eighteen years ago. It had been more of an adventure than a challenge for the cousins to do something that big as a team. They’d enjoyed it and the experience had brought them closer as a family. Unfortunately for them, it hadn’t ended there. The movie became an overnight blockbuster and they all shot to instant stardom. The producers immediately signed them up for an entire series of the action filled, Marvel themed films. Each of them was forever encased in action figures of the parts they played in the movies.

Mostly, it had been fun but for Stone, Parker, and Hawk; it had run its course. Stone was the first to indicate he wanted out, five years ago already. Of all of the cousins, he hated the limelight the most. He had always been a private person and the one who kept to himself outside of shooting movies and attending the bare minimum of social gatherings. Hawk and Ace, along with him and his younger brother, Parker, had concentrated over the years on quietly building an empire they could fall back on when the time was right. All seven cousins owned shares and had supported and been involved in Be Secure Enterprises to a certain extent over the years, knowing at some point, stepping away from acting was inevitable.

For Stone, who had just celebrated his forty-fourth birthday, the time had come. Be Secure Enterprises was already a well-known international company that developed and designed top level security systems. Software and hardware, as well as supplying a full system security portfolio to the corporate world, government, and legal institutions all over the globe to safeguard their data, buildings, and people. Acting had become a chore to him, and he hated the months it dragged him away from the company and being involved in the operations on a day to day basis.

Then there was Castle Sin. The kind of club that had been Stone’s secret fantasy from a young age. It had come to fruition when he’d inherited billions when his grandfather passed away ten years ago. It had taken him two years to find the perfect island, another year to design and build the exclusive club to his specifications. It didn’t take much to convince his cousins to buy into the idea. Although registration papers indicated Sinclair Corporation, a secret addendum showed Stone as the sole owner of the island and the primary shareholder of the club with the rest of them owning a combined forty-five percent in shares. Over the past four years, Castle Sin had become home to them.

Do you think one of the women we kicked out of the club is trying to exploit us again, like Leigh Simms a couple of years ago? Shane, at fifty-one, was the oldest of the Sinclair clan, a couple of months older than Kane, who was also his best friend. He didn’t suffer fools easily. As the resident psychologist of Castle Sin, he was also the best judge of character and spotted fake submissives the moment they set foot on the island.

It’s possible. If memory serves, she was the bloodhound on the story at the time until Leigh retracted her claim. Stone shrugged. I suppose chasing a dead lead didn’t interest her. She’s more into hardcore investigative journalism, not sensationalism.

Which poses the question, why would she be digging into the ownership of the island? Zeke grumbled. His tall frame was relaxed as he slumped in the chair, chomping on a sandwich he’d just pinched from the plate in the center of the table.

Parker, care to fill everyone in on what you found? Stone’s moss green eyes turned to his brother.

Sure thing. Parker quickly linked his tablet to the large overhead screen against one wall. A picture of a petite blonde flashed on the screen.

Ace straightened and leaned forward. That’s Savannah Thorne, aka sub ST. She’s currently in Hawk’s dungeon, isn’t she?

Each woman who signed up for an employment contract or applied to the training program with Castle Sin as a slave or submissive, was called by their initials from the moment of their arrival. It was done to keep the lines clearly drawn between the seven Masters and their trainees. Each cousin was in charge of his own dungeon, where all the slaves or submissives received specific training. Only once they successfully passed their training in all the dungeons, were they christened with a club name and allowed to attend to the members in the club. Those who only attended the training program were offered the opportunity of employment first before they returned to the mainland.

That’s correct, Parker said. And from all reports, she’s doing very well and completely embracing the new life she signed up for as a Castle Sin slave.

I forgot how innocently young she looked. Shane stared intently at the picture of the beautiful young woman on the screen. He recalled the assessment interview he had with her clearly.

We were all surprised at how much older she is than she looks. She just celebrated her thirtieth birthday last week. Parker tapped on his tablet and Savannah’s social security details appeared on the screen.

So, what does she have to do with Peyton Jackson? Shane tapped his fingers on the desk as he searched his memory banks for useful information on Savannah Thorne.

That’s what triggered our suspicion. There’s some kind of connection between them. A couple of searches kept connecting their names, but we have no idea what. Even on the dark web, any data seems to just disappear into pixels, Stone said. His expression turned thunderous as he paged through Peyton’s application as a Castle Sin submissive.

"That does raise a red flag. Who has the ability to erase someone’s life from the dark web and why would a Pulitzer Prize winning investigative journalist apply for a yearlong submissive employment position? Kane looked at Stone. And sub ST? If I recall, you and Shane had your reservations about her too."

Care to fill me in? Zeke said. He had been on a business trip to Australia and had decided to extend it a couple weeks longer for a well-deserved vacation. Therefore, he hadn’t met Sub ST as he’d only returned a couple of days ago.

According to our background checks, sub ST had been laid off as part of a merger and that led to her marriage falling apart and not too amicably either. Shane and I believe that sub ST’s decision to apply as a live-in slave at Castle Sin was part of cleansing herself of past demons and regaining her confidence. Stone continued to page through Peyton’s file.

Which in itself isn’t a problem, but she’s completely new to the lifestyle and we weren’t sure she understood what being a BDSM slave entailed, Shane said.

And are you still of that opinion? The first month of her training was spent in your dungeon, wasn’t it? Ace sipped his coffee, watching Shane.

Oh, she now understands what would be expected of her. Personally, I’m not entirely convinced she’s slave material. She’ll make a much better submissive but she’s too feisty for a slave. I’m still scheduling regular talks with her. Deep down, she’s a very troubled young woman. I got the feeling she came here not just to face her inner demons but to hide.

The question is, from who, Stone muttered. And with the possible link to sub ST, one thing is for certain. Peyton Jackson’s interest in The Seven Keys Island isn’t a coincidence or something to be taken lightly.

Why do you say that? Hawk narrowed his eyes. He was aware that Stone was angry. It was there in every taut line of his body.

Because she’s one of the new applicants I approved as a Castle Sin submissive. His head turned, his jaw rigid. He watched the speedboat slowing down as it approached the mooring bay at the marina of The Sevens Keys Island. The new trainees had arrived. Miss Jackson scratches where she has no business. She’s here for a story, mark my words.

Relax, Stone. She might have details on the owners of the island, but she also signed a tight NDA. If she blathers about Castle Sin and the training she willingly applied for, I’ll make sure she’s discredited and caught in litigation for years, said Hawk, the resident attorney.

Peyton Jackson is a prize-winning journalist, Hawk. She’s not stupid. I’m sure one way or the other, she’s already got her escape route planned and found a way to write her story. Stone grimaced ruefully. Blackmail comes to mind.

Ace frowned in thought. Blackmail? Do you think she’s already put two and two together about us as actors?

It wouldn’t take a genius to figure that out, Ace. We might have changed our surnames as a protection mechanism when we joined Shane, Kane, and Zeke on that movie, but our first names are the same. Trust me, the moment she noticed that, she made the connection. A volatile frown darkened Stone’s face. She’s here for one reason only. To get the scoop of a lifetime.

Which is why I drew up the NDA with the sub clause, Stone. To ensure our identities remain intact. Our asses are too well known out there not to take the precaution. So, unless Miss Jackson has written approval to publish or disclose any information about us, she’s going to be locked in litigation for years and the station she works for will be sued for millions. No news station will touch her afterward, I’ll make sure of that. Besides, not one of the other trainees, live-in subs or slaves will corroborate her story. You know everyone who comes here is one-hundred-percent loyal to us. Leigh proved that—in the end at any rate. And I’ll make sure to kill the story before she even puts anything to paper, Hawk said