Chapter 26
Grace
I’m on edge as I make my way through the club looking for Lili or someone else to talk to. Victor and Owen were huddled in an office last time I saw them, looking for more evidence of Kara’s stalking.
Something about recognizing the word game Kara has been playing with the flowers makes Sampson’s death feel more real.
I wasn’t still in love with him. I didn’t even miss him.
But he was an important part of my life, and the realization that we’ll never talk again makes me sad.
Worse, the idea that he even partially blamed me for his misery before he made his final choice is overwhelming. Almost to the point of unbearable.
I blow out a breath as I shove into the commercial kitchen hidden at the back of the club. Tyson is at the prep counter slicing fruit and arranging it on a tray. It’s something he does for club nights, giving people fancy finger foods to enjoy between fucking and playing.
Lili sits on a stool nearby scrolling on her phone. Then I spot Matteo and Luke on the other side of the counter staring at each other.
“What’s going on?” I ask as I approach.
“Come sit,” Lili says with a bright smile. “Tyson made pastries. You can watch Matteo and Luke argue. It’s kinda hot.”
Both men turn and glare at Lili, and Tyson just laughs as he slices a fresh pineapple.
“What are they arguing about?” I whisper as I pick up one of the pastries sitting in front of Lili.
“Luke thinks we shouldn’t open tonight.”
My eyebrow quirks up. “Are you seriously considering opening?”
Matteo rolls his eyes as if I’m taking Luke’s side just to spite him. “Yes. We need to keep things business as usual.”
“What about Kara, Griffin Price, all the unknowns with Phineas?” I ask, my heart leaping into my chest.
Lili reaches over and grabs my hand, trailing a finger along the inside of my wrist. “Just hear Matteo out, lover.”
Her touch soothes the edges of my anxiety, but I’m still tense as I look at Matteo expectantly.
“If we shut down, we announce we’re scared.
That’s leverage for anyone coming at us.
If Victor’s father is right, and the Russians are making a move, we have to appear unfazed.
So we don’t change anything about the sandwich shop, the club, none of it.
No changes to our posted hours, no public signs of increased security. ”
Matteo turns his attention to me, his shoulders squared as he adjusts the cuffs of his shirt. “You have questions, Grace. Ask them.”
He’s not being unkind. Just direct. I can respect that, and I’m used to it from the men who own this club.
“I just don’t get it,” I say, keeping my voice even. “Why risk the club? If Kara’s out there, if the Russians are making a move, why put our members in danger? Sabrina had a bomb in her car, for fuck’s sake.”
Owen walks in at that moment, setting his tablet on the counter next to my pastry.
“Routine gives us control, pet. We know every name on the guest list, every staff member, every delivery driver. If something’s off, we catch it faster if things run as normal.
If we change the way we do things more than we already have, it’s harder to catch when something isn’t right. ”
Matteo nods. “Also, our enemies, whether that’s Kara Lindon or the Russians, expect us to hide.
Running scared broadcasts where our enemies can hit us next.
If we keep you in lockdown and close the club, they move on to more vulnerable targets that are harder for us to protect.
Your apartment, maybe Lili’s friends. Here, not only are we safer, but we can keep running our business while keeping an eye on things.
I flinch at the thought of Sabrina who has already been caught in the crossfire. Trinity Novak too. Matteo sees it, and his expression softens. “Trinity is alive. Sabrina is safe,” he says, putting a hand on my shoulder.
“You said no visible increases in security. But what are you actually doing?”
“Two guards minimum on every entrance. Armed. We’re jamming all cell signals other than key staff after opening. We’ll blame it on a VIP with deep pockets who demanded it. If any of our enemies make a move, they’ll be showing their hand.”
I nod. “OK. Then we open. I guess I’ll go prepare then. Can I please be Victor’s shadow tonight?”
Owen nods. “I’m sure he won’t object to that.”
Every owner has a submissive who shadows him for the night. For the others, their collared subs generally fill that role unless they are otherwise engaged. I’ve always rotated with the other submissives assigned to Victor’s space.
Tyson comes over with a tray of finger sandwiches and bottles of water and places them in front of us. His hands are steady, but he glances at the door more than once, tracking movement in the hall. Everyone’s on edge, but Tyson is especially so since Sabrina was nearly blown up.
I should check on her.
“Eat,” he says, sliding the tray closer to me and Lili. “You need something other than sugar.”
I’m not used to Tyson ordering me around, but I pick up a sandwich and take a bite, because he’s right. We need actual food in our systems if we’re going to be alert.
Lili shifts, crossing her legs under the table. She drops her phone onto the smooth surface and shifts her gaze to me. “How are you holding up?”
I shrug as I take a drink of water. “I’ve had better weeks.”
Owen’s tone is humorless. “When was the last time we had a normal week around here?”
Luke snorts. “This is Las Vegas. Does normal exist?”
Matteo checks his watch and then claps Luke on the shoulder. “I have to calm Skylar down. She’s pissed about not getting to play shows this week. Owen’s going to give us the rundown on new security protocols in an hour.”
Luke gives a thumbs up, kisses my and Lili’s cheeks and then follows Matteo out of the kitchen.
A woman I’ve only seen across the room pokes her head in. “Is one of you Grace?”
I give her a small wave. “That’s me.”
“I’m Erin Green-Carter. Victor is asking to see you in his office. Said to tell you not to keep him waiting.”
I roll my eyes. “Sorry he’s making you give messages to a stranger.”
Erin laughs and puts a hand on her stomach. “I was coming to talk Tyson into something to settle my stomach, and I overheard him asking where you were. I offered to pass the message along if you were here.”
“Anything specific for your stomach?” Tyson asks as I slide off my stool.
Lili stops me and pulls me in for a kiss. “Want company?” she asks.
I shake my head. “Let me see what he wants. Thanks though.”
She squeezes my hand, and I smile at Erin who is watching Tyson put stuff in a blender with a skeptical eye.
I hate the feeling that I’m putting my friends at risk by being here, but I know they’ll never let me leave, and I’m sure deep down they’re right about keeping things running like normal.
The walk to Victor’s office is short, and I take a deep breath to soothe my frayed nerves before I tap once, then slip inside.
He’s sitting behind his desk, hands folded in front of him, his dark hair hanging loose around his shoulders. His eyes follow my every move as I step further into the office.
“We’re going to open as normal tonight,” Victor says.
“I saw Matteo and Luke arguing about it in the kitchen,” I say quietly.
“Sit, Butterfly. You sound nervous.”
I drop into the chair across from his desk and twist the hem of my blouse in my fingers. “I’m scared that my being here is going to put people I love in danger,” I whisper.
His eyes narrow, and he leans across the desk. “Don’t even think about asking to go somewhere else.”
I shake my head and hold up my palms in surrender. “No. The thought crossed my mind, but I know you would never go for it.”
“Smart girl. What if I could take your mind off it for a while?” he asks, his voice dropping to a lower register that almost sounds seductive.
“What do you mean, Sir?”
He stands and comes around the desk, standing directly in front of me, leaning against the edge. “Do you remember a few weeks ago when you demoed needles with me?”
I smile brightly. “Yes, Sir. That was Lili’s first party.”
He cups my jaw and nods. “I suppose it was. Do you remember the promise I made you that night?”
My brows draw together as I try to remember.
“I’m not sure what you’re referring to.”
“That’s OK. I told you that one day I would give you wings instead of just an outline.”
My eyes widen. “I remember. Is that what you have in mind tonight? A needle scene?”
He drops to one knee in front of me, taking both hands in his.
“It is. I’d like to do it in the main dungeon.
We’ll do purple and black feathers. It’ll be the featured scene for the night.
Not a demo, so you can get lost in the sensation instead of hearing me lecture the crowd on safety.
It will just be a scene people can watch. ”
My throat tightens. I’m not scared of the pain. Victor makes it hot. It’s not the endurance of being still while he puts that many needles in my skin. It’s the entire concept of being made into something so vibrant in public while everyone watches. Being so seen. Why is that terrifying?
“This isn’t for the crowd,” he murmurs. “We can do it in one of the smaller dungeons if you would prefer.”
“Why now?” I ask.
He doesn’t hesitate. “You’re being hunted.
Someone out there wants to make you small.
Force you to hide. I want you to be seen.
Doing this, especially as the featured scene will remind you and everyone else that you’re not prey.
You’re not invisible. And you’ll never be invisible again as long as I’m your Dom. ”
The response is brutally effective. My body courses with adrenaline as I imagine the scene playing out. I’m in awe of the way he’s put so much thought into this. It’s important that I show up for it the way he wants me to, but the nerves have me unsure of myself.
“I love this idea, Victor…” I trail off and look at my hands.
He tucks a finger under my chin and brings my eyes to his. “What’s the hesitation, butterfly?”